Crafty Alien Blog - Make it out of the world

Have Yourself a Zombie Little Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa, the Crafty Alien.) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 15:53:00 +0000

gaRRRR!!!

Overdoing it for the holidays? Feeling a little undead? This cuddly zombie knows how you feel. Cuddle up with our handcrafted plush fleece zombie now available in our shop. Don't worry, we've included a stuffed flannel brain so he has something to snack on.

Available now at CraftyAlien.com

Christmas Wreath (Crochet)

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa, the Crafty Alien.) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 23:41:00 +0000

Happy December! The first of our free Christmas amigurumi is this adorable crochet wreath. We'll have the knit version tomorrow as well as more free goodies all this month. Be sure to subscribe to our blog so you get our patterns and goodies sent right to your email!

Christmas Wreath (Crochet)

Finished Size: Approximately 3” (11.4cm) diameter.
Crochet Hook: Size E-4 US (3.5mm).
Yarn: Acrylic worsted weight. Yardages are approximate:
• Color A (Green) 12yd (11.0m);
• Color B (Red) 6yd (8.2m);
Other Supplies:
• Felt: black.
• Embroidery floss: black, white.
• Yarn or tapestry needle; embroidery needle.
• Stuffing.

Stitches & Abbreviations:
CH: Chain.
INVDEC: Invisible decrease: Insert the hook through the front loop of st and then through the front loop of the next st. Yarn over and pull yarn through both front loops. Yarn over and pull through both loops on hook.
MR: Make ring: Make a loop by putting the yarn tail behind the yarn from the skein. Leave a 4" (10cm) tail. Using the hook, pull the working yarn through the loop, leaving a loop now on the hook.
RND: Round.
SC: Single crochet.

Wreath
Wreath is worked in a continuous spiral. Do not join rnds. You may wish to use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of a rnd.

Starting at center of wreath with E-4/3.5mm hook and COLOR A, ch 18, join with a slip stitch in first ch to make ring.
Rnd 1: Sc in each sc around. (18 sts)
Rnd 2: Increase 6 sts evenly. (24 sts)
Rnd 3: Increase 6 sts evenly. (30 sts)
Rnd 4: Increase 6 sts evenly. (36 sts)
Rnds 5-7: Sc in each sc around.
Rnd 8: Invdec 6 sc evenly spaced. (30 sts)
Rnd 9: Invdec 6 sc evenly spaced. (24 sts)
Rnd 10: Invdec 6 sc evenly spaced. (18 sts)
Cut yarn leaving 8"/20cm tail. Using a tapestry needle, stuff firmly while whipstitching Rnd 1 to Rnd 10. Weave in end.

Bow

Bow is worked in a continuous spiral. Do not join rnds. You may wish to use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of a rnd.

Starting at end of bow with E-4/3.5mm hook and COLOR B, mr.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, 12 sc in ring, pull starting ring closed. (12 sts)

Rnd 2: Increase 12 sts evenly. (24 sts)

Rnd 3: Invdec 12 sc evenly spaced. (12 sts)
Rnd 4: Invdec 6 sc evenly spaced. (6 sts)
Rnd 5: Sc in each sc around.

Rnd 6: Increase 6 sts evenly. (12 sts)

Rnd 7: Increase 12 sts evenly. (24 sts)
Rnd 8: Invdec 12 sc evenly spaced. (12 sts)

Cut yarn leaving 8”/20cm tail. Using a tapestry needle, insert needle through loop of each stitch and pull tight to close hole. Weave in end. Attach to wreath as shown in picture, stitch at Bow, Rnds 4-5 only.

Christmas Figgy Pudding Plush

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa, the Crafty Alien.) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 19:06:00 +0000

Get figgy with it!

Don't craft? Get your loved ones our handcrafted Figgy Pudding fleece plush. He's super soft and squishy, and the only figgy pudding you'll want to cuddle. He's about 7 inches wide and 6 inches tall and will be available for the next two weeks! Oh, and did we mention, he's got zero calorie sweetness?

Available now at CraftyAlien.com.

Lo Mein Cupcakes from What's New, Cupcake?" by Karen Tack and Alan Richardson

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa, the Crafty Alien.) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:45:00 +0000

I was meandering in the local Sam's Club recently when a book caught my eye. A cupcake book. But not your ordinary cupcake book. No, this one was especially taylored for a crafty nut like myself. Pages and pages of cupcakes pretending to not be cupcakes. Now, those are the kind that are close to my heart. Running out of time and without a membership pass (I snuck in for a berry sundae!) I typed the book's name on my phone and off to get my daughter I went.

The dilemma started the next day when I had time to go to the local Michael's and peruse the books for my newly chosen favoritest cupcake book in the world. My book (Hello, Cupcake, What's New?) was not one book, but TWO books (Hello, Cupcake and What's New, Cupcake?). Woah. The Sam's Club version was half of one book and half of another. Decisions had to be made. One book was more than enough for a mommy of a toddler (at least for a month or two) I finally settled on the book with the lo mein cupcakes. I think it was the broccoli. Go figure, I'm not really a fan of broccoli, but this time it won my heart.

Candy Corn Pattern (Knit)

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa, the Crafty Alien.) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:39:00 +0000

Due to technical issues, we were unable to post our knit crafty*alien Candy Corn pattern until today! We hope our crocheters are having fun making lots of candy corn for Halloween and now the knitters can join in! And as always, be sure to subscribe to our blog so you get our patterns and goodies sent right to your email!
Candy Corn (Knit)

Finished Size: Approximately 4-1⁄2” (11.4cm) tall.
Knitting Needles: Size 7 US (4.5mm).
Yarn: Acrylic worsted weight*. Yardages are approximate:
• Color A (Yellow) 12yd (11.0m);
• Color B (Orange) 9yd (8.2m);
• Color C (White) 6yd (5.5m).

Other Supplies:
• Yarn or tapestry needle; embroidery needle.• Felt: black.
• Embroidery floss: black, white.
• Stuffing.

Stitches & Abbreviations:
M1: (Make One) Insert left needle, from front to back, under the horizontal strand between the stitch on the left needle and the stitch just worked, forming a loop on the left needle. Knit this loop through the back when working a knit row, purl through front when working a purl row.
K2TOG: Knit two stitches together.
P2TOG: Purl two stitches together.
SSK: Slip, slip, knit 2 together.

Candy Corn
Starting at bottom of candy corn with 7 US/4.5mm needles and COLOR A, cast on 18 sts.
Row 1: Knit.
Row 2: P4, M1, P1, M1, P8, M1, P1, M1, P4. (22 sts)
Row 3: Knit.
Row 4: P4, (M1, P1) 3 times, P8, (M1, P1) 3 times, P4. (28 sts)
Row 5: Knit.
Row 6: P4, (M1, P2) 3 times, P8, (M1, P2) 3 times, P4. (34 sts)
Row 7: Knit
Row 8: Purl.
Row 9: Knit
Row 10: Purl.
Row 11: K5, K2TOG, K3, SSK, K10, K2TOG, K3, SSK, K5. (30 sts)
Continuing in COLOR B:
Row 12: Purl.
Row 13: Knit
Row 14: Purl.
Row 15: K4, K2TOG, K3, SSK, K8, K2TOG, K3, SSK, K4. (26 sts)
Row 16: Purl.
Row 17: Knit
Row 18: Purl.
Row 19: K3, K2TOG, K3, SSK, K6, K2TOG, K3, SSK, K3. (22 sts)
Row 20: Purl.
Row 21: Knit
Row 22: Purl.
Continuing in COLOR C:
Row 23: K2, K2TOG, K3, SSK, K4, K2TOG, K3, SSK, K2. (18 sts)
Row 24: Purl.
Row 25: Knit
Row 26: Purl.
Row 27: K1, K2TOG, K3, SSK, K2, K2TOG, K3, SSK, K1. (14 sts)
Row 28: Purl.
Row 29: Knit
Row 30: Purl.
Row 31: K2TOG, K3, SSK, K2TOG, K3, SSK. (10 sts)
Cut yarn leaving 8”/20cm tail. Using a tapestry needle, insert needle through loop of each stitch and pull tight to close hole. Fold in half and stitch vertical seam (we recommend using mattress stitch)**. Stuff candy corn firmly. Sew bottom seam (We used grafting stitch). Weave in ends. To make a standing candy corn, make an indent at the bottom of the candy corn by drawing a loop of yarn through the bottom center and pulling up through the middle of the candy corn and securing.

