Whispers of the Past CAL

I can't wait.  I have signed myself up for the Whisers of the Past CAL.  I love CALs.  Although I make blankets all the time - they are for other people.  When I make one in a CAL, it is for myself.

I feel really excited now, as the postman has just delivered my pack of wool.  This is the next step in the build up to the launch day, which is Thursday, 13th October 2016.

This will be my second blanket CAL.  My first was the Spice of Life CAL.   I thoroughly enjoyed this and couldn't wait for the next instalment to ping into my E Mail.

Whispers of the Past is by Helen of Crystals and Crochet and is being hosted by 'CAL - Crochet Along' on Facebook.  All details of the CAL can be found here.

Can't wait for the 16th October!!!

Still Working on the Blanket and other things

It is ages since  I did any work on my blanket. I managed to do a few rows this weekend and it felt good to be doing this again. It is going to be a couple more months I think before it is completed. I dare not add up the number of hours I have spent on it so far.  What I did not realise, when I decided to use Tunisian crochet for this project, was how compact the stitch is. This means that it takes a long time for it to grow.  Perhaps a larger hook would have been better.  However, it will make a lovely dense and warm blanket, when it is completed.  Probably well worth the wait.

Anyway, whilst having a break from the blanket, I have added a few more flower brooches to my Folksy shop.  These are crocheted in a lovely cotton yarn, which I got from  Three Bears Yarn, who are a small company based in Lancashire.  They have some lovely colours.

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I have also made this striped shoulder bag.  I used Stylecraft, DK acrylic yarn in gold and lime green, The bag is now for sale in my Folksy shop.

I am being told that now is the time to advertise Christmas items.  I am usually on the back foot in this respect and leave things until the last minute.  This year I am starting early and have already started a garland, which I hope to share with you soon.

Fruity #folksyfriday

This week's theme on #folksyfriday is 'fruity'.  I have searched Folksy for some fruity items, and here are a few of my favourites.  The rest of my finds can be seen on my Pinterest Board. (link to #folksyfriday Pinterest Board).  For lots more unique gifts, all handmade in the UK, visit https://folksy.com/ .

Bird Feeder for use with apples or fat balls, by the Barton Gift Shop

Patchwork Apple Cushion, by Poppykins

Berry Bowl, Small Colander, by Jude Allman

Lace Bobbins with a Soft Fruit Theme, by Spangled Hippie

June 2016 CRAFTfest

Well, I am taking part in the June CRAFTfest online fair, which kicks off at midnight 9th June.  I am trying to join in with the promotion, but my time is limited as I am up to my eyes in making things for my daughter's wedding.  Also, my knowledge of online promoting is also limited, so I have decided to stick with what I know and am promoting on Twitter and Facebook.  I am determined to do my bit, as others will be promoting me as well as themselves, so it is only fair.

The CRAFTfest online fair is such a good idea.  There are lots of UK Handmade items made by many talented people, for sale under one event. Here is the link for the brochure You will be spoiled for choice trying to choose.

I have added a few new items to my Folksy shop, wedding themed, of course. Click here to look at my Folksy Shop.

A Walk In The Fresh Air

It was overcast, cold and a bit gloomy today, but OH and I decided that we needed some fresh air and exercise.

We drove to Doe Hill Country Park, which is at Tibshelf in Derbyshire. It appeared that we had the place to ourselves, as there was no other cars in the car park and we didn't meet another person the whole time we were there.

 Doe Hill Country Park is part of the five pits trail.  It is land that has been reclaimed from where the old pit stood and it links in with four other reclaimed pit areas.

This particular walk is not too long and has plenty of hilly parts to it. Today it was quite boggy in places as well.








We both felt quite invigorated when we had finished and didn't feel too guilty enjoying a latte and a scone afterwards.

Lists

I have always made lists.  When I was working I always made a long list of things I had to do, ticking them off as I did them and starting a new list when I got to the bottom of the page.

I have been feeling a bit overwhelmed lately, as I have a lot of projects on the go, all unrelated. What to do first?   I didn't really know, so consequently moved from one thing to the other, making very little progress. 

