laughing purple goldfish designs

I Love Books

2012-01-27T08:00:00.000+11:00

I Love Books!

Real Books...

Reach out and touch the pages, Books...

I love the way they smell,

And the way they feel.

This week I'm reading the Ultimate Crochet Bible.

I wish I'd discovered this one YEARS ago... but it wasn't even published until 2010!

I don't know that I discovered anything NEW while reading it - but it took me five years of trial and error to discover all the neat information which is tucked very comprehensively into these pages.

This one's a loaner from the Hume Library, so if you're a local - you should definitely check it out!

And even though I was claiming not to have learned anything new while reading it... I did come across this:

"Designs can be completely random, like abstract art, or create more pictorial images"

Not Rocket Science, but it's EXACTLY what I needed to hear right now...

You see, I've been working on a Freeform Piece for an exhibition, with the International Freeform Fiber Arts Guild... and it's been frustrating the Bejiminees out of me.

I always think of freeform as being really abstract... and looking at my piece, it looks exactly like what it is... there's no imagination or insight required by the viewer at all...

In fact, it almost feels like a Pre-Schooler could have sketched the layout for me.

Anyway, it was just feeling really not 'Freeformy' enough for my liking - but reading those words this week, made me a million times more confident in my work.

Work which I REALLY wish I could share with you, but I have to keep it 'under wraps' for the moment.

This will be my first year entering, but you can take a peek at exhibits from previous years here

Beaded CDs...

2012-01-26T08:00:00.003+11:00

I saw this tutorial on CD weaving a little while back, and found these ones done with wire and beads to be especially interesting...

So I had to make one for myself!

They're a bit fiddly, and the beads don't aways end up sitting the way you want them to, but you have to relax and remember that wire has a mind of it's own at times...

Try not to stress about it all looking perfect - it's not meant to be!

We also did some yarn CD weaving, Little Miss Seven and I.

So what will I do with these pieces?

No idea!

Although I'm thinking about incorporating the beaded one into a freeform piece that I'm working on...

C is for Charlotte

2012-01-25T08:00:00.001+11:00

'Twas the Night Before Christmas,

And all through the house,

Not a creature was stirring...

Not even a mouse.

When I suddenly realised that I had TOTALLY FORGOTTEN to make a Christmas Gift for my baby girl!!!

Aaaarghhhh... how could that possibly be?

That gorgeous little baby, the one I spend almost every waking hour with... how could I possibly have forgotten her???

OOPS.

So it had to be something quick, and something that I had all the materials on hand for.

As you can see... I went with the Rag Wreath idea, starting with a cardboard C.

It looks gorgeous hanging on her bedroom door, and all I really had to do was tie some knots

I Can Sew!

2012-01-24T08:00:00.004+11:00

I've decided that it's time to stop telling everyone that I can't sew...

And stop telling MYSELF that I can sew...

Because I can.

I might be slow, and fiddly in my process... and things might not always go according to plan on the first go...

But I Can Sew.

I am a BEGINNER

I've had this book for years and years. It has survived many of my Library Culls, because I knew that ONE DAY I would make something from it.

And guess what? I FINALLY DID

These little guys are called Prancing Ponies, and I decided to make one for my New Niece for her First Christmas.

The fabric I chose was not really traditional for a Baby Toy, but I thought that I could make it work... with a Scrappy Mane, and a Trademark Heart.

When I finally had the Prancing Pony assembled, I showed her off to Mr Goldfish...

"Something's missing", he commented... "It should have a horn"

And yet again, Mr Goldfish was right. It did need a horn, so it could morph into a Magical Unicorn

January Challenge

2012-01-23T08:00:00.002+11:00

I'm kicking off 2012 with an exciting challenge.

