Fashioning the Fab Four (Part 12): While My Guitar Gently …

… Warps?

The Fab Four guitars are so cute, right down to their little strings!

Obviously strings are very important on a guitar. These particular strings (right) had a major influence on the finished product.

Merry Crochet Christmas!

I am the  project you may have espied in the Sneak Peek on Friday the 13th (of December).

Multi-tasking Motifs

What do you do when you find an irresistible Christmas motif to crochet, but the type of project leaves you cold?  Here are some other ways to incorporate that gorgeous motif into a meaningful model of crocheted Christmas cheer.

Downtime

Major pain + fatigue day.  
1:00 p.m. came and went and I was still in bed, after drifting between dozing and daydreaming.  It is after 4:00 p.m. now. I’ve managed to get myself to the couch. 

Teen walks through the room: “Now this is a turn of events–normally it’s me still in my ‘jamas’ at this time of the day!” 

Christmas Tea Towels & Other Ideas

Christmas is almost upon us again, and I wonder whether you are in the throes of Christmas crafting, super-organised and done already, or, like me, just beginning to contemplate!

I have some lovely Christmas crochet links to share with you.

I reckon a lot of crocheted tea towel tops will be given as Christmas gifts this year because they are so quick and easy, plus my TeaTowel Party blog entry has had more visitors than usual lately in the lead-up to Christmas.

Sneak Peek: WIPs & Workspaces

Crochet is such an easy, compact, portable hobby. Usually my tools and materials confine themselves to my wicker basket but this week I took a step back to notice that everything had surreptitiously spread right across my work area!

Here's a snapshot with a sneak peek of work in progress.

Fashioning the Fab Four (Part 11): Crash Course

A drum kit is not complete without crash cymbals.  Creating them was also a crash course for me in working with wire and crafting with other materials.

Fashioning the Fab Four (Part 10): We Can Work It Out

 At first, I could not work it out. Why were my instruments out of proportion?

In Fashioning the Fab Four (Part 8): Tools of the Trade, it was noted that
“gauge is not critical for this project” but I am here to tell you that it is!

 

Warning: this post contains mathematics!

Fashioning the Fab Four (Part 9): A Different Drum

Bass drum.
Black rim is the final round of the skin.

The bass drum was easy enough and quick to make;   the snare drum was next!

It all looked easy enough but there were some surprises and problems along the way which slowed me down.

Eighty per cent

What's wrong with eighty per cent?
80% looks pretty good to me, although 90% would be better!

Fashioning the Fab Four (Part 8): Tools of the Trade

All ‘musos’ need good ‘axes’ so while I was waiting for inspiration on the amigurumi Fab Four's hairstyles, I got started on the Fab Four Amigurumi Instruments.

Smokey

When I joined Ravelry, I stated on my profile page that "I want to learn to spin my bunny's fur into angora yarn".  To that end, every time Smokey Bunny moulted, we collected his long, soft fibres of fur. 

Nerves of Steel

“Even nerves of steel are subject to metal fatigue.”

–P.K. Shaw

This is one of my favourite quotes because it reminds me that even the strongest in the world have moments of weakness.

Almost there! Affirmation & Acceptance

On 3 August 2013 I suffered a flare up of symptoms.  I was forced to withdraw from all but the essential activities in order to rest and recover. Hence no blog posts until today.

It reminded me of my positive affirmation from a previous blog post:

"live well even if you can't get well".

Crochet, Connections & Companions with my Petal Pullover

Let me tell you why my Petal Pullover means so much to me.

Learn more about me and my crochet life through the connections created by this special project.

Fashioning the Fab Four (Part 7): Marketing the Image

All successful music groups need to market their product. Finding a unique image helps them to stand out from the crowd.  My Amigurumi Fab Four certainly needed an image of their own. Faces and hair would be a good start!

Loose ends...

