Penn State Teddy Bears

It is the end of the semester so I haven't had much time to devote to my blogging. Between grading papers, prepping for upcoming presentations and summer school, and making sure all graduating students have their internships complete, I haven't had much time to be uber crafty.

With the help of my mom, Dolly-mama, we did manage to make a sweet graduating gift for this year's seniors. I found this cute pattern on Ravelry and we modified it to make them Penn State representations.  Here's the original pattern:

The pattern for this can be found on "All About Ami" located here: Graduation Teddy Bear Pattern

This is our We Are Penn State Proud Bear:

I had the PSU pins (picked up at a yard sale a few years ago for $5/100! Can't beat that price.  I think it adds a nice touch, don't you?

Here's the teddy bear army in process.  I put together 15 of them for students who are graduating this spring, summer, and fall. 

I wrapped each on in a treat bag that I got from the Dollar Tree.

I'm really pleased with the way they turned out. I will say though they took a long time to complete. Dolly-Mama crocheted them and sent them to me in pieces. I am so glad she did that! It took me at least an hour to just put each one together and add the decorations. I think I will come up with another gift for future classes!

Here's my students posing with their bears. They really appreciated the keepsake. I'm so proud of them all! They represent Penn State well.

Happy Crafting!

Craft A Week #23 Crocheted Baby Uggs

The latest edition to our family is due within the next few weeks and I am really getting into the baby mood.  It's been awhile since we've had a tiny one (the next youngest is 4 1/2). Babies bring such a sense of renewal, promise and hope to the world. I  just love, love, love them!

While I have been crafting alot lately, not much of it has been on baby things. My mom is the queen of baby blanket making (seriously, her work is an art form) so she had those covered. Since our little Marcus will be born in the spring, the immediate need for bulky sweaters is out too. So in my quest for baby adorableness, I found the following.

Aren't these just too cute?! They were such a big hit in my house that I promised my youngest daughter (who is not married, pregnant, or planning a baby in the foreseeable future) that I would make her a pair and put away for her future baby.

These remind me of the Uggs I have.  I only had these buttons on hand but I think they would look so cute with an oversize wooden button, don't you?

 I found the pattern here:  I'm Topsy Turvy. The instructions are straightforward and really simple. I used an "F" hook and mine ended up measuring 4.5" on the sole. I'm guessing they will fit a 9-12 month old baby so Marcus will just have to grow into them. I was concerned about making them too small so I went bigger. It could also have something to do with the yarn I used. My yarn was thicker than the baby yarn recommended in the pattern; it was thicker and has some wool in it.

There is also an adorable little girl pattern (with a scalloped edge). These are also so cute. I may have to make a few pairs of thesejust to keep on hand for a baby gift.

Craft a Week # 9: Scrap Afghan Pattern

Sorry I haven't blogged in awhile. Classes started this week and I've been busy. In additon to prepping for classes, I've been working on yet another scrap blanket (I know this was supposed to be Craft a Week but this is taking me longer than a week)!

I love the multicolored look. Here's my work in progress:

It is so pretty and super simple. I used this pattern:  Scrap Afghan.  But I modified the pattern. The pattern calls for doing 2 rows of half double crochet of any color, followed by one row of single crochet/treble crochet in the main color. But I don't like the idea of it being so predictible. So I make varying rows of the half double, depending on how much of the color I have. Since the main color row (in this case it is white) is raised, just make sure to do that row so it is all raised on the same side. (If you have any questions, please feel free to email or comment me).

This afghan is longer than I intended so I'm only about a quarter done. If I had to do over again, I don't think I would have made it this long. It will probably be big enough to cover the double bed in the spare room. If I make it again, I think I will only make it 3/4 of the length it called for in the foundation chain. That would be a better couch afghan.

Happy Crafting!

Craft a Week #7: Crocheted Pirate Slippers

As a follow up to yesterday's slipper entry, today's project is this adorable pair of pirate slippers. I made them for my yet unborn grandson, Marcus Robert (aka BHBB), who is not due till late March. I wanted to make him a Christmas gift and these seemed like the perfect thing.  I love how they are not the traditional baby slippers. They are kind of cool and edgy. (They remind me of Wallabees - remember them)?!

I followed this pattern: Pirate Feet.  While they are really cute, I'm not sure how practical they are. I'd like to see these in actual use.  (They seem like they would fall off easily). I would have liked them to be smaller (they are supposed to be for 9-12 months and I really wanted 6 months). I tried to make them smaller by using an F hook but they are still rather large.  I think I will play with the pattern some and see how I can alter it while still keeping the general idea.

They were really quick and easy to do though.  Happy Crafting!

Craft a Week #6: Crocheted Slippers

I was looking for a little extra gift to give my Mom for Christmas and decided I wanted to make bedroom slippers.  I trolled the net and found the following pattern that was super easy and worked up quickly. The link to the pattern is here:  Zoom Yummy Simple Crochet Slippers.  (They really are simple).

I thought they were way too plain so I added a flower that I found here: Little Flowers.

Since I'm on a mission to not buy new materials, I used yarn that I had around the house.  I used Naturally Caron Country. I love the feel of this yarn. It's nice to work with and makes a nice product. 

Cute, right?  I may be cranking these out so if you get them for a Christmas gift, act surprised!

Happy Crafting!

Teddy Bear from Recycled Sweater

I was furthering my time wasting skills today with my unexpected day off (because of flash flooding in the area). I'm looking for projects to make that use recycled materials.  Some of the projects were just dumb (newspaper sandels?! Who are they for, homeless people)?!

I did find a cute idea to make a teddy bear out of a recycled sweater. I'm thinking velour or chennille would be good. Too bad I don't sew!

Upcycled Teddy Bear