Happy New Year!
Another Christmas is over and we are all a little sad, especially today
they all came down to be packed away till next year. And do you know what the worst thing was? The amount of dust revealed – I blame santa entirely. (On the plus side I did find several chocolates left on the tree that the boys had hidden so well they had forgotton about them. Should I tell?
Aside from the detritus it was wonderful, family, food, drink, sparkly lights and presents – what more could you ask for? Being the muppet I am I didn’t take any photos of what I made, however all were loved, my bestest friend loved her aran cable scarf, my mum loved her neckwarmer, dad loved his gloves, though I’m not sure ‘loved’ is the right word for Rich’s crocheted glof club cover!
I did love my secret santa gifts! Organised over on the brilliant crafteroo, I sent to Gem of damselfly, and I received my beautifully wrapped gifts from the fabulous Kitty of Kitty ballistic
I received some gorgeous winter scented tealights that are lush, some fruit jellies that are hidden upstairs, way to good for boys, best of all this
talk about perfect, the colours, the details and those pins! It is way to nice to use so I am going to hang it somewhere on a bit of ribbon.
Finally for now 2 more pictures to show you. My mum and dad got me a gorgeous ring for Christmas, but the packaging was as lovely
and open
Isn’t it great, I am so going to copy it!
First two parcels posted!
I said I had been crocheting like crazy for, among other things for the Christmas ornament swap and the secret santa over on crafteroo. The ornament swap is done, sent but not yet recieved, hopefully due to the immense amount of snow the receivee has had recently and not because its lost in the post!
My swapee was the lovely Claire of lesbijouxdeclaire, she makes some gorgeous jewellery, especially her wire work.
She sent me some gorgeous fimo decorations, I said I like traditional Christmas decorations and the whole Scandianavian type feel too. I think she ticked every box!
Aren’t they gorgeous, I love the detail and they are so fine too
No pics of what I sent yet then, but I can tease my secret santa though!!
I’m still here!
Its been a while, we had a computer virus that messed EVERYTHING up and it took a fair while to sort. But I always say every cloud has a silver lining and not being able to access the computer for a couple of weeks means I have actually accomplished quite a bit! It has been quite liberating, almost like a detox, initially I was so frustrated not being able to chat with fellow crafters on crafteroo, read blogs I love, just wander around for general inspiration, let alone get on with my NIGHTMARISH maths course (more about later, though it won’t be pleasant) sorting out football stuff for my youngest team (i’m the secretary, please don’t laugh) and also panicking that I may sell something from my shops and not know, so the buyers think I’m a complete shoddy operation…
However, I am back in the land of the living and having just uploaded my camera programme on the computer I can also show you some pics of recent activity.
First up, I’ve been wanting to make a reusable advent calendar for the last few years but never really had the time. Also the boys are getting older so sooner rather than later was the idea! Nothing too big otherwise I would spend a fortune filling it, but big enough to be an actual decoration.
So I cut out 50 (I know 24 seems to be the norm, but 24, that just seems odd?) red felt stockings, got my bits and bobs out, beads, thread, trimmings and started playing!
So what do you think? I’ve finished 20, the last few are going to have a bit more embroidery on, sort of Scandinavian type style I think. I am imagining pinning them to some twine with wooden clothes pegs that I may stick numbers onto, I’m not sure yet, but more photos when its finished!
I received my suprise gift from spoiltpig, remember Chrissy is doing that fantastic idea of donating all proceeds to Oxfam in return for a surprise gift, isn’t it fabulous!
Aside from feeling all warm and glowy, I get this gorgeous gift that I would never have chosen myself, but I absolutely love, its chunky and sparkles and feels wonderfully smooth in your hand like a worry stone almost. If you still haven’t bought all your xmas presents yet I do suggest you pop over to her site, she has raised £301 so far for Oxfam, like I said, its win win!
I spent last weekend making the most stunning mincemeat, really its the best I’ve ever tasted, and I made it!! Its from Ali over at very berry handmade , its so easy to do and the house smelt wonderful for the whole day! I used a variety of jars and it made 7 and should last for a year, though really it has little chance in our house. Mince pies are a favourite of my boys and every year I think that I should make these more often, why only in December? So 2011 is going to be the year of the mince pie in our house!
Finally, for now, I’ve just had my latest turorial published in Beads and Beyondmagazine. Though I can’t show you a picture as I can’t find it, when we lost everything due to the virus our friend said he managed to save the pictures, but they are hidden somewhere in the depths of the computer… but I’m not thinking about that or I may start to panic, suffice to say they are a gorgeous cluster of bangles, crocheted in cotton then stiffened to maintain their shape and they are quite vintage in style.
Well, I’m sure your cup of tea has gone cold, I’ll be back with more pics of what I’ve been creating soon x
Waterfalls, hospital and a bit of origami!
I’ve been amiss with my postings for a while, lots going on, some good, some bad and some a ****** nightmare! However this does mean I have lots to share that I will spread out over a few posts, though we are away camping with friends again next week so I will be carrying on with my amiss-ness for a while longer, if such a thing exists.
