Crochet Christmas Cactus

Continuing with the somewhat Dickensian idea of Christmas past, here is the ornament/fridgie I featured in my 2006 Xmas Card project. It is so much more fun to make than to write down so I had to work up the pattern from my truly sketchy 2 yr old notes, which were written in pencil, a very light pencil, with a lead that apparently fades a little over time. :-) That will teach me to use ink. ;-)

Ok so here's to a Merry Cacti Christmas:


Festive Version



Subtle(r) Version

Christmas Cacti

Cecilia A. Lira 2006 (revised 2008)

Note: crochet thread sz 10
hook sz 9 (1.75mm)
finished height 2.5”

blsc – sc around back loop of stitch


1) Ch18
right arm
2) ch17, sc7, sc dec, sc7, ch2 turn
3) blsc6, blsc dec, blsc5, 2 blsc last st, ch2 turn
4) blsc dec, blsc3, blsc dec, blsc 7, ch7, turn
body
5) sc 27, ch2 turn
6) blsc 26, 2 blsc next st, ch2 turn
7) blsc 28, ch2 turn
8) blsc 26, blsc dec last 2 st, ch2 turn
left arm
9) blsc dec, blsc 8, ch 15, turn
10) sc 9, sc dec, sc 3, sc in side of next, blsc next sc on body
11) ch2, blsc4, 2 blsc next st, blsc 9, 2 blsc next st, ch2 turn
12) blsc dec, blsc8, 2blsc next st, blsc7, blsc 14, end off


Decorate as desired.

Examples in photos are decorated with gold and silver lame metallic crochet thread, plastic metallic colored star beads, red AB silver lined round hole size 10/0 glass beads and matching metallic sewing thread used to tack down crochet thread at ends and before and after each bead.Final product glued to cardstock for stability.

"Festive" cactus features the "right" side of the pattern and "Subtle(r)" cactus features the "wrong" or reverse side.

Christmas Boot Crochet

A blast from the fairly recent past. I've only been making my own X-mas cards for three years now, but each one has featured a fridgie/applique ornament with a Texan theme. In 2007 it was a Santa Claus Cowboy Boot. I already kinda posted it at Ravelry but I've revised the instructions and added a chart and will link it properly this time.





Santa Cowboy Boot Appliqué - revised

Cecilia A. Lira 2007 (revised 2008)

Note: crochet thread sz 10,
gold lamé crochet thread
hook sz 9 (1.75mm)
finished height 2”


Heel/Sole – Black
1) ch7,ch2 turn
2) sc6, ch2 turn
3) sc6, ch11, end off

Boot Body – Red
Attach at last ch of black
4) ch2, sc3, hdc2, hdc dec , dc3, 2dc in next st, dc6, ch3 turn
5) dc8, hdc2, hdc dec, sc4, sl st, ch1 turn
6) sl st in sc, sc3, sc dec, hdc, hdc & dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, dc7, ch3 turn
7) – 9) dc9, ch3 turn
10) dc9, end off

Cuff – White
Attach last ch3 of red
11) ch3, 2 dc in same st, dc8, 3dc in last st, ch3 turn
12) dc3, hdc, sc, sl st2, sc, hdc, dc3, ch3, sl st to next st, end off

Strap - Black
Attach at end of R6, ch11, sl st to start of R6, slst11, end off

Buckle – Gold
Attach in 4th dc R5, sl st 2, (turn 90 degrees, sl st3) 3 times, end off

Cats All Over the Place.

