New bags and a clever box
Last week I was trying to figure out a better way to present some of creations at craftfairs. While browing flickr I saw a lady who had converted a large box into a sort of carry case cum display and it got me thinking.
Isn’t it fab! I bought this box, full of old starched collars years and years ago because, well, its gorgeous isn’t it, the history behind it, who was Mr and who starched his collars? But it got to the point when I thought I really can’t just look at it anymore and as much as it hurt to mark it, I did it and I’m really pleased with it!
And some photos of my new bags. I love making these, it’s my own pattern too. I spend far too long matching bits of fabric together (and yes, its craft neutral, all are from my stash or charity shop finds, actually, apart from the magnetic clasps uh oh!) and them embellishing them with bits of ribbon, crochet or buttons. I think they would be perfect for a summer wedding and will be going in my new etsy shop soon!
Tourchon Clutch
Dottie Clutch
Lily Clutch
Cherry Clutch
And finally Buttonista Clutch.
Right, I’m off to play with my fabrics again!
Finished Scarves
We took the van away last weekend to Port Enyon in the Gower, another fave and the weather was so lush it was wonderful. Kids played, hubby pottered and I crocheted in the sun – perfect!
What do you think?
I added little purple beads to the lengths to give it a little sparkle. Its quite delicate as its crocheted in a gorgeous varigated sock wool, beautiful to work with.
THough not as beautiful to work with as this, a kid merino, felt like silk in my hands and that why I’ve called it Angel Scarf, it is so light and soft to wear. I’ve crocheted tiny bronze beads on this one just at the ends.
I’m really glad I persevered with the Sunshine Scarf, I love it now, so much so I’m going to do one in purple for me!
Before I do that though, I going to join in in this, looks fab doesn’t it! Stitch London have teamed up with The London Science Museum to create an exhibition for the re-opening of their gallery ‘Who am I?’. I’m going to make a mini me, well, It’ll probably look nothing like me but I’m up for a challange!
Finally, update on the round robin necklace swap – Kella has worked her magic and is now sending them on to Victoria, then they’ll come to me and I’ll finish them off and send them back to the original makers. I love what Kella has done to mine, this was such a good idea as I’d never have thought of doing what she has, have a look at her blog and see – fab ideas!
Crafting
There has been lots of crafting going on now my little cherubs are back at school, I’m trying to get some spring scarves in my folksy shop – as always I have lots of ideas, but the scarves grow at a slow rate! Particularly as the eagle eyed among you will notice, the Sunshine scarf I’m working on. The ball of cotton is hand wound as when I first finished it and was merrily blocking it, I saw a STUPID mistake right near the beginning, so this is mark 2, someone better bloomin like it…
The other one I’m working on is in a gorgeous kid merino, so soft to work with it is an absolute delight in my hands.
Do you remember those gorgeous balls of varigated sock yarn Rachel sent me in the pincushion swap? Well I’ve bought 3 balls of 3 ply cotton in dreamy shades of aubergine, heather and a sea green and am planning a wavy scarf with them.
Finally I need to get on with my latest Art Trading Card, Aprils theme is songs which is very inspiring, I’m thinking of doing something influenced by Corinne Bailey Rae’s new album which I’m loving at the minute.
Along with the ATC group I’ve also joined the Round Robin one over at UKHandmade. We are making a necklace, well, 3 in fact. We all start a section, then send it on, the next person completes a bit more and sends it on to someone else. Its very exciting as I have no idea what mine is going to turn out like, I didn’t put too many requirements on mine, I’d like to see what the others come up with. I’ve done a pendant and will keep you updated with what they do to it, and I’ll also post pictures of who sends me what to work on and what I do to enhance/ruin them!
ATC cards and other swaps!
I know I’m taking part in the Craft Neutral Challange, but surely charity shop thrifting doesn’t count?! Too late anyway, look what I found (and yes, bought)
Isn’t it a gorgeous colour, and I got 7, yes 7 hanks, each 100g! I have the perfect project in mind too when I get a sec, which seeing as I’m not sleeping at the minute (I’m writing this at 04.59 am) shouldn’t be a problem, last night I finished 2 necklaces off between 3 and 5.30am! However despite my bursts of energy in the middle of the night,they are not re-occuring during the day, so I better take this opportunity to say sorry for my increasing bouts of ‘crabbyness’ to, well everyone!
But the sun still rises (yes, even here in Barry) and life goes on.
I do like a swap as you get to meet and chat to fellow crafters and I’ve signed up for another one, a pin cushion swap organised by Claire. My partner is Rachel of contented so I am a lucky girl, her use of fabrics and colours are beautiful. I have in mind what I’m going to do so at least I’ll have something to do at 3am tomorrow!
