t'other Blogeroonie

2012-02-05T16:28:00.001Z

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next 6 months project

2012-02-04T21:37:00.002Z

This is the yarn for my next project which will take me anything form 6 months to a year. Hopefully I'll have time of rather crocheting but this will be the main one :)

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Tea cosy

2012-02-04T19:45:00.002Z

My teapot has been cold- bless it. But really, my tea chills. I had decided to make a tea cosy. The pattern I had was a wee bit small so I thought I'd get my teapot here next to me in the lounge and make it up as I went along. The kids thought it was hilarious to have the teapot in the lounge.
A wee bit of frogging ensued but not a lot really.
I was going to make it in cotton but decided against it when I found this gorgeous green Merino that I had stashed. It was bought to make socks lol but I never got round to using it.
I wanted to put flowers on it- that may well happen at a later date. It'll add more insulation as well won't it.
It literally took me about an hour to make. Am very happy with it :)

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Happy birthday to my beautiful Erin

2012-01-31T05:57:00.002Z

Waiting

2012-01-29T10:23:00.000Z

My job is going well, few teething issues have now been sorted and I'm settling in to the job, I don't have as much time as I'd like to craft anymore but I do have a blankie or two on the go lol.
I'm also waiting to hear if there's space in a crochet club for me to joi. The project is a 6 month long crochet along, I probably won't finish it in 6 months as I'm also making my granny square blanket but so what. It'll get finished eventually :)

Hooky hooky

2012-01-29T10:19:00.001Z

My girls learning to crochet. They have blagged and blagged me to teach them :) Even though I'm a teacher by trade I was getting very frustrated ;)

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5 months on

2012-01-29T09:51:00.000Z

It's been 5 months since I made the decision to stop blogging for a while. It's been odd in a way to not blog- since I started paper crafting when Erin was a baby I've photographed everything, since I won't put pictures of the kids on Facebook I've not had a medium for putting pictures up for friends to see. My childhood best friend lives in Bristol and I love seeing pictures of her little boy on FB but I'm quite anti doing it myself. I guess my blog, even though it's more public is also less public as less people would think to look for it. Mad ramblings there lol.

Anyway what's happened in the last 5 months.

I finished my scarf. No, it didn't take me that long- it was in the caravan until a few weeks ago, I finished it in an evening.

My Swyn turned 4

Christmas came and went

A couple of gins have been drunk

And some vodka trifles

My sock yarn blankie WIP.

My first knitting attempt- at a stop for the moment.

A cowl I'm knitting. Wip.

Some granny squares for another blankie.

Yummy Debbie Bliss cash merino for said blankie. Softlier than soft.

My girls this morning. It's Erin's party later today. She turns 8 on Tuesday. Where has the time gone?

What more to say?

2011-08-21T19:53:00.001+01:00

I'm hardly having any time to craft anymore. My new job and my family mean that my time is severely limited. I've been away all summer and the kids have had a fab time but we're coming to the end of the school holidays and pretty soon it's back to reality. I feel that I've come a full circle. Reality is calling me back from blogland. The internet was an important part of my life for a few years but now things have changed. I have amazing friends here in real life- you know who you are. My kids are superb, I have an astoundingly rewarding job and no time left for the internet. Anyone want to contact me do so through hmelton1@btinternet.com. Bit of a lol moment there I may be back when life quietens down but until then I say to you- adieu

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Another catchup

2011-08-05T12:03:00.001+01:00

3 in 2 days. This is my WIP. It's derived from a glitterball and baby alpaca that I spun myself. It's taken me ages as I just don't have the time. I plied them together and have started crocheting a granny scarf/ neck warmer. It's too wide but I couldn't undo it as it's so fine. I e do much fibre to spin and then crochet. Hopefully come winter I'll have more time in the evenings.

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Been a while

2011-08-05T07:36:00.001+01:00

It's been a while since I posted on my blog. I've been flat out at work, too tired in the evenings to craft and generally freaking out about my new job. Just general insecurities, nothing too major. Bought a campervan and have been away a few times this summer. Nowhere too far- dinas Dinlle being beautiful and handy enough. The weather there is fab, there's a gulfstream there and so the weather can be different to the rest of the area.
As an aside- ARO- has your new arrival arrived?

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Fab news

2011-06-16T06:22:00.000+01:00

I've had a new job, am very very happy but petrified at the same time. It's at the same place I work now but is full time and is also the promotion which I have always wanted. I applied for this a few years ago at a different school but didn't get it due to my lack of experience at the time. Busy times ahead

Complete

2011-06-05T19:04:00.002+01:00

My 3rd blankie since I started last November. I have other bits on the go but am mega chuffed with this blankie. I love the colours. It's Stylecraft Acrylic

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Fresh air

2011-06-04T14:49:00.001+01:00

A couple of gratuitous photos of where I sit while the kids are in the pool

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Decorated frame

2011-05-29T20:59:00.002+01:00

Back to papercrafting today. Met up with some fabulous friends and went totally outside my comfort zone to create this decoupaged frame. Loads of cutting and faffing and I really enjoyed the day.
Have been spinning like mad and finally got the knack but it's all in the car at the moment. I'm really loving this spinning lark and am meeting loads of funny lovely people who treat me with respect and who enjoy my company without an agenda. I've loads going on with work at the moment, very busy studying for my course and also busy sorting work in general but loving it.
Catch you all later

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Baa Baa Black sheep....