Now who would have imagined that the aromas of Thanskgiving would drive my cats that extra level of bonkers that makes them so darned endearing? :-]

These last two cat appliques are my favorites. They are in my usual, more confusing style - hard to figure out just what I mean by the written directions. Hope the charts help out! :-)



Stretching Cat Appliqué
C. A. Lira 2008

Note: crochet thread sz 10
hk size 9 (1.75mm)
finished height ~2”

ch21
Hind Leg
hdc, sc, sc & 2 hdc in next st, sc, hdc

Tail
ch12, scdec, sc4, scdec, sc2, hdc & dc in next st, dc in side of hdc, dc in same st as hdc

Rump
trc, trcdec

Chest
trc2, dc, dcdec

Head
Ear
ch5, slst, hdc, dc

Nose
ch3, sc, hdc, slst side of dc

Mouth
ch2, slst, sc in ch under ear

Neck
sc in side of dcdec of chest

Shoulder
hdc in same ch as dcdec of chest, sc

Front Paw
slst5, hdc, slst in same ch, end off






Cat Loaf Appliqué
C. A. Lira 2008

Note: crochet thread sz 10
hk size 9 (1.75mm)
finished length 1 ¼”

ch11
Rump
sc, hdc2, dc4, hdc

Head
Ear
ch5, slst, hdc

Face
ch1, trc in ch under ear, ch1, slst in side of trc, hdc next ch

Front Paws – top
sc side of hdc, slst2, ch1

Front Paws – bottom
sc3 in lps remaining from base ch

Tummy – under
slst3

Rear Paws – under
ch1, sc, hdc3, sc

Tail
ch5, slst to body at st 3rd from end, slst 2 at angle on body,
slst back in 6 slsts slst2 next ch, slst, slst to body, end off.

Cats Galore

Now for the second installment of the Cat Pack - another sitting cat but this time in a more judgmental pose.

Now a much easier to understand free pdf download at my Ravelry pattern store.

Cat Attack Appliqué
C. A. Lira 2008

Note: crochet thread sz 10
hk size 9 (1.75mm)
finished height 1 ½”

Sitting Cat
1) ch3, slst, sc, ch2, ch3, slst, sc, ch2 turn
2) sc same, sc2, 2sc, ch2 turn
3) sc5, ch2 turn
4) scdec, sc2, scdec, ch2 turn
5) (scdec) twice, ch2 turn
6) sc same, sc, 2sc, ch2 turn
7) 2sc same, sc3, ch2turn
8) sc4, 2sc, ch2 turn
9) sc same, sc6, ch2 turn
10) sc6, 2sc, ch2 turn
11) sc same, sc8, ch2 turn
12) sc9
13) ch14, sc, (2sc) three times, sc6, (2sc) twice, sc7, ch2 turn
14) sc same, ch2 turn
15) 2sc, slst to body, sc3, ch2 turn
16) sc same, ch2 turn
17) 2sc, slst to body, end off

Cats Aplenty - Oh No! Pattern Wrong!

Please see revised instructions!

In a magnificent display of decreasing mental capacity, I had to be reminded that cat behavior extends past the noisy, hissy, back-arching, Halloween-flavored carrying on.

Thanks to a suggestion posed by the lovely Lilli Tupu (she of the fully functioning cerebral cortex), I dusted off my own neurons recently and came up with some more cat silhouette appliques.

Since I'm always in need of an excuse to post more regularly, I'll dole them out in batches. Soooo....


Cat Pack Attack - volume 1 - The Window Kitties





Window Cats Appliqués
C. A. Lira 2008


Note: crochet thread sz 10
hk size 9 (1.75mm)
finished height 1 3/8”, 1 ½”, 1 ½”, respectively

Please see revised instructions!

Wider Window Cat (worked as per instructions – flipped in photo)
1) ch3, slst, hdc, ch2, ch3, slst, hcc, ch2 turn
2) sc same, sc2, 2sc, ch2 turn
3) sc5, ch2 turn
4) scdec, sc2, scdec, ch2 turn
5) sk1, (scdec) twice, ch2 turn
6) sc2, 2sc, ch2 turn
7) sc same, sc2, 2sc, ch2 turn
8) sc same, sc4, 2sc, ch2 turn
9) sc same, sc6, 2sc, ch2 turn
10) sc8, ch2 turn
11) sc8, ch2 turn
12) scdec, sc5, scdec, ch2 turn
13) sk1, scdec, sc3, scdec
14) ch12, hdc, sc, 2sc, sc7, sk1st & 2 R, slst to body, end off


