Tuesday 22 February 2011

I told you I was easily bored!

I was bored with rugs and crochet - it won't last long - but for a little light relief I decided to make use of some beads I have been stashing for a while and made some jewellery!  I love wearing colour now - there was a time when I lived in black from head to toe - No, I wasn't a goth, I just felt more comfortable in black.  Then I met my husband and the colours came out again!  I really enjoy wearing basic, colourful jewellery - nothing blingy or expensive - but bright, happy, and comfortable. 
So this week my 'mini treasury' is selfishly some of my latest efforts which I have put for sale on Folksy. If you have never been to Folksy to see all the gorgeous handmade things that are made in the UK, take a look at: www.folksy.com

Apple green and silver bracelet Topaz and silver bracelet
Jade Green Bracelet Pale Topaz Bracelet
Cute Colourful Bracelet Cherry red earrings



Wednesday 16 February 2011

Hoopla Yarn Patterns

I'm trying to get some patterns to use with Hoopla Yarn written down as there don't seem to be many available online as yet. There are lots of photos of projects people have made using 'Hoooked Zpagetti' (a very similar salvaged product) but not many are in print, and if they are they are usually in Dutch!

Hooplayarn themselves have a few patterns, as does 'Chakahoopla', but people are asking for more.

I'm not a designer of complicated crochet projects, and if I'm honest, I like more simple designs anyway. Tonight I finished a rug pattern (skill level - easy), which I put on a link from Stockton Crafts.  Here are some photos of the rug which is grey and navy blue:

Tuesday 15 February 2011

Topaz!


For years my favourite colours have involved greens - but lately Topaz has been making me look twice! Look what is being made on Folksy in Topaz.  Unsurprisingly it is mostly jewellery - no knitting or crochet, but then Topaz IS a stone!
Orange and Topaz Wraparound Bracelelt by Putting on the Charms Light Smoked Topaz Crystal Brass Earrings by Z. M. Designs
Light Colorado Topaz Crystal Sterling Silver Earrings by Z. M. Designs Vintage Vera Bracelet by Madame CC
Sophie by CraftyBarbs Little Acorn Necklace by April Is Forever Jewellery

Sunday 13 February 2011

Gargoyles & Grotesques in Oxford



Spring sunshine in chilly Oxford for a few hours yesterday, so some lovely photos of gargloyles and grotesques for the blog.  Amazing skill went into carving these objects, but they are so far up the buildings that only long shot lenses can capture them.   
My family have lived in Oxford for many generations, so it is lovely to think that they might have laughed at the same contorted grotesques or been moved by the beauty of some.




Here are some of my favourites from
yesterday:





Thursday 3 February 2011

What colour is Teal? Folksy photos...

The colour Teal is extremely popular now, and looking on Folksy to see what other crafters were making in my favourite colour, I found some gorgeous makes....

Kaela Mills:Four Teal Floral Fabric Badges Prince Design: UK Lovebird bowl in teal blue
Summersville: plantlife original screen printed artwork in teal blue Fyberknitics: Luscious Lime 'n' teal felted bracelet
Mangle Prints: Lino Print Garlands iLEAiYE: Teal blue loose weave shrug

Wednesday 2 February 2011

Stocki Bear No. 1

For weeks now I have been working on designing a knitted cotton bear....and finally I sewed 'Stocki'
(mark 1) together last night...I'm rather pleased with its sweet little face!!

 Now for some clothes.......but wait.... is Stocki a boy or a girl........