A Wild Pikachu has Appeared!

I crocheted up a Pikachu. Isn't he cute? I'll add him to the shop in a little bit~ :3

In the Name of the Moon~~~

I've been wanting to make my own Sailor Moon for sometime now. Who wouldn't want this Pretty Soldier to protect them from the many monsters that constantly try to take over the world?

  My biggest issue was trying to figure out which Sailor Moon to make. Original, Super, Eternal, Princess...? I settled on Super because her colouring was different enough from the original fuku, but retained the same feel. Eternal would have involved wings. And Princess involves lots of lace and embroidery. Not right now. 

I'm happy with how she turned out. I do think her eyes need to be lowered by one row, but that's alright :) 

Do you want to adopt the moon princess? You can at my shop: https://www.etsy.com/listing/107853274/super-sailor-moon-amigurumi-made-to

Toodles~

Mandarin <3

Slender Man and His Beanie~

I got a request from a friend to make a Slender Man with a beanie. He was a lot of fun to make and I learned how to make pom poms. 

I think the beanie fits him.

Other then that, I sold another one. That's three this week. I'm really happy that my etsy shop is finally getting hits and sales. I was getting worried there for a bit because nothing was happening with it. It's working out now :3

Toodles,
Mandarin <3 

Catwoman

I recently watched Dark Knight Rises. I loved it. It wrapped up the series nicely and also stood alone. It's rare these days to find a trilogy that remains consistent and well made from beginning to end. Marvel certainly can't do it. 

I especially liked Anne Hathaway's Catwoman. In fact, she's one of my top heroines. Nolan didn't give her a dark and tragic background. She just wants to disappear. She flirts with being a villain and a heroine just as she does with Bruce. 

I think what sold me on her awesomeness was just how well she portrayed Catwoman. Anne doesn't rely on huge facial reactions, unless she, as Selina Kyle (Catwoman) is acting. Her facial cues are small, but dynamic. She's realistic and understands how people actually communicate. She keeps herself calm and cool, but the stress lies below, and I could see it in her. 

Not to mention, her cat suit. I love how her and Nolan came up with the idea to not have cat ears and instead represent them with her safe-cracking goggles when they are being used. She is, after all, never called Catwoman in the movie. They just refer to her as a cat burglar. Long gone are the impressive set of claws, but in their place are a dangerous pair of stiletto boots.  So, naturally, I had to draw her. She's a wealth of inspiration. You can't see much of the detail on her right now, but I'm slowly colouring her in. And it's killing my wrist since I don't have a tablet and pen. Just my laptop mouse D: Her big hair is reminiscent of Julie Newmar's portrayal of Catwoman, but she isn't who I had in mind. It was still Anne. I came across an image of her while I was looking up Catwoman pics to have as reference, and found one of her in that pose and with the same big hair. Loved it. I don't know where the photo shoot was from. I don't think the site I got it from was the original one. 

I'll work on her some more tomorrow. I need to add in her belt and fix some other things before I continue colouring. 

Mandarin <3

 PS: Crayola Art Studio FTW! And click on pics to see them better :3

DIY: Making a Men's tee Flattering and Cute

Today I was restless. My phone calls for work didn't go so well, so I decided to get out of the apartment and just run around. That took up most of the morning. I was looking around at clothes and not seeing anything I liked. So, while I walked, I remembered all of the clothes of mine that are way too big for me now, and decided to finally get around to taking them in and getting them to fit again. Today's project was a couple of men's tees that I wanted to actually look good on me. I don't find a box on legs to be particularly attractive. 

One of my shirts is a couple of years old. It's a Zelda shirt I got for Christmas, and it's an XL. In men's. I'm probably an XS in men's, so I drown in it. See how formless I look? I'd like to wear it outside the house, but I don't like looking like a bum. So I pulled out a shirt I like the shape of and traced it on to the inside out shirt. Then I cut and sewed the sides together. And because I like to have scoop necks on my tees, I cut off the ribbed collar and sewed it down. The sleeves still come to my elbows, but I like how it looks. 

