52 Projects - #35 A whole lot of bears...

For this week the project was a continuation of two weeks ago.  I made ""Firsherman's bear" as a test.  After much thinking, going back and forth, I decided to modify it a bit... No big nose, no mouth, just some nice button eyes!  I tried to use some nice prints that really did not require much more. It took me 3 days and the day before the party I had the help of my mom and sister (Thank you!!) I mean after cutting 17 bears and sewing them, the stuffing part is where I was.  I think all the kids were happy with their bears.  I got 2 request for "big kids" as well.  So, I am doing a few more this week. 

(The letters from my previous project will be mailed no later than Wed.  I am accounted for now ;)  )

52 Projects #33 - Fisherman's Bear's Friend

Arianna loves Fisherman's Bear from Little Bear.  He is Little Bear's friend and he goes to sleep with him.  I made a prototype which is not exactly like fisherman's bear looks, but the idea is there by using Fisherman's bear from the t.v. and a book that I have from Aranzi Aranzo. I still need to work some kinks and such, but I like my first try. Although the bottom part is a bit smaller than the top.  It looks like the bear is a body builder :)  Ari likes it though. 
On a side note, I'd been out of my crafty side - or fairy crafty as I was calling it, but my daughter's birthday is trying to get me back in the mood.  I missed it that is for sure :)

52 Projects - Week #26 Amigurumi Punk Bear!

I went back to one of my favorite hobbies and that is to make little crocheted animals called Amigurumis! I have not done this in awhile...I did this for a new penpal... if I can hide it long enough before my daughter tries to take it away again :) Yes, I am making one for her since she liked it so much.

The first two pictures there is no mouth and nose yet, but I was too tired already.  Today, I finished it.  It always amazes me that even though it is tiny (about 3.5in) it takes quite a bit to make, but love them anyway.  How about that hair? I think that is why my lovely liked it.  She even posed for me without asking...

Week #25 - Photography and the end of the 30 days journaling challenge!

As my previous blog entry stated, I went to a beautiful outdoor wedding (ceremony) and then a banquet hall.  I had always wanted to capture those beautiful moments.  I imagined myself being a great photographer ( that is not even close to the truth, but still we can imagine, right?) So, here are those moments that I capture...

Just love it. I love that the imperfections, add to it.  At least in my eyes. 
Also, I finished the journaling challenge!! Yeah! Here are a few pages...

52 Projects - #23 and 24 Journaling and crocheted flowers

I decided to participate in a 30 day challenge, and most of the pages were done last week so I combined that for my 52 projects, but did not have the chance to write about it.  Here are some of the pages that I made, each belongs to a different prompt for that day:

This is my cover...

Write about someone that impacted your life :)

Blogs that you followed (5)...

Some goals for you right now.

Favorite shows, music, food, hobbies...

What are you wearing today?

For this week, I crocheted some flowers and added to a barrette so you can attach to your hair.  I made 16 with different antique buttons as the center.  I was very happy how they came out.  These guys are part of a swap that I am participating.

52 projects #20 - Wedding invitations

For this week I'd been working in my brother's invitations!  I thought that I will be done in a flash, but it is taking longer than expected... still love it.  I am trying to help them.  The invitations are actually from Martha Stewart's collection and I tried to use the "templates" that she supposedly has in the website (that came in the package), but I can't find it.  Has someone use some of her cards?  Do you know the templates that she is talking about?  I am using Word and it is taking longer.  I  have some projects that I want to do, but duty calls right now ;)

52 projects #18 - Pom Poms

For this week I'd been practicing pom poms.  I thought they will be easy, but I encountered a few glitches.  I'd been using leftover yarn because I don't want to mess up the one that I want to use for 2 projects that I have in mind.  The first one I want to make some barrettes for my daughter/ nieces and their dolls!  The second one  - I want to do a wreath that I saw made of pom poms and then you can add some other touches.  They are so beautiful.
So, can anyone give me some tips?  How to make sure they are perfect all around?  I was using a pom pom maker, but they were coming loose.  Do I need a different or specific type of thread to tighten them?   Here is a picture of what I have in mind.  I might change it a bit , but the pom poms are still there :)

http://bleubirdvintage.typepad.com/blog/2009/11/diy-pom-pom-wreath.html

Here are my best pom poms so far...

52 Projects - #15 Batman Blanket

I actually finished this one last Saturday, but could not post because it was a gift for my sister in law and I wanted her to be surprised.  I mailed it to her first :)  I did not do this in one week.  It actually took me almost 2 years to do.  But, last week was the only thing I focus because I was so close and wanted to finish.  So, here it is.  I was so happy I was able to finish a big project.  Now, I feel energize to do something else :)

These are some pictures of how it looks in the front, and I took a picture of how it looks in the back.  A lot of times, when I see a project I always wonder how it looks in the back, but they seldom put a picture.  I know it is not as cute, but sometimes is good to see so a newbie can get an idea of what to do in the back.  So, here is mine ;)

And Arianna saw the blanket and liked it.  She said "Mama is wonderful".  Then, she laid down for awhile and when she was not looking I put it away.  Now, I am making her a blanket. :)

52 projects in one year.

My friend Jane at www.paintedhouse52.blogspot.com has a wonderful idea of doing 52 projects in one year and everyone will share what they did on Sundays. It started two weeks ago, but I did not see it until a few days. So for the second week I did 2 things

1. Finger painting with my daughter. The first one is hers and the second is mine. I don't ever remember doing finger painting when I was little. I remember crayons, pencils, markers, watercolor, but not finger painting. She loved it. She said " I loved to draw!"


2. I tried a new recipe: Chocolate Chips cookies using the space that Mike made for me. The recipe is from Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies! :) (It says it yields 60 cookies, I got 50)

Level: Easy

• Prep: 15 min
• Cooking: 9 min
• Cooling time: 15 min cooling
• Yields: 60

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
• 1 cup chopped nuts

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PREHEAT oven to 375° F.

COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.