Beanies and Owls!

I've been going a bit mad over crochet hats at the minute and I have made another little one for the baby using a pattern I found on Ravelry.  It's a pattern by Alli from Alli Crafts called Button Flap Beanie.  She has loads of lovely hats and crochet patterns on her website.

I used a variegated yarn for this wee hat.  I was worried it might be a bit girly because of the light teals however Ian thought the opposite!!  It just goes to show how different people view different colours.  As I used a 4mm hook instead of the 5mm advised in the pattern I added an extra 'growing' row and an extra row to add more depth.

This pattern in so easy and quite adaptable for different sizes.  I've already made two of these and can see a few more being made over the next weeks for various babies!

A friend of mine quite likes owls and I spotted a crochet pattern on Pinterest which I thought she might like.  However, she's not that confident at crocheting so I thought I would give it a go.

                                                                      Source: lovethebluebird.blogspot.com via Shirlie on Pinterest

The pattern is from Love the Blue Bird and is relatively easy to follow.  I had some difficulty creating the ears and it took a few goes until I got it rightish!  My eyes are definitely wonky, to put it politely, but it was my first go at a french knot!  The small one turned out better and it's eyes are matching!!  I made it using embroidery thread and turned it into a small brooch for my friend.  

I think that these wee owls would look great on a mobile, though I should practice those french knots of the baby will think owl's eyes are two different sizes!!

Baby Project Boom!

The new baby will be here shortly - 3 weeks! Argh!! I think that is the best way to describe how I'm feeling!!  So I have been at a load of baby related projects.

I had crocheted a lovely soft, pastel baby blanket but then read a post about all baby things being pastel, so I thought that I would crochet a smaller but brighter blanket!

I fell in love with this pattern on Ravelry as all the projects looked gorgeous.  I was just on the lookout for some bright wool which I found on a recent trip to Dublin.  Here is the finished blanket...

I added a sort of granny stitch border around the edge of the blanket.  The first side a did is not that great but I couldn't be bothered re-doing it which I'll probably regret as it will annoy me!  Otherwise I love this pattern!  I think a scarf would look great in this style too, maybe in greys and creams.

The next project was re-covering the baby rocker.  We bought this for Charlie and he loved it but I hated the fabric from day one, but it was relatively cheap and was a great job.  I couldn't bear looking at it again so I set about re-covering it.

Before ...

I read a lot of different blogs about re-covering baby seats and quite liked the sound of the this tutorial from Ex Patria but when I started to follow her steps I just didn't have the skill to do it.  In the end I ripped the cover apart and sewed the fabric over the top of the different sections, then sewed it all together again.  

The hardest part was getting the slits for the straps in the right place, mine aren't really but they'll do the job.  Also the binding was tricky around the tight corners.  It was completed after a lot of stitch ripping!!!

After ...

It's definitely not perfect but I think it looks so much better.  Hopefully the baby enjoys it as much as Charlie did!

Crochet Crazy

Well, I'm going a bit crochet crazy at the minute.  I've finally finished a larger blanket for the cot and I've started a smaller on for the car seat and moses basket.  I've also completed a tiny baby turban and a star hot pad.

I'm learning a few new stitches along the way.  Thank goodness for YouTube!  I also stumbled across a lovely Russian Pattern on Pinterest, which took me a while to decipher, as I'm not great at reading Russian or charts, but I think I cracked it.  I've no photo of it yet but I'll upload on shortly.

1. The Ripple Blanket

It took me a few goes to get this blanket started.  I had lots of bumpy bits, so after seeking advice on Ravelry I used a bigger hook to make the starting chain and this worked really well.

This is a free pattern from Ravelry.

I finished off the blanket with a border using a free tutorial from Yo Girl Yo, which I think looks great!






2. Mini Car Seat Granny Blanket

This one is still in progess but is getting there.  Again a free pattern from Ravelry.  I'm so plreased with the colours in this one.  The picture doesn't really do the colours justice, I must take one in the daylight.