My goal for Lupey Loops is to post at least once a fortnight for at least a year.  (Goal #9 in the list of My Ten Crochet Goals for 2013)

I am sorry to say that three weeks have gone by without a new blog entry.  I appreciate your patience as you visit Lupey Loops only to find nothing new. Meanwhile I wrestle with the end-of-semester exhaustion in a year of having extra commitments and events.

Surviving Chronic Illness: Positive Affirmation

The mental challenges of chronic illness are often more difficult to handle than the physical ones.

My collection of 'reminder cards' have helped me to heal body and mind.

Petal Pullover: In Print!

This project caused The Fab Four Amigurumi to be set aside for a time. Readers of Interweave Crochet magazine's Spring 2013 issue might know all about it!

(There's a clue in the preview's  'Departments & Features')

Beanie Marathon

This year I have embarked on a “Beanie Marathon”. 

Hats Don't Grow on Trees!

Hat's don't grow on trees and yet I have a "hat tree" in my garden this morning.

Fashioning The Fab Four (Part 6): Production Time

When rehearsal is over, it's time for the production phase.

Scrumptious & Sumptuous Stash!

 The latest addition to my yarn stash is this beautiful silk mohair called Haiku;

Knitting & Crochet Blog Week: Day 7 Looking Forward #4KCBWDAY7

Looking Forward

Knitting & Crochet Blog Week: Day 6 A Tool to Covet #4KCBWDAY6

A Tool to Covet

This has to be a “stitch marker”! 

Have you ever been told off by a ten-year-old waving a stitch marker in your face?

Knitting & Crochet Blog Week: Day 5 Something a Bit Different #4KCBWDAY5

Something a bit different

Today's task for Knitting & Crochet Blog Week is to blog in a different way than usual.

Knitting & Crochet Blog Week: Day 4 Colour Review #4KCBWDAY4

Knitting & Crochet Blog Week: Day 3 Infographic: Typical Gift Project Cycle #4KCBWDAY3

 

 

Infographic: Typical Gift Project Cycle

From left to right: (1) Due date for gift; (2) Time required to complete gift; (3) Project start date

Knitting & Crochet Blog Week: Day 2 A Mascot Project for the House of Monkey #4KCBWDAY2

A Mascot Project for the House of Monkey

Knitting & Crochet Blog Week: Day 1 The House Cup #4KCBWDAY1

The House Cup

Eskimimi has created a house system for Knitting & Crochet Blog Week inspired by Harry Potter. I remember having houses in every school I attended and so do my children except we didn't get to choose—the house was assigned upon entry to school. No correspondence will be entered into.

It feels a bit weird to have the privilege of choosing a house to represent me for the purpose of this week. The house descriptions are here: http://www.eskimimimakes.com/2013/04/knitting-and-crochet-blog-week-2013.html and you can view the results of a poll showing the numbers of blog week participants in each house if you visit http://www.eskimimimakes.com/2013/04/choose-your-house-re-poll-is-in-order.html and click in the sidebar survey gadget.

Knitting & Crochet Blog Week 2013: How to Find Everyone’s Posts

Are you looking forward to reading everyone's blog posts during International Knitting & Crochet Blog Week IV?

Autumn Colour

Autumn is my favourite season.

Each year my ornamental pear tree blesses me with the most beautiful colours.

In just 24 hours, fresh leaf fall (above) transforms my garden to a vivid palette of inspiration.

The result is a cosy crocheted colour scheme to warm my winter days.

Knitting and Crochet Blog Week April 22-28

I am deciding whether to participate in Eskimimi's 4th Annual Knitting and Crochet Blog Week.
Thanks to Kathryn from Crochet Concupiscence for spreading the news about this event.

Fashioning the Fab Four (Part 5): Rehearsal

Any professional musician or entertainer will advise that the key to a polished performance is preparation. Whether it is live on stage or in the recording studio, rehearsals are essential.

The practical experience of rehearsing allows artists to experiment, practise new techniques, consolidate skills and organise their plans. A rehearsal is often the only way to identify potential problems and iron them out–I know I would rather discover a hitch at rehearsal than during the main performance.

