Christmas Crafting All Year!!

Since learning how to crochet last July I had a plan for Christmas.  I was going to make everyone's Christmas gifts and then sit back and feel all proud of myself for being so crafty.  Unfortunately, that's not how things went.  I made one gift.  One.  And I didn't even send it on time (actually, I haven't sent it yet).  I always have lofty ideas about handmade cards, personalized gift tags, and well...the works!  The problem is that I think I can pull it all together at the last minute but then I freeze up because there is simply too much to do.

Well...that will NOT happen this year because I'm going to be prepared!

Without further ado, I introduce to you...

Welcome to the Titchystitches Christmas Crafting All Year Project!  The plan is to focus one post a week on holiday crafting so none of us will be left in a bind next December.  Some posts will be dedicated to collecting links relating to a particular craft (like making gift tags) and others will showcase my attempts at making various gifts along the way.  I hope you'll join in with me!

Oh....and I've added a button to take you to what will be the Christmas Crafting page of this blog.  As posts are written you'll be able to find all the links there (so you won't have to dig through archives).

This Year I want to...

I'm feeling better today so I thought I'd share my goals for 2012....well, at least my crafting goals.

1. Make at least one thing for each holiday (Valentine's day, Easter, Independence Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas)

2. Make a weather/day of the week chart for the kiddo.

3. Sew something once a month (can't let that sewing machine collect dust!)

4. Crochet a blanket for the kiddo's future 'big boy' bed

5. Be ready for Christmas for once (Oooo...more on this in my next post.  I'm so excited about this one!)

6. Learn a new craft

7. Make a hook case

I think that's it for now.  What are your goals for the year, crafty or otherwise? 

(p.s. I keep adding to this post as I think of things)

Welcome 2012!

Happy New Year, everyone!!  I am allllmost ready to get back into blogging but I've got the mother of all head colds (again!?) so I'm finding it hard to think (let alone write).  What a way to ring in the new year, eh?

Anyway, I've got a new project to share as well as my resolutions for the year.  Perhaps this foggy haze will lift in the middle of the night and I'll be fresh and new for tomorrow.  Fingers crossed!

Oh dear...

...Where has the time gone?  I'm sorry that I've been gone from this little space for so long but I can explain.  Sort of.

You see, I lost my crafty mojo.  I worked hard on my friend's doll and then all my desire to create just fizzled out.  Yep.  Just before Christmas too.  Needless to say, only one person is getting a handmade gift from me this year and I think she'll be getting it late.  Whoops.  That's not what I had planned! 

BUT, I'm going to fix this for next year!  I'm going to work on gifts all year!  I will be prepared!!  More on this later, though (I've got some plans...but let's get through this Christmas first).

Anyway, I am truly sorry for my long absence and will be back (and better than ever!) soon. 

Meet (baby) Amyrlin!

I can't believe I've waited four whole days to share this, but here is the little doll I made for my friend Lydia.

Ta-da!!!

(Baby) Amyrlin is modeled after Lydia's night elf druid on World of Warcraft.  She's an avid pet collector in the game so, of course, I had to make an amigurumi hyacinth macaw as well.  (Luckily, Lydia recognized both dolls as what I meant them to be - thank you, facial markings!)

This was a great project for me because I got to try several new things.  My first doll, my first embroidered face and my first amigurumi.  I'm delighted with how everything turned out...especially the hyacinth macaw.  I now have three more sets of safety eyes so I look forward to making some more amigurumi critters.

As far as the doll...well...I want one too, but I think I'll wait until I hone my sewing skills a little before attempting another one.

(Baby) Amyrlin was made using a Bit of Whimsy pattern and I used Lion Brand's parrot pattern for the hyacinth macaw.

Tomorrow I'll share what Lydia made for me!