I recently visited with my niece who I hadn't seen in three years and the first thing she asked  me was "Auntie Laura, can you make me an Ickbarr Bigelsteine ami?"  I was like, uhm, who in the heck is Ickbarr Bigelsteine?  The answer to that question is here and my inspiration picture here

I present to you, Ickbarr Bigelsteine


And, posing outside:


I've only made a few ami's before, and they were off patterns. There isn't an Ickbarr tutorial, so I found this as a guide.  I didn't use all of the features,  it is a panda bear, after all,  but it was very similar in shape, and worked great for me.

I used Sugar n Cream cotton thread (my first time using cotton, actually) and a 5.5 crochet hook on everything except for the arms which I went down to the 5.0 hook so they would be a bit thinner.  He measures about 12" I'd say...I haven't actually measured him...

I would have liked for his stitches to be a bit closer together, but I think it stretched a bit as I was stuffing, and I may have over stuffed to get the shape I wanted.  All in all, I am very pleased and he is very creepy-cute...but really the story because he's more creepy than cute!

Thanks for looking!  And again, I don't know why my pictures are always sideways...grrr

Sent
Received
Feedback Given

I'm going to list your name and below your name, your partner. I will highlight your partner's name as you send to them and they receive.

johnson.mom2two                                                                    
1. bobbysgirl
2. jenleahlynn
3. ilovesnails

bobbysgirl
1. johnson.mom2two
2. rainysunshine789
3. ilovesnails

mouseatethekitty
1. blupaisan
2. mandys_momma
3.  gala_apples

gala_apples
1. Smmarrt
2. jenleahlynn
3. mouseatethekitty

KittyHerman
1. blupaisan
2. jeanleahlynn
3 mandys_momma

Smmarrt
1. gala_apples
2. rainysunshine789

mandys_momma
1. mouseatethekitty
2. KittyHerman

Averia
1. blupaisan

blupaisan
1. KittyHerman
2. mouseatethekitty
3. Averia

jenleahlynn
1. KittyHerman
2. gala_apples
3. johnson.mom2two

rainysunshine789
1. Smmarrt
2. bobbysgirl

ilovesnails
1. johnson.mom2two
2. bobbysgirl

In the past year, I've really gotten into crochet, and have made several blankets (seems to be my main thing), a few shawls, and other knick knacks. I had decided I was going to crochet some kind of garment this year, most likely a sweater.  I had wanted to make something for myself, but when I came across this pattern for "Child's Friendship Knot Sweater" by Red Heart Yarn, I knew I was going to be working my first sweater for my daughter.  

The pattern says intermediate level. So, no problem, except I got stuck at the very first special stitch (slip stitch knit which wants me to work in the back loop and go in the opposite direction.) It was a booger.  I was even visiting with my bff and between the two of us, we decided to go another route.  That special stitch was for a ribbing effect on the arms and bottom of the sweater. Once we decided that just doing a simple single crochet band, it was easy (mostly) sailing!

 

As I was working it, I would hold it up to my daughter.  I went with the size 8 pattern as I wasn't sure how long it would take and I didn't want it to be too small. I truly worried it would be too small.  And, I had to add several  inches to what the pattern called for in the sleeves or they would have been too small. The way they say to make the arm holes has it looking a little strange to me once pieced together. And, I was was so anxious to get it together, I probably could have sewn the seams a bit prettier.  But it works!

The knot pattern calls for this cute friendship knot band in the center, but I was concerned the sweater would be to small, and I was anxious to see her try it on, so I skipped that part, and  just stitched up a cute little flower to decorate (and to help us figure out the front from the back!)

It fits!

Sorry the picture is sideways!  I was surprised the neckline is actually so wide on her! Now, to see what it does after it's washed.

I added more rows of single crochet to the neckline and it looks better.




Thanks for looking.

I've been wanting to learn about polymer clay for a while, and had been intimidated. I found some one a great clearance bargain, so I picked up a little, and decided to try it today.  I made Soft Kitty from Big Bang Theory, and if you know me, you know I'm obsessed with Big Bang Theory!  I also made some beads.  I haven't glazed the beads for a shine yet.

Thanks for looking.







And the beads:

I recently completed my first art quilt in my first art quilt swap. In returned, I received a beautiful art quilt of a manatee, which is my daughter's favorite animal. This prompted me to want to make another art quilt, but of one of my son's favorite animals, the bald eagle.



I found a neat printable on-line that had the body parts divided with what colors to use. I didn't want my bald eagle to be an exact replica, but I wanted it to be close, and  fun!  I love how the star fabrics are  light and dark, like day and night. And, as a bonus, I had everything already in my stash!   The loops for hanging was fabric I had, which coordinates with fabric used in the manatee quilt!

It measures about 15" wide by 13" high. 

Close up of the eagle:


It was also my first time sewing things that small for something like this, as well as the detail of my machine going around the eagle. I chose to sew it after I put it together so the eagle is quilted on the back (the darker stars).  I used the invisible close on the last side to sew it up. I'm still getting the hang of that!  And, since what I had in the house was the heat resistant stuff you'd use in pot holders, etc, I used that instead of quilt  batting..so, I guess in  a pinch I could use it.....*gasp!* NO!! just kidding

Thanks for looking!

