Slime from Dragon Quest - Pattern for Bead Sprite, Needlepoint, and Cross Stitch

I just listed my Slime from Dragon Quest on my ETSY shop. Available here

Here is the pattern I used to make this - enjoy!

DIY Space Invader project - Free Space Invaders Pattern for Needlepoint

Today's DIY project will allow you to create a Space Invader framed item. The item is available here, but this item is a perfect entry point into needlepoint design.
Here is what the finished product will look like:

Materials needed: scissors, plastic canvas (size 7 Mesh), needle (tapestry size 16), black yarn, blue yarn and a mini gold frame (available at AC Moore / Michaels). See picture below.

You will also need a pattern for the Space Invader - you may want to print this. I have all my patterns printed in a binder.

Step 1: Cut your plastic canvas. Although the pattern shows 15 x 15, your plastic canvas should be cut 16 x 16. The reason the pattern shows it otherwise is because you have to compensate for the actual stitch. 

Step 2: thread your needle and begin in the second column five holes up. Always stitch going diagonal up right. See picture below:

Step 3: Continue making your design until you complete the black outline. Once the outline is finished, flip your item upside down and thread the yarn through the back.

Step 4: Pull the needle all the way through. 

Step 5: Cut any excess yarn off. 

Step 6: Begin threading the blue yarn. My advice is always start left to right.

Step 7: Complete the filling and repeat step 3 and 4 with the blue yarn.

Step 8: Disassemble the frame. Remove any clear cellophane off of the frame as your item will not fit with the cellophane.

Step 9: Place the Space Invader inside the frame and then push in the white binding that came with the frame. You should hear a click on the right and left side of the frame. This indicates that the backing locked in correctly. Congratulations - you just completed your Space Invader!

Birdo Pattern for Bead Sprite, Needlepoint and Cross Stitch

I made a Birdo some time ago and I figured I would pass on the pattern to everyone. Enjoy!

Zelda Rupee Pattern for Bead Sprite, Needlepoint and Cross Stitch

Made this Rupee from my shop. It is available here.

Here is what the finished product looks like:

Enjoy the pattern!

Clank pattern for Needlepoint, Cross Stitch and Bead Sprite

This week I made a Clank and I figured I would pass along the pattern for the item. Here is what it looks like complete:

So here is the pattern! Enjoy. Project time is roughly: 15-20 minutes. Item is available here.

Zelda Heart Container giveaway

Congratulations to A.Adams for entering my Mario Star Giveaway and being the winner. This month I wanted to make something special for my Blog that is not available for purchase on my shop. So this month I made something unique. This month: a floating Zelda heart container.

Giveaway Details - Start day: May 2nd. End Date: May 31st, 2013
How do I enter? Leave a comment in the comment field with a way to contact you, and a link your favorite item from my shop.
Additional entries: Go to my Facebook. Check my photos in May Listing and click the Zelda Heart Container and simply write <3
So what do I win? A Zelda Heart Container - it measures: 6in x 3.5in

Good Luck! Only one will win! Winner will be announced by June 1st, 2013!

Robot Unicorn Attack 2 - iOS Review

Robot Unicorn Attack is one of the original endless runners on iOS. Now, three years later, the sequel is here, and I'm happy to report that the game is as addicting as ever, if not more so.

For those unfamiliar, you play a robot unicorn who runs through an endless chasm. On the way your unicorn will need to jump and dash. To make things even more difficult, there are now giants that you must dash your way through before they shoot their laser and blow you to smithereens.

Each day a new level will be presented in front of you. While fundamentally the levels look the same, the level layout will be vastly different. Some of the levels have long straightaways, others more giants and even others have lots of small rocks to land upon. It allows some variety to a genre that often feels like your playing the same game over and over again. It's a genuine nice touch.

Graphically the game has received a very nice and appealing face lift  At first, the setting may seem jarring, but once you see your first flying whale, you'll be delighted with the new setting.

Also, there is an intricate level system which involves a variety of challenges. From collecting X amount of items in X amount of runs to earning a certain score through in several runs, the challenges add a nice variety. Once you've completed the challenge your earn a store and can potentially rank up. Each new rank adds a new set of items which include new horns, wings, and steeds. These items can really alter the game. Soon, jumping goes out the window in favor of jumping and max speed is hit earlier and earlier. Endless runners aren't known for their variety and complexity, but Robot Unicorn Attack 2 has had time to learn from all the endless runners that have come after it and improves upon all of them. Is it the best endless runner ever? Maybe!

Daily challenges, team challenges and even another level which is more difficult (an ice level) are just some of the other features.

If there are problems, it comes in the responsiveness of the game. Often times the game stutters under everything that is occurring on the screen. Once flying enters the picture, often times I would press and hold to fly only to come tumbling down and smashing into a rock. It feels inconsistent. I hope they can hammer out some of these issues, because this is the closest to iOS gaming nirvana.

Even as I type this review, all I want to do is play. The game is just fun in a box. Best of all. The price is FREE! Who can pass that up? You can pay for better music (which include Erasure's Always and Never Ending Story) which adds a bit of fantastic on the package, but it is not necessary to enjoy the game.

Robot Unicorn Attack 2 is almost a perfect package. It's fun, it's fast, and I'm going to stop typing this so I can go play. Download this - now!
Overall: A-