once a upon time .....

I hooked a butterfly fairy and here she is

 So as you can see I finished her . I changed the design a bit and used buttons . I do have a strange love for buttons lol . She turned out really cute and couldn't wait to share her with you. She still brings a smile to my face especially as untill a few hours ago was consigned to the unfinished pile. No idea what to do with her I have three boys lol oh well I guess she mine then lol

UFO

Today is gorgeous weather but just not feeling it . I settled down to crochet wreath  but just couldn't start. I think I am flagging as have no wreath they in post lol . Knowing I can't finish seems to equal can't continue but what to do .

 As you can see no reason not to continue with wreath it's bright cheerful easy , but no it was not getting done. So I searched through bag. We all have them IF I languishing in our bags under the wool. Out of site out of mind.

  I Found this I started last week . I was desperate to do this pattern but after body went together I was uninspired to continue . I decided to at least do hair and embroider face and see how I felt.

 And here she is . I have to say this little fairy  has really come to life and am glad I continued  She not finished just needs wings  but should be done some time over weekend. I have learnt  never give up on a project  or you could miss out on something special. Happy hooking people hope you feel inspired to return to unfinished project 

copy cat

I have been reading a lot today  about copy right. I am shocked how easy it is to infringe it and even more shocked at one poor women's 5000 dollar fine.  Any art form.like crochet or knitting is going to suffer from.infringement  and although some maybe deliberate in an attempt to profit from.other people's work I am sure the majority of offenders are just eager to share a pattern or design they loved.


I guess the other problem is is there anything genuinely new to create. A friend of mine has designed a number of patterns and admits after she finished the project  She found something similar online.


This seems common I read on another blog one lady was slated as her pattern resembled a pattern that was published fifty years ago even after she apologised and explained she didn't know and couldn't know every design ever published the torrid of abuse continued.

Not sure where I am.going with this post other than to say if I ever forgot to give credit to a person for their designs I am.truely sorry. I do respect the effort and work that goes into designing  or tutorials but I think as a creative community we need to be a bit kinder. The I internet made connecting with crafters so easy but also led to arguing and theft so I guess my message for today is share the love.

i never promised you a rose garden.......

Ok  so maybe I did ....... and here it is

This is the roses  grouped into sizes we have two large roses nine smaller roses four tiny flowers and six micro flowers. Full detail can be found on Lucy blog at attic 24 if you fancy a garden of your own.

 I couldn't wait  to see how they went together so I  had a play I like the muted colours  it gives  a very different feel to Lucy . I really enjoyed making these and embellishing  the flowers with beads . The photo doesn't  show how pretty  it looks when it catches light

The flowers are lacking it's greenery  and although it's headed I am not looking forward to endless green . Any one in blog land want to hook some for me .... No didn't think so .Oh well that's a job for tomorrow.

a dogs life

The day has been miserable here rain rain and more rain . I have to be honest I don't mind as excuse to crochet . I have made most of the flowers and I am really pleased  with how they going .

However this blog's is not about my love of flowers but I had to show you I am not the only one to love my crochet. Remember  my hippo

   

Welll

 Apparently my dog thinks  all that work was to provide her with a cushion. Lol I don't have heart to move her

a rose by any other name

 My mum has been staying with me over the bank holiday . I hardly see her so it made a nice if not sometimes challenging time lol. My crochet been neglected as I played hostess but back to it today but what to make ?

I wAnt to make her a present to take down later in year but what to make. I looked at shawls but nothing grabbed me . I finally decided on Lucy's  Mary rose wreath . 

 The picture shows the large rose done in chunky . The normal.rose and the micro rose ( which are my favourite.)  The only thing I have changed is I have put a shiny bead in centre of flower to give wreath some bling lol .i have loved how quickly they fly off hook.

 This is not my first wreath . Again this is from Lucy pattern I. February simply crochet. But it's my first proper wreath   and so far I am loving it . The roses are quick and simple and easy to complete in front of telly lol .My friend has already made this wreath and given me some tips in construction so do get a crossed it will  look as good as I hope. 

inspiration

It's getting to that time of year  when I start to think of gifts I will need in run up to Xmas I get them out way so last month the I can do decorations. However there is only so many  hats and scarfs you can give . Recently I bought a book from Amazon by Alison Hoffman  http://www.amazon.co.uk/AmiguruME-Allison-Hoffman/dp/1454703970  . There are no patterns for individual projects  just basics heads and body shape to get you started  . The book is lovely but where to start.