[*International shipping is required*]

Swap name: Inchies Mania Swap
Craftster member who is organizing this swap: johnson.mom2two
Craftster member who is co-organizing this swap: will recruit if more than 25 participants
Sign-up date range: March 12th to 20th, 2013
Date to send item by: April 10, 2013
Limited to a certain number of people? (optional): No
Restricted to people who all live in the same country? NO
Additional Age requirement? Yes - 16 years

Swap Organizer himself/herself meets these conditions:
- Has fully read the Swap Info Guide: YES
- Has successfully completed two swaps as a participant: YES
- Is not organizing more than three swaps right now: YES
- Will recruit a co-organizer or give all details to a Swap Moderator if this swap has more than 25 participants: YES
- Is at least 18 years old: YES

Swap Organizer will check each participant to make sure they meet these conditions:
- Has been a member for at least one month: YES
- Has posted at least 15 times: YES
- Has completed one swap successfully before signing up for multiple swaps at a time: YES
- Is not currently signed up for more than five swaps: YES
- Does not have any negative feedback: YES
- Participant has agreed that he/she is at least 16 years old: YES
*International shipping is required*
*DC #s are not required but you will have to resend if the inchie set is not received*

Everyone is encouraged to join. If you can contain your art to a square of 1 inch, you can make an inchie! With that said, please make your inchies with love and care. Whether you paint, print, stamp, color, draw, ink or embellish, spend a bit of time and energy making the inchies you send to the best of your ability. Everyone you claim should receive inchies you are proud to have made and would love to receive.

For anyone who is not sure what and inchie is or how to go about making one, here is a great post on the papercraft forums by phizzychick (who makes amazing inchies!) http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=303188.0

The bonus is we can post these as cards or letters and avoid high postage charges so international swapping won't be too costly. Plus we won't be requiring a DC for this swap, but you MUST remake and resend if your inchies don't turn up. This is a no extras swap, if you want to send more than just the inchies (like maybe an ATC), then please do this as a personal swap – thanks.

You will have the choice of 1 or 2 or 3 partners and you will be required to send 8 inchies to each partner. You will have about 3 weeks crafting time.
It will be necessary to list 5 themes on your questionnaire, I’d like to suggest some themes that you might use that seem to be popular, but if you have your own ideas that that is fine too.

ETA - WHEN YOU CRAFT FOR YOUR PARTNER, YOU CAN EITHER CRAFT FROM A SINGLE THEME OR FROM A MIX OF THEIR THEMES.

(Thank you to kimchery/nilmerg and any other previous inchies organizers  from whom I've borrowed most of this information/questionnaire.)  

1. Single color or color spectrum
2. Nature – trees/leaves/flowers etc
3. Crafty items - scissors/thread/tape measure/knitting needles etc.
4. Monsters/robots/aliens
5. Zentangles and patterns
6. Hearts, stars and stripes
7. A favorite TV show, Movie or book
8. Animals (or a specific animal cats / pigs etc)
9. Food & beverages – veggies, coffee, fruits, cupcakes
10. Artists Choice (usually inspired by your wist/pinterest)

I reserve the right to deny participation to a swapper with history of poor communication and/or very late sending.

You must post in the thread once prior to being admitted to the swap.

If you would like to participate, please PM organizer (johnson.mom2two) with subject: Inchies Mania—sign-up.  

QUESTIONNAIRE TO ANSWER:
Name of swap: Inchies Mania Swap
Craftster username
Email address
Your real name
Mailing address including the country (as it should be written)
Would you be willing to ship to an address outside your own country? YES, REQUIRED
I'm willing to ship internationally (double checking!) YES/NO
Confirm that are at least 16 years old or, if not, that you have moderator approval YES/NO
Confirm that you understand that you MUST PM both the organizer and your partner when you have sent and received. (Communication is the key to a successful swap and if your communication is not good, then this will be reflected in your feedback) YES/NO
Confirm that you have read and understand the craftster swap info guide http://www.craftster.org/swapsinfo.html YES/NO
Confirm that although a DC is not required for this swap, you must remake and resend if your inchies go missing  YES / NO

Have you ever tried paper crafts before? Yes/No

Have you ever made inchies before? Yes/No

How would you describe your level of ability? Beginner/Moderate/experienced?

What are your favorite colors?

Please suggest  at least 5 themes you would like to receive?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Please provide a link to your Pinterest, wist, Etsy favorites or any other place that my provide your partner with an idea of your tastes:

Would you like 1, 2 or 3 partners? (please consider how many inchies you think you can realistically complete and send within the 3 week crafting period):

Anything that you would like your partner to know?[

I received a gorgeous sculpted tiny house from FoxyBlue.  She went with my A-Frame theme. She said the woman and the bee are from old children's books found from a yard sale in Australia. Thanks FoxyBlue! It was fun swapping with you.

I received my lovely crocheted item yesterday from mama24boyz!  I'd been eying this adorable owl purse on Pinterest for quite some time, and she delivered! And, sent an even more adorable matching phone cozy with it!

Without further ado, my goodies:


Thank you so much, I love it!

Laura

Generally the wait for a swap angel is two weeks after send outs, but unfortunately, Mrs. Awesome_Pants has seemed to be incomunicado with this swap from the get-go. Beside I sent my  hoop to her so early on in the swap, I hadn't suspected she was going to flake before I sent.  I'd been in contact with the help desk well before send-outs, and kbrison so thoughtfully offered to angel as my yarnie partner, and worked on that while working on her sewing project for me.

kbrison sent me a beautiful and warm infinity scarf as my angel package:



Here's an up-close of the stitching:


(Color is off on that one, sorry!)

And another view:


Thank you so much Kathy!

I received my sewing package from kbrison and it is amazing!  She crafted me Ctrl, Alt, Del pillow covers for pillows that came with my living room set, based off ones on the show Two and a Half Men.  My husband and I love the geeky pillow covers (even though she accidentally put Crtl instead of Ctrl...no biggie, really, it's all good with us!  It could very easily have been my error on the questionnaire!)  They fit great! Thank you so much Kathy! We love them!

They are so fun: