tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65148062427289813302023-11-16T17:08:42.610+00:00The Dotty OneAdventures in CraftThe Dotty Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17467041152182432475noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514806242728981330.post-76685078711187745662012-04-29T17:55:00.000+01:002012-04-29T17:55:18.698+01:00New Yarn and Cross Stitch Update<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Not much to report this week as I've mainly been plodding along with my cross stitch. I decided to turn the <a href="http://thedottyone.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/cross-stitching-away-stress.html" target="_blank">heart cross stitch</a> that I made a few weeks ago into a little hanging ornament and here is the result: </div>
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A little bit wonky unfortunately but it looks quite cute hanging on my door now I think. I've also been working on my "Whistle While You Work" cross stitch design from Crossstitcher magazine and have made some good progress with that:</div>
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I've actually got a bit further with it now and I reckon it'll be finished fairly soon - especially if the weather keeps going as it has been the last couple of weeks. I'm really enjoying this design - I thought the colours were a bit dull to start with but the pink really makes all the difference and it is really starting to come together. I must have good taste in patterns because a couple of you recognised the design in my <a href="http://thedottyone.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/cross-stitching-away-stress.html" target="_blank">last post</a> and said it was one you are planning to do!</div>
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I've also finished my first knitted scarf that I've <a href="http://thedottyone.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/on-go-at-mo.html" target="_blank">mentioned previously</a> and I'll post some pictures of that when I've blocked it properly. I haven't actually got much on the go at the moment (well, for me anyway!) and I'm looking for a new knitting or crochet project to get my teeth into. I'm finding it particularly hard to find a knitting project which is simple enough for a beginner but still something I want to make! Any suggestions gratefully received...!</div>
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Also, when I was at Stitch and Craft a few weeks ago I "accidentally" bought some <a href="http://www.hooplayarn.com/" target="_blank">hoopla yarn</a>. It was much cheaper than online and it all looked so pretty on the stall so I couldn't resist. Now I've got it at home I'm not sure what to do with it! I was going to make a pouffee like the one they had on the stall but I'm unsure if I really need one! And I've already made a crochet rug so I probably don't need another one of those..... For the moment it is just sitting looking at me so any suggestions for that would also be gratefully received!</div>
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Have a lovely rest of weekend xx<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUTKPVidJy_05m4x60xr-KKHfYMQzxVJRTIie-8lR3KV9UZ13VuC_1I681ko3S41Ss_ek1GLzWYLnug0PB-pKF2ZPvw0jckyVGaFittr3W1VvFZLGIzfJjVe8wQstbjOgtl4yjARX7ww/s1600/DSCF6680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDIg562FLJfYYXhUApFWfz5pBgDeBO2TztUizp5RvNWRL5fE2imBLSurtC53GsGRfgLSp2E_cagrt0ep_GjnaOkLfzC1q8pRnE5jS8sfw03V2_tCtNDC8go2vXG8SCVOyvoRkK-Tjio8/s1600/DSCF6689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>The Dotty Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17467041152182432475noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514806242728981330.post-7516478102734635362012-04-17T15:35:00.000+01:002012-04-17T15:38:50.586+01:00Cross Stitching Away StressThings have been a bit hectic in my life recently - lots of good stuff going on but it means not as much time for planning craft projects!! I think it is because of this I have been getting back into cross stitching over the last few months. Its such a lovely thing to do - calming and relaxing without taking too much concentration.<br /><br />I've actually been subscribing to <a href="http://crossstitcher.themakingspot.com/">Crossstitcher</a> magazine the last couple of years but almost never do any of the projects. I decided it was time to rectify this and the first project I went for was a cushion as a present for my grandma in a beautiful, bright gerbera design.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvPVJ_E7YJNLLciHww-5AAC7uqd_vW3H8Mi2EZiww65WFimDpgfL7V3Tqb8HGf3iM91z3X3FTTT3AtpcykvjiHX09UlHSubOXbvvBCk9WBYZcN3Z0EPyTxabO44Wb8-hS0DrqM5yoo44/s1600/gerbera+cushion+3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvPVJ_E7YJNLLciHww-5AAC7uqd_vW3H8Mi2EZiww65WFimDpgfL7V3Tqb8HGf3iM91z3X3FTTT3AtpcykvjiHX09UlHSubOXbvvBCk9WBYZcN3Z0EPyTxabO44Wb8-hS0DrqM5yoo44/s400/gerbera+cushion+3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732374037911595986" border="0" /></a><br />She was thrilled with the cushion - in fact, so much so that when I last went round there she kept moving it everytime someone wanted to sit down near it because she didn't want to risk anyone squashing it! (Even though I told her that was the point of a cushion!!) I also found this fab fabric which matches perfectly to use on the back:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72WJQsTaZR7RiT7PqVvEF3CYLtbNoNpnHFUqgUTLIBrXrrTS4ww2l4QBxyV6mykj6otO-n2tij_1xnfbVKqPamOYSs2aAtSTerI4OF6nqIDoYT0GDj10OewVn9Tr1yrJKkxgDSiavigo/s1600/gerbera+cushion+8.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72WJQsTaZR7RiT7PqVvEF3CYLtbNoNpnHFUqgUTLIBrXrrTS4ww2l4QBxyV6mykj6otO-n2tij_1xnfbVKqPamOYSs2aAtSTerI4OF6nqIDoYT0GDj10OewVn9Tr1yrJKkxgDSiavigo/s400/gerbera+cushion+8.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732374525037974898" border="0" /></a><br />Then, a few weeks ago, for those brief few days when it felt like summer, I needed a portable project that I could take into the garden so I spontaneously started an <a href="http://www.emilypeacock.com/EmilyPeacockTapestry/Tapestry_Kits_designed_for_today.html">Emily Peacock</a> design from the Valentine's issue of the magazine. I spent some lovely hours in the sun stitching this:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqCAdNh67CgUZC1prskekeWKpnuxGgZV7R7Zg8KrFgbZ8z9q3KfJgON0kiGD_6PpA3keZHQxdTrhqiKd7qXUmqE33I45DhbBp3hDNwTtpvMWWYVdiouR246wA1A2tpuuJcYuMkIKhwdmg/s1600/love+cross+stitch+4.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqCAdNh67CgUZC1prskekeWKpnuxGgZV7R7Zg8KrFgbZ8z9q3KfJgON0kiGD_6PpA3keZHQxdTrhqiKd7qXUmqE33I45DhbBp3hDNwTtpvMWWYVdiouR246wA1A2tpuuJcYuMkIKhwdmg/s400/love+cross+stitch+4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732376222625841666" border="0" /></a><br />I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it yet but I really like it - gotta love the leopard print. I might make it into a stuffed ornament to hang somewhere even though the last thing my flat needs is more clutter!<br /><br />My latest project - a cushion cover with a bird and buttons on - isn't finished yet but I had to show you a picture to show you my new embroidery frame:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEN5BsvO5v6Qa0REgrRTC7ihxVo7hIW5GVGfUvgTLA-IWVgHITczlbJo1nRkvBYL9a60Cbbxib-wo-17fWS2WXZJYEAcIlV4QuAD2PxleDUT6Pdta4R61aOyD-qn9trR8xSGcyZogcTd4/s1600/bird+cross+stitch+in+frame.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEN5BsvO5v6Qa0REgrRTC7ihxVo7hIW5GVGfUvgTLA-IWVgHITczlbJo1nRkvBYL9a60Cbbxib-wo-17fWS2WXZJYEAcIlV4QuAD2PxleDUT6Pdta4R61aOyD-qn9trR8xSGcyZogcTd4/s400/bird+cross+stitch+in+frame.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732377127769338066" border="0" /></a><br />Those wooden embroidery hoops always annoyed me and I was forever adjusting them so when I saw that <a href="http://thecraftersapprentice.blogspot.co.uk/">Wendy</a> had one of these square clip frames and said it was great I thought I'd give it a go. Now I have one I can't believe I didn't get one before - it is genius! So much better than the hoops - it actually holds the fabric taut! I got mine <a href="http://www.sewandso.co.uk/ran549-0.html">here</a> and totally recommend it!<br /><br />I am really enjoying this latest design and hope to have the finished article ready to show you fairly soon! <br /><br />Happy crafting ladies xx<br /><a href="http://www.sewandso.co.uk/ran549-0.html"></a>The Dotty Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17467041152182432475noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514806242728981330.post-67015420062635505832012-04-08T13:20:00.001+01:002012-04-08T13:21:47.561+01:00Latest stained glassI feel like I don't have that much to blog about at the moment - partly because I haven't had as much time as usual for crafting and partly because everything I am working on seems to be quite a big project so I'm not getting anything finished!!<br /><br />I'm hoping to rectify that a bit over the Easter weekend but in the meantime I thought I'd show you a couple of pictures of my latest stained glass piece.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2pbAeWr7NhyuC-fdBCFVSK_dC6GWax4uReBcq0pPdaaG8RRXCsnHLRvALsR9n-OPxJsrZhXN3w3SrOzv0DpgDNblGkZQbL3RoqHT3YLrYrfmRkixA_DfmQOW8nUFJ3TdFj29H1LNMmY/s1600/IMGP6358.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2pbAeWr7NhyuC-fdBCFVSK_dC6GWax4uReBcq0pPdaaG8RRXCsnHLRvALsR9n-OPxJsrZhXN3w3SrOzv0DpgDNblGkZQbL3RoqHT3YLrYrfmRkixA_DfmQOW8nUFJ3TdFj29H1LNMmY/s400/IMGP6358.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728997279245830978" border="0" /></a><br />It is a design from one of the books our teacher has and it quite simple but one I've always liked. I wanted to make something quick (ish!) whilst I thought about other larger designs and it was good for using up pieces of glass I already had. Apart from the yellow glass I didn't have to buy any new glass for this piece....although it has barely made a dent in the amount of glass I have!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGaFfeNt_jXRHHrNnosmOZkwWnmsoPUQ7RKlQfukkIQCv1HDal_ynLotLH8DsbvucgsDxNGAsy6cOpIUJiTuhJ6UCZe16wGiyshS_RLeEevydaAT0wxi_guQOjsYzNGDh87Ogz4X74NE/s1600/IMGP6364.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGaFfeNt_jXRHHrNnosmOZkwWnmsoPUQ7RKlQfukkIQCv1HDal_ynLotLH8DsbvucgsDxNGAsy6cOpIUJiTuhJ6UCZe16wGiyshS_RLeEevydaAT0wxi_guQOjsYzNGDh87Ogz4X74NE/s400/IMGP6364.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728997995536868994" border="0" /></a><br />I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out and I love the colour palette of rich, jewel like colours - I'm definitely going to remember this for future projects.<br /><br />I also made a few little pieces to use up scraps at the end of the term.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBFKoB6gyEMBGB6hRZ2P2d-SsL1AAUSXp9buf06aC5FRZyI4k_WN8aK92Q1kkZp_5cdAU0Fk7C-nGd_rhYNNJmS7Fm0M4c257gBAcl69a2PXiqkROmGsxK_ZhPqffpnF-HQKnpAnk9sA/s1600/DSCF6662.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBFKoB6gyEMBGB6hRZ2P2d-SsL1AAUSXp9buf06aC5FRZyI4k_WN8aK92Q1kkZp_5cdAU0Fk7C-nGd_rhYNNJmS7Fm0M4c257gBAcl69a2PXiqkROmGsxK_ZhPqffpnF-HQKnpAnk9sA/s400/DSCF6662.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729002506916248450" border="0" /></a><br />These beach huts are done using the copper foiling method and I think I am going to hang them in the window as lightcatchers.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPiRVA3bEtZ25PSMWpuHdYW_-Qn2nRvw3oV0-3K9iYh5ygX_rhRRQCIL8A0m-yO9TUb-L3Vq15xvSHdL2kfwt7eRsCoVB7Fx2d9_RGL8CDrAWdQN4mWTEpJm7tjXYKBrU30votaDkx26I/s1600/323.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPiRVA3bEtZ25PSMWpuHdYW_-Qn2nRvw3oV0-3K9iYh5ygX_rhRRQCIL8A0m-yO9TUb-L3Vq15xvSHdL2kfwt7eRsCoVB7Fx2d9_RGL8CDrAWdQN4mWTEpJm7tjXYKBrU30votaDkx26I/s400/323.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729002727116969138" border="0" /></a><br />It is the Easter break from my stained glass class at the moment and I'm feeling a little bereft without it! The group I learn with is lovely and really inspirational and I can't wait to get back to work next term on a new piece. I think it is going to be a piece for my sitting room wall with lights behind it.....better get designing!<br /><br />I hope you are all enjoying a lovely, crafty bank holiday weekend xxThe Dotty Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17467041152182432475noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514806242728981330.post-83142245933905512972012-03-27T18:22:00.000+01:002012-03-27T18:24:06.354+01:00I'm back.......and I've finished something! Yay!Sorry for the radio silence around here lately - its been an extremely busy time recently and I've been struggling to keep up with making, blogging and checking other people's blogs. If I normally visit your blog and comment then I apologise for not popping round as much as I would normally this last month - I've got a lot to catch up on!!<br /><br />The busy period culminated last weekend when I was volunteering at the <a href="http://www.stitchandcraft.co.uk/">Stitch and Craft Exhibition</a> at Olympia. I spent a couple of days (Friday and Sunday) there teaching people how to crochet - mainly butterflies and flowers. The picture below is just some of the many little things I made over the course of the weekend - I think I could crochet that butterfly in my sleep now!! (If anyone is interested the butterfly pattern is from Issue 3 of <a href="http://molliemakes.themakingspot.com/">Mollie Makes</a>).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj608hWOuAuFRX1wKgvcybfmrSW-lnRXaeqyd93ANLoG76I1OhsMOWvj7j-_cfe3tF7EaDPCA8DA7K_6qGYqznDqGtlAn0iMhfnJx08E9Y_h7O3l47-5cxZe2q6HYxWGV6eSukBvDovJiE/s1600/stitch+and+craft+crochet+2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj608hWOuAuFRX1wKgvcybfmrSW-lnRXaeqyd93ANLoG76I1OhsMOWvj7j-_cfe3tF7EaDPCA8DA7K_6qGYqznDqGtlAn0iMhfnJx08E9Y_h7O3l47-5cxZe2q6HYxWGV6eSukBvDovJiE/s400/stitch+and+craft+crochet+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724623073110875570" border="0" /></a><br />I've never taught anyone anything <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">crafty</span> before so teaching at Stitch and Craft was a real eye opener! It was tiring and at times hectic but in general very rewarding and fun.<br /><br />Amongst all the chaos I also managed to finish a project for a change! This is a picture of my finished doily rug that I mentioned in my <a href="http://thedottyone.