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...

Rollercoaster of a week...

So I'll start this week by showing last weeks mood square, as I didn't manage to get it completed in time...

I've not managed to achieve much in the way of crafting this week, as i've been away on a works conference, on the plus side the location for this was at Alton Towers!!
We travelled up to Rugby and stayed overnight and finished off the trip in the morning. The day was long and arduous, but was rounded off with a three course dinner, an awards ceremony and a band.

We did get half a day round the park, so there were 6 of us hard-core riders who were determined to fit in as much as we could!

I'm not the bravest of people, but I was determined to make the most of this opportunity. I knew I couldn't handle Oblivion, and I wimped out at Air, which I seriously regret, but I did do Rita, Thirteen, Nemisis and actually went on the Smiler twice!!

I had some 'happy mail' to come back to, my lovely yarn delivery...

Pretty berry colours..

For this weeks mood square, I took the centre of the square from the Simply Crochet granny square Marjorie.  As the week was extremely tiring and predominantly stressful, my colours went quite dark, but as there was a big bit of fun involved, I've added a zing of pink. 

Hearts and Flowers...

I continued to play and made a colour chart from my berry pictures. The problem with this is it encouraged me to put in a yarn order! Like I need more yarn! But my decent yarns are all pastel shades, which was fine throughout spring/summer, but I wanted some deeper hues for the upcoming months.

I started, on another background colour for the next flower cushion (yes I'm well aware I've not completed the last one :-/ ) This is a multi-toned yarn by King Cole, and has some berry tones about it with hints of purple, blue and red.

I came across a lovely flower pattern on once upon a pink moon blog, and it's not taken me long to make a couple of  these.

They work up nice and big, which is what I wanted, to be nice and bold in contrast to the smaller summery ones.

I made the flowers in stylecraft dk yarn, which although is acrylic is lovely and squishy! I did add a couple of extra layers to the flowers to add some more depth and colour highlights.

Once I've attached these to the front and added some stems I will then decide whether it needs a couple of simple bold leaves, or maybe add some smaller flowers.
Although I do have to admit I think the only reason that I'm considering some smaller flowers, is because of this image that I've seen on Facebook, and I really want to have a go, and trying to find somewhere I can incorporate these as an excuse to make some!!

(not my picture, image taken from The Whoot on facebook)

I did have a long train journey during the week, for work,

which enabled me to make some more of my portable squares

Me and hubby celebrated our 4th Wedding anniversary this week, well I say the term 'celebrated' rather loosely, as with his lack of mobility we aren't really venturing out much. 

We have started little walks each day, so we ventured to our local village, and stopped for coffee and cake, just to have a rest of course!

It was such a pleasure to be out of the four walls, and sit outside in the fresh air, feeling the warmth of the sun

The following day we treated ourselves to a take-out

This weeks mood square....

Ummm not quite accomplished that this week YET, i'll get right on to it...

Watch this space.........

My second tah dah!!

So after two weeks and I have my second tah dah in a row!!
I've finished my 'Summer Flowers' cushion, which was quite a joy to make, so much so i'm dyeing to make a second one, but not sure ive got quite enough green left!!

After sewing down the petals and creating the stems and little leaves, i was left with quite alot of ends to deal with on the back.

The problem was, they were all different colour threads, which couldn't be woven across the main colour, as they would show through to the front, but i did my best going throught the back of the same colour stitches

I added some pretty little green buttons for fastening

And finally i crocheted the edges together, so I now have another scrummy, fat squishy cushion!

I managed to grab a little bit of sunlight this evening, after work, to take my new cushion for a little walk.....

I'm very pleased with my two cushions, but I haven't touched anything since!

I think I've been revelling at having achieved some finished projects. It's certainly made me feel more positive, more than just the pleasure of creating, but having a purpose at the end of it all...

 I'm a bit undecided what to do next, of course I still have some more wip's to complete or maybe i'll allow myself a new project!!

This weeks mood square (I confess I haven't had a chance to sew in the ends yet!)

The middle part of the square is the 'Spoke wheel' pattern from the 150 blocks to knit and crochet
colours this week = peach - hot summer days
lilac - relaxation
purple - work and lifes chores...

I have no work now for over a week!! We are off to visit my mother on Wednesday, once hubby has had his Mri the day before.
So I'll back with you guys again in a fortnight...