Sammy snake coming back soon!

Just to let you know that after I posted my Sammy snake finger puppet pattern, I decided to improve it a bit :)  I'm also a bit bothered by conjunctivitis so can't stay looking at the screen long, but hopefully in a few days everything will be back and better.

Flickr group created!

Hello my lovely followers! I've just noticed that there are now 150 of you, what an achievement! You are all so very welcome. I never thought anyone would want to read my ramblings, but there you go, life is full of surprises :D

I have just created a flickr group where you are all more than welcome to share your photos of creations made with the patterns on this blog. It would be great to have a place to see them all together, and we can also have discussions where you can ask questions or just share your ideas.  This is the latest addition, after my facebook page and etsy shop. I'm still not convinced about the etsy shop. Etsy is so huge I feel my three little items are just lost in the mass. But the facebook page is doing well, and I'm sure the flickr group will be lots of fun too! I look forward to seeing you there. Now then, who's going to post the first photo?
http://www.flickr.com/groups/isitatoy

Keep on crocheting

Hello there! After I found a lovely little pattern by minazara on Ravelry, I just can't stop making these bunnies. They're so cute! I have altered the original pattern quite a lot, rounding off the top of the head and attaching the arms and legs a bit differently, but the original idea, including the skirt, is all minazara's. She has a few very cute patterns available on Ravelry, why don't you go and have a look?

I designed this little owl rattle, using my free owl amigurumi pattern. Instead of aran/worsted yarn, I made this little guy in sportsweight organic cotton yarn. To make the handle, I picked up twelve stitches and made a long tube, which I stuffed as I crocheted, using scraps of an upcycled felted woollen blanket. As you may know by now, I always line all my crocheted toys because I find that my crocheting, especially when using cotton yarn, is never tight enough to keep all the stuffing inside. I've had a nasty surprise in the past when I washed a toy before giving it away, and all the polyester stuffing had started to seep through the holes. But lining a 12ch tube made of sportsweight yarn is impossible, so I reckoned bits of felted blanket wouldn't be able to go through and would be safe if baby decides to chew the handle. The body of the owl is lined and stuffed as usual, and I added a rattle insert before sewing the whole thing closed. These two items will shortly be available in my Etsy shop. If you're interested and I haven't yet put them up there, please leave me a comment or send an email using the link on my profile. 


Have a great week!

Plagiarism stinks!

Well, well. It is sometimes useful to go and have a gander at your followers' blogs. I found this:

Now, I did remember to write out my own pattern as I went along making these cute little things... and I will share, but if you find a mistake or a easier way..please feel free to make any changes you need to.This worked out great for me and since this is my very first pattern EVER written....I really hope you can follow along with me.

Followed by a copy of my crochet owl pattern!

Now, you all know I provide my patterns for free. I always have and hope to continue doing so. I don't mind people making things from my patterns, I don't mind people selling toys made with my patterns. But I do mind people who say they wrote a pattern that I wrote. That's called LYING and nice people don't lie.

I have asked the author of the above text to correct her post and include the link to my pattern. I hope she will have the integrity to do so. 

Facebook, Etsy, Ravelry and more

Oh my goodness, what a busy week I've had! Especially the weekend that's just gone by. I have so many things to tell you, I don't know where to begin. So I'll just dive straight in. Are you ready?

First of all, I made this.

I added the photo to flickr and I received a nice message from Lynsey at Cuteable.com, telling me that the photo above would be featured on their facebook page. She also asked me if I had a facebook page or a shop and doh I didn't. BUT I have been thinking for ages about opening those two things, so that's what I've done.

So please feel free to visit my facebook page, to like it and to tell your friends about it. You are also welcome to visit my Etsy shop. At the moment I only have three things for sale, but there will be more soon. I only sell finished objects, because my patterns have always been and will remain free!

There, that's the main news. Exciting, isn't it?

Other than that, I've taken part in a Ravelry CAL (crochet along) and made these three cuties:

And I've been for some long walks around our home and enjoyed the gorgeous natural surrondings that we are lucky enough to have literally on our doorstep. To finish off this post, here are some photos I took on our walks. And I look forward to seeing you on Facebook soon, if you feel like it :D