2011-05-18T20:16:00.000+01:00

and white sheep... and they do have wool. Have finally finished my wheel. My girls helped me 'decorate' the wheel. Also some MErino that I spun from my mum's stash...

Cherry ripe merino by Rachel Meek- not a very good photo I'm sorry

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Niddy Noddy

2011-05-15T13:50:00.000+01:00

Ian made me a Niddy Noddy this morning so I can put my wool into skeins once I've spun it. We didn't have any dowelling so he used some slats from something we've got and made one. I tested it and have started sanding it. Lookee what I made this morning. This was the wool top and is Scotland Shetland wool hand dyed by MHE Yarns.

and this is the completed skein of wool- woo hoo

Here's my Niddy Noddy

and this is some wool I spun last week and have Niddy Noddied into a skein today

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My haul

2011-05-14T18:52:00.000+01:00

and what a haul it is. Went to my mother's today and came away with all this fibre. Lots and lots of lovely wool for me to spin. Mum used to be a felter and this was her wool collection. I am so going to have loads of fun with this. I just want some carders now and I can mix them up. Most of them are tops and I want to put them into batts- or so I think :)

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My wool

2011-05-13T21:42:00.002+01:00

This is the first wool for me to spin

and this is the second.

I adore spinning. It's fab and so relaxing. Going to take time to learn to spin evenly but not bad for a first attempt :)
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Needs a name

2011-05-11T22:45:00.001+01:00

My new baby

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Bargain

2011-05-09T08:40:00.001+01:00

Down from £45 to £25 because of a couple if rips that I sewed up in 2 mins

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Butlins

2011-04-30T08:55:00.000+01:00

Well we're back from holiday. Im writing this from Minehead but i won't be posting it till we get back- security. Its been hard not posting comments on facebook i can tell you.
Travelled to Cardiff on Sunday. Went to the Bay, saw the millennium centre and the bay. We stayed at Cardiff North Premier Inn, gorgeous hotel, fantastic breakfast.
Monday morning we drove on to Minehead where Ian had booked us a holiday. The kids adore it here, we go swimming every day, see different shows every day and also we get to go on the fair. Yesterday we hired a family bike, and we had a hoot wandering around the site. Ian didn't notice for a while that I was just sitting there!!! Hehe. Anyways, some pictures for you

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Happy Easter

2011-04-23T20:05:00.001+01:00

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Latest invention

2011-04-18T14:46:00.001+01:00

Well not invention exactly but a handy system for my multicoloured squares. I've made some into smaller balls and popped them in a Tupperware pot. Hook and scissors also fit into pot. So very handy. Am sitting outside at the moment while the kiddly winks play. Bliss

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Young male driver

2011-04-17T19:25:00.000+01:00

On my way back from the crop tonight, chatting away and tootling along at a sensible speed - came face to face with an idiot on the wrong side of the road on a blind bend and the brow of a hill.
I braked and luckily he managed to get in in time. Moron was overtaking. I started off again and pulled in to the next layby.
I was angry and upset- and also peed off that it happened too fast for me to get his number. My friend said he was in an Astra- we very nearly ended up as Astral beings. I don't think I've ever been so close to a head on collision.

oh what to write as a title :)

2011-04-17T07:46:00.000+01:00

No idea what to write as a title. We've been busy of late, as is the norm really. It's our Easter holidays for the next 2 weeks. We've loads planned including a week of intensive swimming lessons for Erin. She's been having lessons at the municipal pool for 4 years now and I don't feel that she's coming along as well as she could be. She's in a class of 8 or 9 kids with 1 instructor and to be honest I'm not keen on the way they teach them taking one across the pool at a time. It's certainly different to how I was taught and also how I was taught to teach swimming. Yes, that's right I did the instructors course myself. My insurance lapsed though so it's years since I taught swimming. I've tried with Erin myself but she won't listen to me- as is typical of your own kids.
Anyways I've booked her in this week, 40 minutes a day one to one, I'm hoping she'll develop her stroke and become a stronger swimmer. I'm finished with the municipal. I'm planning on doing the same with Swyn when she's old enough and bypass the flipping swimming lessons. Honestly I lose the will to live once a week watching her lessons and her not improving.

Work is fine, had the external moderator in last week which went exceedingly well. No idea what's happening next year yet though.

Am working on a couple of hooky projects at the moment. I started a granny stripe and got fed up a foot into it so I'm going guerilla with it- :) Pics not too far away I hope. I'm also busy using up some Sirdar Calico cotton mix that I have. Have put myself on a stash ban until I've used up most of my current stock. I will not allow myself to build a yearn mountain like I did with the papercrafting.

Have found a fab way of chronicling my photos and having them to look at- PHOTO BOOKS. They're fab and take up less space than my scrapbooks. I make them and save them online and then wait till they're half price- I don't want my photos languishing on the computer but neither do I have any interest in scrapbooking at the moment so this is the best solution for me at the moment.

Anyroad, we went to Penrhyn castle yesterday with some friends. We didn't get there till gone 3 and only managed some of the grounds but to be honest I think that's better than forcing the kids to traipse round all day. Better to do it in bite size chunks and also very easy to do when you're a member of the National Trust and not paying for individual entry.
Erin and Swyn had a fab time with their friend watching the tadpoles in the walled garden.

Adios

Complete?

