Lala-what-sy? Oh I see...

So, our oldest daughter turned 5 yesterday!  Quite a milestone.  For her birthday, she wanted to go to "fancy pants" lunch at the Langham Hotel, which we did a few weeks ago.  Her mum had a skating party for her on Saturday as well.

What do you get a 5 year old for their birthday? Specifically when you've decided you're making it...  We asked a number of times what was the gift of choice for this birthday.  The Lalaloopsy doll came up a few times.  I had heard of these dolls through craftster before, because some clever person before me had crocheted their version and posted it up.  Another poster on ravelry shared a pattern for a Lalaloopsy style doll, so I set off from there.

I did some research and foudn that the pattern I was going to use for my doll was quite plain and didn't seem to have the same outfit or colouring as any of the "real" Lalaloopsy dolls.  After much deliberation on the Lalaloopsy website I decided I would make my doll to look like Berry Jars n Jam.

That's the original there - molded pink plastic hair, gingham dress and orange bows.  I can do that.  (well, not the molded plastic bit...)

And that's my copy.  Pink hair - check, "gingham" dress - check, orange bows - check!  She even has on white socks and knickers, how cute is that?

There was a bit of a panicy moment for me when we picked up our girl from her mum's.  She said, specifically, oh you don't have to buy me a Lalaloopsy doll anymore, Uncle Adrian got me one.  EEK!  But, turns out she loves my one, a lot.  I guess the 12 or so hours work that went into her was worth it.  Next stop, Marina Anchors??

PS - Another birthday gift post of the playroom we set up for Lily's birthday will come soon, as well as a post of the gift we made for her twin cousins.  And a post of what I made my husband for Father's Day.  Plus 3 more birthdays this month...wait, make that 4!

Birthday Bag

Our almost 2 year old loves playing with my old handbags and any money she can get her hands on.  When we were invited to a party for a friend turning 2, I had an idea for what to make.  This little crocheted bag with removable flower and Bank of Raya money fit the bill!  Now our little friend can carry around all her little treasures (but not too little, I didn't line the bag), jazz up her outfits with a brooch, and practice counting her money. 

Tea Towel Quilt

I've mentioned a special project I was making to celebrate my parents birthdays a couple of times on this blog now.  I finally finished it and it has made it's way all they way from little ol' NZ to Newfoundland where they live.  And guess what?  They LOVE it. 

I saw in a book some time ago, a really awesome batch with an amazing quilt.  The quilt was put together from vintage NZ tea towels and it was so cool.  I stored the idea away for a while wondering if I'd ever get to use it.  One day I saw a really great selection of NZ souvenir tea towels at great prices and thought about that quilt.  I was going to make one, albeit with new towels instead of vintage...

And here it is...

 Our munchkins loved this blanket and snuggled up in it pointing out all the different animals to each other.

 The back of the quilt was done in kiwiana print fabric with green/blue/red border.

The front of the blanket, 6 fun tea towels!

All in all, I had a pretty good time making this blanket.  There were a few "uh-oh" moments (like when I realised I didn't buy enough of the kiwiana fabric for the whole back and had to improvise the border) but in the end everything came together great.  And 2 packages of bias tape binding was just enough for the finishing touch!

July has passed in a blur...

Well, July has been and gone.  I've been busy crocheting for my facebook page and felt shop as well as making my youngest a granny square "quilt".  I also had 2 birthdays to cater for that fell in July and I finished the big project that is finally on it's way to my parents to celebrate their birthdays which fell in June.

On to some photos:

Granny Square Quilt - Galah-inspired colour way of grey, pink, and white bordered in black.  Another of these has just been ordered through my facebook page :)

Bella Beanie - for my niece Bella, a classic beanie with scallop trim and hand embroidered horse patch.  Modelled here by the always lovely, Lily.

Flower Brooch - hot pink and lime flower brooch worked up for a co-workers birthday.  Palm sized!

Sorry, still not posting photos of my parent's item as they haven't confirmed that it's arrived yet.  Once they've got it, I'll let you in on my little secret.

As for August, it will be busy again...orders to fill, and at least 2 birthdays off the top of my head falling in August and another 3 in early September, plus then there's Father's Day!  I will try to keep up the posting a little more regularly so I don't end up with a backlog again!

x

Quiet Time of Year

It's been a bit quiet around the blog lately.  Not many gifts need giving at the moment, and the ones that do haven't yet reached their final destinations yet so no posts about that until they do!

That's not to say I haven't been a busy aunty crafting away...

In fact, I've started a new facebook page where you can now buy the things I make.  Either from stock of things that I have already made or by special order.  For now, it's all crochet goods.  You can search on facebook for Hooked or click on my logo:

That's it for today, but stay tuned for another update soon.  My niece's birthday on 1 July, and I might post up a teaser of those gifts that haven't reached their recipients just yet....

Birthday Hat

A friend's little girl just had her first birthday.  They live all the way down in Arrowtown/Queenstown so along with a box of warm hand me downs, we sent this hat as a birthday gift. 

 I thought the 2 variegated yarns paired up nicely and gave a bit of a vintage feel, especially once I added the shell-like button. 

And this is an action shot of my daughter trying the hat on for size.  She's quite a bit bigger than the birthday girl so everything should be right-on sizing wise. 

Mother's Day

No, I didn't craft for myself for Mother's Day.  I helped my husband's daughter make some chocolates for her mum.  They were milk chocolate hearts filled with brandy soaked cherries. 

We then simply lined a purple Chinese takeaway style gift box with a napkin and placed them in.  Not sure how they tasted as we only made 12 and they all went in the box.  A very quick and easy project for sure!