Out of the Nest and Into the World

Last March, I got hired as a part-time English teacher at a private school. So apart from my writing job from 8 am to 5:12 pm, I now have to teach English classes from 6 to 10 pm. One of my friends asked me if in between my schedule I could still eat and go to the bathroom and you know what I answered? "Jelly!" Hahaha! XD

Yeah I have barely enough time for myself now, but at least it pays well and I don't need to worry about my parent's imminent retirement or my mom's treatments. It's a little sacrifice that I'm willing to bear just so they'll have a comfortable life. T_T

Okay, enough with the sad violin... 

Anyway, I was able to teach a young Filipino boy that just graduated from college. He enrolled at our school so he could develop his English speaking skills and increase his chances of landing a decent job. On our first meeting he could barely express himself, stuttering and getting tongue-tied, and at one point he already pleaded if he could speak in Tagalog (Philippine language). That just broke my heart... I could sense how helpless he felt and how much he's struggling to break out of his shell. Yah, he was pretty dang shy. I mean, damn! O_O After that first meeting, I made it my goal and personal mission for this sweet boy to not only improve on his speaking, but help him gain the confidence and self-esteem he needs to get out into the world and make his mark.

After 40 hours of reading, listening, and public speaking exercises I noticed a great change in him. He was not anymore that shy boy who could not express himself properly and stuttering at every turn. He has become a young, confident man that could hold his head high and eloquently speak his mind. What a change! Even my co-teachers noticed how much he has progressed and I even got commended by my superiors on how I handled his radical, and yet very educational curriculum. Oh my gosh! I never expected I could have such great impact on a person's life. He even told me that out all his teachers I was his favorite as it was only from me that he learned the most. Here comes the feels train. Choo-choo! T.T

Last Wednesday (Jul. 12) was our final class and he delivered his graduation speech. Almost all my co-teachers, my Taiwanese student, and my sweet baby's mom was there. To be honest, we were all dumb-founded and shocked as he delivered the speech beautifully and wholeheartedly. There was almost zero mistakes and confidence really radiated from him. It was such a heart-felt moment and I was so touched of how much he appreciated me as his teacher. I was badly in the brink of tears and it took a lot out of me just to keep them from rushing out. Seriously! I don't want to be a freaking waterfall in my student's special moment. O_O Then suddenly his mom cried and said that she could not believe that her son could speak in public as he'd been struggling for years to communicate in English. At one point she almost lost hope finding the best and yet affordable institution that could help her boy. It was truly a blessing she found the academy and could never be happier how his son turned out. Like that moment was not tear-jerking enough, my student had to go and amplify the mood by shedding pure, innocent, tears of joy. Aaaw! Damn them ninjas cutting onions again! ToT

I had so many mixed emotions that night... Until now as I remember it, it just feels so surreal. I never thought I could be so happy. Oh my gosh! I still find it hard to believe I was able to turn someone's life around, that I had a big hand in a boy's path to maturity and success. Wow! The feeling is... I don't know, it's just so profound and overwhelming... It's so MATHEMATICAL!!!

So for someone who left quite an impression in my life, he deserves to get one of my amigurumis. As he had grown into a majestic swan from a lowly duckling, it is but fitting to give him a cutie-patootie baby duckie. Am I right? Ha? Ha? -^.^-

I used the duckling pattern by AmigurumiBB and slightly adjusted it to make it a tad smaller.

DUCKLING

(Click for Pattern)

BEBE DUCKIE

Materials:

Monaco Yarn Shade #12 - Blonde (2-3 skeins)

Monaco Yarn Shade #13 - Honey (1-2 skeins)

Monaco Yarn Shade #42 - Sapphire (1 skein)

Crochet Hook - F5 (3.75 mm)

Black beads #10

Fiberfill stuffing

Pink blush

*3sc1 = 3sc in 1st
*3sctog = dec 3sc together

HEAD

(Blonde)

6ch

Rnd 1: sc on 2nd ch,  3sc, 3sc1, 3sc, inc (12)

Rnd 2: inc, 3sc, 3inc, 3sc, 2inc (18)

Rnd 3: 1sc, inc, 4sc, [inc-1sc] 2x, inc, 4sc, inc, 1sc, inc (24)

Rnd 4: 2sc, inc, 5sc, [inc-2sc] 2x, inc, 5sc, inc, 2sc, inc (30)

Rnd 5: 3sc, inc, 6sc, [inc-3sc] 2x, inc, 6sc, inc, 3sc, inc (36)

Rnd 6: 4sc, inc, 7sc, [inc-4sc] 2x, inc, 7sc, inc, 4sc, inc (42)

Rnd 7: 5sc, inc, 8sc, [inc-5sc] 2x, inc 8sc, inc ,5sc, inc (48)