2011-04-12T10:38:00.001+01:00

Or do I need to do something between the flowers? I haven't decided yet :)

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Flower motif

2011-04-02T12:50:00.001+01:00

There are many many patterns for these flowers online. I've looked at many flowers but adapted my own pattern for my blanket. You can join them as you go or at the end. I'm using James Brett 100% merino wool for mine. Have seen scarves made with Debbie Bliss.

Anyway start by chaining 6 and then joining to form a circle.

Chain 4 from the original circle

Triple stitch into the circle plus one chain.

10 triples with a chain between them. Join into the first stitch so you have a nice circle.

Chain 5, then triple into the gap and chain 2. Carry on triple stitch and 2 chains between the triples all the way round.

You'll have 12 'columns' then close the 'circle'.
Join your second colour into the chain. Chain 3, then 3 triples so you have 4 triple stitches into the gap

Continue all the way round 4 stitches per gap.

Come to the end, slip stitch to close. Change to third colour.

Chain 5 then slip stitch after 4 stitches. Chain 5, slip stitch after 4. Continue all the way round.

Slip stitch into the last 'gap'.

Hook through under your first 'petal' then chain 3. This is your first part of the petal.

7 triples so you have a petal made up of 8 chains.

Slip stitch into the gap between each petal. Slip stitch under the chain again then chain 3 and then 7 triples. Close again by slip stitch into the base of the petal.

Continue until all 12 petals are complete.

Apologies for the not very good descriptions of how to do things x

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77

2011-04-02T08:24:00.002+01:00

77 flowers down, no idea how many to go :). If I want one to fit a single bed I'll probably need a fair few more. I wqorked it out that I'd need 180 for my bed so probably 150 ish. I'll just keep laying it out. I'm really enjoying working it to be honest. I won't make the same mistake as I made. With my granny blanket which was to start another straight away so. I need to think of my next blankie after this, a new pattern or motif. Don't fancy a ripple blankie, I do fancy a granny square blankie with different sized squares. Some of e normal sized ones and some of the tiny ones. Need to work out how many I'll need.

My new iPad is fab by the way. I realise that I am very very lucky to have one so soon, loads of people have a 4 week wait. Luckily Ian knew of a company that specialises in Mac and when I wanted to order on the Sunday they had 57 still in stock. Loads of people had tried to buy on the Friday and places were sold out. I ordered mine Sunday and by the Monday they had sold out as and most shops in the uk.

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What's to say

2011-04-02T08:09:00.001+01:00

Not an awful lot going on at the moment. Work is work study is study. I'm still crocheting. The flower blanket and have put my loom away for now. I'll get it out again w hen I've finished the flower blanket. The house is on the Market, we've had a few viewings, apparently the average is 15 viewings and it takes a year to sell!
I've gone off the idea of where we're going to move to so it looks like we'll have to rent for a while. I'm just hoping we manage to sell this summer so I can get the kids settled from September rather than moving them mid year. I still have no idea what's happening with my job next year, it's very hard but that's life. Everything is up in the air with the house and work and school.
I'm off to lay the blankie out and photograph it

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talked myself into ...

2011-03-28T18:43:00.000+01:00

.... an iPad 2. I didn't go for the iPad 1 last year as I had a feeling that there would be a new iPhone out an sure enough within a few days there was. I'm sure there will be an iPhone 5 out soon but thought what the heck. I've sidelined my scrapping to not a lot and am filming the girls far more. I really fancy a touch screen for video editing. I'm not sure what I need an iPhone, Mac Book Pro and an iPad for but here goes- soon find out.

Gratuitous

2011-03-26T22:10:00.001Z

Photos of my blankie. First is intended layout, second is all the flowers.
I've ordered a new iPad 2 for myself. I'm looking forward to digital movie editing on the iPad, am doing a lot on the iPhone and want to do even more, plus Its a gadget and I love my gadgets

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Kids blankie

2011-03-26T06:17:00.001Z

Is growing. Quite quickly as well x

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49 down.

2011-03-21T17:53:00.001Z

Half way do you think? Am living this blankie. Don't think I'll enjoy joining it but I'm loving the motifs. James Brett merino wool.

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My next blankie....

2011-03-16T19:18:00.001Z

.... Will be made up of Japanese flowers. Beautiful Merino wool, idea pinched from my friend Lana who is making a scarf with this motif

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2011-03-11T22:22:00.001Z

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Table runner

2011-03-10T05:56:00.001Z

Here's my first weave!!!! A table runner made with Rico cotton for both the warp and the weft

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Finished

2011-02-26T17:47:00.002Z

My Granny Blanket- complete. Fits on my double bed

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Wip

2011-02-25T09:24:00.001Z

My very first weaving project- in progress

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FElting and extreme hooky

2011-02-22T22:09:00.002Z

Here's a bag I've been meaning to hook and felt for a few weeks. This is it before it went in the machine. It's been through twice but I want to felt it further so shall stick it in the dryer tomorrow then photograph it

And here's a present from my friend at Christmas. It was a massive hook and massive fabric/yarn ball. I hooked and frogged tonight trying to decide on size. It only took about 45 minutes to complete

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just ordered.....

2011-02-21T22:49:00.002Z

.......me a loom.

I hook (crochet) and have started a knitting/crochet group. Tonight we had a new member who had on a beautiful woven scarf. We got nattering and she recommended a loom for me- have come home and been my usual impulsive self and ordered one I can't wait for it to arrive.

3 inches

2011-02-20T22:18:00.002Z

Yup, 3 inches is what I have left till my blankie is 6 foot long. woop de dooooo

So excited

2011-02-19T16:00:00.001Z

Lookee what I've got.