Each month I will offer a new pattern for FREE to those who wish to participate
One month will be a KNITTING challenge, and the next month will be a CROCHET challenge
Take a photo of your completed project and enter it in the competition
I will choose my favourite project… the one which makes me go WOW the most! my decision might be based on yarn choices, embellishments, interpretation of the pattern… you get the idea
PRIZE? the winner gets to tell me what to design for our next challenge... maybe you want me to write a pattern for something you've seen me design in the past, or perhaps to bring something to life from your imagination... it will be the WINNER'S CHOICE... you could choose to have me design a plarn toy elephant, some crazy elton john style glasses, or an easter surprise for your great aunt elsie…
it might be something sane or crazy… either way, it will be designed and embellished in that true laughing purple goldfish style which you know and love! BUT bear in mind… whatever you choose… will be MADE by you guys the following month… so choose something YOU want to make…

So, here's the plan for January... and yes, I know that the month is almost over already, so we'll keep this running into February a little)

Knit this Kokeshi Doll from my pattern.
Enter your project photo in this competition over at Ravelry. If you are not a Ravelry member, you can enter by emailing me your entry
Entries will close 13/2/12 at midnight, my time (EDST Australia)
Winner announced 15/2/12... photo of winning project will be posted here on my blog... and I'll also tell you why I chose it
The winner will then choose what they would like me to design for the next Knit-Along (KAL) which will be run in March 2012

SO... are you in?

Want to join in the fun?

Email me for the pattern to get started

And don't feel left out if you are not a knitter... there will be a CROCHET challenge in February.

Merry Christmas To All...

2011-12-25T08:00:00.000+11:00

Just wanted to wish everyone here a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year…

May you all experience only the Good Things this Holiday Season!

You guys are all such a wonderful inspiration and encouragement to me… without you, I would just be “that crazy craft lady who can’t throw anything out”

but with your love and support, I am LAUGHING PURPLE GOLDFISH :)

I’ll be taking a weeny break over the next few weeks… taking the kiddies to the beach for a well deserved holiday! Unfortunately Mr Goldfish has to keep working, but we’ll do our best to enjoy the sun and surf without him…

Safe travels to everyone here xx

And see you back here again for more QUIRKY CRAFTING in 2012

Sharon

P.S. Here's a quick peek at a couple of the gifties I've finished in the last 24 hours...

The Blooming Flower Cushion is done:

And I made my First Ever Fabric Softy... a Unicorn for my New Niece:

Square Peg - Round Hole

2011-12-24T08:00:00.001+11:00

They say that you can't fit a square peg in a round hole...

But I'm going to try!

Or a Square Cushion in a Round Cover, that is...

I have searched high and low for a round cushion - and not been able to find one anywhere!

First I was checking the Op Shops... then moved on to look for a Brand New One.

But still there was nothing in the Craft Stores or the Home Decor Places.

Apparently ROUND cushions are not IN!

So I'm having to improvise a little

I've taken a square cushion, and pinned out the corners... so it sort of rounds out a bit.

Fortunately it doesn't need to be perfect.

And I've made a cover for it...

Still need to attach the Blooming Flower to the cushion cover

In other news, the Creeper Cozy is complete:

A Creepery Christmas

2011-12-23T08:00:00.002+11:00

It's a very Creepery Christmas around here...

Madly working at an iPod cozy for Master Twelve...

Almost done... Just getting the face in place. then adding a button...

Sorry, no time to chat.

That's A Very Nice Everything You've Got There...

2011-12-22T08:00:00.003+11:00

Thanks for your comment yesterday Sam... I was starting to feeling like the only Minecraft Mum... but I can see that your household has been corrupted also!

As you can see, the Creeper is done.

Here He is with his skin on:

The pieces were worked flat in single crochet (US) working through the BACK LOOPS ONLY - which is what gives the ridged effect. All quite simple.

Then the skin was overstitched in place around the foam inserts.

Last of all, a felt face was added:

Resulting in this:

It's killing me, not to be able to embellish this toy any further!

I know that it already looks EXACTLY like it is supposed to... but it just feels TOO - DARN - PLAIN

Anyway, here's a profile shot

And one head on:

And here He is hisssssssssssing

Now - Back to finishing off more gifts

Hissssss....

2011-12-21T08:00:00.000+11:00

The Creeper Project continues...

Skin is almost complete. Then I'll need to add a face.

Hurry... Hurry... Hurry...

