Monday, 23 July 2012

Monday, Monday ...

... but I want to talk about the weekend!! What a beautiful productive weekend it was!! I was meant to be attending a Crochet Weekend in the beautiful Craven Arms at Westhope Craft College, but the course had to be cancelled so I found myself with a free weekend ... heaven ... !! Although I was disappointed that the course wasn't on ... imagine a whole three days dedicated to crochet ... heaven!!!

I collect china trios as in old teacup, saucer and plate and my collection is slowing growing and I have wanted some where to display them and an excuse to create a crocheted shelf edging too. After much consideration of what I needed, and going so prepared (not!) I popped to Ikea and we found two picture ledges ... perfect! I am now considering keeping them the wood effect or painting them the colour of my kitchen walls ... oh decisions decisions!!

Me and him both purchased lots from Ikea we weren't planning on buying ... my list of essential purchases that I never knew I needed included ... a blackboard (how exciting I now need to buy some chalk!), two candles and candleholders, three metal flower pots ... and some bag clips!!!

The Ikea trip was followed by a visit to a local town ... where I had to pop into an Oxfam bookshop ... always a must!! Where to my delight I found ...


... a book full of inspiration for my diploma course ...







 ... sigh with crochet pleasure!

I have recently had the pleasure of corresponding with Elizabeth Bryant, a Master in Crochet and Cabin Lace and on Sunday I was fortunate enough to meet her in person. It was truly inspirational meeting Liz, and it was wonderful to see some of her crochet and hear a few of her tales, about what inspired her and her designs for cabin lace. It was wonderful to share my love of the craft, and her inspiration has meant that for my diploma I am looking at the history of crochet, and its tradition as an english craft ... one reason for visiting Gloucester Waterways Museum recently. She also very generously gave me a number of books and patterns which provide much isnpiration for my diploma.


I spent a little time on Sunday quietly journeying through delights each of these books and patterns held and I truly can't wait to have more time pondering!

And as a thank you to Liz ... Rosie found a wonderful new home ...



And as Sunday was such a beautiful day I did spend the afternoon pottering in the garden ... I did bring a bit of the garden with me, as I accidently cut the heads of two roses, but they have brought the sunshine inside ...




As for crochet projects, I have today purchased 17 balls of wool ... oh my ... I was inspired by Wigglestowers and am now planning either a granny stripe, granny square or ripple blanket!



The colours of the balls of wool are aspen,meadow, spring green, aster, cloud blue, turquoise, lavender, sherbet, wisteria, plum, magenta, clematis, shrimp, pomegranate, fondant, lipstick, saffron ... don't they sound absolutely delicious ... I am soooooo excited!!! And to make it even better my friend has suggested a crochet day on Sunday ... sigh with more crochet pleasure!!! Of course I will let you see progress on the blanket, and in case you become inspired as I was by Wiggles ... here is where you can buy ...

bye bye for now xx





Friday, 20 July 2012

A spare half an hour ...

I have had the last couple of days off, I was meant to be going on a crochet weekend course (heaven!!) but unfortunately it was cancelled ... but it means I have two days to crochet at home!!

whoooooopieeeeeeeeeee!!


So ... a couple of weeks ago I brought a dress for my cousins wedding in just over a week ...



It's a vintage 1960's trapeze dress, and appears to be handmade, it feels absolutely wonderful on and I LOVE IT!!!!!!! This dress is so unlike me though ... usually I seek out black clothes, something so I can hide away ... yet this is colourful to the extreme!!!


I would like some jewellery to go with the dress and have been trying to decide what would go with it ... I have been thinking along the 60's theme and have been searching high and low ... but to no avail.


So ... I thought to myself why not make one ... so I did!!!



Its a pattern for crochet flowers by Lucy at Attic 24, I have created a brooch from the pattern before, it's so simple and easy to create ... and so effective!!


It is big for a ring ... nothing like making a statement!!!

I had previously brought another dress for the wedding, another vintage dress, a 1970's Maxi Dress, for which I planned to crochet a little bolero cardigan ...



 I wanted to do the 'Short and Sweet' bolero from Happy Hooker, I do love it, and am following the pattern, plus the corrections ... but ... its still not coming out right ... I think I thought I was bigger than I am ... so the sleeve join is half way down my arm and not resting nicely on my shoulder ... the body of the bolero isn't as long as it should be a the point I have gotten to ... which is okay as I still have lots more wool ... its just not gone well ...!!


I did think I could do another flower ring to go with this outfit ... but at the moment I am not liking the bolero ... so I may just unravel it and look for another pattern to do instead ... any recommendations?????
 
Mellie
xxx

Saturday, 14 July 2012

The Tiny Bunnies Movement

I left a bunny today in a Gypsy Caravan, a caravan I and my wonderful man spent the night in last night, I thought and hope it will be a little reminder of a holiday for the caravans next resident. The bunny is called Midsummer ...




The others I have brought to life recently have included ...


Poppy ...




I left Poppy on a bench at a local park near where I live, after leaving her I stayed in the park to see what would happen and eventually a couple spotted her and took her home, hopefully she makes them smile each time they look at her.





And then there is Skye ...



Skye was included in a birthday present for my Mom, a little gift to make her smile everyday ...