Wings

The prompt for week 22 of Journal52 is Wings. For me this has to involve dragonflies. I got out my Neocolor crayons and got going. I layered colour down then used water to create washes. I probably laid down about 4-5 colours to get some depth. I then doodled with a Micron pen and wrote with my Sharpie.

Here's a daily visitor to my garden. He's so friendly he can often land on your hand if you are sitting at the garden table.

He's not actually a dragon fly. He's called a Small Red Damselfly and here's a professional picture of one (so much better than my poor attempt....

Link to original image

Hubby and I went to the garden centre and spend quite a bit more than we estimated. He planted the large stuff up last night and I spend the morning planting the rest (and dodging the rain) 

I think there was around 60 plants in all. Phew! Now all I have to do is get the dirt from under my nails!!!

Tags and Top Ten

I said in my last post I was going to make some tags. Guess what? I actually completed something I said I was going to do.

The photo is fairly awful but you can kind of see them. I added colour coordinated eyelets too.

Here's my latest journal page. I'm using a prompt from Journal52 The prompt this week is 'Top 10 Lists' I used various colour pencils and my trusty sharpie.

I've been pinning a lot of trees and swirls in the last 24 hours so I think it's fair to say these will be a big influence in my next few journal entries.

So, it's been another huge gap since my last post. No excuses at all!

I just wanted to share my latest craze. Journalling.

I did a bit of looking around and there seems to be different types of journaling. I've found art journals, sentiment journals, Project Life etc. As usual I don't fit into a nice little pigeon-hole so my journal will be a bit of everything. Depending on the mood it'll be a diary type snap shot, art experiments and scrapbooking....plus anything else that takes my fancy.
My first layout was a double page one that chronicled a week.

I used all sorts of pens, pencils and even a bit of scrap decopatch paper I found in the bottom of a box.

The next 2 were art experiments...

If you can read the writing I was VERY unimpressed with the left hand layout. It's grown on me a bit since then. The 4 rectangles were printed out from the web and the brown strip was ripped from a chinese note book. The colour was watercolour pencils and pens. The right hand layout was pencils and watercolour crayons. I'm liking the idea of this theme so I'll go back to it to see what else I can come up with.

My final 2 layouts...

 These are more scrapbooking than anything. I hit Hobbycraft today so these are a mix of old and new. The backgrounds are stuff I've had for years and the top layers are new today. I'll write something in the right hand one tomorrow.

The plan is to either crate a new page each day or create elements for a new layout. I'm thinking tomorrow is a day for making tags....yup, definitely tags!

Orange is the new Black

Or it is for me!
I may have had a long break from blogging but I've kept going with my crafting. I've got back into knitting again after many years. I used to knit a lot when my girls were small but I kind of lost the enthusiasm for it along the way. So a quick catch up of some of my finished projects (yes, I've actually finished some) and an explanation of the blog post title.
In the last month I've completed 2 projects in orange. One is this wonderfully cute baby dress. The pattern is called Ellis dress and can be found here. I used Sublime Cashmere Merino Silk. This yarn is now discontinued but if you can get your hands on some I would highly recommend it. It feels wonderfully soft and knits like a dream. I made it for a friend of my youngest DD who is expecting her baby girl within the next couple of weeks! I had to make some adjustments to the pattern to make it small enough but it looks OK.

Ravelry is a dangerous place. Whilst browsing innocently, minding my own business, I got mugged by the wonder that is Hitofude. If you see the amount of projects you can see I'm not the only one. I wanted to make it a light summer cardi so chose cotton yarn. It also helps it was heavily discounted on eBay. Apologies for the not brilliant photo but I'm waiting to block it so this is a quick snap as I hung it on the back of the chair.

I have to say on reading the pattern I was completely confused. How on Earth does this work? I followed the advise of many and just started knitting and it suddenly became a cardi. No joining or nothing!