Rounded Window Cat
1) ch3, slst, hdc, ch2, ch3, slst, hdc, ch2 turn
2) sc same, sc2, 2sc, ch2 turn
3) sc5, ch2 turn
4) scdec, sc2, scdec, ch2 turn
5) sk1, (scdec) twice, ch2 turn
6) sc2, 2sc, ch2 turn
7) sc same, sc2, 2sc, ch2 turn
8) sc same, sc4, 2sc, ch2 turn
9) sc same, sc6, 2sc, ch2 turn
10) sc8, ch2 turn
11) scdec, sc5, scdec, ch2 turn
12) sk1, scdec, sc3, scdec, ch2 turn
13) sk1, scdec, sc, scdec
14) ch12, hdc, sc, 2sc, sc7, sk1st & 2 R, slst to body, end off


Window Kitten
1) ch3, slst, sc, ch2, ch3, slst, sc, ch2 turn
2) sc same, sc2, 2sc, ch2 turn
3) sc5, ch2 turn
4) scdec, sc2, scdec, ch2 turn
5) sk1, (scdec) twice, ch2 turn
6) sc2, 2sc, ch2 turn
7) sc same, sc2, 2sc, ch2 turn
8) sc6, 2sc, ch2 turn
9) sc6
10) ch12, sc, (2sc in next st) three times, sc7, sk1st & 2 R, slst to body, end off

Here be dragons.

Okay - so it's only one dragon ... and it's only in silhouette ... and it's only a crocheted applique version. But it was requested by a friend, so it comes with love. :-)

For Fluxx

3/14/11 NOTE: PDF version with instructions written out in words available for free at Ravelry:

download now

Dragon Appliqué
C. A. Lira 2008

Note: crochet thread sz 10
hk size 9 (1.75mm)
finished height 2”
Head
1) ch4, sc2, 2sc, ch2 turn
2) sc2, 2sc, ch2 turn
3) sc same st, sc3, slst, ch4
Snout
4) hdc in 2ndst, dc2, hdc, sc3, 2sc, ch2 turn
Neck
5) sc2, slst, ch2 turn
6) sc2, 2sc
Wing
7) ch19, slst, sc3, hdc3, dc3, sk1 st, sc12, ch2 turn
8) sc7, 3sc in same st, hdc, dc2, sk1 st, slst, ch7, slst
9) sc, hdc, dc3, sk1 st, slst, ch5, slst
10) sc, hdc, dc, dc in same st as ch5, sk3 sts, sc10, ch2 turn
11) sc same st, sc5, ch2 turn
12) sc6
Arm
13) ch5, slst2, (ch2, slst2) twice, sc, 2hdc in next st, hdc2, sc2, scdec, ch2 turn
Haunch/Leg
14) sc6
15) ch3, sc, hdc3, sc5, ch2 turn
16) sc same st, sc7, 2sc in same st, ch2 turn
17) sc same st, sc2, sl st, ch1 turn
Foot
18) slst, sc3, ch6, slst, slstdec, ch2, slst, sc same st as ch2, dc4, ch1, sl st side of dc, slst same st as dc, sk1 st, slst, sc same st as next slst, sc6, ch12, slst, sc6, 2sc in next st, sc9, slst, ch1 turn
Butt/Tail
19) slst, 2sc in next st, hdc, dc4, hdc3, sc6, slst
Tail Barb
20) ch3, slst, sc, dc into end of tail, ch1, slst into side of dc, ch3, slst, sc, slst to tail, slst
Spines
21) ch3, slst, hdc, sk3 sts (including same as ch3), slst to 4th st, slst2, {ch4, slst, hdc, dc, sk3 sts (including same as ch4), slst to 4th st, slst2}} three times
22) slst5 across front of wing in an arc, slst1 on neck
23) ch4, slst, hdc, dc, sk3 sts (including same as ch3), slst to 4th st , slst
Ear
24) ch4, slst, hdcdec, slst to same st as ch4
Spine/Horn
25) ch3, slst, sc, sk3 sts (including st of ch3), slst join to 4th st at top of brow, end off

