Egbert is here! He is a jolly elephant in amigurumi crochet with Caron Simply Soft. He measures approximately 7-1/2" tall and 7" long. Pattern is avaibale at:
http://apdesigns.etsy.com
http://craftsbyap.artfire.com
Enjoy - Happy Crocheting!
Now I have to admit, when I saw this, I must have replayed it over and over. It was amazing to hear these dogs actually speaking, or at least mimicking words. Regardless, it was amazing. I had to share this clip with all of you.
My ultimate favorite is the very last dog. You have to check this out. Enjoy!
Here are two of my newest pups - Pugsly and Tiny Pugsly. Pugsly measures approxiately 7" tall and 6" long, tip to tip, and Tiny Pugsly measures approxiately 4-1/2" tall and 4" long.
Patterns for these two pups are available at:
http://APDesigns.etsy.com
http://CraftsByAP.artfire.com
Also available on Ravelry!
Happy Crocheting!
Here is my newest addition to my kitty series, Tiny Ami Kitty in Jammies. She measures approx 3-1/2" tip to tip. Fingering weight yarn was used for this little one with a size 0/1.75mm steel crochet hook. I hope you enjoy this pattern. Enjoy!
You download pattern here: FREE DOWNLOAD
Happy Crocheting!
Good news, no more cutting and pasting! YAY!!! All of my free patterns are now available as a download. Just click on the pattern you want and you can now easily download the PDF pattern. I tested a couple and it worked fine, but in case you have trouble downloading, send me an email and I will check it out. Make sure you let me know which pattern you are having a problem with. I hope this makes it easier. Going forward, all my free patterns will be listed as a download - I will not be posting the pattern instructions. I had so many requests for the PDF I feel this will be easier for us all.
I am working on the PDF downloads for my tutorials. As soon as I get those done, I will post those as well.
Let me know how this works.
My free pattern downloads are available here:
http://arminas-aminals.blogspot.com/
Happy Crocheting!
Here is a great suggestion for using the Pumpkin Pincushion. This was sent to me by a fellow blogger. She is planning on making several of these pumpkins and using them as name place holders for her Thanksgiving dinner. She plans on writing the names of her guests on card stock and pinning them to the little pumpkins. Might even be a great give away too for each guest. With the holidays right around the corner, great ideas like these are really appreciated. Thank you for letting me share this idea with my fellow bloggers.
Here is a variation to the Crocheted Pumpkin Pincushion. I call this a Daisy Pincushion. It is the same pattern as the Pumpkin Pincushion, with a few changes. First, I omitted the leaves and used a decorative button instead. I used Lion Brand Pound of Love in Turquoise, same hook size and contrasting black yarn for sectioning the daisy. You can make this with many variations. I thought I would share this with you. Enjoy!
Here is a quick and easy Halloween project - a crocheted pumpkin pincushion. Enjoy!
The pattern is available HERE:
Happy Crocheting!
I dont know about anyone else, I love Asian food - especially potstickers or dumplings. Well, I finally tried making some and they came out really good! Here is my recipe if you want to try it - if you make some, let me know what you think. I made mine with ground Pork, you can use chicken as well if you dont eat Pork.
1 12 oz pkg Won Ton skins
(There are 48 won ton skins in a pkg - this recipe will make 48 dumplings. These dumplings freeze well).
For Filling:
1 lb ground Pork
4 scallions, chopped fine
3 tbsp soy sauce
(I didnt add any salt - soy sauce is salted enough)
1 tsp garlic powder
Fresh ground pepper
For the dipping sauce, I used Panda Express bottled Mandarin sauce.
Mix ground pork with all the ingredients.
Place 1 small tsp filling in center of won ton skin - moisten edges with water.
Fold in half to form triangle and pinch seam on top, moisten to seal.
Place dumplings on a large cookie sheet lined with wax paper.
Continue until all of the won ton skins are used.