Next Step: Using pattern pieces, cut out two eyes from black felt. Separate one strand from black embroidery floss and attach eyes with applique stitch as shown in the photo above. Using three strands of embroidery floss, back stitch mouth as shown. Using three strands of white embroidery floss, make a french knot and straight stitch for each eye.

* If you'd like to felt your candy corn, use size 10 US (6mm) needles and 100% wool (non-superwash) yarn. Increase yardages by approximately 20%.
** If felting your candy corn, leave a small opening in your back seam for turning after felting. In a small container or dishpan, fill with about an inch of hot water. Add a small amount of dish soap. Place candy corn into water and let soak for about five minutes. This will open up the wool fibers for felting. Vigorously squish each piece. Repeat process until individual knitted stitches are not visible. If the pieces get too sudsy, rinse to check your progess. Some colors may felt faster than others. Remove cotton yarn from opening at back of head and stuff firmly with temporary stuffing while damp and mold into shape.

Designed by Lisa Eberhart,
Copyright ©2011 CraftyAlien

Feel free to to link back to this pattern and photos but copying it is not permitted! You are however, permitted to make as many as you like. Want to sell items you make from this pattern? Please contact us at CraftyAlien.com.

Candy Corn Pattern (Crochet)

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa, the Crafty Alien.) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 01:01:00 +0000

We couldn't think of a better way to welcome everybody back to our blog than by giving you some free patterns just in time for Halloween! Our candy corn patterns were originally going to replace our Tulip patterns for our newsletter subscribers, but technical issues held it back too long and we didn't want to wait to give you this pattern until next year. Today we've got our crafty*alien amigurumi candy corn pattern for crochet! But don't worry, we'll have our knit version available tomorrow. Be sure to subscribe to our blog so you get our patterns and goodies sent right to your email!
Candy Corn (Crochet)

Finished Size: Approximately 41⁄2” (11.4cm) tall.
Crochet Hook: Size E-4 US (3.5mm).
Yarn: Acrylic worsted weight. Yardages are approximate:
• Color A (Yellow) 12yd (11.0m);
• Color B (Orange) 9yd (8.2m);
• Color C (White) 6yd (5.5m).
Other Supplies:• Felt: black.
• Embroidery floss: black, white.
• Yarn or tapestry needle; embroidery needle.
• Stuffing.

Stitches & Abbreviations:
CH: Chain.
INVDEC: Invisible decrease: Insert the hook through the front loop of st and then through the front loop of the next st. Yarn over and pull yarn through both front loops. Yarn over and pull through both loops on hook.
RND: Round.
SC: Single crochet.
DC: Double crochet.
SC2TOG: Single crochet two together.

