Happy Holidays

I want to wish everyone Happy Holidays.  I cannot believe how quickly this year went, but I seem to say that every year, lol.

 A very Merry and safe Christmas!

Note:  I don't know the photographer of this photo so I cannot give credit where credit is due, I just fell in love with it and wanted to share it.

Happy Holidays everyone!

Hand Knotted Bracelet

My hand knotting Tutorial is ready.  It includes step-by-step photos and directions for each step.  If you are interested in receiving this tutorial, please drop me an email and I will be more than happy to send the PDF tutorial to you. 

I am working on wire wrapping other jewelry making tutorials as well.  I will post those as soon as I am done.

Enjoy and Happy Crafting!

DISCLAIMER:  This craft is highly addictive.  Proceed with caution!    =^ . ^=

Where did the year go??

It has been a while since I last posted.  I cannot believe how quickly these last few weeks have just flown by.  I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Even with all of the difficulties life throws at us, we have to reflect and be thankful for what we have.

I had a few requests for a tutorial on jewelry making.  I am in the process of preparing one for hand knotting a bracelet.  This will be just one of many that I am working on and will post as soon as I can.

Keep an eye out for the hand knotting tutorial!

Labor Day

Wishing everyone a safe Labor Day!

More Creations

Yet another winner.  Here is one Chelsea the Cat completed by Creations By Mama,  How adorable is that??

You can find all of her adorable creations at:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/CreationsByMama

And another cutie:

This is Little Shelby.  Adorable!!

Keep those pics coming...  I love to see what you have created with my patterns and will gladly post them.

Great job!!

Another Winner!

How cute is that!?!  Another winner from one of my readers.  Just too cute for words.  I love to see your finished projects from my patterns.  Keep them coming and I will post them.  Great job!

Update 3 - Facebook Pattern Downloads

I finally heard from Facebook.  They have disabled the download for my pattern, however, the group is still active.  I don't have any guarantees that they will not upload my pattern again, I will have to wait and see. 

It is frustrating having to deal with people like this, no ethics whatsoever, and total disregard and disrespect for people's original work.   I will have to wait and see if they attempt to upload my pattern again. 

I will get off my soap box now...

Update 2 - Facebook Pattern Downloads

I am back.  I have not heard from Facebook yet about what they are planning to do with this group.  It is a closed group.  Here is my MollyMoo pattern posted for free download, sigh.....  I have also attached a small list of other patterns these members have posted as free downloads. From what I was told, there was a lot of patterns listed for free download.   I am launching a full scale campaign against this group.  If you know or recognize any of the patterns and who the designers are, drop them a note and let them know.  They can contact me via email if they are not Facebook members and I can tell them how to contact Facebook and file a complaint.  And of course, it is a lot easier if they are Facebook members.

With all the information out there these days about copyright infringement, etc etc etc, it makes me wonder if these people are simply clueless or unethical.  I sadly have to go with the latter.  I cannot believe they are that clueless.

I will post an update once I get more information.

Update - Facebook Post

Well, after extensive digging and searching, I found an email for Facebook.  I have to say they were quick to respond.  Fortunately, the individual who brought this to my attention sent me a snap shot of her group and my "MollyMoo" pattern available for free download.  Do they actually think that it will not be discovered?  It blows my mind.

It saddens me that people have no ethics or respect for other people's work.  I have said this before, I do not mind if the item is made and sold, but under no circumstances is the pattern to be sold or offered in any way, whether the pattern is free or otherwise.

Now we wait to see what Facebook does to rectify this problem.  I will update this post as soon as I get more information.

Infuriating to Say the Least!!

I have to say it takes something infuriating to wake me up.  I received a message from one of my readers that someone is offering one of my retail patterns for download on Facebook.  Sadly I am not a member of Facebook, and as much as I tried, there is no way to contact them unless you are a member. 

If anyone knows who or how I can contact Facebook without being a member, please let me know.  Please send me an email.   I need to put a stop to this.

Busy Busy Busy

I am sorry I have not been posting regularly.  I am working full time now and it really takes a lot my time and a lot out of me.  I do have some projects on the back burner, but sadly, it is on the back burner.  I am trying to get into a regimen of allowing some "down" time so I can get back into my crochet.  By the time I get home from work, take Zeus for his walk, get dinner, it is 8PM and I am so tired, I cannot get myself motivated to do anything.

So with that I will say, keep an eye out.... I plan on returning with some new goodies. 