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busy bee

2011-02-14T17:46:00.000Z

What am I up to at the moment? Well I'm hooking hooking whenever i get chance- I've my bloanket with about a foot to go on it. Whenever I go out I take the girls' which I've just started. The ripple granny has foxed me for ages- I've hooked and frogged, hooked and frogged over and over and finally I THINK I've got it cracked. THen I'm making an ordinary granny blanket for them as well.

I'm flat out busy with the house, trying to get some semblance of order here in preparation for putting it on the market. Am also trying to fit in study. This is very hard as the kids are permanently distracting me. I may go into work early on Wednesday to get a couple of hours done.

Birthday treat

2011-02-13T20:39:00.001Z

My birthday was last weekend but it was also the first Saturday after Erin's birthday so we had her birthday celebrations instead of mine. Today I left the house at 8 to be at the spa for 8.30 . I had a lovely morning, totally relaxing and chilling. I had 2 treatments and spent ages i'n the sauna and spa pool. I spent ages contemplating and reminiscing. The sauna did something to me lol. The smell transported me back to 20 years ago and a gym I used to be a member of. There was a sauna there as well and I loved the sauna after my gym session. I was also reminded of the time I used to write, poems, plays, short stories. Even if I day so myself I have a very vivid imagination and was in my time a talented writer. I suppose its all part and parcel of being creative, creating and playing- be it with words, with paper or with wool. I've always striven to succeed, to push myself and to be the best. Pushing boundaries and wanting to move onto new ground. I did it with my writing and papercrafting- I was published many times in several magazines- no mean feat and a measure of accomplishment.
Anyway today I started a novel- shame it was in my head and not on paper x

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Dead wood

2011-02-06T22:51:00.000Z

Getting rid of dead wood. It's been coming for a while. Negativity and jealousy. Being let down, being second best. The realisation hurts. Someone you loved wasn't who you thought they were. Being let down. Worse than that- your children being treated like shit.
A few months ago I got rid of some dead wood. I have to say that my life has improved a million fold since then. No longer do I have to listen to people who think they're better than other people- nor listen to comments about people said to me and then something said totally differently to the target. No longer do i have to tolerate jealousy nor shit stirring. As I said- life is bloody good. Things are on the move.

My new pinny

2011-02-03T17:48:00.002Z

My new Laura Ashley pinny - I love it. Life is good, as is well with the world. Lots and lots going on that I can't mention on here just yet but it's all good and positive.
My blankie is nearly finished- it's 4 foot long now- only another couple of weeks I reckon. Not bad to consider I thought I'd fallen behind with it- that's due to lots of top secret projects that have been taking my time- coming to a newsagents near you :)
Also been asked to teach crochet- quite excited about that.

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Back to Uni

2011-01-29T06:35:00.000Z

Yup that's right, I'm going back to university. Unfortunately it's not to complete my PHd which I would loe one day to do but fear the old grey matter is too far gone to do now. Nope I'm off back to uni to hopefully complete a course which will benefit my work. I'm all a flutter with excitement and trepidation. I'm unsure whether I have what it takes to do it and also looking forward to the challenge.
The house is going on the market this spring so I also have loads to do tarting the place up ready to sell. The girls' bedroom is depserate for a paintover- I haven't touched it since we replastered the far wall plus my darling angels have been peeling the border- little monkeys. So- new course- work is frantic and tarting this place up- I am going to be busy I think :)

3 foot

2011-01-22T09:31:00.001Z

I've just measured my blanket and it is 3 foot long now- that is some achievement :)
3 weeks Monday coming since I started it :)
We've had a new telly, well its new to us. Its from my dad's office and is a 32 incher :)
Only problem is we now need a DVD player for it- the telly I had before is the one from my bedroom and had an inbuilt dvd player.
I'm also going to buy an Apple TV so that I can watch stuff from the Mac, my iPhone and the iPod as well as hiring movies through it. It looks very good and I'm looking forward to getting it.
I've had my hair cut and am having it coloured on Sunday- all good. Work is hard in lots of ways. Job insecurity is rife with all the cuts and redundancies are imminent I think. I think that I will be one to go but the job will stay and be done by someone else. I've not been told this but it's just a feeling I have. I'm upset as I love my job but am only temporary so can't expect anything else to be honest. All my fault for resigning from my previous job when Erin was a baby. I should have stayed there but there were extenuating circumstances as to why I had to leave and my personal sanity couldn't take it.
Loads to do at work which is good although I'd like to know if I'll be delivering the course next year or whether someone else will reap the rewards of my work now. It's a wait and see game and in the current economic climate there's no such thing as a job for life unfortunately

NO news

2011-01-21T21:16:00.000Z

Nothing new today- dash to hospital last night with Swyn- thought she'd broken her arm- luckily she hadn't. Blanket still coming along- I'll photograph it tomorow. Work is good. Hard but good, lots on and job insecurities everywhere. Off to hook

Yarn bag

2011-01-18T21:15:00.001Z

For taking to stitch and bitch- bought from Nicsknots, holds one ball and keeps it off the floor x

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Planning

2011-01-15T21:02:00.002Z

Well my blanket is coming along nicely. It's nearly two foot long now. The kids adore snuggling under it while I crochet- not the easiest of things to do. Here's my Erin with yarn SHE has chosen to make a blanket for her and Swyn. She won't crochet it :) but she has chosen the colours and as soon as I have finished my blankie I'll start on one of theirs. Erin is besotted with the yarn and is writing lists of colours and orders she wants. Not bad when you think that it'll cost me £30 to crochet 2 single blankets- £15 each for heirlooms for my girls :)
Mine'll have cost me about £30- £1.40 a ball from Masons and superfast delivery. I ordered it 7.10pm on the 13th so Thursday night after close of business and it was waiting for me in my parcelsafe today.

