Making – Page 6 – Organizing Threads

November 13, 2013January 19, 2014

Mina mail

I’ve been mailing little items to Mina because she loves to get “Mina mail.”

I was very thrilled last week myself when I got my first “Gramma mail” from Mina – a birthday present: ladybugs she made in nursery school; and other letters she created, that now hang on my fridge…

I have a new item to send now, a crocheted hat (pattern from Yarn Blossom Boutique) — one hat, two interchangeable flowers. I had to use a doll for a model, I hope it will fit my favourite girl! I used bits of my stash, mostly Caron Simply Soft. Hook size 5mm.

Update: December 1, 2013

As I suspected, the hat is a little small for Mina. Thankfully, she doesn’t seem to mind. I think I will make another, using a larger hook size, for when they come to Ontario. Trina send a video clip:

October 30, 2013November 13, 2013

A Min-a-Lantern

I decided to ask Mina to design my Jack-o-lantern this year. Her Mommy sent this video:

I interpreted her drawing thusly:

September 2, 2013

A Taco Corral

I have often struggled with earbuds; I want to take them with me, but they get so tangled up in my purse that I don’t bother — and then I wish I had them. I tried putting them into one of my little crocheted bags, but that wasn’t any better.

While waiting in San Francisco International Airport for my flight home last week I wanted something to read. I didn’t want to empty the battery on my phone, so I bought a magazine (Real Simple, September issue). I don’t do this very often because magazines are really designed to sell you something, and I don’t want to buy. Anyway, there in the pages (p. 56) I saw:

My first thought was, “That looks like it would work as good as the twist tie I am currently using and it looks a lot nicer.” My second thought was, of course, “I could crochet one.” So I did:Using 100% mercerized cotton and a 2.5mm crochet hook I started with an adjustable ring and single crocheted in a continuous circle for about 2.75 inches (diameter). At the end of the ninth row I made a 3-chain gap to be used for the button hole. I finished row 10 with a crab stitch. Going to my button box I found a pretty matching button — and there you have it.

Now, I will tell you soon how well it works.

August 1, 2013August 11, 2013

Lalaloopsy Fashions

Here are the first two outfits, a crocheted dress with crinoline under-skirt and a short/shirt set:

August 6 New outfits: pajamas, sweater and socks, bloomers and shoes:

A new top to go with the bloomers

I have blue shorts/pants in the works yet; hope to get them done before I head to California on August 14.

July 27, 2013July 27, 2013

Introducing: Pickles B.T.L.

Mina has discovered the joy of dressing and undressing her dolls and no longer needs a lot of help from her Mom. Trina asked if I could make some clothes for her buddies. I do enjoy making doll clothes, but I really want to have a model when I do it. I want to know the finished item will fit properly.

As well, today there was a birthday party for my great-nieces, and I needed to get a gift. Because Mina loves her Lalaloopsie buddies so much I thought maybe the twins would also like them.

The Target store just opened across the expressway from my house so I went over at opening, 8:00 o’clock this morning. They had a few Lalaloopsies, but nothing I really liked. I decided to bite the bullet and go to Fairway Road to ToysRUs. They weren’t open that early. But Walmart was. As a practice I avoid Walmart (dislike of some of their business practices) but today I went. I found what I was looking for:

Why Pickles B.T.L.? Because she has rollerskates, just like my favourite little girl:

Mina's rollerskates — Mina’s rollerskates

And for Maya and Makayla I found soft dolls (I can’t quite understand the love of these hard plastic, heavy-headed dolls myself) Ember Flicker Flame and Mittens Fluff’nStuff.

So now I can begin making doll clothes. I have crocheted a shrug and shoes which will be mailed to California on Monday. I am working on a dress. So more posts will be coming.