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!!