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Ernest bear: a work in progress

Ernest bear seems to have been missing from my amigurumi challenges this year. There have been quite a few times when I attempted to crochet Celestine's bear-buddy but gave up over and over. Ugh! His anatomy just stumped me. Recently one of his fans challenged me to make him after seeing the result of my amigurumi Celestine mouse. Actually there were two requests this year for Ernest, the first from Indiana and the second from California. With this second request came the final courage to shake out a good work. On this craft journey I have realized this: Crochet is like unto faith. It begins with just one tiny loop to bring about a great work. Now faith starts with a seed.  And these challenges are like seeds. I'm so grateful for them and may more come in 2016.

This challenge came to me all the way from California this past Friday morning. It was a doozy. Get this beat-the-clock challenge. It went something like this: This mom was having a baby... anyday now (at these words I burst into histeria for a moment. Is she in labor?).....and her 2 year old wanted a Tigey (really?). It had to be right away? I couldn't contain it any longer. Barely over my histeria I thought, aww this has to be a super-caring-mom! Otherwise, who else would be thinking of their 2 year old child's wishes when they're about to give birth to their second child? Talk about giving your all... How could I not at least try this challenge. How could I disappoint this 2 year old. I jumped on-board with the mom's compassion and voila, Tigey came out in time. Challenge 911 done.



I wonder if she'll have another baby after her second and what requests will she face then? Can't wait.

All the way from the UK comes the amigurumi challenge of the summer for Katerina Kitty and O Owl from Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. A lovely lady from Cambridge saw my Tigey on Etsy and liked it. She asked if I could make the Kitty and Owl too. I chose to try Katerina first because I wanted to run and yarn shop for her green outfit. I ended up purchasing just one new green color for her shoes. Michaels had this cool shade of green called Aqua. Already I had stashed away two other green colors to use for her dress, one in Grass from Michaels and the other in Midnight Teal from Hobby Lobby. Yes, I get around for yarns. It's because I can walk to Michaels or board a city bus to the Hobby Lobby down the street (less than 5 miles away). On to the challenge!

AQUA SHOES

I just don't know how this will all turn out. So for a boost to help me get started I've referenced patterns for the tigers Daniel and Margaret. This way I won't choke up and ditch the challenge.

This adorable Buddy T-Rex doll I made for someone last month (April 2015). I think it came out around 15 inches tall. The pattern I purchased from Etsy. The designer is MilesofCrochet. What a beautiful art! To make one of your own visit this great shop for her pattern.

Two mice, Cerise & Celestine, are from an orphanage. But now they're on their own in new worlds. Free of their capes and bags because they no longer have to steal teeth, Cerise visits Celestine at her quaint cottage for a walk through the forest and a picnic. Celestine is the artist from the adorable kids movie "Ernest & Celestine". She has inspired this amigurumi set.

Celestine mouse #1

Mouse #1 of 12 - Celestine is the first mouse of 12 that I wanted to make for my first project of the year. Celestine is a main character in a children's book series, Ernest & Celestine.  Over the holidays I stumbled upon this mouse in her own animation film and immediately fell for her character. In the beginning of the movie it's sad how she is treated in the orphanage. She also has to face a career choice that doesn't fit her character. I can identify with Celestine. I just wanted to take this mouse in, into my heart that is. She's the perfect character for my next ami ami pet project.

The other main character of the movie is Ernest the bear.  The encounter of these two is what moves you to adore this film. To share their experience watch this family movie, Ernest & Celestine, or dig deep for the books. Their books sure are not easy to find here where I live.

This is my first finished version of amigurumi Celestine. I hope to patiently tackle the dear bear Ernest too and 11 other orphan mice from this wonderful movie.

Last year 2014 I watched Ernest & Celestine the movie with my family. This movie is based on the popular children's book series by Gabrielle Vincent. Seeing the animation made me want that mouse. So for my first ami project of 2015 I want to make that adorable mouse, Celestine. Her outfits are so cute too. I sure need to learn to makee dresses this year.

So far I've started her prototype. Next I'll need to gather the yarn supplies and then get busy with the coloring techniques to make this design look like Celestine. I hope to give Ernest the bear a try too someday.

Celestine the mouse - a prototype

this mouse needs work