IceCream! (Pattern)

I think these pregnancy cravings are very largely the power of suggestion. I am not an ice cream fan under normal circumstances, but I have been making ice cream cone rattles for Saturday Market, and I have been craving ice cream like there is no tomorrow...

Here is the culprit!

Pattern is improvised, and very popular!

Edit: 3-21-12

So popular, in fact, that I have written up the pattern.

This piece is made in 2 parts which are then single crocheted together. It is created using amigurumi basics, and is crochet in a spiral, so don't connect your rows.

Any yarn will do, just use 1 hooks size down from recommended for a tight material that won't leak the stuffing.

Cone: (bottom up)
Row 1
Option 1: 6sc into magic loop (link goes to "crochet me" tutorial) (6)
Option 2: ch2, 6sc into 2nd chain from hook (you will need to sew this gap closed in the end.) (6)

Row 2: sc in each of the next 6 sc (note: place marker in last st of this row)(6)

Row 3: 2 sc in each sc to marker, move marker (12)

Row 4-5: sc in each stitch to marker, move marker (12)

Row 6: *2sc in next sc, 1 sc in next* to marker, move marker (18)

Row 7-8: Sc in each sc to marker, move marker (18)

Row 9: *2sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of the next 2 sc* to marker, move marker (24)

Row 10-11: sc in each stitch to marker, move marker (24)

Repeat this process of increasing every 3rd row until you have 36 sc around, complete 2 more rounds of sc in every sc to marker, sl st in next, pull through, cut tail at approx. 3 inches.

Scoop:
Complete rows 1,3, 6, 9, etc until you reach 36 sc around. sc in each sc for 5-6 rounds (until it look the right size of scoop for you)

Note: if you want sprinkles or swirls, this is the time to do it.

Have stuffing and rattle insert (jingle bell) ready to go.

Finishing:
Insert hook through next stitch in scoop, AND through any stitch in cone, sc these together, repeat around, try to pick up and tuck in the strands from cone tail. when you are approx half way around, fill with stuffing and bell, then finish sc'ing around.

Embellish with scallops or picots to show dripping, or leave plain to look clean. tie off and weave in end.

Enjoy!

Less fattening than actual icecream!





 

Tophatter

Over the last few weeks, I have been exploring every possible avenue to make a little extra cash. I took the remainder of term off, and will be starting fresh in the spring (April 2) and decided to take this extended spring break and get my business moving a bit more product... Well, good on me. I have gotten several custom orders, which is fine, except that I can't make enough orders to keep up...

So to sell some of my other crafty skills, a couple of crafty friends suggested Tophatter, an auction site that is similar to etsy and ebay, but faster than both. The only major problem is that Tophatter is only about 3 months old, and is still having some issues. Such as there being too many sellers, not enough buyers, or most of the buyers being sellers of another product.

One would think that being a maker of crafty goods, one would understand the time that goes into the work, but many seem to think that if their craft is fast, all crafts are fast... not so much!

It is still a great little program. You go on as a seller, list an item, schedule it into a category, and you are given an auction date and time in which to go talk to your buyers. You build an avatar, and you bid, as if you were out in that cold world at a real auction house. The only issue with this piece of the puzzle, is I am not 100% sure everyone understands that it's a real auction, it kinda looks like a FB game.

Once the auction is over, you use paypal to receive payment (or send it) and to print shipping, package up the goods you sold, and send them on their way.

Tophatter Pros:
*Quick(er)
*"Face-to-face" chat with customers/artists
*Faster payment (usually)
*Newer artists
*More variety (sometimes)
*Easy to use (most of the time)

Tophatter Cons:
*Still a bit glitchy (because its new)
*A lot of bickering from sellers who think they know how to run it better than the staff (try their job for a day, you'd be a lot nicer)
*Some of the features are intermitantly available on most browsers, but not all (speak with staff only sometimes shows up with Google Chrome)
*A few people still think it's a game, and you never get paid
*Shipping costs are OUTRAGEOUS
*Many international customers (read: Canadian) are discouraged from buying because of shipping
*Products are often not well represented because sellers are not present for auction, so you can not ask ????'s

All in all, great site. Needs some improvements

Also, check out my seller page, I have a ton of stuff ready to put into auctions!

 

On Car Wrecks and Super Van!

Yesterday, I was in a car wreck. And for the 2nd time since I bought her, our 2000 Chrysler Grand Voyager saved my life. While they were small, seemingly insignificant wrecks, if they had happened in my previous Buick Regal, Dodge Neon, Honda Accord or Ford Escort, the damage, and injuries would have been much worse!

She has gained several nick names, DeathStar being the first, because she is big, and grey, and you can see her coming. The newest names are SuperVan, and Battle Van!

When we got rear-ended, the damage to the other drivers 2005 Toyota Corola was MUCH worse. Her crumple zones did just what they were supposed to do, which is to crumple.....her grill was even with or close to her dash board. Interestingly enough, she said she had JUST paid off the car.

I think I'm about to retire our old girl, she has been good to us, but with baby on the way, we need something a bit newer, and with all the parts still intact.