Needle Felting- new craft!

Needle felting is my new craft obsession. After getting my tools- felt needles, foam block, wool roving- I was able to make my creations!!!

I saw a YouTube tutorial on how to make a macaron- remember my clay ones? :) - and I knew I had to try this with felt. It is pretty simple- pushing the needle into the felt until it becomes stiff and shaping it.

Voila! Three gorgeous inedible macarons. I'm thinking of putting some cellphone holders on these.. what do you think?

2010 Martha Stewart Holiday Craft Sale on December 4, 2010

Martha Stewart's annual Holiday craft sale is back this December in New York City. Last year I attended this fair in hopes to check out many vendors and their DIY goodies! (See my recap here.) I had a great time and it's such a great place to pick up any holiday gifts and support the local businesses! If you want to get the details...

Join the fun on December 4, 2010 at the Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia building at 601 W. 26th Street, between 11 & 12 avenue in NYC. Admission is free and it starts 12 Noon to 6 PM.


See the list of vendors at www.marthastewart.com/craft-sale


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Crochet Popsicle with Embroidery Floss

**I apologize for my lack of updates! I've been un-crafty lately and haven't really made anything this summer/fall. This project I did earlier in the summer, and I'm starting to get back in the grooove of things. *fingers crossed* Stay tuned to here or my other beauty blog for more updates! www.igknowidea.blogspot.com**

From the Amigurumi Sweets book that I purchased back in April, I made a popsicle that was about 1.5 inches tall! It's super cute and instead of using regular yarn, I used embroidery floss. From the Spool Knit Jewelry book, which came with a crochet hook that is used for string, I knew that this would be the perfect tool to use with such a thin crochet thread.

Super Mario Mushroom

My apologies for the lack of updates!! I have been crafting (slowly) including some jewelry projects, which I will showcase once I find my pictures.

Here is a Super Mario mushroom (Think 1UP!) that I made recently. It's 3 inches tall, super cute and currently has a new home.

Watermelon Bead Art

I recently came across a website that has instructions (well just a picture actually) on how to make seed bead art! With no experience, lots of patience and some creativity, I was able to make this really cute watermelon! Oh and I also had the right materials- seed beads from my Jewelry Book to make rings (will post soon!) and thin lining. Ta-dah!

Tip: Leave extra string at the ends to finish the project.. don't underestimate how much you need. I didn't know so I couldn't fully complete the edge of the watermelon. There was supposed to be extra outer layer to make the watermelon slice fuller.

Sweets Amigurumi Japanese book

Source: Amazon in Japan

This past weekend, I treated myself to a Sweets Japanese Amigurumi book. Amazingly, this book- written all in Japanese- which I cannot read, taught me something. I have been doing the single crochet stitch WRONG. For the past 6-8 months, since I started learning to crochet, my single crochets have been wrong... How? After I put the hook into the yarn and yarn over, instead of pulling out just one yarn-ed over yarn, I pulled out TWO. which basically means my stitches are a bit shorter.. and why some of my rounds or rows are so close together..

So glad I got this book!

Now that I know what I did wrong.. I will practice and make sweets for my sweet! Who will that be? ;)

Handmade rings from Klutz Spool Knit Jewelry Book

For my birthday last year, my good friend L gave me this wonderful craft book! I have never heard of spool knitting, but it looked like it could make beautiful bracelets using a simple "spool" tool. Here are some of the rings I made using the materials from this book and my crochet skills. :)





This is the Klutz book I got. It includes instructions, beads, a crochet hook, elastic cords in various colors and of course the spool itself. The rings above did not use the spool. I am still learning how to use it.. more spool knit jewelry TBA!

Beauty and All That Valentine's Day Giveaway

Sister site, Beauty and All That, is having a Valentine's Day Giveaway.. check it out here: Valentine's Day Giveaway!!
Entries close on February 12, 2010! Details in link above.

Prizes include inspired crafts from here :)

Hand knitted fingerless gloves

I received this beautiful pair of fingerless gloves last weekend! They make me want to re-learn how to knit and make such pretty things again.. I only know how to knit the basic stitches and even then, they don't look as professional. For now, I have these to enjoy! Thanks, E! :)

Lion Brand's Pond Friends Stacking Toy

Happy New Year!

