Sure these got posted a few days (or maybe longer) ago but I think they deserve a few lines anyways. After lots of trial and error and the Cupcake Beret is finally here! But to avoid any confusions I'm just calling it the Cupcake Hat and sharing the different tasty ways it can be worn, which of course include the Beret! And now for Pictures!!
A few Custom Creeps!
One of my favorite things about crocheting and TransparentCarrots are the custom requests. TransparentCarrots originally started and took off within my friendship community because of the Zombies I made and it's absolutely charming how popular these little creepers have become. This little entry will focus on two orders that recently went out.
My friend Melissa that I met back in High School in the Creative Writing Club thought it would be a neat idea to give her boyfriend zombie dolls modeled after themselves for his birthday. This project added more mixed media materials than I've used before in my crochet work to make the special customizations she asked for. Silver seed beads were used to make their facial piercings and Melissa's glasses and shades were hand build by me using polymer clay. It was the first time I ever made glasses and they came out perfectly. So perfectly that Melissa originally asked me where I found them! Here's a little before and after the zombification process!
My friend Melissa that I met back in High School in the Creative Writing Club thought it would be a neat idea to give her boyfriend zombie dolls modeled after themselves for his birthday. This project added more mixed media materials than I've used before in my crochet work to make the special customizations she asked for. Silver seed beads were used to make their facial piercings and Melissa's glasses and shades were hand build by me using polymer clay. It was the first time I ever made glasses and they came out perfectly. So perfectly that Melissa originally asked me where I found them! Here's a little before and after the zombification process!
I'm thinking she loved how they came out because now these little guys are her Facebook profile image!
The other order that went out last week was of an awesome Devil Skater Boy that my friend Ashley requested for her brother's birthday. Since making the Devil Surfer Boy I've been waiting to make another devil boy and that skater was the perfect opportunity. Now I just need to make some shorter ones like the little zombie girls!
I used a combination of wooden beads and dowels to make the wheels and their mountings for the skateboard. Inside the skateboard there's a skateboard shaped piece of cardboard that I had the challenge of crocheting around to make the board. Making the Devil Surfer Boy taught me lots of neat tricks so ultimately making this new guy was a breeze. His sneakers were also super easy as I modeled them after the kicks I gave my original Zombie Cheerleader.
Well that's gotta be it bunnies! xoxox
Sweets 4 You + CotesDeMeres!
Yesterday I attended a friend's all girls garden party and had the opportunity to bring some fun items to promote TransparentCarrots and dress up our hair with sweets and bows.
In loo of the event I made four new items to debut which were adored and are now available on Etsy!
Chocolate Cookie with Mocha Icing and Purple, Glittery Sprinkles Hair Clip
Bright Blue Lollipop Amigurumi Hair Clip
Mint Chocolate Chip Sundae Amigurumi Hair Clip
Oreo Style Cookie Hair Clip
xoxox Bunnies!
Bright Blue Lollipop Amigurumi Hair Clip
Mint Chocolate Chip Sundae Amigurumi Hair Clip
Oreo Style Cookie Hair Clip
At the event I sold four items, two of which I grabbed off the coffee table very last minute and am so glad I did because they were the first to go! So now the Carrot Key Chain, Strawberry Key Chain, Claret Puffy Flower Hair Clip, and Kiwi Hair Clip are all in their new homes!!!
Overall it was a cute event and talk started up about two future Custom Requests so that's super exciting. I also got a Custom Request on Etsy this morning from someone I play DroidWords with so that's the coolest happening ever. It's actually for something I've been hoping someone would ask me to make and it's just extra special that she's the one who asked for it. Let's keep those details a surprise for now!!
In chatting during those super cutthroat word games I've learned she's a very talented dressmaker and our conversation inspired her to start up her very own Etsy called CotesDesMeres. She has little girls' dresses available sized 2T-8T and is very open to custom orders if anyone has a little one in their life they'd like to treat to a very special handmade dress!
That's it for now I've got to get back to my Custom Orders!!!!
That's it for now I've got to get back to my Custom Orders!!!!
xoxox Bunnies!