Well today we went to scare crow festival here are some examples

 This got me thinking  every one has a favourite actor or tv programme.  The gladiator pictured above is classic example my friend adores the film.I could surely  have a go at creating a Russel crow for her . I need to fish the project I am.currently on  then I will explore creating  some special.dolls. if they can make scarecrows I should be able to create a yarn version.my mind is buzzing with idea . It's funny where inspiration  can strike

a light interlude

After a big project I  wanted something  . I chose s unicorn from simply crochet

 The plan is it will be for my daughter's little girl. . I think it looks like a pig with horns lol but it is actually cute and was fun to make . I started it yesterday finished today even with my mum distracting me and I have to say it was nice to finish a project quickly. However am bit lost on what to do next

jacket ta dah

I bet like me you wondered if we would get here but as you can see  the jacket is finally FINISHED

I was up till around midnight working on the last sleeve . But I just couldn't go to bed so did front band. Then collar even got up early to sew it up


Really eased with result . The best news is I guessed size I needed and thank the Lord it fits but as predicted its red hot here  so will sit in draw for a while, but you know what I don't care  because I did it I made a piece of clothing that looks like the one in picture lol.

wishing it was tank top

Lol I hate repetition. So sleeves are never ny favourite thing.  But luckily sleeve one has worked up quiet quickly with very little drama. I laid out pieces on floor to get idea

So here it is.


It's a good shape I think and picture doesn't show the mindshare neckline. I am learning a lot through this project . The importance of counting properly  and perseverance . And who knows maybe it will be first time I make something I can actually wear lol.

halilullah

I have finished the front . I would like to say it aS plain sailing after the last danger point but I actually need to confess I made a further two  mistakes on neck

As you can see the main pieces  do actually meet up  so far so good.

Just sleeves and collar to do . Surely the worst part is over . I don't know how much more of this I can take lol

the final count down

Things have been quiet on crochet front . Even yesterday project was to put off  picking up this jumper. All day I looked at the heap in floor and avoided its gaze . I finally picked it up and started off . And like some cruel trick it was wrong again.  I wanted to throw it against wall


 I have decided I will not be beaten by this and regulate it to my crochet bag  so persevered. having finally pasted the point I was at and started on buttons the end is in site I am sure you will be as relieved as I am !!!

summer loving tea cosy free pattern

On holiday I bought a beautiful portmerrion teapot I wasn't sure whether to use it so it just sat there used it today for first time and decided it needed a cosy. It's odd shape  and after searching I decided to  design my own . I have never tried this before  so bare with me lol




I used  double knit  and a 3.5 hook   this uses UK crochet terms


I chained 55

Foundation row starting from third hold  I did half trebles across row

 Row 1-6  chain 2  2htr in first stitch   htr cross row untill last stitch  2htr

Row 6- 13 half trebled across all stitches

Row 14  change to blue  and half treble 26  chain 10  skip ten continue to half treble across row
Row 15 -24 treble across all stitches fasten off yarn

See up sides leaving room for handle sew across top

Flowers

Round 1  chain 2 work 6d  in second chain from hook as to first dc

Round 2  (ss chain 2 treble chain 2 ss in each stitch  fasten off yarn

 So far so good .  But still a bit plain .

To give you a ideal of shape of tea pot

 As you can see spout is high  to fit any other type of tea pot  you change the  position of the row you chained ten on. Any way back to the fun bit making it pretty

I borrowed  the motif for butterfly from here.        http://www.hopefulhoney.com/2012/03/butterfly-fly-away.html you can go as mad as you like adding butterflies and flowers .

Added some more flowers and it still needed something I remember a Sun I made using bunny mummy blog and added it . I like the summery effect  and it makes me smile i I have called it summer loving tea cosy. c you want to have a try at flower your self her blog can be found here http://bunnymummy-jacquie.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/sail-away-crochet-pattern.html 

Hope you enjoyed looking at this pattern  as much as I enjoyed making it now time for a cuppa!

out with the old

Ok I confess I not picked up hook sine my tantrum but mainly because on a whim.I bought new suite  . This led to mad cleaning and organising . Well it's here now and I like it so does potty

Well you know how it goes  you clean and sort one thing only to notice more that needs doing for me it was my stash

Most is hidden away up stairs out of sight  I have one  tatty box down stairs where I tend to Chuck my left over as. As you can imagine over years it become a mass of scraps . So spent the afternoon  sorting scraps that are suitable and scraps that are not. I found a plastic more substantial box to gold it it looks more organized and neater. I enjoyed this and refreshes memory of what you got  . Feels like a productive day although in my heart of Hearts it just an excuse to avoid doing kitchen lol.

cant teach a old dog new tricks

Ahhh  can you believe I am.almost up to arm shaping almost the exact spot I was at the other night when  quick stitch count showed I was miles out I located the point I had right amount of stitches and ripped back and yes you guessed it  . Almost as much as the other night

 After last time I vowed to keep check of stitches. I have been so good all day think I got cocky. I would say lesson learnt but don't want to tempt fate lol. Some one in blog land tell me I am.Not alone with these trials

This season's must have?

The one thing I love as much as crochet is fashion . I love clothes and dressing up . In my head my creations will look as good as any high street  item 

 Ok  so this never happens but God loves a tryer.

