September DI Craft Swap - Post 2

My Craft Swap arrived!!!

The postman tried to deliver it on Friday (the one day I wasn't at home for the post!) so I went to the sorting office before work today. The first thing I noticed when I picked it up was that it was heavier than I expected, and then, when I was walking up the road, decided I could feel what I thought was a book. Then I was super excited!

And I was right!

Sarah-Jane has sent me a copy of "Cute Little Gifts to Crochet". I love to crochet books! (and I have a lot!) I draw a lot of inspiration from them and find they often have stitches and techniques that I've never heard before!

The book is lovely, full of pictures and diagrams to help with making the amigurumi. It's divided into chapters, one of which is based on the holidays we celebrate. And then I was even more super excited - Christmas Crochet! Just the other day my mum was asking me to make her a Christmas tree decoration for her tree this year and now I have a pattern.

The second part was the handmade part and Sarah-Jane has made me this really cute picture holder - the base is a camera with a face!

I love inanimate objects with faces! They're just so cute! This is going to take pride of place on my desk at work when I put a photo in it

I've had a great time taking part in the Craft Swap and I can't wait until next months Woodland theme swap

If anyone wants to join in contact Hannah

Have a lovely weekend x

September DI Craft Swap - Post 1

I was trying to hold off on blogging about the swap until I had received my package, but it seems to be taking its time, so figured I would just split it into 2 posts.

This was my first time taking part in any kind of craft swap and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I didn't actually know what Kawaii was until I started the swap but I now understand why everyone is so exited by it. I have decided not to take part in Octobers one because I have a lot of personal crafting to get on with. I'm hoping to join in with the one afterwards which is a Woodland theme (if anyone is interested, contact Hannah, she's on twitter at @DaintyandIvory or over on her blog at daintyandivory.blogspot.co.uk

My parcel went off to our lovely organiser Hannah. She sent me some information about herself, and I wanted to make sure that she would get use out of everything I sent.

I started with the bought item, she mentioned that she liked tea so I picked this coaster;

How could anyone resist the happy cakes and ice cream!

She also mentioned she likes to read so I made her a Panda bookmark, it was designed so that the Panda's head will stick out of the top of the book

I think this could be customised to be pretty much any animal. This is another pattern I'm considering posting on here at some point.

The last thing was something that combined that make it and buy it components of the swap. On Hannah's blog she has mentioned that she sews plush toys, so I decided to make her a pin cushion...shaped like a turtle, with a pastel flower on its shell as they are her favourite colours. 

He's pretty adorable! Hannah nearly didn't get him because my mum tried to steal him, but I pointed out she can't sew so has absolutely no need for a pin cushion of any kind haha.

I tried to match up the pins with the colours on the turtle's shell!

I also sent Hannah some home made clotted cream fudge to make up for the delivery being late because I had a delay in the delivery of the heart shape pins.

I wrapped it up like this because I thought it would look nicer than clingfilm or tin foil. Then the sound of music popped into my head "brown paper packages tied up with string, these are a few of my favourite things"

I was so happy that Hannah liked everything that I sent her, and I will continue stalking my post lady until she brings me mine!

Have a lovely weekend x

Cupcakes Everywhere!

Just a quick update! I'm currently on a mission to make as many cupcakes as I can, they're being sold at macmillan coffee mornings to raise money. There quick to make and so cute! I'll let you know how much we raise!

Liebster Award

I know I've been quiet again lately but for once I actually have a good reason! I have been away on holiday and only returned to the UK in the early hours. A few days before I went I was nominated for a Liebster award by Jenny over at Pretty Column, not only do I love reading her blog, but we're friends on most social media and she's lovely!

Here are the questions she asked:

Why did you start writing your blog?
I started my blog because I was hoping to find some like minded people. Being a 23 year old avid crocheter I sometimes feel that I am portrayed as being a bit odd or old before my time.

What have you learnt since you began your blog?
Since starting my blog I have realised just how many talented crafty people there are in the world and how different we all are even though we all share similar passions.

What is your favourite craft?
My favourite craft is crochet, partly because of how versatile it is but also because it reminds me of my Yaya and makes me feel closer to her.

What is your favourite season in the year and why?
My favourite season is Autumn. I love wellies, and jumpers, and crunchy leaves and coming home and having a nice cup of tea to warm up.

Will you share some of your favourite blogs with us?
I've popped down some of the big and little blogs that I like to follow:

Pretty Column - Jenny seems to master every craft she puts her hand to and shares the things she finds on Pintrest and makes them into "ideas lists". Her most recent post has an amazing penguin cushion.

All about Ami - Stephanie's crocheting is amazing, I can't think of another word for it. It's also lovely to see post about her family and their adventures. Anyone who has seen my Instagram knows how much I love the elephant pattern that came from her blog.

Sally's Baking Addiction - Sally is a baking goddess! Some of the things she has created will blow your mind! Due to my baking ban (enforced by Dave) I haven't tried my and at too many but now that its been lifted I will be trying lots! I made her flour less peanut butter brownie cookies and couldn't believe how good the tasted for something that took so little time to whip up. My next baking project is her recipe for skinny double chocolate muffins. I'll share a post when I'm done.

Wild Olive - Mollie comes up with the cutest little embroidery patterns. We seem to share the mentality that everything looks better if you give it a little smiley face. She also has a picture that she turns into a wallpaper that you can download for your phone, which I have done with a couple. She hasn't posted Septembers yet but for August it was this adorable little Beluga Whale

Dainty and Ivory - Hannah's blog is varied which I love, there are bits on crafts, beauty and food. She also arranges a craft swap every month. This month is my first time taking place so expect to see a post on my blog about that soon. Here are some of Hannah's posts about previous craft swaps.

