Happy September

For me, September is the time of new beginnings.  It harks back to my school days I think.  New schoolbag, new books, the start of the academic year still feels like the new year to me, as opposed to January, when its deep in the middle of winter.

September usually starts bright and sunny, but not too warm, the kind of weather to put me in a good mood.

It is, of course, also the lead up to the silly season for the crafters of this world.

We're planning and making frantically for the impending festive season. 


So with that in mind, I've made a cute little baby hat.  I still need to write the pattern up, but I'm liking the result.

Handmade with Love

When you buy handmade, you are buying something unique and made with love. No two handmade items are the same. You are supporting a crafter and helping them pursue their dream to continue to create beautiful things ♥

Feel free to share the thought!!

 

 

 

Getting ready for the silly season

For your average crafter type, the Christmas season starts in the middle of the summer.  We create the products to have them ready for last minute shoppers! 

what's hard to predict is knowing what people will want to buy.  Its a constant challenge.  Staying true to yourself, true to your craft, and also trying to follow the fashions.

What fun!

A nice cuppa tea and a sit down

Well

I thought I'd try out this sharpie pen mug decorating thing that seems to be taking the crafting world by storm.

Off I went, very happy with myself with my great ideas in my head.

Word of warning, this one was an epic fail!!  but still fun to do.

the theory is you get a mug, and a sharpie permanent marker, draw your design, and bake it in the oven for 30 minutes at 160 degrees.

I did have fun doing it, but the results were not so great.

as in, they are not dishwasher safe.  They are also not handwash safe!

I'll buy some porcelain pens and try again soon. 

I will post pics when they're done

New Cowl/ Snood pattern

So my friend wanted me to make her a cowl/ snood for the winter, and this is what I came up with. 

The Shell and Vee cowl is pretty and lacy but warm and servicable.  Wear it doubled around for extra warmth and snuggliness.

This pattern has only been tested by me, please contact if you need clarification.
Its written in US crochet terms

2 * 100 gm balls of DK acrylic.  (this one eats yarn!)

4 mm hook

Stitches used:
chain stitch
single crochet
double crochet

special stitches:
shell: 5 dc in same stitch
vee: dc, ch 1, dc in same stitch or chain space

With 4mm hook, chain 250, and join, being careful not to twist

Chain 3 (counts as 1 dc)

Round 1:

2 dc in 3^rd chain from hook (half shell made) ch 1  *Skip 4 chains 5 dc in next chain (shell made) ch 1* repeat from * to * until last 4 chains. 2 dc into base of beginning chain 3

Round 2:

Chain 3 (counts as sc, ch 2)  *[dc ch 1 dc] into ch 1 sp on previous round Chain 2, single crochet into 3^rd dc of shell* repeat from *to last sc.  Ch 2 sl st into top of 1^st chain

Round 3:

Chain 3, 2 dc into 3rd chain from hook (half shell made) ch 1 * skip [dc ch 1 dc ] on previous round, 5 dc into sc* repeat from * to last v stitch, 2 dc into base of beginning chain 3

Repeat rounds 2 and 3 until cowl is desired width, ending on round 2

sew away ends

block as desired

Something that made me smile today :)

This made me smile today! Found it somewhere in cyberworld.  Happy Wednesday everyone!

 

Grandma changed

 

In the dim and distant past

When life's tempo wasn't so fast,

Grandma used to rock and knit,

Crochet, tat and baby sit.

 

When the kids were in a jam,

They could always call on Gram.

But today she's in the gym

Exercising to keep slim.

 

She's checking the web or surfing the net,

Sending some e-mail or placing a bet.

Nothing seems to stop or block her,

Now that Grandma's off her rocker.

Under pressure

Christmas is coming and the goose is getting fat!

and the hook is flying through all the yummy squishy yarn.   Today I'm working on a dress design for little girls.  woo hoo.  all fun, but pressure!!!