I am determined to finish this afghan. I have 19 of 24 squares done. It was started for a friend’s wedding; needless to say she got something else.

Not sure why I didn’t like it. The pattern calls for a 4mm hook; the yarn calls for a 5mm hook. I split the difference and went for a 4.5. But the fabric is still too loose. I think I should have gone for a 4mm with this aran weight wool.

However, I live in Sligo, not Dublin… and um.. I don’t knit. I try to knit! I really do. I could to a “knit looking” crochet stitch maybe? That could pass, right?

Knittingneels suggests making one up in your own locality if you don’t want to go to Dublin. I just don’t know if Sligo really has that critical mass. I’d be down in Shoots all by my elf with yarn in my hand, and Niall glaring at me.

I have been looking at lists of bloggers in Ireland; like this one at Globe Blogs: Ireland… I wish you could sub-search that just for “craft blogs”. Alas. I’m amassing quite a list of craft blogs in ireland though (at my delicious links).

A writer friend of mine, more experienced with the publishing industry gave me some insight into how this all works. And this is my take on it:

Publishers are frantically trying to cash in on the independent creative energy that happens amongst bloggers. They see it as a chance to get ideas, and get people to create book for very low rates, under conditions that a professional writer or photographer would never stand for… and because they are dealing with enthusiastic amateurs, they have a seemingly endless pool of talent to use.

Anyway… I just wanted to make that statement, and not point any fingers. But let me tell you, if a “publisher” comes to you offering you to make a book, you’d better get a very good look at what they did before, and ask to talk to people who have done books with them before, and find out who the people on the team are. I would not do anything without meeting the management face to face.

I built a bridge and got over it.

I’ve still been crafting and making things… but just not blogging about it. Thought I’d like to start up again, since I got so much enjoyment out of it before.

ぼくはくま
Boku wa Kuma, Kuma (I am a bear)
Kuruma je nai (not a car!)

Honestly, I didn’t do any research about what a porcupine ACTUALLY looks like. i think i combined a hedgehog kinda face, an echidna body shape and long (but fluffy) quills.

I really miss my camera… it was stolen, but I was also stupid. My brother’s Kodak is fixed-focus, hence no closeups. Alas.

Alas. His body is made in a nice bit of alpaca I had leftover. I made the ears and the feet out of picots - which makes adding these tiny details alot easier. The quills are looped into every-other row of single crochet.

Meanwhile… my nephew was learning to crochet alongside me. I was so impressed with his patience, and his stick-to-it-tiveness. I’ve taught adults who gave up quicker. He is quite pleased with his little “bed”, which is for his city.

I am *trying* to redesign my site… I don’t know what I’m going to do with it. I thought for inspiration to check out some crafty stitching fonts- and I was surprised to find so many good ones being offered for free. I have bought fonts in the past, but since I’m just playing around, this is a good way to start.

‘Home sweet home’ - Cross-stich font at Web Font List

and ‘Stitch and B*tch’ at Acid Fonts

Korsstygn 1 by Lars Törnqvist

Embroidery Font by Kingthings- who does custom font design!

What a cute cat! and so creative and talented. The clips I watched show him working on his sewing machine, making an airplane out of a baguette and spoons for propellers, and hunting down a scary monster in the forest. You can sneek-peek behind the scenes and see the folks who made it. You tube has a clip from TV showing behind the scenes shots! It amazes me.

Komaneko’s DVD is available in July. You can watch clips - but I can’t link to them directly. On this page you can watch some clips of the Komaneko animations. Not sure on the regions and viewability. But, Amazon is selling the little Komaneko soft toys on their site.

I found some companies online who sell the peruvian finger puppets. I was surprised there are so many fair-trade companies set up. With prices like 30 USD for a set of 10 finger pupppets and an embroidered bag… it would be better to buy a set of finger puppets than make them.

I noticed unusual creatures, like bluejays, peacocks, stingrays and starfish… It’s a nice change from the common humanoid-shaped stuffed animal toys like bears and rabbits. Kids could learn a little zoology while playing.

from A Greater Gift, fair trade toys- The set of 10 with embroidered bag is 30 USD.

Also see: Fair Go Trading, fair trade finger puppets and toys and Fair World Gallery

How about a puppet theatre that transforms a doorway into a stage? how cool! See other puppet theatres at Fair Go Trading