An end and new beginning...

So it's done, it's completed, it's finished, hoorah!!
My moodblanket 2014 has come to an end... I was 'determined' to get it done by the end of January, and that I wouldn't start another project until it was complete, and I stuck to my word.

I didn't have a border in mind, I just knew I didn't want it all one colour.

So I started using a different colour for each side, and just worked a triple into every stitch. For the second round I did a granny stripe, using yet another different colour on each side.

Lastly, I finished in the same white that I'd joined the squares with, but this round I got a bit stuck. Firstly, I tried to continue in the granny stripe, but I felt this was too open for a final edge.

So I went back and tried working into every stitch and gap, but that didn't look right either.

For my next try, instead of working into the gap, I decided to go into the row below. Now this was better, this I liked the look of, but wait, No, now the edging is becoming too baggy and ruffled, I'm using too many stitches.

So I undo it yet again, and still using the same technique but only working one stitch in the row below instead of two, I got there in the end and I'm so pleased with how it looks.

I've never made a blanket before, only smaller items. It seemed such a large daunting task, plus I've got a short attention span when it comes to makes, I get bored easily. But when I heard about the mood blanket project on IG, I was intrigued. I chose to do a weekly square and not daily, that way I stood more of a chance of finishing.

It started as a standard mood blanket. The first two weeks I started with the same basic granny pattern.

But did i mention I get bored easily!, so by square three I wanted to try a different pattern.

Also the yarn that I was using was the stash that i'd inherited from my Mother-in-law after she'd sadly passed away. So this became so much more than just using colours to summarise the weeks mood. It became a learning tool, trying out different stitches and patterns, and also a memory blanket too.

This is going to be a wonderful keepsake. Although I can't say it was the best of years, in fact far from it, but this blanket just gives me some joy to look back on.

As yet I haven't any full blanket, ta dah shots to show you, as its not long been finished and i've not been home when there's daylight. So come back next week when I will show you in its full glory...

As soon as the last end was sewn in, I was there, hook in hand. I was eager to crack on with some good solid crochet. For so long, its felt like I was doing just small fiddly bits, or joining and edging.
I'd already planned what the next project would be, another style of floral cushion. Remember this square from the mood blanket?

It was one of the stitch lessons, I'd tried the c2c (corner to corner) square, I enjoyed making it, once i'd picked up the pattern it flowed so nicely, and I like the texture, and its final look, so it was always the intention to come back to do this pattern again. I've only just started , and I love how quickly it works up, even for a slow crocheter like me! Its a nice relaxing stitch to do too.

My flower blanket is still growing, i've managed another seven this week. 

Till next time...

Santa came twice...

So santa came to visit us again this week, aren't we lucky, spoilt twice!

Mum came to visit us on Monday. We had a nice cuppa on her arrival, and had a natter and catch up. Then our attention turned to the pressies, it seemed weird not putting them under a tree!

Everyone was very pleased with their gifts, even the ones deemed a risk were a big hit! We stopped part way through for lunch and a glass of wine.

For dinner in the evening we had one of those bagged meals, the ones where you chuck the meat and veg and in the bag and pop it in the oven, great when you have guests as it can be left and then hey presto!
Before she left we had a look through some of her photos of various trips shes been on.
All in all it was a lovely relaxing day!

We treated ourselves to a couple of items for the home. Firstly a laundry basket, not very exciting I know, but we've been using a make-shift one, which is technically a magazine rack! Plus we got a food mixer, something we've wanted for awhile, and hoping this will encourage us to do more baking in the future!

I've not managed to do much to my 2014 blanket but I've sewn bits here and there. ..

I have though kept up with this years though, still managing to create a little colourful flower each day..

With each flower I add, i'm loving it a little bit more!!

A Moody start to the year...

So I have kept to my word, and the only crafting I have focused on is my Crochet mood blanket, both last years and this years.
As some of my strips of squares on last years blanket were too long, I needed to come up with a plan. I decided on some mini squares, they should fill in the gaps nicely and still keep in style with the rest of the blanket.

They work up nice and quickly, I outline them in white to match their larger counterparts and slot them in the gap

I'm very happy with the outcome, and I can't wait to have it completed. Not only because its quite fiddly just sewing in ends and joining, but I can't wait to see the finished article.

Meanwhile, each day I have completed a mood flower. I can't believe I have managed to stick to doing one everyday. I'm sure there will be busier periods that I won't manage to, but I have no plans, or expectations for this blanket, I will let it grow and take shape and develop as the year goes on.

I love these little flowers, 3 different colours in each, and they link on to their neighbouring flower

I just need to make sure that I continue sewing the ends in as I go, as leaving them would result in a massive chore.

This is how they looked after 1 week

It's going to be a pleasure to watch this one grow

Moods new and old...

So we've slipped in to a New Year, and as seems to be the way I'm with a positive frame of mind, and this years mantra word is DETERMINED...
Determined to:- better my way of life
                          get more active
                          declutter the flat
                          manage my time better
                          finish more crochet makes
Not a list of resolutions as such, but tackling things in a positive frame of mind and renewed energy, here's hoping it lasts.
So far I've been persevering with my mood blanket from last year, sewing ends, and joining, ive given it my full attention as I want to get it completed as soon as I can.

I've been pleased how quickly its been growing and how it's coming together, and it's really starting to look like a blanket now.

The only mistake I've made, which has made myself more work before completing it, is some of my strips of squares are too long!

As the year went on my squares got more ambitious and grew in size! So I'll have to adapt it, I think by adding some mini squares in the gaps,  before doing the edging. I'm determined to get this finished by the end of the month...

I have started a new mood blanket...
I've enjoyed the process, pleased ive managed to stick with something long-term, learnt new patterns and techniques and feel proud of the end result.
I'm doing it different this time as I don't want it to be quite so time consuming!
I spotted a beautiful crochet flower on @crochetgirl99's Instagram pages, which she had turned into a shawl, and it's this image that ive chosen to use.

It's small enough to be able to make quickly, but pretty enough to look effective, and the best thing is I can join them as I go, so no borders, ends and joining to plough through at the end of the year!

This means I can get more than one done a week, but without pressurising myself to having to do it everyday...

New Year was as quiet and as cosy as Christmas.

We treated ourselves to a new flavour of Sourz, Toffee apple, for us to try, and after a few shots

we also had a cocktail, Mexican Ruin...

After a lovely cosy week at home, I started back at work this weekend, which takes some adjustment.
We've worked doggedly on our time off, to try to work through the huge piles of boxes of belongings, and have painstakingly researched and listed quite a bit on eBay so far! You never know this time next year we might have a useable garage.

Well I am determined!!!