CHICKPEA SEWING STUDIO

Ridiculously Cute

Larissa of mmmcrafts made a few bibs with my free pattern. I think they are really pretty, she said I could show you:

I am really glad that she contacted me because that gave me an opportunity to discover her blog. She sells terrific softies pattern in her Etsy shop. I very quickly bought the baby binky bunny pattern and started two. A boy bunny and a girl bunny.

Here is my boy bunny:

He has his own little quilt!

If you ever think about using linen to make a binding, DON'T. It was horrible! much to thick for the corners. But it's all behind me now thankfully!

Meet Bowie the sock lamb.

One blue eye, one green eye. Bowie loves to listen to his ipod. He likes the idea of traveling to Europe but unfortunately, victim of his own success, he is stuck at home with us.

Bowie was inspired by this book I reviewed a few weeks ago. It's the best sock book I know of. I learned that you can give new curves to your creatures by shaping the stuffing first.

Reprodepot Goodness

The first online fabric order I ever made just arrived!

Everything is terrific, I started with sale items just to see what the experience was like. I am telling you: It's great! Everything on the picture is from Reprodepot (I have always loved their printed adds in Adorn etc...). Everything except for the super mushroom amigurumi. That's an original Orange Flower pattern and it's just brilliant! I am a terrible beginning crochet-er and it turned out great nonetheless. It might be the ultimate learn-to-crochet project. I used Debbie Bliss Cashmerrino, to give me some incentive to overcome potential sticky points ( but that fear was unfounded, the pattern is written for novices).Try it, it's all here!

On the local scene, I paid a visit to my friend Nancy at Whimsy Cottage. She's got some cool new stuff in the shop. More specifically Melly & me patterns which are totally cool. They make some really fun softies and are located down under.

Nancy sent me home with those goodies below (bag pattern and two yards of linen/cotton blend), and I just can't wait to get started making bags! Note it's the same linen/cotton blend use to make the bunny bellow.

   

Tiny little bunny

Yesterday felt more like Saturday to me as I got really morning sickly again all day. It's hard to believe that it will go away with the baby... Furthermore I believe that he has finally managed to crack my lower right rib (I am sure the doctor will giggle at that statement on Friday). I had great plans for the day, including some fabric shopping for friends and self, but they all got canceled to be replaced by laying on left side and watching crime shows for hours. (Too lazy to choose and pop-in a video).

Nevertheless I made that little guy out of scraps since so much of it is hand work. When stuck on the couch hand work suddenly seems terrific! The pattern for it and another critter is available here, from My Little Mochi. I made almost no changes to it, but some changes to how to make it. I think that the great side effect to being a craft addict is that you have so much supplies at hand. I am not often in the mood to go Joann'sing just for transfer paper or what not. So I just traced the shape on freezer paper and used it as sewing guide. The eyes, arms and mouth were just traced later with a disappearing pen.

I am brainstorming ideas to transform the bunny into a rattle bunny, I need to find something small enough to fit inside and fill it with beads... In Europe we would have tons of old homeopathic meds laying around that would just do the trick. It Will come to me... or maybe you can help?

Nearly Headless George (the Softy)

Original George turning to Valentine George:"where are our heads ?"

Valentine George answers:" I'm in love I can't think straight, let me ask Patriotic George."

Patriotic George: " She, who will not be named, ran out of grey felt on us. Can you imagine ? Oh! and you know what? there's another George, he didn't come for the picture, He says that she (who will not be named) cannot take a picture at night to save her life!!!"

Yes, they are telling the truth, I feel really tired suddenly. And a bit stupid too. It's back to the shop tomorrow morning. There will be some snow to clean off the car I predict it.

PS: I had some ambition to make a Gingerbread house this weekend but at lunch I saw this and got somewhat intimidated...

Mr.and Mrs Gnome

Fresly born Gnomes (pattern by Wee Wonderfuls) are vacationing in Tyrol. 

A Gnome Filled Weekend

Something wonderful(s) happened on Friday:

AS I was waking up in front of the computer screen, checking all my favorite blogspots for new goodies to admire, I realized that Hillary Lang of Wee Wonderfuls was looking for pattern testers. After promptly volunteering for the task, my heart still racing in anticipation, Hillary sent a draft pattern.

You see, gnome manufacturing is in vogue in this house as I am currently stuck in bed (by sciatica pain caused by the baby pressing on said nerve) reading none other than Gnomes by Rien Poortvliet and Wil Huygen. A book that is considered by many the ultimate authority in all things Gnome. (see also the last post about Nisse)

After a small yet delightful shopping excursion with Sara, ohne H, I was ready to get cracking. With the typical lack of restraint any crafter exhibits in front of any new fresh of the printer project, I worked at it until 11pm (having started rather late due to the expected post shopping procrastination). Finally here it was, done and done, on the night stand, looking over us as we slumbered, waiting patiently for the morning to witness the sudden arrival of fall ( mid-November !) in the garden.