(I froze mine on the cookie sheet and packed in serving size portions in a zip lock bag after dumplings were completely frozen.)
To Cook:
Add 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a heated skillet. Place dumplings filling side down and cook for about 2 minutes, or until the bottom is browned. Pour 1/4 cup cool water in skillet and immediately cover and allow dumplings to steam. Cover quickly - skillet will sizzle. Steam for 1 minute - remove cover and lay dumplings flat on one side and steam for another 2 minutes. Remove to serving plate and serve with dipping sauce.
NOTE: When cooking the dumplings, dont crowd them in the skillet. I cooked 12 in an 8" skillet, with plenty of room to move the dumplings around.
Enjoy!
Every now and then I do a search for something and get side tracked into something else. I came across this site which really fascinated me. It transforms your picture into something you wouldnt believe. You need a head shot to get it done right. Just follow the directions and have fun with it. Here are a couple of my pics -
Here is the link:
http://morph.cs.st-andrews.ac.uk//Transformer/index.html
This is my picture transformed by artist Sandro Boticelli
This is my pic transformed by artist Alphonse Mucha
Try your pic and see what you get. I thought the transformation was interesting.
I came across this new yarn by Lion Brand (Vanna's Glamour) - it is a fine yarn with sparkling specks throughout the yarn.. so I picked up 2 skeins (no self control, lol) and decided to knit a scarf. I used a 10-1/2" straight needle and used a seed stitch. I wanted the scarf to have a slight airy look yet not too airy and I also didnt want a tight stitch. I have to say the pictures dont do this yarn any justice. It is beautiful. My color choice was copper with bronze shiny specks. Will be really pretty for the holidays. Here we are, end of August, the holidays just a blink away. So I decided to start some gifts ahead of time. It looks really nice. What do you think?
It has been sooooo hot here the last few days there is no energy to do anything let alone knit.
The scarf slowly coming along.
I will post a picture when I am done.
I am published! Three of my ami patterns are published in the 2010 Crochet A Day Calendar -
How cool is that? I just received my complimentary copy of the calendar today. These are the three patterns selected:
Monty Bear, January 25
Tiny Chihuahua, September 27
Petit Pincushion, October 8
The calendar is available at most craft/yarn stores and can be ordered through Amazon.com... here is the link:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=crochet+A+Day+Calendar&x=0&y=0
There are alot of beautiful patterns in the calendar (including mine, hehehe) and well worth the price.
Well, here it is. I had an overwhelming demand for chocolate Twinkies from my family. I didnt make a chocolate spongecake - I cheated this round. I used a packaged chocolate cake mix and made buttercream frosting. I did notice though the tops "peaked" a little more than the spongecake did, but it's all good, lol. Who cares about the peaks when you have homemade Twinkies. Yummers!!! Now to pass them out and see what kind of feedback I will get. This will be the perfect ending for dinner for tonight - I am making Greek Pastitsio, which I love, along with a Greek salad with Kalamata olives, Feta cheese, tomatoes and cukes - instead of lettuce I am using Baby Arugula with a light olive oil dressing. I am getting hungry, lol.
Twinkies baked not filled
I was doing a search online for something and got sidetracked into something else - during my internet travels, I stumbled upon this cake/muffin pan - it was a Twinkie pan! OMG!! I love Twinkies and what could be better than homemade Twinkies? Not much, lol. So, I ordered the pan. My family has nicknamed me "gadget queen" because there isnt a gadget out there that I dont have - I had to live up to my title. With that said, I made some Twinkies and was it ever delicious. I used a Genois (spongecake) recipe and filled with sweetened whipped cream. I even took it one step further and wrapped each one individually with plastic wrap lol. Made for easier chilling and passing out to my family. Well here it is - my Homemade Twinkies. I have to say the pan was heavy duty and I was quite impressed. It came with a plastic decorating set - I just used my disposable cake decorating bag and a writing tip with a large opening to fill each Twinkie. Now I have to try chocolate genois with sweetened chocolate whipped cream..... yummmmm!!!!
