My latest pattern: the Scarecrow Shelf Sitter!

 

   

Recently, I released my second shelf sitter pattern... this adorable scarecrow!!! Ya'll know I LOVE SCARECROWS! They and pumpkins are my favorite fall things. Don't you love their cute little overalls?? He kinda reminds me of my Grandad💚.  One thing scarecrows always remind me of are sunflower fields. In Arkansas, highway 7 is the scenic highway. When I first married my husband, it was a highway full of wonderful gift shops showcasing crafts made in the Ozarks. And another site that you could see every late summer, was a large sunflower field with a few cute, authentic scarecrows giving you a wave as you drove by. It is one of my favorite memories. Sadly, those days are gone and most of the shops have closed down and the sunflower field is now owned by the Highway Department. 

I had the Best group of testers for this pattern. They are so valuable to me. Not only are they testing my patterns, but also teaching me at the same time. Here are their finished projects:

Thank you Wendy, Donette, Leticia and Ashlee!!

Thank you Sara, Reilly, Ana and DemiRae!!

Aren't they all wonderful!! As a creator, the greatest joy is seeing others use your pattern to create their own version. I love them all. 

This pattern was created using acrylic yarn, but was also tested and approved with cotton and plush. Sara used cotton and Reilly used plush. Yay!! I also made one using yarns from the Dollar Tree and using raffia (also from the Dollar Tree) for the straw. I thought attaching the raffia would be the death of me.. but I survived!!

Turns out... he is my favorite!!!

The pattern is available in both my Etsy Shop and my Ravelry Store. 

Some of my testers have crochet pages on Facebook and Instagram... go follow them for some wonderful crocheted items!!

Facebook:

The Crocheted Donut

Bunny's Crochet

Instagram:

Wendy Shiek

Purfectly Purly

Sara Sampedro

Pocket Full O' Poseys

Khaotic Kritters

Crocheted Strawberry Pincushion Pattern

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle... I LOVE finding new purposes for used things!! Those Oui yogurt jars are too cute NOT to be reused, but I was having trouble coming up with any ideas.

On another note... As a sewer and crocheter, I use pincushions and thread/yarn catchers often. I don't like using regular pin cushions for my dull yarn needles, so I've been toying with ideas for a crocheted one for awhile, but never found the right one. 

Eventually, those two problems (what to use the jars for and a pincushion idea) finally came together in my mind and I had the perfect idea... a crocheted pincushion "topper" for the jar!

Since I absolutely 💗 strawberries, that was my #1 choice for a pincushion. I had also been toying with the idea of putting ribbons on the top so that I had something to hang my stitch markers on. So I thought green ribbons would be perfect to top my strawberry with. The first ones I made looked more like turnips... very CUTE turnips. I had to make the strawberry short and fat to sit on top of the jar without sticking down into the jar; and the green ribbon tops coming out, did not look like a strawberry. My friend gave me some valuable advice to add ribbons coming down onto the berry and Voila!! Perfect!

Here is the pattern for you to make one of your own. ENJOY!💝

Supplies:
Yarn: I used worsted weight. You can use whatever you like. It doesn't take much!
         I used: Red- Red Heart Super Saver / Pink- I Love This Yarn
F hook
Stitch Marker
Yarn Needle
Ribbon. I used 3/8" and 5/8"
Scissors
Lighter

Hot Glue

Polyfil

Terms:

MR: magic ring

INC: increase 

SC: single crochet

DEC: decrease (I use the invisible decrease)

This pattern is crocheted in the round. Use your stitch marker to keep up with rounds. 

R1: MR 5 SC (5) Leave a long tail to tie the ribbons onto

R2: INC around (10)

R3: SC around (10) Pull the MR tail tight and weave in a couple of times to secure the MR.

R4: INC around (20)

R5: SC around (20)

R6: *SCx3, INC* around (25)

R7: *SCx4, INC* around (30)

R8: *SCx5, INC* around (35)

R9: *SCx6, INC* around (40)

R10-11: SC around (40)

R12: *SCx6, DEC* around (35)

R13: *SCx5, DEC* around (30)

R14: *SCx4, DEC* around (25)

R15: *SCx3, DEC* around (20)

R16: *SCx2, DEC* around (15)

Cut long tail.

