Good news! I'm not dead!

My sister is studying to become a nurse, and needed to use me as a guinea pig to practice taking people's blood pressure.  We have an agreement that I will let her practice things on me, as long as she doesn't graft on any animal parts.  Unless it's a prehensile tail.  That would be awesome.
However, she was trying to find my pulse in my arm, and really really REALLY couldn't find it.  She shot me a look.  A look that says "...you might be dead, actually."  But eventually she found it, causing me to breathe a sigh of relief, because I was going to be very annoyed if it turned out I had been dead this whole time.
Also, halfway through her taking my blood pressure (which was in the good range, just below the ideal, making me "sub-optimal"...story of my life) she walked away to go check on the muffins that were baking.  That is either awful or wonderful nursing.  I guess it depends on the type of muffin?

Chocolate chip?  AHMAHGAHD YOU'RE THE BEST NURSE EVER!!!

Ew no wait gross they were bran WORST MUFFIN EVER I HATE YOUUUUU!!!

So, to celebrate the fact that I do have measurable, if sub-optimal, blood pressure, I made two cute little amis who live in sweet little mason jars!  I hope people like them, they can be customized!  I think they'd be a cute wedding or baby shower favour, don't you?  Or, you know, just because!  We can never have too much cute!

See, told you.

Oh!  And!  AND!  I went to see Danny Bhoy last night, he was sooooo funny!  If you ever get a chance to see him, do it.  He is hilarious, and a cutie to boot!  Also, he just seems like a really cool and nice guy!  I might have to celebrity stalk him....<_<.....>_>......

Have a great day, Super Cuties, especially my step-mom, who just had her birthday...well...okay I guess since it's past midnight it was yesterday but oh well, happy birthday!!!

On Schnauzers, Hippies, and Chocolate Biscuits

A friend of mine has a Giant Schnauzer named Max.  He is just adorable, way bigger than my dog but still just a big baby who wants to cuddle.  They normally keep his hair clipped short, with the standard bushy eyebrows and distinguished mustache characteristic of that breed.  It makes him look like an uppity British Colonel, the kind with the gruff voice that say "I say, what what?  What the devil is all the commotion?" and such.  Last time I saw Max, though, he was in-between groomings and his hair had gotten a little shaggy.  It was hilarious.  He had instantly gone from a member of the upper-class elite to a bummed out hippie, begging for nachos in the kitchen from other party guests...in my mind saying things like "Come on, maaaan...I served in 'Nam, maaaan!" Damn that dog is cute.  Wish I had a picture.


Anyway, of course this all brings me elegantly around to the purpose of this blog, which is to talk about crochet, and I did indeed crochet a Hippie Bunny!  His fur is just so fluffity, I would crochet with it more but let's just say I wasn't singing peace and love whilst trying to undo a huge knot in it.  The end result is totally adorbz, though!

Peace, brother!

Two eras meet in cuteness!

Now, you may notice that the top picture is cropped a little short.  I was too tired to retake the picture but couldn't wait to post the pics on Etsy, but when I was brightening and cropping the shot, I noticed there was...well...a piece of that puffy stuff that occurs naturally in the yarn in an...um..."inappropriate" area...

 

...so cropped it was!!!

And, I had time to whip up this Panda Angel, in colours that made me think of chocolate biscuits...Mmmmm so good!  I think he's pretty cute.  Although I'm hugely biased.

Fluttered down from Biscuit Heaven to land on my hand!

Extra soft fluffy wings for extra soft fluffy...flying?

Again, making use of some yarn I found leftovers from.  I do like buying new yarn, but it's pretty fun to find something you forgot you had and be inspired by it.  For instance, this guy was going to have a pie crust hat but I ran out of that type of yarn, and when I was looking for more I found this stuff and was moved to make him an angel!  So when you're crafting, and get stuck, or need a good idea in the first place, start searching for unique or special materials that get your creative juices flowing again and the outcome may surprise and delight you!

Happy crafting, Super Cuties!

Everybody Jitterbug!

1950's Poodle Skirt Bear...with a Scottish terrier on her skirt.  It was easier to sew, okay?!

Can you resist that face?!  Why yes, I would like to split a soda!