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/on-go-at-mo.html">last post</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9gd-v9rEv14DUJzRYsWw_XW0mU7Bv7_PPeLJNFtJFSWLwbczUIp8Ksdcnv5tPZPyTi4tU6zuMF0tQQHUvbi7F_kK1-KkcQFbV3uw-gduJBWPH3FmApuQs-cXQUdAbo6ktw46iw2tt_l8/s1600/crochet+doily+rug+7.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9gd-v9rEv14DUJzRYsWw_XW0mU7Bv7_PPeLJNFtJFSWLwbczUIp8Ksdcnv5tPZPyTi4tU6zuMF0tQQHUvbi7F_kK1-KkcQFbV3uw-gduJBWPH3FmApuQs-cXQUdAbo6ktw46iw2tt_l8/s400/crochet+doily+rug+7.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724624177183146194" border="0" /></a><br />I'm really pleased with how this has turned out. It was really fun to do something different too and it came together so quickly as it is worked in three strands of chunky yarn with a large hook (I used a 17mm). The pattern is by Dainty Loops and is available in her <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/81231497/crochet-doily-rug-pattern-pdf"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">etsy</span> shop</a> or on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/81231497/crochet-doily-rug-pattern-pdf"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ravelry</span></a>. It is also perfect for the space I had in mind, this is what it looks like in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">situ</span> in my bedroom:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_YUYoUJgdHD9QbF8oki16tPafwlSvkeqtTMOe6WrouLEwj5EdmfdUvss5TQdHeFRjI6iCf8n_qN2caOzSUIGUl4rSde1sdpACc9MUVwP6IMO_HMLluUIE-JC-yfE3Vmz4B38v4GDSGE/s1600/crochet+doily+rug+1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_YUYoUJgdHD9QbF8oki16tPafwlSvkeqtTMOe6WrouLEwj5EdmfdUvss5TQdHeFRjI6iCf8n_qN2caOzSUIGUl4rSde1sdpACc9MUVwP6IMO_HMLluUIE-JC-yfE3Vmz4B38v4GDSGE/s400/crochet+doily+rug+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724627628683804434" border="0" /></a>Hopefully finishing this project will spur me on to finish some others on the go! Although not before I spend the evening catching up on all the blog posts backed up in my reader.....<br /><br />xxxThe Dotty Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17467041152182432475noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514806242728981330.post-62049279044024521442012-02-24T09:00:00.002+00:002012-02-24T10:15:18.704+00:00On the go at the mo!I haven't finished anything much recently as I seem to be working on some bigger projects at the moment so I thought I'd show you some glimpses of those so you can see what I've got on the go!<br /><br />Firstly I'm still working on my <a href="http://thedottyone.blogspot.com/2011/09/another-go-at-quilting.html">quilt</a>. I'm <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">hand quilting</span> this so its pretty time consuming but when I actually get down to doing it I am really enjoying it. I am bit worried about getting to the binding stage though!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9N905cv87ohH09d-pQJXmNkvJ4ONJMEMaxWkrCdG8VizDa-jYCA5c5kM107gQB0p2z9A-drm3fjYPxLcIJkcObUsDt6dPpxODJTyDqFo9Adcw8biKkm-rnKDfz-1Wu5kJWXWHLyUklE/s1600/hand+quilting+9.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt9N905cv87ohH09d-pQJXmNkvJ4ONJMEMaxWkrCdG8VizDa-jYCA5c5kM107gQB0p2z9A-drm3fjYPxLcIJkcObUsDt6dPpxODJTyDqFo9Adcw8biKkm-rnKDfz-1Wu5kJWXWHLyUklE/s400/hand+quilting+9.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712460418987597650" border="0" /></a><br />I also always like to have some cross stitch or a <a href="http://thedottyone.blogspot.com/2011/10/woohoo-tapestry-finally-finished.html">tapestry</a> on the go for those evenings when I want to do some craft but my brain doesn't feel up to concentrating too hard! At the moment I am working on "Think Happy Thoughts" by <a href="http://www.emilypeacock.com/EmilyPeacockTapestry/Tapestry_Kits_designed_for_today.html">Emily Peacock</a>. I've pretty much done it all apart from the border - I've left it because it is supposed to be brown but I'm thinking of doing it another colour and I can't decide! I'm thinking maybe grey...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MZJTZmMKvQu-EdKVFvtzqPeQX65C7KwLU32EAo93_3aQ3Sgkwbk-oZZ7u0LvR2G5JUSB3qRUop_lHabqbvXIv1BgqHi0mRt4cYXTBgWY_XGPzv2PglZNH8FtU7fllTVtUzRHBk9-wYs/s1600/think+happy+thoughts+3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MZJTZmMKvQu-EdKVFvtzqPeQX65C7KwLU32EAo93_3aQ3Sgkwbk-oZZ7u0LvR2G5JUSB3qRUop_lHabqbvXIv1BgqHi0mRt4cYXTBgWY_XGPzv2PglZNH8FtU7fllTVtUzRHBk9-wYs/s400/think+happy+thoughts+3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712461490988770866" border="0" /></a><br />I also always seem to have a crochet project on the go! I've been planning to make this doily rug for ages but only started this week - its taken me a while to get round to ordering the chunky yarn! I got the pattern from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/81231497/crochet-doily-rug-pattern-pdf">here</a> but it is also available on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/doily-rug"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ravelry</span></a>. It is done using three strands of yarn at once and a big hook (the pattern recommends 15.75mm but I am using 17mm) so it comes together really quickly - very satisfying! I suspect this will be the next project I finish:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiC-d4pYIA9LqJ7KeosyYdyTQEecWOKueZdeyIPJ-ST0NW3GuesyoTlSdyaLrJjhZwSpclipcj-u4oLOpG_v1Kky15JZ1LkrDNENLyke3L7XuATJggYCLyOY2gcNPQS84fjY7QTqc_Kc0/s1600/crochet+doily+rug+2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiC-d4pYIA9LqJ7KeosyYdyTQEecWOKueZdeyIPJ-ST0NW3GuesyoTlSdyaLrJjhZwSpclipcj-u4oLOpG_v1Kky15JZ1LkrDNENLyke3L7XuATJggYCLyOY2gcNPQS84fjY7QTqc_Kc0/s400/crochet+doily+rug+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712462534768950258" border="0" /></a><br />Just before Christmas I learned to knit so I also have a knitting project on the go. I am working my way through the <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Knitty-Gritty-Knitting-Absolute-Beginner/dp/0713685425/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330037330&sr=8-1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Knitty</span> Gritty book</a> and this is the first project in there. It is a very simple scarf and probably doesn't look very impressive to all of you knitters out there but I am actually extremely proud of it - I never thought I was going to crack knitting so this is quite exciting for me! I'm looking forward to finishing this and moving on to some more complicated projects!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6hQ8Vqyfc4P0z-_D6ohfCfQCdVqk4Qfm1GgBlisSB8mMP0QM9isGaWEZy9SMBGysPgegcfuhh0KjnqpeUWyC6fLdSMvwUTWbZotVCApQ7zXckFmQPFjPY-D28MhdpPc8jGk_bPINkqA/s1600/first+knitted+scarf+3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6hQ8Vqyfc4P0z-_D6ohfCfQCdVqk4Qfm1GgBlisSB8mMP0QM9isGaWEZy9SMBGysPgegcfuhh0KjnqpeUWyC6fLdSMvwUTWbZotVCApQ7zXckFmQPFjPY-D28MhdpPc8jGk_bPINkqA/s400/first+knitted+scarf+3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712466507874080290" border="0" /></a><br />Hopefully I'll actually have something finished to blog about soon! What bigger projects are you working on at the moment?The Dotty Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17467041152182432475noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514806242728981330.post-58928747693016515412012-02-20T07:47:00.000+00:002012-02-20T07:47:00.330+00:00More lovely swap goodies!It all seems to be swaps and giveaways at the moment - normal service will resume shortly! BUT before it does I had to show you the amazing swap goodies that <a href="http://thecraftersapprentice.blogspot.com/">Wendy</a> sent me. I've been reading Wendy's blog <a href="http://thecraftersapprentice.blogspot.com/">The Crafter's Apprentice</a> for a while and loving all the different crafts she tries so I was very excited about this swap. And with good reason, look at all the lovely things she sent me! First up some gorgeous granny bunting:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL99JSorax5G2nzsAA7owfj2GxM1jLH2Hj8q_vPRZcdkoaHRhsfdpZpm61msduTMVbdWVHdK12D_TnoDvqzyFgICrKfSnq-sRKyrfk5Xbd_iOHPDHV16r7B3TH-qN8GVpY-UgGiOPsLpI/s1600/swap+28.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL99JSorax5G2nzsAA7owfj2GxM1jLH2Hj8q_vPRZcdkoaHRhsfdpZpm61msduTMVbdWVHdK12D_TnoDvqzyFgICrKfSnq-sRKyrfk5Xbd_iOHPDHV16r7B3TH-qN8GVpY-UgGiOPsLpI/s400/swap+28.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710983367739752162" border="0" /></a><br />I haven't decided where to put it - probably in my bedroom as I think it will look fab hanging above my bed.<br /><br />Next, a gorgeous owl softie. Wendy knew how much I loved her bunnies in a similar style but if its possible I think I love <a href="http://thecraftersapprentice.blogspot.com/2012/02/meet-flock.html">the owls</a> even more.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV0K9p265ma4dy7fCokVfbJ2lj5H4XxtFYM7ep-2P_gu3ShNS6DLYxAzclE8BimMB1VnLLikwqlIV75TgBOIPDYGoUzXmHsZA2p8nB5kyb6Rt0uPyauhiVDEgd07fI1U6Am4pODgMnPp0/s1600/swap+23.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV0K9p265ma4dy7fCokVfbJ2lj5H4XxtFYM7ep-2P_gu3ShNS6DLYxAzclE8BimMB1VnLLikwqlIV75TgBOIPDYGoUzXmHsZA2p8nB5kyb6Rt0uPyauhiVDEgd07fI1U6Am4pODgMnPp0/s400/swap+23.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710984550355461618" border="0" /></a><br />If you love them as much as me then you could head over her<a href="http://folksy.com/items/2952426-Linen-sleepy-owl"> shop</a> and snap one up yourself!<br /><br />If that wasn't enough look at all the other goodies I got too:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-84CtaS901PV2M3I40fUDbrAnDkaK2OIK6-JPFtg1DGMsc_EgV_EWcOafKQuVvnAiDtBloNdMwfajuCTEysKTzGWrOPZxZkiPSFum01FwrcMM21reQfCui9MN0eaSdPkRt6LxS7x5A-0/s1600/swap+36.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-84CtaS901PV2M3I40fUDbrAnDkaK2OIK6-JPFtg1DGMsc_EgV_EWcOafKQuVvnAiDtBloNdMwfajuCTEysKTzGWrOPZxZkiPSFum01FwrcMM21reQfCui9MN0eaSdPkRt6LxS7x5A-0/s400/swap+36.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710985884840141858" border="0" /></a><br />Wendy sent me a lovely lavender filled heart (the package smelt amazing), a gorgeous pouch which I have already started using:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUnl2Dd92B-ITzbg8R52QZQcXDfUaMAahoU_mD-LY8kzgMysP5Zj2LFuwmYkDqr5EpIjNPgE0a5MNkw7j2wgrIfG9lJNBE6WQ-Twzj82VQUeiUKyWzYc1Ks0-Ad6Db-WB378OTaYsZDtQ/s1600/swap+7.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUnl2Dd92B-ITzbg8R52QZQcXDfUaMAahoU_mD-LY8kzgMysP5Zj2LFuwmYkDqr5EpIjNPgE0a5MNkw7j2wgrIfG9lJNBE6WQ-Twzj82VQUeiUKyWzYc1Ks0-Ad6Db-WB378OTaYsZDtQ/s400/swap+7.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710986119144048050" border="0" /></a><br />A really cute card with a mini quilt on:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxebftdQTNwdYQJoXr1Y_iPxMtwz4dekYTv6Dz9Oc2r12RTHVbIH4904K85MwUFLeYhGH3dA2eb7dn5UaCfMtV2O-bGe5-o97Kii1dGvqjwGEsXzPSeHhkKetuKUkJJyCYa-dmwsS44g/s1600/swap+1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxebftdQTNwdYQJoXr1Y_iPxMtwz4dekYTv6Dz9Oc2r12RTHVbIH4904K85MwUFLeYhGH3dA2eb7dn5UaCfMtV2O-bGe5-o97Kii1dGvqjwGEsXzPSeHhkKetuKUkJJyCYa-dmwsS44g/s400/swap+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710986320273605634" border="0" /></a><br />And finally this beautiful bracelet:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBiSBpgDHGRiy4faXNmlDsFLR4Iwtu7olfx-QKOQ9a9zXTYTlIH3fCEVBZdTZodJfWIx987Bdn0WHC4Msf-xHGPecP8gWnYVZZU8BHdQUie_X_OsJk65CjzZO1UvDHYkWM2qT2C85YYE/s1600/swap+37.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuBiSBpgDHGRiy4faXNmlDsFLR4Iwtu7olfx-QKOQ9a9zXTYTlIH3fCEVBZdTZodJfWIx987Bdn0WHC4Msf-xHGPecP8gWnYVZZU8BHdQUie_X_OsJk65CjzZO1UvDHYkWM2qT2C85YYE/s400/swap+37.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710986777648397714" border="0" /></a><br />Hehee - I am a lucky girl! Thanks so much Wendy - I love it all so much. <a href="http://thedottyone.blogspot.com/2012/02/giveaway-reminder-and-gorgeous-swap.html">Once again</a> I feel that the package I sent is nowhere near as good as what I received!<br /><br />Wendy told me she liked red and blue together and I think I went a bit mad on the theme. Here is what I sent:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKHIkBODoQPJR8vPTTPIFqM6dM0pxiif_sGh1OKwq4cwmAFTnc1No5QM0BPFSyaN0Sh1tTdptNNMZYWz9h_fJKR0uZJJXKka93rfYcL4r2GuB5-wmW6oCZpfpD6DxP7r1KRBLYOg-AUs/s1600/swap+3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKHIkBODoQPJR8vPTTPIFqM6dM0pxiif_sGh1OKwq4cwmAFTnc1No5QM0BPFSyaN0Sh1tTdptNNMZYWz9h_fJKR0uZJJXKka93rfYcL4r2GuB5-wmW6oCZpfpD6DxP7r1KRBLYOg-AUs/s400/swap+3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710988727997824882" border="0" /></a><br />One of my octomonsters! I never would have made one in these colours but I am really pleased with the results.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QQaMnZsABV5kXYNNfX1PM0sCgT0wgBENypilQMPiwOujW9lt3dfNiqbq_TL5anuqGI55biXrEfb6Ee-uclog__r3E0wZNBF-E15A1lmJOfoN5gjMKXhUE51A2Dhvt2FSm3oo7OZ79BE/s1600/swap+9.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QQaMnZsABV5kXYNNfX1PM0sCgT0wgBENypilQMPiwOujW9lt3dfNiqbq_TL5anuqGI55biXrEfb6Ee-uclog__r3E0wZNBF-E15A1lmJOfoN5gjMKXhUE51A2Dhvt2FSm3oo7OZ79BE/s400/swap+9.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710989141238587282" border="0" /></a><br />I know Wendy loves bunnies (she has FOUR!) so I included this cute little amigurumi rabbit.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQiXtsL5PEt128rT-3okPImHzcGkqIGhTzTmcDX1qDuY8DDjOeOVzy6T3oUFAV29vHog22I5QnSUdFSIY9Ukc2GBQyMNbFjOfEXbLvPmo54wf3IEMfLBTRm-kkNwAtY0Eaj24u9MNbmzM/s1600/swap+11.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQiXtsL5PEt128rT-3okPImHzcGkqIGhTzTmcDX1qDuY8DDjOeOVzy6T3oUFAV29vHog22I5QnSUdFSIY9Ukc2GBQyMNbFjOfEXbLvPmo54wf3IEMfLBTRm-kkNwAtY0Eaj24u9MNbmzM/s400/swap+11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710989471019729874" border="0" /></a><br />And I put the two fused glass necklaces I was sending in this little pouch:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRV_Wb4eQNuJPPlu2j2Yy8hK0ZjNuTESJmsMdt3nRmMk-uMFchQzPxFbARoF2Jsd_XUWfDSQ_2aMcxivMkp6tX31mzt-JKwYVGwBLCw2QycJ5syPRVOH_cOWIGYbIjteTO1KkNIU3DBQ/s1600/swap+13.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRV_Wb4eQNuJPPlu2j2Yy8hK0ZjNuTESJmsMdt3nRmMk-uMFchQzPxFbARoF2Jsd_XUWfDSQ_2aMcxivMkp6tX31mzt-JKwYVGwBLCw2QycJ5syPRVOH_cOWIGYbIjteTO1KkNIU3DBQ/s400/swap+13.