Upcoming Auction - Nov 2015

It is not often I take a public 'political stance' on anything.  That is one sure fired way to annoy or offend someone; and when you are in the people-pleasing-business, it's an area that you tend to tread very lightly into.  However this is a subject that I am extremely passionate about - and one that influences so much of my fiber art.

I am sure by now, everyone has heard of "Cecil the Lion" and the horrible occurrence that happened in Zimbabwe in July.  And no matter what your opinion on hunting in general, I think everyone can agree that this was a tragedy that should not have been allowed to have happened and the outcry of compassion, shock and anger has proven what the human species can accomplish when we work together with a single voice for change.

For anyone who missed it - Cecil was a majestic 13-year-old, Southwest African Lion living in the Hwange National Park in S. Africa.  He was part of an Oxford University/Wildlife Conservation Research Unit research project to help study lion populations (living structures, conservation, etc) in the wild. (Lions have declined in the past 3 decades by more than 50% due to humans.)  The research team had been monitoring Cecil since he was a cub and tracking his pride and territory until 01 July 2015.

That was when a MN (US) Dentist paid 50K USD, for the "privilege" of hunting a lion. 
Cecil's death was not a swift death.  He was first wounded by bow and arrow and suffered for nearly 40 hours, before finally being shot with a rifle and killed. This, after he was lead out of the safety of his Park Sanctuary.  I will not/cannot give the details of his death, as they are barbaric and what was done is NOT what a true hunter does with their kills. Cecil was a Trophy to his killer, not an animal, just an object. - This hunt was purely for sport and pleasure and to top it all off - it was ILLEGAL and the local guide & farmer are currently awaiting trial for their roles in the hunt.

Anyone who has followed my blog for a number of years, may remember when I wanted to help Cause an "UpROAR", so this isn't just an emotional thing to fit in with current sentiments or trends - this has been a nearly 10 year journey thus far.  
I have been a passionate supporter of endangered animals for years - from campaigning to help end "canned hunts" and private ownership of exotic animals, to financial support of 'sanctuaries' that take in "exotic pets" and making contributions to endangered wild life refuges that take in the sick and re-release healthy "endangered", "threatened" and "vulnerable" wildlife.  So when I speak about the future, of the legacy we leave behind us; I speak from the heart with a genuine hope that there are many more people who believe just as passionately as I do.


I BEG YOU, please do NOT turn a blind eye.  
It is not someone else's problem - it won't just go away or correct itself.  
100 people saying "no" is barely a blip on the radar, compared to the billions of people on this planet.
10 Million people screaming "No" will get a little more noticed.... 
but 100 BILLION people screaming "THIS CAN'T BE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN!!" can really bring about change!! 
 

Once these iconic and majestic animals, that so many just take for granted will always be here/after all, they were here LONG before us; are gone - they are GONE FOR GOOD!  The truth is, we as a human species, have already caused the extinction of many, many magnificent creatures!

Without YOUR intervention and voice, by the time your great granddaughter's daughter is in grade school, the African Lion may be reduced to only a memory in a book...  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has predicted that African Lions face extinction by the year 2050.  And may other animals on the Endangered List, don't even have that long!

So what does this have to do with crochet?  
Everything and Nothing - all together and at the same time.  Because I crochet, I am blessed with people who read my blog - therefore it is my duty to make sure that people know what is going on... at the very least, if I can alert 10 people to what is happening and they choose to act - then I have reached 10 people - who may reach 10 more people and so on... 
a domino effect that could actually become a beneficial and critical step in stopping the current extinction crisis.

"Only one good thing comes out of this – thousands of people have read the story and have also been shocked. Their eyes opened to the dark side of human nature."

  - Jane Goodall

Now, think of some of your favorite amigurumi projects that you've made over the years... and I am willing to bet you that several of your favorite animals can also be found on the Endangered Lists!  
From bats, bears, birds and butterflies to sloths, tigers, lions and sharks - there are so many beautiful creatures that we've made with our hands, hooks and fibers that have made the list. From critically endangered to vulnerable of becoming extinct - these are animals that have a very real threat of existing no more...  during OUR TIME.

But ultimately, what this post has to do with "crochet" is that on 01 November 2015 - I will be holding an auction to raise funds, by crocheting a FDbyK4TT original. 

Roland the Lion Cub from the Friends Series, will be modified as a tribute to Cecil the Lion and will be auctioned off via Facebook for you to own a one of a kind fiber tribute! 

Further details will be forthcoming as this auction gets closer, so please continue to watch for updates.

Cecil may no longer be 'trending' on social media - but he is FAR from forgotten!