3. Baby Turban

Found this cute little pattern on Pinterest and really enjoyed crocheting it.  There are a few mistakes but you can't see them unless you know where they are!! ;)

4. Star Hot Pad

I found this pattern on Ravelry and quite liked the look of it.  It was quite straightforward once I checked out a how to video on You Tube.  The star stitch was relatively tricky but I think I mastered it well enough to finish the coaster. 

Gorgeous Tray

I saw this tray on Pinterest, pinned from Etsy.  It was made by Up in the Air Somewhere, who has some gorgeous pieces!  However the tray is out of my price range but I thought that I could reproduce something similar on my small budget!!

1. I had this old tray in the cupboard already and didn't really like the pattern.  I used Plasti-Kote spray paint in cream and gold leaf colour.  
2. I sprayed a coat of cream over the tray.  I took about 6 coats until there was a good even coverage.
3. This was the most difficult part, and it took me a few goes before I got the pattern right.  I used a low adhesive tape my husband had in the house.  It didn't really have the best hold around the corners and bends of the tray, but otherwise was ok.
4. After about 5/6 coats of gold spray, I peeled off the tape.  The gold has bled below the tape in a few places but I actually don't mind that.

Et voila...

I finished the tray by spraying it with a clear protective coat, again from Plasti-Kote.   Overall I spent £21 on spray.  They're not empty yet, so I have a few more projects out of them yet!

My tray doesn't have the same lustre as the original tray but I am really pleased with how it turned out!!

Addicted to Pinterest!

I haven't had a lot of time recently to make a lot but I am totally addicted to Pinterest!  Here are a few of the things I have seen and then created my own version - however my To Do board on Pinterest is massive and will probably take me years to work through!!

I'm loving paint chip cards and have been using them to decorate presents and cards.  I saw these little notebooks...

Source: craftsbyfriends.com via Shirlie on Pinterest 

and thought I'd make my own.  I lined the inside of the cards with some scrapbook paper to make it a bit nicer and stained the sides of the paper with pink to match the card.  I also used an eyelet to join the notebook instead of a brad as I felt it was a bit sleeker.  I've added the name of the person I was giving the notebook too using a Dymo label maker.

Also saw these carnation arrangements ...

Source: ftd.com via Shirlie on Pinterest

...and loved them, even though I normally dislike carnations.  I thought I'd have a go and headed off to Tesco for cheap carnations, however, there were none and so I bought yellow daisy like flowers (not sure what they are called) and created my own version.  I used an old enamel bowl I found on my Dad's farm and filled it with oasis then bunged in the flowers.  It's not maybe as rounded as I had hoped but I think it would make a nice spring/summer table arrangement. 

Ok, blog sorted, now off to Pinterest for more ideas!!

What I've been at!

I haven't blog anything in ages!! However I have been busy! Here's a few of the thing's I've been up to in the past 5months.

A crocheted dino hat for Charlie. Found the pattern on Etsy. It's by the Fuzzy Noggin (pattern) It was really easy to follow and I adapted it to make a flower hat for my niece.

Charlie and I also made a few salt dough decoration for gifts. He put his thumb print in the middle of each shape, which he loved, and then we stamp 'Merry Christmas' onto them. The only hassle was painting them but I quite liked them and think we'll try this again. I put the date on the back.

This is Charlie's finished quilt! Finally!! I bought the fabric in 2009 but only got round to starting it during the Summer 2011! Karen from Fiddlesticks Fabrics in Ballyclare helped me to sort out the design and make it. I really enjoyed it! I've appliqued a car on the back and quilted it with cars and buses! I'll upload a few close ups at some point!

It was great going to the classes as it meant I was able to get time to work on it. It's my first quilt and I'm pleased with how it turned out. Of course it's a bit rough round the edges, literally, in some places but thankfully Charlie can't quilt yet so hasn't noticed!!!

As you can see Charlie loves it though I'm terrified of him being sick on it!!