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710989875085597362" border="0" /></a><br />I've really enjoyed doing the two swaps I've done recently - what could be more exciting than receiving a package full or surprise goodies in the post? It is so fun! If anyone else fancies doing a swap then please feel free to get in touch (although I might need a little break to get on with all the other stuff I need to make!) and I'd love to arrange something :o)<br /><br />Hope you all have a lovely week xx<br /><br />PS. The bunny and pouch will be going up on ravelry soon so if you want to know where I got the patterns you should be able to find them on there!The Dotty Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17467041152182432475noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514806242728981330.post-30667891321071809482012-02-13T18:30:00.000+00:002012-02-13T18:32:51.993+00:00Giveaway Winners!Thank you so much to those of you who entered my <a href="http://thedottyone.blogspot.com/2012/01/giveaway.html">giveaway</a> - I was not expecting so many entries! Because of that I decided to draw two winners - one to win the prize I posted about and another one who I will send a little surprise to! Apologies for not posting this yesterday - things are quite hectic round here at the moment!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZwARUZkHcP74hmSwq3-8JGVuLbV2Utwr6RynBEpGuS-oZ5wbMHmoFA3cY9iVjrYc51gEF_YC51611dP-qPa2mgH4CRTzHohCTC9tY7Keg8Mp_rbu8yczhtOrfe6uCRd-WiXkjaoLCrc/s1600/giveaway+altogether.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZwARUZkHcP74hmSwq3-8JGVuLbV2Utwr6RynBEpGuS-oZ5wbMHmoFA3cY9iVjrYc51gEF_YC51611dP-qPa2mgH4CRTzHohCTC9tY7Keg8Mp_rbu8yczhtOrfe6uCRd-WiXkjaoLCrc/s400/giveaway+altogether.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708685242032506786" border="0" /></a>Anyway, on to the good stuff! Congratulations to <span style="font-weight: bold;">KerryP</span> from <a href="http://ramblingsofabiscornuaddict.blogspot.com/">Ramblings of a Biscornu Addict</a> who won the main prize. I will also be popping a little something in the post for <span style="font-weight: bold;">Penny</span>. Ladies I don't have either of your email addresses to get in touch so please send your contact details to thedottyone@hotmail.co.uk and I will send you your goodies.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi226Upsagk4JeEQoYJDzbl84FBHJMlTyoVZNpeknBYmKyq_xXlpELA56dEiI9Ppn39aBbiq2WWDX4J74vEbEejbKAWm6a_2rMugB8H1mJuve1DYdOBNOyjTS9BTsOV-BBryhMG0SDIH7Y/s1600/DSCF6504.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi226Upsagk4JeEQoYJDzbl84FBHJMlTyoVZNpeknBYmKyq_xXlpELA56dEiI9Ppn39aBbiq2WWDX4J74vEbEejbKAWm6a_2rMugB8H1mJuve1DYdOBNOyjTS9BTsOV-BBryhMG0SDIH7Y/s400/DSCF6504.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708686285713481954" border="0" /></a>A couple of people asked me in their comments how to become a follower but I wasn't able to get back to them. If you have a google account then you can become a follower by clicking on the button in the right hand side column of my blog page. I'm not sure if you can do this without a google account but I may be wrong - I'm not very expert on such things!<br /><br />My follower numbers seem to have jumped up recently so thank you and welcome to my new followers. Feel free to leave me a comment so that I can pop over to your blogs too (blogger doesn't always make it easy for me to do this without a comment!)<br /><br />And if you didn't manage to enter this giveaway then keep your eyes peeled - I'm definitely planning on having another one later in the year!<br /><br />Have a lovely week xxThe Dotty Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17467041152182432475noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514806242728981330.post-52531611295788051392012-02-11T14:58:00.000+00:002012-02-11T14:56:23.338+00:00Giveaway Reminder and Gorgeous Swap Goodies!<span style="font-weight: bold;">Firstly, just a reminder that my </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://thedottyone.blogspot.com/2012/01/giveaway.html">giveaway</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> closes at midnight tonight. If you haven't entered all ready then head over to </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://thedottyone.blogspot.com/2012/01/giveaway.html">this post</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> and leave a comment post haste! I will announce the winners tomorrow.</span><br /><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"></span><br />Now, onto the loveliness! A while ago the lovely Lori from <a href="http://hippywitchcrafts.blogspot.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Hippywitch</span> crafts</a> and I agreed to have a swap. It started when I asked if anyone wanted to have a swap from some of my <a href="http://thedottyone.blogspot.com/2011/11/fused-glass-overload.html">fused glass</a> goodies and went from there and this week I received a lovely package of goodies from her - so exciting! I told Lori I liked the sea and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">snorkelling</span> and diving and look at these lovely <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">amigurumi</span> sea creatures she sent me:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTG95y5TQt8BAVmakVVKceagBywLUcluuMqbsBgn6QRS73iMTLqt1XNNR9pfl3IYr25pjUPbfYQMnw8gbF43IyL9NxrG-soV8BusxZ3AiSe1AWnShE9YEibn70q9uZC59CevLSVA1ZY-I/s1600/swap+42.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTG95y5TQt8BAVmakVVKceagBywLUcluuMqbsBgn6QRS73iMTLqt1XNNR9pfl3IYr25pjUPbfYQMnw8gbF43IyL9NxrG-soV8BusxZ3AiSe1AWnShE9YEibn70q9uZC59CevLSVA1ZY-I/s400/swap+42.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707882857902510450" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rJpbjeiMaFv38B4O5t806-YneJ3yLgDWlITIHpDiYYDfarQU1eFUw0xxDNljVkMGpuOtTNv01rOlYEwUbSlWbr1PZWKnqnSJdXGYfCeW6Ou-AI4HAKeU00UsJ30u0I6oEGkUbMg6CQI/s1600/swap+43.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rJpbjeiMaFv38B4O5t806-YneJ3yLgDWlITIHpDiYYDfarQU1eFUw0xxDNljVkMGpuOtTNv01rOlYEwUbSlWbr1PZWKnqnSJdXGYfCeW6Ou-AI4HAKeU00UsJ30u0I6oEGkUbMg6CQI/s400/swap+43.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707883181675244354" border="0" /></a><br />I LOVE them - so cute. And such happy colours - really brightened up my dull Thursday afternoon! And if that wasn't enough (and it totally was!) Lori also included this beautiful cross stitch ornament in some of my favourite colours:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ0nBRMtFb_vmXLIZxN5qxrZUBXuhyphenhyphenTKdvM3gPyE4OWsys6HyRndXIqiYVKf3bBKS1wZCIawQus2mg16iqCdipFzcGnMiAwSTNvm3SAbc2uxK1EbNMQ340MsTyh9uZcxeoq42ncA-ZK8M/s1600/swap+47.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ0nBRMtFb_vmXLIZxN5qxrZUBXuhyphenhyphenTKdvM3gPyE4OWsys6HyRndXIqiYVKf3bBKS1wZCIawQus2mg16iqCdipFzcGnMiAwSTNvm3SAbc2uxK1EbNMQ340MsTyh9uZcxeoq42ncA-ZK8M/s400/swap+47.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707884148948589410" border="0" /></a><br />And this fab cow cross stitch card:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTPRXNpn9dhbH3es5yNa2aMbSrE18yiJd-wsDGxvZtrlpz3TVel_a8RaVBfotV2bZkRNMcVw7X0UckslSyrucLCKywV2fG1ChjItXTJyvvcU4sFNiF_H-aWkpSWx0LM2aoBxNqHIlcLA/s1600/swap+49.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTPRXNpn9dhbH3es5yNa2aMbSrE18yiJd-wsDGxvZtrlpz3TVel_a8RaVBfotV2bZkRNMcVw7X0UckslSyrucLCKywV2fG1ChjItXTJyvvcU4sFNiF_H-aWkpSWx0LM2aoBxNqHIlcLA/s400/swap+49.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707884853601060706" border="0" /></a><br />I told Lori that I seem to have been given a lot of cow things in the past (I try not to read too much into this!!) so it is very appropriate for me! Thank you so much for the goodies Lori - I love them so much! If you fancy seeing more loveliness like this then I suggest you pop over to Lori's <a href="http://hippywitchcrafts.blogspot.com/">blog</a> or <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Hippywitch?ref=em"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">etsy</span> shop</a>!<br /><br />I know Lori has received her package from me so I can show you what I sent her too. Firstly a couple of glass necklaces:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtF2lmjpstjRwNXzAHvvyKDSPaitD-IdZph03GdrHTwwDaH4HBwenaoQZ98ozeJXlJRkdxezc9KV2Zp5ZNSJ3d7Gxr43mU7epBci1-cQfiFpKM4ET3Nd7H8efjSIwxsa7oNjp8XJSBgR8/s1600/swap+20.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtF2lmjpstjRwNXzAHvvyKDSPaitD-IdZph03GdrHTwwDaH4HBwenaoQZ98ozeJXlJRkdxezc9KV2Zp5ZNSJ3d7Gxr43mU7epBci1-cQfiFpKM4ET3Nd7H8efjSIwxsa7oNjp8XJSBgR8/s400/swap+20.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707888913722088306" border="0" /></a><br />A cute little <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">amigurumi</span> cat (Lori told me she is a mad cat lady!):<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0gYoEIFptLb4L5w_9kV1QOY3pjaR4HpwUiF99FFXoU-98ZoDI8b2B9r6ZHtbP2pTA8QB8l4wiiiUyNC3Me00ZINZSwbYZZcDB9Mn3rnB4W-NlRibPBHArJy65aHWaMtaq48yzk9CmZuc/s1600/swap+7.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0gYoEIFptLb4L5w_9kV1QOY3pjaR4HpwUiF99FFXoU-98ZoDI8b2B9r6ZHtbP2pTA8QB8l4wiiiUyNC3Me00ZINZSwbYZZcDB9Mn3rnB4W-NlRibPBHArJy65aHWaMtaq48yzk9CmZuc/s400/swap+7.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707889217289389602" border="0" /></a><br />A plush strawberry ornament / pin cushion:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqzCxJUW0CE45j7Zl8CxDLaUvQmWlgowtkpFHsNDSWQJlfYswYKIL_37Iwesn0AhY20xVdih3ciNTxpO6e-SrJM_MulYnZgZaI59wI5P5bnf2SHKKvCcDqOcnfXQytchiSKsHpOLElQs/s1600/swap+21.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqzCxJUW0CE45j7Zl8CxDLaUvQmWlgowtkpFHsNDSWQJlfYswYKIL_37Iwesn0AhY20xVdih3ciNTxpO6e-SrJM_MulYnZgZaI59wI5P5bnf2SHKKvCcDqOcnfXQytchiSKsHpOLElQs/s400/swap+21.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707890189773731826" border="0" /></a><br />And finally a little crochet bag in some of Lori's favourite colours to keep her necklaces safe:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3W0fOw8AZwpOJS2xq8jFoWX62PUd19siNYqDXQTnroNL7jsYS-57PXIFiyHX65EZqZSCCNSYykLZfYozwO6ous-6P16hKBkLfuPwnOyZHD6sH6mbApNlQ1zN-QpLk3geVsDUvAgMavDI/s1600/swap+13.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3W0fOw8AZwpOJS2xq8jFoWX62PUd19siNYqDXQTnroNL7jsYS-57PXIFiyHX65EZqZSCCNSYykLZfYozwO6ous-6P16hKBkLfuPwnOyZHD6sH6mbApNlQ1zN-QpLk3geVsDUvAgMavDI/s400/swap+13.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707890603437503474" border="0" /></a><br />I really enjoyed doing a swap and am definitely planning to do lots more in future! I hope you are all having a lovely weekend - staying warm and doing lots of crafting. I will be back tomorrow to announce the giveaway results.<br /><br />xxxThe Dotty Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17467041152182432475noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514806242728981330.post-40901728223104793652012-02-02T16:23:00.001+00:002012-02-02T16:25:26.862+00:00Learning BookbindingOne of my <a href="http://thedottyone.blogspot.com/2012/01/crafty-intentions-2012.html">intentions for 2012</a> was to have a go at some new crafts and so, a few weeks ago, I got started by attending a bookbinding class at <a href="http://www.thecreateplace.co.uk/">The Create Place</a> run by <a href="http://www.suzannemcowan.com/">Suzanne Cowan</a>. This is the result:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kr_PzH_7M5AcryCwntMOyqv9Q_nKFba_hRMBvGZdEk7ZyCt4yNZ2DXaxXW8wWUrkVIwGn_hZ0ZL3DdtSMST8OKL-Snu2DNhzcig6rm4lf7pMpXFCQoEWTtYuejflJfTOXBABWLWOn2s/s1600/bookbinding+13.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kr_PzH_7M5AcryCwntMOyqv9Q_nKFba_hRMBvGZdEk7ZyCt4yNZ2DXaxXW8wWUrkVIwGn_hZ0ZL3DdtSMST8OKL-Snu2DNhzcig6rm4lf7pMpXFCQoEWTtYuejflJfTOXBABWLWOn2s/s400/bookbinding+13.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704569930719486162" border="0" /></a><br />Good eh? I am SOOO pleased with the results and it was a really fun course. In a few hours we managed to turn a few bits of mount board, a few sheets of paper and some free cycle maps into a proper functional journal. I took some step by step photos along the way to show you some of the process. (This is not intended to be a tutorial - just some snaps to give you the idea - I definitely recommend taking a class yourself!)<br /><br />First we started with four pieces of mount board carefully cut to the right dimensions which were then stuck to the back of a piece of fabric - we used Buckram, a special type of fabric often used for bookbinding.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfscVGES6cxLzB7OQ8yEXHBac6B3oDYsXrigvGL0ZkSTPZipWpa9_xs6D-rMdNz5g3kAWBsNf005T9uuRN7nPazy1dL8MvuBqKWbSymZgTAaTAjpz2AkPRsrzV8Txb99XzW7iuqkNOwY/s1600/stuff+i%2527ve+made+011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfscVGES6cxLzB7OQ8yEXHBac6B3oDYsXrigvGL0ZkSTPZipWpa9_xs6D-rMdNz5g3kAWBsNf005T9uuRN7nPazy1dL8MvuBqKWbSymZgTAaTAjpz2AkPRsrzV8Txb99XzW7iuqkNOwY/s400/stuff+i%2527ve+made+011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704564153296205282" border="0" /></a>This was cut around the mount board and stuck down before we added the rest of the decorative cover - in this case we used old maps but anything could be used. Everything was kept neat and tidy using an (ominously named) tool called a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bone_folder">bonefolder</a>!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZ2NDXIfbCX1epm5eNJmooEZTH8DtztnmhSLwdobKwl4uscBR7bzGV5-CfmxgOu1goYKnEt7bAB45-TrrqAjYFCzkTc6S1MzEhnHgFSENKGY9Cmgvv3Scg7HwUuvw1xCQzrbHDxqiua0/s1600/stuff+i%2527ve+made+012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZ2NDXIfbCX1epm5eNJmooEZTH8DtztnmhSLwdobKwl4uscBR7bzGV5-CfmxgOu1goYKnEt7bAB45-TrrqAjYFCzkTc6S1MzEhnHgFSENKGY9Cmgvv3Scg7HwUuvw1xCQzrbHDxqiua0/s400/stuff+i%2527ve+made+012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704565307618744562" border="0" /></a>Anyone who knows me might also recognise that the map on the front of my book shows my local area, including my road!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9yF_GDpPilewmLBrmY_gM7hW6DO2g8B9-jQx1z2vA-WI7yRpNtUGGjStewniE4i83MZbceEz3Dh1gfJJES18mxhpJBTj_QNxTfGUvZPs_TgFDmAA9vn_JVDdPCB3cORFvawVolXCiLlI/s1600/bookbinding+1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9yF_GDpPilewmLBrmY_gM7hW6DO2g8B9-jQx1z2vA-WI7yRpNtUGGjStewniE4i83MZbceEz3Dh1gfJJES18mxhpJBTj_QNxTfGUvZPs_TgFDmAA9vn_JVDdPCB3cORFvawVolXCiLlI/s400/bookbinding+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704565834903935922" border="0" /></a>We also added a map on the inside cover but I forgot to take a photo of that stage. After the cover was finished we folded some A4 paper in half in groups of five to form the pages of our book.