Candy Corn
Candy corn is worked in a continuous spiral. Do not join rnds. You may wish to use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of a rnd.
Starting at bottom of candy corn with E-4/3.5mm hook and COLOR A, ch 11.
Rnd 1: 3 sc in 2nd chain from hook, sc in next 8 ch, 3 sc in next ch. Rotate foundation ch 180 degrees and sc in next 8 sts of foundation ch. (22 sts)
Rnd 2: (2 sc in next 3 sc, sc in next 8 sc) 2 times (28 sts)
Rnd 3: (2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc) 3 times, sc in next 8 sc, (2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc) 3 times, sc in next 8 sc. (34 sts)
Rnd 4: Sc in each sc around.
Rnd 5: Invdec, sc in next 31 sc. (33 sts)
Rnd 6: Indec 3 sc evenly spaced. (30 sts)
Rnd 7: Sc in each sc around.
Continuing in COLOR B:
Rnd 8: Indec 3 sc evenly spaced. (27 sts)
Rnd 9: Sc in each sc around.
Rnd 10: Indec 3 sc evenly spaced. (24 sts)
Rnd 11: Sc in each sc around.
Rnd 12: Indec 3 sc evenly spaced. (21 sts)
Rnd 13: Sc in each sc around.
Rnd 14: Indec 3 sc evenly spaced. (18 sts)
Continuing in COLOR C:
Rnd 15: Sc in each sc around.
Rnd 16: Indec 3 sc evenly spaced. (15 sts)
Rnd 17: Sc in each sc around.
Rnd 18: Indec 3 sc evenly spaced. (12 sts)
Rnd 19: Sc in each sc around.
Rnd 20: Indec 3 sc evenly spaced. (9 sts)
Rnd 21: Sc in each sc around.
Rnd 22: Indec 3 sc evenly spaced. (6 sts)
Stuff candy corn firmly. Cut yarn leaving 8”/20cm tail. Using a tapestry needle, insert needle through loop of each stitch and pull tight to close hole. Weave in end. To make a standing candy corn, make an indent at the bottom of the candy corn by drawing a loop of yarn through the bottom center and pulling up through the middle of the candy corn and securing.

relaunch {coming soon}

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa, the Crafty Alien.) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 03:49:00 +0000

An all-new crafty*alien blog starts soon!

It's a rainy blah day in the Crafty Alien house

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa, the Crafty Alien.) — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 20:08:00 +0000

I had a bunch of things planned for today. Photos of some cards, magnets and tacks need to be done. I have to run to the store for a few things. I have a toddler who wants to get out of the house for a bit. That's always when the clouds start rolling in (or when I need to mow the lawn but that's not today for once). Now it's too "thunderstormy" to take the little one out. It's too dark inside to take pictures using natural light - it's especially too wet to do them on the lanai. Ugh... it is perfect weather to take a nap, though. I'm hoping Elizabeth will take a nap now... even with the occasional rumble of thunder.

Speaking of magnets... I have them all back in stock and a set of gnome magnets that I haven't gotten a decent picture of yet.

Hedgehog Plush

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa, the Crafty Alien.) — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 03:59:00 +0000

I made these hedgehogs very many months ago and never got around to photographing them, because, well, I secretly wanted to keep my own hedgehog army. It's like everything else I make. I want to keep it all for myself.

Monday Word Cloud

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa, the Crafty Alien.) — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 14:40:00 +0000

This weekend I overdid it with yardwork, realized that my yarn for my Medallion Medley won't be here until the 18th (according to FedEx), played (crafted?) with some of my wood thumbtacks and make some wood pendants. The pendants, however, are in a holding pattern until I figure out if I really want to use resin on them or just a one-part glaze. I've scraped so much paper/glue/glaze off that it made my brain hurt because it just was never perfect enough.

I also lost a few brain cells while acquiring a new knitting skill - multicolor Intarsia. That's where I got the headache. Without giving anything away (like a new upcoming pattern) it's easier than I thought it would be but you need to allow yourself time for untangling yarn. I had five different balls of yarn going on at the same time and have no cats. I did, however, had to wait until Elizabeth went to sleep to work on it, because, well, with all of the toys she has, the only thing she wants is what I'm working on. Plus, she's like a cat.

I cleaned up my craft studio a bit (I still don't have a work table in there)... I found some things I was working on so expect to see new items in the next few days as I take picks and put them on the site.

If you build it...

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa, the Crafty Alien.) — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 13:47:00 +0000

I want this bed!