Beak up Crafts - Kate is like Jenny in that she seems to be able to craft anything! I love that she posts about how much she crafted herself for her wedding. She also started up the crafty august # on Instagram which I started but couldn't finish as did no crafting on holiday!

Water Painted Dreams - Hayley's blog is another one that seems to cover lots of different areas. Like myself she has an interest in Science and her dog is adorable.

Amy's Attic - I love Amy's sewing blogs, she also mentions that she is going to start crocheting soon so am keeping my eye on her blog!

What is your favourite Disney film?
My favourite Disney film is Dumbo, elephants are my favourite animal, but I also feel there is an important message. Being different isn't always a bad thing, sometimes it can lead to something wonderful!

What makes you happiest in the world?
I'm a very easy person to please. My ideal evening is sitting in the living room under a blanket, crocheting, while me and Dave watch something on TV. I'm also quite close to my immediate family. Saturday nights are usually spent at my parents house, some degree of this might be because that's where the pets are haha.

What have you made or done in the last year that you have been most proud of?

This year I have started branching out with my crochet and designing my own patterns. It's moving slowly and I feel like I'm leaving myself open to judgement. Gaining more confidence with it though.

If you could pass any advice to someone - a stranger, a loved one,anyone - what would it be?
If you are lucky enough to find something that you love and makes you happy, don't let anyone stop you. You'll only regret in the long term the time you wasted listening to someone else.

Marvel or DC? 
Marvel but I am basing this just on the films.I really enjoyed the Avengers films,I like that I feel I know all the characters from their own films before they all come together.

What do you do to escape?
I tend to use music to escape, whether classical when I want to be alone with my thoughts, or using happy music to cheer me up after a bad day at work

Here are my 11 questions:

Which craft have you seen which you would love to try?

Was there a specific person that inspires you to start crafting?

Have you ever had any crafting disasters?

What's your favourite thing to cook/bake?

What's your favourite ever film?

Who is your favourite character from a novel?

Do you like where you live or do you have aspirations to move elsewhere?

If you could only live for one more day, would you choose to relive a day from your past or choose a random day from the future?

Favourite ice cream?

If you could live one day in the life of someone else, who would you choose and why?

Any goals set to be completed by this time next year?

And here are my nominees:

Crafty Mama

Owl in the teacup

Cupcake Mama

Kat Sighs

Amy's Attic

Don't feel pressurised to take part, its just for fun. If you want to carry this on there are a few rules:

You need to link back to the person who nominated you
You must answer all the questions
You must come up with 11 questions to ask your nominees
You must nominate 5-11 blogs with less than 200 followers


Have a lovely day x

Stress Free (almost)

I have been under so much stress recently, a large part of which was lifted when mine and Dave's passports turned up on Thursday. I answered the door to the delivery man in my pajamas (it was my day off) and told him he had made my day. Now everything is sorted and I can finally just look forward to our holiday.

After the minion was done I did have a few days break from crocheting. It really stressed me out having a strict deadline and not being completely happy with the finished result. I think I get more judgemental when someone is paying for what I make. I want everything to be perfect!

I picked up my hook again after a short break (can't stay away for long) I just always want to make sure that I don't associate negative feelings with something I love so much.

I'm working on a set of elephants for someone Dave works with. One small pink one ane one large multi coloured one for her grandchildren.

I'm also working on a cow for the son of an old school friend. I just need to sew on his name and then stitch him all together. I might put up the pattern when I'm done if people are interested in making their own cows

P.S. My parents cat has had 2 kittens but can't get a good photo yet. Expect lots of cute kitten photos to follow

A special proposal

It's been a while since I updated, I've had a rush of orders thanks to Alan the Elephant. Dave decided back when I made Emily's glittery pink elephant that it was the perfect size for Steve the Octopus to "ride into battle". Luckily for him I have that yarn in a few colours and Alan was made.

Apparently as soon as he was put on Dave's desk people started asking where he got it, and if I could make them something. 

One of Dave's friends was planning his proposal to his minion loving girlfriend. I then volunteered to make a minion to get the ring to her.

THIS WAS A MISTAKE!

I did not properly think through the amount of work that was needed and the time I had available to do it.

By the time this guy was finished I was a bit fed up with it and wasn't happy with how it turned out, although everyone else seemed to really like it.

He has an "S" on his overalls instead of a "G" because it was for Sophie and her engagement ring was hidden in his pocket.

I've been told that Lewis proposed with an empty ring box, started looking round as if the ring was lost and then said the minion was trying to tell him something! Thankfully she said yes.

Wishing Lewis and Sophie all the best for their future together.

 

P.S Minions like to take selfies

 

 

Wishing you all a lovely weekend x

How much is that doggy in the window?

I'm sure you're all in shock to see me posting again so soon haha! 

This week my sister came to me and asked me if I could make her a amigurumi dog for her trainer at work, as a thank you. I was more than happy to do it and then she dropped the bombshell. She needed it finishing by the next evening and since it was quite late when she asked me it meant I had one day. ONE DAY! Now I'm sure other crocheters will agree, its possible to make something in a day if you just sit and do it and nothing else, but I felt like I didn't have time to do the little tweaks that would have made it perfect. This led to me being unhappy with the finished result and almost reluctant to hand it over. The woman who received it loved it and it got positive feedback on Instagram and Facebook, but I will always have that niggling feeling that I could have done better.

Does anyone else get this?

I originally popped up the photo on the left asking if anyone could guess what I was making. I had a few people say a snowman, which makes sense because I make a lot of snowmen at Christmas time. No one guessed that it would turn into this little puppy!

Hope you're all having  a lovely weekend x