Friday, December 31, 2010

And So It Ends - the end

And so draws the close of a day, a year, a decade.


And So It Ends - the middle

Here I am, as promised.

So, I'm sure you are wondering what I have been up to this afternoon, after my trip to the hardware shop.

You need wonder no longer.
My mother and my grandmother used to always say that how your house looked on New Years Eve, when the bell strikes midnight, is how your house is going to look for the rest of the year.

Mmmm, bit of a prob there - my house has been a bit of disaster due to the decade that is never to be repeated. 


And So It Ends - the beginning

And here ends another year.

You know, I have heard so many people saying lately that the will be glad to see the back of 2010 - that it had been a hard year for them, and, to be honest, I feel a bit like that myself for various reasons.
As I say goodbye to 2010, for me, I am also saying goodbye to another decade.
I will be turning 50 next week, and I feel that a new era is approaching.

The decade that has just been has been, very probably, the hardest of my life, not one that I ever want to repeat.

So its - Goodbye 40's, hello 50's!

And so, it is in this light that I share with you the day that ended the year that ended the decade that was.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Same Design - Different Look


Just to show you how changing a few simple things of a design can give you a completely different look.

These are the same as the Christmas Holly Wreath earrings, with different colours and an extra row of stitches.

Tip: With earrings, I like to sew the beads onto the back as well as the front, that way they look nice from all angles, if they are the dangly type.



On another note - I don't like to throw away the Christmas cards that get sent to me that I particularly like.
I keep them and recycle them (put them back on display) year after year.

This particular card (in the photo) is one that my mother sent me some years ago.  I love it.  In fact, most of the ones I can't bear to part with came from her.
My sister has made it one of her life ambitions to send me a card that is deemed worthy of the 'display every year' category! (I actually put one of hers in, just to keep her happy, but... ssssshhhh!!!!....don't tell her that!)

Maybe next year, Ill scan them in and post them. 
Perhaps we could have a show and tell best Christmas cards session.

Cheers
Fi

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Christmas Earrings - Tutorial


Ok, here goes.
Disclaimer: - I DID iron the table cloth, but sometimes, they just don't cooperate.......

P.S. (I am wearing these earrings as I post this, because I'm growing quite attached to them, I'm really getting the Christmas love feeling..)

The Red Gate


When I drove down to my Friday afternoon craft group, chocolate brownies in hand, I was the first one there and the door was still locked.

So I kept driving down the road, which leads on to the next little village (in truth, about 6 houses in total).
I found this lovely red gate.

Don't you think it fits in with Christmas really well?

It was the Old Post Office, but no longer is.

cheers
Fi



Friday, December 17, 2010

Holly Wreath Christmas Crochet Earrings


Well, I have just finished sewing the holly berries on to my Christmas wreath earrings.

I want to attempt a step by step for these, but I think it is getting too close to glass of wine time for that much concentration!

I will have a go at it tomorrow, I am really looking forward to doing this.
I have written up instructions (and published books) for many painting projects, but NEVER a crochet project - my mum will be so proud....



By the way, the santa in the background is so cute - you just touch him and he wobbles - you know, like those wobbly headed dogs you used to see in the back windows of cars.

Have a good night, and Ill hopefully see you with a set of instructions tomorrow.

Cheers
Fi

Ho Ho Ho - Santa Slippers

Isn't that just the cutest face?

I found this pattern at raverly here, and was going to crochet them for myself, but ended up giving them to my husband, just cos they look so darn cute on him.


I wanted to do them in wool, but couldnt find the right red in the local Lincraft store (not a great selection), so I went for the cheap acrylic.  Now that they are made, I'm glad I didn't go for an expensive yarn - because the bottoms are already filthy!

So, now I can officially join the "I crocheted something for Christmas 2010" club.

Cheers
Fi

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Cafe Crochet - Taking it to the streets


Now, seeing as this blog is brand new, and nobody knows I'm here (except my husband and my daughter), I might be asking this to myself, but, how many of you take your crochet/knitting/crafting to the cafe/pub/other local establishment?

Since I have discovered crochet, I usually manage to stash my project in my bag (I tend to carry fairly large bags, just for purposes such as these).

I am on my own most days - I do have Izzy, but she is a dog - so I try to make a point of wandering down to the local cafe for coffee and meeting the world at large.  Well, actually, it's not so large around here, I live in a small village, but you get the picture.

Anyway, last week, I was at the local cafe, sitting out in the sun with my coffee, when someone I sort of knew came over to see what I was doing.  I discovered that there is a little sewing/knitting group that meets once a week in the local community hall.

I went last week.  It's good to get out of the house and chat with other locals with similar interests.  I'm going to make chocolate brownies to take tomorrow, healthy version of course.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Crochet Yo-Yo Brooches

Hi again,
As you can see, I'm catching on to this blogging thing, and I am now officially on a roll.
Flushed with success after finishing the afore mentioned blanket, I moved on to these brooches.

I must say that the small size was a welcome relief!

I think I got the flower pattern from the book, "100 flowers to knit and crochet".
I used a yarn I bought from lincraft, can't remember the name, but it had bamboo in it.

These were really fun to do.  You can embellish the centres with buttons, beads or whatever, and you can add in embroidery stitches, you can sew the flower on to the yoyo so as it sits flat, or you can let the petals stand out a bit more.

Cheers
Fi

My first crochet project - ever


After many failed attempts at learning to crochet, I made another start.
I found a project in a learn to crochet book for a small throw.  Of course, once I was off and running, I couldn't stop at a throw.
It grew into a queen size bedspread.
Here it is, folded up on top of my bed.  It isn't a very good photo, but I might try and take a better one later.
(update: I have replaced the original photo)
After all, I AM very proud of it.



But, after only my first crochet project, I already have a tip to share with you - SEW IN ALL THE ENDS AS YOU GO!
I learned this the hard way.....
Cheers
Fi

No idea what I am doing here - yet.

Hello.

On a whim I have set up this blogspot.
I have no idea how to operate this thing yet, so hang on.

Why have I bothered, you may well ask.
Well, I'll tell you.

To give me someone to share all the ideas and inspirations I get in a day (and there can be many), someone to drink a cup of tea with and to look at whatever crafty concoction I have been tinkering with at that minute, and generally to 'ooh' and 'aahhh' over all said stuff - get the picture?

So, if you happen to love china teacups, cottage gardens, crochet, painting, sewing, folk art, country lanes, herbs and flowers, and so on, and so forth, ..... then I think we can be friends.