About a week and a half ago I was searching the internet for ideas (maybe plans) on how to make a tufted storage ottoman. I didn't find what I wanted. But I found SO MUCH MORE. I love Pottery Barn stuff, I really do. However, those price tags give me indigestion. I like Ikea stuff. Some of it is close to what I want, but not really it. A scratch on particle board makes it look like junk, but a scratch on wood gives a piece of furniture character. You really can't do much with Ikea stuff if your nearly 16-month-old bangs her toys on it and scratches the finish. But with wood, well, distressed is in. Plus it's fun to work with power tools.

Yes, I'm gonna make my furniture myself. After all, my secret little dream is to live in a house I built myself with everything inside made by me. That's what Ana White basically has done. Plus, she's got this great website (Knock-Off Wood) with free plans to make all the furniture I want. And she simplifies the construction so that anyone can do it.

Now I just need a personal lumber yard.

Backyard Critters 4 Now Available!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa, the Crafty Alien.) — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 20:42:00 +0000

I just wanted to let you know that the downloadable PDF for Backyard Critters 4 is now available on CraftyAlien.com and on Etsy as well. The kits and printed pattern will be available in the next few days!

Something crocheted tawashi my dishes

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa, the Crafty Alien.) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 23:11:00 +0000

A couple of years ago I switched from annoying disposable pot and dish scrubbers to crocheted acrylic scrubbers (tawashi in Japanese) and made a few simple ones. Since my color-scheme changed here (I made some to match an ugly orange countertop when I was in Athens) I decided it was time to update them and maybe find a cooler pattern, which I did with Japan's Pierrot Yarns. The website (and pattern) are in Japanese, but the chart is pretty simple to follow. It's the fourth link next to the icon that looks like a page with shapes on it. I love them because they really do work and when they get dirty, just throw them in with any load of laundry. The best yarn to use is cheap acrylic, like Red Heart. I made these for my mom to try!

My list of things to get done this summer

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa, the Crafty Alien.) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 21:13:00 +0000

I started crocheting Nicky Epstein's "Medallion Medley" from her book Crocheting on the Edge. I lucked out and found the book a couple of weeks ago at my local Barnes and Noble with a 50% off sticker so I couldn't resist. I changed to yarn used to Caron's Simply Soft Eco in natural which I now have to order because I obviously bought it when I lived in Athens, Ga and now I can't find it down here in Florida. It's a really cool design - kinda reminds me of a bunch of gears or something.

Another project in my queue is the Pomp-a-Poodle from Red Heart... I haven't decided if I'll use Red Heart or not. I just think it'll be a cute toy for Elizabeth.

Speaking of Elizabeth... she's just climbed onto a shelf in my desk. Gotta go!

Playing catch up this summer

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa, the Crafty Alien.) — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 21:21:00 +0000

Elizabeth hams it up for the deli counter ladies.

It's been hectic these past few months. Elizabeth is just about 15 months old and, well, a handful. I've finally relocated her toys to her room so I don't spend an additional two hours every night trying to clean up the house. A few of my "normal" tasks are to check all the cabinets to make sure she hasn't stashed a sippy cup or two in them. Her new thing is to wedge herself between me and whatever I'm doing. Like any child her age, whatever I'm working on, she wants to get between me and it and relocate all the pieces. Working with yarn is especially difficult because I used to sit on the couch to work, but now she can climb up on the couch... so then I end up standing at the kitchen counter trying to work... well, as well I can with Elizabeth pushing me back from the counter.

This probably explains why I haven't been able to get new designs done. By the time she's gone to bed, I'm pretty much mentally & physically shot and end up on the couch in a somewhat vegetative state until I fall asleep. I've been in this house since April and I still haven't been able to set up my studio... but she is just so darn... huggable.

I am in love with this duvet cover

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa, the Crafty Alien.) — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 15:33:00 +0000

I found this about a month ago... I'm a big fan of DwellStudio and can't believe that I actually found a design for a comforter that I like in a color that I love. My only dislike is that, like 99% of all comforter/duvets out there... it is in a full/queen size, which means it is usually a little too small on a queen bed. It's a nice chartreuse color with dark brown piping on the edge. All the colors that I love in one cool print...