Don't want to wait until November to do something to help these animals?  Please visit any of the websites linked within this post to learn more or donate directly to : Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WILDCRU)

Custom Order - Lineman P.2

Well, not the best in photos, but I managed to complete the Lineman Doll.  The recipient will end up getting him tomorrow.

He was well received and I was told I captured the likeness of the recipient without ever seeing the guy.  ESP

:o)

Custom Order - Lineman

This weekend, I shall attempt to finish up a 'custom order' of sorts (a very special someone has requested/nagged me to death for them *grin*) - Several dolls are mere inches high, using a Sz 8 thread hook with 2 strands of WW Yarn - which has to be manually separated... the larger doll is about 6.5 inches tall using WW Yarn (4-ply).  It's tedious work.. that is very stressful on my wrist, which still has it's 'bubble'.. 

Some pieces of the pattern are a bit challenging, so I am not sure what will become of it.

I am just curious how many others would be interested in the Lineman Pattern..

A Day for Myself

Well, not so much a day to myself - but a day to recharge as I prepare to create my next design, which is planned on being the feline variety.

Most people do not realize the effort that goes into designing a pattern for others to work from.  It is very taxing, trying to make sure that you remember to dot every eye, close every closet door ('How to Make a Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich reference) and cross every "T".

And while I absolutely LOVE being able to share 'MY' visions with everyone - I also love to be able to sit back and just FOLLOW someone else's instruction.

Luisa of Picuu, from who I recently purchased a little Spring Time Trio, is an exciting designer full of imagination and unique interpretations. 

I have always loved her works and continue to watch her shop for the newest video game icons.. *hint hint* .. lol

But up until now, I had yet to actually make anything I had bought (or won) from her...

These two little rascals, who've already mistaken the dog as a potential mound of furry durt; have yet to receive names.. that should happen in about an hour.. when the people get home from school.  

But, yesterday, needing a little break - I showed the people these bunnies - asked them to pick their colors and then cleaned the kitchen.. ...  did the laundry... folded cloths... THEN sat down to begin working...

this little bunny is INCREDIBLY fast to make.. You could make one tonight in time for Easter Sunday if you so choose.  BOTH of these guys were completed and stitched together in ABOUT 8 hours.

Hey Lu :)

I finally made one.. or two .. lol

Finished Up & Finishing Up...

I had a few more baby items to finish up with ..

and I posted the other half of this gift the other day.. in my post Babies Babies Everywhere..

but I've also been working on a new pattern for my shop, and I am very please to announce, he is nearly done.
I am hoping to have Dewey in the shop by week's end.
I hope you like him - he is really a little doll :)

Babies - Babies - Everywhere there's...

Babies..

Apparently, 9 months ago was a very 'Loving Month' as it seems every time I turn around recently, someone is popping out a kid.

My daughter's teacher, 2 of  my neighbors' sons, another neighbor's daughter, my daughter's dentist..

it's Baby City... and I'm not traveling down that road..

my girls keep me quite busy .. "thank you"

although, the Hub really wants to keep trying for the 'boy'...

Today the people had their dental appointments - and while standing in the corner of the office (because, although we are 'big girls', we aren't going back there by ourselves!). ..  .

I was able to get some work done.

The afghan pattern is from the Annie's Attic leaflet,  Heirloom Baby Blankets by Lucille LaFlamme  This blanket, "Radiance", worked up incredibly fast (well, when I was able to actually work on it) and turned out lovely.  Have to finish up the trim on the Fleece Blanket and then they will be off to my girlfriend's daughter's new baby-love "Abel".

One Down... One to Go

I am so very proud of myself.  Not only did I make my deadline for my daughter's teacher's Nappy Cake; but I also made 2 patterns for sale on etsy/ravelry.

Whoo Hoo.. so I should be feeling on top of the world.. ready to take a break and relax.  Hook a little something just for me... right???

Nope.. lol

Still SO MUCH TO DO!!! 

There are more patterns to create and another baby blanket to finish up. St Paddy's Day to get on to, Easter...

But first, onto the photos..

Although I wasn't *exactly* thrilled with the color scheme... the orange/yellow was okay.. but ugh!  green???

Anyways..

My daughter's teacher, God love her, and her Husband decided to be *surprised* by the sex of their upcoming bundle of joy.  I had been asking around trying to find out - Boy? or Girl? so that I COULD make her a Nappy Cake that was themed to the sex of the baby.

...  when she decided that she wasn't gonna find out herself, I was prepared to switch gears and make something with neutral colors along the lines of clothing. 

However.  My wonderful and often.. Megaphon-ic Daughter had already announced to the entire school that 'My Mommy is making a Nappy Cake for my teachers' baby... with REAL DIAPERS!!!'

