A Little Purple Elf Ami Ornament

I was supposed to be finishing up Christmas gifts BUT I logged on to Ravelry.com and ended up looking through the Amigurumi boards. And as usual, I wanted to make all the little crochet cuteness I saw there. Finding myself inspired - I decided to freehand a crochet elf in an ornament!

Strange, yes. But oh so cute!
Say Hello to Huber the Tree Elf

I really do smile each time I look at his oddness.

For me, part of 'crafting a life' is about making things that are silly and fun and that ca put a smile on my face and the face of the people I give them to.

Another part of crafting a life as an urbanite is making crafts that fit my eclectic aesthetic. The jewelry project that is tomorrow's Day of Christmas is just that sort of craft. I'm off to smile at Huber and finish a variation of tomorrow's project!

I hope you're staying warm and well,
~Dee

Day 2: Easy Wire Wrap Christmas Tree Ornaments

Day 2 of my 6 Days of Christmas is possibly the easiest, but also one of the most, chic crafts I've ever completed.

You'll need:

• Heavier gauge beading wire. I used 20 gauge. If I were making these again and not trying to use up scraps from my other products, I would buy a wire one step thicker. 
• Something shaped like a cone to wrap your wire around.
• Beading tools - pliers to wrap ends and make embellishments
• Optional - pipe cleaners and beads. 

It's easy as 1-2-3!

1. Make a loop in your wire. Pictured here the wire is still on the spool. I actually cut it after I made the loop. For the tallest tree I made (about 6 inches), I used around 2.5 feet of wire. I cut a yard to give myself some allowance when wrapping.

2. Take your wire and begin to wrap it around your long, cone object. To secure it, pull the first wrap through the loop you made. Be sure to wind the wire tight and close on each wrap. See the photos for the steps. and yes, I did use an Exacto pen knife for my form. I made sure to tape down the cap to avoid injury. BE CAREFUL -- the wire can be a bit prickly too.

Starting loop.

Along the Exacto knife. You'll notice that for some rows I made little loops and swirls. Not too many because I wanted the cone to look like a cone. 

3. To finish, slip the wire shape off of the shape. Use your hands to shape it some more. Top off with a loop for the hook. I used a heart shape.


It was hard to take a picture that did the ornaments justice (mostly because I had the New Hope in one hand and the camera in the other). The wire is copper and looped over itself it is very bright.  




A few things to keep in mind: You have to wrap the wire pretty tight to get a smooth, uniform turn. I didn't worry about that so much. I liked the few wrinkles and waves created by putting the extra few loops on a row.

This project could be adapted to make picture holders or a centerpiece for a holiday table.

The next few projects I post will be versions of gifts I made for friends and family this season. I've also drawn up a new doll. Maybe I'll get a chance to make her this weekend.


Many thanks for stopping by,
~Dee

Things to think about

A Craft No? - Trying to Laugh at a Project Gone Wrong.

Ever start making something and put time and effort into and absolutely hate it when it's finished?

I feel like I need to submit my latest debacle to one of those websites that poke fun at crafts gone wrong. Problem is, right now, I'm a little sensitive about it. Weird, because I'm not usually the sensitive type.

I think what got me today was that I just finished the most successful month of crafting in my crafting life - and then I totally bombed. I made dolls, sold them. I've made some really cool things for the 6 days of Christmas here on Craftfro (Day 2 is tomorrow). I've completed a bunch of cute things for the little baby currently snoring in a cradle next to my desk and I even made some pretty nice Christmas gifts (and mailed most of them too!).

I was on a crafting high and I think I crashed.
Ever happened to you.


Tomorrow I'll be back with a more upbeat post and a tutorial. Promise.

~Dee

DAY 1: Hand Sewn Felt Bell Ornament

Day 1 of the 6 Days of Craft: A Felt Bell Ornament

Hi Good People,

I trust you're all keeping warm (or cool, depending on your clime). It's finally stopped snowing here but it's still cold.

I decided to break into my stash of craft goodies and make holiday stuff. The first thing I made is two bells using craft felt and embroidery thread.

This project is a quick make and can easily be modified in size and subject matter. If you don't like the bell I make here, you can draw your own design and use the technique to make a different ornament. This project is kid friendly if you use a bigger, less sharp needle. It can be done with yarn or thread and regular fabric.

Go here to see the step by step slides to make your own -- Felt Bell Ornament Tutorial on Flickr.
I chose to house it there because the slide show makes it easier to follow along than scrolling down the page in my opinion.

A few notes:
The key is to make loose long single stitches that are worked close together. Don't pull your thread too tight. Craft felt is stiff and will tear instead of stretching.
You don't have to cut out the bell like I do in the pattern. My husby suggested I do this. I normally would stitch around the square and hang it as a square with a bell center. I like the way it turned out but the others I make will keep their square shape.


PLEASE TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK OF THE BELL! If you make one, show me!

