Crochet blanket

I have not posted much these last few weeks as I have been busy at work.  So to relax I have been busy making stuff in the evening and photographing things for my shop.  I must try to get quicker at these things and learn how to use my camera properly so I don't have to edit as much!

Here is my lovely crochet blanket that I have finished.  This project helped me to learn to crochet.  It is lots of granny squares in single colours, all joined together with grey borders then single crochet edged lots of times!  I love how it turned out and love sitting under it in the evening while working on a new project.

As you can see the granny square are in single colours, this is because at the time I didn't know how to join on a new colour!  I also went for a grey border around each square and the full blanket as I thought that a white one might be too girly.  It was supposed to be given to bear for his bedroom, but I have kept it on the sofa instead!

I used a flat seam joining method that I repinned on Pinterest here.  because the join is really flat it helps the whole blanket keep its movement, if you know what I mean!  The teal and pink colours on this pic are my favourite combination in the set.  If I had known what I was setting out to make I would have just bought these two colours!

Because I was making this up as I went along I decided to use just a simple border around the edge of the blanket. Inspired by this.  I now know how to crochet many different techniques but I thought that this would keep the minimalist look and be more suitable for the boy's room.

I really love this blanket, mostly because it was the first complete crochet project I have done, but also because it took me sooooo long! I started it in February and finished in September!  It was one of these that I kept chipping away at.  I hope the boys quilts don't turn out that way!

Space boy quick quilt

What a week! Eldest boy got the stomach bug at the beginning of the week, both husband and I had open evenings on separate days and then we had the School Inspectors in my school! This is the first time since last saturday that I've managed to sit down and write. Phew!

I just had to show you this cute little quilt that I made for bear.  I had never attempted to quilt before. I had aways been inspired to, but just couldn't take the plunge.  I think its because quilts are such large projects that I was scared to try.  I had seen this link on Pinterest and thought I would give it a go.  I bought the Michael Miller space boy fabric last year but never ever wanted to cut into it.  Is it just me or does anyone else just like having pretty fabric and wish they could decorate the walls with it or something!  I was so desperate to use this print but keep it as one big piece that I just very nearly framed it!  So this was the ideal project, I didn't have to cut into it and I figured that if I messed up I would just unpick and get my piece back!

The tutorial was easy to follow, but because it was late at night and I just had to do it  (or else it would never happen!) I used a fleece blanket for an alternative to batting that I had got from IKEA.  It worked great too.  I decided to do wavy random lines as the quilting lines, like the space boys zooming all over the place!  I even had a go at mitered corners. One is done wrong, I chopped off too much fabric so had to botch it but you can't tell.

I am pretty proud that I have completed my first quilt, although a simple one. But hey, you have to start somewhere!  My aim is to make 2 patchwork quilts for the little boys for christmas.  There I've said it so I will have to do it now!

Have a great weekend!

Finally!

Well this last weekend was a complete write-off, everybody was sick ( apart front he eldest boy, he never gets sick much!) Just when I thought all was better and could get on with doing my Pinterest crafting the baby was sick again! So didn't get it done last night either.  Soooo much washing to do.  I'm glad the weather has got warmer at least I can get the bedding dry!

Anyway,  I had to take the day off work today, but hey, kids come first!  So finally he slept this afternoon and apart from housework I managed to get a little crafting done, yippee.  SInce buying a new computer during the summer I haven't touched my poor sewing machine, preferring to crochet instead.  So I turned the monitor off and moved it aside to get the old girl whizzing again.  For a moment I thought I'd forgot how to use her! See what I made :)

Ok, Ok, so the pics are a little iffy (hubby would be embarrassed if he saw them! tut!) but I was rushing, he was stirring!
I got the idea from these on my Pinterest board.

                                                                           Source: thesplitstitch.com via Lucy on Pinterest

They are from thespiltstich.  if you've never been to her site you must, there are lots of great ideas on quilting and embroidery. Not to mention the cute baby projects.  I am sure that there was a tutorial of hers that I read, yes found it here! 
Shame I didn't look at it before hand as I know for a fact that my coasters are a tad small. You need to have a good seam allowance so that when you turn it the right side out your opening can actually be tucked under and then pressed!  I also used felt for the back instead. With the liner it makes it a bit bulky.  Anyone else rush into thinking they know what they are doing!
Also my take on the 'sketchy look' for top stitching is a bit sketchy to say the least. I will try random lines across next time ;)

Roses are red...

...more like purple!   I have had these little things on my Pinterest board for ages now.

                                                                      Source: pompomemporium.com via Lucy on Pinterest

So finally got round to making some.  The links from Pinterest go to a sweet little tutorial, which you can easily adapt to suit your yarn, size, or style.  I made small roses about 3" across.

I wanted a flower suitable to make into a brooch, so it had to feel chunky.  I used a lovely 90% merino wool 10% acrylic mix so that it is lovely and soft to touch.  I have hand stitched a brooch pin on to a piece of felt and then hand stitched that to the back. All with matching embroidery thread.

It was soooo easy that I made them it a few colours.  I think they make the perfect little gift for family members or friends!  Or you could stitch them to a bag or a headband.  I think I'm going to put a few in my soon to be opened Etsy shop!

Now I've finished marking all my new pupils test papers, I hope to get round to doing some more projects, probably for christmas presents. What are your plans for the rest of the week?  Feel free to leave me a message in the comments below!

Boots, boots, Lovely boots!

I have been seeing lots of gorgeous brown leather boots all over Pinterest, ready for the new season.

Source: flickr.com via Lucy on Pinterest

                                                                                                            Source: gallery.me.com via Lucy on Pinterest

Source: peruvianconnection.com via Lucy on Pinterest

                                                                                     Source: None via Lucy on Pinterest

                                                                      Source: blog.lescomposantes.com via Lucy on Pinterest

Last year I was so annoyed that I didn't get any, so I just HAD to have some for this Autumn/Winter.  I know that I will wear them with everything. Skinny jeans, leggings and a long top, dresses, skirts, the lot! ( the husband says, I better had!)  So here they are!

Another thing ticked of my Pinterest boards!

Pinteresting...

So this weekend I started my new challenge, to do the things on my Pinterest boards.

                                                                   Source: juicy-bits.typepad.com via Lucy on Pinterest

I decided that I would try to make one of those balloon lampshades made with string. Mainly because I had bought some red string months ago, meaning to make it!  I kind of followed the instructions that I'd seen around, but here are my hints and tips...

First you need to gather your supplies: You need a large balloon, some string, coloured is preferable, and some glue.  I managed to fish out some PVA glue which I watered down. ( apparently that makes modpodge? )

Blow up your balloon but try not to let your children steal it and pop it in the garden.  Blow up another balloon if they did and you have one.

Cut your string into pieces and dip it in the glue.  Then place the string over the balloon. When you realise that you can't stand the balloon up on anything and you have to pull the chicken out of the oven and have glue all over your hands, ask a willing 7 year old to hold the balloon steady for you.  You may wish to get the 15 year old away from the PS3 to collect a loo roll tube from the bathroom.  Just ignore the grunts.  Sellotape the cardboard tube to the bottom of the balloon whilst praying that it doesn't pop it.  Put the chicken in the oven and put on an apron as you may have already got glue on your new top.

Lastly, when all the string is dangling down and not sticking on the balloon.  Shout at your volunteer for trying to play with his cars instead of helping.  This will make him wiggle the balloon, thus making it fall into the glue.  At this point when your Husband arrives asking what on earth you are 'trying' to do, give up!

P.S It is usually best not to get the boy to pop the balloon with some scissors as the glue from the string will fly all over your kitchen. (but you probably already know that, right?)