Cut ribbons into different lengths. Run your lighter across the ribbon ends to keep from fraying.

I used 3 different ribbons and cut 6 total in varying lengths from 3" - 5".

Bunch your ribbons and wrap the MR tail around them to secure down into the berry. 

It is easier if you flatten your berry. Carefully stuff the berry with Polyfil around the ribbons. DO NOT OVERSTUFF and be careful not to pull in the point of the berry.

Use your yarn needle to weave the last tail in and out of the front loops of R16. Pull to close, then fasten off your yarn.

Using 5/8" ribbon, cut 4: 2 1/2 pieces on the diagonal with each end going in the same direction.

Run your lighter across the ribbon ends to keep from fraying.

Fold your 4 pieces in half to form a "V". Hot glue inside the fold to secure, then glue around the berry.

Pop your berry on top of your jar and ENJOY!!

Cheap, Quick and Easy Layered Summer Dessert

 

Happy Independence Day!! Let's celebrate the day (or any day) with this cheap, super quick and super duper easy layered dessert!!

I came up with this idea on my way to a family get-together. I had not felt well, so I didn't feel up to making a complicated dessert. We stopped at our local grocery store to pick up a pre-made dessert, when what to my wondering eye did appear???? But shiny red strawberries, hanging out beside an angel food cake my dear!! "AHA!!" I did squeal, and the idea formed in my head... with other ingredients too.... blueberries and Cool Whip!

Since we were going to a family gathering where several have trouble with their sugar, I chose a sugar-free angel food cake and sugar free Cool Whip. I also bought an adorable strawberry slicer and off we went! I borrowed a bowl and assembled it in very little time.

You can either prepare the cake pieces and slice the strawberries ahead of time... or.... make it as you go. That is usually what I do. 

This is so easy....

Grab a big bowl. A trifle or glass bowl would be perfect to showcase this beauty. But, alas, I got rid of mine while decluttering.

Ingredients:

1 Angel Food Cake

1 lb strawberries, rinsed and fairly dry

1 cup blueberries (optional) rinsed and fairly dry

1 tub Cool Whip

Pinch cake into bite sized pieces. Cover with a layer of Cool Whip and then berries. Repeat this until you use up your ingredients. Make the top pretty!!

Let your dessert chill for maximum flavor... the longer the better!

Enjoy!!!

Patriotic Shelf Sitter: My first crochet pattern is up for purchase!

This has been an exciting week!! After a very long pattern writing process and an ordeal to reopen my Etsy  and Ravelry shops, I have put up my first listing.... my crochet pattern for this little fella!! He is a Patriotic Shelf Sitter.

I first saw the idea for a shelf sitter in a crochet doll group I am in. Someone had modified one of the doll patterns to have longer legs and arms and be able to sit on the edge of a shelf. I loved the idea! And soon I was off on an adventure of my own to also modify the dolls into adorable little decorations. After making several, ideas were bombarding my mind of how to streamline my own pattern that I could adapt into different characters for different holidays. I had a certain idea for how I wanted the hands and feet to look. So I began my journey with a bunny. 

Pattern available on THIS previous post.

I love to decorate for holidays. I decorate my home and my office cubicle. These shelf sitters are perfect for decorating. After making the bunny, I wanted something for the 4th of July. At first, I was going to make good ole' Uncle Sam, but then I was seeing a lot of vintage Independence Day art on Pinterest and this little fella came into being. 

Can't you just picture him sitting in a little wagon on the side of the street, waving his little flag as the parade goes through town? That is totally what I see.

This patten is fairly easy. If you are a beginner, I do have a link to helpful YouTube videos included in the pattern. It also works up quickly, so you still have time to whip one up before the holiday!

Pattern is available in My Etsy Shop and My Ravelry Store.