This one is a Christmas gift for Master Nine

(Although Master Twelve saw me working on it today, and he is HORRIFIED that it is not for him)

Jeepers... Creepers...

2011-12-20T08:00:00.001+11:00

My children are OBSESSED with an online game called Minecraft...

They've tried to share the love with me - but try as I might, I just can't get remotely interested in it!

One of the most easily recognisable characters from the game is called a CREEPER.

The Creeper is an infamous, green-camouflaged, near-silent exploding mob that will chase players and hiss for 1.5 seconds before blowing up. Unlike Zombies and Skeletons, Creepers will not catch fire in direct sunlight meaning they can wander around unharmed day and night, and are still aggressive. Underground or on the surface, creepers will spawn at night and in dimly lit locations with a light level of 7 or less.

http://www.minecraftwiki.net/wiki/Creeper

Did that jibberish mean anything to you??? No... me either...

But I don't need to understand exactly WHAT a Creeper is, I just need to know what they look like...

So I can make one, of course!

I've been doing my research, and even created a Pinterest board of images to refer to when designing the toy.

The Creepers have a very boxy appearance, so the original plan was to to purchase some foam rubber and have it cut into cubes to use as inserts for my crochet 'skin', but I really wanted to use something recycled.

Then when a parcel arrived the other day with some styrofoam packing sheets, I knew exactly what I was going to do.

First I glued the sheets together to form thicker blocks, then cut them into the required shapes using a Bread Knife (as you do)

The edges were quite crumbly, so I taped around them to hold it all together neatly.

You can see it starting to take shape now. It's time to start on the skin!

Crystal Clear Instructions...

2011-12-19T08:00:00.002+11:00

Yes.

I'm still banging on about That Book.

So looking forward to working on some projects!

FOCUS WOMAN

Must... Finish... Christmas... Gifts... First...

But I really want to try these 'stocking faces'

Once you got the hang of how they work, there are so many expressions you could bring to life...

(Oh My Goodness... I just noticed that in the photo above, you can see that they have even given the Victorian Lady NAIL POLISH! What a fabulous detail to include)

Anyway, the book claims to have Crystal Clear Instructions... and just looking at the illustrations, I'm pretty impressed.

For example... here's the guide to making our Victorian Lady's face:

And these instructions...

make this gorgeous face...

Must... Finish... Christmas... Gifts... First...

Do Great Minds Really Think Alike?

2011-12-16T08:00:00.000+11:00

Or is it that Fools Never Differ?

I was reading through my 'New Book' last night, when I came across a pattern for The Frog Prince...

Fancy That!

A Frog which turns into a Prince...

And this book was published 20 years ago.

Yet two months ago, when I came up with the idea of making a Prince Charming Toy which changed from a Frog into a Prince - I thought it was a totally new idea!

I really did think that I was the Cleverest Bunny in the Woods.

But since then, I have seen several versions of my idea... ALREADY designed...

Oh well, as they say... There's nothing new under the sun.

I especially love the use of ric-rac on the pond.

Ric-Rac. Lurve me some Ric-Rac...

And you'd never guess to look at it - but there is RECYCLING at play here!

The body of the Frog and Prince is a recycled Lemonade Can... How awesome is that?

But wait, there's more...

This Doorstop Cat has a container inside, filled with sand or pebbles to really give it some weight:

The wings on these Christmas Fairies use transparent film from a gift box lid:

This Victorian Lady has a plastic bottle inside her, again filled with sand... to keep her balance on the Dressing Table:

The Victorian Lady above, and the Flying Witch below, both use scraps from pantyhose for their faces:

And these last two characters are made from socks:

Loads of ideas to try out now...

Easy To Make Dolls...

2011-12-15T15:10:00.000+11:00

I had to take Little Miss Charlotte for her 6 month immunisations today...

Needles are never fun for Little Ones... or Big Ones for that matter!

But since I work in a Medical Clinic, it was a good chance to pop in and see everyone. I'm loving my Maternity Leave... but I do miss socialising with the gang at work - they're all such good value!

And as an added bonus, there is an Op Shop right across the road from work. It's a small country town, and the store is only open limited hours... but our timing was perfect today, and we managed to squeeze in a visit there too.

