Artsy Fartsy Friday/Creative Juices

Most people who know me know that I am a creative person.  I love to work with my hands and create all kinds of things from jewelry to knit and crochet animals to you name it.  This week I made a barter with a friend of mine, two malas (seen below) for massages.  Not a bad deal if you ask me!  I just got these beads yesterday and had to create.

The blue is Lapis intermixed with 500 year old jade and other beads.  It turned out gorgeous.  I hope the intended recipient likes it.
This lovely is made from a type of Turquoise.  I am not sure what type, but it turned out great as well.  Now my hands need a rest after hand knotting between each bead.  

Let me know what you have created lately so I can check it out.  Speaking of checking things out, make sure to stop by Candid Carries place and see who is playing along!

Creative Juices a flowing... Friday the 13th Style

I have been sick these past few days.  The icky cold type symptoms with lots of Kleenex, nose blowing, cough, you name it.  So, I needed something to do.  What better than to teach myself to crochet.  I have been in love with the Amigurumi crochet style for quite some time and I just had to figure it out.  Plus, my mother-in-law got me this awesome book to inspire me.

Being the sick twisted horror movie buff I am, this book was all it took.  I had to make a zombie with blood coming out of his mouth.  I have to make a vampire queen, the grim reaper and the devil.  Why?  I say why not!

This guy is called corporate zombie.  Look at his little tie.  Isn't he just perfect?!?  Here are a few shots horror movie style.

Brains.....

Must have brains....

How intimidating!  A 3" high zombie.  He will make a nice addition to my desk at work.  Maybe I will gain some street cred with the kiddos at work!

Before I attempted the zombie I had to do a practice creature.  A friend of mine at work collects frogs.  He was really good to practice on because he used all kinds of wacky stitches.  I sure home she likes him!

This photo isn't the greatest, but I wanted to show you the whole frog as he is wedged in the crevice of the couch.  (I think my shutter is slowly dying on my camera, so all the pics lately have been very fuzzy.  It is 9+ years old)

Make sure to check back on Wednesday.  I have a Super Awesome creepy Friday the 13th giveaway/ contest for March.  

Creative Juices = a pretty cool teddy bear!

I have been so busy lately I haven't had a chance to do much blogging.  I am taking an online graduate course which is kicking my butt.  Work has been kicking my ass.  Students are taking the Iowa Test of Basic Skills next week and scheduling has become such a headache I have been having dreams of ITBS... wait they are more like nightmares.  

I decided I need some crafty time to center myself.  One of the businesses I sell jewelry at is having an open house so I went into crafting mode by making 100+ earrings and some malas and necklaces, but that just wasn't doing it for me...

So, when a bloggy friend, mama dawg, asked about a knit animal for her daughters birthday I got a little giddy.  I haven't knit for a while so I was up to the challenge.  I found an awesome teddy bear pattern and went to town.  This is what I came up with.

I absolutely love him/her.  It was so quick and easy I may have to make myself one.  But, what would the monkeys think about that?