Handmade Amigurumi Hello Kitty dolls

After a rather unsuccessful craft fair in Barton yesterday, I have spent the day taking photographs of some toys I made that unfortunately didn't sell. Here are the Hello Kitty dolls:

My daughter loves anything related to Hello Kitty, hence my inspiration for making these items. They are all varying sizes but made to the same basic pattern. The dolls are crocheted 'in the round' so there are no join marks. To give a smooth flat finish, I used Patons Smoothie yarn - although it is 100% acrylic, it has the look and feel of cotton. They would make a great present! Available in my Etsy shop now! 

Handmade teddy bear tea cosy

 A new design for the Fluffy Duck! Inspired by the toy teddy bear I created a month or so ago, I created a teddy bears picnic tea cosy!
The body of the tea cosy is made using fleece type yarn - it is ever so light but very warm and soft to the touch. My aim was for it to look like grass. I knitted a small teddy bear and embroidered its features using black yarn, and finished it with a red gingham bow. Teddy bear sits on a yellow and white granny square 'table cloth'.
Available for sale in my Etsy shop now!

Craft fair at Curborough Craft Centre Lichfield

Box of toys and blankets

Just thought I'd pop some photos of my stall at the craft fair yesterday. It was held at Curborough Craft Centre and was organised by Creative Streak . Luckily it was held indoors - a blessing given the cold, wet blustery day! There was lots of space to display my tea cosies and toys. Although footfall was not brilliant, I sold a couple of items including a tea cosy and a couple of rattles. 

In a change to previous fairs, I printed labels with a short description and price of the item and attached these to the item with gingham ribbon. I also spent many hours cutting out teapots from cardboard to use as props for my tea cosies. In previous fairs, people have asked what the tea cosies were, so this time there was definitely no doubt!

Slides and tea cosies

Mug cosies, crochet cushion and more tea cosies!

A full picture of my stall

Centre of my stall - lots of tea cosies!

 I also gift wrapped a pair of booties with a small toy in cellophane to make an ideal gift for a new baby. These were very well received. I also made some slides which at £3/pair were very popular - these are not for sale in my Etsy shop but if you would like to buy a pair, please contact me.

Lilac chenille teddy bear

Another gorgeous little fellow to add to my collection of teddy bears! Made to the same pattern as the golden teddy bear, this little chappie looks different due to using the chenille yarn. The effect is really lovely - the chenille is very soft to the touch and I have lightly stuffed the teddy to make it huggable and perfect for anyone! Available in my Etsy shop now.

Mug cosies... or mug hugs!

 Following a request, I have put together a couple of mug cosies. To be honest, I haven't used one before but they seem to be very popular. With 3 children, I am forever letting my tea go cold so maybe I should try one! Here are pictures of the 2 that I have made. It's a very simple design - double crochets for the main body of the cosies, then a couple of rows decreasing at one end end to make a tab for the loop closure. The fluffy one is particularly fun! Available in my Etsy shop.

Handmade crochet gold teddy bear

A seriously cute little chappie! I am really pleased with this teddy - when I saw the gold biscuity coloured yarn I thought it would make a perfect teddy bear. It's a traditional colour and being an acrylic / wool mix, it is lovely and soft. I enjoy making toys - all the counting in rounds is a bit tricky sometimes but I always have a pen and paper to hand to mark off the rounds as I go. Teddys features are all made from felt or embroidery, sewn securely in place so are safe for children of all ages. For me, the stuffing of toys is always the most difficult - when is 'enough'? I wanted a soft 'huggable finish so didn't stuff too firmly. Available in my Etsy shop now!

Crochet Christmas Tree tea cosy

If you're a regular reader of my blog, you'll know that I often have a number of projects 'almost finished' but awaiting sewing up. I don't have that many at present, but am determined to get everything sewn up that is knitted / crocheted before embarking on a new project (famous last words!).
I recently came across a pretty cushion cover in a ripple stitch design and wanted to give it a go. After a bit of trial and error with the stitches, this is the end result! By working into the back stitches only, I created a ridge effect. Once sewn up, I crocheted along random ridges with a fluffy white yarn to give the effect of snow. The large star on the top is a bit of fun, but all in all I am very pleased with my latest tea cosy. Available in my Etsy shop.