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

New Years Goal, Make More Books

Happy New Year!   I have a New Years Goal (or resolutions if you prefer) this year to make more coptic stitch books!  I know this is not exactly in keeping with the varmint theme of this site, but I also know that most crafty people indulge themselves in more than one craft.  So this post is for my paper crafting friends.
If you've never made a coptic stitch book HERE is a link to an excellent video to get you started.  The procedure is actually quite simple with SeaLemon's awesome step-by-step instructions.

Once you have created your covers and folded all the pages and grouped them into 'signatures' you will want to go to THIS video to learn the actual stitching procedure.

I made this simple cover with Christmas wrapping paper just because I thought it was pretty.



One of the best features of a coptic stitch book is that when opened it lays flat making it easier to journal or sketch in it.



This particular little book has cut out silhouettes in it of the Nativity and the story was dictated by my seven year old grandson Sam, and hand lettered  onto the pages.



As you can imagine, the possibilities for one of these handmade journals or books are just endless.  I hope you will give this a try.  Bet you can't make just one!

Blessings-
Reny

Christmas Eve and everything is done!

Merry Christmas Varmint lovers!  I hope your holiday preparations are all done and you are relaxing in your favorite easy chair right now.  At our house all is ready for Christmas.    The Christmas crochet projects are tucked in the tree and awaiting notice by 2 awesome boys who are expected to arrive here by Christmas evening.  We are so excited!

This Green buddy and dragon are quite a big larger than most of my own designs, but they were too adorable to pass up.  The link for the Green Buddy can be found in my previous post.

Here is the link for the dragon.  And here are the two of them together in MY favorite easy chair!

This will be my last post of this year, so I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Blessings~
Reny