Rnd 8-16: sc around (48)

Rnd 17: dec-6sc (42)

Rnd 18: dec-19sc (40)

Rnd 19: sc around (40)

Rnd 20: dec-2sc (30)

Rnd 21: dec-1sc (20)

Rnd 22: 5sc-dec (18)

FO, weave in ends

*Attach black beads for eyes
*Put a little blush on the cheeks

TENDRIL

(Blonde)
7ch
Row 1: inc on 2nd ch, 5inc (12)
FO, leave tail for sewing
*Attach to the top of the head

  

BODY

(Blonde)

Rnd 1: 6sc in mr (6)
Rnd 2: inc around (12)
Rnd 3: 1sc-inc (18)
Rnd 4: inc-2sc (24)
Rnd 5: inc-3sc (30)
Rnd 6: inc-4sc (36)
Rnd 7: inc-5sc (42)
Rnd 8-12: sc around (42)
Rnd 13: dec-19sc (40)
Rnd 14: dec-2sc (30)
Rnd 15: sc around (30)
Rnd 16: dec-1sc (20)
Rnd 17: sc around (20)
Rnd 18: dec-8sc (18)
FO, leave tail for sewing
  
BEAK

(Honey)

7ch
Rnd 1: sc on 2nd ch, 5sc, 3sc1, 5sc, inc (16)
Rnd 2-3: sc around (16)
FO, leave tail for sewing
*Attach to the head

WINGS (2x)

(Blonde)

Rnd 1: 6sc in mr (6)
Rnd 2: inc around (12)
Rnd 3-4: sc around (12)
Rnd 5: inc-1sc (18)
Rnd 6-7: sc around (18)
Rnd 8: 1sc-dec (12)
Rnd 9: sc around (12)
FO, leave tail for sewing 

LEGS (2x)

(Honey)

Rnd 1: 6sc in mr (6)
Rnd 2: 3sc1-1sc (12)
Rnd 3: 1sc, [3sc1-3sc] 2x, 3sc1, 2sc (18)
Rnd 4: 2sc, [3sc1-5sc] 2x, 3sc1, 3sc (24)
Rnd 5: sc around (24)
Rnd 6: 1sc, 3sctog, 3sc, 3sctog, 14sc (20)
Rnd 7: 3sctog, 1sc, 3sctog, 13sc (16)
Rnd 8: 3sctog, 13sc (14)
Rnd 9: sc around (14)
FO, leave tail for sewing

BOW

(Sapphire)
3ch
Row 1: sc on 2nd ch, inc, ch1-turn (3)
Row 2: 2sc, inc, ch1-turn (4)
Row 3: inc, 3sc, ch1-turn (5)
Row 4-5: sc across, ch1-turn (5)
Row 6: (skip 1st), 2sc, dec, ch1-turn (3)
Row 7: 1sc, dec, ch1-turn (2)
Row 8: inc, 1sc, ch1-turn (3)
Row 9: 1sc, 2inc, ch1-turn (5)
Row 10-12: sc across, ch1-turn (5)
Row 13: (skip 1st), 2sc, dec , ch1-turn (3)
Row 14: 1sc, 1dec (2)
FO, leave tail for sewing
*Fold the edges to the center and sew to form the bow

This bebe duckie carries all my good intentions, my hopes and dreams, and all the love I can muster for the dear boy. If it was up to me I'd like him to be my student forever, but then again I would not want to be that selfish. As a teacher, I have to let him spread his wings and soar high to reach his greatest potential. Sigh! I'll miss that sweet boy. 

So go my son and show them what you're made of. The world is lucky to have you. Make mama proud. TvT 

Copyright: Bebe Duckie is a pattern adapted from AmigurumiBB's original Duckling pattern. You may do whatever you want with the finished product but please do not sell or claim the pattern as your own. Also, do not post the pattern directly to your website. Just link it to this blog. ^^

Disclaimer: Some of the images/gif are not mine and can be searched online

Princess Poppy

For my niece's birthday this year, I asked her which character I should crochet for her and she answered Princess Poppy. Aaw! She's old enough that I don't need to ask her mom what she wants. My baby girl's all grown up... Time flies so fast. Sob!

Anyway, my other choice for her was Moana, but I guess she prefers tiny colorful beings that can't stop singing, dancing, and hugging every hour. Sigh! Trolls. O_O Moana would've been nice, but Princess Poppy is what my precious niece ordered so what can I do?

Once again I needed the assistance of my favorite doll pattern for the base: Serah Basnet's Cookie doll pattern. Unlike my previous princesses, this one I had to do some major adjustments. It was quite the challenge and I'm so relieved I pulled through, and just in time too. Yup! Perty darn proud of myself. Huehuehue!