(She just couldn't get over the words "cake" and "diaper" being in the same sentence and someone not screaming 'ewwwwwwwwwwww!')

The Deadline was Next Wednesday, when the kids are having their Valentine's Day Party.  BUT.. Hubby was injured at work on Friday and has been home for the past 3 days - so I thought I would take advantage of the 'transportation'. *grin*

The cake stood just a little over 2 feet tall and has 3 complete layers.  2 of which are made entirely of Pamper's Swaddler Diapers - 8-14lbs (so SMALL!) and was about 36 inches in diameter.

Most of the items on the cake are 'handmade' using various patterns from etsy and retail.

CreaMe's Duggie Duck pattern with french knot eyes and rattle

For those that care, You can hear the duckie quack.. er um.. rattle : here :

Gourmet Crochet's How to Make a Crochet Nappy Cake for edging on 2nd baby blanket.

Cheryl's Crochet's Lace-Up Baby Booties

and Chubby Cheek Sweaters Baby Sweater Coat is top tier of cake

The School Secretary's and Office Staff's eyeballs wow'd when I walked in the front door.  But, MOST IMPORTANTLY..

my little peanut... she was so proud!  She was actually coming up from the lunchroom while I was at the main desk and saw me with the cake.  She couldn't stop bragging.  Not only that 'her Mommy made' that, but that "she helped".

Those are the moments!

Hurry Up Monday!!

Finally, the holiday excitement is winding down.. it is safe to breathe once again - if only for another 205 days..

My bout with pneumonia has finally lightened up so that I can breathe somewhat normally again - so that is a definite plus!  It took 2 rounds of antibiotics to get things under control, which really surprised me as although I get sick often, usually a single 10-day round with amoxicillin and 'all becomes right with the World again'.

I hope that the holidays found everyone happy and full of love and hope for the coming year.  I know that I am looking forward to the new year.. well at the very least, January 4th 2010..

for this is the day in which the people are slotted to return to school.

Ugh.. I never knew children could argue so much!  The little one can even strike up a good argument about not arguing...

Although it's been so very long since I have written, I am still very behind the 8-ball on holiday tasks - (mostly due to my illness).  The gifts that were supposed to be mailed out the weekend of Dec 4th never made it to the post office and are still sitting by the front door awaiting a ride to postmaster.  

(All those who were to receive gifts, received an email explaining that I was not forgetful, just ill and couldn't get a ride to the post office to get out the packages and most received photos of their intended gifts - not the same, I know.. but what can you do?)

But of course, there was still the challenge of working up my daughter's Christmas combos.. the blanket and doll.  After seeing so many dolls leave the house for others, the people were feeling just a tad jilted at not having any made for them!

In November, I decided to change that - and add a blanket which I fell in love with upon first sight a few months prior from a Herschnerr's mailer.

The Christmas Anastasia Afghan Crochet Kit

Now, of course, MY people don't care about it being billed as a 'Christmas' item - but done up in Pink and Purple.. and they would pay close attention.

So that is exactly, what I did.. made this beautiful (and fancy) afghan for my beautiful (and not so fancy) children!

**Although, I must admit - I HATED this pattern.  Too much sewing!!!  The entire border is made separate and then sewn to the body of the afghan - very tedious and a very lengthy process - especially when you have only limited space.  But the end results were worth it...

But in addition to the blankets, they needed the dolls to go with.  Originally, I had worked up the original doll version (purple) but for the pink, I made the dress more like the afghan with a white pineapple 'under dress' and the pink lattice overlay. 
My hope is that 20 years from now, my beautiful daughters will still have their beautiful afghans and reflect on the cherished memories of childhood and find strength in those memories when their own lives present struggles or discouragement.

Finished up on Christmas eve.  LOL (talk about working right up to the wire huh?)

Then of course there is the whole 'Christmas Eve Tradition(s)' to get thru.

Well, each Christmas Eve since my daughters were born, we would end the night by reading T'was the Night Before Christmas.  As the kids got a little older, the exciting (and often very delicious) chore of making Santa's fresh Christmas Cookies mere hours before the big man's arrival was added to the tradition.

This year, since I was running late, there was also a 6 foot tree to decorate - so Daddy became very important part of this year's traditions..

While Daddy read T'was the Night with the girls, I was in the kitchen cleaning up the dinner dishes and making the dough for the sugar cookies.

Now Santa-Daddy doesn't particularly like "Sugar Cookies"; preferring to have a piping hot plate of Toll House instead... 

but  Toll House cookies are drop and as far as the people are concerned.. quite BORING.. and definitely NOT up to the Christmas caliber that the people come to expect when it centers around making gifts for the man who brings them the world under an evergreen tree.

