First make of 2015!

I've joined up to complete a challenge of using up old stash material before i buy any new.  I'll go insane doing it because i love to buy wool!  But i do have a huge amount of jewellery making and card making things that need to be used and keep getting pushed aside.  So i'll go back to use those.  But for now, a little mouse.  He is number 1 of 50 things i have to craft this year.  Already working on the next one.

Another new wrap!

Made this wrap from another pattern i saw that i liked on favecrafts.  This one is coming on holiday with me i think, for the evenings. I might make one more if i have time, in black, so i have n=one for with any outfit :)

New crochet wrap

I found a pattern i adored the look of in an email from favecrafts.  A wrap that i thought would be idea for the evenings on holiday.  I hadn't ever followed a pattern before though, only improvised.  So, between googling terms and looking up techniques on you tube, i figured out what i was doing and managed it!  I was quite proud when i finished it.  The wool isn't ideal.  Should have been a lighter weight and paler.  But i do like it :)

This fan design is the main pattern.  It is only 2 lines repeated after the chain and foundation row.  So once you get in to it and remember the pattern it is very simple to do.  But it still looks quite good.

And below is the finished wrap.  It is huge, over 6 feet long, as i added to it in length so it could wrap around a good few times.  Quite tricky to get a photo of it because of this.

Crochet for a cause. Comfort for critters.

I found comfort for critters (http://comfortforcritters.org/) and fell in love with the idea of what they do.  When a cat or dog is rescued it is a traumatic experience, being shuffled backwards and forwards to foster homes, vets and eventually a furrever home.  They give each furball a handmade blanket that they then get their scent on, they feel familiar and safe with and that stays with them through all their moves and on to their new homes.  An amazing little charity.  I am very proud to the the first UK volunteer :)

They got their first few blankets from me and i was over the moon to get a hello and thanks in the newsletter for August.  The next lot of blankets is done and ready to be posted off to them.

More people need to do this, it barely costs anything, the blankets are small; around 20 inches square and so just need odd scraps of wool leftover from other finished projects.

Can't stop crocheting!

Someone is going to have to help me.  It was the middle of summer, boiling hot, and i was buying masses of wool as everyone else bough ice creams.  I can't stop making blankets and throws.
And Gizmo doesn't seem to mind too much.  She claims every one of them..

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    Quite fond of this one, first time i'd tried V stitch and i adore the wool and how it looks as it stripes

Crochet crazy

I learned to crochet as a very young child, taught by my grandma.  I don't actually remember her teaching me, but remember suddenly being able to do the most basic stitch (all i could do until about 6 months ago!).  She was amazing and could make anything.  I can however only make square or rectangular things so far, so am limited to throws, shawls, scarves, pillows and somehow the occasional hat if a round thing works out.  Got some books, downloaded some video podcasts and managed to teach myself a few new stitches.  So now i can't stop and am utterly addicted.  I will learn to make more difficult shapes and patterns at some point, but for now, here are a few rectangles of various sizes..

A very basic, but very warm throw for the couch.  Took months and i should have made it bigger, but in all honesty i got annoyed and wanted it finished so i could make more things.

 A stripey cushion, (hopefully one of a few), for the garden bench.  Will get around to make more soon.

 Quite proud of this one.  First time i ever learned a more detailed stitch and followed a pattern, made this sea shell scarf.  Now want to make one in every colour wool.

A similar scarf, netted, but without the shells..which is in a really fine wool and this is doubled over a few times here to use as a scarf, but opens up into a lightweight wrap.  Making one the same in a teal colour i fell in love with and bought 6 balls of a few days ago.

A few new necklaces

 I decided i wanted some different pendants for necklaces i was making.  Couldn't find anything much online, so thought i'd order some fimo clay and try to make my own.  Used cookie cutters and card making stamps for the patters and they turned out ok.  I have about 50 of different shapes and sizes in silver, peach and white.  Made them from 3 small blocks.  So plenty more left to make a lot more necklaces and bracelets/earrings and whatever else.  They don't photograph too clearly sadly, but happy for a first try.

Socky the striped nose reindeer

Made this little guy around Christmas and decided i was going to start a sock animal army.  Found lots of designs on line.  Still determined to try a few others, though the army hasn't happened yet.  Got sidetracked with other makes.

I will make him some friends at some point, even if it gets to NEXT Christmas!

Blue glass bead wreath

Made this for my bathroom (blue and white beachy theme), also made them in the past for christmas wreaths in whatever colour i'm decorating in that year or for around a few clustered pillar candles as a table centerpiece.
Really easy to make.  Twisted wire and lots of mixed beads.

 

T-shirt cushions

Borrowed this idea from "superscrimpers" on channel 4.  These are the first two i tried to make.  But i have millions of t-shirts i never wear, so might run out of space in the craft room because of them :)

I know it's only August..but...

First of the new lot of christmas cards for the year.  Just the quick to make lot for now.  Lots more of them to make, but thought it'd get an early start for once and not be last minute.

Tea cup candle

Wanted to try candle making again for ages.  Tried it a while ago and made more mess than candle.  Having another go later at candles in scallop shells, (stole the idea from a Martha Stewart video).  This try went well apart from forgetting where id left the candle to set, reaching up to JUST that exact area about 2 minutes later and sticking my hand into melted wax.  Very ouch!

Photo album links

I did once learn how to write links properly but it's been a long day and my brain has turned to mush, so i'll just copy and paste them from flickr.

http://flic.kr/s/aHsjzoia85  Cards

http://flic.kr/s/aHsjzoihvf  Jewellery

Some of these are VERY old, dinosaurs roaming the Earth, first things i ever made old.  

OK, finally, there.  Caught up listing all the things i've been meaning to list for ages.  Now i can go back to forgetting i have a blog for another year and then go through the mad listing everything phase again. That's how blogs work right!?  Now to find a few extra hours in the day to either try and list things on etsy again or to give folksy a chance.  Must be brave and give it a go.

Shoulder bag - from Cath Kidston book

I get all the Cath Kidston make/sew..etc.. books, but have to admit this is the first one i've ever bothered making or sewing.  Little shoulder bag.  They give you material and a pattern and you follow it.  Quite quick to do.  Quicker if my sweing machine was working.  Grrr. :(

Attempt at "upcycling". Kindle slipcase/sock

Never had a go at this upcycling craze before.  I had some UGGs i'd worn into the ground and couldn't bare to part with though, so had an idea that one might make a good cosy slip case cover for my kindle.  So, (broken heartedly) i cut the top off of one.  Now to think of something for the other...Hmmm.

Recent make..a TIARA!

First ever go i had at one.  Quite pleased.  Might try a bead boquet next :)

scrapbooking

Gotten into scrapbooking lately and going back through old holiday photos and making scrapbooks of them.  This is one from our first Caribbean cruise a few years ago.

Long time no blog..

A few of my newer pieces.  I haven't added anything in so long and there's a pile of jewellery and other projects i've been meaning to put up here for ages.  Must get around to it.

New jewellery August 2011

New jewellery

I haven't made any in a while but got new requests and orders coming in so thought it was time to start making some again. Plus i wanted to get a head start on making some ready for my holiday this christmas..a very big head start i realise, but it makes the holiday seem nearer.

First photo is white seed beads and turquise chips, second one is clear and pink swarovski bicones on a memory wire bracelet.