Here's a gratuitous photo of my Swyn

blankie

Swyn snuggling while i hook

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Stitch and bitch

2011-01-13T19:53:00.001Z

I went to a new stitch and bitch group last night- it was lovely to meet other ladies who play with wool. Some knitters, felters and bobble makers. We had fun.

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Blanket progress

2011-01-11T12:53:00.001Z

Over a foot into it now. I hope to be finished in a month. Really enjoying crocheting this.

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My blanket

2011-01-09T22:33:00.002Z

Here's the starting chain. 240 chains. Started on the 4th January 2011

Here's the first few rows. Taken 5th January 2011

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Broken foot and granny slippers

2011-01-09T21:50:00.001Z

I've broken my foot, I slipped last Monday morning and dislocated my 4 th toe and also broke my foot in 2 places. Nothing the hospital could do apart for X-ray to confirm and then strap it up. I bought myself some granny slippers, my slip one were hurting too much. Am struggling with the pain and not taking pain killers but I have taken tramadol a few nights just to be pain free for a few hours.

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Been a busy old week

2011-01-09T20:43:00.002Z

Well, being back at work means I don't have as much time for surfing the net or anything else. I've started a blanket and shall post some pics when I can take some in daylight. Mum thinks it'll take me years to complete- I'm hoping to have it finished in 4 or 5 weeks :)

We were meant to have our crop today but my friend is poorly so we didn't go. I went to Bangor shopping instead and got some Denby plates for £40 and also a new quilt cover for £11- bargainous. I also picked up a bucket for my yarn as I'm finding the bag I made slightly too floppy so I now have the bag inside the box.

My Swyn is having a fab time at Ysgol Feithrin- just like her sister did- no tears or anything which is fab for me.

A Dark photo of my blanket- I'll photo it better tomorrow. It's for my bed.

And here are the pictures of my new box.

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Finished and sewn up

2011-01-03T17:06:00.001Z

Finished and sewn up. Cushion itself is made of a t shirt from asda. The colours match perfectly.

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Granny Circle Crochet

2011-01-02T08:48:00.000Z

Well, I've studied and tried to follow various patterns for Granny circles as I want to make a circle cushion. Much crocheting and frogging ensued. I studied a circle on Crocheting with raymond and tried to follow a pattern I found elsewhere but ended up with a wavy cup rather than a circle.
The Yarn I have used is Ricot creative cotton purchased from Cucumber patch who offer fab service and a great range. I actually bought this cotton for another project so this is semi left over. I've bought some more pastel colours and plan to try and make a circular blanket for myself.

Anyway here are the step by step destructions for the Granny Square cushion

1. Chain 6 stitches

2. Slip stitch to join into a circle

3. Chain 3, then make 17 treble stitches- you will have 18 in total

4. Slip stitch to join. I always cut off at this point and then sew in later- I personally find it neater.

6. Using the second colour put your hook through between any two stitches, chain 3 then 2 trebles into the same stitch . You now have 3 trebles, chain one and then 3 trebles. Chain one

7. Miss 2 stitches and then another 3 triples then a chain and then another 3 trebles into the same stitch. Chain between every 6. Continue until you have 6 of these. It will look a bit scallopy and may even be a bit wavy but it will even out. This is the important part- if this goes wrong then the whole thing goes wrong later .

8. Slip stitch to join and cut yarn.

9. Using another colour hook through any stitch and form a chain of 3. Then 2 trebles- this is your first 3 so to speak. *3 trebles then a chain repeat from * Continue all around then slip stitch to join to first chain and cut yarn.

10. New colour, same as previous for joining, this is a series of 6 (remembering to chain 1 between every 3 stitches) so *3 trebles into one stitch and chain then another 3 trebles into the same stitch as the first 3- this gives you a 6, chain one then repeat from *

11. Join new colour as before, chain 3, 2 trebles into same stitch, chain one, *3 trebles into next stitch, chain one and repeat from *.

12. Same as 11

13, As before to join new colour and chain 3 then 5 trebles into the same stitch, chain one, *3 trebles into next stitch chain one, 6 trebles into next stitch chain. Repeat from *

14. 15. Same as 11

16. join as before, chain 3, 2 trebles into same stitch, chain one, *3 trebles into same stitch chain one, 6 trebles into same stitch with a chain after the third, chain one, 3 trebles, chain one. repeat from *

17, 18, 19. Same as 11.

20 Join as before, chain 3, 2 trebles into same stitch, chain one, *3 trebles into same stitch chain one, 6 trebles into same stitch with a chain after the third, chain one, 3 trebles, chain one. 3 trebles into same stitch, chain one repeat from *

That will fit a 20 inch cushion cover- I need to dash into town today to see if I can get some circular cushion inserts otherwise I'm going to have to adapt the square ones I have.

Theoretically and Mathematically I could make a blanket following this formula- I will be trying to make a large blanket once I've finished the second cushion cover.