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQHj9HYw-nC_WmX2_1Gz2H8AomakE2MCSTbLT_3avygZOlT9e4LsnLgRqfOo_S9HRpPOGgDt37a5JiInRWjetiCn6I94mJ1L2DEWGpxWj79kp30d-iz7nmvA-B1U5jIjbSImTYqmD0SM/s1600/stuff+i%2527ve+made+016.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQHj9HYw-nC_WmX2_1Gz2H8AomakE2MCSTbLT_3avygZOlT9e4LsnLgRqfOo_S9HRpPOGgDt37a5JiInRWjetiCn6I94mJ1L2DEWGpxWj79kp30d-iz7nmvA-B1U5jIjbSImTYqmD0SM/s400/stuff+i%2527ve+made+016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704566914068212482" border="0" /></a>To finish we made holes in the paper with an awl which lined up with the window in the cover. Suzanne then showed us a clever sewing technique to fix the pages in our book and ta-da:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1o5kN_vnZT_DX3CPFxKHn_AooWQcZJQHx2Eh0CasZGuMIcKmpXq5ahxad4n4ZWi6tfK7im7gv_vBHG71aU-FlGlxt8yXAM-52KCdnBq9bqX321fK5wVAyc3HTH-TWsJbQK4mIPy4TsI/s1600/bookbinding+15.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1o5kN_vnZT_DX3CPFxKHn_AooWQcZJQHx2Eh0CasZGuMIcKmpXq5ahxad4n4ZWi6tfK7im7gv_vBHG71aU-FlGlxt8yXAM-52KCdnBq9bqX321fK5wVAyc3HTH-TWsJbQK4mIPy4TsI/s400/bookbinding+15.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704567755344763906" border="0" /></a>I can't tell you how pleased I am with this book - it was lovely to make something so functional, using such basic materials and come out with something so lovely. Another bonus is that the tools for this hobby are so cheap - all you need is some mount board, some paper, a bone folder and an awl (although you could use a needle). I got the lot for less than £10 and am definitely planning to do more of this - it would be great for making personalised presents I think.<br /><br />Oh, and just one more photo to show you can't always get everything right the first time (as much as my perfectionist tendencies try to persuade me otherwise!):<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-0A0rqKeLFVSJIjHv7F7CcEiQgS2C8uc5-Wh-ngB_2A3zIk0xh4rAigUivjbXJFGBomgmAC-WKQ5F8HEhfZxHhgYHlrCtfWYoxgAd1qimWXiYuROE9tAVAGnop7OT_nkEj1NtNy16nA/s1600/bookbinding+16.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-0A0rqKeLFVSJIjHv7F7CcEiQgS2C8uc5-Wh-ngB_2A3zIk0xh4rAigUivjbXJFGBomgmAC-WKQ5F8HEhfZxHhgYHlrCtfWYoxgAd1qimWXiYuROE9tAVAGnop7OT_nkEj1NtNy16nA/s400/bookbinding+16.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704571638314665202" border="0" /></a>If you look closely you can see that the map I put on the inside cover is upside-down! Whoops!<br /><br />Have you tried any new crafts recently? I'm always looking for inspiration for the next technique to tackle! I will also be popping over to <a href="http://thecraftersapprentice.blogspot.com/">Wendy's blog</a> to link to this on her <a href="http://thecraftersapprentice.blogspot.com/p/learn-new-technique-linky.html">Learn a New Technique page</a>.<br /><br />Hope you are having a good week and (for those of you in the UK) managing to keep warm! Brrrr!<br /><br />xx<br /><br />PS. Don't forget to enter my <a href="http://thedottyone.blogspot.com/2012/01/giveaway.html">giveaway</a> if you haven't already!The Dotty Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17467041152182432475noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514806242728981330.post-63267299215733154432012-01-28T21:16:00.000+00:002012-01-28T21:18:43.425+00:00GIVEAWAY!As promised a <a href="http://thedottyone.blogspot.com/2012/01/im-back-and-giveaway-news.html">little while ago</a> I have finally got round to arranging a little giveaway on my blog! Yay! No particular reason really - I just see so many lovely giveaways on other blogs (I've even won a couple - thanks <a href="http://www.cutecrochetedcreations.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-giveaway.html">Laura</a> and <a href="http://ladybirdlikes.blogspot.com/2012/01/mixtape-giveaway.html">Zoe</a>!) and wanted to get involved and say thank you for reading :o)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPsNfOEJQ1Vfdm3zyfpsLRTCngODaZEgzYNMbtJ1WCvwiuFhswekos45dXYPIH8gtR7Hnn0IzIlGJZ4n6k64zzW-BVZ-niZe4ByHgsIbhVx4IoQWCJGJJNHkeSncr3erqCKW18bf1Tdnw/s1600/giveaway+altogether.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPsNfOEJQ1Vfdm3zyfpsLRTCngODaZEgzYNMbtJ1WCvwiuFhswekos45dXYPIH8gtR7Hnn0IzIlGJZ4n6k64zzW-BVZ-niZe4ByHgsIbhVx4IoQWCJGJJNHkeSncr3erqCKW18bf1Tdnw/s400/giveaway+altogether.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702790699180796226" border="0" /></a>There are no rules and regulations - all you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post and I will do a random draw in 2 weeks time on Saturday 11th February. You are of course welcome to become a follower or tell your friends but there is no obligation to do so! Depending on how many entries I get I might split the prize and have two winners...<br /><br />So, a closeup of the prizes:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWAJh9nkaLY9qixVXrIZ7eezuJ7BAnzbWTa3EIiAeDEKbyHBsqf2qCoq0l-Q3138VXle-PFpz4GwYqfp5A1wVx59NwIpFLQvxveDCmC0ZsE2znlGe0gbdImlCIATUkNZZrS1-5CJ1dAo0/s1600/amigurumi+owl.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWAJh9nkaLY9qixVXrIZ7eezuJ7BAnzbWTa3EIiAeDEKbyHBsqf2qCoq0l-Q3138VXle-PFpz4GwYqfp5A1wVx59NwIpFLQvxveDCmC0ZsE2znlGe0gbdImlCIATUkNZZrS1-5CJ1dAo0/s400/amigurumi+owl.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702791482902997474" border="0" /></a>A little amigurumi owl (pattern <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/owls-two-ways-crochet">here</a>)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjql2xFMWJRnN9DmhWZbd7zTjyktewv5KovOlVjqoFj3qY07lzItiDlg_MEnCyYRdiLTL01LYdDtemm4nkb1IFpUvbtUJM3FlCFTtow6AWNE5ckp2FhOhZcPucK1_WQ8v1BxgkJP5wvzOw/s1600/dichroic+glass+necklace.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjql2xFMWJRnN9DmhWZbd7zTjyktewv5KovOlVjqoFj3qY07lzItiDlg_MEnCyYRdiLTL01LYdDtemm4nkb1IFpUvbtUJM3FlCFTtow6AWNE5ckp2FhOhZcPucK1_WQ8v1BxgkJP5wvzOw/s400/dichroic+glass+necklace.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702791879230407170" border="0" /></a>A sparkly dichroic glass necklace on a silver chain.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqIFx7_T2kO_NaptkhahY-rWCM6GnWUitgumhRar0htxQP2xoi0zwZIoGZ5dk7B3cbUhALfAinEyf-pCYqnJRh1x1ib07mmu7IxG7XmjacKXz6f6ZPKwJ64Mi1XIZmqGktJDx6up23oE/s1600/cactus+pincushion+giveaway.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqIFx7_T2kO_NaptkhahY-rWCM6GnWUitgumhRar0htxQP2xoi0zwZIoGZ5dk7B3cbUhALfAinEyf-pCYqnJRh1x1ib07mmu7IxG7XmjacKXz6f6ZPKwJ64Mi1XIZmqGktJDx6up23oE/s400/cactus+pincushion+giveaway.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702792548149468610" border="0" /></a>A decorative plush felt cactus - I use mine as a pin cushion.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixpXsRhJjINmjINCPpXvs-1FMkCWZkUHgiNJZeOVpwgXh7iI-9dA-T814WMVECQzzydLaxwcVJEw8N3Ah2ZRYVPlEwVlS_otVl9kN4os8X2X6UiVZFK0G0u0w8NTSPXWZ67jDLiNiFL-s/s1600/amigurumi+fried+eggs+8.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixpXsRhJjINmjINCPpXvs-1FMkCWZkUHgiNJZeOVpwgXh7iI-9dA-T814WMVECQzzydLaxwcVJEw8N3Ah2ZRYVPlEwVlS_otVl9kN4os8X2X6UiVZFK0G0u0w8NTSPXWZ67jDLiNiFL-s/s400/amigurumi+fried+eggs+8.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702792957537369522" border="0" /></a>And last but not least a smiley amigurumi fried egg (more info on this pattern in my <a href="http://thedottyone.blogspot.com/2012/01/amigurumi-fried-egg.html">previous blog post</a>)<br /><br />I hope you all enter (please enter! I don't want a giveaway with no entries!). Thank you for all your support and lovely comments over the 6 months or so!<br /><br />Have a lovely weekend xxThe Dotty Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17467041152182432475noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514806242728981330.post-41881897497401969702012-01-24T21:12:00.001+00:002012-01-24T21:13:40.042+00:00Granny blanket update!I've finally got some progress to report on my granny blanket! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Yay</span>! So I thought to celebrate I'd share some pictures with you.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4gptjXScPbj15VspWReXgT-_O9sr6H8m3ddIvd1EbEkaOtaCerZam70jsvw3p2JtsaqICTvpjKgEM3voDnvRXYUvC8M6PZc4UTCDi8B5aJwt9xtzGizyugQd0kumnq9wsTYLUodr8kU/s1600/granny+blanket+1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4gptjXScPbj15VspWReXgT-_O9sr6H8m3ddIvd1EbEkaOtaCerZam70jsvw3p2JtsaqICTvpjKgEM3voDnvRXYUvC8M6PZc4UTCDi8B5aJwt9xtzGizyugQd0kumnq9wsTYLUodr8kU/s400/granny+blanket+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701304817954560562" border="0" /></a><br />After a lot of procrastination I eventually got round to attaching my <a href="http://thedottyone.blogspot.com/2011/11/100-grannies.html">100 granny squares</a> together and now it actually resembles a blanket!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj993qAAKhwexMIrSjO3z2upxsoXA2ylMfGR5xF_45cVsVjzgTpbI0Ibf2iV_NbfE-w4eytpXRDZV6k6nEOj-20PsQCi9M-5rMfr3SoNp6kj_c771XByqZXD7I9ZpsIsk1rUtTCH-9lUc8/s1600/granny+blanket+3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj993qAAKhwexMIrSjO3z2upxsoXA2ylMfGR5xF_45cVsVjzgTpbI0Ibf2iV_NbfE-w4eytpXRDZV6k6nEOj-20PsQCi9M-5rMfr3SoNp6kj_c771XByqZXD7I9ZpsIsk1rUtTCH-9lUc8/s400/granny+blanket+3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701305921765044242" border="0" /></a><br />After lots of thought and a <a href="http://thedottyone.blogspot.com/2011/10/granny-blanket-progress.html">few tests</a> I decided to attach them using a slip stitch through the back loops (there is a fab tutorial <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/joining-granny-sqaures.html">here</a>). I think it took a bit longer that stitching the squares together would have done but I like the effect so I think it was worth it.<br /><br />Unfortunately, when I was finished attaching I laid it out on the floor to take a look and I wasn't happy at all! It was all lumpy and wouldn't lay flat. Very disappointing. I think a combination of my tension changing over the period I made the squares (as I was still learning) and crocheting the squares together too tightly combined to give this effect.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozDhdMDHi3EoEyVseGTRwLI1RI2ldKQU_7yV6SLGdeOowerYe-UnPdSQACHOLQzz8lIeOjhFoRXjR0YYkGatQMCXAW91c8xTcz85H04DPbJ5ocLb95sZYu3JHo4C6voZwdZcveuyOIQU/s1600/granny+blanket+4.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozDhdMDHi3EoEyVseGTRwLI1RI2ldKQU_7yV6SLGdeOowerYe-UnPdSQACHOLQzz8lIeOjhFoRXjR0YYkGatQMCXAW91c8xTcz85H04DPbJ5ocLb95sZYu3JHo4C6voZwdZcveuyOIQU/s400/granny+blanket+4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701305351421399746" border="0" /></a><br />Oh dear! I was just hopeful that blocking would help and thankfully it did. Some water and over 100 pins later I had turned the wonky blanket above into this:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZT_RNX00ue9ewKC7F9fnHgPKm33DjovrdsfZSF1n2kTwQdRL5KKfeSFEOJgIBa8Ok8B0j397jNMcQ-UJRoXoNurwkyPjQ6cZ0PBeJl-Rj2vatNS0vx9HFIPhCx1IFvQyVFy_8ubBJlJk/s1600/granny+blanket+2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZT_RNX00ue9ewKC7F9fnHgPKm33DjovrdsfZSF1n2kTwQdRL5KKfeSFEOJgIBa8Ok8B0j397jNMcQ-UJRoXoNurwkyPjQ6cZ0PBeJl-Rj2vatNS0vx9HFIPhCx1IFvQyVFy_8ubBJlJk/s400/granny+blanket+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701306378846800050" border="0" /></a>Phew! I am much happier with it now. After a few days blocking the blanket was much flatter and squarer (as in the first two pics). And in future I will block more frequently - maybe not every square but definitely smaller sections of squares.<br /><br />I haven't decided whether to add any more squares to this blanket or not. My original intention was to make quite a large blanket but that was before I realised quite how much yarn making the blanket would take and the subsequent effect on my bank balance! <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Unfortunately</span> due to my inexperience I chose a bit of an expensive yarn. At the moment I am planning to leave it for a bit and work on some other projects and see how I feel at a later date. I've already got lots of ideas for other things I want to make....!The Dotty Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17467041152182432475noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514806242728981330.post-53715086439533782242012-01-18T16:50:00.001+00:002012-01-18T16:52:37.016+00:00Amigurumi Fried EggI've been doing loads of crochet recently and as well as working on <a href="http://thedottyone.blogspot.com/2011/11/100-grannies.html">my blanket</a> I've had a go at some smaller amigurumi projects. I've also started using <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">ravelry</a> properly (oooh - so addictive!) which has given me access to loads more patterns. Which is probably how I found myself at 1 a.m. on Sunday morning (after a night out!) trying to finish crocheting a fried egg for no reason at all! Here is the result:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKO3TMevDMTYAfLgvF2Q07244VDcfNpAaDg6x2EXQJlfiBw7eCPawYABfIuwoEf9rnncTuEfeKJBkrsRrQJHgpdkTrVE8Qnx2LxBPglPvaQC_NALpGfflYNY2ZaLeI9KdqTtuNWslPFZY/s1600/amigurumi+fried+eggs+8.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKO3TMevDMTYAfLgvF2Q07244VDcfNpAaDg6x2EXQJlfiBw7eCPawYABfIuwoEf9rnncTuEfeKJBkrsRrQJHgpdkTrVE8Qnx2LxBPglPvaQC_NALpGfflYNY2ZaLeI9KdqTtuNWslPFZY/s400/amigurumi+fried+eggs+8.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699011091006857154" border="0" /></a><br />The pattern is on ravelry <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sunny-side-up-tawashi">here</a>. Unfortunately it is in Japanese and I don't know about you but my Japanese isn't up to much!! Luckily there is also a <a href="http://www.hamanaka.co.jp/make/eco_tawashi/pdf/MedamayakiEcoTawashi.pdf">charted pattern</a><a href="http://www.hamanaka.co.jp/make/eco_tawashi/pdf/MedamayakiEcoTawashi.pdf"> here</a> and some speedy googling led me to a <a href="http://www.hassdesign.com/StitchLegend/">conversion chart</a> so I could work out what the symbols meant. Once that was done the pattern came together very quickly - the only frustrating bit was adding the safety eyes (does everyone else find them an absolute pain to put on?! they drive me mad!). The pattern didn't call for a face but I do love a spot of anthropomorphism. And who couldn't love an egg with a smiley face :o)<br /><br />Having sent the photo to a few people telling them they were a good egg (aaaah I love a lame pun!) I decided to make another one, this time with a sad face:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9wMRzMZD_nLTJYTaXSs3duId7U3Gj1nDQ1tCpUq15Nt-nTuE3r6skqNpsb8MPuZLV-pC-df7lejrk6uKKROxxtMUPS8ppRNW_GbgRqfOXwIqsFWUE4FtgfnNZbawDAMvqAxn18F-OiI/s1600/amigurumi+fried+eggs+20.