Now I know that a Proper Mother would take the Little Dot straight home for some serious cuddling after her immunisations... but it was much more fun to do a spot of shopping - and Charlotte didn't mind at all.

Anyway, I stumbled across this book... and decided to bring it home with me.

As I was flipping through it at home, I realised that I have bought an awful lot of books about making softies... AND NEVER STITCHED ONE!!!

I've knitted and crocheted millions of toys - but the machine stitched fabric softy has NOT been attempted.

Which is really ridiculous!

Somewhere deep down inside, I've convinced myself that I CAN'T make them... Don't know why, but when I really sit down and think about it - how hard can it be? You cut your fabric out... stitch the pieces together and stuff them...

NOT ROCKET SCIENCE WOMAN

(and the book IS called EASY to make dolls)

So I'm inspired to make some, but I'm trying to hold back until all my Christmas gifts are done.

Waiting is not easy for me...

One Gift Finished...

2011-12-14T08:00:00.001+11:00

I got so carried away with the Advent Calendar, that I forgot to tell you about this finished gift.

The Lacy Flower Runner is completed... and blocked... and wrapped... and under the tree!

(it's a free online pattern... click here for the link if you're interested)

Soon to be Finished

2011-12-13T08:00:00.000+11:00

Another batch of ornaments to share with you today:

Tammy commented yesterday that she loved the googly eyes... so I'll start out with this little mouse:

This is supposed to be a Church... but in my opinion it actually looks more like a house...

A drum:

I'm guessing that this guy is Rudolph, complete with googlies, just for you Tammy...

We have a candle:

And a dove:

That's 15 decorations down.. and only NINE to go!

Hurry Up

2011-12-12T08:00:00.000+11:00

Serious work has begun on the Advent UFO

As well it should, since we are already at December 12 - the Advent is HALF OVER ALREADY!!!

So here's a selection of the Tree Decorations I've completed so far:

And the Tree itself is almost complete...

Still need to number those pockets along the bottom, and add the buttons so that the decorations can be hung. There's also a heap of embellishing which I'd love to do, but I think I'll be waiting until next year for that.

Oh... and I need to scrounge around for another STICK in the garden for the casing along the bottom.

Master Twelve has already informed me that the 'stick' idea is an EPIC FAIL - but I love the character it lends the calendar...

When it came to the pockets, there wasn't really enough felt left - and no instructions either!

I was going to add each pocket separately, using random felts... but there wasn't enough space on the backing to do that. So I made some scrappy strip pockets instead.

Sometimes I Swear...

2011-12-09T08:00:00.003+11:00

I know it's Not Nice...

and I know it's Not Ladylike...

and it's certainly Not A Good Example to my children...

But HOLY MONKEYS, sometimes you Just Have To...

And I DID swear while making this star!!!

It all started out in a very civilised manner... with four strips of recycled paper

But by the time I reached Step 10 - I was cursing!

I mean, just LOOK AT STEP 10... can you make any sense of that at all???

I got about this far when my paper started to tear apart...

So it was time for fresh paper.

And just what am I using for paper?

Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines...

As you do.

I found this old book when cleaning out the other day...

I know it's mine, because I've put my name on the front cover.

TWICE!

Yes.

You read correctly.

School Music Camp 1982.

(Man I keep some crap)

It even had a little Journal in it...

Look at that... we watched Greece! Could that possibly have been Grease, do you think???

Awww - the memories!

Anyway, back to that wretched star...

I got there in the end and although I love the way it looks, I don't know if I can muster up the patience for a second one!

Looking for something else to read?

I'm linking up with Rhonda at Down To Earth... who has some sad news today about her chooks}

Advent UFO

2011-12-08T08:00:00.004+11:00

What do you do with an UnFinished Object (UFO) that you are never EVER going to finish?

Seriously...

Like one that has been hanging around in your craft cupboard since the 1980s?

Do you trash it?

Or donate it to the Op Shop?

Or tuck it back into the cupboard - JUST IN CASE you decide to finish it one day?

