Heartfelt Creations

I call my little crafting business "Nicolette's Heartfelt Creations" for a reason. I love to make, I love to create—it brings me joy, and it quiets that chattering monkey that exists in my head. I like to think that with every single thing I put together, a little piece of my heart goes along with it.

My business is very small—just a little thing on the side that I do for me. My husband and I like to joke that we aren't "paying the rent" with my profits. In fact, they might help with the groceries a tiny bit, or more likely, contribute to the cost of more yarn and crafting supplies!

Crochet is one of my favorite ways to create, and I get such wonderful feedback from people who purchase my creations. I love when someone requests a special order and I get to come up with a custom plan. It’s just so much fun!

On the flip side, if I create a new item and don't enjoy making it, you won't see it on my sale table again. If it doesn't bring me joy, it's simply not worth making. As I like to say, my business card does not say "Nicolette's Hate-Filled Creations"!

Even if I didn't have the opportunity to set up a table each month at Barb and Ernie's Restaurant, I know I would still be making these pieces and filling my home with them. Creating for creating's sake.

What’s your favorite creative outlet or hobby that keeps your mind quiet? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below! "Have a custom project in mind, or just want to chat all things crochet? Leave a comment below or pop by my table at Barb and Ernie's here in Edmonton on the last Saturday of the month to say hi! 

Bunnies and More Bunnies!

 Spring has finally arrived here in my corner of the world, and Easter is only a few short days away. A very welcome time of year, as the winters here in Alberta are often very cold, and very long. But without those long winters, you would not see the joy that the arrival Spring seems to bestow on my part of the world.  Everyone seems to have a little more bounce in their step (which my also be in part to the fact that they are no longer wearing heavy snowboots), as they walk their dogs, and get out in the fresh air. Garden centres and home improvements stores seem to bustling with people that are planning projects for the warmer weather and the sunshine to come.

Me? I am in full BUNNY mode. I been enjoying the jackrabbits that visit our front lawn under our Faerie tree, and noting that their fur is starting to be more brown than white - a welcome sign! And, every year at this time, I pull out my yarn, and with a slight bunny-like twitch of my nose, I get started...

Nothing says Spring like knitting and crocheting bunnies! Making bunnies is one of my own spring traditions. And there are so many wonderful designs out there, I thought that I would share some with you.

This is one of the first bunnies that I made, one of Spin A Yarn Crochet's wonderful free patterns, called the Ragdoll Bunny. I added a "L" to her dress for my granddaughter...Miss "L" loves when I add a monogram to her toys!  These Ragdoll patterns are very easy to follow, and they make a wonderfully cuddy toy. I have made several of these bunnies - they make the perfect baby gift as well! Very cute, with a homespun feel. (Just as an aside, I am really glad I cut my hair....yeesh!)

Last year, I made this little knitted bunny, using a pattern I found on Ravelry. (If you haven't joined Ravelry yet, and you are a knitter or a crocheter, you definitely need to check it out!) Be warned, once you go down the Ravelry rabbit-hole (I told you it was all about bunnies) you may never come out!  This pattern is called Dutch Rabbits by Rache Borello Carroll. 

I made this one for my eldest granddaughter a few years ago. This one is the Baby Bunny from Claire Garland, also know as Dot Pebbles. Claire has so many beautiful rabbit patterns, and her designs are like no others. I will admit that this one was challenging, but it was a fun challenge, and I am still really proud of it! I must also mention that when I had a question about the pattern, Claire responded to me personally with help. I was so impressed...

As for this year, I admit things have gotten a little out of control.

These little bunny cups will be filled with treats on Easter morning. You can find a similar pattern here, at Repeat Crafter Me's blog.

I also made this cute little Baba Bunny. Isn't she cute? 

I made several of these Chubby Bunnies from A Menagerie of Stitches. They are fast, and easy, and so, so, squishy! These were a big hit at my craft sale last weekend. I kind of wish I had kept at least one for myself, but I guess I could always make some more...

I worked this little love up in an afternoon, from a free pattern from One Dog Woof. I made mine itty bitty, but as you will see on her blog, you can get a very different look with textured yarn. 

And last but not least, my personal favourite for this year, is a pattern I found on another fantastic blog, All ABout Ami. It is actually a pattern for the Chinese New Year Rabbit. The more I worked on it, the cuter it became. I think my granddaughter will love it. I can't wait to see her face when I give it to her! 

Which bunny pattern is your favourite? I would love to hear if you have created any bunnies yourself, do you have any favourite patterns?  Please share in the comments below...and feel free to friend me (sapphire252) on Ravelry!  

For the Love of Barbie

When I was a little girl, I loved my Barbie Dolls - I would play with them for hours and hours.

My dolls had a case full of clothes, which included outfits that had been knit and crocheted by my Grandma Vincent, and also clothes that had been sewn by my mother. Those were always my favourites, the clothes that were made especially for me.  