Turkey Love

Remember grade school? Me neither. ;-) About the only thing that I do remember from the hazy days of my Jurassic youth are the arts and crafts. One of the classics is still my favorite. I wonder if today's pre-school set are still instructed in the time honored Thanksgiving tradition of the hand-outline turned Tom Turkey? Well, if not,they are being greatly disserviced.

Since I'm all about the quirky and the odd I thought I'd concoct an applique version and share it with the cyber-room:






Thanksgiving Turkey Hand Appliqué C. A. Lira 2008

Note: crochet thread sz 10, hk size 9 (1.75mm), finished height 2”

Body – brown
1) ch8, turn
2) sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc5, 2 sc in last st, ch2 turn
3) sc in same st, sc dec, sc5, 2sc next st, ch2 turn
4) sc in same st, sc8, 2sc next st, ch2 turn
5) sc in same st, sc11, ch2 turn
6) sc8, sl st next ch, ch2 turn
7) sc8, ch2 turn
8) sc3, 2sc in next st, sc4, end off

Feathers/Fingers

Yellow
pinky
insert in1st st at right end of body R8
9) ch2, sc2, ch2 turn
10) sc2, end off
ring
insert in 3rd st from right of body R8
9) ch2, sc2, ch2 turn
10) sc2, end off
middle
insert in 5th st from right of body R8
9) ch2, sc2, ch2 turn
10) sc2, ch2 turn
11) sc2, end off
index
insert in 3rd st from left of body R8
9) ch2, sc2, ch2 turn
10)sc2, end off

Orange
pinky
insert in 1st sc of yellow R10
11) ch2, sc dec, end off
ring
insert in 1st sc of yellow R10
11) ch2, sc2, ch2 turn
12) sc2, end off
middle
insert in right most st of yellow R11
12) ch2, sc2, ch2 turn
13) sc2, end off
index
insert in right most st of yellow R10,
11) ch2, sc2, ch2 turn
12) sc2, end off

Red
pinky
insert in right most st of orange R11
12) ch2, sc dec, end off
ring
insert in right most st of orange R12
13) ch2, sc2, ch2 turn
14) sc dec, ch2 turn
15) sc dec, end off
middle
insert in 1st sc of orange R13
14) ch2, sc2, ch2 turn
15) sc2, ch2 turn
16) sc dec, ch2 turn
17) sc dec, end off
index
insert in right most st of orange R12
13) ch2, sc2, ch2 turn
14) sc2, ch2 turn
15) sc dec, ch2 turn
16) sc dec, end off

Thumb - brown
insert into inside st of remaining brown (next to index finger)
1) ch2, sc2, 2sc in next, ch2 turn
2) sc2 , sc dec, ch2 turn
3) sc4 , ch2 turn
4) sc4, ch2 turn
5) sc dec, sc2, ch2
6) sc dec, sl st, end off

Beak – orange
insert into side of thumb at R5
ch3, dc dec, sl st to side of st at R4 of thumb
end off

Waddle – red
insert into side of thumb under beak at R3
ch4, hdc in 2nd ch from hook, sl st next ch, sl st to same st as ch3, end off

Hat – black
ch3, sc3 across top of thumb (R6), ch3 turn
sl st 2, hdc3, slst3, end off
with yellow and yarn needle, stitch square into hat above brim (see photo)

Feet – orange
left
insert in 2nd sc of body R3
ch5, sl st2,
ch3, sl st2,
ch3, sl st3,
sl st next 2 free ch of ch5,
sl st in same st as ch5, end off

right
sk 2 st on body, insert
repeat pattern of other foot

Election Antics and Appliques

Note: Updated patterns now available for free at Ravelry:

Eagle Applique

Elephant Applique

Donkey Applique



Election Day tomorrow here in the US. It's a biggie. Historic, popular and oh so partisan.