Aaaah, the 50's, when a milkshake cost a penny, there were great tunes on the juke box, slouchy socks were a no-no and "darn" was a horrendous swear word (HA!).  I can't say I know too much about this era except for the superficial stuff, but I do think poodle skirts are kinda cute and wanted to make a bear wearing one.  Her face...it turned out even cuter than I had intended!  I just want to hug her!!!
My friend needed me to loan her some of my clothes that were "hippie" like.  I found a few things but the 60's fashions are not really my cup of tea so she'll have to make do with what I could find.  I guess I'm not into looking like a filthy hippie?  When I asked her about it, she said it was for a film class, and she is playing a hippie hitchhiker.  Because...all hippies are hitchikers?
Either way, when I have time I want to make a hippie bunny!  I think the long droopy ear style will emulate the shaggy unkempt hair of the average Woodstock attendee.

Stay cute, Cuties!

A Busy Weekend.

Work these days is absolute madness, so many customers and a lot of them are grumpy! -_-;;;
Yesterday was St Patrick's Day, I hope you all wore something green and had fun!  I went to a pub, the music was WAY too loud but the food was delicious.  I'm trying to eat in a healthy way so that I can lose a few pounds before I go to Las Vegas next month, so I decided to eat something low in fat, calories, and with lots of vegetables.
...triple cheeseburgers are vegetables, right?

I really enjoy the Lord of the Rings movies, because I like to crochet while I watch a movie to pass the time.  Since I have the extended editions I can make at least two, sometimes three amis if I'm feeling industrious.  The Lord of the Rings trilogy is great.  I have yet to read the books (I tried when I was younger...I got bored and Frodo and Sam were only at Tom Bombadil) but it is on my list (I'll skip Tom Bombadil).  I have a version of the movies that is in English, but for some odd reason there are no subtitles for the Elvish, so when they're having these huge conversations I'm sitting there going ".....they're talking about Arwen, right?  I heard them say Arwen..."  Also, since I have seen the movies a bunch of times, I start to add my own jokes and dialogue throughout and imagining that Gandalf is just an old hobo who's had too much moonshine.

"Gandalf, you're drunk.  Go home."

Anyway, the orcs are coming to take the hobbits to Isengard so I thought I'd take a break to show you what I made during the whole first half of the movie!

Red Apple Cat.

Blueberry Cobbler Bear.

Three little amis for the local promotion!  Dapper Bunny. Bookish Bear, and Nature Bear.

I also have two half-done custom orders that just need a little more work.  I like watching these little guys come to life so much, and sharing them with other cute enthusiasts like you!  Don't forget all the cuteness you see here is available on my Etsy site!  And, since I have two more movies to go in the trilogy there will be more cuteness where this came from!  Now, back to Frodo looking pathetic and Boromir going down LIKE A BOSS.

Have a cute day, my darling friends!!! <3

Not Crochet, But Still Cute!

Calgary is not famous for its brilliant ideal summers.  It's not even spring yet, and I am already not looking forward to what might be in store.  We're completely landlocked so there are no gorgeous beaches, it either gets way too hot or not hot enough...either way, any day I'm off from work or have outdoor plans, it pours with rain and it has been known to snow or hail golf balls.  Mother Nature...she is not kind.

Pictured: Summer 

Also pictured: Alternate Summer

ANYWAY!  I have a little grey crazy fuzzy bear just dying to have his picture taken, but first I wanted to share this picture with you.  

Beach Babe.  I want her fabulous hat!

I have a wonderful tablet and a crappy computer, which makes using Photoshop a frustrating and arduous task.  But I finally managed to finish this picture, and 8.5" x 11" prints have been ordered and will be ready by Friday and then up for sale in my Etsy shop (or, if you're interested, you can contact me here or over on my Facebook page!)  I love crochet, and that is the main focus of this site, but I enjoy lots of different kinds of art that will also be made available to view, discuss, and mayhaps even purchase in my little corner of cuteness.
This unfairly gorgeous beauty was inspired by an idealistic summer day, with a calm blue sea and a bright sky.  She's a little bit sexy but totally classy in her Marilyn-inspired retro bathing suit, and is protecting her beautiful skin and hair with a hat (a fabulous hat!) adorned with fresh tropical flowers!  You can't really see them in this picture but she has cute little freckles too.
I hope you enjoy this summer lady, even if it is only March!  Stay tuned for the photos of that adora-bear I was talking about, and no matter where you are or what the weather, just remember to keep smiling and stay cute!!!


Much Love!

What OTTER nonsense!

What I did there....do you see it!?

My lovely, lovely, lovely fans, Super Cuties, and people just passing by...I feel awful for neglecting my blog the past few days.  Hence the scandalized otter.  I have been busy and am working on some crochet now, but have no pics to show you.  So this otter will have to do.  Otters are pretty cute, I'm far more partial to the sea otter than the river otter but that's just me.  I shall have to crochet one, but it's on a long long list behind lots of other stuff I need to do so I'd better stop blogging and start crafting!