New Projects

It has been a while since I posted anything.  Hope everyone had a fun and safe Halloween.  I have been really busy with work and life in general.  I did, however, complete a few projects.

This is Crocheted Holiday Pumpkin Trio. The pattern includes all three pumpkins.

This is the Large Crocheted Harvest Holiday Pumpkin.  This is a large pumpkin, great for Thanksgiving centerpiece.

Both patterns are available as a free download through Ravelry.  If you are not a member of Ravelry, send me an email and I will email the pattern to you.

More to come shortly!

Happy Crocheting!

Chelsea the Cat

As you all know, I love to receive and post completed projects from my readers.  Here is Chelsea the Cat done by Karen.  Isn't she just adorable?  Job well done Karen!

Keep those pics coming and I will post. 

Have a safe 4th!

AXELROD'S BUDS

Here are a couple of completed projects from one of my readers.  Although he just started crocheting, his projects are great.  Nice job!  Here is Axlotl and Meep.

This is Axlotl.

 And this is Meep.

I apologize it took me a while to post these, I have been really busy.  Keep up the great work, well done!

Graduation Kitty - Download Link

The free pattern download link is in.  Just click on the pattern of your choice and the download option should appear.  If you encounter any issues or problems with the download link, send me an email and I will email the pattern to you and correct the link.

You can find all of the free download links on the right side of my blog, under the header of "Free Pattern Downloads."

Enjoy and Happy Crocheting!

Graduation Kitty

I get so involved with day to day things (like working full time, lol), I kinda put my love for creating on the back burner.  I forget how therapeutic it is.  I had a request from my friend to make something for her daughters graduation.  So, I put on my thinking cap and tried to come up with something that was handmade, would convey the love and effort I put into creating it and hope it would be appreciated.  Well, she loved it!  I was very happy and decided to share the pattern here. 

Here it is.... my newest addition to my Kitty series - Graduation Kitty.  I have not put the download link in yet, so if you would like it, drop me a line (email) and I will gladly send you the pattern.  Or, if you are a member of Ravelry, you can download it there free (Iam Armina911 in Ravelry).  Kitty measures 3-1/2" tall, was really fun to make.  The pattern includes instructions on how to made the diploma, graduation banner and the graduation cap.

Enjoy and Happy Crocheting!

INCREDIBLE DISCOVERY

The last two weeks, I have been spending time in the garage organizing and purging.  All the boxes were stacked on top of each other, a real mess.  It took me 2 1/2 years to do this but it was well worth it.  My move was so sudden and so quick, it was quite traumatic and I just could not bring myself to get to this deadly chore.  But I do have to say, once I got started, I kept discovering things I forgot I had.  Some were keepers, some were trash and others bagged for Goodwill.  And, in my keepers, I came across my very first knitting book.  Back in the day, I did not have all of the luxuries we have today to learn a technique or a craft.  We solely depended on books and skill.  Today we have the internet, and a plethora of information available at our fingertips, just a "google" away.    I sat and stared at this book and said wow, this was the book that started it all for me.  Now I am on a mission.....  I am looking for my first how to crochet book.  I felt like I hit the lotto! 

                                                               The Right Way To Knit

                                                            Pay close attention to the date.

 Wow this really makes me feel old, lol.  I just had to share this.

FREE PATTERNS - UPDATE

I have calmed down since my last post.  I did contact that website in question (which will remain nameless for now) and they did remove the listing.  I can't blame the website, they can only take the individuals word for the item(s) in question.    I think what really upset me was not only is the pattern posted here on my blog for free, that person took it upon herself to use my photo as well.  Sigh.....   I apologize for my rant earlier, but I was a tad upset.

FREE PATTERNS

I am a little upset - a reader emailed me and notified me that someone was selling my pattern on another website.  I do on occasion give permission for the item to be sold, but not the pattern.  What was really bothersome was the pattern in question is posted on my blog and is free!   Please contact me if you want to sell any items made from my patterns, but please, do not sell the pattern itself.    Not only did that individual infringe on the rights of my pattern, that individual used my photo, as it appeared from my blog!  A little professional courtesy and respect for one's work is always appreciated.

I will get off my soap box now.  Thank you.

PATTERN DOWNLOADS

I have had several requests for patterns from my blog.  All of my free patterns are available as a free download.   There is a link to the right of the blog with all of the patterns listed.  Just click on the pattern you want and the it should download.  If you encounter any difficulties with any of the download, let me know and I will correct it.  Or, if you would like a specific pattern and the download link is not available, send me an email and I will be more than happy to send it to you.

