Showing posts with label mood square. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mood square. Show all posts

Sunday, 4 January 2015

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!!!

Sunday, 30 November 2014

Time flies...

This week has flown by in a whirlwind of work...
On one of my days off my Mum came to visit, which was lovely to have a catch up, as I've not seen her for a few months, and it meant I got a belated birthday present

I've managed to make a couple of mood squares this week.
First one with a sparkly birthday flower in the middle


And the second was another learning square for me.

I have seen pictures of people's c2c blankets. So instead of working in either rows, or from the centre outwards, this is worked from corner to corner. I thought it would be quite complicated, but once I got in to the rhythm of the pattern I enjoyed it. So I think I will be using this pattern again in the future...

Short and sweet this week, but here is a look back at November...


Sunday, 16 November 2014

Virtual doors are open...

This week I concentrated on getting my little online store back open again.
I set up my mini blank backdrop to photograph my products, with the little bit of morning light.


Then it was to the editing to make the white background actually look white!


Then it was to the shop, adding each item and writing descriptions.


It's all very time consuming but fingers crossed it will be worth the effort.

Once all the cushions were relisted, it was the same process to get the baubles that I made last year, getting hubby to pick a sprig of holly for the finishing touch.


I welcome you all to my newly open store. The ribbon is cut (but not a celebrity in sight!), the trumpets are blowing (a party popper might have to do) and the doors are finally open (even if they are just virtual doors!)



I also went back to my mood squares as I'm determined that I will be ready for the unveiling at the end of the year!
I made another couple of squares. The first I had a test of the pattern that Attic 24 made for her new blanket.


The second, well I just made it up! I worked through the back of the stitch only, so it had a different effect. Adding a couple of normal tr stitches in a contrasting colour.
Once I'd  finished I decided it needed a little something of interest, so a few little embroidery stitches later and little rows of tulips were born...


I've spent plenty of time edging my previous squares, and getting those pesky ends sewn in.
I do feel like I'm getting somewhere, but the biggest test will be as I get busier at work and it eats into my time more and more, which is why I need to make sure I'm not trailing behind...

Today I have a rare Sunday off work, why?, because i'm creaking my way into being another year older!
I was treated to coffee and breakfast in bed...
Followed by opening cards...


And presents. 
I was completely spoilt!!



Tonight, I am looking forward to celebrating with a meal at a local Italian restaurant


Sunday, 9 November 2014

Felted flowers...

Over the next couple of months im not likely to get much crafting done as work will be busier, as we get into the throws of the season, but it becomes more important as its my way of relaxing...

So for this week ive been working on embellishing my latest cushion, but this time instead of crocheted flowers ive gone back to needle felting for a different effect.


I love the texture and look of these flowers, and that you can blend your own mix of tones and colours.


I think I may need to add some embroidery to enhance it, which means sewing, but if I call it 'painting with yarn' then maybe I'll find it more enjoyable.



For this weeks mood square, I thought I would try the Linen stitch, ive seen a few quite a few images, and wanted to give it a try. I really like it and think it could be a good possibility for the next cushion background as its a great solid stitch, and easy to do.



Sunday, 2 November 2014

Behind the scenes. ...

Ive not got much to show you on the crafting front this week, but it doesn't mean ive been idle!
Mainly, I or should I say we, (as I'm a complete technophobe hubby has been helping out with pc bits so I dont completely lose my mind, and temper!!) have been working behind the scenes as I'm determined to get my Folksy shop back up and running again!

threads n shreds         

So, we've been working away adding backgrounds, titles, widgets and goodness knows what else and trying to link Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter and every other medium we can think of!







I also think I have found a solution to the background when I take photographs of my products. After reading someone's blog they stated they used artists canvasses, so after a trip to the works I purchased some white artists boards, so I need some bright daylight which is a bit infrequent now the nights are drawing in!


At the start of the week we had a beautiful sunny day, so I took my latest cushion for a walk round the grounds for its moment of glory in the bright light.


This Saturday I did manage to get another weekend day off of work so i took the opportunity to go to the local craft meet up. This is pure bliss to sit in a relaxed atmosphere, talking with like-minded people, and can focus on any craft that we chose to take in...
I started with making a couple of squares for my mood blanket to try to catch up. 




The rest of the time I finished my next cushion background, so now I can focus on the decoration.


In the evenings I have continued with joining my mood squares, and I've completed another two rows.



This week hubby has started back at work, only starting with two hours a day, but its start and now hopefully we can now progress, he just needs to work on daily exercises to get the strength back in his leg muscles.
Last night we went for our annual trip to the local firework display, and it was spectacular as ever, and the perfect, mild, dry weather for it too...



We've flown through another month. This is a look back at October



Sunday, 26 October 2014

Blooming Marvellous...

We have another ta da moment!!
My Giant Bloom cushion is complete..


