Presents!
Not for me mind!
Do you know, I love being a mum, It really is the best feeling in the world - to say it is all encompassing doesn’t seem to be enough. Nothing at all can beat the feelings of pride, joy and love, nothing. But with every ying there has to be a yang, and boy, has this been a week of yangs!
However, I’ve deleted this post several times now and will not inflict on you my rantings, musings and then platitudes that we all fall back on, what I will do is show you a picture of a few little pressies I’ve made the lovely women folk in my life. Its a rubbish photo, I’m showing it more as a reminder for me, but Aunty Irene, Aunty Marg, Nan and Mum - love you lots!
Clicking and clicking
With hooks and mouse! First off today a bit of experimenting - with cassette tape, (an old Prodigy one from my long distant carefree youth…) I’ve had this idea to make oversized chains for a while but hadn’t come up with what material to use. While doing a bit of cleaning (we’ve got visitors coming) I saw a plant pot cover I’d crocheted in video tape a while ago, it was going to be a bag but it was too noisy - but perfect as a glamerous pot cover! One thing lead to another and they need a bit of fine tuning, but what do you think? And do you think The Prodigy would approve?
Next up, I’m going out! I know, can you hear the fanfare too? Anyhow, I got this gorgeous dress in the sales, bright emerald green, quite 50’s in style. I thought perfect occasion to wear my new glamerous necklace I made, the one with the wire flowers… but it doesn’t go.
So I made a bracelet that does!
Finally, I’ve also been spending, but not too much, honest! Thanks to the Craft Neutral Challange I’ve only bought some jump rings this year, eveything I’ve made has been from my stash, and that includes several necklaces, bracelets, earrings, scarflettes and gloves! And after all, we have to support the wonderful craftspeople we have!
So, after browsing through researching some of my favourites shops on Folksy I saw these gorgeous brooches by the amazing artist Amy McCarthy
They are recyled beer bottle tops filled with various found objects like shells, bits of old jewellery, shards of glass and set in resin. I think this one is my favourite
or maybe this one
Check out Amys other fabulous glass products in her folksy shop!
My stunning new necklace!
You know when the planets aline, the sun is shining, the boys actually listen (okay, scrap that last bit) but when everything works out exactly as you imagined it but better…
Okay, so no one has a green neck but it was the best thing I could display it on, and It doesn’t work so well on the clear vase.
I crocheted 8 flowers in wire, using 2 beads for each stitch on the petals and used the tail ends to stitch them together. It is so light and soft and molds to your neck shape perfectly. I love it - can you tell!
Still tinkering…and crocheting!
What do you think so far then? I have to say I’m mega impressed with my ability, it did take lots of staring at the screen, copious amounts of shouting at it, a wide range of colourful language and a little bit of wine and some pointers from spoiltcatover on crafteroo - but I think its getting there. I want to try and get a slide show on the right hand side linked to my Folksy shop flashing up images of what I do, otherwise at the minute it just looks like you’ve stumbled upon some random crochet rantings!
I hope to get that sorted at the weekend, absolutely EVERYTHING crossed and every possible good vibe you could send this way will be desperately needed!
In between dipping my toes into code, I have been doing some crochet. I have a craft fair at Brackla in Bridgend next weekend so need to build up my stock.
I’ve been playing with the flower design for the scarflettes and I really like the ruffly aspect to them
And found a nice way to use up some old buttons too.
Well, thats all for now folks, if I don’t delete everything this weekend I’ll see you next week with some new Ideas I’ve been working on with the curtain rings.
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!
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!