My First Memorial Doll

A “Memorial Doll”, “Memory Doll”, or “Mourning Doll” is a wonderful way to help a person cope with the loss of someone dear to them. This idea has been around for a long time. In the Victorian era, Mourning Dolls were wax dolls made in the child’s likeness, with their own hair and clothing. These dolls were displayed during the child’s wake and then laid on top of the grave. It is even documented that sometimes the dolls were taken home, put in the crib and cared for just as a living child. They were made as a coping mechanism to help with grief.

Sometimes, a memory doll is not made for someone who has passed, but as more of a keepsake. Special clothing is used to dress or re-make an outfit for the doll.

In 2021, I had set up a booth at a local festival called Ozark Memories Day. After that I was contacted by one of the ladies on the planning committee and was asked to make a doll of her Mom. What an honor! The customer sent me quite a few photos to get an idea of who her Mom was. She told me she loved to wear her “Signature Blue” outfit. As I studied the photos, I knew the perfect shaped doll would be the Weebee Nelly Doll. I did struggle with the hair a bit. As you can see, her hair had a lot of volume and it was hard to mimic that. You can see the details on the outfit… jewels and glitter glue!! At first I was going to try to reproduce it with embroidery, but decided to use a scrapbook glitter glue called “Stickles”. It was perfect!

I was pleased with how she turned out although the whole process was stressful. I didn’t want the recipient to open the gift and think it was just “a doll”. I hoped that I captured the Mom’s personality and outfit enough that the recognition would be immediate. And…. it was! The customer was so kind to send me a video of the recipient opening it as well as a text she had sent to her sister with a photo. They both knew. She told me there were lots of tears that day as they shared memories. There were also lots of tears the day she picked the doll up. She cried… I cried…. It was so good.

I love the idea of these memorial dolls. Sometimes you just need something to hug. I know that personally, I like to take out my Daddy’s shirt and just hold it in a hug sometimes. It’s comforting and feels like a little part of him is there.

This once-in-a-lifetime custom order was such an honor to be trusted with.  And it was such a beautiful story I just had to share.

 

Crochet Lop Eared Bunny Shelf-Sitter Free Pattern

Update 4/24/2024: 

This pattern has been revised and published on my new blog:

thewhimzb.com

I am beyond excited to release my very first crochet pattern! These adorable shelf-sitters are perfect as a spring decoration. They would also look adorable in a baby nursery. 

These little bunnies are fairly easy to make. 

Skill level is advanced beginner.

For helpful videos, check out this YouTube playlist.

This pattern cannot be sold or reproduced by any means. Selling finished items is

permitted. Please give credit for the pattern to The WhimZ B.

Questions? Email me:thewhimzb@gmail.com.

Be sure to tag me on social media with photos of your

finished projects!

Facebook: TheWhimZB

Instagram: @thewhimzb

Pinterest: @whimzb

Supplies: Hook: F (3.75mm) Yarn: 4-Medium weight in main body color (your choice) and pink (nose)     (I used Crafter’s Secret {white} and I Love This Yarn {gray} , both from     Hobby Lobby.) Poly-fil Plastic canvas Poly Pellets (optional) Baby sock, stocking, or scrap fabric to put the poly pellets in. Plastic safety eyes, 12mm or 10mm Yarn needle Stitch Marker Optional: black crochet thread for eyebrows, lashes and mouth

Terms: MR: Magic Ring INC: Increase SC: single crochet DEC: decrease (I use the invisible decrease)

Pattern is worked in rounds, with no joins.

Be sure to use a stitch marker and counter to keep up with your rounds.

Body is constructed with minimal sewing.

Arms: (make 2) R1: MR 6 SC (6) R2: INC around (12) R3-5: SC around (12) R6: *SC x 4, DEC* around (10) R7: SC around (10) R8: *SC x 3, DEC* around (8)     Stuff hands only. Do not overstuff. R9-15: SC around (8)     Pinch together and SC across (4) Tie off.

