Crafty Pants!

This Plush House tutorial is the prefect gift for a new house owner, or even one who loves their house! The tutorial is very easy to follow, so you can make a wee version of your house.

This moldy cupcake is a wonderful take on all those cute cupcakes floating around the net. I especially love the wacky eyeball. However, the design is so darling, it would be cute as a ‘regular’ cupcake too!
link »

tags: [free_pattern] [crochet] [cupcake]

via Wists: link

While cleaning out my room, I found one of my little gift boxes, and couldn’t remember how I had made them. However, I did remember that way back when I had created a tutorial for them and posted them online. I searched my computer and found it! I wrote this tutorial way back in 2002. The pictures are a bit sloppy, but they get the point across.

So you wanna make a paper box, huh?

You can create this box with just about any paper, but I prefer old greeting cards. The thick cardboard makes a sturdy box that (usually) doesn’t require any tape or glue to keep it together.

First, rip or cut the card down the fold. Be sure to keep the back, since it makes the bottom of the box. You can make the box as big or small as you want, but I usually use the width of the card as the dimensions of the card. Using this measurement, cut the card into a square. The center of the square will be the top, so try to center it around something you like on the card. (For this example, I centered it around Santa’s bag; there’s a small chipmunk in it)

Turn the card over and draw lines from corner to corner.

Fold each corner to the center. Carefully crease each edge.

Take the top and bottom edges and fold them to the center, carefully creasing. Once the top and bottom edges have been folded, open it up, and repeat on the other sides.

Cut along four of the creases you just made. Only cut far enough to snip both layers of paper, no farther)

Open the two corners that you just snipped.

Grab the two points to the side of one of the open corners. Bring them together as shown in the picture. Take the corner with your other hand and wrap it over the two points.

Crease the edges of the box. The four corners should meet in the center. To make the bottom of the box, follow the same exact steps as above, except make sure the square is around a quarter of an inch smaller. The thicker cardboard, the smaller the bottom square needs to be.

Once finished, you have a cute, unique box that carries a special meaning. Unfold it, and you still have the message from a loved one, written inside.

Can’t Knit? Can’t Crochet? You can still make tho most darling Knitted Octopi! Knit it up on a Knifty Knitter, and enjoy your own amigurumi style cutie in no time. The tutorial is a few posts down. The Icord tutorial is located here.

Right now I’m working on sewing the mouse from this pattern of Felt Cat Toy Critters. Never mind that usually I hate hand sewing with a passion… Once, I didn’t wear my nice wool coat in 10 degree weather   just because I refused to sew on the buttons myself. Luckily I had a thinner back-up coat.

I guess I just felt the need to do something meditative and not on the computer. I can barely crochet because my wrists are killing me. I think that is from one part crocheting and two parts programming non-stop. I’m also working on a hat, an amigurumi bear, and I just finished a purse.  I barely have time to eat, so I have no idea why I keep starting all these new projects! Hopefully I can muster up some energy to finish then and post some pictures! For now, enjoy this wonderful pattern!

Phew, there are a ton of amazing patterns out there! Here are some more of my favorite crochet animal/amigurumi patterns:

iMonkees iPod cosy:

Totoro:

Frog Hackey Sack:

Horse/Unicorn:

Not-so-Ugly Duckling:

Neko (cat):

Mouse:

Octopus:

Bunny:

I hope you find a pattern you like. If I had my way, I’d crochet them all!

I can’t get enough of these cute amigurumi animal patterns!

Dolphin:

Monkey:

Farmyard Finger Puppets:

Baby Snow Dragon:

Reindeer Ornament:

Baby Seals:

Elephant:

Striped Turtle:

Cactus (not an animal, but cute enough!):

Ok, that’s all for now, enjoy!

If you haven’t gotten around to decorating for this lovely day, why don’t you whip up a crochet heart garland?

My toes are little icicles right now. No really, they are frozen solid. My socks aren’t cutting it; I need slippers!

Mary Jane slippers:
 

Funky Slippers:

Abi Slippers:

Cow Slippers:

Knifty Knitted Mary Janes:

This winer has been cooooooold! I live in a house with half guys, half girls, and it’s a constant battle to try and keep the thermostat above 65. Those boys just love their chilly houses I guess. So I’ve taken to wearing my winter gear indoors. It’s getting  bit worn out though, so I’ve found a few items I must make this break!

The Proffesional Set:

Chunky Ear Flap Hat:

15 Minute Earwarmers:

Blossom Scarf: (look at bugmenot for a log in)

Block letter Beanie:

And so much more to come!