Tuesday, February 5, 2008

I Am Having Trouble Coming Up With an Appropriate Title for this Post

Hello everyone! Long time no post, I know, but I've been feeling a bit under the weather. Crafting has been slow going, but this is what I've been up to lately:

Normally I like to draft my own patterns, but I was feeling a tad lazy so for Project Loovee I dusted off my Dolly Dolly Coordinate Recipe Vol.1 book and gave it a go with one of the patterns inside. I chose to do this baby doll top, which I planned to lengthen to make a sundress.

However, my hope for a quick and easy project backfired as it took me 3 days -- 3 long, arduous days -- to whip up such a simple dress. Maybe it was because I was feeling ill. Maybe it's because I'm so used to making my own patterns and sewing things a certain way that following someone else's instructions just confused me to no end. Whatever the reason, this dress is without a doubt the most headache inducing project I've had in recent memory.

Anyhow, here's my little Loovee enjoying the fruits of my agonizing labor.

Oh, do you remember Loovee's crochet blanket from last post? Well, it got buried amongst the clutter of my art desk, and I thought I lost it for good so I started on this new one. A week later, lo and behold! The first blanket surfaced and now I can't decide which one I like best. Which do you prefer? Your opinions would be much appreciated.

I've not done an installment of This Week in Cute for awhile so here goes one featuring Gachapin, beloved Japanese icon, but most importantly -- Loovee's bestest friend. If you're like me, you may have first spied him in the Killer's video, Read My Mind. Gachapin is little known outside of Japan, where he's a famous children's television character. Think of him as the Japanese equivalent of our Big Bird in the U.S.

Loovee and I were lucky enough to adopt a Gachapin of our very own on our summer trip to Japan (thanks to my pal P).

Here's a picture of him on a modern art sculpture at the Kozunomori Station.

And another of him at a park near Narita Station. I just love his droopy little face!
Loovee and Gachapin have been inseparable ever since!

Thank you for visiting!

19 comments:

Megumi said...

Hi!

That dress is so pretty!! Loovee looks very cute in it(^-^)!! I have my way of sewing things, too, so I know how you feel about following someone else's directions...I have the same exact book and I find that book hard to figure out(even though I'm Japanese..), but I like the designs in those books(^-^).

I like both of your blankets, but I like the new one better...I think it's just because of the color combinations.

Awww...I love Gachapin!! I grew up watching his show every day when I was little(^-^)! He's great!! I love those pictures of him in Japan!

I hope you feel all better now!!

Take Care!
Megumi

www.sweethoneycomplex.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

It's a shame that you've been feeling under the weather lately, but Lovee's dress is proof positive that your creative craftiness will not go abated. The dress is absolutely adorable.

Now deciding between blankets...hmmm. I'd say use both. They look absolutely delicious. Besides...you've invested all of that time making them,it would be a shame for any of it to go to waste.

Gachapin is too cute for words. Such a sad expression makes you want to pick him up and cuddle him to death. I can understand why Loovee can't seperate herself from such a precious friend.

Hope you start to feel better soon!!

xGaussianBlurx said...

awww , your loovee is so cute! and nice shoes =)

Anonymous said...

Gachapin is adorable! I'd never heard of him either, but I really loved your photos. Loovee looks very chic as always ^_~

Unknown said...

i love the new dress! so cute! the new blanket is really pretty too. what kind of yarn are you using this time? i liked the claudia yarn so much that i bought one for me! the little softie is cute too!
huggs!

Anonymous said...

I think I like the new blanket better because the lines are more organized. But the second one is certainly cheery!

And that dress is lovely!

Sam said...

Hiya!

I hope your feeling better, being ill is horrible :(

Lovely dress, I'm sure Loovee is very happy with it :) Although it took a long time, it has turned out so nice.

Both those blankets look great, I prefer the first one though - the colours are juicier ;)

Gachapin is adorable, and it looks like Loovee and him had a great time in Japan.

Sam

Anonymous said...

Also, I posted pictures of what I made the hearts into! You don't have to post this as a comment, but I didn't know how else to contact you. :p

Anonymous said...

Hi Rima, Loovee, and Gachapin!

I promise promise to post more comments this weekend. So much catching up to do. Ha ha!

I'm so sorry I totally forgot to tell you what color/pattern I'd like the ami bunny to be.

This one is adorable: http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=6540595. But if you don't have any more of that fabric, I would love anything you pick out. I absolutely love your taste in craft and cute!

You are amazing!!!

Talk more soon!

Linda

6060 said...

Sorry to hear that you have been sick. Wish you to feel better soon!
I love both of your Loovee's blanket. Now you can have one on the bed, and the other one on a love seat! :) New dress is absolutely beautiful, I hope I can make dress like yours, so pretty! :p

Clara

Feltland said...

Hi Rima,

Hope you're feeling better. Loved your new dress - it's so sweet ... :D

Zari said...

hi!
I'm sorry to hear you aren't feeling well, hope you get well pretty soon!

loovee's blanket is so delicate!

love Loovee and Gachapin photos, especially the ones at the museum and station...they sure look like best friends...that little green guy is so cute ;)

Anonymous said...

Hi Rima, Loovee, and Gachapin!

I hope you are feeling OK. We hope you get lots of rest and get better soon. Being under the weather is no fun at all. Molli sends you lots of hugs. :)

I know what you mean about following other people's patterns. I have the toughest time with that. It takes me so long to figure things out that I always have to alter the pattern to make it work for me. :P

Ha ha ha... How funny that the first blanket disappeared and then reappeared! Both are gorgeous (everything you make is so perfectly done), but I think the first one is my favorite. It compliments Loovee's coloring, I think!

Awwww... Loovee and Gachapin are adorable best friends together! Molli is like that with the bear you sent her for Christmas. She takes him everywhere. :)

Thank you so much for professor owl and the ami bunny. Let me know as soon as they are listed on Etsy or if you'd like me to send you Paypal funds directly. Whichever you'd like works for me! :) I'm so excited!!!

XOXO,
Linda, Molli, and Zelda

laura kate said...

thanks for the comment on my blog. your dress here is super cute.

i just updated with photos of my girl and the dozen+ dresses i've sewn her this week!

Tizzalicious said...

What a cute greenie!

I love the dress, very nice! :)

mushroommeadows said...

I think I might like the first blanket a little bit more. Just a little bit though.

And, I love the dress. It was worth the 3 days it took you. :)

Zari said...

hi!
you are tagged for the "love and peace meme", hope you can help my little peace dove with her mission!

hugs!

Anonymous said...

Hi Rima, Loovee, and Gachapin!

Professor Owl and bunny just arrived today!!! *grin* We loooooove them! We just have to think of names now. Hee hee!

Thank you so much for sharing your crafty gift with the world!

Love,
Linda, Molli, and Zelda

Morgan said...

Hey Rima - I have a sewing Q for you...I got this dolly dolly recipe book (#1) and I want to make the babydoll top. I was wondering - did you line the inside? It doesn't say to cut two of the bodice but I figured it would be easier to make it lined...anyway - any tips before I dive in would be great!!!