Popped out today for more wool as you can see got over my tantrum.of the other day and its growing well

I think my fears about length are also unfounded as you can see both  parts at least match up so slowly but surely it's taking shape


I do wish I hadn't taken easy colour option as cream seems unforgiving and hardly setting my world alight. However strangely it's still quite addictive. Yesterday I decided to put it aside and take a break add colour back into my life yet  I couldn't put it down only did mandala after the first front was finished.


I do have two smaller projects I should be getting on with but at moment I am.all about the jacket.ironically we are promised heat wave bet it arrives  just as I complete the last stitch

mandala mania

  Blog land is full of mandala at the moment.  This heighten awareness comes in a big part to Lucy over at attic 24 . Who is busy preparing for yarndale I am very excited as hoping to go this year. Any way it got me thinking as I have a fair few of these myself . The above one  was my first attempt and I feel in love  them

 The next two examples  are from another blogger and both appeared in simply crochet magazine

 This is my latest and this came from.Lucy's blog. Not sure if I will send to yarn Dale  as I quite fancy making them.into some kind of display here as certainly running out of places to put them . Are any of you going to yarndale ? I would love to see if  you create your own mandala.

wip aka wanting instant perfection

 I was hoping to be able to post how well this project was going.  Yes there is a slight issue with the back  . It seems awfully long  but after reassuring myself that it's a jacket  and meant to be long I was quite happy

So on to the front. By time I am on a roll . I know the pattern the tension is better and the style of pattern makes more sence  so I started the shaping I had one lot of four left to do at which time should have thirty stitches . A quick.count and I realise I alreAdy have thirty two so started ripping back  one row at time the pile next to the fabric is only part of that I had to undo. Needless to say am.Fed up. And pushed it aside  already to start again another day. Having a tantrum over a few messed up rows may seem.childish but  I bet am.Not the only one . Go on confess it's happened to you too

coffe break

 I was not  going to blog today although I do have breaking news the back is finished .... Lol not entirely happy with it but that another story



Any way am Sat with a coffee watching my guilty pleasure +jeremy Kyle  flicking through my favourite book. .I bought this after seeing it in+simply crochet  and have to say I love everything about it . It's a proper high class hardback book with beautiful pictures. It starts of easy  and gradually progresses as your skills become more advance. When I was helping my son with his project the easy projects were ideal




xnttp://www.amazon.co.uk/Crochet-Dk/dp/1409334678/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1399895002&sr=1-1&keywords=crochet+dk you can look more closely at the book here at Amazon


However if you are like me and you love a freebie you can down load a pdf of the pillow for free by visiting here.

http://us.dk.com/static/cs/us/11/pdfs/dk_9781465415912_pillow.pdf

Hope you enjoy as much as I do

crimes against fashion

Don't think me a fraud. This is. My latest project probably my most ambitious and as I am  Not even  at end of the back I have nothing to share with you. In all my Years knitting I made only two bits of clothing and none were really wearable lol. My first was a waist coat in chunky the tension and bad sewing up made it a disaster.

 My second was super chunky  and again bad sewing and  dodgy knitting  meant I hid it behind wardrobe loath to throw it away and unwilling to wear it lol

With these disasters in mind you may question why I am making clothes especially when I got people asking for more lovely African flower toys. My main reason is I don't want to be beaten .  So investigated  the above pattern is by +nicki trench and is in her easy crochet country book. It has a one star rating  for difficulty  it's a simple pattern of double and treble rows . It has so.please shaping and made in Aran in fact the only difficulty I can see could be the collar or I run out of patience lol 

  If you fancy having a go here is link to book 

http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Crochet-Country-Nicki-Trench/dp/0600628337

 

hippo ta dah !!

This task dah been a long time comming .the stuffing  finally arrived . So I could breath life into him. I  am really pleased. Heidi refers to this as happypotomus and I confess to smiling every time I look at him . He is my biggest project to date  and I think it's the one I am most proud off. 

 

I  do have request for the rhino and elephant so I think I will soon be making African flowers in my sleep lol

cushion ta dah !!!

So it's finished. I am really pleased with results . I enjoyed learning the rain bow stitch and think it quite effective. I love the colours and really glad I bought the pack from wool ware house  I have constructed mine different to Lucy's but am sure she wouldn't mind . Secretly I had to rectify  a mistake I made look. This is my first cushion but feel it won't be my last . It already brightens up the room 

somewhere over the rainbow

My hippopotamus is on hold due to stuffing shortage. My husband bought me Lucy's  latest pack from wool ware house . it came today and I couldn't wait to start . It grows so quickly and the stripes are quite addictive. The wool is chunky style craft I have never used it before and have to confess I love it.. Not only is it in georgous colours but it lovely and squishy perfect for cushion making.





Lucy calls the stitch rainbow stitch I don't know if that her name or correct term but it basically two rows repeated now and easy half trebled perfect as I settle with my box set.the above is the result of hours work and think i may finish over the bank holiday weekend . I can't leave it alone. So off I go back to it . Happy hooking