I crocheted 2 baby blankets but didn't take photos. I hate when I do that. I like to look back and see what I've made.

Other bits in brief.....

My first socks

Lara's Hat (Susan Ashcroft)

Lara's hat is one of 6 patterns I've made from the very talented Susan Ashcroft. She, and her designs, can be found on Ravelry too.

Paint Boxes Cowl (Susan Ashcroft)

The ever popular Clapotis by Kate Gilbert.......

Plus a few other bits and pieces!

I have 2 current projects, both are Rowan patterns. I'm making Eldora by Marie Wallin. This is a pattern from the current Spring/Summer Rowan magazine.

I'm calling mine Rose Garden. I've chosen shades of green, cream and coral.

The other WIP is the Rowan Mystery Afghan KAL. I've started a little late but have almost finished clue 2. Clue 4 is being released tomorrow so I hope to be caught up by clue 5.


We wont mention the mammoth expansion of my stash. No! Best not to, really!

Change for the better

First blog post of the new year so I suppose I should recap on 2013.

2013 was a bit of a wakeup call for me. After hubby had his heart attack in 2012 we concentrated on him and his health so to realise that my own health was suffering was a bit of a blow.
I have always been a 'big girl' but my health has been fine. Blood pressure and all tests were normal. As I've gotten older my weight has increased drastically and with it my health has declined. My knees were grinding when I went up and down stairs. My hips would hurt when I woke up in the morning because of the weight stresses on them and more frightening was the very regular prolonged heart palpitations and chest pain I was getting.
In May 2013 I decided enough was enough. I was only in my early 40's and I felt like I was in my 80's. I knew if I didn't lose weight soon I was probably going to die in the not-to-distant future. I spoke to my youngest daughter and she wanted to support me in any way she could so we joined Slimming World.
I have to admit I find the new Slimming World plan incredibly easy to follow and stick to. The weight is coming off and as of todays date both myself and my daughter have lost just over 3 stone each. I'm so proud of her (and me!) She looks fantastic. My eldest daughter  decided to join in the fun and she has so far also lost over 3 stone as well!  My weight loss is beginning to show and I've gone down 3 dress sizes. My weight loss journey has a very long way to go yet but I'm so determined to get there. My goals are small, but obtainable. I want to lose another 3 stone this year (hopefully more but I'm not setting myself up to fail) DD will be at goal before the end of the year. Another incentive (as if I need any more) is that I've just be diagnosed with Gall stones and will need an op. I've been told I cant have one until I lose more weight. As it's unbelievably painful I might need to up my game plan!

I also concentrated on my crafting last year and plan to continue. My job can really stress me out so this is my de-stress time.
Here's a few picture highlights from 2013....

Feb 2013. DD won hubby and I a 5* weekend away to Jersey for our anniversary. This is a view from the hotel window.

March 2013: Eltham Palace

Amethyst and Copper tree of life pendant. made in Spring 2013

June 2013: DD and I went to visit Bristol, Bath and Cheddar Gorge.

Long time no post

Hi all.

No blog from me since November. 4 Months! That's crazy!

Work has been frantic. The school I work in has just had an Ofsted. We don't officially hear for a couple more weeks on the result but fingers crossed it'll be OK.

I've been crocheting steadily but not getting very far. I still haven't completed the Realta or the yarn eater blankets. In fact, I haven't even picked them up. Instead I've been making photo props for a photographer friend of mine. I've made a mermaids outfit, sailors hats, nappy (diaper) covers and hairbands with exchangeable flowers. 

I started another blanket made from granny squares in 3 different sizes. It also has 2 x 2 squares as well. It's probably a little over baby blanket size at the moment so I may give it away to a colleague who's 5 months pregnant at the moment

Over the Christmas holidays I finally got round to sorting out my craft room. A trip to Ikea later and it was complete. I hasten to say it doesn't look quite as neat as this now....

