Life in Hong Kong is BUSY! I'd go mad without my crafty outlets so I've tried to squeeze a few in here and there, but I've not got much to show for myself since my last blog. I've recently decided I've got to catch up with all my friends who keep having babies, so I'm trying to get on the toy making wagon. Here is my first attempt since my last post about The Puppy For Baby P. I've still got work to do on tightening my stitches. But, making toys is so rewarding I just want to keep them and play myself!
This is a different pattern than I used on The Puppy For Baby P. It's another free pattern from the Lion Brand site, Happy Puppy. It is very similar to the last one but a smaller size. I made the arms and legs a little longer and didn't decrease the ears at the bottom. I also did not use plastic eyes, just made a few crocheted circles instead. I think he turned out very cute! Phil wanted to keep it for Minka, our dog (Yup, we have our very own real live puppy now!). I used up some organic cotton yarn (Patons Pure taupe, which I've just discovered has been discontinued click the link for alternatives Patons Yarns)for the body and some of my Sirdar Baby Bamboo for the rest.
Since I haven't much time for stitching these days I've been trying to make things that are useful and VERY, VERY, SIMPLE. I made these cushions (NOT the bright yellow crocheted one, I bought that from Franc Franc one of my fav home decor stores in Hong Kong). I found some fat, fuzzy and most of all fun wool in the sale bin from my local shop and made a few cushions for the sofa. Just knit two squares of different colours for one and stitched together. Then for the other, knit a long rectangular rib pattern and sewed the three sides together. I knit them with my 10mm needles. Purchased some very cheap pillow forms from IKEA to stuff inside and that was that.
And here are a few other crafty home decor projects I've made time for:
We found two discarded planks of wooden floorboards on the street, so I decoupaged four empty oatmeal tins with Japanese origami paper and we made a spice rack/shelf for the counter in the kitchen.
Here is a picture of Minka I made with the rest of the origami paper, water colour pencils, and a white dry erase marker haha! We adopted Minka from LAP-Lifelong Animal Protection here is a little blog about her (Minka from Jen Chan of LAP). We are so in love with her, she is the cutest, craziest, most loving little thing. We feel so lucky to have such a perfect little fur ball!
Getting hugs from my Mom & Dad who came to Hong Kong for a visit. It was wonderful to have them here with us, they wanted to take Minka back to Canada:)
And a painting of Chinese lanterns floating in the sky. My first real painting in ages, inspired by one of my favourite memories of Lunar New Year that I posted in The Aeroplane Knitting Kit. Not very spectacular but something to put up on our boring white walls.
And... I also made a dishcloth, but it's plain and square... I hope it doesn't take another ten months to update again. Time to do My Ravelry Page now! Be crafty:)