All about Sally!
After much hard work and wondering what I got myself into Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas is finally complete! Actually, she was picked up Saturday night... but she was one seriously epic accomplishment.
At a final length of around 2 1/2 feet long she is the most complicated toy/doll I've made so far. Originally she was intended to be a bit smaller but not much smaller than her eventual size. When making a toy, or receiving a custom request for toy, I like to start with the smallest feature in the item's design to establish the minimum scale needed since I can always go bigger. In the case of Sally I started with the eyes and to give her that great "big eyed" look. In making her eyes super crisp she required the additional size which resulted in her toddler scale.
From the head, and facial features, I proceeded to the neck and torso. Her arms I kept nice and simple and added those great stitches details before stuffing them and connecting them to her body. I started her legs from the pointed toes of her boots, adding the stiletto heels before making the stocking socks, and again added stitches details before stuffing and connecting to her body. In a confusing and ultimately challenging decision I convinced myself that making the dress around Sally would be easier than making a pattern and crocheting the swatches together. So I wrestled the nearly naked doll around for the better part of a month or so working her dress together. I write "nearly naked" because knowing she'd be without apparel for awhile I crocheted a bandeau style bra to her upper torso and gave her black bloomers. (It was creepy enough having a bald Sally laying around in bits and pieces so I figured the least I could do was prevent her from being naked.) Between crocheting irregular sections of dress patchwork together I went back into the dress with black yarn adding those boarding stitches and other detail designs. Sally's hair pulling and haircut were the final stage of her laborious creation. In total I guesstimate spending over 50 hours crocheting Sally and another 7 hours working on her hair.
Sally was made only with Caron One Pound yarn, 2 black beads, and a lots of Polyfil and patience! Having spent so much time with her hanging around my living room I miss that spooky girl but I know she's in a great home and very appreciated. Can't say I plan on making another one of her anytime soon, but maybe if someone asks very-very nicely I'll change my mind!
Some Things New, Some Things Sold!
I've been a rather busy bunny these days and the list of custom orders is only getting longer. It's absolutely great and inspiring with the only negative being that my personal ideas get pushed to the back burner. I try to steal time at night to work on new ideas or simpler pieces but sometimes I can't help it and need a day or so off from orders to expand my inventory. So I took the time and made some super cool Mario themed goodies which are all available on my Etsy store.
The 1-Up Mushroom I made a few months back and have been wanting to make more ever since. Just last week (or so, I don't keep track of time too well) I made the Bee Mushroom from Super Mario Galaxy and was starting a Spring Mushroom when I realized the gray I used was too dark. Luckily though the color was perfect for a Metal Mushroom so I just changed gears a little and was able to create another cool Mario item. The final Mario goody I knocked out before having to get back to my orders was this way too cool Yoshi Egg key chain. I was thinking it would be an awesome idea to make Yoshi Eggs in different colors as Christmas Tree Ornaments. So that's another project for the back burner. It's also a good late night project since it's pretty simple to put together, even if I just spend an hour making a pile of spots for future use!
This week I've had to make two trips to the post office because I had two new purchases on Etsy! The first purchase was a Carrot Hair Clip that went to Arkansas and the second purchase was for my Leeloo Amigurumi Doll (that I miss so much already) which is on her way to Texas. I made the Leeloo doll almost a year and a half ago and she was the first doll I made which inspired my zombie gurls collection. I've been wanting to make another one so now that she's gone I guess it's time. I was thinking about making her more compact like a classic amigurumi doll but before I get around to that I've got to make a Devil Boy Skateboarder for my friend's brother's birthday.
I also wrote wrote a new hat pattern which I need to photograph and get posted! Since the hat is made from "V-stitches" I decided a name starting with a "V" was the way to go so I'm going to call it the "Veruca". It's another slouchy style hat that has a little bit of a moody feeling about it so that's why I went with "Veruca". Lucky though, I wrote the pattern out as I was making it so there won't be any guess work making it again. I've got a two hat order to fulfill and of course I lost one of the patterns so I'll be stitch counting later today on the model of it to figure out what I did. I know it uses a combination of a variation to the "V-stitch" but I'm not too sure what hook size I used. Currently I have seven hat patterns available, with only one of them coming from a pattern so it's always exciting to invent something new!