Last Sunday it was glorious here in South Wales, so we took a 40 minute trip up the motorway to Glyn Neath, Breacons waterfall country. It was stunning, quiet, a bit dangerous (though thats probably just us) a bit hard trekking up and down but so, so worth it.
The first one we discovered Sgwd Gwladus
This picture just doesn’t do it justice, its in a deep sort of gorge surrounded by lush greens. We climbed up to the top and laid on the ledge that the water falls off, holding onto the boys legs VERY tightly!
The next one we visited was The Horseshoe Falls, several semi circular waterfalls and there would have been lots more pictures
however Tom slipped by the far one and broke the fall with his chin, cutting it right open in a nice clear line. We were in the middle of nowhere, with only narrow muddy tracks leading eventually to the car – a good half an hour away. Though I had a packet of clean tissues – go mum.
Tom was so brave, with dad holding his chin together and me hurrying Adam along we made it in 20 minutes! So, after a bit of glue and several steri strips he is over the moon that he is going to have a proper scar now, and a great story to tell his friends about his brave trek while severely injured!
One of my crafteroo buddies, Vintage Violet has had one of her fab tutorials featured on a brilliant website of awesome turorials . While checking it out I saw the gorgeous Kusudama Ball and just had to have a go. I tried it in thick paper first and quite a large square about 20cm.
But thought it would be too large and chunky to complete, so I started another one with papers from a magazine. I also didn’t glue them, I used double sided which does make it a lot quicker.
Itsn’t it fab! I love it and its not as complicated as it looks, and quite theraputic too, folding all those bits of paper. I can see a mulitude of uses already, unlike the husband who really cannot see any at all, and my oldest who was about to drop kick it – see what I have to live with!
The instructions are clear to follow, one of the folds confused me a little but a quick scout around utube made it clear. This one was made using 10cm squares, and does grow quickly – I think they’ll be breeding fast!
Crocheted storage basket
I recieved an exciting email a few weeks ago from my crafting buddy Ali of very berry handmade. Now, her and her other half have re invented themselves, you may have known them as Craft matters and Seasonal matters, but they have joined forces to create a wonderful new blog filled with patterns and recipes and they are currently having a housewarming with some fantastic giveaways so if you fancy one of Ali’s bags I’d pop over and leave a comment, you have a couple of days left!
Anyway, Ali wanted me to test a new pattern for her, the crocheted storage basket you can see on her blog, wah-hey I thought, I love that!
A few days ago I recieved a parcel in the post containing the pattern, a couple of balls of gorgeous chunky wool in my fave colour, and one of her gorgeous felt pincushions as a thankyou, so it was win win for me!
I’ve done a couple of patterns before of Ali’s, her big eared bunny and the frothy flower, both on her blog, and they were great so I wasn’t worried.
Again, I needn’t have worried, isn’t it fabulous, large, beautiful, useful and only took one night! And already in action with some of my many WIP’S.
Full instructions of how to purchase this fantabulous pattern here
Space Invaders (but not as you know it)
Wahey, I can cross something off my list, I’ve finished my crafteroo Space Invader themed challange!
So, after doing a bit of research on the internet about space invaders, the general idea seems to be black/white/neon colours and boxy shapes. None of that appealed to me, plus, I like to change things a bit!
So I’ve gone soft and girly though If I’m being honest it does look a bit more jelly than invader. However, sticking with the craft neutral 2010 challange (which I’m doing quite well at, my stash is slowly disappearing) I used this bright pink crochet cotton that I really can’t imagine using for, well, anything much. I tried a couple of ideas, but my fave one, a crocheted patchwork cushion in nice muted autumninal colours, with the space invader image picked out in slightly darker shades would have taken till next year. So I resized it to pincushion size I mean, who doesn’t love a pin cushion?!
Carrying on with my crochet patchwork idea would have made a pincushion the size of a pillow so after a bit more thinking I came up with the idea of freeforming it!
Obviously its more likely to gum you as opposed to shoot you, but its definatley a space invader – of the friendly kind!
Inspiration – part 3
I’ve managed a little crafting these past two Easter weeks, a top for me and a new necklace idea thats turned out fab – I’ll post some pictures this next week. So I thought I carry on with my Inspiration series and share some of the blogs I like and why. To be fair there are so many so I thought I’d start at the beginning, original I know, and save some for future posts.
I know it sounds dramatic but it had to start somewhere and that wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for a blog called quilt while your ahead.
About 4 years ago we’d moved from Blackpool to South Wales, then my youngest started school full time, I started helping out at school and Age Concern for a few days a week but essentially I was bored, I needed something to occupy my mind and hands. I’d started exploring the Internet, excited at the possibilities when I found this blog. It was a revelation; a blog? It was like being back at college, sharing in these discussions about what we were working on, ideas we had, though it did feel a little voyeuristic at first – I was reading this persons journal! I saw that people commented and I thought I could never do that, I don’t know her, but the strange thing about the Internet is the intimacy it portrays. I didn’t feel alone anymore (and by that I mean someone who shared my love of craft/art/textiles). I checked in on her blog every week (and still do) and it started to inspire me to do something again.
