Knittin' Crap: Paying It Finished

My fifth and final Pay It Forward project went out over the weekend. beltwayspinner got this snail/tape measure transformer. (I'll get around to posting the pattern at some point.)

I may embark on this again in the future, although I'd probably do multiples of 3s next time. It seems more manageable and would put off fewer people. I've already seen others doing it that way, and while I think it's somewhat wimpy, I've proven my mad skilz and can now rest on my laurels. Or something.

Knittin' Crap: Paying It Fearward

I got my Pay It Forward projects #3 and #4 to their recipients over the past couple days. They were rather ambitious, but since both people were real-life friends of mine, I felt motivated to make something memorable for each.

Jeanne had asked me awhile back for a shark. I never saw a pattern I really liked, so I came up with my own. The construction is somewhat unorthodox because I wanted specific attributes, like only the right side of single crochet stitches showing and not having to graft a head onto the torso, which just wouldn't look right to me. So, after a good deal of trial and error, and somehow getting one eye one row removed from the other even after I counted 3 times, here's the shark:



Next, Dan got a Chinese hopping vampire. Several years ago, I showed him my DVD (yes, I proudly own it) of the 1985 Hong Kong movie classic Mr Vampire, a film I mentioned here awhile back. I was scratching around for ideas for what to make Dan, who, when I showed him the film, couldn't believe the vampires were based on a real Chinese myth. Nooooo, he had to confirm it later with Chinese friends of his. Anyway, to prove for once and for all that hopping vampires really do exist, I made one. Again, I did some unorthodox things to get certain details I wanted, but he turned out super-cute. And I referred to my aforementioned Mr Vampire DVD often to get the details right. He comes complete in Qing Dynasty dress, with the Buddhist prayer bead necklace and long, black fingernails. I even made the Chinese death blessing to keep him under control.

After I took the initial pictures of Mr Vampire there, I went to the computer to get them off the card. When I came back, I found Spoon snuggling the vampire. Who knew a stiff corpse could be so cuddly?

Knittin' Crap: Still Paying It Forward

My second Pay It Forward project went out to craftykaren from Ravelry and coincidentally managed to arrive on her birthday! She is the recipient of a lovely crochet hook case... well, lovely as long as you don't open it and see how crappy my sewing skills are. Her cats also received a lovely catnip empanada.

Knittin' Crap: First PIFO Lands, Hits Target, Collateral Damage

Well, bradymom29 (Crystal) from Ravelry got the first PIFO! I made her a scarf in the hopes that it wouldn't be appropriated by one of her six kids. Instead, she reports that her mom wants to borrow it.

Who will be next? What will it be? When will Karen get around to doing it, now that she's also in another swap now? Stay tuned to find out!

Knittin' Crap: First PIFO... Away!

My first Pay It Forward Object is heading out! Who will get it? What will be it? Wait and see!

P.S. I think Bradymom29 still needs some participants, so if you missed my sign-up but still want to play, head on over there!

Knittin' Crap: Pay It Forward

UPDATE: I have my five giftees now! If you want to participate, Sanguiknity still needs a couple, or maybe the takers here will leave comments about where you can find their offer! Thanks!

Via the Random Acts of Kindness group on Ravelry, I found Sanguiknity's Pay It Forward meme, so I'm joining in!

The Rules:

The first five (cinq) (cinco) (5) people to respond to this post will get something made by me.
This offer does have some restrictions and limitations so please read carefully:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make. (No refunds… no exchanges!!!!)
2. What I create will be just for you, with love from me.
3. It'll be done this year (2009).
4. I will not give you any clue what it's going to be. It will be something made in the real world and not something cyber. It may be weird or beautiful. I may even create something totally unbelievable and surprise you!! Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.
6. In return, all you need to do is post this text into a note/post of your own and make 5 things for the first 5 to respond to it.
7. Please send your mailing address (if you don't live close to me in Los Angeles) to my Gmail account karenblogs. (You can translate that into an email address, right?) Please leave a comment here, too, so people don't think I'm shilling my gifts!

IMPORTANT: This offer is null and void if I do not see you post your own note to pay this forward.

So, come on, folks! Here's your chance to get one of my amazing creations and spread your own handmade love!

When you pay it forward, you can use just about any media you want. Doesn't have to be yarn! (Drawing, painting, clay, fabric, wire, Legos, popsicle sticks...)

Edited to add:

The Rules, Simplified:

1. You sign up (post here and then email me your mailing address if I don't know where you live).
2. I send you (assuming you're in the first five to sign up) something I've made. No requests, no refunds.
3. You post on your blog/social networking page/etc. an offer to do the same thing for five other people.

ETA 2: I will ship internationally, if that was putting anyone off. Just don't expect a life-size Ô Totoro. Actually, that would be true for anyone not willing to come pick it up. Actually, I'm not sure I'd be able to get it through the door. Um, nevermind.