Baked Twinkies- not filled yet
Twinkies filled and wrapped
Yummy!!!
The pattern for Leilani is available at:
http://apdesigns.etsy.com
http://craftsbyap.artfire.com
Happy Crocheting!
Here is Leilani, my crocheted Hawaiian doll with her cute hula skirt and sandals. She stands 14" tall. Leilani means Heavenly Flower. I will have pattern information soon. I just finished her and wanted to share her with everyone.
Here she is, my newest addition to my Kitty series - my Ami Hoola Kitty saying Aloha to you! She measures 4" tall.
The pattern is avaibale - HERE
I hope you enjoy this pattern as much as I did creating it. As always, if you want the PDF for this pattern, send me an email and I will be more than happy to send it to you.
Enjoy and Happy Crocheting!!
Here is Lazy Dazy and her friend Little Sunshine. What a cute pair. Lazy Dazy never goes anywhere without her friend Little Sunshine. Each one measures 3-1/2" tall.
Pattern is available at:
http://apdesigns.etsy.com
http://craftsbyap.artfire.com
This is Ambassador Bear - the personalized message "bearer". Bear is thread jointed and can be posed. Pattern is available at:
http://apdesigns.etsy.com
http://craftsbyap.artfire.com
I had several requests for a large version of my Kuromi doll and here she is. This is the BAD adorable kitty (if you can use BAD and adorable in the same sentence). She stands 7" tall from bottom of base to top of her head, not including the ears.
As always, if you want this pattern in PDF, send me an email and I will be more than happy to email it to you.
The Large Amigurumi Kuromi Doll pattern is avaibale HERE
I hope you enjoy this pattern.
Happy Crocheting!
Well I dont post for weeks and now, 2 in one day! I think I am on a roll. I just posted the pattern for my Little Twin Star pattern.
Pattern is avaibale HERE.
Enjoy and Happy Crocheting!
Well here we are, end of June. The months are just flying by. I wanted to get this posted earlier, but better late than never. This is my newest addition to my kitty series - my Independence Day Kitty, all decked out and ready for the 4t of July and fireworks. I hope you enjoy this pattern.
Happy Crocheting!
The pattern is avaibale HERE.
It doesnt surprise me that time is just flying by. Here we are midpoint of 2009 - it feels like yesterday I posted a Happy New Year wish. I have been so busy with personal issues, I havent had the time or motivation or energy to crochet anything. Family issues and personal. I am spread so thin these days I am totally exhausted to even pick up the crochet hook. I hope to have some new things real soon, as soon as things calm down a bit for me here at home.
This was a treat "from me to me" - considering the mayhem that was happening here the last month, I felt I needed some sort of personal gratification. What way can I gratify myself, I thought...
As many of you already know, I love to see and share your beautiful handiwork utilizing my patterns and posting them on my blog.
I just created a Flickr group for anyone who is interested in joining that have completed projects with my patterns. This is a great place and a wonderful forum to share your beautiful work for everyone to see, enjoy and admire. As soon as there are enough photos uploaded, I will create a collage and post it on my blog where everyone can see your beautiful handiwork. See you at the Amnials Flickr Group!
http://www.flickr.com/groups/arminas-aminals/
Well since I posted a pic of Ziggy I feel its only fair to post a pic of my Hollywood - he is so spoiled now since the loss of my other two kitties. But I think he likes it lol. He is a Maine Coon, like a little puppy. I call him my watch cat - he knows someone is at the door even before the door bell rings. The only thing he doesnt do is bark, lol. I gave him a treat of some cat nip the other day, and OMG!! He was in a trance, nothing distracted him from his cat nip. Too funy!
I Am Back... Again
Well, I think I am back again. So much has happened in the past several weeks. I havent posted anything in a while. Alot of personal problems I had to tend to (and still taking care of), so my postings may be a bit random and not as regular as I would like. But I will try to get back into the swing of things again.