Legs: (make 2) R1: MR 6 SC (6) R2: INC around (12) R3: *SC, INC* around (18) R4-6: SC around (18) R7: *4SC, DEC* around (15) R8: *3SC, DEC* around (12) R9: 2SC, DEC* around (9)     Stuff feet only. Do not overstuff. R10-24: SC around (9)     Pinch together and SC across (4) Tie off.

Body:

R1: MR 10 SC (10)
R2: *SC, INC* around (15)
R3: *SCx2, INC* around (20)
R4: *SCx3, INC* around (25)
R5: *SCx4, INC* around (30)
R6: SC around in the back loop (30)
R7: SCx8, SCx4 (crocheting on leg), SCx6,
      SCx4 (crocheting on leg), SCx8 (30)
R8-10: SC around (30)
    Cut a circle out of your plastic canvas to fit in the base
     of the bunny and lay inside.
R11: *SCx8, DEC* around (27)
R12: SC around (27)
    Fill a sock or stocking with Poly Pellets
    (enough to fill the bottom of base).
    Tie off and stuff inside the base, making sure your knot
    is on the top, OR just stuff with Poly-fil.
    Stuff the rest of the body with Poly-fil as you go.
R13: *SCx7, DEC* around (24)
R14: SC around (24)
R15: *SCx2*, DEC* around (18)
R16: SC around (18)
R17: *SC, DEC* around (12)
R18: SC around, crocheting on arms as you go, so they
will hang on each side, right behind the legs. (12)
R19: SC around (12)

Head: R20: INC around (24) R21: *SC x 3, INC* around (30) R22: *INC, SC x4* around (36) R23-30: SC around (36)     Add eyes between R25-R26, 5 stitches apart R31: *SC x4, DEC* around (30) R32: *DEC, SC x3* around (24) R33: *SC x2, DEC* around (18) R34: *DEC, SC* around (12) R35: DEC around. (6)     Make sure to stuff the head firmly, but do not overstuff.     Cut a tail and weave through front loops. Pull tight to close. Tie off.     Use pink yarn to stitch on nose.     Optional:     Stitch on eyelashes and eyebrows and/or a little smile.

Tail: R1: MR, 6SC (6) R2: INC around (12) R3: *SC1, INC* around (18) R4: SC around (18) R5: *SC 1, DEC* around (12)     Stuff. Cut yarn length. Use a needle to weave in and out around the     opening and pull closed. Sew onto the back of the bunny where the     bottom of the tail is even with the base of the bunny.

Ears: (make 2)

R1: MR 6SC (6) R2: INC around (12) R3: *SC, INC* around (18) R4: SC around (18) R5: *SC x2, INC* around (24) R6-10: SC around (24) R11: *SC x6*, DEC* around (21) R12-13: SC around (21) R14: *SC x5, DEC* around (18) R15-16: SC around (18) R17: SC x4, DEC around (15) R18-19: SC around (15) R20: SC x3, DEC around (12) R21-29: SC around (12) R30: Pinch together and SC across (6)

    

Place where the ears will hang against the side of the legs.

    Leave a long tail and sew onto sides of the head on the 3rd or 4th row from the top center.

My first pattern!

 

I am beyond excited to have completed writing my first crochet pattern!! I have found my favorite thing to crochet is amigurumi. That is a strange word! What is amigurumi?

 

Amigurumi is the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small, stuffed yarn creatures.

Amigurumi includes dolls and animals, gnomes and monsters, and all fun things to create!! My amigurumi passion began with dolls.  The more dolls I made, the more my creative side wanted to make them into other things such as Shelf-Sitters.  Here are some examples: 

I had an idea to write up a basic pattern that could be modified into other characters. I wanted the clothing to be part of the body, instead of separate; like I made the scarecrow above. So, I began creating,

First, I had to create the base pattern. That entailed a lot of crochet, ripping it out, re-doing it, repeating it until I got it right, and then writing it down. It took awhile, but I am happy with the result. 

I chose a bunny for the first one, because I had a goal to complete it by Easter and because I LOVE bunnies! I like the ears on the bunny above, but I love lop-eared bunnies more. Don't you? 

Thanks for stopping by!