Why don't I make a list, flashed through my brain.  So that is what I did.  I made a list.  On the list I itemised each project, what needed doing and in what order.  Do you know I now feel a lot better, more in control and calmer.  I can tick things off as I do them. It is so cathartic.

One of the things on my list I have been able to tick off.  The power of the list is awesome.

 

Daffodils to brighten up my day

Shopping in my local supermarket, pondering what to buy for dinner, I came across bunches of lovely daffodils. I love daffodils, they always cheer me up and make me smile.  I couldn't resist and here they are brightening up my day.

I am still working on my blanket.  Progress is slow and it is certainly a marathon and not a sprint.  I have now introduced the second colour stripe and have some idea of how the blanket will look when it is finished - I think of it as raspberry and plum colours.

 

A request for some crochet roses has made me come to a temporary halt on the blanket.  They are for a wedding bouquet and I have been experimenting with different hook sizes to get the best formation of rose.  I like the peach rose best I think and will now have to make several dozen of these in peach and white.  The grey is to mix in with them and I will be adding sparkly crystals and pearls to these flowers.

Next Project

Well I have finally started my next project. I am making a blanket in tunisian crochet. It took me a while to find out how to do this kind of crochet.  I eventually downloaded a great book to my kindle called Learn Tunisian Crochet by Tara Cousins. It is a really good tutorial and teaches six different stiches, with step by step instructions.  I found it very easy to follow and would recommend it to anyone wanting to learn this type of crochet.

I have crocheted a few cushion backs in tunisian crochet, and really think they give a lovely finish to the cushion.

Here is my latest blanket - it has taken me several days to get this far, so I think it will be several weeks before it is complete!

Dog Sitting and Opening an Instagram Account

I have been dog sitting this weekend.  Here is Scruffy looking all relaxed.  I think he likes coming here as he gets lots of walks and games.

I have just set up an Instagram account. I must admit that I didn't have a clue how to use it but actually it is a lot easier than I thought it would be. In fact I much prefer it to Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest. The only problem I have is that photos have to be uploaded from my phone and most of my photos are on my computer.

I find taking photos on my phone quite difficult. I can't seem to hold my phone steady whilst pressing the screen and most of my shots end up out of focus. Something I will have to address if I want lovely, sharp photos on my Instagram site.  Here is my link https://www.instagram.com/julieannr75/

What shall I make next?

What shall I crochet next is the question that has been playing on my mind for the last week. I have just finished my striped blanket, which I am very pleased with.  The yellow, orange and gold are very bright and cheerful.

I wanted it to have a special cover, so I decided to make a cushion cover for it.  This means it now has two uses; as a blanket, or as a cushion.  I am very pleased with the result.

Mulling over my next crochet project, and not wanting to be sat idle, my eye fell on a knitting pattern for a lovely baby blanket.  Now knitting is not my favourite thing to do - I much prefer crocheting - but I so loved the look of the baby blanket decided to give it a go.  All went swimmingly until I tried to knit whilst watching television. Needless to say I have had to undo most of my knitting. I have started again and have found that if I write down the repeat for each row, on a separate piece of paper, I can follow the pattern a lot more easily.  (Here's hoping).

Focussing my mind on the knitting helped me to decide on my next crochet project. I think it will be another striped blanket.  I have picked out the colours, but have yet to decide on a design.

In the meantime, will crack on with the knitted blanket, but will give the television a miss when I am knitting.

What's not to like

Knitting and coffee on a sunny afternoon - what's not to like?

I have been joining in with the Winwick Mum sock-a-long.  I have never knitted a sock before and it is something I had not even considered doing.  In fact I had rather gone off knitting in favour of crocheting.  However, my sister kindly enlisted me in the sock-a-long, so I thought I would give it a go.  Well after several false starts, I have finally made a pair of socks. Not perfect by any means, but a pair of wearable socks at least.  I never thought I would say this, but I have thoroughly enjoyed knitting the socks (using 5 DPNs - I didn't even know what DPN referred to before I started). Christine Perry is the inspiration behind the sock-a-long.  It is thanks to her tutorial that I am now competent in sock knitting.

Here is the link to her blog click here if anyone would like to give it a go.  I can thoroughly recommend it.   So, thank you sis for introducing me to this lovely event.

