Sunday, April 20, 2014

The One I Nearly Forgot..

Well here we are - a second post in less than a week! What is the world coming to?
 
Happy Easter everyone! We have been celebrating the weekend at our wonderful Church and making a toilet roll resurrection! The little peeps loved this activity although I found it hard and humbling to put Jesus on the cross at 12pm Good Friday. They were excited to put him in the tomb at 3pm and even more excited to roll the stone away this morning! Yay!! Jesus is alive. He is a good God.
 
 
Yesterday we headed for the beach which is over an hours drive from us at Formby. What a stunningly beautiful day. Here are a couple of snaps.
 
 
 
I realised that there was a blanket I finished a while back which I completely forgot to photograph and post up. How could I forget it. It is one of the most beautiful blankets I have made so far in terms of colour and simplicity. Obviously, I love all my blankets. Uh huh - every single one has its own character and feel and has a story all of its own. This one was inspired by a picture on Pinterest. This one I think it was. I adored the colour sequence and wondered if I might be able to find some similar colours here in the UK. You may remember the post I began it.  Well, here she is in her finished glory!
 
I really think I could make her a few rounds longer but I had kind of had enough by this point although I have left off the edging as 1) It looks pretty enough as it is and 2) I can always add later rounds. Hope you enjoy the pics!
 
 
 
 
 
It really is the most snuggly blanket ever. It really is a wool eater blanket though so be warned!
 
I think I cracked it. Don't you?

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Stitching Spring



Hello there everyone! It has been a bit of a while hasn't it? More than a month???? Where has the time gone? Well, I have been busy celebrating my 15th year anniversary and I have been out and about like crazy but I also have some crafty bits and bobs to share too.

Due to my stitching mojo which went missing some time ago, I decided the best way to deal with it was to do a little exchange. So of to HOE I went to see what exchanges were on offer. There was a spring exchange so I signed up immediately. Unfortunately, there was a little problem as my details hadn't been sent to the moderator and so after several emails back and forth, finally my name was down and I then began the search for the bestest, nicest little spring stitch I could find. I eventually found it via Pinterest and it is a cute little freebie found on a French site. Today, my partner received the exchange I sent her so I can now show you the result of my handiwork.




I stuffed it full of lavender and made a little pillow! I sent along some extras too and so glad to hear the recipient got it safely in the post today.

My Willow Squares blanket is now all joined but I need to work out the edging. I think I might need to order more wool for the edging too as I only have a ball left so it will either be a pretty small edging or I will have to fork out for some more merino. However, I couldn't go a month and then not leave you with a few pictures of it. It looks fab even now without the edge. Gorgeous. Love love love.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This last photo really shows off the continuous flat braid join. This is a great You tube tutorial by Beth and works really well at joining squares. It is quite tricksy but once you get the hang of it, it is easy peasy. I really like the prettiness of this join. It gives it an almost lacy feel which suits this design I think. This blanket was a pleasure to make and I am quite glad I still haven't yet finished it. Now I need to find a suitable edging for it.
 
And that's not all...... I have got my stitching mojo back a little after doing the exchange. So I continued to work on the Elisabeth Lillie design. Now please forgive me for all the crumples in the fabric. For those who know me, know that I NEVER iron a project until it is complete. I just don't trust that the iron won't do it some heat damage or weaken the colour or something. So please don't look at the crumples. I have done a fair bit since last time and I am determined now to finish this piece soon; at the very least - before the end of the year.
 
 
 
 
Now for some non stitchy, not crochety business. School hols started for us a week ago and so we took the opportunity, as well as having lots of coffee from various outlets, to visit a place not too far from me called Cannon Hall Farm. This place is wonderful for both children and parents alike and much fun and fresh air was had by the four of us. There are lambs and piglets galore and all sorts of other breeds of animals that you can touch and stroke to your hearts content. There is a great café and wonderful adventure playgrounds for the children too so I highly recommend it for a day out if you are close.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

No - that's not a real cow!
 
Right then I am off to look at the border of this blanket and make my mind up. Have a wonderful Easter break everyone.
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