11/10/2013

Red Finds #Etsy

This blog is mainly for Kirri, the British Crafters Shop of the Week. Her shop, maxollieandme has a wonderful variety of delectable delights on offer.
Kirri`s bio says:
Welcome to max, ollie and me,
Since being a small child I have been obsessed with everything to do with sewing and textiles. I have lots of fond memories of playing with my mums button tin during the school holidays and spending hours sorting out all the buttons, old zips and many other items.
Every time I opened that tin it was like finding treasure again and again. In fact my great nan, nan and mum have all passed down these button tins to me now. They are some of my most treasured items. I try not to open my great nan's tin to often as she is no longer with us, but her familiar comforting scent is still held among all her buttons and odds and ends.
These are the women in my life who have inspired me to continue to use such loved and passed down skills.
Every stitch I sew into my work is sewn with love!...

So have a browse in Kirri`s shop and don`t forget the other wonderful shops here. You never know when you will find that perfect gift.
As usual, to see a bigger picture or a description, just click on the item to view it in the shop.
ENJOY!!!

Here comes the slow rising sun
day is here and night is done.
An Autumn morning with a chill
the thought of winter doesn`t thrill.
Summer didn`t last long enough
and the previous winter was tough.
Trees now are starting to turn
as chillier nights start to burn
with the edges starting to go dry
yet others are ready to fly.
Autumn can be a lovely season
lovely colours and the chill a reason
to snuggle in front of the fire
with leaping flames that inspire.


SHOP NAME 1 SHOP NAME 2
Maxollieandme. TJB Designs.
SHOP NAME 3 SHOP NAME 4
Gimme That Thing. Loutul.
SHOP NAME 5
Creative Treasures UK.
SHOP NAME 1 SHOP NAME 2
Imogen`s Imagination. Mish73 Eclectic Vintage Finds.
SHOP NAME 3 SHOP NAME 4
Jcudesigns. Z Next Designs.


Hope you enjoyed today`s stunning display of red Handmade and Vintage finds from Etsy.
Thanks for visiting, please come back soon.

10/10/2013

Quick Tutorial with Pics

I worked out a new way of starting off any crochet. A way that looked neater and had more stretchability, always quite important with gloves and hats or even bigger items.
I have no idea if anyone has come up with this before or not. I just kept playing around with it until I came up with what worked for me.

Casting on stitch:

This can be done with the usual chain stitch or by this method I worked out which gives a nice finish and better stretchability.

SHOP NAME 1 SHOP NAME 2
SHOP NAME 3 SHOP NAME 4


Crochet 2 chains. Hook through 1st chain and pick up and bring back yarn, then yarn round again and back through both stitches on hook.
Repeat ensuring that this time the hook goes through two parts of the stitch, bringing yarn back through, then round again and back through both stitches on hook.

SHOP NAME 5
You can see how much better it looks than just a chain to begin.

09/10/2013

Witches #Etsy

Thought I would continue the Halloween theme but with witches this time. After all the witches are an integral part of Halloween with their black cats, broomsticks and spells.
I`ve seen some scary as well as cute, witch costumes over the years. I`m sure a Halloween party wouldn`t be complete without at least one witch cackling away.
I`ve been writing more patterns which I quite enjoy doing, the part I`m not so keen on is putting them together with the pictures on the computer. One day I will try and sit there all day and get some of them done, this week hopefully.
I start off deciding what to make and then write down each step. Then I make another following those instructions to the letter and refining it. Then I make a third and this time I take photographs as I go along. After that if I`m happy with the pattern I put it together on the computer and turn it into a PDF file.
Sometimes I make 3 or 4 of an item until the pattern is exactly right.
As usual, to see a bigger picture or a description, just click on the item to view it in the shop.
ENJOY!!!

Not many colours mean Halloween
black and orange and some green.
Monsters and witches can have green faces
looking scary as they go lots of places.
There is always plenty of black
so the spookiness won`t lack.
Candles glow through a pumpkins eyes,
they look scary rather than wise.
There`s many a face covered by a mask,
working out who they are is quite a task.
Groups at the door, trick or treating
each and every visit so fleeting.
Stopping for goodies, then on their way
with treats to enjoy on another day!!


SHOP NAME 1 SHOP NAME 2
Shoestring Cottage. Stuff By Nicole.
SHOP NAME 3 SHOP NAME 4
FloorArt Etc. Ellens Clay Creations.
SHOP NAME 5 SHOP NAME 6
Isabellas Hats and Bows. BVOE`S STORE.
SHOP NAME 1 SHOP NAME 2
Good to be girl. Digital Flea Market.

Hope you enjoyed today`s scary display of witches for Halloween.
Thanks for visiting, please come back soon.

06/10/2013

Robins #Etsy

I saw a robin outside my kitchen window the other day and that had me deciding to look for Robin`s to go on here.
Despite them being about all year round they still make me think of Christmas and winter. I find them fascinating to watch and love the way the red stands out against the snow.
Of course there are many a robin put on Christmas cards and cute ones for the tree as well as many other wonderful crafts featuring them. So this is to celebrate Robins.
Was quite amusing as I just put Robin into the search on Etsy and was amazed by all this batman stuff that came up until I recalled that of course Batman`s sidekick is called Robin. Should have thought of that.
I am away for the weekend visiting family, but I left hubby at home to fend for himself. He gets bored when we talk nonstop and we always have so much to catch up on and so many topics to discuss. Trouble is a weekend just isn`t long enough...... so much to talk about.
As usual, to see a bigger picture or a description, just click on the item to view it in the shop.
ENJOY!!!
A couple of short verses written while watching the sunset and then the sunrise in the morning.

The clouds that streaked the sky,
were so red they made me sigh.
A sunset of beauty so rare,
just made me sit and stare.
Day was fading it into night
so it made an unusual sight.
For colour to stay so late
was worth the long wait.


Here comes the creeping dawn
as night edges into morn
pearly pink spreads across the sky
as the sun readies to say hi,
A beautiful dawn makes my spirit soar
now who could ask for more!!


SHOP NAME 1 SHOP NAME 2
BiskettBlue. Fancy Tiger Crafts.
SHOP NAME 3 SHOP NAME 4
Julia Smith Ceramics. Abigail Brown.
SHOP NAME 5 SHOP NAME 6
SarahBrelsford. Wrap All.
SHOP NAME 1 SHOP NAME 2
Nyha Graphics. The Felt Menagerie..
SHOP NAME 3 SHOP NAME 4
Ellens Clay Creations. mODESTLY.


Hope you enjoyed today`s gorgeous array of robins from Etsy.
Thanks for visiting, please come back soon.