I shall let you know once I have the time to test my theory :)

Stool cover

2011-01-01T14:42:00.002Z

Rico cotton. Was going to be a blanket but it's waving and I don't want to frog it so I've frogged a little and then put it on my stool in my craft room as a cover

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More Rico

2010-12-31T13:34:00.000Z

Am loving the Rico cotton so I just had to order me some more

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WIP, my youngest and the flu jab

2010-12-30T22:26:00.002Z

Here's my youngest just before she fell asleep tonight- with her babi doll.

Been trying and trying to find a pattern for a granny cushion. I found 2 and neither worked for me, The edges were ruffling and I frogged more than I managed.

Anyway today I found a picture on the lovely Alice's blog. I counted stitches and tried my hardest but still it was cupping like mad. I frogged it and have spent all evening crocheting- frogging, crocheting and now finally it;s working.
It's a WIP, I crochet a round and sometime's it's worked, othertimes I have to frog it anad recrochet. So far so good. It's a perfect circle.
Shall continue more with it tomorrow.

The girls and I have had the flu jab today so am awaiting the dreadful arm that always follows. I get it because I'm immunosuppressed and Erin gets it due to the asthma. When I rang last week I was told that Swyn couldn't have it due to her age- great. I was desperate really and took her with me 'just in case'. as it turns out they had a a vaccine suitable for her as well so it all worked out well. Swine flu scares the hell out of me. In fact all these big illnesses scare me, being badly immunosuppressed I get knocked out by a simple cold let along catching swine flu. Bird flu kept me terrified for years and now people are dying from Swine flu. SO that's us for another year

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Inspirational video - Turning disappointment into joy: From Service Dog ...

2010-12-30T11:39:00.000Z

Sock monkeys

2010-12-29T11:04:00.002Z

The girls got sock monkey kits for Christmas and have been nagging me to help them make them. Well we started off full of good intentions, Erin did a bit of hand stitching but gave up :) after a bit- the stretchy material of socks makes it difficult to stitch. I got the machine out and both girls had a bit of a go with it. I was pressing the pedal ever so slowly and they were guiding the fabric through. Erin also stuffed both monkeys. The kit says 6+ but to be honest I thought they were a bit too much for them.

Anyway both monkeys are complete and the girls love them.

As ever thanks for visiting

A commission

2010-12-28T18:03:00.002Z

Well, sort of. It's been asked for.
I made a load of these for Chistmas for various friends and family. I'd made one myself but that was over 200 stitches long adn then with a scalloped edge. I found it to be just a little bit too long so when I decided that these would be my Christmas gifts this year I experimented and shortened it. The problem with it is that for the scallop edge to work it has to be in a multiple of something so I worked it out. Quite pleased with myself that I managed to get it to work. Mind you I was worried as I was scalloping the edge of the first one. I made some in a hot red and some in this lovely emerald green. I also mixed this green with the black. Unfortunaetly I forgot to photograph them but the colours are beautiful. The black and green one was particulalry striking.

Anyway I made one each for two of my friends and was pleased to hear that one of their daughters kept trying to 'borrow' the scarf. Whilst on the phone the other night I told her I'd make her one of her own and we decided on the green.

It's a chunky acrylic and is made using just under 100g of yarn.

At the start of the summer I started having horrendous bowel problems which I invented all sorts of nasty reasons for and was scared stiff of a visit to the doctor. Anyway to cut a long story short I was diagnosed with IBS and a likely wheat/gluten intolerance. Now, I looked this up on the internet and found that a bad diet is often blamed for IBS. With a 6 month wait to see a specialist ( although we really need to sort out an appointment through our private healthcare) I decided to cut wheat out of my diet, improve it generally and also to supplement my diet with a prebiotic wheat formulation and a probiotic formula. The difference is AMAZING and I am 95% better. BUT and here's the BUT- there is wheat in most things I love, particulalry at Christmas. My fave breakfast is pate on toast, I adore Christmas cake and pudding and I decided that I would just put up with the IBS so I could eat these foods just oevr Christmas.
Gluten free bread is horrible, I even tried to make my own but even the hens wouldn't eat it so I partook of some wholesome whole something or other bread with pate spread generously on it and have also had a slice of Christmas cake and even 2 puddings. Well I have been very ill with it all so am now resigned with not eating any more till I've seen the quack. Popped to Tesco today and bought some corn crackers for my cheese and biscuits :) I'll have to just suffer the gluten free toast as well.

Why am I telling you all this I hear you ask, well when I was given the diagnosis I went off the boil a bit with my scrapbooking. I cancelled my GOGO sub and also resigned as a SU demo- although there is another reason for that as well.

I have found that I can sit and crochet with the family- rather than being locked away in my craft room. I also enjoy the designing aspect of crochet- I have the principles now and am designing a blanket (although I have run out of cotton so am awaiting more and am working with some other cotton blend on a cushion until the new cotton arrives

Thanks, as always for visiting
Heather
xx

Christmas Day pics

2010-12-26T07:54:00.000Z

Ripping pressies open

Swyn playing with Erin's Barbie Puppy Swim School

Erin with her Barbie loves Glitter

Swyn having had her own way

Swyn not getting her own way.

Hope you have a lovely Boxing Day

Christmas Eve pics

2010-12-26T07:44:00.000Z

having been snowed in for 8 days I decided on Christmas Eve to get out of the house and TRY to get up the drive. Got the girls dressed in Chrimble clothes but couldn't get out the drive :( Never mind- guess I'll just have to show you the pictures here.