A walk at Vicar Water

The day might be cloudy and gloomy, but we still found plenty to cheer us up on our walk around Vicar Water.

Whilst walking the dogs, or rather being pulled along by them, we came across a woman walking a beagle. She had apparently encountered Ty and Dottie before because as soon as she saw us she turned and sped off the other way. Unfortunately the dogs had already clocked one another, so a furious barking match took place, with Dottie having the last bark as usual.

Walking The Dogs

On our walk today Dottie found half a carrot, a parsnip, a mouldy crust (all of which I managed to stop her eating) and something disgusting under a hedge, which she beat me to.

I did manage to spot some lovely spring flowers though.

Cushion Completed

Well, I have now finished my cushion and am ready for the unveiling.  What do you think?  This is the front of the cushion. I have crocheted granny squares around a central flower motif and used the join as you go method to join the squares together.  I used Stylecraft double knitting wool as they have so many colours to choose from and it is so soft - it is lovely to use.

This is the back of the cushion, which I have completed in Tunisian Crochet.  The back is in two parts, so that the cushion pad can be removed.  It is held together by six pink buttons.

What is it about buttons. I can't resist them. When I was a child I loved to play with my mum's button tin. My children were the same. If you think about it, they are quite educational; colour sorting, counting, matching.  Anyway I think the buttons really finish it off nicely, so it can be reversed for a different look.

I am now on to my next cushion, more of which later.

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Snowy Day to work on my cushion

Looks lovely, but not really the weather for taking the dogs for a walk. They seemed to enjoy it though.

Back home now and working on my cushion. The front is in granny squares, with a central floral motif . I have used the join as you go method for joining the squares.

For the back of the cushion I have decided to try Tunisian crochet.  Tunisian crochet is something I have only recently learned how to do and I am pleased with the effect.

I am eager to join both pieces together so I can have some idea of how the finished cushion will look - after I have had a cup of tea.

Walk with Ty and Dottie

It is cold and misty today and the snow is slowly melting.  The dogs pull me along.  I spotted this little flower sheltering under a tree.

and these lovely red berries;

I don't know what tree this is - but it looks so pretty;

Back home after our walk - here are my two little angels waiting for their biscuit treat;

January 2015 update

I decided to try something new this year, so I have joined a CAL (Crochet along) on Ravelry - https://www.ravelry.com.  The idea is to crochet one main square and one filler square per month. The finished square can be shared on their website alongside others taking part.  At the end of the year I should have enough squares to make a throw or blanket.  I thought it was a really good idea, It would help to keep me motivated and there is an opportunity to interact with other crochet lovers.  It will also push me to try new more complicated designs.  

The first hurdle I encountered was that the instructions were in US terms, so I had to keep referring to a book of UK/US conversion stitches.  This got a bit confusing as I kept getting them muddled up. It would have helped if I had printed off the pattern first, instead of reading from the computer - I could then have marked off each row as I finished it.  If I had followed my own advice I wouldn't now find myself on row 13 with too many stitches! AAARGH!

Another thing - which I hadn't factored in - I should have checked my wool supply.   If I intend completing the twelve months' squares and joining them into a blanket or throw, I need enough wool in my chosen colours to complete it.

Here is my first effort so far.

I struggled a bit with the last two rows of this pattern, but with perseverance and bit of tweaking, here is the finished square.

I am now off to try the filler square.

March update

Well, what have I been doing since my last blog?  I have been working on a new blanket in maroon and cream, edged with grey.  Unfortunately, I ran out of grey wool for the edging and the replacement wool I re-ordered was too light.  Fortunately, after a trawl around the local wool shops, I managed to get a match.  What I discovered when joining the squares together was that I had six too many - so I probably did had enough grey wool to start with.  Oh well, never mind, I have the beginnings of another blanket - but not quite yet. 

Here is a photo of the finished piece.

February 2014

The newest edition to JulieAnnR Designs is this blanket, crocheted in two shades of lilac with a grey border.  It does take a long time to make one blanket, hence the delay in adding new stock.

I have also been experimenting with some flower corsages /brooches.  The two below started out as squares for another blanket, but looked so pretty that I made them into brooches instead.