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9wMRzMZD_nLTJYTaXSs3duId7U3Gj1nDQ1tCpUq15Nt-nTuE3r6skqNpsb8MPuZLV-pC-df7lejrk6uKKROxxtMUPS8ppRNW_GbgRqfOXwIqsFWUE4FtgfnNZbawDAMvqAxn18F-OiI/s400/amigurumi+fried+eggs+20.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699011678525556914" border="0" /></a><br />Apparently the egg is actually supposed to be a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tawashi">tawashi</a> which is a traditional Japanese scrubbing brush. I won't be using mine as a scrubbing brush though (I'm not sure I could with the safety eyes in there!). I will be giving one away and keeping one to add to my collection of cute but ultimately pointless things (item #713).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fvUVAiKg1hOeW0wxKbmFhf6BAiTlUIcJxtV75MDtPPQTDXs7kFVCkPBtnp8HJd_d1eiRdPy4HBLDH0rvQ3HSjBQypkidDUxOYNLQspsOn-BwlgDzIFo-pBjRMXgi0nuxtSiTZsdXoaY/s1600/amigurumi+fried+eggs+11.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fvUVAiKg1hOeW0wxKbmFhf6BAiTlUIcJxtV75MDtPPQTDXs7kFVCkPBtnp8HJd_d1eiRdPy4HBLDH0rvQ3HSjBQypkidDUxOYNLQspsOn-BwlgDzIFo-pBjRMXgi0nuxtSiTZsdXoaY/s400/amigurumi+fried+eggs+11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699012950190400050" border="0" /></a><br />(Sorry - I couldn't resist a pic of the eggs together in a frying pan!)<br /><br />I'll post some of the other things I have been working on soon. In the meantime if anyone wants to find me on ravelry I am <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/thedottyone">here</a> with the username thedottyone. Although I have been on ravelry for a while I have only just started using it properly and I will be putting up my pictures and completed projects soon. Please free to add me as a friend if you are on there too - I'd love to see what you are up to and don't have many friends at the moment!! :o(<br /><br />Happy crafting xxThe Dotty Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17467041152182432475noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514806242728981330.post-66260668321687099992012-01-11T22:00:00.001+00:002012-01-11T22:03:19.948+00:00Dress a Girl Around the WorldOne of my <a href="http://thedottyone.blogspot.com/2012/01/crafty-intentions-2012.html">intentions for 2012</a> was to get involved in doing some crafting for charity/<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craftivism">craftivism</a> and on Saturday I had the chance to do just that. My local craft studio, <a href="http://www.thecreateplace.co.uk/home-3/">the Create Place</a>, ran a <a href="http://www.thecreateplace.co.uk/2012/01/and-were-back/">session</a> making dresses for a charity organisation called <a href="http://www.dressagirlaroundtheworld.com/">Dress A Girl Around the World</a>. This is a fab project which sends dresses to girls in the developing world who wouldn't usually have a new dress of their own.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4oB1ZsiPiTBRcXhyphenhyphenwnE4ys8AHsOkSsrcJ4VVg8OiSCvx8f5MD3GP0eyzjvQuOd0CtaA-_olT4B3-chhEQlzpwAcuqLe14Zr9AEDIVR6rhFkIOtm1Z3cdvUhZujq2eC1nJegWpuXURec/s1600/dress+a+girl+around+the+world.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4oB1ZsiPiTBRcXhyphenhyphenwnE4ys8AHsOkSsrcJ4VVg8OiSCvx8f5MD3GP0eyzjvQuOd0CtaA-_olT4B3-chhEQlzpwAcuqLe14Zr9AEDIVR6rhFkIOtm1Z3cdvUhZujq2eC1nJegWpuXURec/s400/dress+a+girl+around+the+world.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696488896831355538" border="0" /></a>The dresses are simple to make using just a pillowcase and some trimmings (with patterns provided on the website) but look very cute and pretty. Our sewing gurus <a href="http://cheekyhandmades.blogspot.com/">Jennie</a> and <a href="http://lisamargreet.wordpress.com/">Lisa</a> were on hand to help us if we got stuck and provide refreshments as we sweated over our machines! We had lots of fun sewing and chatting and embellishing but most importantly we made a stack of dresses to send of to girls in the developing world. <br /><br />I made two dresses. One fairly simple in white with blue straps and a little red heart on the front:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNkGLvIsL3uFJXT4h11LtbwodsHEtTxi4bs_2psAC2dHB3gKvW9h0je0gxqvbIV3gV7Ecx8i_Z9z1sYbuOadWGza7wdEel5xR6IFh-tgwsBDMUx6eXHsJvWqrXef9xOHBQBmyAIR13Ho/s1600/dress+a+girl+around+the+world+4.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNkGLvIsL3uFJXT4h11LtbwodsHEtTxi4bs_2psAC2dHB3gKvW9h0je0gxqvbIV3gV7Ecx8i_Z9z1sYbuOadWGza7wdEel5xR6IFh-tgwsBDMUx6eXHsJvWqrXef9xOHBQBmyAIR13Ho/s400/dress+a+girl+around+the+world+4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696492928266158450" border="0" /></a>And another one in such loud material that I didn't think it needed any embellishment!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ewuguIngcY6e_ICk1wTTG6tk2omUhyphenhyphenqbIp_z_5sHIpJZSL7dvrxSJyEVi3JHqq5Qe1pVhLinwNJJPMtn1CFFNaUzmAh4VlX6N55uWf4dK1jGYPigLep_ENBodJnKSUlBv3y4tvXXaBQ/s1600/dress+a+girl+around+the+world+6.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ewuguIngcY6e_ICk1wTTG6tk2omUhyphenhyphenqbIp_z_5sHIpJZSL7dvrxSJyEVi3JHqq5Qe1pVhLinwNJJPMtn1CFFNaUzmAh4VlX6N55uWf4dK1jGYPigLep_ENBodJnKSUlBv3y4tvXXaBQ/s400/dress+a+girl+around+the+world+6.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696493606101989154" border="0" /></a>I wish I'd taken more pictures of the dresses everyone else made but I was so wrapped up in my sewing I forgot until it was too late! By the time I took my pictures the light wasn't too great either! Jennie's blog has <a href="http://cheekyhandmades.blogspot.com/2012/01/dress-girl-around-world.html">more pics</a>.<br /><br />I had a brilliant afternoon, made all the better by knowing that I was doing something worthwhile. I am definitely looking forward to getting involved in more projects like this.<br /><br />xxx<br /><br />PS. If you want to get involved in this project then a lady called Louise Horler is the <a href="http://www.dressagirlaroundtheworld.com/internationalpartners.htm">UK coordinator</a>. Her blog is <a href="http://sewscrumptious.blogspot.com/">here</a> and the facebook page is <a href="http://www.facebook.com/DressagirlaroundtheWorldUK">here</a>.The Dotty Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17467041152182432475noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514806242728981330.post-47118987592984835402012-01-07T18:30:00.000+00:002012-01-07T18:31:11.034+00:00Crafty Intentions 2012I'm not really one for making New Year's resolutions but I thought it might focus my mind to think about some of things I would like to achieve this year creatively and for this blog. I have also posted photos of some of my favourite things I have made over 2011 in the hope that it might make you read this selfish post right to the end!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">My creative intentions</span>* <span style="font-weight: bold;">for 2012 are:</span><br /><br />1. Try at least 4 new crafts - either in classes or self taught.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcvbfQygA16bAgKunb4BQ0qIqf74LX2ahCMN_VEfu5lMFzkiAeRcGSiHmpflJrDdFtDOoiBiBzZpOzy5jQ23mWzi0A9rs3rq4WCiQpQC56xSldANkN0ck7Qm40kdTZ1GdiUf3yLQhigg/s1600/crochet+051.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcvbfQygA16bAgKunb4BQ0qIqf74LX2ahCMN_VEfu5lMFzkiAeRcGSiHmpflJrDdFtDOoiBiBzZpOzy5jQ23mWzi0A9rs3rq4WCiQpQC56xSldANkN0ck7Qm40kdTZ1GdiUf3yLQhigg/s400/crochet+051.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694952719806015394" border="0" /></a><br />2. Get involved in <a href="http://craftivism.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">craftivism</span></a>/crafting for charity<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHN8HIlCoi4dffyQXdANnxk0y0OsWInLJFrCVcHuq94XOtZLEMDjNR2oZ7f9PKfvNVfuA2KQBKU-ZOJ2KmBoAe0m1B3YesbM6qiQH-i5IL5nCVM2OFqCl4NDweeY7aQwXHjJkbDiYGhKQ/s1600/granny+knits+camper+van+2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHN8HIlCoi4dffyQXdANnxk0y0OsWInLJFrCVcHuq94XOtZLEMDjNR2oZ7f9PKfvNVfuA2KQBKU-ZOJ2KmBoAe0m1B3YesbM6qiQH-i5IL5nCVM2OFqCl4NDweeY7aQwXHjJkbDiYGhKQ/s400/granny+knits+camper+van+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694954413459804866" border="0" /></a><br />3. Teach a crafty skill to someone else.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmHdkQvrRtdUBHuGVGr3xB6u6yzjJOXIoSDFbaoFWc_PKY73kYgIimjLRRT8MKBK50uNb24AHd8tzijXiA7GwCnY3Bz5GT9bdjGdCE9oA2w48tLgYfsrO8CXRU8qlHGbQ2CGKHbXrr9g/s1600/100+granny+squares+3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmHdkQvrRtdUBHuGVGr3xB6u6yzjJOXIoSDFbaoFWc_PKY73kYgIimjLRRT8MKBK50uNb24AHd8tzijXiA7GwCnY3Bz5GT9bdjGdCE9oA2w48tLgYfsrO8CXRU8qlHGbQ2CGKHbXrr9g/s400/100+granny+squares+3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694951559328011762" border="0" /></a><br />4. Finish my <a href="http://thedottyone.blogspot.com/2011/11/100-grannies.html">granny blanket</a> - this will involve attaching together the 100 squares I already have and possibly adding many more!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8lam_v5IdMB-UAmUzU9VCluFYK6bqoBvjj7l5u_qwiuTB_ftceilzhnBz4btcX9duyx5JzsAbc9e8xsjf5FlnqC-TNGFEiJxXja7xtBMFWxg91Cd9zuxit_s0dYLf8tO4hTHAMCBvuw/s1600/stained+glass+panel+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8lam_v5IdMB-UAmUzU9VCluFYK6bqoBvjj7l5u_qwiuTB_ftceilzhnBz4btcX9duyx5JzsAbc9e8xsjf5FlnqC-TNGFEiJxXja7xtBMFWxg91Cd9zuxit_s0dYLf8tO4hTHAMCBvuw/s400/stained+glass+panel+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694955924211865650" border="0" /></a><br />5. Finish at least one knitting project. I've only just learned to knit and I'm not sure whether it will be my thing or not but I would like to try and make at least one thing to give it a go.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44AxBu45jLoKRjH2baUEGWnyris4PCX0s8h_sXOdMpSVoLF3h8blPgkXJeSeXH604Ibsg_skB7E4Dqa8Ie1DibcfpkI4mPQzwQXT3XsQLn09mZMi9sw0T0F6EuvR409LoPMzIgxPu6xk/s1600/quilt+9.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44AxBu45jLoKRjH2baUEGWnyris4PCX0s8h_sXOdMpSVoLF3h8blPgkXJeSeXH604Ibsg_skB7E4Dqa8Ie1DibcfpkI4mPQzwQXT3XsQLn09mZMi9sw0T0F6EuvR409LoPMzIgxPu6xk/s400/quilt+9.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694958744736226114" border="0" /></a><br />6. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Hand make</span> the majority of the cards I send.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3uaaNKnHBkBPHVxAYK4_YjkpgRIeaYVemWR_GMIbEkTtk_yzbemzyE49PNh6jwfRvKdD4Zea5PGvZ_P_zJpwANEPp1EDZTXqNqd45M9TAQCiSjXPX-t6ZCCuzTsCVKLCC4Vo5uJfXL4c/s1600/emily+peacock+rob+ryan+tapestry+1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3uaaNKnHBkBPHVxAYK4_YjkpgRIeaYVemWR_GMIbEkTtk_yzbemzyE49PNh6jwfRvKdD4Zea5PGvZ_P_zJpwANEPp1EDZTXqNqd45M9TAQCiSjXPX-t6ZCCuzTsCVKLCC4Vo5uJfXL4c/s400/emily+peacock+rob+ryan+tapestry+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694952983957239778" border="0" /></a><br />7. Turn my <a href="http://thedottyone.blogspot.com/2011/10/woohoo-tapestry-finally-finished.html">Emily Peacock tapestries</a> into cushions - this is something that I have been meaning to do for ages and I just need to get on with it!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipU6iYhkKwqkIpeTYjB4AHkfFTDJ9_KV4Hf7VEl_xt-ZXgF8FAvc7gCFoIELo1dOG2ui49fGQgBGR-LjQYtCYa3eMnVxpZL9ADv0nPnUa9GA2aYhBn57Yl1j99e5EP_P0IjMjkRG3kGnA/s1600/pmc+41.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipU6iYhkKwqkIpeTYjB4AHkfFTDJ9_KV4Hf7VEl_xt-ZXgF8FAvc7gCFoIELo1dOG2ui49fGQgBGR-LjQYtCYa3eMnVxpZL9ADv0nPnUa9GA2aYhBn57Yl1j99e5EP_P0IjMjkRG3kGnA/s400/pmc+41.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694954724640075154" border="0" /></a><br />8. Have another go at <a href="http://thedottyone.blogspot.com/2011/09/silver-clay-jewellery-learning.html">silver clay jewellery</a> - I bought all the kit at the end of my course and its just sat in my spare room ever since. Whoops!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihiQosf9mH0WYIaYgFuF0_z4qjjrsjiQ5OJExdwJi0UtZHQTdYdPa8onP_DSUIvFbgoQ4oFst4kFULWJZ9kRWrY0lX8VFy2DaMsibFfUzVI-lm79iD4K3_vqUV1dwpgVCXbN6jybMJ74k/s1600/5.+fused+glass+lightcatchers+crop.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihiQosf9mH0WYIaYgFuF0_z4qjjrsjiQ5OJExdwJi0UtZHQTdYdPa8onP_DSUIvFbgoQ4oFst4kFULWJZ9kRWrY0lX8VFy2DaMsibFfUzVI-lm79iD4K3_vqUV1dwpgVCXbN6jybMJ74k/s400/5.+fused+glass+lightcatchers+crop.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694950931200581266" border="0" /></a><br />9. Look into getting a stall at a craft fair, probably selling mainly <a href="http://thedottyone.blogspot.com/2011/11/fused-glass-overload.html">glass goodies</a>, maybe with someone else.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOa_AEaamcgrNUVGQ2SAkc4EtgyJihziFIwn98RKFHFT5Rzp0XIZy5Mk52QYVhysf71Z4xHsep3OCKG6KCZb0BycizyIvqZiGWSX1FqCzk44XotRsLuyAoQCpSbYuhqCqDQjREOPSAGcw/s1600/scottie+4.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOa_AEaamcgrNUVGQ2SAkc4EtgyJihziFIwn98RKFHFT5Rzp0XIZy5Mk52QYVhysf71Z4xHsep3OCKG6KCZb0BycizyIvqZiGWSX1FqCzk44XotRsLuyAoQCpSbYuhqCqDQjREOPSAGcw/s400/scottie+4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694955139097481794" border="0" /></a><br />10. Use up some of my fabric stash BEFORE I buy any more. I should probably try to do this for yarn too!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1pi6HnIIIMUkrwRuVDg4jmAAEnwQQxEJJOJ8RQRqnBtM77LDbm4OC0m-hIruveLoui9AJ6yu3udhMojpOrNZh1P5XsyO77hVMpRuwG6AlpNODuMPCTFqt-6HufKnLFLLPq12CYUxibs/s1600/1.+fused+glass+square+plate+crop.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1pi6HnIIIMUkrwRuVDg4jmAAEnwQQxEJJOJ8RQRqnBtM77LDbm4OC0m-hIruveLoui9AJ6yu3udhMojpOrNZh1P5XsyO77hVMpRuwG6AlpNODuMPCTFqt-6HufKnLFLLPq12CYUxibs/s400/1.+fused+glass+square+plate+crop.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694950608403941394" border="0" /></a><br />11. Write a tutorial for this blog.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMHOGsrVzfKVuca5P4ygBpaval-LkAIPjEOqm4_iv-dVgrc3kr5OILJMZ4aWQSGAxKBSCiQeY4XbUU-pbtKnTiDZ2AqEarxHoPFGWGMN9mlivbC23qm1UsVmNNKpUeUzKgu1ielt5Qkg/s1600/crochet+026.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMHOGsrVzfKVuca5P4ygBpaval-LkAIPjEOqm4_iv-dVgrc3kr5OILJMZ4aWQSGAxKBSCiQeY4XbUU-pbtKnTiDZ2AqEarxHoPFGWGMN9mlivbC23qm1UsVmNNKpUeUzKgu1ielt5Qkg/s400/crochet+026.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694958084485372674" border="0" /></a><br />12. Have 2 blog giveaways and participate in some swaps.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEF7jP8qF_hJj9YDGi5Une07ZQeXIyzracj-zXem-Fl3YoP02X1xSktUgeiSQyvGVerwGmWqJ0bWRqTEvSnalfeMUtIPIVKU012pRftNoMZA6C4G4tSL2pqalnwqs7n6ZwC6ssok-509M/s1600/glass+christmas+decoration+5.