My beautiful Swyn

Back of her head- I adore those curls

Erin insisted on wearing heart tights

Tracking Santa

2010-12-25T22:05:00.002Z

Here are my beuatiful girls tracking Santa last night. My poor darling Erin just couldn't get to sleep last night. She was terrified that Santa wouldn't come because of some wrongly perceived wrong that she committed. She is such a good girl and I am so proud of her. She is extremely thoughtful and considerate, always says please and thank you and adores her sister and her family. We'd tried to get out of the house in the morning but the car wouldn't go up the track, then I got it stuck in the car park so we spent the day tracking Santa.
We've had a lovely day today, Santa came last night and the girls had everything they wanted. My folks came over but my poor father got called out after the started. Luckily my mum stayed and dad came back for her afterwards so we had a lovely day. It was tinged with sadness that my brother wasn't here as he is quite poorly with Norovirus and mum was missing him and then dad being called away. Christmas day pics will follow tomorrow- they're on the SLR and to be honest I'm a wee bit tired to be faffing with cables :(
Should have used my iPhone.
Ian's booked us a family holiday at Easter as a Christmas present- he HAD said he wasn't going to do it this year but he did

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Another wreath

2010-12-23T20:02:00.001Z

A pressie for my mum. She doesn't read this do I know it's safe to post here

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Snow, kids and washing machine

2010-12-22T21:25:00.002Z

More snow pics- terrifying on many levels. Access to our place is by 4 wd only- luckily my folks have a 4WD and are able to pop over although that scares me the state of our roads on the island. My washing machine broke on friday and I'd taken my washing to my mother in law's. The snow restarted and we ended up having to go in the 4wd to get my washing. Nightmare. My mum and dad very very kindly bought me a new machine as a Chrimbo present adn pictured below is my new all signing all dancing machine.

here are my beautiful girls in their matching jammie tops with our muttley. My fabulous brother delivered the machine today and plumbed it in. Previously I had a Smeg- meant to be an expensive/decent brand but tbh it's been pants. It keeps breaking down and Ian has had to fix it 4 times in the last 6 months. The belt and drive have gone now- £50 for the parts. Until the next thing goes wrong :(
Thanks Mum and dad

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Weather

2010-12-22T20:55:00.002Z

The first day of waking to snow was fab. That was last Friday- we are now on Wednesday and it's hard going. Christmas trade is being affected everywhere- people just can't get out to go shopping. We haven't had any mail for 6 days, I can't even get out of the drive anymore and if I could the roads are horrendous- the council can't afford grit. Ian hasn't been home for 6 days and the girls are missing him like mad. It's quite hardgoing on the homestead- hens and horses need extra care. My neddies are most distressed and look forward to seeing me in the mornings with their hay, feed and water.
My sister in law is on her way up from London and we're hoping she makes it safely.

Here's the snow- a 6 bar gate where you can't see the bar at the base- the snow is about a foot deep

Icicles hanging off the guttering- that'll need replacing as it's being damaged daily.

Something to cheer the end of the post. A springtime wreath, a load of crocheted flowers on a circle shape. Don't know what the term is when you 'borrow' an idea from someone but I found the pattern for this on Lucy's blog over at Attic 24.

And in other news- I've resigned as a Stampin Up demonstator- effective immediately. I'm not going into why I've done it but it has nothing to do with Stampin Up which is a fabulous company with fabulous products. I WILL be back with them in 6-8 months. I'm reviewing things in my life- changes ahead.

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flippin snow

2010-12-21T22:30:00.000Z

it's terrible- this snow- it's causing me all sorts of problems on the homestead- the neddies need extra care as do the hens and then there's the exit- a load of pants to get off- a car got stuck today and I don't think I'll get off in the next few days. My washing machine has packed up- took the clothes to my Mother in law's this morning and then got snowed in- my folks came to rescue us tonight as well as Santa's pressies- we all know he needs his pressies nearby. Don't know if we'll be doing Xmas via facetime with Ian to be honest. It's over a foot deep here and I really don't think he'll be home for the festival. Woop de dooh to those that really wanted snow

She adores

2010-12-21T11:57:00.001Z

The Christmas decs x

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Peed off ponies

2010-12-21T11:53:00.001Z

The boys are most miserable with this snow :(

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Hanging baubles

2010-12-20T08:21:00.001Z

I made these yesterday and today, they're meant to be baubles for the tree but I decided to join them all together and make a hanging for the lounge. I found the pattern o'n the lovely Attic 24 blog. Made with gorgeous RICO cotton, not as tight as I'd have liked but not bad for a first attempt I don't think.

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Hooky hooky

2010-12-19T12:50:00.001Z

Here's my new hook case, made by my own fair hands. Have had the fabric for ages and love it.

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Our drive

2010-12-18T19:42:00.001Z

Not nice

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Snow

2010-12-18T19:41:00.000Z

Flippin Nora- we have had snow. Friday morning we woke up and the place was white. No school which was fine. I hoped it would clear off and leave us alone but by this morning it was horrendous. We had to go into the village for milk and retrospectively the sensible thing to have done would be to have left the children with a neighbour. Hindsight is a wonderful thing though. I'll upload my snow piccie separately as they're on the phone.
Horses hate it, hens aren't happy. We've no post so my folks Chrimble pressies aren't here. Tesco are due Monday but I very much doubt they'll get through so I'll have to brave the store myself when it thaws a bit.
I've had a bit of a retro moment and ordered some beaut ornaments. I really wanted Lizzie but the one I bought was damaged. I also bought Millie (with the glue) and the Bony King of Nowhere. Aren't they just gorgeous

My yarn bag

2010-12-18T13:11:00.001Z

I needed a smaller yarn bag to hold my cottons. I made one using granny stripes. Made the handle with double crochet and a lovely scallop chain and finished it with a flower and a beaut button

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Cropping

2010-12-05T15:22:00.001Z

No scrapping for me at today's crop. I took my stash with me but ended up crocheting. I'd made these triangles previously and just wanted to join them to make a garland. Have also made more squares for my blanket

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Some more exterior shots

2010-12-05T10:19:00.001Z

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2010-12-05T10:14:00.001Z

Here's the outside. Beautiful place- it really is.

