Happy Scrappy Progress Report

In my last post, I showed you the start of my happy scrappy scarf (organised by Pink Milk here).  I thought it was time I showed you the progress so far!

Oh, I am loving it!

Those colours!

So glad I decided to join in with this... can't wait to have it wrapped around my neck - a nice bit of pretty colour to combat any gloomy grey days!



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Happy Scrappy Scarf

Have you heard of Pink Milk's Happy Scrappy Scarf-Along?

Well, I'd been watching on quietly... until I gazed upon this basket of pretty pastel cotton yarn...

I'd taken the bold bright colours out to make my Japanese Flower coasters - so just the pastels were left.  I thought they really would make a pretty happy scrappy scarf!

As I have a deep-rooted fear of random, I knew I had to have a plan.  Fortunately, I'd created an excel colour plan for the stripy blanket I've been making (for the past two years, eek) which also has five colours and looks random, but has a convoluted method behind it!  So I replaced each blanket colour with one of the scarf colours, to get the plan below...

And very excited that made me too!  Time to get to work... I decided to use half-double crochet (half-treble UK)...

I got this far and realised that I wanted to double up the rows I'd decided to do.  I was going to do bands of 1, 2 and 3 rows, but I wasn't happy with how it looked.  I decided to rip it back and start again, with bands of 2, 4 and 6 rows.

I'm much happier with it now, it looks less flimsy if that makes sense (and half the amount of ends to sew in is no bad thing!)...

Loving those colours.  It's pretty addictive, because I keep wanting to finish each colour to see how the next one looks!

Thanks to Heather for organising this, and the great inspiration!  I will be back with progress!


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Japanese Flower Crochet Coasters

As promised, I'm back with the completed set of Japanese flower crochet coasters!

You can find out more about the yarn and pattern in this post.  I went on to make six in total so that I had every colour combination with these three bright cheerful colours.

I am so pleased with them - the colours are just so happy!

I was a bit tempted to make more and turn them into a scarf or shawl or something - but I think I've lost my momentum now... so will keep them as coasters.

Such a satisfying make!

Think that's it with the photos now... got a bit carried away!  Now... what to make next...



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Washi Tape Picture

Thanks for the lovely comments on my crochet coaster (I've been continuing to reply to your comments on the blog posts) - I have now made six of them, and will be back soon to show you the lot!

In the meantime, I completed an extremely quick project.  I've had the below photo frame for a year or two...

All this time it has been like this, without a photo in it!  I suddenly decided that I had to put something in it - but a washi tape design, instead of a photo...

I simply took out the card that was in the frame, stuck the washi tape to it in stripes, then put it back into the frame.  Very simple and very quick.

I'm not sure whether it looks good or ridiculous, if I'm honest!

Well, surely it's better than it was before!!

I hope to be back later this week with pictures of my completed set of coasters... so check back soon!


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Japanese Flower Coaster

Yes, I have made something at last!

Using those lovely bright Bamboo Cotton colours from my last post, I have made a Japanese Flower coaster.  I love it!

The pattern was found and sent to me in a document by my friend Anna over four years ago after I first saw this and fell in love and showed it to Anna!  It's taken me all this time to finally make one flower, so I think a few coasters are a bit more manageable than a whole throw or shawl!  If you'd like the pattern, you can search on Pinterest for 'Japanese Flower Crochet' and there seem to be patterns more easily available these days.

There will be more to come, but I thought I'd show you the first one, as it's been so long since I've finished something!

Hope to be back soon with more of these!



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Oh, So Bright and Cheery!

Finally!  I've made a crafty purchase - it's been a long time!

I couldn't resist this zesty green King Cole Bamboo Cotton...

I thought it would add a real zing when used with these bright colours I already had (also King Cole Bamboo Cotton)...

Oh, I just love those colours together!  What shall I make?  I was thinking maybe some colourful crochet coasters?!

I think the green also adds a bit of something when put with a medley of pinks...

So... even though I was stood in my craft room the other day thinking that I really must use up some of these supplies... well, I feel that this addition might just open things up a bit!!  Yes, I'll justify it that way!

Now, I just have to pull my finger out and start making!

Book Reviews - July

I didn't finish any books in June, so there were no book reviews for that month.  My reading (along with my crafting!) has been pretty slow-going lately.

I did finish one book in July, though.  I started it in May, so it took a while, due to other things going on in my life.




Sleepyhead
- Mark Billingham

I don't think I got fully into this book, due to how long it took me to read and what with everything else going on.  But that's no fault of the book!

The story revolves around a young woman who has been attacked and left in a coma, unable to move or communicate.  However, she can still see, hear, think and feel.  Other women have been attacked in a similar way, but have been killed.  DI Tom Thorne is on the case to find the person responsible, and communicating with the girl in the coma could be the key to cracking the case.

