Thursday, January 20, 2011

January

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I can't believe where this month has gone! I am so sorry I haven't blogged and now, because I have left it so long, I am going to have an extremely long post! Lots of bits of things - this and that. Hopefully it will brighten your day. Feel free to just skim through the pics.

So what have I been up to this month? Well I have been a busy bee, celebrating my ds's 3rd birthday (can you believe he is 3 already???), stitching and crocheting my little heart out as well as trying to keep on top of blog reading. Do you know I am following that many blogs that when I try to add to my list it tells me it is too full to add any more!! So I have been more than inspired by all your lovely blog posts. I love them!

I noticed that quite a few of you had been doing the Crazy 15 challenge. That has been something to see. I have been adding more and more charts to my wishlist after seeing all the lovely ones you lot have been starting. No no no no.. I haven't even been tempted to do that challenge. My life has enough CRAZY in it without adding to it!

I did have a new start though. I decided to break my HAED rule once more and start the freebie SAL they are doing this year. I chose Fragile Heart and here is my start.

Jan update

I really love this. Big blocks of black filled in with the most gorgeous pinks. Love it. If you haven't seen the picture of Fragile Heart and don't know what it looks like then I am going to surprise you as I progress through it. Watch this space!

And here is my progress on last years HAED SAL Rose SK:

Jan update

Woohoo a full page completed! This is really coming along and I love stitching on it but I have promised to wait for Tina (no Blog) to catch up before we move on to p2. So that is 3 HAED wips I have on the go now. Shall I make it an even 4???

There were a couple of Christmas gifts I received which I didn't mention in my last post that really deserve a mention.

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I got this from my best bud Michelle (no Blog). She bought it for me when we had our trip out to The Nimble Thimble last year. Complete with threads too. I think I am going to stitch this on the green fabric that Tracy bought me.

I also got given this which was a complete surprise from Karan:

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One of the charts from off my wishlist. This was such a thoughtful thing to do and I love it. Thank you Karan.

This is my first finish of 2011!

Stitch and Pass on from me to Cindy

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Buttoned up for Christmas Victoria Sampler
32 count Summer Khaki linen Mixture of threads
It was the Buttoned Up chart from our Stitch and Pass it on exchange! I made this for CindyMae who will then stitch it up for Tracy. It was a fun stitch although I agonised over the colours for ages as it didn't give DMC alternatives.

Now, I think that is the stitching part over with and I will turn my attention to my crochet endeavours.

I finally finished a lap blanket which I had been working on for a while. Sooo... here's the reveal:

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It measures 36' by 36' and uses the lovely Stylecraft acrylic. It is snuggly and warm and makes an ideal lapblanket. I was thinking of selling it so if you're interested in buying it then please send me an email and I can let you know what I am asking for it. Email in my profile!

The border around the edge of the blanket I found from this lovely book which I bought along with the two other flower ones. I have not tried the flowers yet but the books are sooo lovely.

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I can't recommend these books enough. Oh and here's another one I bought myself for Christmas and I let my dd wrap it up for me:

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This funky crocheter makes food scarves! T-bone steak, fried eggs, cupcakes, spaghetti bolognese lol. You get the idea. There is a lot of fun to be had with this book and again I can't recommend it enough.

My friend Kathy has asked me to crochet her two boys some blankets and she wanted a rectangular granny - one in blues and one in greens. It was really hard to not go for frilly colours and styles lol. I had to remember, these were for boys! I am using a size 8mm hook and double strands of DK to give it a chunky look. Here's is where I am up to with it so far:

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So, dear Kathy, I hope you like what you see so far! The pattern is a really good one and can be found here:

Rectangular Granny

And that's not all the crochet I got up to. Nooooo!! You see this came for me just before Christmas and I had been waiting and waiting for this yarn.

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Yay! It's the Lucy pack of Rico Creative Cotton. So I began a bag! But you know I discovered that I need to learn a little bit about colour so although I have made this so far.....

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.....I am in fact going to be unravelling it and ordering the colours a little better! Good practice though.

