New designs and packaging

I can't believe it's almost July already, it feels like I was just flying out to California for the Craft & Hobby Association show in January last week! Since then, I've been getting the new packaging for all the kits ready, filling orders, and creating some new designs for the shop.

I have five new animal patterns available, which are currently available in the store.

New packaging on the left, old design on the right.

The crochet kits still contain everything you need for the project, and they are now packaged in a sleeker box that is sealed shut without the gable handle and tabs that were a bit delicate when it came to shipping.

I also updated the label to include an actual photo of the project along with the dimensions of the finished piece. I made these changes based on feedback I had received at the National Stationery Show in 2015 and hope these tweaks will make the boxes more retail friendly as I work to get my kits into more shops.

This set of new designs are animal based and include a fox, pug, hippo, whale, and koala. Right now, only the full kits are available, but in the near future, the separate patterns for each animal will be released for digital download in the shop as well.

I always have a running list of designs I'm working on and if there's something you would like to see added to the shop, let me know!

Writing a Craft Book

With Happy-Gurumi coming out in a few weeks (on March 10th!) I've been looking back on everything that went into making the book. I can't believe that it's been two years since I sent out that first proposal and started filling a bright pink binder with notes, revisions, and pattern testing. I've learned so much about what goes into publishing a craft book, both expected and unexpected, so I've decided to share some details of the work process behind Happy-Gurumi!

New Patterns and Kits!

I can't believe how fast the holidays are coming up! With a couple of craft shows on the way, I've been getting ready with a bunch of new items in the shop.



I've been toying around with different designs other than the usual animals I create, so I came up with this goofy coffee mug. I love coffee and I love yarn, seemed like a perfect fit!







Also new to the shop, a chill polar bear, penguin, and panda. And if you're looking for something to hang on the tree, the snowman ornament is back!



All the kits and patterns are available in my Etsy shop. I also have a kit combo, where you can get two crochet kits for $48. So if you're looking for fun and creative gift ideas, be sure to check out all the designs!

In other news, I'm starting up a shop newsletter, where you can receive the latest updates about new items, sales and promotions, and any upcoming craft fairs. Join the mailing list here or you can use the sign up tab on the right side of the blog.

Hope everyone's holiday planning is going well and stress free!

I Wrote A Book!

After working through a mountain of yarn, bits of felt, and stuffing, I'm proud to announce that I've completed my first crochet book! Actually, it was completed earlier this year, but it didn't feel official to me until all the editing was done, a title was picked, and the final cover finished. And I guess now it's super official because the book is available for pre-order online! Hooray!!



Happy-Gurumi is filled with a fun mix of projects, ranging from goofy animals, to smiling daisies, to a happy birthday cake. For those that have never crocheted before, there are basic crochet instructions included with lots of step by step photos. There's also more advanced patterns for those looking for a challenge!

I had so much fun creating all the patterns for the book, especially making all the puppet style mouths, and figuring out how to turn my drawings into actual projects. I have a whole drawer stuffed with various animal parts and test samples from each pattern, it's amazing that the book came out of that mess of crochet!

The release date is set for next year, March 10th, 2015. You can pre-order it now at Amazon and Barnes and Noble at a discounted price, so check it out!

Make your own jack o' lantern!

Geez, I can't believe that September is almost over! But that means Halloween is on its way, one of my favorite holidays! Every year I pick out the nicest pumpkin I can find and make plans to carve it into a super awesome jack o' lantern. Something that would really impress the trick or treaters. And every year, I end up with a rotting, uncarved pumpkin on my front doorstep by Thanksgiving.



This year, I've finally accepted that actual pumpkin carving is just not my thing, so I turned to my trusty yarn and hook and made this little crochet jack o' lantern instead! It's small, fits into the palm of my hand, and won't get all moldy and mushy. A win all around! Now you can make an everlasting pumpkin too with the new Design a jack o' lantern kit in my shop!



Like all my other kits, this one comes with everything that you need to make the project. The kit also comes with a crochet booklet that teaches all the basic stitches, so if you don't know how to crochet, this is a great stepping stone! You can choose to do either an open or closed mouth and there's an assortment of eyes along with some pink cheeks. Go with traditional triangle eyes or mix it up with round eyes and cheeks, or even do one round and one triangle eye. Celebrate the fall season with some yarn and crafting! Happy crocheting!

Turtle PhD

So one of my best friends graduated this past weekend with her PhD and unfortunately I wasn't able to make it down to Georgia to see her walk  in the ceremony. As a little graduation present I crocheted her this turtle (one of her favorite animals) complete with his very own hood, grad cap, and doctorate!

Fishkill Fine Arts and Craft Fair

I'm part of the Hudson Valley Etsy team, a group made up of artisans from around the Hudson Valley area of New York. In a few weeks we're teaming up with the Fishkill Business Association to bring you the 20th annual Fine Arts and Crafts Fair!

Crochet Easter Eggs

The weather is really starting to warm up and spring is almost here! Now I love me some play food and since Easter is right around the corner, I'm sharing this pattern for cute little crochet eggs. Done up in soft pastel yarn, these eggs make a sweet alternative to candy for an Easter basket!

Stuffed Magazine Feature

So back in August of last year I submitted some work to Stuffed, this great magazine about the art of making softies. I'm really excited to say that my little crochet animals were accepted and I'm being featured in their Winter 2013 issue! The lovely people at Stuffed did a great job creating a fun party background for my chubby dog and cat. I also got to write an article about the ideas behind my crochet, including some tips and techniques that I use.

I've been getting this magazine for a couple of years now and it's always fun to see what other artists are creating and the inspiration behind their work. Stuffed is out on newsstands, major book stores, and craft stores right now so go check it out! Or order it online here!

Cyber Monday Sale

So I've fallen off the face of the planet for quite some time, but I'm going take the blog up again and start updating regularly.  I am sorry for not keeping up.  First things first, Happy Thanksgiving! I hope your bellies are full of turkey and pie and if you are braving Black Friday sales, stay safe and shop hard!

Apples for September

It's September and I've been on an apple crocheting kick lately. 

Chubby Cats and Party Hats

It was my friend Michelle's birthday this weekend and she has a thing for felines, so I made her this little fat cat! I'm not really a cat person, but I can't resist one in a party hat! I also just like animals that are chubby.

Some New Crafts

My silly desktop has been acting a fool again, but it's finally working, so here are some new crafty things I made for the shop.

The Sew Weekly Giveaway

Sorry for the late notice, but my turtle pincushion is being featured today over at The Sew Weekly as part of a thirty day pincushion giveaway! You can enter by answering a quick question about crafting and entries will be accepted for twenty-four hours from the time of posting. Check it out and maybe you'll win a sweet pincushion along the way!

The Sew Weekly 30 Days of Pincushions