I do think it was a good book, but perhaps didn't enjoy it as much as a few I had read previously.  I'm not sure I quite warmed to the characters.  I think it's worth a read, but didn't leave me that excited.  Although, again, it might be due to my lack of focus when reading it.


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Operation: Get My Act Together!

Hi everyone, and thanks for the very kind comments on my last post regarding my breakup.  I really appreciate your thoughts and consideration - you are a lovely lot.  I have finally got round to replying to each one, here on the blog, as well as your comments on the few posts before which were outstanding.

Now... as the title of this post suggests... I need to start getting my shi act together!  The breakup was six and a half weeks ago, and the Lumberjack moved out a week and a half ago, once he'd sorted somewhere to live.  As I said things are pleasant and amicable, so there is no nastiness or any issues there.  I'm actually doing fine, but when I'm not seeing friends or family, I have a tendency to become a bit of a vegetable.  I'm not moping or anything, just being extremely lazy!!  I just can't be bothered to get anything done.  So, that's gotta stop!  Here is the plan...

1. Get Creating Again

a. Pick up this cross stitch again... I started it years ago!

b. Make some progress with my cotton stripy blanket, and get those ends sewn in.  I had been sewing them in as I went, but let it slide a bit.  I started this blanket in September 2013 and am yet to reach the two thirds mark - need to get a move on!

c. Perhaps start (and finish!) some smaller makes, for some quick wins.


2. Get Organised

a. Finally get the craft room in a fit state to be both used and shown here on the blog!  It has become a bit of a dumping ground, and I have to tip-toe through the layer of clutter on the floor to get anything!  I will show you pictures, to shame myself into acting!  (In theory...!)

Lucky enough to have a craft room and yet I have treated it like this - bad bad me!

b. Sort out paperwork which is currently piling up in various places, and try to keep on top of it.


3. Decorate

a.  The conservatory.  It needs tidying, organising, decorating, and furnishing... then maybe I can start to sit in it before it becomes too cold and wintery!  It is a junk/DIY room at the moment, as you can see...

b. The Utility Nook - you saw a sneak peak here.  I need to finish it!

c. The downstairs toilet - I won't scare you with a picture!


Hmm... perhaps this list is pretty ambitious - to go from doing nothing to all this!  Well, we'll see how I get on - I'll keep you updated on Operation 'Get My Act Together'!



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A Breakup

I've been a bit quiet here lately, as I'm sorry to say that the Lumberjack and I have broken up.  It's amicable, but sad.  I don't seem to be in a crafting mood, so haven't had anything to show you here - I just wanted to explain my silence.

On the plus side, my brother and sister-in-law bought me the very cute glass-fused coaster shown above, as a 'breakup present'!

I hope to get my creative mojo back soon so that I have some pretty things to share with you.

Book Reviews - May

My book reviews are getting later and later each month.  I know I spoke last time about possibly not continuing, but I wanted to review this months books as they were so good!





Dark Places
- Gillian Flynn

Back in February I read Gillian Flynn's first book - Sharp Objects - which was very dark and very good.  Her second book - Dark Places - is just as dark and twisted!  I was hooked from the very first line.

The book flits between today and about 25 years ago when violence struck the Day family, and delves into the truth of what happened on that blood-soaked night.  If you want a bright, happy, cheery read, then keep away!  It's definitely not a feel-good book.  I loved it, though - it kept me intrigued and interested throughout.  I highly recommend it.


Before I Go To Sleep
- S J Watson

I'd seen a trailer for this at the cinema, but never got round to watching it.  However, I realised the film was based on a book so bought the book.  Ooooh, this was really good too!  Not as disturbing and twisted as Dark Places, a bit nicer to read despite being a bit of a thriller and having some scary and tense moments.

Something has occurred in the main character's past to cause her to have amnesia.  Every morning she wakes up not knowing where she is or what has happened, and anything she learns during the day she forgets again when sleeping that night.  I won't give anything away, but it is such a good book.  A real page-turner, I couldn't put it down!  Really loved this - definitely read it!  I want to see the film now.



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All Tea Towels

You may have heard of All Tea Towels who sell the most lovely range of tea towels.  There are so many designs, it's difficult to choose your favourite!

Al of All Tea Towels kindly offered me two of their tea towels, and after much pouring over the website I picked the below (pictures courtesy of their website - click on images to be taken to the items):

You may remember that my kitchen was renovated last year, but I'd still been using my old tea towels.  It's now great to have a couple that go nicely with the kitchen!

I think they work well.

And I especially like how this one goes with the colours in my print above the shelves...