Memory Boxes

Two of the girls in work retired this year and to help them remember the times that they had with us we created some Memory Boxes. I 'scrapbooked' the lids of the boxes, personalised with their initials.

The girls loved their boxes and hopefully they won't forget us!!

Summer's on the Way

Only two weeks left of school and then I'm off for the Summer.

Had a bit of a gunk this week after I went for a promotion in work, thinking I was well suited for it, but ended up not getting it. It has taken me a wee while to get my head round it but I've realised that God's plan is not always my plan. I need to trust in the way that He is leading me and be confident that His ways are the best ways.

So, I'm back blogging. I've spent too long rushing around, spending time in places and doing things that aren't appreciated. I want to spend more of my time on the things I want to do like family, friends with a generous side of crafting!!

I have a plane for the summer to make a quilt for Charlie and a few bits & bobs finsihed which I started ages ago.

I've been getting daily devotions from Girlfriends in God and I have found them really helpful in getting my busy life back on the right tracks. Maybe not getting the job was God's way of telling me to chill out about things and make more time for the things I love.

Christmas is Coming!

It's nearly Christmas and I'm getting into the Christmas Spirit. Got a couple of trees up and have been enjoying my flower course. I've made a garland using eucalyptus, evergreens and green orchids and a wreath for the back door. I enjoyed making them, but it took ages, about 2 hours each. Would love to make a few for family but where would I get the time??

Here is my fireplace with the garland. Unfornately one of the glass baubles has already bit the dust after falling onto the hearth. Hopefully the other two will manage to last it out!!



My new tree. I love this look of this tree and even better everything, including the tree, was either on sale last year, two for one or just a real bargin!! Think that's why Ian likes it too!!

Charlie has been really good and hasn't gone near it too much!! I told him the little owl would tell mammy and daddy if he touched anything! So far it's working!!

Dresser Complete!!

Ta-da! Granda's dresser is complete. Just got it up to Charlie's room tonight and it looks great with the wallpaper!!

I got a few tester pots from B&Q mixed to match the stripes of the wallpaper. They'll not be that hard wearing but there's plenty of paint leftover to do any wee touch ups required!

The two wee dogs were made by my Dad when he was at school. I just sanded them down too and painted them. I think they look great and Charlie already loves them!!

Here are a few 'before' pics of the dresser. Unfortunately I didn't take one before I started sanding!!

Time to Start Finishing!!

I'm tired! I have a desire to finish so many of the things that I have started but I don't have the time and mostly the energy! Being back at work after maternity leave makes life so much busier.

Just thinking through the half finished projects maddens me and I really do want to finish them. I think that I will set myself some deadlines and try to stick to them and we'll see how it goes.

So first deadline is for Granda's dresser. Mum and I papered Charlie's room last night with stripy paper from Harlequin's What a Hoot range and it is fab!! So I must finish the dresser so it can go into Charlie's room too! Think I'll give myself a week!!! Already have the basecoat done so just have to do the top coat!



Here's a few of the things I actually have managed to finish recently!

My tea cosy & matching tea pot stand (no pic) I just recovered an old tea cosy using Heather Bailey fabric (I think). I'm really pleased by how it turned out and now my sister want a matching pair too!!






I have also recently started a flower arranging class and this is my first arrangement. It's all done inside a pumpkin which I thought looked great.


Really enjoyed tyring something new and we are going to learn how to make a Christmas Wreath and a garland which I'm really looking forward too.



So here's to deadlines and the hope that they will spur me on to actually finish something!!

Offical Notice!

Ok! I'm about to start making a few things and I'm hoping that if I make them offical I will actually to them! I fancy making a nice tea cosie out of some Amy Butler Fabric. The green in it matches my kitchen. I am in the middle of painting my Granda's old set of drawers for Charlie's room. Also have to make a curtain before friday for my bathroom. So here goes!! Hopefully I will be able to show the fruits of my labour shortly!!

I'm still Alive!!

Gosh it's been ages since I've written anything!! Though I'm sure that no-one has noticed! We're still out in the country using this dongle thing to get online and it's so rubbish that I avoid using the internet unless I need to.

