There is someone that I would like you to meet......

A few evenings ago I pottered away some time with my hook and yarn.  Something which has been missing in my life in the last few weeks. 

Since my trip to Texas, and having been spoilt rotten by my family, Mr T and I agreed that we would sponsor a child in poverty, as a gesture of thanks for their generosity.  Whilst looking on the 'Compassion' web site, a little girl jumped out as being 'the one' as she shares the same name as my lovely sister in law, Sharon.

Since her picture arrived, I thought that I would get a nice frame, in order that I could find a place for her in our home.  On Saturday, I had an hour of poking around some of the lovely stalls in Bridport, whilst Big Bro and a friend had a romp in the pool at the leisure centre, but nothing came up trumps.  

I had a light bulb moment when I thought about hooking up a simple frame.

With an empty cereal box I cut the frame size I required.  After a bit of trial and error with different yarns and different size hooks, I stitched double crochet all around the 'frame' of cardboard.

 

Once I had worked all the way round I made my way round again using a scalloped edging.  To finish I made a tiny crochet flower with a button heart centre (from Texas!)

 

So, without any further a do, meet Sharon.....



 

 

Pretty special, hey?

 

Jxxx

 



Home Sweet Home!

Hello Peeps. I hope that you all are very well.

Since returning to England I have been readjusting to home life.  Some things have fallen back into place with great ease....Mr T, Big Bro, Little Bro and, of course, both the Miss'!  However, I have also felt happier to go with the flow of things and felt more relaxed with life!  Since our last contact I have read a little, looked in both my bee hives, and have caught up with friends.

Whilst I was away one of the loveliest families that I know, moved from the next village along from us, to about 25 minutes away. I have just completed a small hand made something, for Rachel, to mark the occasion - I am sure that they are all going to be very happy in their new home, sweet home!

 

Jxxx

Holiday!

Hello All!

Today starts my 33rd year of life.  It has been a day of celebration, not only for the obvious but also because I have been reunited with Mr T, Big Bro, Little Bro, Big Miss and Little Miss after spending some time with family across the Atlantic.

I don't know about you, but I am a firm believer that there is a time for everything.  For me, the last two weeks has been a time for relaxation and recuperation. Therefore whilst I have relished the time I have spent knitting here and there, I have not strived for completion, just simple joy.

This is my family's gorgeous back garden where I spent some afternoons catching some very much welcomed sunshine.

 

 

Wine and cake was often on the menu......yum....yum....yum....yum....yum

 

 

Above is a sneaky peek at the latest yarn in use.

 

Jxxx

 

Knitting and Purling

In the past I have tried knitting but found holding the needles awkward.  This being the main reason why I persevered with crochet -having one hook to hold I found a bonus!

It was only when I came across this yarn that I was overwhelmed with the need to crack knitting.  I sooooo wanted to give it a home but the only thing that I wanted to create with it was a cardi for Big and Little Miss to share. 

You can of course make crochet cardigans but they just didn't take my fancy.

Having purchased needles, a pattern, and of course this delightful yarn, I was eager to get started.  However, I nearly stumbled at the first hurdle because upon reading the pattern I realised that I would have to knit and purl alternatively - something I had never done before. 

After umpteen times of stitching and unravelling on my own I gave up with frustration.  However, during a family get together I was given some tuition from my mother in law with an oddment of yarn and a pair of needles.  Having on taken on her advice this is the result.......  

 

...rib stitch!

 

 

This is the back piece in production.  We'll see where this journey ends....



Jxxx

Easter Making

Hello All.  I hope that you are enjoying the Easter bank holiday - we certainly are.  There has been Egg Hunting and even some sunshine, which has been most welcome!

 

A number of weeks ago I said that I would take part in an Easter themed swap. 

I've had various ideas, such as an some sort of egg cosy but then I came across this item that fits the bill.

It incorporates chocolate and crochet - who could ask for anything more?!

It starts off by looking like an egg...

 But no - chick it is.  I hope it's new owner likes her!

Here's a pic of her without the wings.

Cheep Yum Cheep!

I also thought that my craft swap would like a spring flower brooch.  These daffodils are a different pattern to the ones that I was originally making, which I have found to be much quicker to produce. Pretty aren't they?