This one is an Advent Calendar made from felt.

It's a wall hanging - the Christmas Tree has buttons on it for the decorations, which hide in the pockets at the bottom... until it is their turn to hang on the tree.

Totally gorgeous, and the kids are excited about starting this tradition in our home.

But first I need to make it!

The project was started by my friend Adele, but she donated it to me after it has spent TOO MANY YEARS languishing in an unfinished state at her place.

Mind you, I think that Dellie has done most of the hard yards already. All of the pieces for each decoration have been cut from the felt, and placed in individual bags.

In fact, two of them have already been constructed.

Katie was very helpful, and has filed each little baggie in the order she would like me to make them.

Notice our stylish File Box?

We call it 'The Vaalia'... very IKEA, don't you think???

But before I get started on the decorations, I guess I should prepare the Tree!

The instructions for this part seem to have gone missing, so I'm just gonna 'wing it'

Stitching by hand, because I don't trust myself to get it right using the machine...

Plus I like the look of the contrasting embroidery:

I figure that if I can get the Tree done in the next day or two... then maybe a couple of decorations each day after that, we can 'kinda sorta' use it this year...

Or maybe NEXT YEAR!

Thanks Adele.

All I Want For Christmas...

2011-12-07T08:00:00.000+11:00

... is my two front teeth!

Just look at that Gappy Smile - isn't she adorable?

Little Miss Katie is now 7 1/2 years old, and heavily into all things Christmas...

Grandma Maria bought her a DIY stocking kit, and my generous girl is making it up for her baby sister.

We almost had tears with the sewing... lots of frustration with the yarn not going where she wanted it to! But once she slowed down and thought about it carefully, things really improved.

(I know the feeling)

Meanwhile, Mummy has been given permission to use the packaging... but NOT the leftover bling

Doily Snowflakes - Photo Tutorial

2011-12-06T08:00:00.001+11:00

Would you believe that this decoration took less than 5 minutes to make???

I promise you, it did!

You'll need an old doily, scissors, PVA glue and a piece of string for hanging:

So I started with this old doily which had a small tear in it. It could probably have been mended, but I wasn't going to use it anyway.

First you cut out your motif.

I felt positively evil doing this... it just felt SO WRONG to cut into a piece of crochet like that!

At any moment I expected my first grade teacher to appear, and revoke my Scissors License.

Next make up a 50:50 mix of PVA glue and water. You can get it all over the table like I did, but it's not really necessary.

Pop your motif into the mix

And swish it around with your fingers.

Yes - just dip your fingers right in there, I did... and now my camera is covered in glue spots!

Squeeze out the excess glue, and lay the motif on a flat surface... I used the lid from a plastic container.

Use your fingers to shape the motif neatly, then leave it to dry.

I was impatient, so I took the tray outside and left it in the sunshine so that it would dry more quickly. Probably not the best idea. It was a windy day, so I ended up with all sorts of unidentified flying objects stuck on my snowflakes.

I do like the way they kind of look like a tray of cookies... Or maybe I'm just hungry...

Once dry, you just need to tie a piece of string at the top, and the job is done:

Too easy.

Again...

Rustic Wreath - Photo Tutorial

2011-12-05T08:00:00.014+11:00

So this is another Super-Duper Easy-Peasy Christmas decoration idea...

You need an old wooden curtain ring - I have so many of these things, it's just not funny!

Also grab a length of raffia and some buttons... plus glue and sandpaper

I wanted my wreath to look a little distressed, so I gave the curtain ring a quick sand to rough it up a bit... I really do mean a QUICK sand - I wouldn't have spent any more than 30 seconds doing it!

Afterwards I was thinking that I could have just rubbed it up and down on the footpath a few times... no sandpaper required...

Now you can wrap the raffia around, then tie the two ends together.

I made a bow at the top 'cause I thought it looked pretty... but later I had to change it to a simple knot - the bow was too bulky for the buttons.

Now just glue a couple of buttons at the top, a small one on top of a big one...

Then tie another knot in the raffia to make a hanging loop

Too easy.

And once again... no more than 5 minutes to make it!