If you have been following this blog, you know that I have been working like a busy bee on a crocheted baby toy. I am SO Happy to announce that it is completed! I worked on this before the baby was born and now that she is here, happy and healthy, she can finally play with this! Or at least look at it... :)

This is called the Pond Friends Stacking Toy (three rings stacked- a bumblebee, a lady bug and a dragonfly) from the Lion Brand Yarn free pattern collection. I actually found this from Joann.com but now that I have discovered Lion Brand's website and free pattern collection, I will be using them as a direct resource! Joann's website has changed a bit and has made the search for patterns a bit more difficult..

Picture from Joann.com


My version :)



If you want to make a Pond Friends Stacking Toy too, go to Lion Brand's website!!. Love them!

Polymer Clay Cookbook Review

One of my Christmas gifts (for myself) was the Polymer Clay Cookbook. This book is such a great book to learn how to make simple clay foods, such as ice cream cones, cupcakes, waffles, etc. I bought this book because I wanted something to have, hold and use as a reference while I make these charms. The pictures are great and the instructions are easy to follow!

Another reason I purchased this book is that this book provided instructions on how to make the jewelry aspect and not just how to make the charms. So I learned how to add those little hooks you see on the charm itself with silver wiring, and how to make them into rings, bracelets, necklaces, etc.



Since the holidays is almost over, and there's no point in making any Christmas/Holiday charms, I will focus on the next upcoming Holiday- Valentine's Day!

This book has a section on how to make those conversation hearts , so I will give them a try and make them for friends and perhaps giveaways! :)


Check out my other beauty blog, Beauty and All That!

Crochet project- Baby Toy

I'm almost there.. I have started this project in October (according to my previous post) and the reason why this blog has been on a hiatus (among other reasons.) But I am almost finished. I started stuffing some of the pieces together and it is starting to look more together. Once I am done, I will post pictures of my works in progress and final project! Thanks to Lion Yarn (the yarn company) for the wonderful pattern!

Follow me @beautyallthat on twitter :)

Also, check out my other and more updated blog (www.igknowidea.blogspot.com)

See you soon!

Clay Food - French Macarons

What are French Macarons? According to Wikipedia, they are a delicious pastry made of "egg whites, almond powder, icing sugar and sugar." They come in all sorts of colors too, so when you have a dozen of them, they look very pretty. I saw these at the Bastille Day Festival in NYC this summer and I decided to try and make my own! (Not to eat, of course. These are used only for decoration and charms!)

These were taken with my phone camera, which does not have flash. Sorry!



Here is my Clay Food workshop. As you can see I am using regular products, not fancy schmancy tools to make these items. For example, the pen is used as a rolling pin; the paper clip is used to give the macarons its rugged edges; the cap of the toothpaste is used to get the circular shape for the macarons. All you need are your hands to sculpt, clay for materials, and a plastic surface, otherwise everything will stick to your desk!

October Updates on Crafts

Hello Crafty and All That readers!

I am busy working on a craft- it's a rather complex project, with several pieces, to make a toy. I can't reveal what it is exactly but I can say that it will have three donut shaped items and is extremely adorable and suitable for babies! :)

Will update with some pictures soon.

Amigurumi Carrots for Yes to Carrots

Yes, I made all of these carrots and even more! Inspired by cute and crafty things I have found on the internet, I decided I would make these as treats for my Yes to Carrots House Party.

Enjoy!

I apologize for not being so crafty lately. I promise I will have a good holiday craft ready.. or maybe even one for Halloween/Thanksgiving, if I have time.

In the meantime, I have a ton of products I am excited to try and review for my Beauty and All That blog!

Stay tuned!

Amigirumi Project #3: Donuts

So my third project amigirumi project is to create donuts. Again, I found the pattern from Joann.com, and it was very simple to make. (I believe my crochet skills are vastly improving.) I am, of course, crocheting more carrots in between starting new projects. My first donut is this blue one. I have since, made a couple more yellow ones. You can see what it looks like without the stuffing. The shape of a donut is similar to the bowl-shape of the carrot tops and the pig's body.

