Finishing Touches

So this week I had a rummage through my chest, and I found quite a few unfinished items. I don't think I'm alone with the multi-project issue. I have an idea that I want to start, I get part way through or I've made a few then I come up with the next project I want to try. I thought it was about time these poor discarded items got completed.
When I was making my mini heart decorations, I thought I would try to convert the pattern to a larger size to make a heart plush. I had crocheted both sides, and even did some flower decorations.

But as I was sewing it up I felt something was missing. By then I had a new idea and the heart got pushed aside. I've now unpicked the sewing and crocheted a different coloured edging to tie in with the decoration.

So now I'm much happier with the outcome.

I've also completed another Bauble.

A red and white Nordic style one, decorated with red beads.

And I've decorated my little tree decoration.

I added little bead garlands and larger beads for baubles and the final added touch was a bell at the top of the tree!

I haven't touched knitting at all since I taught myself to crochet. So the scarves I had originally knitted hadn't had a look in as my passion for crochet took over. So again I will be finishing off, whether its just sewing in the ends or embellishing.

 I have managed to complete one and have a few more to do.

I will endeavour to carry on my good ways as I have plenty more finishing to do!  I'm not expecting to get to much done this week, as I have a hectic schedule. Its my 2nd Wedding anniversary on Tuesday. On Wednesday I have a long haul up to Derbyshire for works annual conference, plus my normal days at work.
But we have a holiday in sight, next Saturday we fly to Rhodes, and as we are both exhausted we are counting down the days...

Richmond Park & little christmas trees...

I've not managed much crafting this week, as on my weekday off I actually had a day out :)
I met up with a friend (who I've not seen since my wedding nearly 2 years ago!), at Clapham and we had a lovely day round Richmond park. We sat in Old Deer park and had a catch up with news.

 It was a lovely spot, not a sole around, and the sun was blazing, though a little noisy as we were sat in the Gatwick flight path.

We moved on to find Richmond park, which was ait of a trek especially in the blistering heat! We had to stop for lunch as we were sweltering and in need of refreshments.
We spent a lovely couple of hours around the park, and were surprised at the sheer size of the place.

Unfortunately we didn't see any deer except for a fleeting glimpse of one when we were leaving.

One thing that I have made a start with is a small christmas tree decoration.
I start by drawing a basic shape.

I then start to to follow the basic shape as crochet, increasing and decreasing where needed.

I then assess the finished shape and decide what alterations are needed. For this tree I needed to extend the original chain for a longer base, and to change when I did my first increase, for a longer bottom half and shorter top half.

 

This is still a Work in progress, so will see how it turns out when I've sewn two together, stuffed it and of course decorated it!

Bracelets + Baubles

Since coming back from holiday, i've got back into the swing of crafting....
I've tried out a couple of new things too..
Macrame friendship bracelets.

I used to make these as a teenager, and as thats going back quite a way, i bought issue 16 of Mollie Makes, as they were featuring these. They covered a good variety of different styles and 'how to do's', which i could use as a reminder.

I found a great bargain pack of cotton threads, so this enabled me to have a play around and a variety of colour combinations to use.

I also tried adding beading, which was also featured in Craftseller magazine.

I was pleased with the results, although i did struggle with the fastenings, until i made an enquiry.

It brought plenty of memories flooding back..

The next project I am in the middle of is crochet baubles. Anyone who knows me, knows i'm not  a big fan of the C' word Ssshhh... (mainly because working in retail takes the magic away!) but i had ended up with some tin baubles which had got left over from xmas at work. I had kept them, with the traditional crafters way of thinking, "i'm sure i can make use of those"!!

So i finally got started.
I was pleased with the way the first one turned out. I had opted for red + green, traditional Christmas colours.

My next colourway, i chose gold and purple, nice opulent colours.

Once completed i did feel it needed something more. A bit of sparkle. So i added a ring of sequins, just what it needed!

So now i'm in the swing of these and enjoying making them, and even having to sew on sequins and beads isnt putting me off too much!!

Cornish Holiday part 2

Day 4:-

Weather was terrible, and lashing with rain, and its hard to find indoor things to do in a coastal area. Bodmin Jail is where we decided on, as a place of interest and under-cover.