Red states, blue states, right wing, left wing, does that make the "middle-of-the-bird people" purple? Apologies Pat Paulsen.

Apparently it does!

As one of the borderline apathetic that actually bothers to vote regularly - and often ;-) I became curious enough to peruse the pre-election e-info out there and for the first time saw that there are indeed such things as "purple states". Inspiration struck hard and dragged me 50 feet.

In honor of the highest voter turn-out in decades and the discovery of an official color for indecision, I present a few election-inspired appliques (complete with chart):

Enjoy!

Note: Updated pattern for Eagle applique is available for free at Ravelry.






Eagle Applique C. A. Lira 2008

See Revised Pattern

Note: crochet thread sz 10, hk size 9 (1.75mm), finished width 2.5”

1) ch10
2) ch5, sl st, sc & hdc next st, sc
3) ch15, sl st 5, sc 20, sl st
4) ch6, sl st 7
5) ch5, sl st 5
6) sc 18, sl st
7) ch 5, sl st 6
8) ch 5, sl st 6
9) sc 4, hdc, dc, hdc, sc 8, sl st
10) ch 5, sl st 5
11) ch4, sl st 5
12) sc 6
13) sl st, (ch3, sl st2, sl st next st) 3 times
14) sc 4
15) ch4, sl st5
end off


Note: Updated pattern for Donkey Applique free at Ravelry.

Democratic Donkey Applique C. A. Lira 2008

See Revised Pattern

Note: crochet thread sz 10, hk size 9 (1.75mm), finished height 1.25”

1) ch 6
Back
2) ch3, dc in same ch, hdc, sc2, hdc, 2dc next st, slst into side of last dc, slst in beginning ch
Ears
3) ch4, dc (hub dc) in 3rd ch from hook, ch3, slst, sc, slst into top of hub dc , dc in same ch as hub dc, ch3, slst, sc, dc in same ch as hub dc
Nose
4) ch4, dc, hdc, dc, slst to bottom of last dc in hub
Neck/Chest
5) dc into free ch (remaining from nose ch4), hdc into side of dc (last dc of step), 2sc in next st (beginning chain)
Front Legs
6) ch6, sc, slst, ch2, sc & slst in next ch, hdc next ch of ch6, hdc2, slst to body in same st as ch6
Belly
7) ch1, hdc4
Back Legs
8) ch6, sc & slst in next ch, slst, sc, hdc2, slst to body,
9) ch1, slst2, ch5, sc & slst in next ch of ch5, slst, sc4, slst to body
Tail
10) ch6, slst 2, 2 slst next ch, slst2, sl st to body
Rump
11) sc in next st on body, 2sc next st
Back & Back of Neck
12) slst 5 along back, (2slst in next st) twice, slst, slst under ear
end off


Note: Updated pattern for Elephant Applique free at Ravelry.





Republican Elephant Applique C. A. Lira 2008

See Revised Pattern

Note: crochet thread sz 10, hk size 9 (1.75mm), finished height 0.75”

1) ch6, ch1, sc in same ch, sc4, 2sc in next ch, ch2 turn
2) sc same st as turning chain, sc6, 2sc next st, ch2 turn
3) sc same st as turning chain, sc8, 2sc next st, ch2 turn
4) sc11, ch2 turn
5) sc11, ch2 turn
6) sc3, ch2 turn
7) sc3, ch2 turn
8) sc3
9) ch1, sl st into side of same sc, sl st 5
10) sc3, ch2 turn
11) sc3, ch2 turn
12) sc3
13) ch1, sl st into side of same sc, sl st 2
14) ch6
15) sc, sc dec next 2 sts, sc2
16) hdc into side of next st, sc, sl st to beginning ch
end off

Halloween charts

I've always wanted to produce charts to go with my patterns because I find they help me understand instructions better. So here are the charts for the Halloween themed fridgies I posted last time. Oh and please note I lost a few stitches while typing up the witch pattern. I've corrected that. sorry.