Through her blogroll (yes, even more people like me!!) I found Moonstitches. Words cannot sufficiently describe her skill with crochet, knitting, sewing. And her writing is so poetic, her photography simple and beautiful.
These blogs really did inspire me to Do Something. I’d always sewn, patchworked, embroidered but I’d never crocheted before, I’d tried when I was young but being left handed and my mum and nan being right handed it was all just too confusing for everyone! But reading these blogs and seeing these amazing creations with just a hook and ball of wool (and a lot of skill!)among lots of others I was finding now, and having the time, I decided to try again.
As you may have guessed I figured it out this time and absolutely loved it! The repetitive motion of the hook, the wool gently feeding through your fingers; it is such a beautifully tactile thing to do with your hands.
I stumbled upon the Ravelry community which was wonderful, but the best thing? On one of their forums someone suggested I join one called Crafteroo, I can’t remember who it was now, but I had a look. As I don’t want this post to be a rambling history of my life its suffice to say that I owe everything from that moment on to them really - doing craft fairs, selling stuff, this blog and the confidence to actually do it!
So there you go; quilt while your ahead, Moonstitches and Crafteroo. There are lots of others, but that’s for another post, if you don’t know them check them out, inspirational, well written and great!
4th November 09
If any of you do your own craft fairs and make jewellery, you must visit Boo’s blog. Not only does she have gorgeous jewellery, but also lots of free tutorials. I’ve just made the necklace stand from her template and it really is amazing! Now I can display my necklaces properly as opposed to lying flat on the table. I am so envious of people who can think laterally (?) or is the word just clearly (!), i’m not sure, but she is one clever lady.
I’ve also been really remise in not mentioning the Crafteroo Children in Need shop we have set up again on Foksy. We have all donated items, and all the money goes to the charity, last year we raised over £600 for Comic Relief! So if you fancy doing your bit, while having fun at the same time, check us out here.
Finally, i’m buzzing this week, i’ve been featured on two, yes two fabulous blogs, one of my bracelets on Found on Folksy and one of my bags on UKHandmade. Talk about glowing!
An new flower pattern
02 November 09
I’ve mentioned Crafteroo a few times, for me, its been a life saver. Now, I’m not one for dramatic pronouncements, but it really has helped me. I had been toying with the idea of selling my wares, but never had the confidence or know how to. But after finding this craft forum I discovered lots of new friends who, though we have never met, have helped me more than anyone. Just being able to talk to people who share your interests alone is enough, in fact that really is everything. But aside from that wonderful fact I’ve had help, advice and support in the bucket load. I cannot say enough how wonderful the internet is!
Anyway, enough of that, I got slightly side tracked there, (but, getting side tracked again, I do think we are quick enough to moan if things aren’t right, but often not quick enough to praise if things are good) Ali, has a great blog, as does her other half actually (wonderful pictures of flowers) and has created a new crochet flower pattern and asked people to test it for her. Who doesn’t love a new pattern, so, with the boys packed off to Cardiff Citys match against Nottingham, I had a free Sunday afternoon! So, black and white film on telly, glass of wine in one hand and a hook in the other – absolute bliss!
What do you think?
I used a wool that I have been dying to use for ages, a beautiful Kid merino from crystal palace yarns and a 3.5mm hook. I love it, easy to follow pattern and a gorgeously delicate flower. I can picture loads, on mass, making a beautiful cushion cover…
So, if you fancy a fab new flower pattern, pop over to Ali’s blog, craft matters!
What to do next?
24th September 09
Obviously, not with life in general, that’s an entirely different blog, if I rambled on about that question I’d be here for ever…
I mean I’m being super efficient and have finished several things off and have nothing in particular lined up for next week – scary and exciting! Right, bragging first, here is my wonderful scarf
isn’t it gorgeous! Its soft to touch, vibrant to look at.
And I finally took a picture of a jumper I was working on from ‘Inside Crochet’ magazine. I don’t know which aspect I love most, that it fits, I like it, it cost £6, the sleeves, it fits (did I say that already?)
Well, tomorrow I’m busy at school, but unbelievably, yes, really, I’m going out - at night! So I’m going to make a pair of earrings, strangely I don’t possess any black ones, but after that, oh, and I finished and posted my button jewellery swap, so I’ll post some pictures when I know Gemma’s received it. I also posted my 6″ squares for the CrafterooStitch It project I’m doing. Its a fab idea, we, that’s the royal we, (I’m too far away) are creating a sort of blanket, to be used as a back drop at craft fairs. Each person works 2 squares in any practical medium, 1 with their name, the other decorative. What do you think?
So, back to the ‘big’ question. If I’m being practical, which isn’t a word often associated with me, I’d remember that I have a few partially started projects. If I’m being honest, I’d say I want to work on the idea I got at the beach the other day from those mussel shells.
Procrastinate – vacillate, shilly-shally, me.
