A little bit of boodling ... ! x

Hello, in the latest copy of Mollie Makes was an advert for new textile yarn ... Boodles! The name just makes you smile!! And Hobbycraft stock it ... so as it was my crochet demonstration there this weekend I had to give it ago.

Ooh look oodles of Boodles ...

Here are the variety of patterns that are supplied with the yarn ...

I liked the look of a Boodle Striped Handbag, although I thought it would be good to know whether one ball of Boodles could make a complete bag, as one downside is there is no yardage on the label nor on the patterns which is a great shame to work out what other patterns you could make with it.

And so I began ...

The yarn generated a lot of interest with crafters visiting Hobbycraft. 

Boodles do say their patterns use either a 10mm or 12mm Bamboozle hook, all the patterns provided said use a 10mm Bamboozle hook, it does make a tighter stitch which made the yarn harder to work with, but I still loved using it!! 

As you can see I use an pony hook rather than the Bamboozle,as Hobbycraft had none were left!!

And the results are fabulous ... 

And here is the Ta-Dah moment ... a completed bag!

I love it!!

My hands ached a little after, but this took me only a few hours and the finished result is lovely!!

Do have a go ... I will, with a 12mm hook next time  to see what results that produces!

Oh and the ball of Boodle didn't make the complete bag it was three rows short of the full bag, so my version isn't as tall as the written pattern.

Do have a Boodle!!

bye, bye

xxx

Remember to have a nose at my Workshops for Learning to Crochet, Making Crocheted Bunting, Snowflakes for Christmas and the Classic Granny Squares!! x

Holidays ... the rest of the week ... ! x

Hello, oh my hasn't it been hot hot HOT!!!

I hope you have all managed to keep cool, and applied the suntan lotion if you've been out and about!

I am writing this post sat in the evening sun ... isn't it a sheer luxury!!

It's has been a glorious week, and I have thoroughly enjoyed the rest of my week ...

I spent a delightful day with my Mum and her friend from her school days Mu crocheting!! Mu had learnt how to make Granny Squares, but wanted some help on how to join them so with the promise of lunch Mum and I popped along.

I wasn't prepared for the mass of squares Mu had produced ...

The pile of granny squares right at the back we picked out for a cushion cover then all the rest will be a blanket. They are such fabulous vibrant colours Lucy of Attic 24 fame would be proud!

My Mum has crocheted before, so I learnt that day, but only got so far so she too picked up a hook and had a go ...

Mum said ... 'I think this is the first time you have ever taught me something!'

Ahhhhhhhhh!!!

So,a lovely relaxing day with lunch in the garden enjoying the sunshine could only be followed in one way ...

Morris Dancing!!!

Aelfgythe Border Morris joined the Wytches dancing at the Coach and Horses Pub in Weatheroak for an evenings dance out.

The Morris diary for the summer months always includes a few dances outs at pubs with fellow morris sides, it is a good excuse for a dance, a drink and a catch up with friends!

This holiday I was able to catch up with a good friend, Bridget and I took a trip to Shrewsbury for a mooch about the shops. It was a wonderful relaxing day, shopping with friends is always wonderful isn't it! I have to recommend the place we had lunch at its called 'The Good Life' and is a wholefood restaurant and the food is divine!!

Obviously this holiday has called for the odd lollipop and ice cream ... 

essential on a hot day!!

Mr Moo and I spent a wonderful day in Stratford-on-Avon enjoying a bit of morris dancing (only watching this time!!), a little mooch around the shops and a picnic by the river!

The Morris Dancers were in Stratford for Foxtrot, an annual weekend of dance by Foxs Border Morris who I am also a member of. Spending the weekend with Foxs were ...

The Bunnies from Hell dancing Cotswold. They are formed by Cotswold dancers from many various sides who get together during the year to dance at festivals and other Morris events.

Exmoor Border Morris Side ... a side from Exmoor (!) dancing Border!

Clerical Error, another border morris side they have made their way from Flintshire.

And of course the hosts Foxs Morris ...

Also joining Foxs were a few other sides including Powerkegs, Mill Town Cloggies and Plum Jerkum. 

Mr Moo decided to head off for some shade as it was a little warm, and the picnic was cooling. We found an obliging tree offering the most wonderful shade.

The picnic was laid out ... and eaten!

Then it was time to chill out and enjoy the afternoon in the most sensible way ...

It summed up a week were it was 'ok' to kick off our shoes and relax!!

Happy holidays!!

Oh and here are the finished fishes from this months Molly Makes ...

bye, bye,

xxx

PS ... while writing we have had thunder and rain here ... but all the time the sun shone!!

(I did take the computer inside while it rained ... but I have to confess I stood out in it which was glorious!!)

Holidays ... ! x

Hello, I am on my holidays ... and what a week I have chosen for a 'staycation'!!

I thought I would share pictures from my week so far ...

Mr Moo and I took a walk along the river and to the poppy fields that are now gloriously in bloom ...