  
 COOKIE, THE AMIGURUMI GIRL

(Click for Pattern)

PRINCESS POPPY

Materials:
Monaco Yarn Shade #33 - Pamplemousse (4-5 skeins)
Monaco Yarn Shade #32 - Wild Berry (5-6 skeins)
Monaco Yarn Shade #34 - Raspberry (1 skein)
Monaco Yarn Shade #1 - Snow (1 skein)
Monaco Yarn Shade #42 - Sapphire (1-2 skeins)
Monaco Yarn Shade #249 - Parrot (1-2 skeins)
Crochet Hook - H8 (5 mm)
Black thread
Felt cloth:
           - White 
Marker pens
Lacquer/transparent nail polish
Pink blush
Gold glitter
Pet Brush
Fiberfill stuffing
*trinc = 2tr in 1st
*sl2trinc = sl then 2tr in same st
*3sctog = dec 3sc together
*dcinc = 2dc in 1st
*hdcinc = 2hdc in 1st
*bo = bobble stitch

HEAD
(Pamplemousse)
Rnd 1: 6sc in mr (6)
Rnd 2: inc around (12)
Rnd 3: 1sc-inc (18)
Rnd 4: 2sc-inc (24)
Rnd 5: 3sc-inc (30)
Rnd 6: 4sc-inc (36)
Rnd 7: 5sc-inc (42)
Rnd 8: 6sc-inc (48)
Rnd 9: 7sc-inc (54)
Rnd 10-18: sc around (54)
Rnd 19: 17sc, 5hdinc, 10hdc, 5hdcinc, 17sc (64)
Rnd 2o: 17sc, 5dec, 10sc, 5dec, 17sc (54)
Rnd 21: 7sc-dec (48)
Rnd 22: 6sc-dec (42)
Rnd 23: 5sc-dec (36)
Rnd 24: 4sc-dec (30)
Rnd 25: 3sc-dec (24)
Rnd 26: 2sc-dec (18)
FO, leave tail for sewing
*Stitch to the body
*Draw the eyes with markers on the felt and spray with lacquer
*Use Wild Berry to stitch the eyebrows
*Put a little blush on the cheeks
*Dab some glue on the cheeks and sprinkle a tiny amount of gold glitter

EARS (2x)
(Pamplemousse)
11ch
Rnd 1: sc on 2nd ch, sc around, ch1-turn (20)
Rnd 2: 2sc, 4hdc, 8dc, 4hdc, 2sc (20)
FO, leave tail for sewing

NOSE
(Raspberry)
5ch
Rnd 1: sc on 2nd ch, sc around (8)
Rnd 2: sc around (8)
FO, leave tail for sewing

LEGS (2x)
(Pamplemousse)
6ch
Rnd 1: sc on 2nd ch from hook, sc around (10)
Rnd 2: inc, 2sc, 3inc, 2sc, 2inc (16)
Rnd 3: inc, 4sc, 4inc, 4sc, 3inc (24)
Rnd 4: sc around (24)
Rnd 5: 7sc, 3dec, 11sc (21)
Rnd 6: 6sc, 3dec, 7sc, dec (17)
Rnd 7: 6sc, 2dec, 7sc (15)
Rnd 8-30: sc around (15)
(Snow)
Rnd 31-32: sc around (15)
FO, weave in ends

*After completing the two legs, sl them together
*Make sure the legs are slightly angled so that it wouldn't look too straight or stiff facing front

*Continue rounds to the body

BODY
(Snow)
Rnd 33: sc around (28)
Rnd 34: 1sc-inc (42)
Rnd 35-36: sc around (42)
(Pamplemousse)
Rnd 37-40: sc around (42)
Rnd 41: 5sc-dec (36)
Rnd 42: 4sc-dec (30)
Rnd 43-47: sc around (30)
Rnd 48: 3sc-dec (24)
Rnd 49-52: sc around (24)
Rnd 53: 2sc-dec (18)
Rnd 54: sc around (18)
FO, weave in ends

DRESS
(Sapphire)
*Reconnect yarn and continue on FLO of Rnd 54 of the body
Rnd 1: sc around (18)
Rnd 2: 1sc-inc (27)
Rnd 3: 2hdc-hdcinc (36)
Rnd 4-8: hdc around (36)
Rnd 9: 3hdc-hdcinc (45)
Rnd 10-15: hdc around (45)
Rnd 16: 4hdc-hdcinc (54)
(Parrot)
Rnd 17-21: sc around (54)
FO, weave in ends