...it also doesn't help that DwellStudio also has a very similar print now available as fabric at Joanns. I'm not sure if it's the same color or a bit more on the glowworm green side as I haven't searched it out at the store yet. But I also like this one too!

A little bit of crafter's block

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa, the Crafty Alien.) — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 01:34:00 +0000

It's been a while since I posted. I was staying with my parents for a while (a long while!) and my mind slipped into a rut with several pattern designs while I was there. I tried and tried and tried but couldn't reproduce what I had previously done in knitting with crochet. When you crochet in the round, each new round is set slightly off from the previous row. This is self-correcting when a row is turned, but amplified with additional crocheted rounds. Put in increases and decreases and sometimes you've got a big ugly mess of something twisty! And not quite the desired product. That is the dilemma pattern designers face - we've got the finished design in our head but getting there can be a marathon of stitching and frogging until we kind of give in to defeat... take a break and come back at it from a whole new perspective. That's usually how I work. I think it's the challenge that I love and yet, when I'm finished, no one usually knows the lengths I went through to make it look just so.

And yay! Spring is here and it's great to be on the internet on my own computer again.

Love to you all! ; )

8 maids a milking

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa, the Crafty Alien.) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 02:06:00 +0000

When I was in third grade, our class did "The Twelve Days of Christmas" for the school's holiday show. Needless to say I was disappointed in the role. There was nothing cute about a maid-a-milking. The costume was frumpy. The movements were, well, um... up and down with both hands like you're milking a cow. Nothing difficult, nothing challenging, just embarrassing. I wanted to be a golden ring. After all, these five got to twirl around with gold hula hoops for the "fi---------------ve gol------den rings" which meant they had much more stage time and got to dress like ballerinas (which is secretly what I wanted to be).

So I have to wonder who had a similar school holiday show experience...

I started doing banner advertising for CraftyAlien.com again. It's a science experiment to say the least. You start with one ad and watch how it does for a while. Then you change the ad and see how it does on the same sites. You change one word, one image, you try animation, a promo code... just to see if you can reach a broader audience. I've been advertising on crafty sites because it's where the crafty people are. And then I was rejected from a site because I guess they don't want the competition. I love that, because it only makes me want to work harder, better and faster. I'm just working small for now until I get the ads just right and then I'll expand. I'm also working on an affiliate program as well, but it's on the back burner for the holiday season. If you have a blog or other website that has advertising and you need some ads, email me.

Items on Sale Sunday, December 6 thru Saturday, December 13, 2009 EST

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa, the Crafty Alien.) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 04:28:00 +0000

Beginning this week, selected items will be on sale at CraftyAlien.com as well as PDF patterns in CraftyAlien's Etsy shop in the "On Sale This Week" category. Be sure to check them out because they won't be on sale again for a while!

Busy like a Christmas elf...

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa, the Crafty Alien.) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 01:13:00 +0000

but without the pointy ears, thankfully!

I did some shopping on Saturday morning, missing the Black Friday crowds because one little girl decided she didn't want to go to sleep until after midnight on Thanksgiving (She fell asleep before dinner and woke up at the time she normally goes to bed). It's unfortunate to learn from one of the salespeople that the holiday rudeness is already in full bloom. I prefer to park and walk a little further than be a parking lot stalker and I also prefer to shop either late or early to avoid the crowds. And I bring a smile and probably a story or two for the people just trying to do their job.

I managed to buy a few things for the business... which means some new kits are almost ready, some have been restocked and some new gifts for the gift-giving-ie people are soon to make their appearance. I think one particular one will allow for some snuggling up to a cute something-or-other around the fireplace.

As soon as my head stops spinning from all the busy-ness, I'll post pictures. Until then, I'll be sipping on a chai latte and chasing a little crawling cutie around the house.

Late night nerdyness...