Gotta love that.

Scrappy Heart Decoration - Photo Tutorial

2011-12-02T22:21:00.000+11:00

Now I'm sure that you don't really need a tutorial for making these Scrappy Hearts, but since I took progress photos I might as well share them with you:

And yes, I'm aware that it looks like it was made by a three-year-old... but I'm okay with that! They're cheap and simple to make, fun to do and I love the results. Plus the materials are 100% recycled.

I'm even planning to make more and string them together as a garland...

Wish we had a mantlepiece...

Anyway, I started out with cardboard:

And cut out a heart shape:

Then punched the hole for hanging - I put it a fair way down so that it wouldn't tear easily

Now for some of those yarn scraps I've been saving. These are the ones that are TOO SMALL to do anything else with. Anything longer than 5 cm (2 inches) I have been able to use in other projects, but these shorties have been waiting for their Day in the Sun.

So. Loads of glue on the cardboard:

Pile those scraps on top

Then put the kettle on...

Yes, I mean literally PUT the kettle ON the decoration:

Of course it wouldn't HAVE to be the kettle, but I wanted something heavy to press the yarn securely onto the glue... and also prevent the cardboard from bending while the glue was moist.

Oh, and I popped the rest of the cardboard between the decoration and the kettle... just in case the glue soaked through and stuck.

Here's how it looked once the glue dried:

And from behind... (yes, it's a gratuitous bottom shot)

Time for a trim around the edges like so:

Awwww... doesn't it look pretty?

And a little raffia threaded through the hole for hanging

Then onto the Christmas Tree... (or any random plant in the front yard where the lighting is goodish for a photo)

I can really see a row of these, with holes punched in the side rather than on top...

strung together with raffia...

dancing across a rustic mantle piece...

bringing a quirky sense of fun to the festive season...

In Real Life the Green is WAY Brighter...

2011-12-01T08:00:00.000+11:00

I first spotted this fabric a few weeks ago at the local Vinnies...

I thought it would be perfect for some PJs for my son - after all, these are his two favourite colours in the world right now. But they wanted $12 for it... and it's only op shop fabric...

So I left it a week or so. It was still there, and I thought about buying it... But they STILL wanted $12 for it... and it's only op shop fabric...

Then another week went by... Again it was still there, and I almost bought it... But they STILL wanted $12 for it... and remember it's only op shop fabric...

Meanwhile, I happened to be in Lincraft yesterday, so I thought I'd see what they had to offer. They had some similar fabric, though not nearly the right colours - for $14 per metre. All of a sudden, the Vinnies fabric (all 4.75 metres of it) seemed a bargain.

So I raced back for a fourth time - and it was still there!

Of course it was still there, I thought to myself - NO ONE is going to pay $12 for op shop fabric...

And then I did.

7 skeins yarn

2011-11-30T09:49:00.000+11:00

"Detailed Description of Contents: 7 skeins yarn"

Yay!

This parcel arrived for me yesterday.

And what a surprise! There's that much other drama going on in my life at the moment, that I had genuinely forgotten that this parcel was even on its way... So it was both SURPRISING and DELIGHTFUL when I opened the letterbox to find a soft brown squishy parcel.

We've been doing a bit of online shopping this Christmas, so there's been an assortment of deliveries lately. Usually when each one arrives, I know what's inside. But this one was soft and squeezy - and I hadn't ordered anything soft and squeezy!

It... felt... like... YARN...

lots and lots of yarn... but I hadn't ordered any...

Then I remembered my PRIZE!

I'm embarrassed to say that I did a little 'happy dance' right there and then, so I hope that none of the neighbours were watching. But I was so excited...

Remember the Celestial Wall Art which I made for a challenge recently? Well I won First Prize! How lucky is this little ducky?

I'm especially loving this variegated yarn:

And I hope Cassidy doesn't mind me showing off her art work... but there was a little note inside, whcih included these two little guys:

I'm inspired to make one of them... maybe even both... and I can use my NEW YARN

(yarn with actual labels... with all the recycled yarn around here, I don't get to see labels very often - so this IS really exciting)