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Crop

2010-12-05T10:12:00.001Z

Tis our crop today- we have the loveliest, cosiest room you could wish for, in a craft centre o'n the outskirts of Llangefni. We're in a converted barn. Beaut

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Decs are up

2010-12-04T15:53:00.001Z

My tree is up- a real one with roots this year. See my felt decs? Also a piccie of my squares for my blanket. I'm not even half way yet lol

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Still here

2010-12-04T07:50:00.000Z

I'm still here- not posting much due to not having any thing to photograph as they're all Chrimble pressies. We had a lovely Shopping Evening at Erin's school the other night. I was worried sick that noone would turn up and all these people with their wares would sit there selling nothing and that I would look like a prize edjit for organising it. Anyway it was a roaring success and between the Shopping Night, teatowels we sorted and the raffle we raised nearly a thousand pounds. Kids' school fair is on this Thursday so looking forward to that. We've started decorating the house and we're off to get the tree today and decorate that.
We've got our crop tomorrow- shall take my Scrapagogo kit and also some wool for some Hooky Hooky as Swyn calls my crochet.

Longer than it looks.

2010-11-24T23:17:00.001Z

203 stitches with a shell edge in a beautiful pink chunky

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My yarn bag

2010-11-21T09:05:00.001Z

Saw these beautiful yarn bags on a blog and decided to have a go myself. The squares took me an evening each and then an evening putting it together and making the handles

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Latest purchase

2010-11-10T13:58:00.001Z

Eek, its yarn,

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Another dec

2010-11-06T08:17:00.001Z

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Christmas decs

2010-11-06T07:32:00.001Z

Have made on start on making my own decs this year. Who can spot the Stampin Up stash?

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Problems

2010-11-06T07:26:00.001Z

Uploading from my phone where I have loads of pics- argh

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Christmas cards

2010-10-28T08:23:00.000+01:00

are coming along nicely. I'm making them in batches of 5 and so am flying through them. I have several different designs depending on whether i'm posting or hand delivering them. Cherry Cobbler- yum yum and Old Olive are my colours this year. I adore the Cherry Cobbler. Contempo Christmas stamps and red ribbon- all from Stampin up. If you'd like to purchase any of the products or see what else we sell then email me or leave a message here and I'll contact you x

Hat

2010-10-27T08:59:00.000+01:00

Here's my crocheted hat. No pattern followed, wanted to practice various stitches, only problem I'd both girls now want one lol so here I go again :)

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2010-10-27T08:47:00.001+01:00

Drat. Wrote s lengthy post about my granny squares and lost it!!! Shortened version, mum taught me last Wednesday to make granny squares and I haven't stopped crocheting since- oh I did for a bit cos my darling girl caught a bug while we were in Leeds and so I had to come home early and then she was poorly yesterday and I was knackered having been up most of the night with her so I did nothing yesterday. Finished my hat last night and started one for Erin as both girls want one now

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Display board

2010-10-27T08:23:00.000+01:00

I had a demo in Rhuddlan recently for some lovely ladies who I have met before. I decided to sort my display out and made this board with a scrapbook page in the middle. I folded a piece of mountboard to make a stand for it so it actually props up as well.

Loads going on

2010-10-13T08:41:00.000+01:00

Loads going on at the moment so apologies for not posting. I'm meeting myself coming back. Girls are loving ballet, Swyn started in September. Back at work, part time which is fab. Have been put up fir governor at Erin's school- argh. Luckily there's another candidate so it'll go to a vote and I hope the other candidate is fab and gets it :)
Also hard at work with the PTA, trying to get a Christmas Shopping evening sorted for November- argh

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2010-10-10T10:34:00.000+01:00

Would you like a earn discount on your Stampin Up purchase??

Would you like to earn money from your hobby?

Would you like to find new friends within the crafting community!

Now is a fabulous time to sign up with Stampin Up!!

Not only has the STARTER KIT been reduced to £119!!!! (for £230 worth of products) but you get to start at an amazing time with the launch of the new catalogue!! There is also the option of an ADD ON Scrapbooking kit for £50!!!!

For more info and to arrange an informal and no pressure chat please mail me on hmelton1@me.com

Last 3 years

2010-09-19T09:38:00.001+01:00

Handy little things. I love them and make one every year. Helps me be organised. Here are 2006,08 and 09

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Christmas planner

2010-09-19T09:35:00.001+01:00

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Lost property

2010-09-17T18:22:00.001+01:00

My mojo has gone walkies !!!
Managed to cobble these together

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Been busy

2010-09-09T19:33:00.001+01:00

Not crafting so much as constructing. My inks were on a carousel and I couldn't see what I had so I've used some foam board to make this. I didn't have enough foam board so i used an empty persil box as well. It could do with decorating nicely and I'll do that when I get some time.

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