Cinnamon Pink

The World of Amigurumi

Ok, I've caught Amigurumi fever. You probably have heard about it but in case you didn't, here's a definition: 

Amigurumi (Am-ee-gur-oom-ee) is the Japanese art of crocheting or knitting small creatures. The word derives from the Japanese words ami (meaning crocheted or knitted) and nuigurumi (meaning stuffed doll). There's a bunch of Amigurumi tutorials on the Web.

One informative site, Hooks and Needles is where Alicia Ramirez offers some great Amigurumi video tutorials.

Ana Paula Rimoli, author of the book, Amigurumi World: Seriously Cute Crochet (which is a book I just ordered. Do I really need to begin another art endeavor?) - and host of Ana Paula's Amigurumi Patterns & Random Cuteness  blog - offers fantastic, free tutorials. Ana has also written two other Amigurumi books.

June Gilbank, author of the highly-ranked, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Amigurumi, also has a blog (Planet June) where she shares Amigurumi patterns.

So what do you think? Are you ready to Amigurumi?

 

Creating a Shabby Chic Rose

Today, I decided to create my first shabby chic rose by following the DuhBe Fabric Rose tutorial which I mentioned in a previous post. Luci's tutorial is both professional and thorough.

It does involve a little sewing. I'm not the best seamstress so I chose the option of hand stitching the fabric. Sewing machines don't always cooperate with me. Of all the steps, I enjoyed melting the edges of the fabric with the candle flame the best.

So, here's my first rose. I added a few stamens for color and texture contrast. I definitely will make more roses.

Win Blogoversary Candy

Debbie, from Passion for Crafts, is offering Blogoversary Candy. Today is the last day to enter her giveaway. (I just found out about the event today.) Look at the wonderful prizes. Hurry up and enter!

 

Another New Diversion - Rug Hooking

I seem to get involved in too many creative pursuits. If I learn of a new (to me) craft, medium or technique, I immediately need to know more - purchase the necessary supplies - and travel down the path of artistic exploration. All of this leads to an overflowing plate of creative projects. However, I recently did complete one of my projects.

I belong to a traditional rug hooking group. Last week, we held a public show of our work. I displayed my first hooked piece which is the small mat you see below. Although the members of our group work in more subdued colors, I could not resist hooking a piece in various shades of pink. I'll bet that doesn't surprise any of you who read my blog.

I've already begun hooking my second piece which will be a large rug with two sheep and a checkerboard border.