I was very excited today as my Mothers day present arrived today. I know I shouldn't have opened it but N. got it delivered to the school and I couldn't resist. She told me to place an order on Wool Warehouse. It's free delivery on orders over £25 so I got some more stylecraft (2 more balls coming in a different package) and a pack of Clover hooks. They are plastic and have nicely coloured handles. I'll let you know how I get on with them later as I'm not actually allowed to use them until Sunday.

Will I be strong enough to resist?

One month later and Tuesday Tallies

                                    

It's been a whole month since I've last posted. That's shocking! Where does the time go? Work has been manic (and not in a fun way) I also got to go on holiday last week to Norfolk so that was lovely.

I have a confession to make though.....
You know my Realta blanket I was making? The one I said I was going to finish and I was NOT going to start any other project befor I HAD finished? Weeeeellllll.........
I haven't done any of it since the last Tuesday tally over a month ago. I also started a few other bits as well.
I made this cowl/infinity scarf/snood for my youngest DD. It's made from James C.Brett Monsoon yarn and I love the colours in it. It's so autumnal and is very snuggly. Pattern is on Ravelry here http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/calm-cowl

 I started making another but decided to make it longer. This was not so successful. It was so long it was a trip hazard and the although I used the same yarn in a different colourway it just didn't look right. It's in the frogging pile!

I started a scard for myself using crocodile stitch using this pattern and Chenille gold yarn and this pattern on Ravelry http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crocodile-stitch

It feels so luxurious and is incredibly heavy. It's long enough to be worn but I'm going to make it a little longer I think.

And finally...

I wanted a project to work on while I was away. If I were sensible I would have continued with the Realta. I've been accused of many things in the past but being sensible isn't one of them. I started on the Wool Eater blanket on Ravelry http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-wool-eater-blanket
It's a very easy pattern to work with once you get the hang of it and makes a lovely, thick material.
I'm enjoying it a lot but will it be a blanket or a cushion cover....it's at cushion size already so the question is, do I continue?

I look at all your lovely blogs and see your finished projects and wish I had the patience and dedication to finish something like a blanket but I think I'm a cross between a goldfish and a magpie. I have the attention span of about 5 seconds and am easily distracted by anything bright or shiny.
Has anyone got any blinkers? Maybe if I don't look I might get somewhere!

Please don't forget to check out all the other lovely "One a Day" projects via Gingerbread Girl's blog.

Peacock scarf pattern

This scarf is a real pleasure to make. I crochets up very quickly and I love the colour change I got by using the James C. Brett Monsoon yarn. I used Shade S3 as it reminded me very much of the colours found in a peacock feather but here's a link to see all the colours in the range http://www.jamescbrett.co.uk/yarns_monsoon.php. It's an aran wool so the scarf is nice and snuggly in these cooler autumn days.

I used a 5.00mm hook
3 balls of James C. Brett Monsoon in shade S3

I will be using UK terms throughout the pattern

Ch - Chain
DC - Double Stitch
DTR - Double Treble Stitch

The pattern is crocheted over 10 stitches (+1 for the foundation chain) I made mine over 50 stitches (+1) but it is up to you how wide you want it to be.

Row 1: Ch 51. Turn
Row 2: 1DC in 2nd Ch from hook. *skip 4 Ch, 9DTR in next Ch, skip 4 Ch, 1DC in next Ch.  Repeat from * to end. Turn.
Row 3: 4 C, 1DTR in first DC. *3 Ch, Skip 4 DTR, 1 DC in next DTR (the centre DTR of 9), 3 Ch, skip 4 DTR, 2 DTR in next DC. Repeat from *, ending 2 DTR in last  DC. Turn.
Row 4: 1 Ch, 1 DC in the space between first 2 DTR, *skip 3 Ch, 9 DTR in next DC, skip 3 Ch, 1 DC in space between2 DTR. Repeat from * ending 1DC in space between last DTR and turning Ch. Turn.

Repeat rows 3 and 4 for as long and necessary.