So away they went, quick as a flash 

they sprinkled the sugars (a touch more than a dash)

okay, so who am I trying to kid?  

It is a no wonder the poor cookies do not buckle under the weight of colored sugars, gumdrops,licorice strings and various 'other' sweet goodies the people use to create their masterpieces.  Cookies with enough tooth rotting goodness to impress even the wildest of  Who's in Whoville and make the Grinch even Grinchier.  
The kind of cookies that could only be eaten by the sweetest of the sweet.. you know, like Santa himself, one of Santa's little helpers.. and of course, the cookie makers...

We then placed these wonderful creations on a plate and put them in the 'Tree Room' to await the Santa Seal of Approval... and then left to retire for the night (which only meant for me to frantically finish up a purple doll before trying to get a few hours of sleep).

A few minutes later, I had a frantic 9 year old - panting, near tears and positively fuming at my bedroom door..

"Momma, Hooch ate Santa's Cookies"

Apparently, Hooch - My daughter's 3 year old Bull Mastiff, wanted to play the role of Santa this year...

a drool stained plate and a few broken cookies, left us nothing to dread -

so replacements were placed, of course.. after Hooch went to bed..

:)

Happy New Year to all.

May the New Year treat you better than previous and find you and your family in good health - mind, spirit and body.

Just Doin' What I Do: Without a Net (No Coffee!)

I am finding it necessary to take frequent breaks between rounds of crocheting - which is the nicest way possible of saying..

I am a HARD-HEAD who does not listen to friends or medical professionals when they tell me to REST my wrist in order to allow the cyst to shrink.

Currently, I am working on several hookin' projects:
one to share with ya'll - you know... everyone loves em no matter how crappy they turn out to be... A FREEBIE


a semi-commissioned piece (which simply means that a very good friend asked me for a favor and who in the world would charge a friend?)
my attempt at a first *etsy sale* pattern


Ugh, designing (actually writing patterns down so that someone else can easily make what you've made) is frustrating as all HELL! I keep having to stop/start... start/stop/write.. I need to find my tape recorder!

AND an inspired piece from a previous blog entry.

Inspired by 203gow, I wanted to do a bonsai of my own for my living room. I didn't want to *copy* hers so I did a Google search on flowering bonsai and found my inspiration photo. As you can see from the photos, I still have a ways to go but it was actually very relaxing crocheting this piece thus far. The 'tree' kind of grew itself. I could not duplicate it even if someone offered to pay me highly. It's twists and turns and bends all seemed to put themselves in .. effortlessly.

Oh, yeah.. I am taking it easy... NOT
LOL

Anywho...
In addition to crocheting, I am going to be picking my floss back up and probably sticking myself in the finger more times than I will care to count as soon as my eBay purchase arrives in the mail.


I am sooo excited! But I just wanted everyone to know, I've not forgotten about anyone..
I am still around.. still plodding along... stay tuned for updates and goodies as I get time..
but just a warning.. today's a rough day.. NO COFFEE!!! I ran out of cream!! Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Daddy's Little Girl

There is a special bond between Father and Daughter. For Father's Day I wanted a piece that would re-create that special relationship. Daddy is the strength and infallibility she comes to count on and she will never be more of a "Daddy's Little Girl" then right now.

Dad stands on his own at about 5.5 inches high holding his precious daughter high in the air helping her to "reach for the stars".
A classic gesture of love and encouragement.


I like the longer bodies, arms and legs of the "Thread Ted" and the cheeks of the "KnotHead" and the belly of BittyBears... so I kind of mashed those 3 patterns together to create the Dad.. adding a few rows here and there so everything was balanced.

The daughter, pfft.. (as in real life) proved to be more difficult... the only stuffed portions of her is the head and the body to achieve her small size. The arms which are only 6 sc around are not stuffed, nor are her cute little feet and legs.

It also helps that I used baby yarn (3ply) and a size 6 hook..

The sun has not fully rose yet.. it is very overcast right now - which I am hoping will blow over..
but then I will take some better photographs of the pair and place them on my Flickr & Ravelry sites.
I've not decided what I am going to do with the pair as of yet. My original intention was to place on eBay for sale.

Hangin' With Twitch..

National Grid responded this afternoon to a 'wires down' call-out at the home of one 'K4TT' and made a gruesome discovery.
Two year old Twitch, (Sciurus carolinensis) an Eastern Gray Squirrel; had gotten caught up in the high-voltage wires and was hanged by neck when the weathered wire snapped under his scampering frenzy of back and forth leaps from tree to wire, wire to tree.
EMTs were attempting to resuscitate the young squirrel when reporters arrived on scene.