I also have a Katy Perry shirt that was in a similar state as the Zelda Shirt. So I fixed her up all pretty, and now she's also presentable to wear outside the apartment. 

So, if you're ever bored and have a sewing machine and a couple of shirts that just need to be taken in, it's really quick and easy. 

I think tomorrow I'm going to work on pants. 

Happy Crafting :3

Mandarin <3

Sailor Moon

I'm in such a huge Sailor Moon kick right now! I have another doodle of Chibi Moon [Hannah thought I said Chubby Moon earlier -_______-"] I need to fix this one a bit. Her bangs are too high on her head. I did trace it the other day on to some bristol board, but I mucked up the line art. I haven't inked in ages, so I'm using that one as practice. And for coloured pencil practice. It's been even longer since I've done that. It's rather ironic, being in art college, and I hardly ever get to art the way I want too~ [sigh]

So maybe someday I'll get to finish my little fan arts... 

Mandarin Cupcakes <3

Slender-Chan! A Super Cute, Chibi, Baby, Slender Man~

Isn't he cute? He looks so dapper ~ I've been wanting to make a chibi Slender Man for a while now. So this morning I whipped him up. He's a lot quicker then the first Slender Man amigurumi I made for Anthony for his birthday. That first Slender Man has been pretty popular on Etsy, too. Almost everyday for the past week or so I've gotten a fav on him, and because of him, I've gotten well over 100 hits to the store. It's pretty sweet! So I added Slender-chan to the store and he is available with or without legs. Because Anthony and I couldn't  decide which looked better. (And I'm fond of both~) Which do you like better? 

Well, I'm off~ Toodles!

Mandarin <3

Galaxy Cauldron

The Galaxy Cauldron is my new favourite place to go and talk with people who also enjoy Sailor Moon. If you enjoy Sailor Moon, you should check it out as well :3

Shameless plug:The Galaxy Cauldron is a fun and drama-free place to meet and make new sailor moon friends! With several featured events in all areas and an extremely active member base with friendly moderators and admins, this Sailor Moon forum is far beyond all expectations! 

We feature:

-Debates & Theories

-A Large Creativity Corner

-General Discussion

-Contests and Giveaways

-A Relaxing, Safe, Drama Free place to hang out

-Monthly Artist and Writers contests

-Roleplaying with several timelines and the ability to create your own storyline

-Coming Soon: Weekly Artist and Writers showcase/promos.

Come share and embrace your love for Sailor Moon today!

Slender Man

I crocheted my brother a Slender Man for his birthday. He turned out super cute and is now available in my Etsy shop~ https://www.etsy.com/listing/100827756/slender-man-amigurumi?ref=pr_shop

Crochet Lace Collar

I've been trying to find something to crochet all weekend, but nothing was coming out right. Instead of giving up, I floated around Ravelry and some of the blogs I follow until I came across this pattern by softspoken. It looked fun and easy, so I started it up this morning. It only took a couple of hours.  Now I have an idea of how to make my own.  I think I'll make some matching cuffs to go with it. 

Small Shop Update~

Updated the Etsy shop~ Take a look around :3


http://www.etsy.com/shop/MandarinCupcakes?ref=si_shop

Takochu's Adventures~

My mom snapped this picture of the little takochu I made her during a doctors visit.  I thought it was too cute and wanted to share it :3


I'm also working on a shop update, so keep an eye out~


Mandarin <3

"Gardening"

Ever since the end of February, I've been feeling very..."springy."  The weather is wonderfully mild here in the bay area, just like it would be around April-May in Montana.  And there is something about this weather that just pulls at me. 


It's weird, however, because the trees at the apartment complex are still very much naked.  


So, I need some sort of plant life around me, I've realized. BigBear had gotten me an amaryllis back in January from IKEA, and I finally got around to repotting her last weekend. Her leaves are growing, but I'm still waiting for a stem to show up. 