Much love, Super Cuties!

p.s. my friend, Jess, has a blog (http://seymourartsandcrafts.blogspot.com/) where she gave me a delightful shout out!  Her daughter has absconded with the peeg she won from me in a contest.  No peeg for you, Jess!  I don't particularly like children or babies all that much, but hers are pretty cute.  Except I'm still mad at her youngest for scaring me half to death for months when Jess was pregnant with him, and we were working together.  She was as big as a house and she could have popped at any moment, if she so much as winced I was in a panic.  More than once I seriously considered coming to work in an apron, a welding mask, and oven mitts, just in case he decided to arrive during our shift.  It was a stressful time and I have yet to receive an apology from him.  His being only six months old is NO excuse.

Spring Collection Photos

Sweet Bunny, Polite Drop-Ear Bunny, Girly Bear, and Shy Bear.  Just before the creation of the Elegant Bunny.

We had a huge snowfall here in Calgary a few days ago and it has already melted into big ol' piles o' slush, that make walking to work a clever negotiation between my new boots and puddles.  But on the plus side, that means spring is definitely just around the corner, so I decided to get my crochet rear in gear-as it were-and finish up the Spring Collection for the Easter weekend promotion I am participating in.

The Spring Collection is now complete!  *massages aching hands*

Elegant Bunny is one of those bunnies who excels at all the arts.  Plus she's beautiful.

That is a heart shaped gem, if anyone asks...

A close up of the Polite Drop-Ear Bunny.  He has very good manners and a nifty stripe across his whole head!  I love when my yarn does that n_n

Now I have to make a few little ones, they won't take me long.  I hope my business cards get here tomorrow.  Waiting for something in the mail is so agonizing...I suppose I'm just impatient due to the instant gratification society we live in but I WANT THEM NOW DAMMIT!

On the plus side, I will have super smexy hair tomorrow.  These rollers make my hair super wavy and cute, but in the meantime I look like a mental patient, which is a look I think I carry quite well.

"Stay beautiful, dollface."

Well take care my Cuties, I will see you on the weekend!

Super Tired, Super Cuties...

Hi Cuties...not sure why, but the last few days I have been completely exhausted.  So while I am too lazy to post any pics today, there is definite cuteness in the works.  I have two more basic amis to make for the promo, and after the craziness that was the Rococo Rabbit, they should be a snap!  Then I have a few small bears and a peeg to do, and then I have to put all crochet on hiatus so that I can write my art history paper (BOOOOO!).  Art history.  Not cute.  Boring. -_-
Also I'm attempting to make a scarf for myself, an adorable sage green spring endeavor.  Although knowing my timing it won't be done until Christmas.  Le sigh.

Take care Super Cuties, I'm off to do laundry and watch a Disney movie whilst dozing on the couch.  This plan, it is most epic.

Ooh la la!

Today in art history we were talking about Rococo art and Neoclassic art in England and France in the 18th century.  There was a video from the 70's hosted by a guy who had a very refined English accent, but also that speech mechanism where he pronounced his R's as W's, so it was like learning art history from this guy...

 

"Wuv...twue wuv..."

It was very interesting, but I became hugely distracted by something.  We saw a picture, painted by Reynolds, of Lady Sarah Bunbury (aka Sarah Lennox) who was living in England in the mid 1700's.  Here she is in classic costume (apparently Reynolds loathed contemporary dress, go figure) making a sacrifice to the three graces to thank them for her beauty...

'"I have emptied my golden ashtray into your fancy snake jar...now I beseech you to allow my other breast to sprout forth..."

She was thought a good candidate for marriage to George III and was considered quite the elegant beauty.  It didn't end up going through for various political reasons and she ended up having some delicious scandals with men with names like Baron Lord Duke Earl Pemwallingshirebottom IV and such.  But I couldn't tell you more than that because my mind was whirring away on the following idea...Her name is pronounced bun-berry, so the cute idea of a rabbit in period dress blocked out any learning I had planned for that day.  So now, please behold, Rococo Rabbit, Lady Bunberry!!!

"I was told there would be cake?"

I placed her in French Neoclassic period dress (think Marie Antoinette), so she's not technically Rococo, but Rococo Rabbit just sounds cuter!  She has feather, gem, and ribbon details with her pannier dress (hope she didn't plan on walking through any doors...) and a powdered wig.  This is not an era known for its subtlety, and it took me all evening!  I had plans to make another basic bear to go with the Spring/Easter collection but I think it is definitely time for bed.  So that is all for tonight, my cuties, you can swing by my Etsy shop to see her there in all her glory as well.