Living, learning, and making more stuff!
xoxox Bunnies!
Something Red, Something White, and Something Blue!
Even though I'm not one for the 4th of July festivities on account of how upset the fireworks make my puppy, I think it's a super cute idea to share some new crocheted goodies keeping those patriotic colors in mind!
I also finally listed my One-Eyed Guys on Etsy!!!
(got to love these little cuties!)
Bright Yellow One-Eyed Guy
Bright Green One-Eyed Guy
Soft Pink One-Eyed Gal
Bright Blue One-Eyed Guy
Bright Yellow One-Eyed Guy
Bright Green One-Eyed Guy
Soft Pink One-Eyed Gal
Bright Blue One-Eyed Guy
(They've even got a cute nubby tail!)
Little One-Eyed Guys are my favorite! It's true I also adore my Zombie Gurls Collection so very much, but as much as I don't like to admit it- zombies aren't for everyone. These little One-Eyed Guys are so cute and silly they've got that "mass-appeal" factor going for them. It seems no matter anyone's age or interests they always get a kick out of these little guys. I'm starting a little "Christmas in July" effort to see what people want for the holidays and want they want to give as gifts so I have a better chance at making everybody's wishes come true, and I'm hoping to get requests for these guys as well! Between their body and eye color they are perfect to give as little personalized gifts. I think it would be super sweet to make the body color someone's favorite color and then have the eye color be that person's very own eye color. Isn't that cute?! UH oh!!! Now I want a Purple One-Eyed Guy with a brown eye!!!
Before I can even get around to doing that I've got to make 2 items that are posted as available on Etsy that a friend bought last night! His girlfriend is one of my most enthusiastic customers and every time I see her she's picking up a custom order, buying finished goodies from my "coffee table shop", and placing additional custom orders. By the end of the evening she left with a flower headband, 2 flower hair clips, 2 cupcake key chains, a strawberry key chain, and a tiny turtle stuffed animal. All crocheted of course! Additionally she left behind a doggie sweater with the request that I make a skirted outfit for her Chihuahua mix puppy. I've got some ideas about how to get it started, but since I refuse to read patterns there's definitely going to be a learning curve involved. But it's a great challenge so I am super excited to get that one going!!!
Back to the yarn I go,
xoxox Bunnies!
Before I can even get around to doing that I've got to make 2 items that are posted as available on Etsy that a friend bought last night! His girlfriend is one of my most enthusiastic customers and every time I see her she's picking up a custom order, buying finished goodies from my "coffee table shop", and placing additional custom orders. By the end of the evening she left with a flower headband, 2 flower hair clips, 2 cupcake key chains, a strawberry key chain, and a tiny turtle stuffed animal. All crocheted of course! Additionally she left behind a doggie sweater with the request that I make a skirted outfit for her Chihuahua mix puppy. I've got some ideas about how to get it started, but since I refuse to read patterns there's definitely going to be a learning curve involved. But it's a great challenge so I am super excited to get that one going!!!
Back to the yarn I go,
xoxox Bunnies!
40 Items for Sale on Etsy!!!!
It's been awhile and I promised better, but things happen! Exciting news is I now have 40 Items for sale at TransparentCarrots on Etsy!
These goodies include the Super Cool Devil Surfer Boy,
the Large Soft Pink Bow Headband featured last time,
an awesome Leeloo from Fifth Element Amigurumi Doll,
and 4 Dessert Hair Clips just to name a few!
I've got three Custom Request pieces in the works, two which I've started, and five blankets that I work on from time to time, one of which is again a Custom Request. So I'm pretty busy!!
The Devil Boy Surfer is part of a new series I've created as a response to my original Zombie Gurls Series and I'm so excited to get to making more of them asap! I really want to make a baseball player Devil Boy and maybe even a skateboarding one. I'm sure once I get working on them regularly, like the Zombie Gurls which I did one a day for a while, I'll come up with more ideas than I know what to do with!
