Taadaaa!!

Hi, everyone!  Hope you are all swell =D

Well, I woke to a wonderful surprise on Wednesday.

 I am now the proud owner and one of forty winners to obtain a copy of Mollie Makes Issue 1.  I already have issue 2 & 3- I absolutely adore the magazine- but this issue is really like gold dust,  so I'm one very happy Squirrel.  I had thought of purchasing the magazine as a digital edition but, it's not really the same as having a magazine that you can thumb through at your leisure. Not very environmentally friendly, I know.

 Crocheting
I've been busy on the crocheting front.  I fell in love with Inga's Hakelbeutel back in 2010 on Ravelry.

Inga's Hakelbeutel

  Mmm.....!  My queue of items on this site is quite extensive.  I'm going to have to live until at least a hundred to get through it.  Anyway back to the bag, I loved it so much that I decided to make my own.  I've gone for crochet flower squares for mine but still followed Inga's  formula for putting the bag together.  My bag is in Neapolitan-ish ice cream colours and made with Rowan Cotton.

My variation of Inga's Hakelbeutel

I would highly recommend creating this bag it's quick to make up, just needs a little patience to put together but it's so worth it.

Made with Rowan Cotton

I was going to sew the squares together, but in the end, I just used a running crochet stitch which has given the bag a raised detailed seam.  Not only does it look more professional but it keeps the squares from stretching when the bag is in use.

The bag is fully lined with an interior zip pocket and magnetic fastener

The interior of the bag is also fully lined.  I'm not going to tell you how much of a beep-beep (excuse the language) that was to sew in place, especially around the V section at the top of the bag. However there was no way I was giving up after cutting and making the letterbox zip pocket,  so I  persevered, and it paid off.  I will soon be strutting my stuff once I've attached the woven handles I bought for it.

FO -finished object!

Button Close-up

 I have finally finished my Anais.  She has been blocked, sewn together, tried on, buttons bought, buttons attached,  tried on again, stroked, ooohed and aahed over.   Yip! She's  stunning, and I love her.

She's stunning

another button close-up

It took me a couple of days to find the right buttons,  I had 4 in my button collection- Anais needs 10-  when I saw them I had no reservations about snapping up 6 more.

Stunning

 Please don't ask me how these little guys ended up in my basket.  All I'm saying is my hand must have slipped, and they fell in at checkout. Honest! Wink, wink!

Squirrel Buttons, so cute!

Whats Next

I have a few potential new knits that I have my eye on.  Just don't know which one to start first as I love them all.

First up is Margate by Sarah Hatton.  I love this little shrug. However, some of the pictures I have seen on Ravelry it sits above the bust line,  I'm a busty girl,  so if I made this, I would have to lengthen the body, which is no problem. I love the pink colour but not sure if I have any in my stash.  So this is a maybe.

Margate by Sarah Hatton

Second up is Dapper by Marie Wallin.  I've only used bead work once or twice and loved it.  I'm not sure if this is a bit dressy for me.  I usually only wear jeans and trainers.  Then again maybe making this would put me back in touch with my feminine side. I also like the model's hair too.  I've been toying with having mine chopped into a bob for ages.  It's the same colour and thickness as the models in the picture,  then again, that could be construed as stalking,  wearing the same cardi and having the same hair do. Lol!  Think we should jump onto number three.

Dapper by Marie Wallin

Third up is another Marie Wallin design called Sedate.  It's not a very clear picture,  the bodice is plain with a lace sleeve.  I love this colour. However, I have just knitted Anais, and the colouring is very similar.

Sedate by Marie Wallin

Fourth and final design I like is Serene by Martin Storey.  I'm not keen on the colour, beige tends to wash me out. I am more of a jewel coloured person.  Ohhh!  I've just noticed someone on Rav has made this in black and red, which I like very much.  This could be the next one on the needles, peeps.  What do you think?

Friendship Blanket

The following squares are for the month of July and from Leg on the forum.

Beautifully wrapped, I was also thrifty and kept the ribbon

Dogman needs a hug 

  

My poor little boy hasn't been very well all week.  He has had a nasty tummy bug and not to go into too much detail, he's had stuff coming out either end.  He's had no energy, he's not even been moaning- which has been very strange,  as he's a hound.  He's only been able to drink water which is also odd as he's like a hoover normally.  So could everyone send him big hugs and tell him to get well soon.  He's my world, and I would be so lost without him.