Have you ever heard of ATC cards? No, me either, but they are FAB! Art Trading Cards, a great idea where you create a card 3 1/2 inches by 2 1/2 inches, business card size, and swap it with someone else. There is more consise information on wikipidia (obviously) and if you type atc in flickr there are some wonderful examples. Over on ukhandmade creative wishes has started a group, we are going to do it monthly and work to a theme, the first one being trees and plants. So what do you think?
The first one is the one I sent, the second my ‘back up’ and the third a picture of the back where you put your details. I really didn’t know what I was doing or how to construct it, but it was fun to do something completely different. I should be receiving mine soon – can’t wait!
Yes, i’m finally on it, I’ve got a fan page under ‘Hooked Yarn’ and I’m slowly figuring it out. I’m aware I sound like my Nan, but it really is like learning a new language but in some ways it is harder! You flick from page to page, finding some advice on one, reading it then flicking onto the next one and before you know it you’re 5 pages on and can’t remember how you got there so can’t find it again!
I am slllloooowwwwwlllllyyyy getting there, but on the plus side there is so much interesting stuff to find, and this morning I was chatting to a friends mum I haven’t seen for years – Hey Nita!
Right, I’m having a break from the screen and do some nice simple quiet crochet – before I get the monsters…
Edit
hopefully you can find me here:
Playing with rings
So I’ve been writing my latest tutorial for Beads and Beyond and basically Its how to cover curtain rings and what you can do with them. I did this a while ago and have had a few bits of jewellery in my folksy shop and some buttons in Claires Buttons in Cardiff.
I’d forgotton how versatile this technique is, and I’ve been using different things to cover like bracelets.
My first experiments:
What do you think?
Log Cabin Crochet (and a pie)
11th January 2010
You know when your doing something, then you get an idea you just have to try right away?
I was having a productive day, working on my next submission for Beads and Beyond magazine and it was going well, then I ran out of thread for the last bit. Can I get any more – can I ******. Admitidly it was old, but for heavens sake, why do maderia have to regually change their codes and colours? So I got out my wool to just wollow in the beauty of the colours (everyone does that, don’t they?).
As I was making the pie for tea, filling was left over coq au vin from last night (makes the best pie, really rich and tasty) I started mentally putting together colours, then using the edge of the rolling pin to nudge them in groups, then I washed my hands and the pie got a bit side tracked.
But how exciting is that little bit of crochet!!
A bit of freeform crochet
31st December 09
Just a brief one today, I wanted to show you what I had a go of yesterday. My wonderful mum and dad got me a brilliant book ‘Freeform Crochet and beyond’ by Renate Kirkpatrick, as well as some new hooks and wool, but more about those later.
I finally got to play a bit yesterday. The pictures are really good, Istruggled a bit with the explainations though thats probably due to my left handedness – but there are some great idea’s and starting points. It’s certainly stimulated lots more ideas for me.
Anyway I had to have a little go
Crochet wings (lazy j stitch)
Bullion Knots
Spiral surface with loops
My sample square. I worked another lazy j stitch but carried on to make a flower and attached them all to a simple treble background. I love the raised sections of the lazy j stitch, though I think I ‘ve worked them ‘differently’ and the spiral without the embellishment is gorgeous, but the simple addition of the frill is a great idea. I have loads more I want to try – but the raised sections have certainly got me excited!
New Ideas
5th December 09
I’ve been a bit busy with the hook again, this time a number 4, starting my 2010 challange early using up odd balls of wool I have in my now depleating stash. Yay me!
We went away at the beginning of the week, we’d booked a cottage as a suprise for my dads 60th, it was wonderful, near Leighton Buzzard, on the edge of the Grand Union Canal, we had snow and sun and a brilliant pub in walking distance – what more could a girl, or her wonderful dad want! While there my mum showed me some fingerless gloves she’d done, from a pattern. They were gorgeous and it got my little brain thinking I could do that – but better obviously! So, after playing with my number 4 and some trebles, here are the results, now in my folksy shop for £20 a set, bargain for Christmas I say!
Another swap!
3rd December 09
I’ve signed up for another swap – I know i’m a muppet, but I do love a swap and this one is a quick and simple one, and its Christmas decorations and who doesn’t love handmade dec’s?!
Eileen, over on her wonderful blog came up with this fab idea of making a decoration from stuff you have already, with a little edible pressie if you want, see, simple!
I’ve been partnered with Emma who does some amazing origami, (and has a great taste in men!) I can’t wait to see what I get!
I’ve also been busy on a new idea I kinda got from my mum, handwarmers, that i’m going to do as a set with the scarflettes, so I’ve been playing with different ideas. If we get some sun here in Wales i’ll post some pics. (Don’t hold your breath)