While out getting my potting soil (I'm very lucky to have a Lowes right across the street :D), I decided to get another plant growing. I've been wanting Dahlias for some time now, but they don't carry pre-planted and grown ones, so I bought some seeds. On thursday, I came home from classes with a wonderful surprise of budding Dahlias. They are so cute, and like my own little babies. I can't wait for them the grow into beautiful flowers. 

While waiting for my two flowers to flower, I realized yesterday that I wanted some colour. No, I think I needed colour. Mom had been talking about all the plants and flowers she was getting for the new house and I was feeling like my little apartment needed some flowering ommph too.  So I walked back to Lowes, not really planning on getting anything. I was just there a few days earlier and was not expecting them to have a plethora of new flowers out. I felt like a kid in a candy shop.  So many colours and shapes, but many that would only last the summer. I wanted commitment. That's why I got the Dahlia seeds. Then I saw this lone flower behind some annuals. She was looking pretty sad: her leaves were overgrown and wilty, dirt dry, and this long stem that gave way to this beautifully violet flower. I think it  was love at first sight. She just needed some pruning, some food, lots of water, and, dare I say it, love.  After all, she was the only one of her kind (I didn't even see Anemones on Sunday) and would probably be discarded for not looking perfect. Needless to say, she looked a lot better today after moving into a much roomier pot. 


I did try to keep her in my room (she's soooo~oo pretty), but she's got some major pollen, and I was miserable with sneezing, itchy eyes, and an allergy headache before I realized the plant was causing all of it. 


So that's been my little adventure thus far. I'll keep you updated on how my babies are doing~


Mandarin Cupcake


PS I finally got my Etsy store up the other day! You should check it out :3  http://www.etsy.com/shop/MandarinCupcakes?ref=si_shop

Takochu, my Current Obsession...

These aren't even half of all of the little takochu I've crocheted up in the last few days. I'm on a roll and addicted to them.  They are so cute~~~ I'm in the planning stages of something cool for them.  I'm so excited :)  The little pink and white one is the one I posted about last blog, but now she has eyes. The middle pink one is kinda derpy looking. But the blue and purple ones are my favourite ones so far. 

    It's not just takochu that I'm squeeing over.  It's just tako in general :3 I found a cute picture of a pink baby octopus the otherday.                                      

Isn't it cute~~~~ I want one :3 

---Mandarin Cupcake

A Preview~

   I've been busy crafting the last couple of days in my free time. When I have more free time, I'll add more, but for now, the preview will do~  I finally have a pattern for the takochu that is all my own.  She's not finished; her eyes are in the oven baking :O 

Flaming Cheesecakes~

I turned 23 today~ It was my first birthday away from my parents, so it kind of felt a little off. But then I went to the post office and saw that I had several letters and cards from them and my brother and sister, so  I didn't feel quite so odd after that. :3

 

That's the little cheesecake I made this morning. My camera had just enough in it to take the one picture before dying on me.  It's not the batteries, it's just old :( It was yummy, and the first cake I had made from scratch.  I have some delicious Godiva Chocolate Raspberry Truffle coffee and decided to sprinkle that in it. BigBear stuffed that little cake with 23 candles. He wanted it too look like a volcano. He got his wish.

I, on the other hand, wished for more hours in the day. I doubt I'll get that one D: There is so much crocheting I want to do, and I'd like to finish Skyward Sword at some point. And read. And draw...and...

Nyo, I have to get up early to get to the college and finish up some photoshop homework, so I'll talk to you all later~ 

Toodles, Mandarin

Welcome~

  Hello, and welcome to my blog~ I wanted to have a place to share with everyone my adventures, whether they be crocheted, school, or anything else :3


   That's my little Takochu I whipped up the other night. I got the idea from Berrysprite. She had a pattern, and I adjusted to my liking. I'm rather addicted to these little Takochu, they're so cute~ 


   Well, gotta get ready for class.  Toodles~ Mandarin