So to update you all we are nearly ready to move back home and I'm so excited about getting into the 'new' house. I will post pics when I get some and when I'm using a different connection so I don't go crazy waiting on it to load up!

Back to work about 2months now and it's goin fine. I'm enjoying being back to get some more adult conversatia bit of craic with the girls.

Charlie in now 1!! Which is so hard to belive as I just started this blog shortly after he was born and it doesn't seem that long ago.

Have been busy so haven't made that much. A few crocheted brooches and the beginnings of a scarf. Will also post pics of these soon.

Bits & Bobs Update!

Well, I have finally got round to blogging!! We are settling in well out in the countryside and the building is going sorta well. We had a few hiccups last week and a few this but everything has gotten sorted.

The builders have the foundations in already and the concrete floors done too. Not bad for a week and a half's work!!

I'm going to take a few pics 2moro and hopefully I'll get them posted soon. We got a dongle to stay online with while we are away from home and it's pretty slow! I tried to load photos up last night but it took so long I gave up, so I'm at my mum's catching up on some internet geeking tonight!

I thought that I would post a few pics of some of the things I've been at recently.

This is Charlie's new cot bumper I made. The fabric is a brushed cotton and it's lovely. Charlie enjoys talking to the dumper trucks and diggers. I put two layers of padding inbetween to make it nice and cosy and I just use a white brushed cotton for the back. I quite pleased with it. I must admit that I did sew one side panel to the other side panel instead of to the shorter top panel but just left it as it had taken me ages to get that far. However it looks spot on and only the pickiest critic (i.e. me) would notice!





My crocheted scarf is coming along nicely. I have now completed 2 full rows in the dark blue and I'm actually looking forward to wearing it! I think that I have crocheted it a bit too tight but it should be ok however it's getting looser as I go along so I'm not sure how wide it will end up!!!


This is my first (well maybe fifth) attempt to complet a flower. I tried to follow a video on you-tube but think that I may have gotten mixed up at the start. I really want to make a few flower brooches so I will have to do a bit more practising.

Hope this makes sense as Charlie is sititng on my knee at the minute trying to eat the keyboard and the mouse!!

Our First Night

Had our first night out in the country where we will be living while the renovations are going on. Will post a few pics when I take some.

It's great just a lovely wee place for the 3 of us. Charlie slept in his own room last night and had a great night's sleep and so did we!

Woke up this morning to a beautiful morning and a fab view of the countryside. Back home at the minute clearing up a few more bits and bobs - which is what I am meant to be doing rather that blogging!! But Ian never reads this so he'll never know!! Sssshh!!

Also must remember to get the next part of my crochet mag which I'm really enjoying! I checked out some of the crochet pics on flickr and there is some great inspiration!

Moving Out!

This is just a short note cause if Ian catches me at this instead of working I'm in big trouble! We are finally moving out to start our extension!! YEAH and CRAP!

Yeah because we are finally getting started and crap because we have sooooo much crap to pack up!

Hopefully it will go smoothly and there will be no hitches!! Yeah right!!

My Latest Obsession!

I have just discovered Crocheting! Well that's partly true! Ages ago I had seen some crochet flowers used in scrapbooking and thought that I would love to be able to do that. As usual I had about 1 million (ok slight exaggeration!!) things to do so never got round to it. So I was glad, and slightly excited, to see that a new magazine was being released about learning to crochet. I set off to the town to buy one only to find out that there was not a copy in the place. Thankfully I found a lovely sales assistant who said she would contact me, and keep me a copy, if new ones arrived. Ian couldn't believe that there were no copies left in town and said that he hadn't realised that there were that many freaks about!! He won't be saying that when I crochet him a really warm, cosy jumper!!!!!

Any how long story short, got a copy and am really enjoying it. I have crocheted a few practice bits and have now started a scarf, which hopefully wont take too long. The magazine teaches you a new stitch each week so that you can make a crocheted blanket. It's complete in ONLY 120 copies - not sure if I'll buy all the magazines but I definitely want to make a blanket for Charlie.