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEF7jP8qF_hJj9YDGi5Une07ZQeXIyzracj-zXem-Fl3YoP02X1xSktUgeiSQyvGVerwGmWqJ0bWRqTEvSnalfeMUtIPIVKU012pRftNoMZA6C4G4tSL2pqalnwqs7n6ZwC6ssok-509M/s400/glass+christmas+decoration+5.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694953864260783698" border="0" /></a><br />13. Aim to blog at least once a week.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfUJCONFoWBko3fmbadZmmnwzurYMJfP5-l9TCiX7_50MvigG27GHFoKyzzBXyNF3NleyRqTa40rC4qhMboltpqkH0YY3cn6aqffyhbD6QBn_sW0Lmo8dXRjbC7pbDyhyLt5fAKXEsuQ/s1600/toadstool+14.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfUJCONFoWBko3fmbadZmmnwzurYMJfP5-l9TCiX7_50MvigG27GHFoKyzzBXyNF3NleyRqTa40rC4qhMboltpqkH0YY3cn6aqffyhbD6QBn_sW0Lmo8dXRjbC7pbDyhyLt5fAKXEsuQ/s400/toadstool+14.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694956646722222338" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihiQosf9mH0WYIaYgFuF0_z4qjjrsjiQ5OJExdwJi0UtZHQTdYdPa8onP_DSUIvFbgoQ4oFst4kFULWJZ9kRWrY0lX8VFy2DaMsibFfUzVI-lm79iD4K3_vqUV1dwpgVCXbN6jybMJ74k/s1600/5.+fused+glass+lightcatchers+crop.JPG"><br /></a>14. Start using <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ravelry</span></a> and documenting my projects on there.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkYO3EutQb1MrSU84anp4RhPB9QKiOxm9BSq4AcNmPJH-zdaJrES3rSNQ383Bg09aAmbRZHtYXTFosb4o54bS0m4gpTFJ9-S9sxjqluXPCVd44ztD-d0ebGyTo2W3XubOA18bd4qDw_w/s1600/screenprinted+tea+cosy+2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSkYO3EutQb1MrSU84anp4RhPB9QKiOxm9BSq4AcNmPJH-zdaJrES3rSNQ383Bg09aAmbRZHtYXTFosb4o54bS0m4gpTFJ9-S9sxjqluXPCVd44ztD-d0ebGyTo2W3XubOA18bd4qDw_w/s400/screenprinted+tea+cosy+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694955480706253890" border="0" /></a><br />15. And to finish on a more general intention, I always like to have <a href="http://thedottyone.blogspot.com/2011/08/work-in-progress-wip.html">several projects</a> on the go but I would really like to get better at finishing things before starting new projects!<br /><br />Phew - looks like I've got a busy year ahead! I've actually already managed to put the wheels in motion for some of these intentions already and it looks like I should probably get started on the others! If anyone is thinking of putting a list together like this then I would definitely recommend it - just typing this all out has got my brain whirring with things I want to get started on. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Hmmm</span>....maybe I should take note of number 15 in particular!!<br /><br />Hope you are all having a lovely (crafty) weekend xx<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />*I was inspired to use the word intentions rather than resolutions by <a href="http://www.littletinbird.co.uk/2012/01/01/2011-intentions-review/">Heather</a> - I think it sounds much more </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" style="font-size:85%;">positive</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> and less pressurising!!</span>The Dotty Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17467041152182432475noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514806242728981330.post-34629797758442265712012-01-06T19:00:00.001+00:002012-01-06T19:12:05.290+00:00I'm back! And giveaway news.....!I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and best wishes for the New Year. Mine was pretty hectic with last minute crafting and a holiday over New Year which is why I haven't been spotted much around these parts of late. I had a lovely time but I am also looking forward to getting back into a routine and checking out all your blogs to find out what you've been up to. I'm also excited about getting back to some projects for myself after all those Christmas makes!!<br /><br />Before Christmas something very exciting happened to me: I won my first <a href="http://www.cutecrochetedcreations.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-giveaway.html">giveaway</a>! Hurrah! I was very lucky to win an early Christmas present from <a href="http://www.cutecrochetedcreations.blogspot.com/">Cute Crochet Creations</a>. I got a gorgeous little crochet drawstring bag:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvb3aR0zRhxTktjnXWjwqk9sP98DK5cwR-aJ1J5kPDSHimKzSEMp_lftfr21ss_X0gsyyN93yhdwMDwFvWb8Xf2UBeayX2KLGol1Vbo9hgpZAdKRem-ghPwTy6c8pHhxmJUNfly8d6ybE/s1600/crochet+bag+1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvb3aR0zRhxTktjnXWjwqk9sP98DK5cwR-aJ1J5kPDSHimKzSEMp_lftfr21ss_X0gsyyN93yhdwMDwFvWb8Xf2UBeayX2KLGol1Vbo9hgpZAdKRem-ghPwTy6c8pHhxmJUNfly8d6ybE/s400/crochet+bag+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694591227245629010" border="0" /></a>I don't know if you can see from the picture but the yarn has got sequins in - so pretty! I'm definitely going to hunt some of this out - you can never have too much sparkle as far as I'm concerned! In the bag were some festive earrings and a cute little phone charm too:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFnS3vXbzwt6gW-fT-ICbqJv9RDgILEwX4sw1TIpfTxwcRfgIBk6OCigOr3CP2R48K7IJt3mINMK5f6kXeW7pxE9cXqa1pwVWKLlyN0UBX4RnG5L4QuIbPqS3nLZKcEjwiAUI-WjWNQI/s1600/earrings+2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFnS3vXbzwt6gW-fT-ICbqJv9RDgILEwX4sw1TIpfTxwcRfgIBk6OCigOr3CP2R48K7IJt3mINMK5f6kXeW7pxE9cXqa1pwVWKLlyN0UBX4RnG5L4QuIbPqS3nLZKcEjwiAUI-WjWNQI/s400/earrings+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694592536018167826" border="0" /></a>Thanks so much Laura - I loved my early Christmas present :o) My earrings were much admired on Christmas day and my little crochet bag was very useful for taking my jewellery on holiday!<br /><br />If you haven't visited <a href="http://www.cutecrochetedcreations.blogspot.com/">Cute Crochet Creations</a> before then I suggest you head over there now! There are lots of cute amigurumi creatures and gorgeous cross stitch to check out. I only wish I could be that prolific in my creations!<br /><br />Now also seems like an appropriate time to announce that I am planning a giveaway shortly too so please look out for that. I decided to have a giveaway when I reached 60 followers which I have done recently (actually 61 as of today! hello new follower!) so I am currently working on some goodies to send to one of you.<br /><br />I know lots of people have a giveaway when they reach 50 followers but I chose 60 for two reasons. Firstly, although I do have 60 followers I am aware that some of them don't seem to exist anymore (or, less morbidly, their blogger accounts have been deleted!) so when I reached 50 followers I knew I didn't actually have 50 followers so if felt like cheating somehow. Secondly, and probably more importantly, I didn't notice I had passed 50 followers for a good while after it happened - whoops!! Anyway, I hope you will enter my giveaway when I post about it in the next couple of weeks.<br /><br />I'm going to start planning my crafting for the year......YAY! I wish you all a lovely and creative 2012 xxThe Dotty Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17467041152182432475noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514806242728981330.post-9972351605878767252011-12-18T18:50:00.000+00:002011-12-18T18:56:08.837+00:00Christmas Decorations (Part 2)I've had my Christmas decorations up for over a week now and I've just realised that I never shared the rest of them with you. Whoops - I think it is all the pre-Christmas manic busyness that made it slip my mind. This year I've added to <a href="http://thedottyone.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-decorations-part-1.html">the felt decorations I made last year</a> with some glass ornaments. (As always, I've struggled to photograph the glass - sorry if the pics are a bit blurry!)<br /><br />First up the fused glass decorations for the tree. This is the "star" I made for the top:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVBU_A5YO500tEChcaKZwj7fqVM-7Cn_2AcjVm7m4ili32PZjdDBBxS1FMT4Puj6KbjxG6N3ybXQ0bthQgyJ7hNCXae8PCVi4TfcXwqaYvMcZ7R0NwG73ZxlAMorbW-3E8ARKzRGdMEI/s1600/glass+christmas+decoration+8.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVBU_A5YO500tEChcaKZwj7fqVM-7Cn_2AcjVm7m4ili32PZjdDBBxS1FMT4Puj6KbjxG6N3ybXQ0bthQgyJ7hNCXae8PCVi4TfcXwqaYvMcZ7R0NwG73ZxlAMorbW-3E8ARKzRGdMEI/s400/glass+christmas+decoration+8.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687537905530071746" border="0" /></a>There are more stars dotted about the tree.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_vUQ7U0U7wjHzFaa4OOfXDck_Y_qOaMs55o0w7sl7tzJwEq8c5y1DuWhw6sA_dHwpfaZkO5-XFF06dzruPGhqMWqsRn3DjR2BQxGvdG9eU0vRPFYZGAN09_Qlv-ce3KLtgXvy7wp79ns/s1600/glass+christmas+decoration+19.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_vUQ7U0U7wjHzFaa4OOfXDck_Y_qOaMs55o0w7sl7tzJwEq8c5y1DuWhw6sA_dHwpfaZkO5-XFF06dzruPGhqMWqsRn3DjR2BQxGvdG9eU0vRPFYZGAN09_Qlv-ce3KLtgXvy7wp79ns/s400/glass+christmas+decoration+19.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687538507381585586" border="0" /></a>I've tried to keep all the decorations in a roughly white and clear theme. The sparkly ones are made of either iridescent glass or dichroic glass.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLG-5k-EF6XtIRlqAeZjJAmSMKfr3yptTv5ddyMaPJXZA1-9knLKl3RtYmLJZ-Ydf1FnJ0zokWQwrrTaKu8Ul6_16lA6kWGKRPILKjyKITw5yOGJkwT_y3tLAwJBgWdFzZLbBkqaFBglA/s1600/glass+christmas+decoration+18.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLG-5k-EF6XtIRlqAeZjJAmSMKfr3yptTv5ddyMaPJXZA1-9knLKl3RtYmLJZ-Ydf1FnJ0zokWQwrrTaKu8Ul6_16lA6kWGKRPILKjyKITw5yOGJkwT_y3tLAwJBgWdFzZLbBkqaFBglA/s400/glass+christmas+decoration+18.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687538782499086050" border="0" /></a>This decoration is inspired by one I saw on flickr. Unfortunately I now can't find the original photo. If anyone knows whose it was then please let me know so I can credit the original maker:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRdGcL6LUBxy0pwe7mohMnIWHZUsqR-8BMgkip_okQSzjpL_ikXvd0xEYdAyQ1wnk6UR7TgjJbCgKiuXTwMp_2PdBKBe4zJ_qpZA_GXgAMXfdkAGLoUfCSLLwC-LZbA7tp4CopZ9rU6E/s1600/glass+christmas+decoration+28.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRdGcL6LUBxy0pwe7mohMnIWHZUsqR-8BMgkip_okQSzjpL_ikXvd0xEYdAyQ1wnk6UR7TgjJbCgKiuXTwMp_2PdBKBe4zJ_qpZA_GXgAMXfdkAGLoUfCSLLwC-LZbA7tp4CopZ9rU6E/s400/glass+christmas+decoration+28.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687539533223483474" border="0" /></a>I've also made around 10 stained glass stars using the copper foil method.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqKKe79bOAZM1cEc0RWCxVFRZqdyquvVn5fVNx_up25eI0o70XgBaa5d7M78oRHZLAZl6XEg4Bkat6XgDZ9UNi1RmN9jLz7zCxicoTFWKsP-QD3GC7JJgngKCZSz4sg72vQkedYB4A9I/s1600/glass+christmas+decoration+5.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqKKe79bOAZM1cEc0RWCxVFRZqdyquvVn5fVNx_up25eI0o70XgBaa5d7M78oRHZLAZl6XEg4Bkat6XgDZ9UNi1RmN9jLz7zCxicoTFWKsP-QD3GC7JJgngKCZSz4sg72vQkedYB4A9I/s400/glass+christmas+decoration+5.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687540026189092946" border="0" /></a>I haven't done that much copper foiling so these stars were a really good project to practice on - and brilliant for using up all the scraps of glass I have hanging around.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycgcZorfvGp4CdYmy1XhX50slUV6R1LnXeKUunBOWkdA274AMaMGr8YkzBQ7Xp7qpH9cwcHdMKhEGxmeumCtgLm-q9xBrBm6VGPLsOuwe17ToGdwzzaq2EpuAE_pJ6zZFTPzfse030lk/s1600/glass+christmas+decoration+24.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycgcZorfvGp4CdYmy1XhX50slUV6R1LnXeKUunBOWkdA274AMaMGr8YkzBQ7Xp7qpH9cwcHdMKhEGxmeumCtgLm-q9xBrBm6VGPLsOuwe17ToGdwzzaq2EpuAE_pJ6zZFTPzfse030lk/s400/glass+christmas+decoration+24.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687540515609709426" border="0" /></a>I haven't quite finished decorating the tree (I still need to add those <a href="http://thedottyone.blogspot.com/2011/12/granny-christmas-stars.html">crochet granny stars</a>!) but here is my almost complete tree:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQ3sRDVYezGXJdA9G5shpWyvA3phV4IHVXM4vVmuD2DHClYT94g8VwQj0c9AfjSVGUPXp5VBTgyxHa3qpv9MFaKUnJfnl2Px5Ra7dvyDTcFFY5N3av26jlqihHAaPQ84bjNioPkJTBSw/s1600/decorated+christmas+tree.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQ3sRDVYezGXJdA9G5shpWyvA3phV4IHVXM4vVmuD2DHClYT94g8VwQj0c9AfjSVGUPXp5VBTgyxHa3qpv9MFaKUnJfnl2Px5Ra7dvyDTcFFY5N3av26jlqihHAaPQ84bjNioPkJTBSw/s400/decorated+christmas+tree.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687540867004314850" border="0" /></a>The tree is actually in my bedroom. This is partly because there isn't really enough room in my living room and partly because I have a lovely bay window in my bedroom which is perfect for a tree. When it gets dark I turn the lights off, leave the curtains open and people going past can see it sparkling in the window.<br /><br />I've also added a bit of decoration in the living room to make things a bit more festive in there, mainly centred on the fireplace:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqbfXnxCvOt1h3wSwMRkhj85g1GsI4ZAPFzAPfWJTbxw75xX4og69kf5dwr7nh5fWHhzjxiCBXY05cBG6HpTbH77HB7e3bPakcX9Khxo2JCyeaVT2dsLXjwxi5XsrtIwwh-ThqD-yUss/s1600/glass+christmas+decoration+37.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqbfXnxCvOt1h3wSwMRkhj85g1GsI4ZAPFzAPfWJTbxw75xX4og69kf5dwr7nh5fWHhzjxiCBXY05cBG6HpTbH77HB7e3bPakcX9Khxo2JCyeaVT2dsLXjwxi5XsrtIwwh-ThqD-yUss/s400/glass+christmas+decoration+37.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687541853702695346" border="0" /></a>The mini baubles were a set from Paperchase which I spent ages knotting onto a ribbon this time last year! Again, I've got some fused glass decorations hanging here. Here are some closeups:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgk5kLJzWJxYbQI9_mHOJNrZQJalx4hotexn8NG4QzgbpDgV9uKYN7mMNC6cRsloDlH1PnzohyphenhyphenNyiNegh6bHyStne09spjcmcUMTsNc1B0NnKTkl75KaBAKPN7vDjegPA4kmM_jdAYB4/s1600/glass+christmas+decoration+34.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgk5kLJzWJxYbQI9_mHOJNrZQJalx4hotexn8NG4QzgbpDgV9uKYN7mMNC6cRsloDlH1PnzohyphenhyphenNyiNegh6bHyStne09spjcmcUMTsNc1B0NnKTkl75KaBAKPN7vDjegPA4kmM_jdAYB4/s400/glass+christmas+decoration+34.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687542231456193618" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFA9oNa-W6zgTqmdYYxsyFy1dAVDpJZlpPVwybkGG6nMN4p_bcaIWKlyQDBF_KZs_BXe-Skr711sicviU9__bnCVhQ1wA0p16xjT-Z9GJgFgmWdA5FSlkGM1KrdF11yMTEurnOFkuOHM/s1600/glass+christmas+decoration+35.