FLOWER PATCH (6x)
(Snow)
Rnd 1: 5sc in mr (5)
Rnd 2: [sl, 4ch, hdc on 3rd ch, sc, sl on next st] 5x
FO, leave tail for sewing
*Stitch to the bottom part of the dress
*Make sure the flowers are distributed around evenly

BUTTON
(Parrot)
Rnd 1: 6sc in mr (6)
Rnd 2: sc around (12)
Rnd 3: 1sc-inc (18)
FO, leave tail for sewing
*Stitch on the dress a little farther down from the head
* Make sure it's centered
*Use Snow to stitch an "X" 

PINKY FINGERS (2x)
(Pamplemousse)
Rnd 1: 6sc in mr (6)
Rnd 2) sc around (6)
FO, weave in ends

REST OF THE FINGERS (6x)
(Pamplemousse)
Rnd 1: 6sc in mr (6)
Rnd 2-3) sc around (6)
FO, weave in ends

*After completing all the fingers, assemble and stitch them together with 2 stitches

*Continue to the hands/arms
*Reconnect yarn to the side of the pinky

HANDS/ARMS (2x)
(Pamplemousse)
Rnd 4: 1sc-inc (18)

Rnd 5: sc around (18)
Rnd 6: [1sc-dec] 4x, bo, dec, 1sc, dec (12)
Rnd 7: 2sc-dec (9)
Rnd 8-22: sc around (9)
FO, weave in ends
*Stitch the body

HAIR CAP
(Wild Berry)
Rnd 1: 6sc in mr (6)
Rnd 2: inc around (12)
Rnd 3: 1sc-inc (18)
Rnd 4: 2sc-inc (24)
Rnd 5: 3sc-inc (30)
Rnd 6: 4sc-inc (36)
Rnd 7: 5sc-inc (42)
Rnd 8: 6sc-inc (48)
Rnd 9: 7sc-inc (54)
Rnd 10: sc around (54)
*Work in rows
Row 11: 36sc, ch1-turn (36)
Row 12: dec, 32sc, dec, ch1-turn (34)
Row 13-18: sc across, ch1-turn (34)
Row 19: dec, 30sc, dec, ch1-turn (32)
Row 20-21: sc across, ch1-turn (32)
Row 22: dec, 28sc, dec, (32)
FO, leave tail for sewing
*Stitch to the head

HAIR
(Wild Berry)
*Cut strands of Wild Berry that measures twice the body length of the doll
*Follow my often used hair tutorial to attach the strands on the hair cap 
*Use the pet brush to turn the yarn into fine hair

Okay now this is the tough part; pet brushing the yarn so it'd be silky soft like Princess Poppy's actual hair in the movie. This took a lot of patience, concrete commitment, and arm muscle 'coz it wasn't a a piece of cake. Definitely not. I'm telling you now, this is one of the hardest project I ever made and it's not because of the pattern but because of this blasted hair. Actually, about halfway through I was about this close [----] to scrapping the doll and redoing the whole thing. Her hair was turning out into a nightmare; full of tangles and getting shorter the more I brush it out. Yah... Now you know why Poppy's supposedly long hair is cut a bit short. It was soooo unintentional. O_O I wanted it to be longer, but circumstances was such a jerk so I had to settle with pixie-haired Poppy. -_- Well, at least she still turned out adorable. I guess the universe was still that kind to me. Hehehe! 

Does anyone know any technique that could pet brush yarn without getting it all tangled and resorting to emergency haircuts? I would love to hear any advice about this 'coz this took me in a whole new level of frustration.

HEAD BAND
(Parrot)
52ch
Row 1:  hdc on 3rd ch, hdc across (51)
FO, leave tail for sewing
*Stitch it on the head, just a little above the hairline

HEAD BAND - FLOWERS (6x)
(Sapphire)
Once again I borrowed June Gilbank's posy blossom pattern to add flowers to Princess Poppy's head band.

POSY BLOSSOMS

(Click Here)

I opted for the large blossoms, but if you want to change it up then it's totally okay.

My version is a little different from the actual Princess Poppy, but at least she still turned out cute. The short hair actually works on her. Sigh! Thank goodness. TvT

I was a little worried that my niece wouldn't like her since she's not an exact copy, but the moment I gave her the doll and her eyes lit up like stars I felt pretty darn proud of myself. I guess even with the erratic pauses from crocheting I was not able to lose my mojo. Yeah! I still got it. Phew! ^_^    

Copyright: Princess Poppy is an original pattern written by Duchess Gala with adaptation from Serah Basnet's Cookie, the amigurumi girl pattern. You may do whatever you want with the finished product but please do not sell or claim the pattern as your own. Also, do not post the pattern directly to your website. Just link it to this blog. ^^ 

Disclaimer: Some of the images/gif are not mine and can be searched online