Leftovers!!!

Today I've been very productive.  I've fitted the new carpet in the bathroom, I've built a new chest of drawers for Eve's bedroom (wardrobe still to be done) and I've loaded up the car with the old dismantled furniture and cardboard boxes, ready to take it to the tip tomorrow.

I'm even making good progress on my various knitting projects.  I've finished the jumper I was knitting - a long-line aran weight jumper, with raglan sleeves.  I was using up yarn leftover from a previous cardigan project (there was a lot leftover as I'd misjudged the amount I needed!).  As I was knitting it, I just had that feeling that I wasn't going to like it, but I kept going and now that it's finished - I still don't like it.

This is the problem - I feel compelled to use all my leftover yarn, but then I end up just knitting things for the sake of it, rather than knitting with new yarn and making something I really want.  So I haven't taken any photos of the jumper yet - I will do at some point - and may be I'll get some wear from the jumper - but I think it's best to move on and forget about it.

Fortunately, I have also finished something that I do like.

This is the third time I've knitted up this pattern for fingerless mittens - it's such a perfect fit and ideal for sock yarn.

This particular sock yarn is leftover (yes - more leftovers!) from my Very Berry socks ( my October socks).  I love the colours in this yarn.  This time I actually managed to get the stripes lined up correctly on each mitten.  Full details of this project are on my Ravelry project page, here.

So far, with this lovely sock yarn, I have made socks, the mittens and a little mini sweater.  I still have about 10 grammes leftover.

The little ball of yarn is sitting, staring at me accusingly - "Use me!" it says - Stash busting is so stressful.

On a different note, I had a lovely message from Judy in sunny Australia who has crocheted these sweet mini Christmas wreaths from my pattern.

She has made them for gifts for her friends in her sewing group.  Judy says -

"We are a smocking & needlework group; we supply 27 Sydney hospital's with smocked gowns, knitted rugs, booties & caps for preemie & still born babies.  Sadly this work is on going.  We supplied 1,000 gowns this year with all the other items.  

Our website is Smocking Arts Guild of NSW Inc.  We are also on Facebook."

What fantastic work the group does, and how lovely of Judy to make the gifts for her friends.  It is always wonderful to hear how my patterns are being used.  It makes me feel so humble.

Have a lovely weekend everyone.

Over To You

I love seeing projects that other people make from my patterns.  Ravelry is great for this but it's also lovely to receive emails direct.

Here are pictures from two projects of which I have recently received details.

The first is "Violet"  made by Carol using my Buttercup Bear pattern.

I love the expressive face and the colour of the bear is delightful.

The second project is by Jill, this lovely hedgehog is called "Norman" and is made from my Heidi Hedgehog pattern.

Norman has the distinction of being part of a record breaking event.  Here is what Jill wrote to me;

"The girls of the The Craft Club Yarnbombers organised their Guinness World Record attempt for most crochet sculptures in one display, in aid of Little Havens Hospice in Essex. The theme was Enid Blyton's book The Magic Faraway Tree stories, so lots of woodland creatures were needed. They deserve a medal for all their hard work and enthusiasm. The world record was 4,061 items. They smashed it with 13,388 items sent in by crafters, including many from Japan and USA. Here's a picture from their Facebook page of Norman leading the other hedgehogs through the woods. "

What a fabulous achievement.  You can learn more over on The Craft Club Yarnbombers Facebook page.

Thank you to Carol and Jill for sharing their lovely projects with me.

Little Bear

I recently received an email from Diann in Peoria, AZ, USA sending me a photo of the lovely bear she made using my Buttercup Bear pattern.

Isn't he wonderful.  This is her first crocheted animal and I think she's done a great job.

I love seeing the finished projects made from my patterns.  It's amazing how unique each of the finished items are.  

Inspired

I never tire of seeing the beautiful creations that other people make.  I love to feel the tingle of inspiration that ignites a new idea of my own.  So it is even better when you find that the things you have done or made have, in turn, provided there own inspiration for someone else.

I have recently been contacted by Tina Montagna who has been inspired by the things I have made and done for my daughters' birthdays in the past.  Her own daughter has just turned 18 and for her birthday Tina has been very creative.  She has kindly allowed me to share her photos with you all.

She has crocheted a cake, a crown, a card and some mini T-shirts with her daughter's name on.

They are all amazing, so much beautiful work and I especially love the cake.

Grace's 21st birthday fast approaches, so inspired by Tina's wonderful work, I need to get creating.

A Little Bit of Sunshine

Well, the rain has arrived here today.  It's still hot and humid but now it's cloudy and wet.

Thank goodness there is a little bit of sunshine still around.

This welcome sight was made by Mae from El rincon de Mae using my pattern, here.

The last day of the Olympics and I never got round to knitting an Olympic athlete but Mary Haggerty did.  Check out her Olympic park over on the BBC site, here, it's amazing.

