The birth of a monster

I was asked to donate something to the charity auction at Starfest last year when we where at the Mountain Con Convention. I seemed to be in a Harry Potter mood at the time and I decided I would make a Monster Book of Monsters for them. One problem, the book in the movie is brown, the book in the book is green. So, I decided to create one of each. One for them to auction and one for us to auction. Also, the one son says be true to the books, the other says make it like the movie, more people will recognize it. It is not done yet, but I had to post my progress.

I started with a priority mail box, here it is all folded up. I am not sure if this size is still available or not.

I then used Caron Simply Brites Coconut yarn in a strip, done in SC in front and back loops to give the effect of the pages.

I put it on the side of the box and ran some yarn across the "binding" of the book back to hold it in place.

Here is what the other side looks like.

I used Lion Fun Fur in black and brown as I did not think the brown rust color was montersy enough looking.

I stitched the ends down on the top and bottom end of the book. Then I stitched the sides of the book. For some reason there was more brown than black yarn, so I used it to stitch it to the white.

Jack likes to sing to me when I am doing anything, including sewing. He just learned the Adams Family theme song.

I used a yarn needle to pull out the fluffies on the sides of the book. Here it is so far. Still trying to figure out exactly how to do the eyes, mouth and teeth. Thinking of making a belt out of felt and buckle to put around it like the mention in the book.

Still to make for the convention: Bender hat size large and child size, Brain Slugs, Monster Book of Monsters Green, Tribbles.

The evolution of a hat...

Took a break from yarn, after the black hat was done. Made a TON of candy and pumpkin bread and enjoyed the holiday.

Ok, pretty simple request...his step sister has a hat with ear flaps and a face on it, he wants one. No problem, Mom can make anything. Found a simple ear flap hat pattern, make a hat, put a face on it.

Well here was hat #1...

Mom, it does not fit right, the weave is to wide open. Problem, though the pattern says it will fit men, it doesn't. The head above is my woman head.

So, I start over, next hat....

Changes made... hat is bigger around for a "man" head, the back is lower to make the neck warmer. Modeled by my 12 year old Nick. Problems? The front is not long enough, wants it closer to the eyebrows...NO PROBLEM let's start over.

What do you want?? Longer in the front, like the back length, add mouth and eyes. Ok, I can do this!! Hat #3!! Longer in the back...has a mouth crocheted in, eyes added after, and the eyes have to be different sizes.

YES!! We have a WINNER!! Hat is loved and greatly appreciated. Then in the fabric store (yarn is on sell on at JoAnn gotta go) looking at yarn. See the Bernat camo, ask my son that is letting his hair grow out, because his ears are cold. "Do you want an ear flap hat, like Nick's?" Anwer "Yes, but I want a face on mine, but no tassels and ties." LOL think we have created a monster hat!! Here is Erik's hat.

NEW HAT!! Chic Elite Hat

I finally got the pattern down to the way I like, well I LOVE it. In fact if my step daughter does not want it, I DO!! Will post the pattern at http://chriscrosscrafts-patterns.blogspot.com/ for those that want. It fits my head, I would say I am an adult small to medium.

Erik's Safari Blanket

Is FINALLY done!! Thank you JoAnn sale!

We got an olive green solid flannel and added it to the safari fabric, I got for his birthday.

There are rhinos, giraffes, jeeps and the words safari and 4x4.
I tied the X's in between the 4x4. Turned out pretty good.

I got 4 of 8 kitchen towels done, bought the yarn and buttons to finish the rest. And bought the flannel for all their pajama bottoms. Starting those tomorrow if I feel like it. I found a great buy on a wool blend yarn, normally $5.99 on sale for $1 and then my 20% additional for the after turkey day sale! .80 cents for the yarn. I bought 6, going to make more hats. Will post the pattern as soon as I get it done right.

R2D2 Hat

I have not knitted in about 8 years, but had to do this for my father in law.

I think this turned out pretty good, but if I do another, I will not carry the other color of yarn just join it each time. I did not like the way it puckered the hat.

New Hat...

...trying to come up with something Jeff's daughters would actually like and might keep and wear this year. Jeff said one liked hats, she does not like to do her hair, he says. Well, I found a cute hat and since it is no longer sold on that site, I decided to make my own like it.

I am not that happy with the brim, I tried to make it from memory. Think I may take the buttons off, unravel it and redo it. It is also a little tight. I used a I hook, think the next one I will bump up to a K. I may just post this one on Etsy to sell it as a preteen hat. I was working on it at the beauty school, while Jeff got his hair cut, it was a hit with the girls there, even had to give one of them my email address. I told her to give me a week before I got it down to where I like the look.

GIR IS DONE!!

His cute little tail...

Close up of his face...

Back shot...



And all of him, he is about 1o inches tall and YES I wrote the pattern down!!

EVERYBODY SING!! DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM DOOM...

Erik's Rhino Slippers!!

Here are Erik's slippers! I am so excited about how they turned out. They are a mens size 13, hopefully he will not out grow them to quick.

Update on the Crochet scene...

...OK OK OK I got into a rutt, well let's say I got sick. BUT I am feeling alot better, the tests are progressing for the problems that where found. Will update later on that if there is anything really wrong.
Now on to the crochet! I am currently working on Erik's Slippers. Inspired by this picture of a hand puppet. I am taking a tried a true pattern for slippers, then adding the ears, eyes, nose and horns to the splippers.

Trying to figure out a way to make dolphin ones of Nick. Luckily Nick's foot is the same size as mine and I had to buy Erik new shoes last weekend. 14 years old and in a size 13, think he is taking after his big brother...Dale wears a size 19 shoe.
Will keep you all posted.

Ornament Swap...

...I forgot to take pictures!!! Oh well, I can show you a picture of what I made. They are really fun to make. I used the Caron Simply Soft yarn. Got them in the mail today. Working on hats right now for Jeff's girls. Not sure I will give them to them though, they really do not seem to care for anything I make for them.
Been creating a list of things for the boys in my head for Christmas. Need to really write it down and get to work on some of this stuff. Going to make about 10 purses and see how they do at a craft boutique also, to get an idea if things will even sell.
I SOLD a Bender hat. I was soooooooo excited!! Jeff made comments the whole time, about how it looked better than the orginal. Of course it did, it was paid for and not for one of the kids. LOL I am defintly taking one to Denver for the convention for the auction. Maybe I will be able to pay for our trip with all things we are auctioning off.