One Christmas, I received the most amazing present - a collection of wooden Barbie furniture. I was so excited! My best friend and I would alternate between her house and mine - taking over the basement rumpus rooms for days on end as we created our Barbie houses across the floors. 

My tiny german dollies

I had a few miniature german dolls that I have now discovered were Ari miniature dolls from  Germany - they promptly became my Barbie's babies.  For me, my Barbie play was about creating a home, and a family - which was what I dreamed of for myself one day.

When I grew up, my Barbies and the collection of furniture, was lovingly packed up and put away. I kept all of it, and when I left home and started my own family, it came with me, always having a home in one storage space after another.

When my daughter Amanda came along, I was delighted to discover that I had a little girl who loved Barbie like I did! And out came my box of Barbie treasures. 

I have to admit, I was hesitant at first to hand over my treasures...what if they broke? What if they were ruined? But then I realized that dolls are meant to be played with, not boxed up collecting dust. So my dolls became Amanda's dolls. How happy those Barbies must have been, to come out of their dark storage box after so many years, and be back in the hands of a lovely little girl!  The Barbie collection grew, with the addition of Amanda's new generation dolls from Christmases and birthdays.

My little girl in the nineties

Well, time has passed, and my little girl grew up. The Barbie collection was once again boxed up and placed on my shelf. 

Amanda blessed us with our first granddaughter six years ago. And I am lucky enough to have another girl with a love of Barbie in the family! I am getting to play with Barbies again! 

I am also getting to be the "crafty grandma" and getting to fill Mom and Grandma's shoes, by creating Barbie clothes for my granddaughter. Not a sewer by any means (my sewing machine is strictly used for sewing paper these days), I am sticking to primarily crochet for my contributions. 

A couch I made

I have combed the internet for crochet patterns, and have found some amazing sources. However, with different yarns in my stash, and different hook sizes, I have found that I can only use these patterns as a "frame of reference" so that my biggest successes have been with my own "designs". I keep my Barbie model close at hand and try the garments on her as I go.  Keeping in mind that dressing Barbie in her clothes can be a challenge for younger ones, I am conscious of making the clothes easy to pull on and off, and that they have loose sleeves (if any) and sturdy, easy to use fasteners. 

Some of my creations

Most are quick projects, and I get a great sense of accomplishment, and a feeling of mastery each time I complete another addition to Barbie's wardrobe. It answers to the little girl in me, and I get to make one of my favourite people in the world happy as well!

P.S. I have made another attempt at furniture, thanks to this post on youtube:

https://youtu.be/v1vT90VNpa0 

It was fun, and I hope to make more, so stay tuned!

If you create anything for Barbie, please share in the comments below...let's inspire eachother!

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A Tale of Two Dragons

I love to knit and crochet. So when my youngest granddaughter, Evelyn, turned 3 in January, I decided that I would make her a dragon to cuddle. (Evelyn LOVES dragons!) 

I found a pattern online, grabbed my crochet hook and started to make Evelyn's dragon.  I wanted to use some soft snuggly yarn, and so I pulled some of my favourite velvety yarn from my stash.  I had enough yarn to make the head, but not more than that! I thought that I could purchase more of the same colour, but I was surprised to discover that the yarn I had used was discontinued, and not available anywhere. For some reason, this is a lesson that I never seem to learn - always make sure to have enough yarn BEFORE starting a project! 

So I ditched my first attempt, and then revisited my yarn collection. I found some lovely yarn that would do the trick. In about a week, I had completed my project, and added a few personal touches - an "E" for Evelyn and a number 3 to commemorate the occasion.  and I am happy to say that it was a huge hit with Miss Evelyn. She loved "Dixie Dragon".  

A few weeks later, Evelyn was over to visit. As she was searching for "treasures" on my bookcase, Ev pointed out a "dolly" that she wanted on the top shelf. It wasn't a doll - it was the head from my first attempt at making her dragon. She really wanted to see the thing, so in true grandmother fashion, I did not say no, I pulled the sad lump off of the shelf and I gave it to our little girl. Evelyn was quite enamored with this special toy. She hugged it, and kissed the "unembodied" head, with true affection. "It needs eyebrows, Grandma..." she told me with the authority that only a three year old could have. "It needs a body, Evelyn!" was my reply. "I love it, and it's for my home." she announced. 

Well, the head of the second dragon went home with Evelyn that day, and is part of the menagerie that sleeps in her bed at night, along with Dixie Dragon, of course! 

 

I am the QUEEN OF OVERTHINKERS, and this project, like all others involved me questioning whether I had done the pattern justice, and whether it was good enough to give as a gift to my granddaughter.  Evelyn taught me a valuable lesson:

It doesn't really  matter WHAT you make, or how well you make it - as long as it is made with love! 

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