Here is something fun - nothing crocheted or felted.... Got this in my email and it works. Give it a try and DONT CHEAT by scrolling down. Just take it one step at a time.... so here it is:
YOUR AGE BY CHOCOLATE MATH
1. First, pick the number of times a week that you would like to have chocolate (more than once but fewer than 10)
2. Multiply this number by 2 (just to be bold)
3. Add 5
4. Multiply it by 50 -- I'll wait while you get the calculator
5. If you have already had your birthday this year add 1759 ....
If you haven't, add 1758.
6. Now subtract the four digit year that you were born.
You should have a three digit number
The first digit of this was your original number
(i.e., how many times you want to have chocolate each week).
The next two numbers are
YOUR AGE! (Oh YES, it is!!!!!)
THIS IS THE ONLY YEAR (2009) IT WILL EVER WORK, SO SPREAD IT AROUND WHILE IT LASTS.
Amazing Chocolate Calculator! Pretty cool huh?
This is Megan - she is 8" tall, a soft crocheted doll.
This is Michael - Megan's little brother. He is 8" tall.
Happy Crocheting!!
Here we are almost end of March - where does the time go? It seems there just isnt enough time in the day.
Both measure 5" tall.
I had several requests on how to do Thread Jointing. I use thread jointing alot on my amigurumi. The end result is a flexible toy - able to stand or sit and movable arms.
You can get the tutorial here:
http://arminas-aminals.blogspot.com/2009/03/tutorial-thread-jointing.html
As always, if you want the PDF for this tutorial, send me an email and I will be more than happy to send it to you.
Happy Crocheting!
Here is Andy, my crocheted rag doll - he is 15" tall. He matches with the Crocheted Rag Doll Anne.
If ever you have a special request or a question, please contact me via email and I will personally respond. Sometimes it is hard to respond to inquiries or requests here on the blog. I like the one-on-one better.
craftsbyap.gmail.com
=^.^=
Here is the latest addition to my Kitty series - An Ami HK Fairy Kitty. She stands about 4-1/2" tall. She is guaranteed to make your wishes come true. Make a wish!
My Crocheted Poodle is included in another Etsy Treasury - Thank you SassySashadoxie for including me in your beautiful treasury.
You can see it here:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=39509
USING THE FELTING NEEDLE
I recently started needle felting with wool roving and found it to be extremely rewarding creating miniature dogs, bears and other animals. I also found the felting needle quite useful in my amigurumi. I use the felting needle to incorporate felt pieces to my amigurumi. For example, if you want a little red felt tongue for an amigurumi dog, you can use the felting needle to weave that felt piece into your amigurumi. Here’s how:
1. Cut the felt piece the exact size you need.
2. Position felt piece.
3. Use felting needle to adhere by using fast poking strokes.
The end result is clean, no stitch or glue marks.
Here are some examples:
Doggie Tongue:
Try incorporating other uses for this remarkable little tool. You can purchase this tool anywhere they sell needle felting supplies. I purchased mine from: 
My patterns for the Blossom Doll, Fruits with Bowl and Lovable Love Bear are available at:
http://craftsbyap.artfire.com
http://apdesigns.etsy.com
Thank you for all your wonderful comments. Happy crocheting!
I wanted to pass this along to everyone - there is a new site for selling handmade called ArtFire. It looks really cool. You can sign up and sell your goods for free (up to 10 items) or you can pay the promotion sign up fee of $7.00 - the $7.00 is a promo for the first 5000 customers who sign up. With this you are allowed unlimited listings and no additional charges. If you are familiar with Etsy, you are charged for each listing plus additional fees. This has none! I love Etsy and use it. But ArtFire will be giving Etsy some competition in the future. And, after the 5,000 accounts are set up, the monthly fee will be $20.00. I signed up and joined, check it out.
http://artfire.com
I promised some new goodies, and here they are. I am trying to get some of my WIP's finished and off my "To Do" list. I will post all of them here, and come back with the patterns and pattern information. I will start with my Blossom Doll. The one I did for a Xmas gift was done so quickly, I didnt write the pattern down, so I had to try and re-work it. Here is Blossom.