Currently top priorities are the Custom Requested toys, the Custom Requested blanket, and making some original patterns to sell on Etsy. But I know I'll get involved with other cute little things and get distracted as always- such is the life of an artist! I used to be really bent about people referring to themselves as an artist but with how much my work has lovingly consumed my life it's true that I am absolutely, and without a doubt, a Crochet and Fiber Artists! SO EXCITING!!!
There's a bunch of other goodies I can share now, but why not check out TransparentCarrots on Etsy for yourself?!
Till next time, XOXOX Bunnies!!!!!
MUWAH!
These goodies include the Super Cool Devil Surfer Boy,
the Large Soft Pink Bow Headband featured last time,
an awesome Leeloo from Fifth Element Amigurumi Doll,
and 4 Dessert Hair Clips just to name a few!
I've got three Custom Request pieces in the works, two which I've started, and five blankets that I work on from time to time, one of which is again a Custom Request. So I'm pretty busy!!
The Devil Boy Surfer is part of a new series I've created as a response to my original Zombie Gurls Series and I'm so excited to get to making more of them asap! I really want to make a baseball player Devil Boy and maybe even a skateboarding one. I'm sure once I get working on them regularly, like the Zombie Gurls which I did one a day for a while, I'll come up with more ideas than I know what to do with!
Currently top priorities are the Custom Requested toys, the Custom Requested blanket, and making some original patterns to sell on Etsy. But I know I'll get involved with other cute little things and get distracted as always- such is the life of an artist! I used to be really bent about people referring to themselves as an artist but with how much my work has lovingly consumed my life it's true that I am absolutely, and without a doubt, a Crochet and Fiber Artists! SO EXCITING!!!
There's a bunch of other goodies I can share now, but why not check out TransparentCarrots on Etsy for yourself?!
Till next time, XOXOX Bunnies!!!!!
MUWAH!
Blogging Again and a Crocheted Bow!
Isn't it so cute?! It's the very first bow I crocheted! It came out perfect and I didn't even use a pattern! 
Super thrilled with this cutie, now I'm working on a smaller one which I am writing a pattern for so if anyone is interested I'll make it available on TransparentCarrots my Etsy store. I've been thinking about making patterns available so I'll start with cute little things that can be made into hair clips, key chains, and fridge magnets. Things like bows, bon-bons, strawberries, and cookies for starters then I'll even start small toy patterns for cute creepy guys like zombies and other awesome horror favorites like Frankenstein, the Bride, and my personal favorite Gillman! (I may actually have to start with him!!!! Gillman is so awesome!)
It's true this blog has been up for a while and I have, time and time again, deleted the content and started over. Yikes! Why? The commitment just wasn't there and honestly TransparentCarrots wasn't where it is today. TransparentCarrots is the identity I've decided to associate with my crochet work. Over the last two years I've been creating a lot of custom crocheted toys for friends and with the boom in demand for handmade goodies I've been stocking my Etsy and making a catalog of products visible on my Facebook Page.
I intend to update this blog at least weekly, so do visit again!
Super thrilled with this cutie, now I'm working on a smaller one which I am writing a pattern for so if anyone is interested I'll make it available on TransparentCarrots my Etsy store. I've been thinking about making patterns available so I'll start with cute little things that can be made into hair clips, key chains, and fridge magnets. Things like bows, bon-bons, strawberries, and cookies for starters then I'll even start small toy patterns for cute creepy guys like zombies and other awesome horror favorites like Frankenstein, the Bride, and my personal favorite Gillman! (I may actually have to start with him!!!! Gillman is so awesome!)It's true this blog has been up for a while and I have, time and time again, deleted the content and started over. Yikes! Why? The commitment just wasn't there and honestly TransparentCarrots wasn't where it is today. TransparentCarrots is the identity I've decided to associate with my crochet work. Over the last two years I've been creating a lot of custom crocheted toys for friends and with the boom in demand for handmade goodies I've been stocking my Etsy and making a catalog of products visible on my Facebook Page.
I intend to update this blog at least weekly, so do visit again!
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