Goodnight, all!

Much love,
Sakura Bean xoxox

p.s. and a Happy Birthday to my dad!!!  

All crocheted out...

Went pretty hardcore and crocheted like a BOSS tonight!  There's always something a little odd about crocheting totally adorable amis whilst watching Iron Man or Lord of the Rings.  I guess I'm just about the coolest nerd there is.  Shut up, I know you're jealous.

I made this just for fun and put it up in the shop, and made another ami for the promo.  The best part about make amis is coming up with their personalities.  This pink ami bear is all about girly shopping and that sort of thing.  I think the brown bear has a crush but is too shy to say anything.  Come on, man, make your move!!!!  I have two to go before I start the little ones.  And really, all this crochet is just serving as a way to procrastinate so I don't think about my looming art history paper.  No...must....write...boring paper....mustn't.....succumb....to the....internet and craft making....
..............go on without me...*cough*...I'm done for....


Have a cute day, all n_n

Is spring in the air?

Easter is just over a month...I love holidays, and although I prefer Thanksgiving, Christmas, Halloween, and Valentine's Day to Easter, it was still fun to wake up and find chocolate goodies all over my house!  My special favourite was is the "Milka Eggs".  They come in a carton of four and you crack open the top of each egg and eat the cream filling with a little purple plastic spoon.  Then you eat the empty chocolate shell.  Then you steal your sister's.  Seriously, if you haven't had one, your parents didn't love you.  Go out and buy them.  You will see into Nirvana and sob tears of joy and regret.


In Amigurumi news, I have been given an interesting proposition.  Some of my products have been selected to be involved in a promotional giveaway by a local entrepreneur!  Here are two of the items I have made so far, I have three more big ones to go and I hope to have time to make a few smaller ones too.  It's all very exciting!  

I wanted to use Easter/spring themes for these amis, what do you think of the first two?

This little bear strikes me as the shy kind...but he's sweet with his sunny yellow ribbon and blue flower accent, don't you think?

And this lady is all decked out not unlike a delicious Milka egg in chocolate and purple, and with ladylike ear ribbons.  I always like to imagine rabbits being quite decorative and proud of their ears.  Maybe because I have big ears too?  

I don't want to say too much more about this giveaway, except to say that I am excited to be a part of it!  I will just have to keep my fingers busy crocheting and not eating chocolate until then.  NOT AN EASY TASK!!!  Damn you, delicious seasonal treats.....damn you....

Hipster Bear and Artsy Bunny

I go to art college, and am familiar with "le hipsters".  I find them such a strange species, but not unlike Jane Goodall amid the apes, I have taken on a few mannerisms.  I have been known to wear "hip" clothes like harem pants (I love harem pants) and I own 10 pairs of glasses, none of which could really be called "mainstream" style.  But I still find the hipsters somewhat off-putting with their snobby attitudes towards music, movies, and art.  Oh yes, you're so much better than me because you are aware of this super obscure artist who glues shoes together whilst quacking in public.  Indeed.  Very deep.
But let us not linger on the social commentary!  Since I am neck deep in hipster culture, I couldn't help but make two super cute amis inspired by the fashions!

As you can see, we have a Hipster Bear, with his black slouchy beanie, classic ironic lenses (non-prescription), and his favourite grey fringed scarf that his friend gave to him in exchange for a case of Pabst Blue Ribbon.  His friend, the Arsty Bunny, has wrapped her extra long ears up in a typical art student bun (everyone at school, including myself, enjoys a topknot bun).  She crocheted her green scarf herself using recycled bamboo yarn and attached pins she bought at a second hand store.


So whether you find hipsters amusing or insufferable, there is no denying these are a sweet pair!  They're off to the folk music festival to complain that it has "sold out" whilst drinking their soy lattes from Starbucks, I hope you're off to have a significant day...because having a "good" day would be too mainstream.

Welcome to Sakura Bean Super Cute Crochet!

I can't believe I'm doing this!
Haha, sorry, I haven't blogged since...just after high school.  I had a blog all through junior high and high school, so it's weird coming back to it after so long.  But instead of the blather of a teenage girl, this blog is for my...well...I guess it is a business?  I hate that word.  Makes me feel like I should be wearing a suit and being a grown up instead of sitting around in my pajamas, crocheting and watching My Little Pony.

Anyway, things here will be a little bumpy at first, but I hope to set up a shop here.  I will post photos of my products, or just stuff I find cute (I'm all about cuteness).  In the mean time, please check out my Facebook page and my Etsy site, and have a cute day!

Super Cuties, that's all for now XOXOXO
Much love!