 

 



Jxxx

Ten Hens

Last Sunday Mr T took Little Bro and Big Bro to collected their small flock of chickens. Their idea being to sell free range eggs to friends and family in order to earn some pocket money. 

Big Bro managed to obtain three customers on the first day of asking and Little Bro got one. To my amazement they have been quite industrious in revamping the hen houses with Big Bro cutting wood and Little Bro painting them.

It has been a few years since we last had some chickens and I have been surprised at how much I enjoy watching them scratching and pecking around.

Jxx

Egg-cellent Colour - and that's no yoke!

Last Saturday I spent day with a few friends at the Knit and Stitch show.

There were oh so many stands with various delights on offer.  There was yarn, fat quarters, trim, buttons, patterns, to name a few. It was difficult in deciding what was going to come back with me to 'The Woolly shed'. 

After walking around for many hours I decided upon some scrumptious cotton yarns and some Rowan double knit pure merino wool that I just couldn't resist.  The latter may become a cardi - we will see.

Here is my colour choice for the Rico cotton.

Having taken Big Miss, Little Miss and her friend, Max, to Abbotsbury Children's Farm.  I used the opportunity to start writing my first crochet pattern whilst they romped in the ball pool.  From the pun in the title I expect you can guess what it is going to be....

An egg-citing Easter egg decoration....

 

 

 

Here's the finished result.....not bad for a first go!

 

 



 

Just eleven more to go!

Jxxx

Party gift

When it comes to party gifts for the children's friends I have a tendency to buy the first thing that I see.  The main reason being that I have left it too late and a present needs to be purchased.  

Recently when Big Miss was invited to her friend Milly's party, I remembered a number of months ago I came across some very lovely girlie crochet hair grips, which I had been meaning to try and remake since I clapped my eyes them. Since I had the items needed (embroidery thread, snap hair clips, and a small crochet hook) thought that this was the perfect opportunity for them to be made.

All of the patterns that I looked at on the Internet only required a small crochet flower to be made which was then stuck onto the hair grip with a hot glue gun. 

However as I do not have a glue gun in my possession I decided to double crochet all the way around the hair grip so that the flower could then be sewn onto it. 

Having now made some I think that crocheting around the grip actually makes the flower more sturdy and less likely to come off.

 

 

I hope Milly likes her new hair accessories.  And of course I couldn't let Big Miss go to the party without some new hair grips of her own, could I?!

Jxx

Introducing Rosemary and Baarbra

These are definitely the cutest members of the household by far, Rosemary and Baarbra.  I have found comforting pleasure in their Maa Maaing in the garden.  It may be the reassurance that spring is just around the corner.  Big Miss has very much taken to them and has been enjoying their company.  At the moment they are living on the lawn, but it won't be too long before they are roaming in our top field. 

 

 

I have put the finishing touches on Mr Bunny, so I will be digging out pink / girlie yarn for Big Miss' bunny in the not too distant future.

Jxx

P.S Here's the bunny pattern should you want to give this make a go.

Monster or Alien?

Libraries are a great invention aren't they?  You can look up all sorts of different things and borrow items without expense.  Little Miss' present was finally created with the help of this gem of a library book....

 

I had to get the template enlarged by 200%, which cost only 20p in the local corner shop.

 

 

The polka dot green is the main body colour.   

 

It certainly fits the bill for what I was after, I just hope that Little Miss likes the end result. But I can't decide whether it's a monster or alien, what do you think?

 

 



 

 

Jxxx

Easy Peasy Bunny!

So here we are in the run up to Little Miss' birthday, and CAN I find anything that to make for her special day?

I have now got 3 days to whip something up.  As she loves Moshi Monsters I was thinking a alien or monster creation.  However the things that I have tried haven't worked out.

Any how, whilst searching on the net for inspiration for the Birthday Girl, I came across some adorable little crochet bunnies which I thought would make sweet Easter pressies for both Big and Little Miss. Last year I had so much fun thinking up the Easter Hunt I'm not sure if it was me or the children that enjoyed it more!  In the absense of anything monster like I have cracked on with my first bunny, who will be for Little Miss, as she loves blue and I happen to have a stash of blue yarn to be used up.

As you can see the bunny is based on circle, which once you have got the hang of, can be made in no time.