I've had them a few weeks now, as I wanted to use and wash them before reviewing for you.  So...

Design - as you can see it is a definite thumbs up for design!

Dryability - they dry items well and are a smooth fabric, rather than fluffy, so don't leave fluff all over your dishes.

Washability - they wash well.

Size - they are a good size, quite a bit bigger than the cheap tea towels I was using previously.  This gives you more to dry with!

Customer Service - Al was ever so friendly and helpful and delivery was very prompt indeed.

To conclude, I can most definitely recommend All Tea Towels.  Go check them out, as there are bound to be lots of designs you'll love!


Disclaimer:  I have received a complimentary pair of tea towels for the purpose of this review.  All pictures, words and opinions are honest and my own.

Beginner Crochet - Blog Hop

I have been following Sarah's blog Annaboo's House for many years now.  I think from pretty much near the beginning actually.  Her posts are always written in such a fun and enjoyable style, and her ideas and patterns are great.  I couldn't be more pleased for her that she's had a crochet book published - what an amazing achievement and well deserved!

To celebrate the launch of Sarah's book - Beginner's Guide to Crochet - I'm taking part in a blog hop organised by Stitch Craft Create sharing beginner crochet wins and fails.  See Sarah's kick off post here.

My crochet adventure began when I started a new job working with Anna back in 2008.  We quickly learned that we both were creative crafting types and that was the start of a beautiful friendship!  Anna is the crochet queen - just check this out if you have any doubt - and that's just the tip of the iceberg!  She brought some yarn into work and started teaching me how to crochet on our lunch breaks.  I seem to remember really struggling with how to hold the yarn so that it would feed nicely through my fingers - that was one of the tricky beginner bits for me, my first fail if you will.  Somehow I figured out a way that worked - and as Anna always says, you're not at school any more - there are no rules, if it works for you, do it!

She taught me the classic granny square, and I made my first crochet item - a cushion.  That was my first win!

Not too shabby for my first project - I felt I could handle this crochet malarkey!

The good thing about the granny is that you crochet into the gaps rather than into the stitch, which made it easier for me.  But then (possibly a couple of years later, now I look back) I tried single crochet (UK double) amigurumi style, actually having to crochet into the stitch on the row below - that was a big crochet fail!  I really couldn't figure out where on earth I should be putting my hook - where was the top of the stitch?! - and Anna and I weren't working together any more so I didn't have assistance readily to hand.  Despite our emails back and forth, sometimes you need to be shown!

Well, one day it just clicked - I don't know how, but somehow it did.  I was ridiculously proud of this little ball...

And made these two cute little fellas!

That seemed like a big win - I felt like I could actually crochet!

Another fail I had was an attempt to crochet a cowl.  I just couldn't get the sizing right, and the stitches were all far too tight and rigid.  This is where Sarah's fab tutorial on Annaboo's House for The Ultimate Cowl came in handy and I made this...

Such a great pattern - easy to do and it worked up quickly, just what I like.  A win.

And how great that Sarah now has a book full of beginner crochet patterns!


I've now crochets blankets, monkeys, cushions, shawls, and all sorts of other bits and bobs.  Check out my crochet tab to see my creations!

Now it just remains for me to nominate another blogger to carry this hop along...

The lovely Sam of Betsy Makes.  Her crochet work is beautiful, and her blog is full of inspiration.  Be sure to keep an eye out for her Beginner Crochet Blog Hop post!

Glass Fused Coasters

My sister-in-law and I recently went on a glass-fusing workshop.  When she suggested it I was most excited, as I never thought I'd see the day we were crafting together!  (As much as she loves the things I make, she's never really been the crafting type - but finally that's changing!  She'll be a craft geek like me in no time - mwuhahahaha!)

You could make what you liked within the limits of a certain overall size - so I decided on two coasters, and a kind of retro square design...

I had to cut out all of those white, blue and green squares of glass.  You use a similar technique to cutting tiles.  Score and snap.  Although the glass is sharper and my hands ended up cut to shreds!  (Ok, slight exaggeration, but I had a few cuts!  Most people didn't, so I'm not sure whether I'm clumsy or something...?)

I stacked the glass squares into the design I wanted and semi-stuck them with glue.  (I say semi, because they were still moving all over the place as the glue was so wet.)  You leave your positioned pieces with the ladies who run the course, to be fired in the kiln - and these are the finished items!

I'm very pleased with them - worth the blood!!!

My sister in law made a very cute beach hut plaque...

How gorgeous is that?!  And she quickly threw together another plaque at the end with some pre-cut colourful bits of glass.  We absolutely love the result, so bright and cheerful!

She's clearly a natural crafter!!

I hope this is the start of more creative times together!  ;)

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