It was very interesting, with some very gruesome tales to read about, and apparently 'Britains Most Haunted' did a stint here. Yes there were some terrible crimes committed, but also the severe punishment for very minor misdemeanours were an eye-opener!

We did need to stop for a lunch break half way round, as we needed a bit of light relief!

This was a very interesting place to visit, though maybe not for the feint hearted!!


Day 5:-

We had decided before our visit, that we would like to take a trip to Tintagel. We have an interest in King Auther, so this appealed to us, though it is quite a way, in North Cornwall. Unfortunately, the weather wasnt too kind to us, so the original plan of climbing and spending time around the castle had to be abandoned. The village itself is very pretty, with the Old Post Office,

And mystical shops, and a great gallery, Another Green World where we were lucky enough to meet the two resident artists, who were lovely people...

We visited the Aurthurian Centre. After a talk and slides, we walked around the great halls

which has many stained glass windows depicting the knights and their deeds.

The rain eased off, so although we didnt have the time to do the whole castle, we took a walk up there to view it.

As it was late in the day, we were able to just take quick look at a small section.

 Bit of a climb, but great views at the top...

Maybe on a future visit, we may get to do the whole castle area...

On leaving Tintagel, we took a quick detour to Port Isaac, before heading back, as it was so close.

As its such a picturesque village, that it has been used for the filming of Doc Martin! We had a stroll around and stopped off for an ice-cream...

Day 6:-

We made a trip to a local Food + Craft Fair. It was pretty small, but still great to have a wander looking at peoples wares. And of course we indulged in the local produce for lunch !

The 'fair' was in a great setting, and they played some great 60's tunes to enjoy whilst we were going round.

As it was our last night, we went out to eat a local restaurant, and as most places do by the coast, they had some great fresh seafood dishes, so all we came out very well stuffed!!

Day 7:-

We had most of the day, as we werent travelling till late, so we took the opportunity to have a last stroll around the harbour and village

and made the most of being by the sea....

The whole time we were away, the Olympics had been taking place. We watched as much as we could in between outings, and kept up to date with our teams success via twitter. It was all thoroughly enjoyable and exciting, and thought our athletes did an amazing job.

3rd

Great Britain

29 Gold

17 Silver

19 Bronze

gold medals: 29 29 Gold 17 Silver 19 Bronze silver medals: 17 bronze medals: 19

65 Total medals

Cornish holiday part 1

We are very fortunate, that my Dad lives in a very picturesque fishing village, in the south of Cornwall. This guarentees that we have a great holiday destination each year to go to, and there's always new things to see, and we never tire of the places we've been to before! The only thing that can't be relied upon is the weather, and this year it wasn't so great, but we still made the best of it!

Day 1:-
We had a trip to the Seal Sanctuary at Gweek. I had been many years before with my Aunt, but as this is the main centre for rehabilitation, animals come and go, though there are some permanent residents. We got there at the perfect time, for the first feed and talk.

One feed followed another, so we saw all species of seals being fed.

Then it was the turn of the Penguins...

And finally the resident Otters....

After making an essential stop off for a cream tea, we wandered around till closing.

So many beautiful animals, being well looked after, and great talks by the knowledgable staff, and in a beautiful setting...

its well worth a visit...

Day 2

We had more of a chilled day, and decided to stay local.

Visiting the local stores and Art Galleries, some well established and others which are brand new, including a smoothie + milkshake place, we of course had to try out!

Day 3:-
The weather so far had been very changeable, so to make the most of our time, we thought we would take a coastal drive, up the West side, seeing as we have done so much of the south and east on previous visits.

We took a stop-off at Cape cornwall, and the weather took a turn for the better.
We strolled past the Oratory, and its local residents.

Then the climb up to the top.

Along the cliffs, covered in pretty heather...

And up to the sentinal...

After tackling the steep climb down, we made our way across to Priest cove.

I could sit and watch the waves forever - so relaxing....

We had some more cliff walks, which was pretty bracing, as it was so windy....

But great views across to the lighthouse...

Continued in part 2........