This field used to be a farmers field that has now a nature reserve and the poppies are natural, the seeds were dormant in the soil and are now allowed to grow each year.

Even though I live locally I have never visited and after reading Bunny Mummy's blog about her trip passed a poppy field I thought it was about time I ventured to this one.

A sunset view ...

So pretty ... 

My week has also been relaxing ...

And of course some crafty time ...

Knitting ... can you believe it!! I have practiced knit stitch and purl stitch ... and realised that they look exactly the same! So I progressed onto knit a row purl a row ... now I am thinking about doing a knit one purl one without matching the stitches initially but then will progress onto a rib.

(gosh ...I sound like I know what I am talking about!!)

 I thought I would have a go at this months free make with Mollie Makes! I will show you the finished item soon ... I only have one more fish to do!

Then there has been a drive out to Malvern and a wonder up the hills yesterday evening ...

The Herefordshire side of the hills.

And the Worcestershire side of the hills.

Which view do you prefer?

I was playing with my little point and shot, and this grass is at super macro!

We ventured uphill ... notice the colours aren't they beautiful!

And down hill ...

And as the sun began to set it was time to wind our way home ...

 But I couldn't help but stop on the way back to the car to take this photo of the wood on a bench we passed.

I will be back with more of my week off later ... so much planned and am looking forward to sharing!!

bye, bye,

xxx

June Mosaic ... ! x

Happy memories ... and a bit of crochet too!

xxx

On my Camera ... ! x

Hello,

I am sharing a crafty look back at June.

There was the Hobbycraft session in the middle of the month ...

I took the theme of bunting with the request by Lucy at Attic 24 it seemed apt.

I love sewing in the ends, I always find it so satisfying to see the finished item ...

With talking to all the wonderful people visiting the store I managed to finish four flags ... I love the pattern and the end result.

Blocking the flags when I got home made them look even better ...

The only question now is can I part with them ... why is that for every project you do to give to someone else you end up wanting to make one for yourself!!

Then at the end of the month I had a 'Learn to Crochet' Workshop.

Cakes were made, 

and the teacups were set out in preparation ...

There back right is the cup that travelled to me from America sent to me by Becca at Hermits Nest, I love using it!

The table was laid ready ...

 And so at 10 o'clock Stephanie, Gill and Dawn arrived.

I had such a lovely time, Stephanie wanted to learn to crochet so she knew how to finish off her knitting with crochet edges. Gill made jewelry and had become inspired by crocheted jewelry and Dawn came along to give it a go!

Once again beautiful flowers were made ...

Stephanie's flower ...

I love the bow!

Gill's flower ...

 The colours are so beautiful!

And, Dawn's flower ...

Now Dawn had said she wasn't crafty ... well I think there is a crafty gene in there what do you think?

I even had time to make a flower ...

 A successful workshop!

My crafty June ... thank you for sharing it with me!

bye, bye,

xxx



A little bit of vintage ... ! x

Hello, what a busy and fabulous weekend I have had ... full of memories and wonderful times!

Saturday was my little bit of vintage.

It was the 1940's weekend at the Severn Valley Railway, its a wonderful event  ...

... with lots of people getting into the spirit of things and dressing up in various 1940's outfits.

What a wonderful scene!!

At my little local station there are always stalls selling 1940s clothes and this year I wasn't disappointed ... in fact it was better than ever!!

A local charity had manged to have donated to them lots and lots of 1940's authentic and style clothing. All at charity shop prices ... heaven!!!

Yes, I went a little mad ... three jumpers, one dress, two headscarves, an apron and some 1940s style sunglasses ended my shopping spree ... sigh!

And here is me all 1940'd up!

I love it!!

The 1940s weekend is always on two weeks on the trot ... so guess what ... I am going all dressed up this coming weekend and going to look for some more wonderful bargains to come home with me ...

Yippppppppeeeeeeeeeee!!

And then it was time for afternoon tea at Gilly's (Gilly Makes), the sun was shining and the table was set beautifully ...

Gilly had invited fellow bloggers living locally in the Midlands to hers for afternoon tea, and a date was arranged and looked forward to and all of sudden here.

Gathering at Gilly's were Mel (The Patchwork Robin), Me, Sarah  from (Sarah's Pigeonhole) and Sarah  from (The Faerie Factory) within no time at all we were talking all things blogging, crafty and drinking tea and eating such wonderful cakes and biscuits for us by Gilly.

Do pop and have a look at their blogs as they are all talented crafty ladies from patchwork to crochet to little faeries and scrap booking of memories

Delicious carrot cake

Delightful chocolate chip cookies!

Mmmmmmmmm

And here we all are together ... once fellow bloggers and now friends.

From the back theres Gilly, Mel and Me, then Sarah and Sarah at the front.

To Gilly, may I thank you for arranging a lovely afternoon, it was wonderful to meet everyone and I look forward to the next get together.

Bye, bye for now,

xxx