To see full size click on image and then on "all sizes".

Halloween Fridgies/Appliques

Love love love Halloween. The candy, the costumes, the mystery, the Great Pumpkin - my own Heaven on Earth!

Here are a couple of crochet projects to celebrate the season. Enjoy! :

"Scaredy Cat"

Halloween Cat Silhouette Fridgie/Applique C. A. Lira 2008

Note: crochet thread sz 10, hk size 9 (1.75mm), finished height 1.75”

ch 26
Rear Leg
sl st, sc, sl st, sc 6, hdc, dc
Tail
ch 14, sl st, (2 sl st next ch) 3 times, (sk1 ch, sl st in next ch) 4 times, sk1 ch, sl st into top of dc
Back
dc in same ch as last dc, 2 trc in next ch, 2 dtr in next ch, trc & dc in next ch, dc & sc in next ch
Head
ch5, sl st to 1st ch from hook, sc in next ch,
2 dc into same (hub) sc as ch5,
ch2, sl st to 1st ch from hook, sc into side of dc,
dc in hub sc,
ch2, sl st in hub sc,
sc into side of hub sc, sc into same st as hub sc
Front Leg
sc in next ch, sc 6, sl st, sc, sl st, end off

"Witch Silhouette"

Witch Fridgie/Applique C. A. Lira 2008

Note: crochet thread sz 10, hook sz 9 (1.75mm), finished height 3”

Hat
1) ch3, dc in beginning ch, ch3, turn
2) dc in same ch as ch3, 2dc in next st, dc, ch3 turn
3) dc 3, ch3 turn
4) dc 5, do not turn
Brim
5) ch4
6) sl st in next 3 chs, turn, sl st in next 6 sts, do not turn
7) ch4
8) sl st in next 3 chs, turn, sl st to sc, do not turn
9) sc 4
Nose
10) ch4
11) sl st, sc dec next 2 chs, turn, sc 3, slst, do not turn
Hair
12) ch8, sl st, ch1 turn
13) sc 9
Chin
14) ch2, turn, 2 sc next st, sc in next 8 sts, do not turn
Hair
15) ch5, sl st, sc 4, (2sc next st) twice, 3sc next st, sc 2, ch1 turn
Neck
16) sc 3, do not turn
Cape
17) ch15, trc in 4th ch from hook, trc 2, dc 3, hdc 2, sc 2, sl st 2, turn
Back
18) sc 3, 2sc in next st, ch2 turn
19) sc 5, ch2 turn
20) sc 5 , 2sc in next st, do not turn
Arm
21) ch8, turn, sc 14, 2sc in next st, do not turn
Boob
22) ch2, sc 9, ch1 turn
Boob/Butt
23)sc dec next 2 sts, sc 5, 2sc in next st, ch1 turn
Broomstick
24) sc 7, ch7, sl st 2 joining to arm at last 2 sts, ch7, do not turn
25) sl st 6, turn, sl st 9, sc 7, ch 14, do not turn
Bristles
26) ch3, trc 3, hdc, sc, sl st 3, sc 5, turn, sc 7 to end of row, ch1 turn
Skirt
27) sc dec, sc 8, sl st, ch1 turn
28) sc 8, sl st, ch1 turn
29) sc 7, sl st, ch1 turn
30) sc 6, sl st, ch1 turn
Feet
31) sc, ch3 do not turn, 2 sl st, dc in sc, sl st into side of dc, sl st in sc, sl st next 2 sts, do not turn
32) sc, ch3 do not turn, 2 sl st, dc in sc, sl st into side of dc, sl st in sc, end off

Odd days.

A week later and Hurricane Ike's presence still lingers. We personally fared well -no damage and adequate supplies. We were fortunate and grateful - many of our neighbors were not so lucky.

Thoughts and prayers with them all.

C

Mother Nature is in a mood.