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFA9oNa-W6zgTqmdYYxsyFy1dAVDpJZlpPVwybkGG6nMN4p_bcaIWKlyQDBF_KZs_BXe-Skr711sicviU9__bnCVhQ1wA0p16xjT-Z9GJgFgmWdA5FSlkGM1KrdF11yMTEurnOFkuOHM/s400/glass+christmas+decoration+35.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687542498967711666" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdG1qWbEP0-2LR7dTLOsWVQWzIXT4liftjbs-vTfIjA6r3d_yTtoS4kz4qCq2gyooRwW-qm3hPmQ7agawgI8_UAm4neuZt_DvyQafidDmAA-H8x2dkWfzosycSPwR99sPxV2lbmjBo7AU/s1600/glass+christmas+decoration+32.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdG1qWbEP0-2LR7dTLOsWVQWzIXT4liftjbs-vTfIjA6r3d_yTtoS4kz4qCq2gyooRwW-qm3hPmQ7agawgI8_UAm4neuZt_DvyQafidDmAA-H8x2dkWfzosycSPwR99sPxV2lbmjBo7AU/s400/glass+christmas+decoration+32.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687542825467930338" border="0" /></a>Phew - that was quite a photo heavy post! I hope you enjoyed seeing all the decorations I have made for my flat. I am now working frantically on all the Christmas presents I need to finish before next weekend. Eeek! Still, it is much nicer sitting on my sofa sewing than it is doing battle in the shops! Hopefully I should be able to show you the products of my efforts soon.<br /><br />Hope all your Christmas crafting is going well and you are looking forward to Christmas. Unfortunately I got so much into the festive spirit last night that I have now pretty much lost my voice!! Whoops!<br /><br />Have a good week xxThe Dotty Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17467041152182432475noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514806242728981330.post-41813617337055287662011-12-12T17:40:00.000+00:002011-12-12T17:42:14.562+00:00Granny Christmas StarsOver the last few days I've become slightly addicted to making these crochet granny stars. Since I discovered the <a href="http://jellywares.blogspot.com/2010/11/jelly-xmas-star-tutorial.html">pattern</a> on <a href="http://jellywares.blogspot.com/2010/11/jelly-xmas-star-tutorial.html">Jelly Wares blog</a> (via <a href="http://www.paisleyjade.com/2011/12/christmas-crochet-bunting.html">this post on Paisley Jade</a>) I've been crocheting them every spare moment!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJ6IvKf0ydLNaset7rdjeK7kYnYhPfkevUA28RpP1b1UU0RWbeq5nKVBBzNk8Xaj1KjZSxrakVqHvggngbW3ZS5Vh0fSC8_Pcz_T3Nj0kBwErFca2kOtI_0cNPejoHH08_-QwUB-Pti4/s1600/granny+crochet+star+3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJ6IvKf0ydLNaset7rdjeK7kYnYhPfkevUA28RpP1b1UU0RWbeq5nKVBBzNk8Xaj1KjZSxrakVqHvggngbW3ZS5Vh0fSC8_Pcz_T3Nj0kBwErFca2kOtI_0cNPejoHH08_-QwUB-Pti4/s400/granny+crochet+star+3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685298044138033346" border="0" /></a><br />They are really quick and satisfying to make and I am planning to hang them on the tree once I have blocked them with some PVA glue. I might even add some glitter if I'm feeling particularly festive!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5mESa31rbdQW3Hgx_ted1XisSum5tONoG-XWjMnzZZkvnVudgUR6Ryeu-kLleJbST1UpQrqPD6kk-P_iGUDUubLEXZ6La43_kotl_H9ZrrO2Yzgkwh1fd84xDhhXlAimm_QN-oCyi2w/s1600/granny+crochet+star+12.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5mESa31rbdQW3Hgx_ted1XisSum5tONoG-XWjMnzZZkvnVudgUR6Ryeu-kLleJbST1UpQrqPD6kk-P_iGUDUubLEXZ6La43_kotl_H9ZrrO2Yzgkwh1fd84xDhhXlAimm_QN-oCyi2w/s400/granny+crochet+star+12.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685295429848825602" border="0" /></a>I made the smaller stars by missing out the last round of the pattern and in the second round replacing the half double crochet with a single (this will make sense if you look at the pattern).<br /><br />My original plan was to make crochet snowflakes for the tree. I even bought <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/60-Crocheted-Snowflakes-Dover-Needlework/dp/0486253937/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323711128&sr=8-1">these</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/99-Snowflakes-Leisure-Arts-3013/dp/1574867040/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1323711128&sr=8-2">books</a> for that purpose. Unfortunately it turns out I don't have the patience for the snowflakes - they take FOREVER! I don't mind all the fiddly bits on the first or even second branch of the snowflake but by the third and fourth I get grumpy!! I've started about five snowflakes and haven't managed to finish one yet! If you want to see some beautiful crochet snowflakes from the book then check out <a href="http://yarnroundhook.blogspot.com/2010/12/more-snowflakes.html">these</a> <a href="http://yarnroundhook.blogspot.com/2011/12/and-winner-is.html">posts</a> from someone who has a lot more patience than me!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEippZ8ojyvvYJt-BCFbrSmduOD-qxyLrxsnoLdnk5DVTY3Q66FR8FddTzHvjBC7KsUjT4FqYIVFzYmksfmG4WgP9FoZ5V44F8MzNelm2YwrOI5l_Gf4LC_t8VqH3-qJXR4I0Lx2NtwLKeY/s1600/granny+crochet+star+11.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEippZ8ojyvvYJt-BCFbrSmduOD-qxyLrxsnoLdnk5DVTY3Q66FR8FddTzHvjBC7KsUjT4FqYIVFzYmksfmG4WgP9FoZ5V44F8MzNelm2YwrOI5l_Gf4LC_t8VqH3-qJXR4I0Lx2NtwLKeY/s400/granny+crochet+star+11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685294887072122770" border="0" /></a>Maybe I'll have enough patience to attempt snowflakes next year but for the moment I'm pretty happy with my cute little granny stars!The Dotty Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17467041152182432475noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514806242728981330.post-25581447760809661882011-12-06T21:05:00.000+00:002011-12-06T21:05:30.846+00:00Christmas Decorations (Part 1)I've been digging out my Christmas decorations from last year and realised I never did a post about them. So, before I show you the ones I have made this year, I thought I'd show you last year's ones. 2010 was the first year I had a Christmas tree in my house. I was very excited and had grand plans to decorate it with <span style="font-weight: bold;">only</span> homemade decorations. Unfortunately my eight foot tree was a bit of a challenge but I did manage to make some felt hearts:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUTw6TvCb9kXJdEw_kgwbJvUk7igwoKAcvHgq40o30FUtegl51H7I8Gc7RD1cXjtlGAmDKSBfcRaEttWj9sQVxjLaqxEHneZ0eF9Mz0jUUdRw1OydbEO3QXh-Q3WKMU6nHkoCaXJQTCE/s1600/crop22.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUTw6TvCb9kXJdEw_kgwbJvUk7igwoKAcvHgq40o30FUtegl51H7I8Gc7RD1cXjtlGAmDKSBfcRaEttWj9sQVxjLaqxEHneZ0eF9Mz0jUUdRw1OydbEO3QXh-Q3WKMU6nHkoCaXJQTCE/s400/crop22.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683117971876434850" border="0" /></a>Felt stars:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPoWwAqfzj7VkaEVhxaXoouPv6WDLoVUPQqx8v282MzpqHvgc_k3rwBzGLxpv8-8JSBo0abSMj7V0dw9PvQNqqygB9VdwyQVicCqhEuxNH1i8dTzvOQBWf8mf2N01JPPFMwkwEqvTrSiM/s1600/crop16.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPoWwAqfzj7VkaEVhxaXoouPv6WDLoVUPQqx8v282MzpqHvgc_k3rwBzGLxpv8-8JSBo0abSMj7V0dw9PvQNqqygB9VdwyQVicCqhEuxNH1i8dTzvOQBWf8mf2N01JPPFMwkwEqvTrSiM/s400/crop16.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683118770053776418" border="0" /></a>And felt Christmas trees:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vvimk8d3HoUHW2r-sX8iJrGdX-inih61dlnaX7NzkN5p6FCnSZ38SjE2QlfkFQxmjEOg_VZ02HklohjUOSoEWIGBJO6irEUfkjXvT4IxdiU3Kl6UtOA9xJc_tpDxlZ_cHPaEBG8Fv-I/s1600/crop23.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vvimk8d3HoUHW2r-sX8iJrGdX-inih61dlnaX7NzkN5p6FCnSZ38SjE2QlfkFQxmjEOg_VZ02HklohjUOSoEWIGBJO6irEUfkjXvT4IxdiU3Kl6UtOA9xJc_tpDxlZ_cHPaEBG8Fv-I/s400/crop23.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683119201861687026" border="0" /></a><br />I can't remember where I got the idea of this type of decoration....I think it might have been from the Hobbycraft website! (Ooooh yes - I've just checked, the inspiration for the idea was <a href="http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/Pages/Ideas/Idea.aspx?id=1392">here.</a>) I took the idea to the extreme and made loads of little hand sewn ornaments.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfdDb-0CDglMoO8_O8WFcGmzdCcfFzSi-hQ4MaVu8ZVUixO4npVDP9Bq6VXoQ5u9Zqj1RiMaQszSSFgTXZJyjSKnKoNwX5JkpRYD55WORaN9cSsPYhTa07n5q-ZK3f_KzmagfaHFnHCg/s1600/crop27.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfdDb-0CDglMoO8_O8WFcGmzdCcfFzSi-hQ4MaVu8ZVUixO4npVDP9Bq6VXoQ5u9Zqj1RiMaQszSSFgTXZJyjSKnKoNwX5JkpRYD55WORaN9cSsPYhTa07n5q-ZK3f_KzmagfaHFnHCg/s400/crop27.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683121194857556498" border="0" /></a><br />I spent some lovely afternoons last November sitting on the sofa making these when I really should have been being more productive. I remember having great fun choosing different buttons especially the tiny little ones.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6qniWoh79Zq9iBy7aB73RLlzEEvF1zHnJWj06a_PYFoIl5aW53EkCI97qzVXvYBbPqrHqqYCB9OC4gyKyGpzHojTnmQo5UV8EIx4kDijTvW0ik96ZSRwN0POS2hIjmQek01_dzPhga4/s1600/crop5.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6qniWoh79Zq9iBy7aB73RLlzEEvF1zHnJWj06a_PYFoIl5aW53EkCI97qzVXvYBbPqrHqqYCB9OC4gyKyGpzHojTnmQo5UV8EIx4kDijTvW0ik96ZSRwN0POS2hIjmQek01_dzPhga4/s400/crop5.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683121890115235170" border="0" /></a><br />I even managed to get some little mitten buttons which you can just about see in this picture:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrIswzZXSNcPZVOtd4xJh1PLzOHssFdOryXzTyv4qybzpdFk_3Yaa5b-7iG_XpJi2Xu-Uam_4xHvhJEszaRfO9yyFAQ1dRAumY5LfKB9IqlnBOLlNEirW7hmqt9eU-kPUuS7BXdrYgjI/s1600/crop3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrIswzZXSNcPZVOtd4xJh1PLzOHssFdOryXzTyv4qybzpdFk_3Yaa5b-7iG_XpJi2Xu-Uam_4xHvhJEszaRfO9yyFAQ1dRAumY5LfKB9IqlnBOLlNEirW7hmqt9eU-kPUuS7BXdrYgjI/s400/crop3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683119560041860914" border="0" /></a>In the end I didn't have enough decorations so I supplemented these with plain white baubles from John Lewis. It was all very tasteful - and I always swore I was going to have a tacky brightly coloured tree when I got my own!!<br /><br />I haven't put the tree up this year yet but will post some pictures when I do. I'm not feeling that festive yet and I feel so much less organised this time around. The tree was definitely up by this time last year because I had some people round for a Christmas do on the first weekend of December! Last year I was so efficient I even screen printed my own cards and wrapping paper!! I can't find any pictures of the cards but here is an example of the wrapping paper:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-5WV6n_9BjYvYvfcpGVUw7ryP_j5oBT1sjRVbRarJesc-X6woMLPPrgNuNlI63XFh12tx7KvaV5IGH81MsyP1OiSkP3COXA0z-ew5cb1PuDVS1wqtAtml_OZYQkEQYPs0Z_upFuZv4s/s1600/crop1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-5WV6n_9BjYvYvfcpGVUw7ryP_j5oBT1sjRVbRarJesc-X6woMLPPrgNuNlI63XFh12tx7KvaV5IGH81MsyP1OiSkP3COXA0z-ew5cb1PuDVS1wqtAtml_OZYQkEQYPs0Z_upFuZv4s/s400/crop1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683123324931550418" border="0" /></a><br />I'm not doing anything that ambitious this year! Although I am making lots of presents so I'd better get to work!! Will be back in a few days to show you the decorations I've made this year and hopefully a fully decorated tree (fingers crossed).<br /><br />Hope you are all getting into the festive spirit a little more than me! xxxThe Dotty Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17467041152182432475noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514806242728981330.post-58325841719417661192011-11-28T18:10:00.001+00:002011-11-28T18:12:41.130+00:00Fused Glass Overload!One of my Mum's friends showed an interest in buying some of my fused glass for Christmas presents which means I had to finally get off my arse and do something about photographing some of my pieces. Having done that I thought I would share them with you here!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0thulIjsLNapm622suYp2xen_JvNHhvZJrWQ2095miJRHL9XngDc05IjaBUOIdZy434aD2XkdTh4s-p4EeQp10FcTx3D6iWapCOT9SeMWPwUPzgtVBzUC577JyvI7YHiztsdhvXa1Zo/s1600/4.+fused+glass+lightcatchers+crop.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0thulIjsLNapm622suYp2xen_JvNHhvZJrWQ2095miJRHL9XngDc05IjaBUOIdZy434aD2XkdTh4s-p4EeQp10FcTx3D6iWapCOT9SeMWPwUPzgtVBzUC577JyvI7YHiztsdhvXa1Zo/s400/4.+fused+glass+lightcatchers+crop.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680103108828074226" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-EsMBMmIVq0agvlrwurwVqtUvxDMWEFE9z7iVjSYrPyck5PIM-rRLCxPlcnT5cIvWYbmGAHv4AsDk59lqnALJSSRuYwlVpk3Kdh2vKZCOeFxSmo01x13j8nNTm5DqChJl_zDLLJMQjc/s1600/lightcatchers+on+window.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib-EsMBMmIVq0agvlrwurwVqtUvxDMWEFE9z7iVjSYrPyck5PIM-rRLCxPlcnT5cIvWYbmGAHv4AsDk59lqnALJSSRuYwlVpk3Kdh2vKZCOeFxSmo01x13j8nNTm5DqChJl_zDLLJMQjc/s400/lightcatchers+on+window.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680103407214487762" border="0" /></a><br />Fused glass is one of my favourite things to make. Its not a very practical hobby - you need a pretty big and expensive kiln for starters (I do a class) - but it is such a fun thing to do.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsp1oqpzCsXCiH-TYuutOph8Wri3PBylfJvADciOBRSdmSFArl4eMK777-xqk2ylSrMuCvPLN-mKdIKHXyrb5grkUzOW2LndTmW35vlukGBLfrG5PaC8_n3euNGCRALoBRBGLR1JTmBJE/s1600/10.+fused+glass+lattice+bowl+crop.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsp1oqpzCsXCiH-TYuutOph8Wri3PBylfJvADciOBRSdmSFArl4eMK777-xqk2ylSrMuCvPLN-mKdIKHXyrb5grkUzOW2LndTmW35vlukGBLfrG5PaC8_n3euNGCRALoBRBGLR1JTmBJE/s400/10.+fused+glass+lattice+bowl+crop.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680103856854917730" border="0" /></a><br />I have been doing a fused glass class for about a year and a half now and I love it. Playing around with light and colours is soooo much fun.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURIvgmGevtUDb82yHZud0B4Z-2dbzDep6fuNZCwttrPNeoQeJsVT1rzJ9xD0KyIQpPycMu7FNchFV6aO5hU5CqxbWGhrO1ewS7Im2ItIFjHyhPBzuGIjNNtKd-g9zmQTK9gxRgd8m4H8/s1600/9.+fused+glass+coasters+crop.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURIvgmGevtUDb82yHZud0B4Z-2dbzDep6fuNZCwttrPNeoQeJsVT1rzJ9xD0KyIQpPycMu7FNchFV6aO5hU5CqxbWGhrO1ewS7Im2ItIFjHyhPBzuGIjNNtKd-g9zmQTK9gxRgd8m4H8/s400/9.+fused+glass+coasters+crop.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680104253650625794" border="0" /></a><br />It does mean however that I now have loads of pieces of fused glass hanging around my (fairly small) flat!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYia385bfPvG9On2tQ5Q4Wh5gKiaQIwButMssdBfy-krxroFKZfbJWJB1f5p2DtFRzsFRNaxyaXDGlzAUCUbXIEEZXZamsmhxzv8fN7IopitKVpFfmTvH0mgEAdMslUjIOi3u0p-a1tQ/s1600/1.