Crochet Gloriousness

 Earlier this month my lovely friend Annie from Nana Go Go sent me the most wonderful present, a handcrocheted bag in the most delicious swirling blues and turquoises.  It is a true delight;  she has put so much surface decoration and texture in it.

It undulates and wriths, swirls and twirls in woolly fabulousness.

 Quite simply, it is stunning and Annie is a genius!

 I think you will agree?

New Year, New Challenges

It's the New Year so it's time for me to start new projects and courses after the Christmas crafting frenzy. Firstly I've joined Tag Tuesday, a weekly challenge group hosted by Carolyn Saxby.

This first weeks theme is Snow. I really struggled with this theme until I just went into the studio and started pulling out anything white from my stash and within 30 minutes I was off and creating this tag. I decided the image is a Snow Princess (image courtesy of Graphics Fairy) and I edged her with white muslin for texture and little crystals for a bit of sparkle and some white stickles on her frock. The glass drop has the word snow glued to it's underside, taken from a vintage dictionary. The tag was collaged with vintage book papers, then gessoed over, allowing some of the words to come through. I then ruffled a scrap of white cotton straight onto the tag, sewing it with my sewing machine, and then put a scrap of muslin over that to breakup to background further and provide another layer of interest.

I've learnt a new crochet pattern - the ripple. Well I had to do something whilst watching all that Christmas telly, lol. A big thanks to Lucy at Attic 24 for the very clear tutorial.

I was just becoming confident with the pattern and then I was going to swap to making up a throw with some mohairs and ribbon yarns that I've had for a couple of years (should have been a knitted lacy throw but I just kept going wrong so I pushed it to the back of cupboard) but I've kept going as I like the seventies feel to this now scarf!

I've also been busy signing up for three courses. Yes, that's right, three!

Two are with Cristina Zinnia Galliher on Roses on the Table (link on the side bar). They are 'Just get yourself free' where we are creating a 14 page accordian collaged book. These are my pages above and I'm doing an oriental/geisha theme.

The second one is a Vintage/Victorian Make Do Heart project, somewhere I can put some of my vintage brooches. I've watched the first video but not make a start on this project.

Then I've enrolled on an embroidery course at a local collage, starting in a couple of weeks. I thought it was about time I went out to a class for a change. I love online classes but I've missed not doing a night class. I can also use the collage's sewing machines to learn freestyle stitching (something my machine won't do) and see if I take to it without going to expense of buying a new machine.

So this year looks to be as busy, if not busier than the last but I'm enjoying it so far! Happy New Year folks, I'm looking forward to seeing what we all create this year x

Latest Makes

I set to and made an apple cosy for my friend at the weekend. I'd never made anything like it before but it was surprisingly easy, using the pattern from Mollie Makes.

And I made a second Peonies journal for a friend to give to her sister (I'll up load more photos in another post). And as if that's not enough I've made various sample wedding invitations for another friends daughter. They are under wraps at the moment, I'll share them when I know which the happy couple are choosing, up till then Top Secret, lol.

So I may have been quiet on here (so sorry folks) but I've been a busy bee, honest. Also I want to share with you a super little Folksy shop run by Nana Gogo, aka the lovely Anne. I've been lucky enough to purchase a lovely cosy crocheted cowl from her, I've just not been lucky with the light as not been able to take a decent photo of it yet to share with you. But if you'd like to pay her a visit now her shop can be found here Photo of my beautiful cowl to follow!

Oh my goodness

Has it really been nearly two weeks since I last blogged. Knew I'd been busy and stressed out but really ..... Have been doing some creative and nice things including working on some clothes hanger covers, trying out new colours, stripes and flowers etc.

Had a lovely time today, a friend came over and we had an art day, making and decorating a journal. The light is not good at the moment so I'll have to show you my progress tomorrow as photos just not up to scratch.

Also now off from work for two whole weeks - bliss and so, so needed. Planning to do lots of good things like knitting, painting, visiting cemetaries, exhibitions etc. So expect more frequent posts, lol.

And another one

I've put more flowers on this one and swapped the two pinks around, they are really fun to make

Fondant Kiss Boudoir Swap

My swap partner, Anne's parcel arrived, beautifully wrapped, complete with luscious green ribbon and jaunty blue feather.


Inside was this beautiful crocheted cushion, complete with feather boa, so 'boudoir darling', I love it. The flower in the centre is adorned with little beads, she really has gone to alot of trouble to make it so pretty. Inside the lovely silk bag were some delicious choccys. The card is so shabby chic, it is so my style. I'm absolutely thrilled Anne!

Earlier in the week I made Anne this covered clothes hanger for this swap. My first non-granny square crocheted piece. I teamed it with a jeweled photoframe with Audrey Hepburn in and some choccys. With many thanks to MarmaladeRose for her instructions for the clothes hanger. This was the first swap of this kind and I've really enjoyed it.

I'm All Set for Winter Chills

I've finally finished my crocheted blanket. I started it in the really cold spell we had last winter. I sat, cold and shivering, in my front room and looked across at the big bag of wool I'd recently bought for the peasantly sum of £3 from the local charity shop and I started to crochet. As soon as it was as big as my lap I felt warmer but then as the weather warmed up my crocheting slowed up until it has taken me about 4 months to complete. But I'm now ready for the next big freeze, lol.