What are you knitting Eddy?

Well, the year rushes on and my original challenge of making 52 items in 52 weeks is still running. At our last count we had 29
Well I've joined some online knitting groups ,challenges and swaps so that's more excuses to make more goodies.

I'm making a quilt cover (knitted) for my daughter's bed with the help of a ravelry.com group called Welshmille's KAL (That's Knit A Long). We are all sent the same squares every week which we make in our own colours and yarns to make a unique blanket. I can't count this one as done yet as it will go on until just before Christmas. The end blanket will be 7 long squares by 7 squares wide. so far I have 12 squares - so quite a bit to go yet then.

I joined another group in which we will be swapping little amigurumis. Yes another Japanese knitting term. Knitted or crocheted stuffed creatures; usually animals but can be inanimate objects with faces too (like cupcakes or bananas) I made a sweet little dragon with wings. I made a big mistake on him and sewed up the head before adding the safety eyes. as knitters will know safety eyes have a disc at the back to keep them on so I couldn't use them! But no panic, my local yarn shop found me the most beautiful buttons to use instead. Twinkly little jewel eyes. So he counts - Hurray 30 items! I love round numbers.

I also made this sweet little Chihuahua. I thought he would be small as the pattern I used did not give a finished size. But he is 12" tall - that's almost bigger than a real one! = 31 items

For my shop I made some zodiac creatures. Cancer the crab and Leo the Lion were my first ones, I'll be adding more as the year goes on. Leo sold straight away! What fun. I will make another straight away; it wouldn't do to have a gap in my zodiac. I also must make more owl cushion pals as I have sold 3 out of the 5 I made. I do love sales though - they keep me in yarn :) = 33 items

Now for what I'm working on next; I have made this little drawing of a hyena/african wild dog/alsation. Well I haven't quite made up my mind what he will be yet. So I'm going to make a little pattern for a knitted version of him. I've written patterns before, they are available free on itunes.com You will have to tell me if the finished item looks anything like the original sketch when it is done.

I've also got two more swaps coming up for a sea creature. I don't want to do the same one twice so you will have to see how that turns out later too. ah yes better keep those needles clicking; Christmas is coming fast! yes, already over halfway through the year. What a Scary thought

Total so far = 33 items in 28 weeks - better step it up a notch; wouldn't want to get behind!

Happy Birthday Catswire

Today is the Birthday of one of my dearest online friends; Happy Birthday Catrin!

She lives in Germany with a husband and five truly crazy cats and has a really fun blog as well as superb shops called Catswire at Etsy, Artfire and Dawanda.

Catrin is so clever, she is able to crochet wire of different kinds to create the most wonderful jewelry

She also incorporates precious and semi-precious stones into many of her lovely wares.

Like this beautiful sardonyx in sterling silver with a sterling silver necklace too.

Don't worry if you prefer your jewelry a little more chunky; she can even crochet leather cord with copper wire to create amazing settings for her wonderful collection of super-pretty stones. (I do believe there is onyx in there too)

And do you know what makes it really special?

As a gift to us on her birthday, she has reduced the prices on many of her pieces by 15%.

If I were you, I'd pop over there sharpish before she changes her mind!

Knitting Challenge - Week 24

Ok so I bet you all thought I'd forgotten about this didn't you? Well here's a recap first;

In January I decided that I would knit one item for each week of the year; making 52 items in 52 weeks.

Last time I blogged about this it was 22nd April - week 16 and I'd done 23 items.
(I know, it's been a while) but I've still been working on it.


The next thing that happened was that I got sent this lovely illustration by my very good friend and very clever illustrator Trisha Rennea. she asked if I could make them a reality. She designs lots of adverts, avatars, logos, free downloads and planner sheets on her blog

I think the answer to that one is yes! so there you have five happy owl cushion pals to add to my tally. My maths is shoddy, but I make that...28


And then, just because sometimes you have GOT to be silly; I made this shark hat designed by the knitting ninja - Allison Mac Alister.

I entered it into an "item made for father's day" contest on the Artfire Cafemom Team's blog - and won! yeay, Now my Artfire rapidcart (a selection of items in my Artfire shop) will be shown on their blog for a whole week. Yippee

OK so that makes the total ...29.

Not bad for week 24.

What became of Squiffy?

Do you remember Squiffy? my new dinosaur puppet I made for sale on Artfire? and Dawanda

Well, I asked you all to vote on whether she needed ears or not. You can see from the poll opposite that you all voted overwhelmingly NO.

However, I did receive some feedback that her horns were not big enough. Well I couldn't make her nose horn any bigger; she's a little cross-eyed as it is (well so would you be with a horn on your nose) But I did upgrade her back horns. Now you can see them clearly over her eyes.

I also added detatchable arm rods so that you can use her with or without them. These rods have padded bases to make them safe for even young kids to use.


She is now up for sale on Artfire in my studio Eddy's Pressies. For those who prefer to pay in Euros, you can find her on Dawanda. But even though there is only one. Don't worry; You can email me at eddyspressies@gmail.com I will happily make one up for you in the colour of your choice. Maybe white horns? maybe green skin? It's up to you.

Oh dear, oh dear,

I haven't blogged in a long time. Oh naughty me.
Well, to make it up to you I have some great shopping news

You can go to either zazzle.com or zazzle.co.uk
(They are both running the same promotion - now that's unusual)

order anything - any price - any destination - and get free shipping

All you have to do is enter the code JUNESHIPFREE at the checkout to get your free delivery.

So go get all those things that you love but were put off by the combined shipping fees.

This lasts until June 30th so you still have lots of time to browse and select your favorite items

Breakdance Bunny by Eddy_G

Don't forget to visit my mugs too

School bus by Eddys_Mad_Mugs

My Dino Needs Your Help - vote now (on the left)

I've just about finished my new puppet. She's a trike dinosaur called Squiffy. She's a very happy, upbeat dino who loves to play word games and listen to children's stories.

I used to use one like this when I was working in a school. It's amazing how many of the shy kids will happily chat to a puppet but not to a teacher! My Squiffy spoke with a "blocked nose" type of voice. (well wouldn't you, if you had a horn on your nose?)

She has her frill and her three horns. But the big question is...Does she need ears too?

As you can see by the photos below, the actual triceratops did not have ears; so if we are going for correctness you should vote no on the poll in the margin on the left.
Also if you think ears will make her head look too crowded vote no now.

However most modern cartoon versions of dinosaur do have ears added for cuteness
If you think a small pair of ears will improve Squiffy's good looks or make her look "more finished" then vote yes in the poll in the margin on the left now

You only have a few days to vote before I declare her finished. so make sure you get your opinion in now.
Also, do visit
Lisa's_cakes on flickr for other unusual and fabulous looking cakes
and see the Repairman's flickr photos for some truly professional shots of amazing places.

how about a new car for dad?

Still looking for a gift for father's day? How about buying him the car of his dreams? Too expensive?

Then how about these mugs from Eddy's Mad Mugs The design goes all the way around the mug so each mug has four wheels and looks ready to drive.

There are lots to choose from like the family 4X4, to a USA or UK police car, construction vehicles or even fantasy vehicles like a submarine or a monster truck. for the ladies we have soccer mom vans and a graduation pink limo

Mug dance anyone?