Another Project

I'm working my way through my emails that have accumulated over the past week and I've just come across a lovely message from Larissa Liu.  She has sent me a picture of the bear she made as a gift for a friend's baby boy from my Buttercup Bear pattern .

He looks wonderful, so cuddly, and I love his tie which is apparently made from an old shirt belonging to her husband.

Home from Holiday

Hi everyone.  I've just got back from a wonderfully relaxing holiday in a remote cottage in Wales.  I'll post pictures once I've got myself organised.

In the meantime, here's some cute pics of a Fair Isle Mouse made by atlowery at To Live A Life.

The mouse is made with handspun yarns which, I think, gives it a lovely rustic feel.

Other People's Projects

I love seeing the finished projects that have been made from my patterns.  It gives me a warm feeling inside when I see how an idea of mine has been taken up, developed and adapted.

Here are some Fair Isle Mice made by Grace Paretree.

I like the i-cord tail made in the same colour as the Fair Isle.

This doily was made by Corina at Stitch11 from my Pansy Doily pattern.

A very imaginative use of colours - resulting in a very distinctive doily.

That's what crafting should be all about - being inspired to make, adapt and personalise.  Happy crafting everyone.

Mae's Bear

Isn't this bear so cute.  It was made by Mae from Alcobendas, Spain.    

I love the big smiley face.  The bear was made using my Buttercup Bear pattern.  


Mae has made lots of other lovely crochet toys.  Check out her blog called el rincon de Mae.  

Beautiful Waistcoat

When I'm on Ravelry, I love looking at the projects people have completed using my patterns.  It's so interesting to see the different ways in which a pattern can be interpreted.

I've recently been sent a link to a new blog, called 'i'vegotknits' by Emily.  She has made my Maggie waistcoat. Here's a picture from her blog.

I love the choice of pink for the background colour - it seems so vibrant and summery.  Why not pop over to her blog now and see the rest of the photos.

More Mice

I've just visited Ginny's blog at Ginx Crafts to see the Fair Isle Mice she has made from my pattern.

They are so cute and I love the cat.

My Patterns for Sale? - I Think Not

I've recently been notified that one of my FREE patterns is available for sale on another website!!!!

I love designing and making things and part of the pleasure in this is sharing the patterns with everyone and seeing the results of their work, especially on Ravelry. 

I make no financial profit from my patterns so I don't think anyone else should exploit my time and effort by offering for sale what I give FREELY. 

If you ever come across one of my patterns for sale on another site, please let me know. 

On a happier note, here is a picture of Parky the Polar Bear. 

Parky the Polar Bear

He was made by Linda Kennedy from my Arthur the Polar Bear pattern.  Great job Linda. 

Brown Bear

I love it when I see pictures of projects people have made using my patterns.  Here is a picture from Mississippi of Anne's "Brown Bear" made for her new Grandson Colby. 

Isn't he gorgeous. 

Anne made him using my Buttercup Bear pattern. 

I'm pleased to say that this pattern is the most popular of all my patterns and it really is heart-warming to see all the bears - I feel like a kind of Godmother to them all.

Grace - some beginnings

An exciting day for Grace today - she starts her first ever job!!  She's working for an electronics company for four months over the summer - a great experience for her.  I'm sure she'll enjoy it.  Unfortunately she has a long train journey each way but we've bought her lots of interesting books to read and she'll be able to do loads of knitting and crocheting. 

She promised herself that when her exams were out of the way she would start her own blog - and in the last few days she has got it up and running.  It's called The Smiling Robot. 

Give it a visit - she'll appreciate it. 

One Day to Go

I went down to Breakfast this morning and found this wonderful note from Eve.

It's going to be a busy day but once I've done the shopping, changed the beds, loaded the washing machine etc. I plan to put my feet up and watch the DVD of Alice in Wonderland.

I've already seen the film twice but I couldn't resist getting the DVD - so that will be my treat for today, while I wait to become fabulous and fifty!

Here's a picture of my goody bag pattern made by Jisha Madhu from Oman.

You can check out her blog, Lovely Life, here. There's some lovely embroidery work on it.

Miss Mouse

Here's a picture of Miss Mouse made from my Monica Mouse pattern by Lace Top Designs. She's very cute and I like the whiskers.

You can see more pics here.

Lace Top Designs is a great blog and has lots of really lovely crafty ideas and inspiring designs - so why not take a peek.

Mannsen by Sylke

Sylke from Norway has got in touch to invite me to look at pictures on her blog of her version of Buttercup Bear.

I hope she doesn't mind if I use a picture from her blog.

If you want to see more of her pictures her blog is lysstreif. blogspot.com.

Her bear is called Wilderness Bear Mannsen and I love the trousers she has made for him.