I've linked to the following parties:


Peas out,
Dee

Crafting Confidence = Business plus preview of the 6 days of Christmas CraftFro style...

I have been super busy (what's new?) and I looked at the calendar today and realized that it's pretty much the end of the year and I have been in a whirlwind non-stop since 2010 began. Apparently, 1st babies will do that to you.

On the crating front, I've been busy making ornaments for the New Hope's first Christmas tree. Some out of crochet, some hand sewing and a few paper.

First Commission = Confidence Builder

I was fortunate enough to receive and complete my first special order of 7 desk dolls. It took a long time to complete them to my satisfaction but they were a big hit with the person who commissioned the pieces. It was scary to actually sell my work and I suffered from all sorts of low project esteem (is it good enough?) and self doubt (can I finish these on time?) I promised I wouldn't release any pictures of the dolls until they made it to their new homes after Christmas, so there are no photos. But maybe I will post a few in 2011!

I never thought that I could craft for supplemental income until I came up with the desk doll and there was this weird feeling that I had something unique and valuable to contribute that people might actually want to buy. They are the first things that I designed from head to toe and didn't use a pattern.

Don't get me wrong, I love patterns. I love FREE internet patterns. My crochet skills have improved 10fold in less than half a year because of internet patterns. I had to make and remake the most simple things until I got my confidence up to strike out and design my own stuff. And patterns made that possible. Next year I plan on featuring a weekly post on patterns that I followed.

Now, after these first commissions, I feel like I am ready to make a go of the business. The question is - what sort of business will I build? Will I just continue to do dolls on commission from groups like the one I made these first dolls for? or Will I branch out to sell the accessories I so love to make and design? If the latter is the case, I have to decide if I will open an Etsy store or if I will just stick to craft shows in my area. I have some idea which business type I'm leaning toward but I would love to hear what you think.

The blog is going to be revamped before 1-1-11. I have a new logo I've been working on and I think I may get my super Husby to retool the design to reflect the new business venture and my renewed commitment to chronicling my crafts online. I have a bunch of great ideas that I want share - now just to do it.

The 12 6 Days of Christmas Crochet and Crafts. (I was thinking 6 days but the 12 Days of Christmas song was apparently running in the background of my thoughts; When I looked at the post this morning I thought, OH NO! I can't believe I wrote 12. ;)
I've been working non-stop on Christmas projects for the tree and for gifts. I can't always spend this much time crafting so I am cherishing these snowy, cold days on which I have nothing scheduled for work.

I have come up with 12  6, quick, easy to make Christmas crafts that probably won't require a trip to the store. If you live anywhere in the Midwest, you'll understand why ---SNOW.

I have gotten the posts for most of the days together and look forward to hearing what you think about my 6  Christmas Crochet and Craft gifts.


And the New Hope ...
The New Hope has quite a few accessories that Mama CraftFro has made especially for her new baby. A few of these will appear as one of the 12 Days projects .. including this Big Bow Head Band and Christmas Hat....




As always, Love and Peas...

Halloween 2010 - Oompa Loompa DIY

Hi Good People,

It's been a while. I've just started to get back on schedule after the newborn, so hopefully I will be posting more frequently.

I may not have been posting, but I have been crafting!

My biggest project yet - and most adorable - was the little baby's first Halloween costume.

I originally wanted to make her an Iron Man costume a la this Target commercial : see it  here.
But the Hub wasn't so sure that the shoe box and tap light was 7 week old appropriate. ;)

Instead, smart man that he is, he suggested I make her an Oompa Loompa. We'd both been hyped off of candy and humming the tunes from the movies, so it was only fitting.

Below I've posted photos of the process on Flikr. It's not a tutorial but it will show you the steps in case you want to try it yourself.  See all the steps here.

I am proud of myself. I made it with only materials I already had and I even hand stitched the pants from one of the Hubs old undershirts. (Good thing nobody had to see them up close).

Oh the cuteness ---


I've been having a great (and tiring) time ba new mom. I've also been crafting up a storm. The theraputic repetion of crocheting seems to be the only thing I can concentrate on for more than a few minutes at a time with my fatigue. 

More soon --- including, gasp, info on  my new craft business.

All the best,
Dee

Blogus Interruptus or a baby is born!

Hey Good People,

The blog has been woefully neglected but for a wonderful reason! My bubbly baby girl was born just about two weeks ago. She was almost 4 weeks early and I had to have an emergency csection. She's cute and healthy but mom needs a lot more recovery time! So, until I get back on my feet, the blog will be a bit quiet.

Check back in a few weeks for the updates I intended to put up before her early arrival.

Oh, yeah, there is a crafty picture of the new little one... I made her a hat during our first day of convalescing. The hat is a simple triple stitch crochet design and was worked freehand while on meds (lol) so there isn't a tutorial.

Introducing the amazing Baby H.