Thanks and Happy Crocheting!

Homemade Twinkies Recipe

I had a request from a reader for the Homemade Twinkies Recipe I posted a while back.  Here is my recipe:

HOMEMADE TWINKIES
Yields:  16 Twinkies

Golden Sponge Cake:

6 large eggs, separated

1-1/2 cups cake flour, sifted twice

1-1/2 heaping tsps baking powder

Dash salt

1-1/2 cups granulated sugar

1/3 cup + 2 tbsp water

1 tsp vanilla

1.         Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2.                  Separate eggs – whites in smaller bowl and yolks in a medium sized bowl.  Make sure bowl with egg whites is dry and clean.

3.                  Sift flour, baking powder and salt twice.  Set aside.

4.                 Beat egg whites until stiff.  Set aside.  With same beaters, beat egg yolks and sugar until golden lemon color.  Add water and vanilla.  Beat until blended.

5.                  Add flour mixture and beat until blended, DO NOT OVER BEAT.

6.                  Fold in beaten egg whites.

7.         Spray 2 Twinkie cake pans with cooking spray.  Spoon batter into prepared pans 2/3 full. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until top springs back when lightly touched.  Remove from oven.  Immediately invert onto cooling racks and cool cakes completely.

 Whipped Cream Filling:

16 oz Whipping Cream, chilled

3/4 cup powdered sugar

Beat whipping cream and powdered sugar in large bowl until stiff.

To Fill Twinkies:

1.  Fit pastry bag with writing tip.

2.  Fill pastry bag with whipped cream.

3.  Insert tip of decorating tip and squeeze whipped cream into twinkie.  You will have 3 holes – one each end and one in center.  As you squeeze the pastry bag, the whipped cream may overflow to the top.  After you are done filling, use a knife and scrape off excess.

4.  To keep fresh and store easily, individually wrap in plastic wrap and chill.

Keep refrigerated.

Twinkie Pan by Norpro - I purchased mine from Amazon.com.  For this recipe, you will need 2 pans. 

Baked Twinkies cooling on wire racks.

Baked Twinkies filled.  I wrapped them individually with plastic wrap and keep them refrigerated.









These are delicious and disappear quickly.  Enjoy & Bon Appetit!

Happy New Year!

WOW!!! 2013, cannot believe how quickly the time goes.  It has been a while since I posted anything, just been so busy.  I am working full time now, so it gets a little difficult for me to find the time.   I did want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very healthy, happy, peaceful and prosperous new year.  I do have some project lurking in the background, hopefully will get some spare time to get them done.  Again, Happy 2013!

BEEN A WHILE

It has been a long time since I posted.  I have been so busy with my job I have not had much time for anything else. 

A reader posted a comment on Mr & Mrs Mouse, asking about the blush I use for my Amigurumi.  I use regular human face blush, applied with a Q-Tip.  Nothing expensive or fancy.....  I purchased mine from my local 99 Cent Store.  Any face blush will work, just apply lightly. 

Also, I wanted to share these photos.  This is Gerry the Ami Goat with Geri.  How cute are they?
Great job!  I love it.

Happy Mothers Day

I want to wish every Mom and Mom To Be a very Happy Mothers Day.  It should be Mothers Day every day lol.

Happy Mothers Day!

New Projects - Patterns

I have been busy - finished some new patterns and wanted to share them with you.  Here are a few of the patterns:

This is my Crocheted Matryoshka Babushka Dolls - Large measures 5-1/2". Medium measures 4" and Small measures 2-1/2".

This is Sam the Sock Monkey.  He measures 12".  Child safe, no removable parts.

These two cuties are my Crocheted Tiny Tot Baby Twins.  Each doll measures 7".  Child safe, no removable parts.  The toy pacifier is optional.

This little guy is Crocheted Tiny Micro Bear.  He measures 2-1/2".

This is Crocheted Hilda The Hippo.  She measures 7" long and 7" tall.

This is my Witty Bitty Collection - Witty Bitty Gerry the Goat.  He is the small version of my original Gerry The Goat pattern.    Lil Gerry measures 4-1/2" tall and 4" long.

This is the original Gerry and Lil Gerry together.

All of these patterns are available at my Etsy, Artfire and Ravelry stores.

Happy Crocheting!