The Softies Central Holiday Awards

Little bunny happily skips through the snow to drop off gifts to family and friends . . .
So this is what's been keeping me busy this past week. Have you heard of Softies Central? Well, if not you must go pay a visit. It's a hub for softie artists and they're currently hosting a contest for the holidays. All the entries thus far are amazing and so creative. Go take a peek and be inspired. Little Bunny here will be participating in the festivities.

"Happy Holidays to you!" Little Bunny says. "Now off I go!'

Loovee's First Trip to Japan

This past summer I took Loovee on vacation with me to Japan. I had so much fun gearing her up for the trip. I sewed all of her outfits. Loovee is my very first Blythe and also the first I've ever photographed in public. I was a bit embarrassed about doing so for all the world to see, but luckily my pal P does not embarrass easily, and he helped me pose her and take the pictures. Here are a few:
Before I left Hawaii for the trip, I fell in love with this Japanese creature called Gachapin, who I first spied in the Killers music video, Read My Mind. P spotted a Gachapin softie in a shop in Japan and purchased him for me. Loovee was wary of him at first, not knowing exactly what sort of monster he is, but they soon became fast friends.

One of the things I was excited to visit in Japan was a 100 Yen Shop. I just love a good bargain.

Here's one of the malls we frequented.

I plunked Loovee down in a random flower bed we passed by. I think the flowers really bring out the blue in her hair and eyes. I just have to say I had a helluva time making the pattern for that bunny hat. I wanted it to fit perfectly. About a dozen drafts and a couple of maximum strength aspirin later, I finally got it to my satisfaction.

The street to the Naritasan Shinshoji Temple were lined with these cute little statues of different animals such as turtles, bunnies, chickens, and such. Here she is on a ram.

At a park near the Narita Station.

The parting shot -- at the airport before we left Japan. Loovee is decked out in her aloha dress, ready to go back home to Hawaii with her new best friend.

Aloha!

I'm not much for talking about myself so I think I'll keep this introduction short and sweet, and (mostly) in picture form.


First off, I love to make softies. I'm very inspired by the Japanese ideal of cute. No one does cute like they do. Here are some koalas I whipped up awhile back.

I make owls, too.

These are some kitties that I've yet to finish. They have no faces yet, so enjoy the view of their behinds.


I recently taught myself to crochet for the specific purpose of making amigurumi. I used the book, Crocheting for Dummies. It is aptly titled in my case. I have a long way to go, especially in the tension department. My hands get so cramped up. This is a little amigurumi bunny I purchased off ebay, which serves as inspiration. Along side it was my first attempt at crocheting.


In the neighborhood of cuteness, I've fallen in love with Takara Blythe dolls. This is my Loovee, an Asian Butterfly Encore. I made her dress and bunny hat, which she wore on her first trip to Japan. I think I will tell you more about that in my next post.

Well, thank you for peeking in and I hope you visit again.