So here is the basic body shape that you can see below.  I've now got to make it's muzzle and I can't wait to use my pom pom maker for it's tail!!!



He should be made in no time!

Jxxx

Spring is in the Air

I have recently noticed that the days are getting longer, and when the sun is shining there has been a glimmer of spring. 

I wonder what you think of when you think of spring?  For me it means daffodils, bright sunshine and Easter. 

Here's my first Easter themed decoration to bring a bit of cheer...... The original pattern is a egg cozy found here - I think they may have based it on an Ostrich Egg! I decided to stuff the cone body and make a flat circle for the bottom. 

 

I also thought it would be merry to have a jug full of crochet daffodils here in The Shed as the change in season approaches.  Perhaps they will all be made by the time summer arrives!

 

Jxxx

 

Skirt Number 3

Well, you have most likely picked up the fact that I have a complete affinity 

for wool...fabric....buttons....trim....

 

You may have also noticed that I usually can't stop at just making just one of anything.  So I immediately thought 'Skirt' when I found this gorgeous red cord fabric for the bargin price of £2.00.  The turquoise zip was pence from a charity shop and whilst it doesn't exactly match and it's oversized I love it just the same.

 

Here's me giving you a twirl!

 

This is Big Sis' sewing efforts.  Pretty impressive I'd say...

 

 

Jxxx

 

Marmalade and Wool

It's this time of year I think Ooh heck I've got to get a hustle on if my very own marmalade is going to be made, as January is the month for Seville Oranges and they'll soon be out of season.

It also reminds me that my sister in law, came to visit, all the way from Texas around this time of year as I melted my just done beautifully manicured nails, which we had done as a treat, during a marmalade making session. 

The oranges are far from being flawless, and tend to look gnarly and rough.  BUT.... what a taste they make!

 

Here is a peep at the finished item for the 'cozy' swap. 

 

However, when they were made I received an email to say that there were no other UK entrants, therefore I would be unable to take part.

 

I was so, so, so disappointed.

 

At the moment I'm pondering if I will find a new home for them, or if they'll just have to stay here with me in the shed.

 

Jxxx

Craft Swap - Gift Received!

So here's my very first gift that I have received in the craft swapping world.....

Upon reflection,I was surprised at it's shape. Perhaps I thought that everyone would think upon the same lines as I do, and create a stuffed crochet heart! 

So here it is....

Cupid's very own arrow! 

 

Jxxx

Craft Swap - Gifts Made!

These are the items that I decided upon for Valentine Sop Swap.  Something that I would wish to receive and very simple to make.

Attic 24 recommended that when making these sweet little hearts, you decorate them before sewing together - the flower and leaves that you see is her teeny tiny flower pattern, check it out here, if you fancy giving it a go.

 

Dah Dah!  Complete.

 

And I couldn't just stop at one could I?! 

 

And not two either!!!!!

Jxxx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three travelled lampshades!

In our household there are now not one, or two but three travelled lampshades. 

This is the original lamp that you saw in the making state, which is now situated in it's new home in the lounge:

They are just so easy peasy to make I just couldn't help myself but want to make another.  No.2 is drying as I type.

Big Bro and Little Bro also took an interest, as there were army, animal and sports stamps. So I decided to let them create one for their room too.  I think it'll be finished in the next couple of days.

 

 

 

The only concern that I may get carried away and decorate the whole of the house with used stamps! (Could it be the next 'in' thing?!!)

Jxxx

Craft Swapsys

I'm very excited to be taking part in a couple of craft swaps this year.

I first heard about the idea at 'The Chain Gang' where I regularly attend.  They are holding a Valentines Sop Swap where participants take in a wrapped hand made gift to put in the goodie bag and take a gift made by another for ourselves.  I'm can't make up my mind whether I'm more excited about making a gift or receiving one!

Having liked the idea so much I went home to scour the Internet to be involved in another, and found one here (if you too fancy being involved),this one has the theme of 'cozy'.  With this swap in addition to making something based on the theme you also purchase a small gift for your swap partner up to the value of £3.00.  Here's the start of an 'individual' gift for one lucky person, can you guess what it's going to be?

I suppose the only down side of taking part is that you may dislike the item that you receive, but hey ho there is always the charity shop!!!!!

Jxxx