Well I think I am getting myself together. I have to admit, the last 2 weeks was an incredible 2 weeks - so surreal. I suffered a heart attack. You think these things happen to others, never you. But it happened. It made me look hard at myself and my life. Now comes the best part - major life changes. Diet, exercise, among other things. And meds, lots of them, whew. The paramedics were here in a flash - I take my hat off to them. They did their magic and whisked me to emergency. Spent 2 days in ICU, and the rest is history. Now on the brighter side, if you ever want to get six of the best looking guys to your place, call 911, lol. I cant say enough about my family. Everyone was there in a heartbeat, by my side, and still very supportive. My get up and go got up and went, but I read this is common in an incident like this. The meds make me very tired.
Now, getting back to myself and my stuff - I should have some goodies to post in the next couple of days.
I am back, I think. Sorry I havent posted in a while, I had some health issues. I am on the road to recovery. We take so much for granted - until a crisis hits you. I am in the process of completing some of the WIP's and some new patterns during my recoop period. A few of you requested a pattern for the Blossom Doll, which I am finalizing and having it tested. So keep your eye out for that.
Thats it for now... hopefully I wont be MIA again!
My crocheted collar is finished. I started this before Christmas but put it on the back burner so I can get my Xmas stuff done. The Adrianna Crocheted Collar is crocheted with Red Heart Designer Sport yarn in Brick. I really like how this yarn works up and it feels very comfortable to wear. Not too bulky or too thin, just the right amount of warmth around your neck for those chilly days. (If the yarn looks familiar, it is leftover from the Hexagon Afghan I did for my daughter). This project took a little less than a skein to complete and I used a pearlized button for the closure. It worked out great because I used one of the crocheted loops as a button hole (no need to make a button hole, lol). Anyway, here it is. I am working on the pattern. 
Ok here I am again, on a mission for my daughter. She asked me to make a Sackboy doll - What is a Sackboy doll I asked. Well she showed me the picture and after doing some research, found out it is the latest rage. A Playstation game called Little Big Planet. I noticed the original was a knit version, although I knit, I prefer to crochet. So I started to make one. Here is my version of a Crocheted Sackboy Doll.
List your blog in the new Top 100 Craft Sites. Draw traffic to your blog or website. All kinds of crafts are acceptable, knitting, crochet, fiber arts, jewelry, plushies, anything that is crafty.
Go here to register:
http://craftsites.gotop100.com/
I registered :-)
Only requirement is link the banner on your blog or website.
How cool! My Chihuahua pattern is in the Etsy Treasury! Thank you Winterdreams for including me... :-)
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=37554
Happy New Year 2009 ….
Christmas 2008 has come and gone – we spend weeks and weeks (if not months) in preparation for this wonderful holiday. Although I think the real meaning of Christmas is lost in retail commercialism, this year I swore I would not get wrapped up in that and give everything handmade, which I did. And after spending all of that time preparing for this holiday and hours in wrapping the gifts, I was watching as the gifts were passed out, and ripped to shreds in minutes, lol. But that is the nature of this holiday.
Now another year races to an end, and the new year is getting ready to embark on us all. With all the economic turbulence 2008 had, hopefully 2009 will be a better year economically. I try not get too political on my blog, but with everything that has happened in 2008, it makes me wonder where things will go and how far. Hopefully this new administration will make some changes for the good. It’s good to be optimistic.
With 2008 coming to an end and 2009 a blink away, there are a few things I am thankful for….
1 First and foremost, I am thankful for my health. I have some health issues, but nothing I can’t handle or deal with (It isn’t easy being 39, hehehe).
