Crochet Duck is too Cute for Words!!!

Sterling, the crochet duck, is ready for spring!  After creating Smookie, the bunny, I felt like maybe Smookie needed a friend.  Enter Sterling, with his big webbed feet and oh so cute smoochy lips bill!





I have to confess to some help on Sterling in the way of advice and criticism.  That duck bill was quite a challenge.  I re-designed it at least 3 times before ending up with the most adorable kissy-lipped  version that I think I have ever seen.  Many thanks to my husband and my daughter for their very constructive criticism and persistence until he turned out just right.  Yep.  We finally got that 'cuteness factor' down for Sterling.

If you're looking for a cute Easter project, both Sterling and Smookie would make a great addition to your Easter baskets.  Just imagine the smiles and giggles when your little ones see what you have made to help them find all those Easter goodies hidden for them!

Don't have time to make them yourself?  No problem!  Just place your order and we can make them for you.    And don't forget, Varmint Greetings can make a custom card to match them.  Get your orders in early to be sure they get to you on time.  In the meantime, happy creating!

Blessings~
Reny

Crochet Bunny just in time for Easter...

This crochet bunny is just in time for Easter!  He is about 8 inches tall including his ears.  That's a great size to carry around or hug tight at nap time.



In keeping with mu usual varmint designs, I wanted a bunny that had a different and unique look.  Big feet struck me as a necessity for this guy and he had to have a grin and bright eyes.  And I especially love those two bunny teeth!

This crochet bunny pattern is a bit more involved than most of my patterns.  Shaping the feet required special attention to details and the toes were a bit of a challenge.  The arm design is a bit different than arms I've made before.

All in all, I'm satisfied with him.  Oftentimes I will ask a family member to give a name to a finished design.  My 5 year old grandson, Paul, named this one Smookie.  I think that's cute!  Smookie the Bunny!

So here he is.  Get the pattern and make a dozen!  Those little people around you will love you for it!

Blessings~
Reny

Varmint Greetings, handmade, customized

This week I am adding a whole new category to the Varmint Market!  Varmint Greetings are handmade and customized.  The front of the cards feature a fussy-cut handmade replica of whichever varmint you choose and the inside contains matted blank sheets for your own personal message or short story.

I came up with this idea because of my love for making greeting cards.   There is just something about taking something as simple as paper and turning it into a one-of-a-kind piece of art or heirloom.

My grand-daughter, Des, is the one who got me to thinking about paper crafts. She could do amazing things with paper!  She is very crafty and talented and she learned early how to make the most of the things she had readily available to her.

Add to that my quest to organize my photos in an attractive and inviting form for occasional viewing through scrapbooking and , voila!  I became a paper crafter as well as a crochet addict!

So it had to be just a matter of time before these two crafts merged into my website.  Varmint Greetings will make a great addition to any yarn varmint you create and give to that little someone special in your life.  And I love the idea of a Varmint short story written on the inside by the giver!  It adds a special personal touch that really touches hearts, young and old.

I used the story approach at Christmas on my grandson's Christmas card, where I included a true story from his Momma's childhood.  He loved it!  And what a sweet way to give him a peek into his mother's past.



Here is a Varmint Greeting of 'Robbie the Robot'.  The Greeting 'Hi!' can be changed and customized.

 



The inside, as you can see, is nicely matted with blank pages for your own message or story.

Of course, this approach can be used with any greeting, especially a handmade one.  So I hope you will dig into your paper stash and make some card!  And if you prefer someone else to do the work, please feel free to order a Varmint Greeting or contact me for a custom card!

Blessings~
Reny

 

Robbie the Rolling Crochet Robot says 'Hi'

This rolling crochet robot is a new adventure in toy making for me!  As my grandchildren grow, their interest changes.  Softies are great for babies and toddlers but practically 'grown-up' boys of 5 and 8 years old want more from their toys.

I've made an entire fleet of stuffed crocheted vehicles, but I never made one that would actually roll.  But since I created Robbie, I think I can make an actual mobile car!  And my grandson, Sam, has commissioned me to do just that.  After seeing a short video of the rolling robot he said to his mom, "If she can make that, she can make me a car that rolls!"  So guess what my next project will be?  Look for it sometime later this month.

The inspiration for Robbie came from this shirt worn by a sweet visitor we had over the holidays.

[caption id="attachment_1117" align="aligncenter" width="164"] My inspiration for Robbie the Rolling Robot.[/caption]

I just thought this was the cutest thing!  My robot really only slightly resembles the one on the shirt, but I still think my guy is pretty fantastic!



In order for this robot to keep his shape, I had to find a way to prop him up underneath the crochet fabric.  Enter plastic canvas!  I have never liked this stuff before, but I think I may be falling in love with it now.  This opens a whole new world of ideas in my mind!

Yes, it is more work.  But it is so worth it!  So I'm excited!  Make a comment with your suggestions on what I might attempt to make with these new ideas.  I'd love to hear from you.

Blessings
Reny