Friday, December 6, 2013

Hello Dolly!






Not long ago I have discovered Dolls and Daydreams shop on etsy and instantly fell in love with it! :) 

Sarah designs the most adorable softies I have ever seen!


So I've decided to take a break from all the hooking and test my sewing skills:)
  
It was so easy to follow the pattern. I made the Pocket size doll for my baby girl, and now plan to make another one for my friend's daughter as a Christmas gift.

And what are you making this Holiday season?:)  






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Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Spooktacular coffee cup sleeve tutorial

Today I wanted to share this very simple coffee cup sleeve pattern.

 

I decided to choose Halloween theme for this one, but of course, the possibilities are endless, especially with the Holidays coming. :)

To make this cup cozy, you will need:

- #3/light yarn

- crochet hook # F/3.75

The pattern: 

Ch36, join carefully-not to twist the stitches.

I am using tall Starbucks cup.

Round 1-4: sc all the way around. Place a stitch marker to know where each round ends.

Round 5: 2sc in the 1st stitch, sc in the next 17 sts, 2 sc in the next st, sc in the next 17 sts.

Round 6-13: sc all the way around.

Round 14: work crab stitch all the way around.

Finish off, weave in ends.


Now when the sleeve is done, the fun part begins;)



To make the felt patch, you will need:

- felt

- embroidery hoop

- embroidery floss

- needle

- heat transfer pencil

- iron

- scissors

- any embellishments you like


First, you will need to type the text  and then you will need to print it out. You will have to reverse the text before printing, because it will be backwards when you apply it to the felt.



Then I crabbed my  Hot  Iron Heat Transfer Pencil (bought it at Michael's), and traced over the text.


Then simply place the print on top of the felt face down and pressed it with a hot iron.


And now the text is transfered and ready.:)


The lines of the text will be permanent, so you will want to cover them completely with embroidery stitches.

I should say that I just love this part of the project.I am a total beginner in embroidery and I enjoy it so much. I just hope that one day I will be able to make something more complicated and beautiful. :)

So when you are done with embroidery and other embellishments, just simply sew the patch to the sleeve.And you are done!



Isn't it a fun and simple project? I got carried away and made another one...

..and another...


and 9 more :) They are all available in my shop.

I hope you will have fun making these cozies- and let me know if you have any questions!


Wish you all a very SPOOKtacular Halloween!







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Sunday, October 27, 2013

Counting the blessings.
















Oh, we've been so blessed with gorgeous autumn this year.  I have been living here almost 8 years, and can say that usually we had to drive to New Hampshire to see the trees changing their colors. Here in Massachusetts after summer comes the "winter" months with its greyness, darkness and wetness. It kinda reminds me of my home. In Russia where I lived, people always joked that we have 5 months of winter, and maybe that's the reason why  New England feels like home to me:) But this fall we did so many fun things- we went pumpkin picking, apple picking, we jumped in the puddles, and in a leaf piles, visited corn maze I tried apple cider donut for the first time in my life:) I know, it sounds crazy- I've been living in US for so long and never tried it:)  Everything changed, now when I have a child, I want to start our family traditions, I want to create special memories, focus on what is really important in life. Also last fall I lost two of my friends. My childhood friend Ania, who was about to turn 30, and my dearest childhood friend and classmate Andrei. Both of them lost their lives in a tragic accidents, and it is still hard to believe that they are gone.I still didn't get over it.I am having hard time trying to accept this and  not to question my faith, not to fear this unfair life. But on the other hand I think this tragic events also changed me in a good way. Now I follow my promises, I work on my bucket lists, I make things today instead of tomorrow. I really believe that happy life is made of small things, ordinary days. Sometimes I get carried away- I think about the future too much, I drive myself crazy with what-ifs, and whys,but I still do not know the answers and I still feel lost most of the time. So these days I learning to let go, to surrender. I want to focus on today's blessings and just pray that tomorrow comes.


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Wednesday, September 11, 2013

My Velveteen Rabbit

I don't know if it is just the age, but Alina doesn't play with dolls that much. She prefers her animals:)

Taking bear for a walk

Here she is with the bunny


She also LOVES  her  lizard. :)  Sometimes I think she likes it more than anything. 


Doesn't go anywhere without it!

So I've been wanting to make some new friend for Alina for a long time. And when I came cross this book, I fell in love instantly with the  Rabbit.  


I used Italian mohair that I ordered from Russian long time ago.The fabric was so soft and rich that I was afraid to cut it.
But I am so glad I finally found the courage. :) I am so proud of the result.

Here is  my "Velveteen" Rabbit!









I made the ears a little longer than they were supposed to.


I used oil pastels to tone the eyes- I think it gives them more depth. 


I think he is perfect! But the best part is that Alina loves him! :)



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Tuesday, September 10, 2013

And four is a crowd....

Have you seen Me to You Bear? 


The cutest Tatty Teddy... with blue nose, patches and stitches... You can learn about his story here.

I have been obsessed with them for the past ten years!

I got the first one as a gift I was in college,and I brought him with me to the US.


The second one was a  last years birthday present. He flew to US all the way from Russia.

And the big Tatty Teddy I found in one of the closing Hallmark stores couple of months ago.


But I still hope that one day my dream will come true and that I will add giant Blue Nose Tatty Teddy to my collection :)


Unfortunately, they are only sold in UK, and they do not ship overseas because of the size.But I am believer. The dreams do come true! :)

For now, I thought, why not to make blue nose friend of my own?!

That's how this lovey dovey Teddy was born!




  Soft and cuddly-just perfect for little ones:)



This is a very easy project, perfect for beginner. Only basic crocheting knowledge is required.

This pattern can be found in my ravelry, craftsy or etsy shop:)



Isn't he a cutie?!!:)
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