patti haskins

Thinking About Patterns

phaskins — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 01:44:34 +0000

I often get asked if I offer patterns for my critter creations, specifically, crochet patterns. I always say no, that I just make it up as I go along. But I’ve been thinking of attempting to document my crochet work and perhaps make some patterns available. I work with lots of unusual, one of kind finds yarns mostly when I create my critters. But I have been known to use readily available yarns as well and that is what I would design my patterns to utilize. The pictured critters were all made using easy to find yarns. And these are probably the kinds of critter patterns I would offer initially. So here’s the question for you: are there any readers who would be willing to test my patterns? I would provide free patterns and would love for you to crochet a critter following my instructions and report back to me where it does and does not work and provide photos for me to review. Please leave comment or email me at info@pattihaskins.com if you’re interested. I probably won’t have any patterns ready to be tested until August, so keep that in mind. Thanks for reading and hope to hear from some of you regarding testing.

Long Weekend

phaskins — Sat, 25 May 2013 20:48:13 +0000

It’s a long holiday weekend here in the US of A, Memorial Day. For some, it’s time to barbecue and party, for kids, it’s the start of their summer vacation. Some participate in services to remember those gone due to their service to country. Myself, I’ll be working on a custom crocheted critter. The day job doesn’t leave much time to create and I am grateful for the extra time on weekends like these. Seems everyone is busy with some kind of activity, even the birds in my yard. Enjoy.

Oaxacan Wood

phaskins — Fri, 17 May 2013 02:04:12 +0000

I haven’t posted about my love of Mexican folk art in a while. I guess I’m still in mourning since my favorite store for Mexican folk art went out of business. Now I lust over the fabulous wood carvings from Oaxaca that my new favorite online shop features. Sandia Folk A rt. Every time their new email pops up in my inbox, I stop what I’m doing to peruse and dream. They offer the best sculptures. I want almost every single one they sell. So far I have been good and resisted the temptation to add a few to my collection. But I feel my strength diminishing. I’m afraid I’ll be clicking and adding to my shopping cart soon. Here’s a couple of pieces from their latest email that are calling my name. Enjoy.

It’s Market Time Again

phaskins — Wed, 08 May 2013 01:36:35 +0000

and I hope the weather is fine for Saturday’s White Rock Local Market. Come on by to pick up some fresh local grown produce and a few wonderful creations offered by the area’s best artisans. I’ll be there with loads of my critter creations including a pile of catnip snakes and bugs and crocheted critters including my latest, Paula the pit bull. Hope to see you there. The market takes place from 8:00 am until 1:00 pm Saturday, May 11 on Buckner Blvd. @ Northcliff Dr. in the Green Spot parking lot.

My Latest Custom Crocheted Critter

phaskins — Fri, 03 May 2013 02:01:54 +0000

Remember how I said I loved custom creations? As soon as I finished my St. Bernard on a ski, I began crocheting a twin for Duncan the dog. His owner wanted him to look like Tony (he’s still waiting for a new home in my shop) but with Duncan’s colors. She sent me a bunch of photos of a really cute dog and I had the best time crocheting him. She promises to send photos of the dogs together. I love that. I can’t wait to see them. Enjoy.

The Smell of Spring

phaskins — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 18:00:21 +0000

My favorite tree is blooming. It must be spring. I can smell the tiny blossoms’ sweet perfume in the air. I know they’re not a desired tree, but I love the scent of the Chinaberry above all other flowers’ scent. We don’t have a Chinaberry tree on our property, but there is one on a quiet street that I drive on my daily commute. Yesterday, I stopped the car and broke off a couple of the blooming low hanging branches. Don’t tell anyone. Those branches are in a vase here in my studio making every breath I take a delight. Here’s some studio shots of those tiny perfumed blossoms. Enjoy.Click to view slideshow.

I Love Custom Creations

phaskins — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 03:04:07 +0000

Here’s my latest custom creation, a St. Bernard on a ski. A customer saw my cat on a ski and asked if I’d do a St. Bernard, black line on the same hot pink fabric I’d made some other critter pillows from. Well, I have no more of that particular fabric so the customer said perhaps I could make one of realistic colors and I offered to get out the acrylics and paint onto some nubby ivory fabric and below is the results. I like him. The customer likes him. Do you?

April in Texas

phaskins — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 02:14:03 +0000

When it’s April in Texas, that means it is festival time and the bluebonnets are blooming. This weekend alone, there’s the Main Street Art Festival in downtown Fort Worth, there’s a Taco Festival in Deep Ellum, it’s Record Store Day and lots of area shops have free stuff happening, the Bath House at White Rock Lake has the Art Mart, there’s a Guitar Show at Market Hall and best of all, the Bluebonnet Festival in Ennis. I’ve been to all of these one time or another except the Taco Festival, this is the first year for it. A few years back when we went to the Ennis Bluebonnet Festival, it was one of those perfect years for blooms, plenty of warmth, sun and rain. I shot a lot of fabulous photos and I’m sharing some those with you now. Get out and have some fun this weekend. Enjoy.

It’s Market Time Again 2013

phaskins — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 18:42:56 +0000

Hello Dallas. Hello White Rock Local Market. This Saturday, April 13 8am until 1pm will be my first venture out into the public with my critter creations. I have been hibernating for way too long. Come see all my new critter shaped pillows and lots of new catnip snakes and cockroaches. We’ll be at the Green Spot market location on Buckner. I hope to see your smiling faces in my booth.

Working Working Working

phaskins — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 21:00:43 +0000

I am back to painting on fabric, sewing and stuffing after finishing my crocheted pit bull. I hope he sells today at the Deviant Art: Dispelling Myths show. Snakes, cockroaches and relaxed cats are in various stages all over my work table. They are all headed to the White Rock Local Market next Saturday. Anything left after that will be listed in my Etsy shop. If you see something you want in these photos and don’t want to wait or take a chance on it not selling, let me know. Enjoy the pics.