Swap Goodness!

Got my first swap package ever for my January Movies and TV show swap on Crochet & Amigurumi Swap One group. I was so excited to receive this in the mail! I love MLP and love the swap swag!

New Projects!

So I got my swap item done! It's for my Crochet and Amigurumi Ravelry Swap group. The theme was Favorite Movie or TV shows. I'm not going to post exactly what I made due to my swappee might seeing this blog. I bought all her stuff and just need to ship it out. It'll be my first swap ever so I'm pretty excited about it. I have no idea what I'm getting from my partner either. It'll be fabulous.

I was wanting to go to the Yellow Rose Fiber Festival that occured last Friday and Saturday, but the weather in that area was so yucky, I thought it would be better if I just stayed home. I probably saved myself a buttload of money, in hindsight, but I still really love attending festivals.

SPEAKING OF FESTIVALS.

I'm still hoping to attend Dallas Fort Worth Fiber Fest, but the jury is still out whether or not one of my coworkers will cover for me.

I was told that the Stitches Festival is actually coming to Texas! The first one will be this September in Irving, Texas. I've heard this festival is the festival to END ALL FESTIVALS. I'm working that week, but I'm gonna ask off -really- early so I can go!

To top off all the good news, I started my first ever sweater! My local yarn shop, Chandler Cottage, is doing a Better Than Basic Sweater class. The instructor was so helpful. The other students in the class were fabulous. I just had a really good experience. My instructor was the lady who told me about Stitches Texas. She also spins and has a spinning wheel for sale. The yarn shop also has meets ups Tuesday and Thursday were people come to work on projects. I have found my fellow people!!!!!!

So overly life is awesome and crafting is going well.

-Pharmagurumi

The Satisfaction of Completion

Finished up two things today.

This is my rainbow ripple. I had wanted to use up a lot of my scrap yarn so I decided to make an afghan. I know I got the pattern somewhere off ravelry, but I didn't save it so unfortunately I can't link the pattern.

Second pattern. I'm Episcopalian. I was born Episcopalian, went away from the Episcopal church and religion for a long while then returned home. My church does an Epiphany Pageant and Feast. Usually the actors in the pageant are kids from the congregation. While we have had an upswing of families, last year we didn't have enough kids to fill all the roles. My husband was a bishop and I was a wise man. This year my husband and I both ended up as wise men. I, of course, need to look the part so I crocheted myself a beard to go along with my outfit.

I think I look rather dapper with a beard. :)

Next thing on the hooks, an amigurumi Pikachu. Stay tuned!

-Pharmagurumi

Sheepy!

So I found an awesome amigurumi swap group on Ravelry. Crochet & Amigurumi Swap One. The people there are so chill and fabulous. I feel like I finally connected to a group of crafters online. Hopefully much more connections will follow.

For the January Crochet Along, we're doing the Friday Sheep pattern. I had never seen this pattern and it was fabulously adorable. It only took more a few hours to work up.

Behold my sheepy!

I'm going to attempt to embroider a face on the little guy. I'm not that great at embroidering but this will force me to learn more about it.

I'm also really excited about Moogly's 2015 Crochet Along. First block will be released January 8th. I have no idea what colors I'll use, but I really want to use up my stash yarn instead of buying anything new.

Oh and I nearly forgot! I officially have over one thousand followers on Pinterest! I have links to my Pinterest on the right side bar. Most of my pins are crochet related so start following me.

Thanks again!
-Pharmagurumi

Post Christmas

So I can finally post all my projects I made for Christmas. I had an excellent one with my family. I did have to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day but I felt like I got in my quality family time.

Without further ado, the projects I made!

Here's an overview of all the gifts I made for people.

This little monster I made for my year old nephew. I used Stacey Trock's Mr. Toothy pattern that I received when I signed up for her Amigurumi class on Craftsy.

Next I made Totoro for my sister-in-law. I'm a big fan of Hayao Miyazaki's movies so Totoro was realy fun to make. 

Batman from my nephew!

Another pattern from Stacey Trock: Mike from Monster's Inc and Monster's University for my niece.

Stitch from the Disney movie, Lilo and Stitch for my father-in-law. I wasn't overly happy how it turned out. I think I put poor Stitch's eyes too close together so he looks a bit wonky. My FIL still loved it, so that made me happy.

Kirby from Nerdigurumi for my brother-in-law. 

And last but not least, the African Flower Owl for my sister. This pattern I used worsted weight instead of DK weight like the pattern called for, so it turned out much bigger than expected. My sister still loved it.

My brother-in-law said the niece and nephews loved their toys so much that they refuse to go to sleep if they're not with them. That really warms my heart. It's so nice to give gifts that people really like, especially when you've worked so hard on them.

Here's hoping for a great New Year!

-Pharmagurumi

It's Christmastime, y'all!

So, just a few hours ago I finished -all- my crocheted Christmas presents. I am so darn proud of myself. I am going to wait until after Christmas to post pictures in the rare event that some of my family members actually read this blog.

I have to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and up until New Years Eve but it's all good! I have my schedule figured out to hang out with my family. I have enough time to attend church services for Christmas. Everything is okay! The start of December was pretty rough, but life is good now.

From the We Are Yarn Ravelry group, the questions was posed: what are your goal for 2015? After some thought, I busted out this list:

• learn to knit
• knit a pair of socks
• get involved with a local spinning group and learn how to use a spinning wheel
• crochet more amigurumi
• start exercising more and eating healthier
• learn Spanish
• continue to be awesome at my job
• find a local charity to craft for
• get more involved in church
• regularly update my blog
• network with other crafters

We'll see how this all pans out.

Gearing up for crafting in 2015, I signed up for the Moogly 2015 CAL! I had planned on doing the 2014 blanket, but....life happened and it got put to the backburner.

I also signed up for my first Swap group on Ravelry! I've never done a swap before but the idea of getting fun stuff in the mail instead of just bills I need to pay for sounds wonderful. The first swap is a Superhero/Villains swap. Oh boy!

Happy Holidays everyone!

-Pharmagurumi  

Phil Ferguson Craft Crush

I was looking around the internets at crochet goodness (like always), and I came across Phil Ferguson. He's a crocheter in Melbourne, Australia and makes crocheted hats out of food. They are absolutely wonderful. I love weird/offbeat crocheted items and this guy captures this mood fabulously.

Here are some of his works:

Here are links to his Facebook and Instagram. Yay for craft stalking!
-Pharmagurumi