2. I am thankful for my daughter. She is my inspiration and my life. She is a beautiful young woman, inside and out, with a heart of gold. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her.
3. I am thankful for my family. We are close and will always remain close. We are there to help each other in a pinch, no questions asked. Isn’t that what families are for?
4. I joined Ravelry…. What an incredible place. So many talented people and a great resource for information. I met a lot of creative and talented people here. If you have not checked out Ravelry yet, please do so, and sign up to join. If you are a Raveler, you know what I mean. You will not regret it, trust me. But be warned – you will spend A LOT of time there, lol.
5. Some sad moments with the loss of my two kitties so close together, but that is the cycle of life. As responsible pet owners, we have to do what is best for our pets, regardless of how hard it is. I console myself with the fact they gave me many years of unconditional love (Midnite 16 years and Baby 14 years), which only a loving pet can give.
I can probably go on and on… So, with that said, 2009 will be a stellar craft year – let’s keep our creative juices flowing and grab 2009 by the horns and make it a successful and creative year.
Wishing everyone a Healthy, Happy, Prosperous and “Crafty” New Year!
Feeling the grief for the loss of my Kitty, a fellow Raveler posted this poem - it was so touching I wanted to share it....
Lend Me A Kitten
I will lend to you for a while
a kitten, God said.
For you to love while she lives,
and mourn after she’s dead.
Maybe for twelve or fourteen years,
or maybe just two or three.
But will you, ‘till I call her back,
take care of her for me?
She’ll bring her charms to gladden you
and should her stay be brief,
you’ll always have her memories
as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise she will stay,
since all from earth return.
But there are lessons you can give
I want this kitten to learn.
I’ve looked the whole world over
in search of teachers true,
And from the folk that crowds life’s land
I have chosen you.
Now will you give her all your love,
nor think the labor vain?
Nor hate me when I come to take
my kitten home again?
And my heart replied,
“My Lord, Thy Will Be Done.”
For all the joys this kitten brings,
the risk of grief I’ll run.
We’ll shelter her with tenderness,
we’ll love her while we may.
And for the happiness that we’ve known,
forever grateful stay.
But should you call her back
much sooner than we planned,
We’ll brave the bitter grief that comes,
and try to understand.
If by our love we’ve managed
your wishes to achieve,
in memory of his sweet sweet love,
please help us while we grieve.
And when our cherished kitten
departs this world of strife,
Please send yet another needing soul
for us to love all his life.
Author Unknown
As a way of saying "Thank You" to all of my loyal customers, I am offering a special for the holidays in my Etsy store. Buy 3 Amigurumi patterns, get the 4th one free. Hurry! Offer ends 12/25/08. For more information, please visit my Etsy store at:
http://apdesigns.etsy.com
Wishing everyone Happy Holidays and a Healthy, Happy and Prosperous New Year!!
My love for miniatures never cease, and since I started needle felting, this feeds my addiction. A few needle felted projects finished, for Xmas gifts. Although I am a cat person, I find dogs so fascinating, crocheted or needle felted. There are so many breeds and the detals when crocheted or felted turn out beautiful. 
I am on a roll this Christmas - unlike my past Christmas' - I think I will be done early enough to rest a little. I finished 2 afghans for gifts, both came out really nice. I did another Hexagon Afghan (it works up so quick and is so easy you can do it with your eyes closed) and a square afghan. Both were done with Caron One Pound, the Hex is in Cream and the Square is in Taupe. Everyone is getting hand made goodies this year, and I can finally say I am happy I am actually getting them finished early. (Yay for me!) The Hex Afghan is pictured above.
Square Afghan
I also have a pair of dolls I crocheted for my newphews little girl, and for his 2 boys, I will make stuffed toys (dont have those done yet).
These are the dolls for my nephews little girl. She is such a gem! Love her to death.
This is Blossom and Andy.