I had made the blooms from 'once upon a pink moons' pattern, and used the lovely squishy 'Stylecraft' dk yarn


Added some foliage 


And popped them onto a plain background of multi-toned yarn


And added some pretty, pastel, floral buttons for fastening


I'm so happy with how this cushion has turned out!!



In other news this week, we took a visit to the cemetery as it would have been my mother-in-laws birthday on Monday. We took a beautiful purple bunch of flowers, and met up with hubby's sister and her carer so we could support each other. After paying our respects we went to a local garden centre and had lunch, hot chocolate and cake, whilst we spent time catching up.


I've been trying to catch up with my Mood blanket, but it feels like 2 steps forward, and 3steps back. I managed to get another row and a half joined, but by concentrating on the joins I've got behind with making the actual squares.

I did manage last weeks, a mix of grey and yellow (for fun holiday,and gloomy weather!) based on the Wisteria block (from 200 crochet blocks by Jan Eaton), I say based on as I start following and then go off on a tangent and do my own thing


and I've made a start on this weeks, using a mix of blues and purples in stripes, loosely based on the Interlocking Stripes pattern.


When I've needed easy mindless crochet, I've been working away on the next background. The back is complete, but unfortunately after a large chunk of the front was made I realised the width was completely wrong, I'd made a chain of 34 instead of 43, well at least the numbers were right! So hubby frogged it for me and I'm working my through it again...


Sunday, 19 October 2014

Out of season...

This week was our holiday, ok so not across the water to sunny shores, but out of season, damp and chilly uk. But hey we were at the beach, and would enjoy our time away.


We had an enjoyable 1st class train journey and on arrival at Weymouth we were greeted by the Olympic mascot.

We walked down to the seafront and had a walk along the sandy beach, and the first spits of rain came down.


We found a fabulous sand sculpture depicting the last supper and a war memorial.


We found our hotel on the seafront before setting out to explore the town.


We wandered around the town centre, and down to the marina, but the weather sadly got worse and worse, till we ended up soaked through and frozen, to the point of wondering why we had chosen this town.


We hid out in the amusement arcade to brighten our spirits before venturing back to the hotel to dry out.
The following day was brighter so our spirits rose. Everything thing looks better when the sun is out, so we went back down to the harbour, as the plan for the day was to visit Nothe fort.


It was a steep climb so we stopped for a tea break to take in the views and give hubby's knee a rest.


We managed the steepest finish to the top only to find it was closed, only opening on Sunday's when out of season. We were gutted especially after the effort to get up there.


At least there were gardens at the top so we could rest and look across the sea.
Whilst walking through the park we found the most tame squirrels. They literally came right up to us, to the point of shocking hubby as one leapt up his leg!!!


In the evening we found a bright and cheerful pub, where we ate the most amazing steak and ale pie.


We were off to the Sealife centre the next day, where we took a long stroll the opposite direction down the beach front. It was overcast but fairly bright and blustery. We started at the Ray pool.


On to the nursery section with cute seahorses and the most amazing Weedy Sea Dragon.


After a quick pit stop, we went in the shipwrecked section, I was mesmerised and fascinated with the Moon Jellyfish. There were changing coloured lights, which made you notice different features with each colour. We were lucky to be there when the keeper came to give them their food, and stopped to give us some knowledge on the creatures, which made it more special.


When we came to the outside section with the Penguins, of course the heavens decided to open. But we stayed to see their feeding and the keepers talk.


After seeing the turtles, it was time to see the Seals get fed and show how they are trained, with going to specific rocks, touching balls, waving and jumping.


The last section was the Ocean tunnel, where there were large sharks, Rays and turtles swimming around and overhead.


Before leaving we had a much needed hot drink to warm us up after the rain had chilled us again, but we thoroughly enjoyed our day.


We finished our day with dinner at the local Wetherspoons.


The last day we checked out, and made our way to the Sealife tower.


We had to wait as it didn't open till 11. Up we went up 173ft, and rotated to see the views across the whole Jurassic coast. The clouds were quite low so we couldn't see to far into the distance, but it was still a good experience.


We went back to a couple of shops that I wanted to revisit and try on some clothes. We had a late lunch and spent our last moments back in the arcades before catching our train home.



On our return I had to do a large food shop, which took ages and I spent too much, but I did come up with a wish list!!



I'm determined on our last few days off at home to try to get up to date with my 'Mood blanket'. I was very good at the beginning, doing my square each week and sewing in ends and joining straight away.


Sadly in the past few weeks my focus has been on other projects, which has made fitting in my square harder with my limited spare time, so I've rushed the squares without joining them. The problem I've made for myself, as I've been trying out different patterns and stitches, is all the squares are different shapes and sizes, which will make the task harder!


I've also been making up another plain background, in moments when ive needed easy, no thinking crafting. This is a textured yarn that was in my m.i.l stash, though I don't know what exactly it is, I will be turning it into another style of flower cushion, but I will be trying something different....