As it is for musicians, so it is for crocheters.

Deadlines & Disappointments

I've been away from the computer for a little while because of busily trying to complete a particular project and I am disappointed that I have missed my deadline to have it finished.

Fashioning the Fab Four (Part 4): Yarn shopping!

It was a year ago, almost to the day, that I went shopping for yarn for the Fab Four Amigurumi. The original pattern was published in an American magazine and I knew that I would not be able to find the recommended American yarn locally. This meant that I would need to substitute a different yarn for the project.

Fashioning The Fab Four (Part 3): Read The Pattern

First things first! When starting a new pattern certain time-honoured tricks will help to head off many problems.

Crochet Idyll

My favourite things: crochet and the beach,
How lovely to put them together this week.

Stitch For Summer: The Talk of the Town

It was very gratifying to receive lots of positive attention during the yarn bombing of Greg Johns' "Rhythm" sculpture at Glenelg.   

Stitch For Summer: A Colourful Rhythm

Greg Johns' "Rhythm" sculpture (1978) is full of colour to celebrate the 2013 Adelaide Fringe Festival.
[Glenelg, South Australia]

The steel sculpture, "Rhythm" has been an integral feature of the Glenelg foreshore for many years. For those who go past it regularly, barely taking a second glance, beware ... for the "Rhythm" will not be taken for granted any more!

Fab Four Designer Profile: Monica Rodriguez Fuertes

 

Monica Rodriguez Fuertes in her design studio

No sooner than I had posted the last blog entry about Fashioning the Fab Four, I received a lovely email from Monica Rodriguez Fuertes who is the designer of the Fab Four Amigurumi and many more "little friends". She was delighted to share a little bit about herself and her other projects.

Stitch For Summer: Watch This Space

This steel sculpture, commissioned by Glenelg Council in 1978, is called "Rhythm" and was created by world-renowned Adelaide sculptor Greg Johns.

You will find it on the foreshore at Glenelg, usually with children clambering all over it. It is a popular icon which is about to be transformed for the 2013 Adelaide Fringe Festival.

Local Yarnbombing for The Fringe

The Adelaide Fringe Festival is coming and with it will be a number of yarnbombing, stitching and textile art events. 

Fashioning the Fab Four (Part 2): Fab Four Fine Print

Fab Four almost complete, at rehearsal

Most crochet and knitting patterns sold today are sold with the proviso that they are for personal use only; e.g.the purchaser of the pattern can make as many items as they like from it, but cannot re-sell or copy the pattern or its products and make a profit that otherwise would have gone to the designer.

The idea is that the creator of the pattern should reap the rewards for their hard work and intellectual property.

Diagnostic Hoops

Today, while I was organising the new year's diary (updating emergency contact information etc.), I came across a list that I had made a couple of years ago which summarises my medical journey:

In 2005 the GP said "I have a hunch you might have LUPUS". Then, over the next 6 years, after being sent to: a pain specialist, anaesthetist, physiotherapist, gynaecologist, gastroenterologist, psychologist, psychiatrist, neurologist, rheumatologist, eye specialist, dental specialists, cardiologist, sleep specialist, immunologist, endocrinologists and radiologists, finally the specialist rheumatologist diagnosed "connective tissue disease 'on the LUPUS end of the spectrum'".
Far out!

Tea Towel Party

This week I had a 'Tea Towel Party' with my neighbour Adrienne. You should have seen us–two grown women getting excited about a bunch of tea towels!

These were not ordinary tea towels though...

Fashioning The Fab Four (Part 1)

Do you like amigurumi? I have made many amigurumi and other little toys. I like them because they are quick, easy and cheerful. In 2012, these mirthful 'mop tops' captivated my crochet hooks and sparked my spirits but they were unlike any amigurumi I had ever done before.

It’s A Goal!

 It's already a week into the New Year–have you set yourself any goals for 2013?

Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2013! What did you do for New Year's Eve? Did you touch your crochet hooks or craft projects at all?