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa, the Crafty Alien.) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:20:00 +0000

I stayed up to see the Atlas 5 rocket launch. I was prepared, had my camera ready. The sky was indescribably clear. But there was no rocket. I'm bummed. Perhaps tomorrow night. I saw the last space shuttle launch and it was rather surreal. It was another crystal clear night after a bunch of dreary nights. I was told a nighttime launch is the best way to see a launch and who ever said was speaking the truth. When the shuttle launched the sky turned orange and you could here a cheer from the neighbors over the hill. A moment later a bright fireball appeared and curved over the house. I swear I could hear it, but I'm not sure. A few moments later it curved back toward the horizon as it got further away, out of our sight. We always think of space as being straight up, but never really as way, way, way to your left or right. I think I'll take advantage of being in Florida and try to catch a few more launches while I can. I hear Athens calling me and I really want to go back. I just don't fit in down here and I knew that the last time I lived in Florida. I really love the smell of fall and the scent of chill in the night time air. I like hills and mountains. I like being able to stand next to a body of water and not fear getting my foot bit off by a gator.

They ask her to focus on...

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa, the Crafty Alien.) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 00:42:00 +0000

...sailors fighting in the dance hall.

It's been hectic here as is the norm nowadays. BabyAlien takes up almost all of my time. I get to sneak away around 8 or so each night to work on new Crafty Alien adventures while she sleeps most of the night away. If I am lucky, I won't feel the need to fall asleep soon after.

I'm in the process of revamping the Crafty Alien newsletter. I realized I haven't sent one out in quite a bit. I think while I was pregnant, it was quite difficult in the later months to sit at the computer if I wasn't napping or getting off of my swollen ankles.

A big change is coming to the Crafty Alien website... In the coming months, CraftyAlien.com will start focusing solely on craft kits, patterns & supplies, while a new "sister" site will have finished items for the non-crafty types, including artwork, jewelry, clothing and plush. We'll have a new sister shop on Etsy as well featuring one-of-a-kind and very limited edition handmade items and art. Both have new names, a new domain name and a little different look. More details soon!

I can say that I am working on a new pattern that is neither crochet NOR knit. I should be done with it this weekend. It features six designs for you to make. I'll post some pictures this weekend.

Backyard Critters 3

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa, the Crafty Alien.) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 21:04:00 +0000

I just posted the crochet version of Backyard Critters 3 (cute little bunny, hedgie and raccoon) at CraftyAlien.com as well as the Etsy pattern shop. I've been busy with the little one who is almost ready to sit up on her own. I can't wait to get working on her very first Halloween costume, which I am designing from scratch. The only foreseeable problem is that I need a VERY specific fabric or it just won't be the same. I'm hoping Joanns has it... otherwise I'm not sure where the next fabric store is. The completion of the costume is rather important too, as this will be Elizabeth's very first portrait!

Backyard Critters 2 (Crochet)

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa, the Crafty Alien.) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 02:43:00 +0000

Sorry for the delay - I didn't factor in my sister and niece's visit into my design schedule and it threw me off by two weeks. Backyard Critters 1 & 2 for crocheters are now available at CraftyAlien.com as well as in our Etsy Shop. I'm finishing up Backyard Critters 3 for next week. Sneak peeks will be on Flickr.com by this weekend.

Swat Team Kitties Crochet Pattern!

noreply@blogger.com (Lisa, the Crafty Alien.) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:37:00 +0000

I think I originally wanted to do this pattern about two years ago, but at the time I couldn't crochet. Last summer I took the time to learn how to crochet but then life got in the way and I barely released any new patterns for a year. Now I've gone overboard with a design schedule that would make any knitter or crocheter's hands hurt. I've got at least one new pattern, crochet OR knit for every week for the next six months.

Swat Team Kitties has always been one of my favorites, probably because the original Swat Team was my first pattern. In fact, my first kitty that I made ended up being the basis for my fox design (which, by the way, is making it's debut in crochet next week!). When I designed the pattern, I didn't expect too much in the way of sales... but I had to keep relisting the pattern the first day.

Swat Team Kitties (Crochet) is available at CraftyAlien.com and Etsy.com