My Mobile is Full of Silliness

I thought instead of talking about what's on my I Pod, I would tell you about the silliness on my phone.
I don't use my mobile very often, only for texting my mum, sister and Paul.  I don't even talk on it since developing a phobia of phones during my EMDR Therapy.  It's not just my mobile, any phone no matter who's calling I just can't face picking it up and saying hello.  Odd I know, hopefully, the CBT will sort this out.  Not being able to talk on the mobile doesn't stop me from adding silly stuff to it though.

Like wallpapers I change frequently:

Boo!!!!

Domokun

Domokun he's friendly really

Help!!

So Who Is Domokun?

He is a strange creature born from an egg.  He has a sawtoothed mouth that is locked wide. His body is bulky, but his heart is pure.  He likes to daydream and often finds himself in trouble for not paying attention. He is strong but gentle.  When he's in a bad mood, nervous or upset he breaks wind. Lol!
His only form of communication is by producing a low pitched noise which sounds like his name.
I love him he's cool.

I also like to add silly tunes, so if my phone does ring it makes me smile, even though I don't answer it.

In the form of Bod!

or Roobarb and Custard

Or my all time favourite The Flumps. Yes, I'm a seventies kid and proud of it.

Shirley xoxoxo

Raspberry Fools!

Hi everyone hope you are all well.   Me,  I'm good, I think.......  Okay perhaps feeling a wee bit bogged down with the world just now.  I just wish I could stick up two fingers to the horrible rude people that I encounter now and again in my life (but I'm too nice a person for that).  You know the type, the ones that like to chuck not just spanners in the works but the whole tool bag,  hammer and all. 

Me blowing a raspberry to the rude fools of the world!

It just never fails to amaze me how ignorant and selfish some people can be.  I was taught as a child to always respect other peoples feelings,  to say please and thank you.  Nowadays, you're more likely to have a  door swung in your face or worse someone deliberately walking  through  you to the point you nearly fall over,  then they announce you fell -hello,  I wasn't aware I was capable of stealth mode.  Deep breathe,  aahhhhhh!   Karma- just keep thinking, karma. Lol!

Having a go 

At Cross Stitch.  People who knit,  will tell you they also dabble in other crafts.  I'm afraid I'm no  exception to this rule.  I will try my hand at any craft.  I embroider, sew, dress make, crochet, knit, draw, weave, spin and now I have added Cross Stitch.

The Daffodil

The Daisy

My favourite The Poppy

 They are worked on 14 count Aida and come with all the supplies (thread, aida, card surround, envelopes and chart) you need to recreate the little flowers.  They can be found in this magazine here.  These little samples are just right for someone starting off Cross Stitch as a lot of counting is involved.  And having a brain like a giant sieve at the moment,  these turned out to be just right for my attention span.  Hopefully by Christmas I will have progressed onto something more spectacular but then again, maybe I will have found a new craft to occupy me.

On the knitting front, new knitting books:

Rowan Limited Edition Members Book

 Very beautiful book.  Loads of info about the designers through the years and gorgeous patterns too. It's to celebrate the 50^th edition of the Rowan Knitting Magazine, and gifted to  members.  It's a hardback and not available to purchase anywhere!

Rowan Limited Edition Book

 This also came through the door the other day too.

Little Red in the city by Ysolda Teague

 I'm really spoilt for choice and not sure what to make first.  Quite a hefty book ,  264 pages.  Contains section on Yarn Selection, swatching, measurements, sizing, fits, blocking, cast on, short row methods, buttonholes, using patterns, abbreviations  and 7 patterns.  My favourite is Angostura, Lauriel and Skelf.

OTN- Off The Needles
Not a finished product.  I'm talking quite literally,  off the needles,  as in frogged  =(

Yes,  I've been bad and I'm sure I'm going to regret it later.  My Sunshine Cardi  has been sitting in a corner waiting for me to finish it's collar, for over a month.  I was loving this knit at the beginning but as times gone on, well..... To be honest I just don't think it's me.  Don't get me wrong it's a lovely pattern, however everytime I looked at it,  I just couldn't face finishing it.  I'm not sure if it's the colour or me procrastinating over my body image and not feeling quite right within myself,  I've put a lot of weight on during therapy and it's dragging me down.    Anyway,  I've only gone and frogged all of  my lovely work, I know.... I know.... I'm trying to look on the bright side.  What would I rather have,  loads of lovely yarn for a new project or an article that just sits in the corner gathering dust.  So I voted for loads of lovely yarn.

