Barbara's Creative Projects
A friend’s family adopted a senior dog, a very cute chihuahua named Jax
My friend asked if I could crochet a mini-Jax. So I did.
Then, because she has two young sons, she asked it I could make a second one so they would each have one. Jax Too is now ready to go with his twin to his new home
After finishing Mina’s afghan I had a request to make Kwazii for Volker. Kwazii is a former pirate in the show The Octonauts. I bought a pattern from Etsy and started. But I didn’t get it finished before leaving for California. I dutifully packed all the necessary parts into my carry-on luggage, intending to work on it on the plane.
First thing I discovered – I’d brought the wrong crochet hook! I have previously travelled with my case of crochet hooks, but I also almost lost them in security at the airport, or it felt like I almost lost them. Some of my hooks came from my Grandma Roth and I do not want to lose them, so I don’t take them anymore. So no crocheting on the plane.
Trina did not have a 4mm hook, so I had to buy a new hook. In the US Amazon is really amazing; I decided to buy a set of hooks, 2mm – 6mm, for less than $10 with the exchange! a really good deal.
Once I had the right hook, it didn’t take me long to finish Kwazii. I redid his whiskers as I didn’t like the first set. Volker was pleased.
Mina wanted a toy too. So I crocheted another character from a pattern book that Trina had purchased. This is Tweak: 
Then Trina decided to try crocheting a toy while I was there to help. She chose a Vegimal, Tunip (also from the Octonauts), to start. She caught on quickly and decided to make more. Volker is quite in love with the Vegimals.
It’s hard to hang onto all your friends and climb around on the playground equipment too!
Mina also wanted a Vegimal, so I made one with a different yarn and smaller hook
This is the size difference, my Codish and Trina’s Tunip:
And here are my two favourite children
How I do love them!
Mina has been asking for a Barbie doll lately and her mother has been resisting. Mina has many dolls already!
Gramma has a box of Barbies at her house. They are mostly dolls I bought very cheaply at Value Village back in the days when I was running a community centre. One evening, while on FaceTime I showed them to Mina. Of course, she wants them!
In order to stay as close as possible to her mother’s good side, I decided to give one doll to Mina, Skipper – this doll was her favourite when I showed them to her. Her Uncle Simon and Auntie Chrissie will be carrying it to California for her birthday.
I did a little research online and found that this model was created in 1967. She is in pretty good shape for such an old girl, wouldn’t you say?
Another special doll in my box is the one I bought myself. My parents didn’t have money for buying toys so I saved hard and finally had the $3.50 or so that she cost back in about 1967 or 8. I believe she is a “vintage standard” model – http://www.fashion-doll-guide.com/Vintage-Standard-Barbie-Doll.html.
Here is Barbie wearing the crocheted dress I made for her a number of years ago:
Only the second week of February but it feels like it has been a long winter. It certainly has been a cold one! I’m so glad to see the days getting longer; spring will come.
I seem to be better at starting projects than finishing them lately:
At any rate, I hope to finish piecing this quilt for my mother’s bed. The women of First Mennonite Church gave me some advice on how to do it, and the women of Bloomingdale Mennonite Church have offered to quilt it for me. Thank you all!
(click on the picture for a larger version)
I really need to get my act together and finish these items while I still want to stay cosy and warm inside!
Some months ago my delightful niece, Lexi, sent me this picture wondering if I could make one of these little phone pockets that she could give her mom for Christmas.
Of course I was happy to take up the challenge.
A Google search revealed several gorgeous pictures of owls (click on the picture to enlarge it, click again to close the image):
           
       
Inspired by these photos I created this cell phone cozy (of course, I didn’t dare post this before today):
For the body and wings I used a bit of leftover variegated wool from a previous project and a 3mm hook and an alternating dc/sc pattern. The eyes and beak are done with #8 perle cotton. I didn’t use a pattern, just invented as I went. I had to make it somewhat generic as I’m not even sure what model of phone Cheryl has. I used my iPod Touch (first generation) as a model.
Trina suggested I make a pattern and tutorial for this little guy. Perhaps I shall, someday.