I am still working on the "frosting."


My first blue donut.


The yellow donut shell


The yellow donut shell (again)


The materials used to stuff the donut- cotton balls and a plastic needle thread to sew the inside.



My completed yellow donut! Enjoy!

Next project: More clay foods..

Amigurumi Project #2: Carrots

In order to prepare for an upcoming surprise for my other blog, Beauty and All That, I am making amigirumi carrots! They are adorable mini sized carrots (found the Lion Brand pattern on Joann.com) and my goal is to make as many as possible.

Why do I need so many? Here's a hint, it has something to do with Yes To Carrots! That is all I can say for now... but I just wanted to share my progress!

Here are some pictures..






This is the first completed carrot that I have made and given away. Since then, I have actually made 4 more! All of the carrots' sizes vary because I was experimenting with the width and height. Everyone that I have shown this to cannot recognize that it is a carrot. It is also a bit fat.. so I decided to make it a bit smaller. I have to say that my technique with making amigirumi has improved. The last two carrots I have made do not have any holes (yay) and I do not have to flip them inside out. (If you see in the first picture, you can see the tail of the string sticking out)

Next project.. DONUTS!

Amigurumi Project #1- Pig

For my first attempt to make an Amigurumi doll, I will be making an adorable piggy. I did some research on patterns, ie: learning how to read the abbreviations, and also learning how to do the standard stitches. Luckily, for these types of dolls, you only need to know the basic "single crochet" stitch.

Things I used to help me with my doll:
1) The Pattern. I was looking for a very easy, simple pattern and I found a nice repository on joann.com. You can make dogs, cats, turkeys, even fruit dolls with the patterns listed on their site. They sell yarn, crochet needles, and many other craft items for other things including jewelry beads and fabric for sewing. Check out their projects section to find Amigurumi patterns.

2) YouTube. Without YouTube, I wouldn't have found a great tutorial on how to start a basic crochet doll. It teaches you how to crochet in "rounds" which is the circular part of the doll's head or body. Do a quick search on "How to crochet amigurumi."

3) Yarn and crochet needle. (Obviously!) Without these two, you won't be able to make anything. Depending on the type of yarn you have (is it three/four strands?), you may have to use different needle sizes. For this project, I used a size G needle, and 100% acrylic yarn with 3 strands.

4) Patience is virtue.

Good luck on your own crochet projects!!

My progress:

Half-way done!



The body is completed!

Learning to Crochet

In addition to making Japanese Clay Foods, I am learning to crochet. I already know how to knit (only the basic stitches though) but I was motivated to learn how to crochet to make cute animal dolls. (Think Amigurumi!)

Here are a few pictures of my first crochet pieces and yarn I can practice with:





Here is an upclose picture of my first crochet piece. You can see I am using the increasing/decreasing techniques here. (Note: I didn't even realize I was doing this.) After practicing a few more rows, I realized I was counting the stitches wrong, so I was able to correct it and learn how to "increase" my rows.



I bought three extra balls of yarn at the dollar store, and started to crochet a flower using the yellow yarn.

Next project: an Amigurumi doll! I know- I just can't wait to learn how to make them. I figure I the stitching for the doll is usually the basic stitch so I don't need to learn the advanced ones yet, unless I plan to make sweaters/clothing/etc.

Kawaii Japanese Clay Foods Project

After I found the cutest and tiniest food ever on Etsy (do a quick search on: Kawaii Japanese clay), I decided to make my own using polymer clay. They make great charms, cell phone accessories, and little decorations. They are less than an inch, even half an inch in height. I used Sculpey's Oven Bake Clay that I purchased in an art store- the 30 Color Sampler kit.

Found from inspirations from YouTube (they have some great videos online) I learned how to make a few cupcakes, cakes, and a wedding cake, inspired by the wedding I went to in May (read about it here.)

These clay food sculptures are not baked, so they are still soft and can be remolded, if I wish. Once I perfect my skills, I plan to make more cupcakes and other cute charms, to be available at Etsy and by request orders.