Anais waiting to be blocked.

It's not all doom and gloom though.  I've finished the sleeves on my Anais Cardi,  I couldn't wait to see what it looked like, so I laid it out on the bed,  piece by piece.  I'm so excited, I can't wait to block it, attach the shoulders and start on the neck band.  It looks gorgeous and I know I'm going to get loads of wear out of it.

Very Pretty.

OTN- On The Needles

I have also found a new project for the recently deceased Sunshine Cardi yarn, well.... that didn't take me long did it.  Lol.

Shimmer by Kim Hargreaves

Rowan Calmer

On Knit Pro Needles

 
It's another Kim Hargreaves knit called Shimmer .  Easy pattern  to remember as it's a 4  row repeat, with alot of yarn overs and knit 2 togethers to give a lace affect. Which in turn helps the garment to knit up quite quickly.              

 Knitting Swap

These are the squares for the month of July that Caloubear made for my Friendship blanket (the year long swap I mentioned previously in past posts) we should all accumulate twenty-four,  8x8 inch squares at the end of the year.  I'm also going to add my own squares in a variety of Autumnal colours, as  I want my blanket to be super huge,  for the winter. 

Loving These

I just had to show these off.  I have collected these kind of items for along time but never really shown them off.  I now have my mum hooked on them too.

I had to have the card, it has a squirrel in it =P

The little Goth mirror is my favourite item.

Gorjuss by Scottish freelance artist Suzanne Woolcott.  One day I hope to be a proud owner of an original piece of her artwork.
 
Comments that make me smile from ear to ear

The little bags and other bits and pieces I make,  have being going down a treat over at My Folksy Shop
The comments people leave really make my day.  I craft because it relaxes me and each item is made with genuine love.  Pauls role is kind of - quality control.  He scrutinizes the work I make and gives me honest feedback,  anything from- colour combinations to "theres a loose thread",  "that ribbon is twisted",  "I like that zip but not that one".  Off I go to tweak the not so right bits.  Doesn't happen very often but it's got to look good and feel right.  9 times out of 10 I get it right =D.

So here are a few of the comments that have made my day (I haven't included the peoples names, privacy and all that).


Comment : It's such a cute little bag, I LOVE it!

Comment : I adore this, thank you very much!

Comment : Absolutely perfect!!! Love the item and SO well made!!!

Comment : Lovely product, beautifully packaged.

Comment : thankyou Sun Rae this little bag is adorable. the amount of detail in the finishing touches is amazing, i love the tiny little button details on your label tucked away inside as a secret surprise. the size is just right to keep a 100g ball all neat and tidy whilst i'm knitting. x

Thank you to all my customers so far and hello to all the new ones to come.


On The Pod- please click the song titles.

                                                                 Black Sheep by Metric

                                                                    Daniel by Bat For Lashes

                                                              Tightrope by Janelle Monae

                                                                   Metronomy by The Look

I'm also listening to this but it makes me cry everytime I hear it: Max Richter -On the Nature of Daylight it's very emotional and very beautiful, the violin (what would life be like without music) makes me feel very teary.

Shirley xx

And The Revised Winner Is........ Kirsty!

I have had no contact with the original winner of this competition-which is a shame, as the prize is wonderful. I have asked Paul to re-pick a name out of the hat and I have made contact with them.  Once they accept the prize I will announce who they are.   Shirley x

 I still haven't heard any word from the winner of this competition.  If she hasn't made contact by Friday, either through email or by leaving a comment on this blog,  a new name will be picked out of the hat for the prize.

Thank you to everyone who visited my blog and took the time to leave a comment. Whenever I see a new comment, it makes me smile. Then I always run and  announce it to Paul, cause I'm sad like that.  =D

Now down to the nitty gritty:

Names written out on to bits of paper- Check  ✔
Paper folded tightly- Check  ✔  
Names placed in hat- Check ✔

Paul picks winner - Check  ✔

 
Paul announces winner- Check  ✔

So who's the winner Paul:
Drum roll.......  

 Well done Kirsty, you're the winner.  I have sent you a  message.  Once again congrats and thank you to everyone who entered. 


Shirley xx