I didn't give the scarf an edge but I did consider using peacock stitch as a scallop. I ended up not using it as I was happy as it was.

I think my favourite silver peacock brooch looks lovely on the scarf.

Tuesdays Tallies and 2 scarf da-dahs

Another week gone! I didn't even have time for a blog post. What on Earth was I doing?
Not much.

I actually managed to go out on a date with my husband last week. It doesn't sound too out of the ordinary but trust me, it is. The last time we went out anywhere (that wasn't a holiday) was about 2 years ago. We decided to go to the cinema to see the Sweeny (his choice) and ending up in the local Wetherspoons for an evening meal. Nothing special but very enjoyable.

On the crochet front I've got a few ta-dahs.
I finished both scarves I was making last week and both have been used too.
N. loves hers and she has kindly agreed to model it (somewhat of a miracle)

Here's mine and NO. I'm not going to model it :) I was going to write up the pattern.... not done that either. Maybe later in the week.

A couple of weeks ago I made an octopus for my Eldest daughter, E. She went back to Manchester taking it with her. I now seem to have orders for a whole load of them in different colours from her fiance, his sister and her boyfriend. This one is ready to be posted off later this week. I've been promised regular updates of his adventures :D

Not too much progress on the Realta blanket I'm afraid. I finished another 2 octagons. Here it is laid on the dining room floor with me trying to place the finished octagons. N helped me after listening to me whimper for 15 minutes because I couldn't make a decision. I need to make 5 squares so I can attach them to the main blanket.

I bought myself a lovely vintage wicker basket from ebay to keep the blanket in. It's from the 1950's and looks so much nicer than leaving a carrier bag about the place.

My target for the week is to try NOT to starts anything else and concentrate on the blanket.
Lets see if I can do it :)

Please don't forget to check out all the other lovely "One a Day" projects via Gingerbread Girl's blog.

Tuesday's Tallies and others

I'm a One a Day first timer but I really, REALLY need the motivation to keep going on my Realta afghan. Don't get me wrong, I love it. I love the pattern and the yarn (Debbie Bliss Prima) but I'm a bit daunted into the sheer amount of work needed to finish it. I seriously underestimated the amount of octagons I'd need. I though 56.....it's closer to 90 ish.
So..... this week I managed 2 more octagons and 4 squares. I'm counting the fact that I started joining them together as one of my one a day!

In between times I made an octopus for my oldest daughter who was down on a visit as it was hubbys 50th yesterday. It's not something I'd usually make but she fell in love with the pattern.

She calls him Stanley Pickleson!

I've also started 2 scarves. One, made from James C Brett's Monsoon yarn. I loved the colours as they reminded me of peacock feathers so what better stich to use than Peacock stitch?
I've run out of yarn so I'm waiting patiently (not) for some more. If anyone's interested I'll write up the pattern whaen it's complete. It's very simple and I hope to finish it by the end of the week (posty hurry up!)

The second scarf is made from some recycled yarn. Youngest daughter bought a scarf from Primark at the end of last year discounted from £8 to £3. She wore it once and kept tripping over it. It was honestly over 8 feet in length. Sunday night saw me frogging it! It ended up being made from 2 strands of aran weight yarn and there must be at about 1kg of yarn. What a bargain?
I'm using the same ripple pattern as Lucy's ripple blanket using a size 10mm hook and both strands of yarn. This is another one that won't take too long.

It's got me thinking though, what else can be recycled for use again? I'll be hitting charity shops and bootsales I think.

Please don't forget to check out all the other lovely "One a Day" projects via Gingerbread Girl's blog.

