No more thin skin ( instead it is crochet)

Some months ago I read a blog in which the lady was going on a trip and was packing her stuffed greyhounds to take with her. The photos were really cute! I checked out the website where she purchased hers.  They had small ones and life sized ones, and were quite a lot of money. (However, the cost was not too much for the amount of work involved in making these crocheted beauties.)

When checking out the website, I also noticed that they sold the patterns to make the dogs.http://www.etsy.com/shop/AerieDesigns

Long narrow head partially finished

I had not crocheted in many years, and was quite surprised that I could follow the instructions in the pattern. The dog starts appearing quickly.

Body section after stuffing with polyfil

The pattern was a big surprise.  It is a very easy to understand, and a beginner can follow it.

When I started on the legs, I found that I had to know a little more than before, because the legs required a single crochet stitch and a half double crochet stitch, a slip stitch, and double crochet.  I had never heard of a half double crochet stitch and had to look in my crochet instructions book to figure it out!

So far, I have ripped out the leg twice and started over, and am still having a bit of a mess, so I am thinking I need to consult with another person to get it done correctly.
 I did consult with Anita https://sparemomentstitching.wordpress.com/

She got me straightened out and I was able to finish the first hind leg today.
The second hind leg is started!

Two weeks later... after starting this post. 

 In following the instructions I stuffed each section as I went, and so I ended  up with one hind leg three inches longer than the other.  I took the stuffing out and reinserted it, and came out with legs about the same length!

Hind legs are sewed in place

Hind legs are too far back on the body, and will have to be redone!  The toes are going backward as well.

The first time around the neck came out way way too thin,

Note the extra skinny neck!

See the extra skinny neck

so I recrocheted the head and neck and finally got them in proportion.  I realized I needed to put the eyes on so I pulled the stuffing out of the head and neck and placed the eyes where the pattern said to do so.  

Second crocheted head and neck, in better proportion, with eyes in place

The eyes seem way too large and a bit too low on the side of the head.  

The front legs turned out to be different lengths after being stuffed, and the toes were wanting to turn to the outside, so more work is required.

Front legs with toes going in the wrong direction, and the length is different.

So I hope that you have enjoyed seeing the steps and mistakes of this project.  I had a lot of fun and in a few days when it is finished, I will show photos of the life sized greyhound.

Collars and Leashes

Ribbon  to make a new collar

Studded leather to make collar and leash

I so enjoyed the last collars and leashes I made, that I bought some more supplies today to make a couple more.  I got so excited at the fabric department at the Gallup Super Walmart, that I also bought some interfacing, some fleece, and a pattern to make a hat for my sister in law.  She loves the color turquoise, and I found a yard of beautiful turquoise fleece.  Her name is Erika, and she lives in Germany.  Her area has very cold winters, and I think she will enjoy having a warm hat in her favorite color.

I plan to use some beads to embellish the hat.  I also think it might be possible to make a coat for power from this fabric.

Power showing off his new coat

Fabric for Power's coat

Comfort

During our very recent heavy rains, these horses stayed in the park, standing out in the rain and acting like it never bothered them.

Mare and yearling stayed with us through the flooding rains.

Since then even more horses are enjoying the lake and the wild grasses in the park.

Two of them wandered into the maintenance yard and checked it all out , munching on grass as they went.