Here's a few of my attempts and the beginnings of my scarf!

Winter Wonderland!?

It's not often that we get an awful lot of snow in Northern Ireland. (Well in my lifetime anyway!) So it was great to see snow over Christmas and it's still here! I'm probably one of the few people at the minute who thinks that it's good that the snow is still here! The rest still have to get to work every morning and since I'm still off on maternity that is not really an issue for me!

However it has become one!! We are, or should I say were, due to start a bit of building work on the house next week but we can't get it started if the ground is still as frozen! I was really excited about starting the extension as we have been talking about it for nearly 4 years now so it's about time that it was done!

Really want the snow to hang about a bit longer but in reality it has to go! This country is really not prepared to a little bit of snow! I'm sure that they are still building houses in Alaska or Finland when it's snowing!? How else would builders be able to make money!!

Our back yard. The snow was about a foot deep. This is actually quite a lot for the town.

The view down my Mum & Dad's lane yesterday afternoon. This snow had just fallen during the morning. Gorgeous!!

Lou's Homemade Christmas

I made this wee book for my sister Louise. We had been watching Kirsty's Homemade Christmas and she had said that she liked it but missed the last programme. So I thought that I could make her a wee mini-book with the programmes recorded on DVD's inside the book. I also taped a few other Christmas cookery shows and added recipes.

There's a wee notebook inside so she can use it each Christmas for lists etc. I was quite pleased with the result and I think that she liked it. I wanted to make salt dough letters for the front but didn't have the time. The papers I used are from a free digital download I got last year from Shabby Princess. I don't think that this collection is still on their site but there are other great fee downloads.

I used a lot of gesso in this project, which I got off Ebay, to create the white edges. I have just started using it and love it. It's much more opaque than white ink and goes really far! A good investment.

I cut out the 'Lou' from felt and cross-stitched it onto the paper. I used my craft-robo to cut out Christmas and then embossed it with a glitter powder.

Louise had said that she liked the ribbon I used for my Christmas presents so I wrapped a load around a parcel tag and enclosed it in the back page.

Update on the to do list - have cut out all the pieces for Charlie's cot bumper, just need more quilting fabric for inside then I'm ready to sew!!

Busy! Busy! Busy!

It had been ages since I have blogged anything but I have been very busy with scraobpooking and I still have a ton of stuff to do!!

I spent most of October and November typing up and producing a cookbook to help raise funds to but bible for Christians in Asia. That went really well and we have raised over £2000 which is fantastic.

I was asked to make a few scrapbooks for gifts and so far have completed one and need to make another two. I enjoyed that as I got to buy lots of lovely things with someone else's money!! The first book turned out really well and the receipient is delighted!

I made a few of my Christmas presents from a mini-book to chilli jam. All accepted with pleasure. So here's a few pics of the things I have been doing!

This is Granny's Christmas Card. Charlie got his photo taken with Santa and Ian thought it would be a nice idea to give it to his mum as a card. Aren't these papers gorgeous!! They are from the Swell Noel collection from K & Co.

Great Granny Doo got this calender. I did a bit of rough applique on the top to create the tree and the birds. I was going to use a printable linen to make this calender but (typically!!!) ruined it went I put it through the printer. Will have to try and make use of it somehow! So I ended up using a printable canvas which worked really well and probably ended up make the whole thing stiffer.

I took picture of the scrapbook and the jam but can't find them at the moment so I will blog about those later.

Here is my current to do list: -

1. make a cot bumper for Charlie

2. Complete 2 more mini - books for a friend

3. Gloves for Ian for the bike

4. a Charlie's first Christmas mini-book

5. My 2009 book (got the idea from Shimmelle Lane's website)

6. Charlie's first year!

Where o where will I get the time??

Also we are moving out next week so that the builders can start the extension and I will be abck to work at Easter!

Phew! I'm sweating just thinking about doing all this stuff!!