Glanter from Ooblets

I know it's July! But this cutie needed to be made so Bristlebud wouldn't have to brave the mail carrier service alone.

Glanter is another creature from Glumberland's upcoming game, Ooblets. Isn't he cool looking??

Punkin Pumpkin Pattern

I love Halloween, October, autumn, pumpkin-cinnamon-apple-caramel flavored things, and busting out the decorations this time of year. Here's a small one you can whip up rather quickly! I've been working on this pattern for a while, actually, but could never get a consistent result. They ended up being too squashed (puns!) looking, too round like an orange, too wide of a mouth, etc etc. Finally, I downsized it and made a pattern that works time after time. Please let me know if you find any errors or have any questions. Enjoy!

Halloween approaches!

Last year, I was so late on all the holiday stuff. If I actually want to have homemade holiday decor this year, I have to start in the summer.
I'm working on an open mouth pumpkin pattern right now. It's very frustrating that I got the best result the first time and I CAN'T DUPLICATE IT.

"WHY DIDN'T I WRITE THE PATTERN DOWN THE FIRST TIME?!"
"Dude calm down, you look like a screaming orange."

Spooky Oooky Crafts for Halloween

It's month long Halloween aka OCTOBER! Halloween is the BEST. There's nothing I love more than to run around with the little ones gathering candy, then bailing at the end of the night with a bowl of white chili and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (Disney version!) in the VCR.

So of course, I had to make some DIY decorations!

This past month has been a doozy--family emergencies, traveling, weird work schedules, a daughter who thinks she's a hoover vacuum and must eat everything on the floor-- so I really enjoy those moments when I can craft. But it's hard to make huge projects, so I've completed a few that you can get done pretty quick.

It's a pumpkin coaster! This took about 15 minutes and turned out really cute. You could add more rounds and make it a pot holder, or apply it as is onto a headband, shirt, etc for a pumpkin applique. I had to prove it wasn't useless by using it under my hot apple cider mug.
R: Ohhhh no, I don't want to ruin this table, but I need to set down this steaming hot apple cider~. What should I doooo~
G: *Sigh* Use...your coaster.
R: Wow! Thank goodness I just so happened to make one with my CARING, LOVING, CRAFTY hands.
Pumpkin coasters:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crochet-pumpkin-coasters-pdf-pattern

There's something about tiny decorations--I love them. Easy to make, easy to store, and they just seem so dainty. These guys now reside by my candy bowl at work. I made a bunch of the little pumpkins for my friend who used them to adorn her wreath! (Now if she'll share a photo..or should I go to her house and take a picture of her door and leave? Not creepy at all, right?)
Baby pumpkin:
http://www.repeatcrafterme.com/2012/08/teeny-tiny-crochet-pumpkin-pattern.html
(I didn't use this pattern but it gives the same result.)
Ghost:
http://www.petalstopicots.com/2013/10/ghost-crochet-pattern/
(I gave him a ruffly bottom by increasing the stitches at the very end.)

You know how insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results? Why do I keep making my daughter hats that she WON'T WEAR?? Luckily, they make great gifts to friends who have babies small enough they can't resist obedient enough to wear them for a two second photo shoot.

The ribbing on them makes them super warm, and the yarn I bought for them (I dub it "Ewok Orange") is soooo soft. (It's Hobby Lobby's "I Love This Yarn, by the way.) I finished a couple hats on a road trip because it is worked in rows and you don't REALLY need a pattern!
Punkin Hat:
http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-for-Baby/Baby-Pumpkin-Crochet-Beanie

Now when my sewing machine gets here Wednesday, I can start on the biiiig Halloween crafts--the Halloween costumes! :)