Monday 31 October 2011

Halloween and yet more crochet practice.

I am having a little Halloween party tonight for smallest son and 3 of his pals. No one ever calls at our house because it is a bit out of the way and there are no children living locally so I have really gone for it. In fact the house is so scary no one will call anyway.
I have spooky cakes, spooky sweets and lots of rats and bats.




I have also had fun arranging my new pottery creatures on my fireplace.I may have to cut down on my addiction as I have filled my cabinet and the shelf above the wood burner is getting there.......I could always purchase another cabinet!



I have now completed 4 crochet mug cozys and I need to move on.
I was advised to look at Ravellry.com??? Apparently it has an abundance of free crochet patterns for download so I am going to check that out later.


I will need to purchase some nice yarn too as so far I have been using up my mums left overs.
Going to do some more party prep now and have a nice cup of tea, in a mug, in a flippin mug cozy no doubt! X

Sunday 30 October 2011

Thrifty goods and crochet progress update.

I have had a most wonderful weekend.
Yesterday I spent the day (with Mr Betty and smallest boy) at a little village near us called Chorltonville. It is a little area of Chorlton that is very lovely with great cafe's, shops and restaurants. The local pub holds a Vintage fair and it is rather good.
I myself have never had a stall but I will be mentioning it to my pal Jayne when I see her and I feel we may be a part of it in the future.
Mr Betty bought me a super, orange (he knows me well) ice bucket.



I spent all my money at the farmers Market. I bought Uncle Peters fudge and shortcake, I also purchased a couple of scone purely based on the fact that I have some clotted cream in my fridge, slippery slope I know!

Last night we had a child free night so took advantage by going out early with our most bestest of friends for a slap up meal and plenty of drinkies..twas bliss.

Today Mr Betty and myself woke early????? It turned out to be really early when we realised the clock thing had occurred but this was actually a blessing. We usually rock up to the carboot sales as the sellers are packing away but not today!! We actually saw some peeps setting up, a miracle.
I had such great luck today. So many little pottery critters, so much crafty supply items.
Here are a few snaps of my treasures.












The little critters are salt or pepper pots which is great as I have quite a collection now.
The red clog is quite large and is actually a money box, so pretty.
The cheeseboard was only 40p can you believe. It now sits with my other cheeseboard and Mr Betty was very pleased as we now have a cheeseboard each.



We are now off to swimming followed by a pizza tea.
This might seem a bit extravagant after last nights feasting but we feel it is justified as our wonderful friends treated us last night which was just lovely.

As promised in this blogs title I must now update you on my crochet progress, particularly for Sophie as I am sure she is worried sick ;)
I mentioned something ridiculous about a large blanket as my first project. I have actually made a mug cozy that is not large.
What I must say though is that crochet is amazing. It is addictive, it is therapeutic and it made my journey to and from Birmingham a joy.
The blanket will happen I am convinced. I just need lots more practice and that will not be a chore in the least. Crochet rocks!! X



Thursday 27 October 2011

1st sale on Etsy....whoop!

Today I have been blessed with my first sale on Etsy. I am thrilled.
It has given me the oomph to add more items and get more focused. This will not occur however til Saturday as I am working in Birmingham tomorrow ( working at my more serious job sadly).
Here are some pics of some extremely random things just for the sake of it!






I would like to thank a certain person for making me feel more blog confident by adding some really sweet comments and supporting my attempts at crochet.
Fading-grace
Her blog is absolutely fab too.
Just received my Mollie Makes magazine so tonight I will mostly be drinking tea, eating fruit cake and pouring over Mollies great pages of inspiration.





There may be some more crochet practice too. X

Sunday 23 October 2011

Etsy shop is open for business (hoorah)!

Not wanting to seem too over excited about this blogging lark this will be my last blog of the day.
I have just opened my Etsy shop and have added the link to my profile page.It has taken me (well actually more Mr Betty) hours.
Only a few bits to start with whilst I test the water so to speak. Here are a few piccies for perusal purposes.









It is all very exciting and I am feeling that I have achieved all the things I wanted to achieve this weekend except for any household chores whatsoever, they will just have to wait. X

Hook confusion.
















I am just dipping my toe into the world of crochet and what a confusing world it is!
All I am initially aiming for is a chunky blanket made up of random squares pieced together. I made this decision based on the fact that I feel it is all I can really hope for. Anyway, I purchased some wool of the chunky variety, my mother laughed in a ' I am an experienced crocheter and that ain't gonna work' kind of way.......she was right. I then thought, whilst awake for some agitated, early morning hours that what I actually need is a massive big hook. Epiphany I feel.
I asked Mr Betty to drive me to John Lewis (I do drive but I had no petrol in my car and I had better things to spend my money on) so I could purchase said hook. I bought a few more, overpriced haberdashery essentials too, obviously!
To cut to the chase, it works!!!! So chuffed and relieved as I could do with more than 4 hours sleep tonight.
Pictures will follow of my blanket progress when I reach the skill level to not completely embarrass myself amongst all the pro crocheters who also blog.
Don't, whatever you do, hold your breath on this one, progress is painfully slow.
Wish me luck and I really would welcome any crochet advice. X






Friday 21 October 2011

My dumpty

Whilst checking in on dottie angel and fading grace I have felt the need to blog (again) today regarding 'dumpties'.
I just love them. I have a few. They are great for feet, coffee on a tray and to rest a laptop.



Just updated one using a doilly and a bit of tapestry thread and placed my dottie angel monkey tray on top which keeps my cuppa nice and steady.

1st tale from the end of the runway

Where to start?
I think it most important that I explain, by way of photo evidence, why my tales come from 'the end of the runway'



Yes, it is grey and it is rather a disappointing choice of plane but I was very keen to get started right away (she says after starting the blog some months earlier).
I have had so much joy and inspiration from other people's blogs that I made a decision to start my own and share some of my tales.
I will also be opening an Etsy shop. I have had a real life, bricks and mortar kind of a shop before and I have a stall at a local Vintage fair on a regular basis so I figured 'why not?'.
I will be sitting at my little desk trying to work out how to start said shop and probably calling for Mr Bettys help at regular intervals.......wish me luck!



I might, however, sit on the couch and eat biscuits whilst thinking about said shop. It is Friday!!


Here's hoping for a happy, productive weekend. OBx