This is a picture of how the weekend is shaping up for us in Houston (and the entire Gulf of Mexico coastal population).

Fun times.

Seriously, the storm is still about 5 hours from landfall and already the wind is beginning to rage (not quite howls yet - but close).

We're as prepped as we're going to get and now we are just sitting here waiting for the power to go out.

It's a good thing I can crochet by the warm flourescent glare of my beloved Coleman lantern.

Here's hoping for a safe siege with no body count.

Safe passage, everybody.

C

Dragons and the stubborn hooker.

"Forest Tea"

I'm involved with a weekly challenge called Textile Tuesday and the theme was dragon. I don't usually make dragons. I gravitate toward cats



obviously. :-)


I've made a dragon before out of curiosity (to see if I could)




and a lovely couple for a cyber-friend that is a dragophile. (hmm, probably not a real word that).




Both projects were 3D and for some reason I had that dimensionality locked into my brain. Sooo when this particular challenge was presented at TT, I decided on a type I hadn't done yet and started on the tail of a winged European style dragon.

I work in thread - size 10 crochet cotton almost exclusively. Which in itself is odd - I love to experiment, try new things but not in my art - I stick to the one medium - thread crochet. I enjoy it and like the idea of subverting the domestic context to my casual whim. Bwa ha ha. Oops. TMI there.

Doing 3D in crochet results in some fun objects, but is a pain in the gluteal adjacent orifice in that I use single stitch for the sculpting and it takes forever to make anything. I slip in some longer (ie faster working) stitches as well but sc gives me a tighter matrix, better control over subtle changes and a stable end product that practically stands on its own when stuffed without always needing a wire armature.

... and I have to be in the mood to put forth all the effort required in making a 3D object. Fickle muses + somewhat lazy artist = moodiness. ;-) Especially since I wanted the dragon to be elegantly sipping tea - was thinking an English European- style dragon.

Do you know how long it took me to realize I could just go ahead and make a flat dragon scene? Much too long. Sometimes the brain just goes away on vacation and doesn't bother to leave me a note. So I ripped the tail (moody yet frugal) and started on senor dragon in my flat pseudo-applique/ stacked images style of crochet "drawing" (for lack of a professional term) and am quite happy with the scene.

The kicker? I've been doing a lot of scene work lately and am really drawn to it right now. Aw. Man! I did not just type that. Honestly, that particular pun was unintentional (but I am leaving it in). :-D

So sometimes I lock an idea into my head and refuse to waver in my determination to do it that one and only way until I get the cosmic slap acorss the back of the head to try a different approach and just monkey with the entire concept.

And I wonder why things take me so long to accomplish.

sigh

;-)

Always
C

Day 2 - 8 months later

As I was saying... ;-)

The time does get away from me. I like to tell myself I took so long to get back to this because I wanted to finish crocheting the title banner first. And of course, I only just did that last week.

Like most things I photograph, the actual thing looks better. My "skill" with a camera is laughable and I apparently live in some sort of light-obliterating cave. Alas. :-)

I had toyed with an even more photo-shopped version:



but I really wanted to add the yarn ball/pillow - and, you guessed it, I suck at photoshop.

It may be difficult to tell, but I am serious about my work. I'm just not serious about my life and have consequently developed an attention span that can barely be measu...

oooo. pretty.

Oh! Where was I?

Sorry. Old, bad joke. But it still makes me laugh.

So I guess I'll start posting some (crappy) photos of my (fabulous) art and then blather on a bit trying to figure out such esoteric ideas as motivation, inspiration, voice - all the things I didn't learn at art school (which I didn't go to at all) and which were considered questionable practices at grad school (which trained me in the biological sciences but I opted instead for a life in art and craft obscurity).

Ooo. Now where to begin? Well that's a dilemma to sleep on.

Always,
the Cecinatrix

Day 1 - Ta Da!

WooHoo

Now I'm in the modern age - okay a decade or two late, but then, hell, most days I still think it's 1986.