Well I think that's about all from me folks. Sorry again for it being such a long post. I will try to update more regularly and not put it all in one post!

Love and hugs xxxxxxxxx

51 comments:

Unknown said...

No need to unravel the bag, it looks B-E-A-utiful ♥

Carol said...

You're unraveling that, Hazel??? Oh no--it looks so beautiful to me! I don't know anything about crochet--is that hours of work you have to re-stitch?

Your ornament is darling--I love how you finished it with the lace and buttons. And all of your wonderful--how nice of you to crochet some for your friends' sons!

- said...

Beautiful work! I especially like the multicolored/red granny.

I now have a Crafty Links page where you can showcase your work, not just crochet...anything and you would be an inspiration to others.

Margaret said...

What a fun, newsy post! Happy belated birthday to your DS! They grow up so fast, don't they? I love all your stitching -- especially that Victoria Sampler pillow. I'm going to have to look that one up! And your crochet -- magnificent as always! I love that blanket finish! Love your bag so far - -why are you ripping it? Looks fine to me! The rectangular granny is cool too! Those are great boy colors.

Julie said...

Lots of lovely colourful piccies to see in this post.

I love what you did with the Stitch & Past It On, how clever to put them onto one pillow, its gorgeous

You'll have no trouble selling the blankie its gorgeous

The boy blankets looks great, they'll crochet up nice and quickly with a 8mm hook

Happy Crafting!!

Christine said...

What wonderful work. I love the VS ornament, and as for the crochet, I'm speechless!
I have promised myself that 2011 will be the year I learn to crochet so we shall see

Anonymous said...

It's all gorgeous! Why would you want to unravel that beauty?

Happy Stitchin'
Terri

Deb said...

Oh, don't unravel the hat. It looks great and so does all the other crocheting! And love your pillow that you made. It's adorable.

Michelle said...

Lots of beautiful things you've been working on! Your bag is beautiful, don't unravel it!! The afghan is so pretty too - love the colors in it.

Heather - The Good Life said...

Such beautiful projects! I love, love, love the red granny. Very bright and cheerful. Hope you have a wonderful day!

andamento said...

Wow, you've managed to get so much done, I'm very impressed as usual. Happy Birthday to your son, mine will be 3 this year too but not till July.
Anne.
PS No need to apologise for the long post, personally I prefer them that way, more satisfying to read!

Anonymous said...

Lots of lovely things to see here! Love the Lucy cotton, I wouldn't unravel either, as it looks great!

Kelly said...

You have been busy! Love all your projects! That bag is beautiful! ♥

Annemarie said...

Yum, what a lot of lovely crochet! You know you started my granny craze, don't you? It's ALL YOUR FAULT (thank you!).
Your wee finished ornie is very sweet.

Helen Philipps said...

You are a wonderful stitcher! I love the little ornament, but everything you make is done so well! I don't crochet, but the bag looks just fine to me!!
Helen x

Clare-Aimetu said...

Great finish and I love the blankets x

Stitchabilities said...

Well you have been busy, Those blanket and that Bag is just lovely!!

Cath said...

Good to see you around again . Lots of lovey pics .X

Melissa said...

You sure have been busy!! Everything is beautiful... I really love the lap afghan.

Ann at Beadlework. said...

Very pretty work, as always. I envy your ability to crochet.

jane said...

Lovely stitching Hazel and your crochet is so bright and cheerful - just what we need in this weather.

valerie said...

Lots of wonderful things Hazel and don't feel bad about not posting. Look at all you got accomplished. If only I could stay away from the computer at home...my stitching accomplishments would be greatly improved. Love the lap blanket!

manda's challenges :) said...

Ooh Hazel it's a gorgeous post my dear, love everything you've recieved and indeed done xxx keep up the fabulous work xxxx

Hillery said...

Oh, I love all your stitching. Especially love your granny and your bag. I am currently doing Lucy's Ripple and have done her Summer Garden Square. I need to pick up a needle and some fabric soon though. Come check out my new blog, 22 Threads.

Lucy said...

Great stitching all around...love the lapghan

Jennifer M. said...

