Ready to Fly

Two robins in a nest will make a perfect gift for our grandson. They are all packed and ready to fly to Boulder tomorrow. I can hardly wait to see his cute little face when he also finds two little Lindor chocolate hearts snuggled in the nest. I have enjoyed making these birds. This has been a nice little project to fit in amongst all my other preparations for travel and being away for 9 days.  

I hope my husband and son can manage while I'm gone. My son will be responsible for feeding the pets so I created a feeding chart where he can check off each meal. My joker husband wrote on the top of the chart, "The pets are on a diet, do not feed."  I wonder if he thinks I fuss a bit too much? Oh well, I'm sure the pets will survive be fine.

I'm looking forward to spending time with my mom, daughter, son-in-law, grandson and new grandchild (hopefully s/he arrives while we're there). Wish me luck on my travels. 

Robins Ready to Fly

Lindor Hearts - 'Sweet Tweet'

Technical details for the crafters out there - I followed a pattern called "The Love Nest" created by blogger Yellow, Pink and Sparkly. It can be found here if you would like to give it a try. I made a few minor alterations including starting with a magic circle and working in continuous rounds instead of joining each row. I also turned the body of the birds inside out as I like the fuzzy look on the 'backside". I used dark brown Lett-Lopi wool yarn for the body and tail.  For the tummy and beak I used Bernat Satin in goldenrod and hook size 3.25.  For the eyes I used black acrylic yarn.  The nest was done using hook size 5.5 and three strands of DK yarn held together.  I used scraps of yarn both wool and acrylic in grey and brown tones. 

Be the first to comment - click on No comments: below.

Exciting News

I know I said my next post should cover the story of making a storybook for my grandson featuring Boyington Bear and all his pals but I have some really Exciting News I'd rather mention. Boyington Bear will have to wait for now.  

My daughter is due to have a baby any day now in Boulder, CO. Actually her due date is February 12th but the doctor says it could be sooner. They moved to Boulder from California less than a year ago so have no family in Boulder. Her hubby's brother will be arriving February 8th and his sister will be visiting soon after which means there will be plenty of help if the baby waits until the due date. My husband, son and I are booked to visit for March Break to see the new baby which will be wonderful BUT that's not my Exciting News.

The Exciting News is that I decided just this week that I want to visit before everybody else arrives to spend some quality one-on-one time with my grandson and stay with him in case the baby arrives early. I want my daughter to have her hubby at the hospital to support her through labour. If this baby arrives before her hubby's brother shows up then he would be at home with their 3 year old instead of at the hospital. I think labour is challenging enough without having to face it alone.

Now the really, super fantastic Exciting News is that my daughter suggested my Mom come too and was able to book her on the same flights using airmiles points. How great is that? My husband couldn't get time off work right now so I was planning to travel alone. I'm sure I could manage but it will be much more fun with my Mom. Besides I don't think we've gone on a trip together since I was a teenager which was many, many years ago. 

Also, if my daughter does have her baby while we're there, I can be at the hospital too. I think that's amazing and something I never thought possible. Even if she doesn't have the baby, we will have a great time hanging out together and playing with my grandson. I must say I'm really looking forward to our trip next week.

I did promise to show you the brown bear once I finished it.  I think it turned out super cute and is super soft and cuddly for our new grandchild. Some technical stuff for the crafters out there - for this brown bear, I used Bernat Alpaca natural blend yarn in Tundra, hook size 4.5. The pattern was posted by blogger Yellow, Pink and Sparkly and can be found here.

Brown Bear (15")

I also made a mini brown bear which is very cute and fits into small hands quite nicely.  I used the same yarn and hook size 4.5 for this bear as well.  This pattern was created by blogger By Hook, By Hand and can be found here.  She makes the most amazing dolls and clothes in both crochet and knit.  I am amazed at what she can do. 

Mini Brown Bear (7")

Well that was my Exciting News.  Now I just have a week to wait.  In the meantime, I think I need another crochet project to make time fly until my Mom and I fly.

Where to Start?

I have completed so many wonderful projects over the past 3 years, I'm not sure where to start. Should I start with my first project and move forward or my current project and go back? I considered starting this blog in 2012 but was reluctant to take time away from doing crochet to write about crochet.  I have taken photos though and kept track of the links for the patterns in case you want to try them too. 

So where will I start?  I think I will start with my current project.  

I am making an adorable crochet bear using the Buttercup Bear pattern posted by blogger Yellow, Pink and Sparkly.  In 2012, I made this bear using yellow Bernat Handicrafter Cotton yarn.  Now I am using Bernat Alpaca natural blend yarn in Tundra (dark brown) which makes quite a different looking bear.  I will post photos once I finish the new brown bear. I think it will make a nice gift for our new grandchild due any day now.

Buttercup Bear

My daughter was the one who suggested I start crocheting toys.  I was reluctant to try until I found this Paddington Bear pattern created by Yellow, Pink and Sparkly.  I thought it was adorably perfect and couldn't wait to make it.  It was so much fun, I made a few.  You can see how changing the colours and yarn give different looks.  

Boyington Bear and Paddington Bear

Paddington Bear Undressed

Boyington Bear Undressed

Boyington Bear

Paddington Bear #2

I had a bit of fun with the grey bear and called him "Boyington Bear" for my grandson who shares the same last name.  I think my next post should cover the story of making a storybook for my grandson featuring Boyington Bear and all his pals. 

Time to get back to brown bear making for our granddaughter (or grandson).  We don't know if our daughter is having a girl or a boy but I'm guessing girl. Almost everybody else is guessing boy. I wonder if I'm right? I'll be sure to post about it once 'she' is born.