Okay, okay...
a bit macabre... maybe..

but..

definitely got a chuckle out of hubby today!!!

The Back Story(ies): Squirrels, while most find cute and fuzzy little critters that just happen to be fun to watch on a warm spring day... are absolute TERRORS to the electric company. Squirrels cause more outages in a years' time than ice storms. lightening strikes and falling branches combined.
Many of the guys that Hub works with have 'stuffed animals' on their trucks. One graces the front grill (as if hit by the truck).. several are hanging on for dear life on the back of the other trucks...
... it's kind of the 'fuzzy dice' of the Power Company Truck.

For the animal lovers out there that might find this image to be insulting or portraying a dislike towards squirrels..
I LOVE squirrels..

this is a joke..
a statement to an unfortunate reality of our 'modernized society'.

Twitch's last known whereabouts were somewhere in Quincy, MA - hanging with the linemen of Nat'l Grid Truck 667.

No animals were hurt in the making, posting or sharing of this project.

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeww!

I know, I know...

Bad Blogger!!! Bad Bad Blogger...

I have been so busy, it's been maddening... but I am finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel... or is that only dust in my eye? Hmm...

Well, first things first, my dental visit...

and my first chance to play Mrs. Claus...  (I love this part!!!!)

Dr. CutiePie is a gamer.  Now, he's an XBox360 Gamer... but I can't even begin to imagine a character from XBox that I would/could due any form of justice to via crochet...
so.. I went with SackBoy.    Pattern purchased here: SackBoy Pattern
 

Sure Sure.. I could have done Mario.. or PacMan (old schooled it..) but they aren't XBox either...
besides, his favorite game at the moment is Guitar Hero.. or was it.. Rock Band...
Hmm...
I forget...  which is why I got him a gift card for Game Stop, so he could get whatever he wanted!
Me, I just stick to my air guitar!!

And... of course, I couldn't forget Katie (his secretary/receptionist/office manager/all around go-to-gal)

Kitty Pattern purchased here: Alley Cats 

OH ... ALRIGHT, alright.

YES!! it's MY type of pressie!!!
But I don't know a single woman who wouldn't appreciate some good chocolate... and a ice-cold cup of coffee!!!  (Well, okay - but Katie likes Iced Coffee too!! - Must be a New England thang!)

Then, of course, there was the tree to decorate...

Each year, it is the one and only thing I ask for from Hubby.  I am not to much a material gal - I enjoy the simple things... and having a live Christmas Tree at Christmas is the most 'simple' and (to me) traditional.

...

but ... had I known that 3 more Christmas Pressies would just seem to appear overnight... I would have decorated it even faster!!!

Ain't they just the sweetest???  The 2 smaller dolls (peach and lilac) were done using a Size 1 hook using yarn.. and the larger one (pink - which is for a 3 year old) was used with a larger hook... I want to say a C hook.. 

Oh Lord, I'm having a hard enough time just remembering what I did this morning when I got up.....

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
that's right...

I figured, since there wasn't much else I could do.. and since my hands are hurting so very much from crocheting like a mad feind!! (There is another smaller pink fairy which is about 85% done, but still needs wings, tiara, and wand... I think I will work on that tomorrow night-talk about pushing the Christmas Eve deadline huh?)...
....
I started my baking.. (FINALLY!!)

This is the box of goodies went with Hubby to work this morning... and boy do they ever need the sugar rush!!! (hee hee)
There are 3 different kinds of chocolate chip cookies, brownies, butter cookies, peanut butter cookies, sugar cookies ... and my own little touch, a little bit of Italy.. Pistachio Loaves and Almond Biscotti (my Nonna's recipe *grin*)

Yeah... I'm sure this was a welcomed *surprise* this morning when they all had to show up at 6AM... Yes, 6!! On a Sunday...

oh?  Did I forget to mention??  Why is it that "wasn't much else I could do" a mere 4 days before Christmas?
Well Hubby and crew are on "Storm Hours".. which means 18hours on.. 6 off - or rest..

because it started snowing Friday afternoon at about 2:30 and hasn't stopped yet.. LOL

And you want to know the SADDEST PART...
we probably still won't have a "White Christmas"...
Tomorrow it is supposed to snow in the AM... then turn to rain and sleet by mid-afternoon...
then Wednesday night... Christmas Eve... there is a 60% chance of RAIN!!

*sigh*

At least I will have the piccie ...

Seasons Greetings friends..
May your holiday be bright and all your wishes come true!