Beautiful projects! I think they all look terrific. The afghans for the boys are looking great! The colors are perfect. :D

Danielle said...

Great catch-up post. Everything looks great!

Blu said...

Your HAED looks very vibrant. The ornie is adorable! The buttons, the lace! All so cute.

Sue Pinner said...

Well done..l was wondering how the rectangular blankets were going
Well under way l see
Hugs Suz x

Cheryl said...

Love all your pics! I so want that lap blanket right at this moment...my office is freeeezing today.
Happy 3rd Birthday to Elijah, time sure is flying x

Aisyah Helga said...

All your works are beautiful! I envy you for having those crochet books and colorful yarns!

Sally said...

Hazel you have been busy! Your HAEDs look gorgeous. I really really need to get back to Guardian soon. I seriously need an angel to look our for me!

I love your ornament! It's so cute.

Love all your crocheting. I think the bag looks brilliant!

SheilasEmbroidery said...

The colours on the bag look fine to me. Well done on all your beautiful work.

Maggie O said...

Long posts, short posts...it's all good. What a lovely blanket and the colours you are choosing are spectacular. Remember there are no wrong colour schemes (how we come up with new ones) but keeping it in the right tones is the answer (all bright, all muted etc.)and all of this with a 3 year old...well done mummy. Happy Birthday little one!

gazette94 said...

Hello Hazel, it seems that you have been very busy ! I love your bright blanket and your little ornement ! So much nice things to stitch and so little time !

Casa Pearl said...

Lots of lovely eye candy for a cold wintery day! Your lap rug is gorgeous and I look forward to following your progress on your HAEDs.

Unknown said...

Your crocheting looks great. Love your granny afghan.

I have a few HAED started I need to work on. They keep making new charts I want to do.

Jackie's Stitches said...

Why are you unraveling the bag? It looks wonderful as does your other projects.

Anonymous said...

All of your work looks great! I like the colors in your granny blanket, and the little snowman cushion ornament is just lovely.

PaisleyJade said...

Love Twinkie Chan (I have her book too) and your granny square blanket is amazing!!!

Sue said...

I love all that you've stitched and crocheted. Your afghan is gorgeous.

Kathy A. said...

Wow, your fingers have been crazy busy. What wonderful colorful treasures you have made! Love them all.

Cole said...

Love your granny square blanket! I looked at that book of borders over the holidays and put it back on the shelf... do you think it would be a "must have"? I've been looking for Twinkie Chan's book too, I think that one would be fun!!

Ruth said...

Wow! Look at you go. I especially love your blanket. It's stunning, and the border is perfect.

Ruth said...

Oh and, unravel if you want, but I think it's beautiful as is.

Siobhán said...

Hazel, your crocheting is just STUNNING!! I wouldn't unravel that, it looks amazing! Great job on everything. Congrats on the ornament finish! The WIPs look great, too.

Lisa said...

Love all your crocheting and your HAED wips! You really have been busy.

Kathy said...

You have been busy. :)
I love the bag. I think it looks perfect the way it is!
I also love your stitchy button up finish. It is just darling.
I also love the colors for the boys blankets. And the crocheted lap blanket looks so warm and cozy.

Patty C. said...

So much work displayed - you have been busy !!!! Your crochet blanket is gorgeous - your stitches look perfect

Love the little "Buttoned Up' finish - very cute !!!!

Heidi said...

Loving all your crochet projects Hazel! You have me addicted too so stop in and look at my blog. I love how you used the red in your lap blanket. My mother bought red yarn while she was visiting here and left it. Humm...I need to go buy more colors this week...

I saw many patterns for crochet purses while I was searching for a beret pattern and want to do that next.

I love your first finish! I have never seen this chart before and need to go look it up as I just adore it. Your finish in the little pillow is just perfect for it. Great job.

Hugs from Holland ~
Heidi

Solstitches said...

Oh my goodness, what a lot of eye candy you have here!
I LOVE your crochet throw and I'll be looking up those books on Amazon.
The Victoria Sampler pillow is just adorable - so beautifully finished too.
I'm your newest follower :)

Margaret