Sue's Door Snake Draught Excluder

My first time making something from scratch!
I have a cold living room. In the winter we have the fire going, the door closed and the heating on at the same time some nights. Anyway, a couple of nights ago I had the living room door closed as my youngest was watching something on YouTube or Netflix or something....It was loud, whatever it was! I shut the door and sat back down to read. After a few moments I was aware of the indoor equivalent of a tornado blowing around my ankles. Considering it was a warm night it was pretty cold too. No wonder the room was freezing in the winter. I had no idea I had a gap under the door that a limbo dancer could get under!
The idea of the snake draght excluder was born.
I had a look for a pattern but was very uninspired with what I saw. Then I realised that it was basically a tube! How hard could it be?
Not very!

I thought I'd write out the pattern in case anyone wanted it.

Time to make - approx 5 hours

Yarn used: 100g (1 ball)James C. Brett Marble D.K Shade MT26
Crochet hook: 4.00mm
Kapok ( I used the stuffing from an old pillow)

I'm using UK terms so when I say treble stitch (tr) this is US double stitch (d)

Abbreviations used:

CH chain

TC treble crochet


sl st slip stitch
st stitch
yo yarn over
2TCtog 2 Treble crochet together = * yo, insert hook in first st, yo, draw yarn through st, yo, draw yarn through 2 loops on hook repeat (*…) in next stitch. Then yo and draw yarn through 3 loops on hook. 

Row 1 - 4 CH. Join with ss in first chain to form a loop

Row 2 - Ch 3 (counts as 1st TC) 11 more TC into loop. Join with a ss into top of 3 chain (12 st)

Row 3 - Ch 3 (counts as 1st TC) 1 TC into same stitch as 3 chain. *2 TC in next st**. Repeat * to end. ss into top of 3 chain (24 st)

Row 4 -  Ch 3 (counts as 1st TC) 1 TC into same stitch as 3 chain. *1 TC in next st, 2 TC into following st**. Repeat * to end. ss into top of 3 chain (36 st)
Row 5 to Row 53 - Chain 3. 1 TC into each st. ss into top of 3 chain (36 st)

Stuff the snake as you go along

Row 54 (start of decrease) Ch 3 *2TCtog 2** Repeat * to last st. TC in last st. ss into top of 3 chain. (18 st)

Stuff if needed

Row 55 Ch 3 *2TCtog 2** Repeat * to last st. TC in last st. ss into top of 3 chain. (9 st)

Stuff if needed

Row 56 Ch 3 *2TCtog 2** Repeat * to last st. TC in last st. ss into top of 3 chain. (7 st)

If you can decrease for another row then do so.  If there is not enough room and the snake is nearly closed then decrease as much as you can then ch 1 and cut yarn pulling tightly. This should have closed the snake completly.

Weave yarn end in.

Sew on eyes and add a material tongue if required.

My snake measures 29 inches (74 cm) and its girth is about 10 inches (26 cm)
Add more treble rows for a longer snake. If you want a wider snake then add another increase row (of course you'll need additional decrease rows too)

What's his name????

Severus Snake :)

 

 

 

 

 

Old and new

Where does the time go?
I'm back at work now after the summer holidays. Why can't I win the lottery? I certainly wouldn't be one of those people who say they wouldn't know what to do with themselves. I have so many things I'd like to do that I'd be busy for the next 40 years!

I finished the ripple blanket...sort of.

Hubby decided it was quite big enough, thank you, and stole it. It is fit for what he wanted it for (to cover him on the sofa) but I still have visions of it fitting my bed. I may have to steal it and work on the odd row here and there when he's not looking.

 

Because he stole this one I've started another just for me and it IS going to be for me! I'm making the Realta afghan pattern http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/realta-afghan
I'm making it in Debbie Bliss Prima yarn which is on special offer from Black Sheep Wool.
I'm using these colours and cream as a base colour

 

I'm going to have to buy at least 7 more balls of cream, more if I decide to make the connecting squares all cream instead of coloured.
I'm going to have to do a minimum of 56 octagons. I've got 10 done so it's going pretty well.

The yarn is 20% wool and 80% bamboo. It has a lovely matte look that resembles cotton.

I'm not going to think of all the weaving in of the ends....not yet anyway :)