+fused+glass+square+plate+crop.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYia385bfPvG9On2tQ5Q4Wh5gKiaQIwButMssdBfy-krxroFKZfbJWJB1f5p2DtFRzsFRNaxyaXDGlzAUCUbXIEEZXZamsmhxzv8fN7IopitKVpFfmTvH0mgEAdMslUjIOi3u0p-a1tQ/s400/1.+fused+glass+square+plate+crop.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680104704709537202" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFewbhod-2Oxbc4-guRc8f9rc2iXScJqizjAF0o_KIoW2eOpD58FPUhU7jlJ8bdehd9XCDT6-XPJFzXjol4CF1BwYcUsOqZac3dZc6E1_VMaAJFTRIGuE0PB10xTEPCgd20T5GX2ntP2s/s1600/fused+glass+027.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFewbhod-2Oxbc4-guRc8f9rc2iXScJqizjAF0o_KIoW2eOpD58FPUhU7jlJ8bdehd9XCDT6-XPJFzXjol4CF1BwYcUsOqZac3dZc6E1_VMaAJFTRIGuE0PB10xTEPCgd20T5GX2ntP2s/s400/fused+glass+027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680105015643287650" border="0" /></a><br />This is only a very small proportion of what I have made!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCr-Vk9ogVKg4FJ2dij63ea8Bs_6pPXiYe8NWI4GS5NHl8rZ0mKBLJwqfRwU-rH1uwngo80zfRS4TBK5k1otL5sdL-sOaaVKuEc3YlteXmUZCdGqnmAq4Rob0N82dyGG3oHfKkyCaQO4/s1600/7.+fused+glass+round+lightcatcher+crop.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCr-Vk9ogVKg4FJ2dij63ea8Bs_6pPXiYe8NWI4GS5NHl8rZ0mKBLJwqfRwU-rH1uwngo80zfRS4TBK5k1otL5sdL-sOaaVKuEc3YlteXmUZCdGqnmAq4Rob0N82dyGG3oHfKkyCaQO4/s400/7.+fused+glass+round+lightcatcher+crop.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680105520627632658" border="0" /></a><br />There are also lots of flat pieces which I made when I was starting out to practice. They are very pretty but not very useful so I'm not sure what to do with them!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJ5F3OihZqShHtwwnF4C_pmeVre1FWy82CpqCudlEie1Q7X9R_WZydGsXvy_tf0JkpFCVZ4LOtAMigbNmXCHo6t_hTMnpHo_NSESNGqfUvtirwu4bW1JP1V7KgLve8_vu4hQCyaUSifo/s1600/11.+fused+glass+mixed+jewellery.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJ5F3OihZqShHtwwnF4C_pmeVre1FWy82CpqCudlEie1Q7X9R_WZydGsXvy_tf0JkpFCVZ4LOtAMigbNmXCHo6t_hTMnpHo_NSESNGqfUvtirwu4bW1JP1V7KgLve8_vu4hQCyaUSifo/s400/11.+fused+glass+mixed+jewellery.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680107168930582434" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XSIJMVlpDRGJIkMKMr9EJe5CcuUjeMo2Pl1DVtvt9033-fPv0CuJvBgxqbwg7HLPxPaMEg8FUfOWRHMW1nbGia3cWo5ySWOF6lPZpGUjkK20tb4q4c7avbkkByUmPRZQFGK05j-e_kY/s1600/13.+dichroic+cufflinks+crop.JPG"><br /></a>One thing I have made quite a lot of is jewellery. Its really good for giving as presents and, luckily, it doesn't take up too much space!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XSIJMVlpDRGJIkMKMr9EJe5CcuUjeMo2Pl1DVtvt9033-fPv0CuJvBgxqbwg7HLPxPaMEg8FUfOWRHMW1nbGia3cWo5ySWOF6lPZpGUjkK20tb4q4c7avbkkByUmPRZQFGK05j-e_kY/s1600/13.+dichroic+cufflinks+crop.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XSIJMVlpDRGJIkMKMr9EJe5CcuUjeMo2Pl1DVtvt9033-fPv0CuJvBgxqbwg7HLPxPaMEg8FUfOWRHMW1nbGia3cWo5ySWOF6lPZpGUjkK20tb4q4c7avbkkByUmPRZQFGK05j-e_kY/s400/13.+dichroic+cufflinks+crop.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680105781026696546" border="0" /></a>I started stockpiling fused glass pieces, in particular lots of jewellery, a while ago with the intention of opening a folksy shop. Now I'm not so sure - I already have a folksy shop selling some of my sewn pieces and I'm not sure its not more bother than its worth - any thoughts? I think I might write a separate post about this soon......!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoF-j4qYbWtTBYBKRJVpMA7nxVOCw46nM_hgAEWuUKQMCwEJXp2XxrGa7F8Gu3WgQxJ1Sd3tegt9ODPHXYd8VOmoFjx5GvbBOJ1POdvNlmxGtt3dgcGoUwL8hRce6UzyTxGTbPuKBMaBU/s1600/20.+dichroic+pendant+crop.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoF-j4qYbWtTBYBKRJVpMA7nxVOCw46nM_hgAEWuUKQMCwEJXp2XxrGa7F8Gu3WgQxJ1Sd3tegt9ODPHXYd8VOmoFjx5GvbBOJ1POdvNlmxGtt3dgcGoUwL8hRce6UzyTxGTbPuKBMaBU/s400/20.+dichroic+pendant+crop.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680108626007738578" border="0" /></a><br />I was thinking I might look into doing a craft fair instead........<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGIt4l0kIX_QtBcd2LbByvo-cMci1Ay2Gq3tJgGF5jpuJ6YzZcnEVr-laHTnwVlW4ouiVgx2-1R4vk-_hhDMUOhLeRCNLx1R0wMByrnPhMmS25-ku6v6MdYFlNeiw1wEDMx7lhYx_7Suc/s1600/18.+dichroic+pendant+crop.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGIt4l0kIX_QtBcd2LbByvo-cMci1Ay2Gq3tJgGF5jpuJ6YzZcnEVr-laHTnwVlW4ouiVgx2-1R4vk-_hhDMUOhLeRCNLx1R0wMByrnPhMmS25-ku6v6MdYFlNeiw1wEDMx7lhYx_7Suc/s400/18.+dichroic+pendant+crop.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680106433381880290" border="0" /></a>At the moment it is just nice to have all these pretty, sparkly things around my house! Not to mention a necklace to go with every outfit!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOo_ynUbPgDj8hwVB8KrDm2-ZvE6lvwvrrgGSQdb6G-kA1znfvHUHShsg55ijbVXu681MD5gdzY5PJDwoaJsMo8rcDf9fq01cFFAW1HfmBDUqakLWMWc2hg-yWB0NW1wcf25Kb4XEwxJs/s1600/19.+dichroic+pendant+crop.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOo_ynUbPgDj8hwVB8KrDm2-ZvE6lvwvrrgGSQdb6G-kA1znfvHUHShsg55ijbVXu681MD5gdzY5PJDwoaJsMo8rcDf9fq01cFFAW1HfmBDUqakLWMWc2hg-yWB0NW1wcf25Kb4XEwxJs/s400/19.+dichroic+pendant+crop.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680107981196180194" border="0" /></a>Unfortunately I won't be doing the class again after Christmas - its an expensive class and I think I need some time off to get my inspiration back to make the most of the classes. Plus I need to find someway of getting rid of all the glass pieces I have already made!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5MVnwIgMNE-zfdtf4ty8hXLU13weuomRIlOpQ1nuxYtX3uSGYUfa9fFLNRehavlnSryDaIqvJ1dDCByTuCWDnCmJIfFrcPRkclyHpZrINpvZIO1urGn3H7Z0-HxQ5dgWiG5hifX1bMs/s1600/14.+dichroic+pendant+crop.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5MVnwIgMNE-zfdtf4ty8hXLU13weuomRIlOpQ1nuxYtX3uSGYUfa9fFLNRehavlnSryDaIqvJ1dDCByTuCWDnCmJIfFrcPRkclyHpZrINpvZIO1urGn3H7Z0-HxQ5dgWiG5hifX1bMs/s400/14.+dichroic+pendant+crop.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680110583629456562" border="0" /></a><br />On the off chance that anyone reading this is interested in buying any of these pieces (or even fancies doing a swap?) then please feel free to get in touch. But mainly I just hope you have enjoyed looking at some of these sparkly things I have hanging round my house!<br /><br />Have a lovely week xxx<br /><br />PS. Sorry for the sporadic posting recently - have been having a very busy time! But I have also been working on lots of presents and decorations for Christmas so should have lots of exciting things to share with you soon!The Dotty Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17467041152182432475noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514806242728981330.post-46483514932833170152011-11-10T17:31:00.003+00:002011-11-10T17:37:40.282+00:00100 grannies!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcwgKabffZpgNMP2vf3My2Eqm776QSKPEimzW1r0k6lr8nCzfIAjEU19QPVrf5EpMWT5-aIp_VwJNfdimdw7ZGrFO1iRiITfWF0kHUHuZH0lZlNsLSd7vM3E6TgyBppTmGEfz9I_jE7M/s1600/100+granny+squares+3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcwgKabffZpgNMP2vf3My2Eqm776QSKPEimzW1r0k6lr8nCzfIAjEU19QPVrf5EpMWT5-aIp_VwJNfdimdw7ZGrFO1iRiITfWF0kHUHuZH0lZlNsLSd7vM3E6TgyBppTmGEfz9I_jE7M/s400/100+granny+squares+3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673421583728825090" border="0" /></a>HURRAH! 100 granny squares with all the ends sewn in. Now for the next challenge - making them into something resembling a blanket! I'm very excited :o)The Dotty Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17467041152182432475noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514806242728981330.post-20137379853539917772011-11-07T17:22:00.006+00:002011-11-07T17:53:31.918+00:00Crochet Cowl WorkshopThere's not been nearly enough time for crafting in the DottyHouse recently - I am taking a psychology course and my first essay is due on Thursday (eeek!) so a lot of my spare time has been concentrated on that. I love the course but I haven't written an essay for years so its taken me a while to get my head round the whole thing! However I did manage to fit in a bit of crochet on a Saturday afternoon a couple of weeks ago.<br /><br />My local craft studio, <a href="http://www.thecreateplace.co.uk/">the Create Place</a> was running an afternoon course to learn how to make a crochet cowl so I thought I'd pop along. <a href="http://lisamargreet.wordpress.com/">Lisa</a> (our teacher), the other student and I had a lovely afternoon chatting away and learning how to make Lisa's crochet cowl design (hopefully coming to a bookshop near you fairly soon!). I'm not sure there's a better way to spend an afternoon! We were using chunky wool and so the design came together pretty fast - a few hours in the class and a couple more at home and I was left with this beast:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bk1uFaS_wbYYXmWFDRqpV6vOcrXwML5PxQ0Qc2tSHPf2cmp3Vr12yN3hkwDvNO1NZStDtHTHO6K2ahjI1-BpDeHLyXpNcFOeXSzZpNXNUe0HBBXt7V9Bc5M8jovtbQaqzTvCaiDt57o/s1600/crochet+cowl+1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bk1uFaS_wbYYXmWFDRqpV6vOcrXwML5PxQ0Qc2tSHPf2cmp3Vr12yN3hkwDvNO1NZStDtHTHO6K2ahjI1-BpDeHLyXpNcFOeXSzZpNXNUe0HBBXt7V9Bc5M8jovtbQaqzTvCaiDt57o/s400/crochet+cowl+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672308241219528786" border="0" /></a>Its HUGE and really snuggly.I really like the way it can be worn in so many ways - long like a scarf, across the shoulders, one end tucked inside the other or doubled round to keep my neck super warm. I'm a bit disappointed it hasn't been cold enough to wear it since I finished making it!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCuxGkhz8sAUntyXfmFxlZsLiqsl4SaTuHdy4guSyGd_UtoDn-68-bNuRgDLEiX0qEDI9ppwWyIJDxffvH1bZozhiGbwPfFyUUVaDtP6slUdxTcnh6IrrGF8X_pRf7fAvIBasVtAVW9fw/s1600/crochet+cowl+4.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCuxGkhz8sAUntyXfmFxlZsLiqsl4SaTuHdy4guSyGd_UtoDn-68-bNuRgDLEiX0qEDI9ppwWyIJDxffvH1bZozhiGbwPfFyUUVaDtP6slUdxTcnh6IrrGF8X_pRf7fAvIBasVtAVW9fw/s400/crochet+cowl+4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672309186514270146" border="0" /></a>I really like working with the chunky yarn and larger hook size (it was a size 10). It meant that the cowl came together really fast so there was a real sense of achievement plus it didn't hurt my hand and turn it into a claw like some of the smaller hooks can do!<br /><br />I'm not sure if you can see from the picture but the yarn is an interesting mix of colours - from a distance it looks grey but close up there are hints of pink, turquoise and green. You might be able to see it on this picture better even though its a little blurry:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCtoBTWegb-bY2dBPEpWDN5Oecay0MG-Zx5c5yL6ZhaqgdGd34tN__74imfd3il_JSeTVNB-JnrFXSexRgPwqMXHZ1j6MQA64tOZreOrdpm3Yl8WgsNh89a656UfLEc8tNEe6SfF-i3QY/s1600/crochet+cowl+5.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCtoBTWegb-bY2dBPEpWDN5Oecay0MG-Zx5c5yL6ZhaqgdGd34tN__74imfd3il_JSeTVNB-JnrFXSexRgPwqMXHZ1j6MQA64tOZreOrdpm3Yl8WgsNh89a656UfLEc8tNEe6SfF-i3QY/s400/crochet+cowl+5.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672310340091899490" border="0" /></a>I wasn't sure about the yarn to start with but it has really grown on me. It is Wendy Serenity Super Chunky which is 10% wool, 20% alpaca and 70% acrylic. I think the colour is called thistle. I've bought another ball to make the matching wrist warmers. Which I am looking forward to starting on as soon as I finish that bloomin' essay!!<br /><br />Hope you have a lovely week xxThe Dotty Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17467041152182432475noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514806242728981330.post-29541332004822959672011-10-30T14:22:00.000+00:002011-10-30T14:25:13.151+00:00Crochet ToadstoolI've been getting overwhelmed by the size of my <a href="http://thedottyone.blogspot.com/2011/10/granny-blanket-progress.html">crochet blanket project</a> so I decided to work on a couple of smaller crochet projects that I could finish quickly - sometimes you need to bask in the satisfied glow of a finished piece! First up, a crochet toadstool! I found <a href="http://annabooshouse.blogspot.com/2011/08/crochet-tutorial-korknisse-and.html">this pattern</a> on the lovely <a href="http://annabooshouse.blogspot.com/">Annaboo's house blog</a> and as soon as I saw it I knew I wanted to make it!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFLgY9uZo162mQBi7Eafzq_qnr6Wj5VDnOzPfXav8lqc-GpWyjLpw7MoRSc101jL34rbCY69bWN9fFNJtEC-huvQyXcFECh7jXlCe0LP7tzF_z58JHHLGlDteKzHlqw0Fk7tWG-0uYtE/s1600/toadstool+9.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFLgY9uZo162mQBi7Eafzq_qnr6Wj5VDnOzPfXav8lqc-GpWyjLpw7MoRSc101jL34rbCY69bWN9fFNJtEC-huvQyXcFECh7jXlCe0LP7tzF_z58JHHLGlDteKzHlqw0Fk7tWG-0uYtE/s400/toadstool+9.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669281335452046674" border="0" /></a>This is my first attempt at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amigurumi">amigurumi</a> and it wasn't as tricky as I expected! Apart from a short break because I ran out of red yarn it all went pretty smoothly. I think I lost count of my stitches a couple of times but the pattern was pretty forgiving and it all seemed to work out OK in the end!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-P29hf7U89CBQAfSoNN-LbUatEXsfkNjisIF8DCo3a88UR41XTg-X11m2jOeFSsyyJow4FQ9Mxsv3KA6D1o8xePwi-PoBgkZ2STIhCm8oa-XiUNwK5HL_Nxljr4nYvz0p7AD1tZCkQw/s1600/toadstool+4.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-P29hf7U89CBQAfSoNN-LbUatEXsfkNjisIF8DCo3a88UR41XTg-X11m2jOeFSsyyJow4FQ9Mxsv3KA6D1o8xePwi-PoBgkZ2STIhCm8oa-XiUNwK5HL_Nxljr4nYvz0p7AD1tZCkQw/s400/toadstool+4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669285105264660434" border="0" /></a><br />As you can see here I used crocheted circles the spots for the toadstool top. The <a href="http://annabooshouse.blogspot.com/p/crochet-korknisse-and-toadstool.html">pattern</a> uses beads and crochet to decorate the stem of the toadstool which looks gorgeous however I decided to put a classic amigurimi face on mine instead as I have been waiting to use the eyes I bought for ages! The smile is a bit wonky but I think my toadstool looks pretty cute! I am really pleased with him and am enjoying having him smiling down on me from the mantelpiece!<br /><br />I think I must have a bit of a thing about mushrooms and toadstools. As soon as I saw the crochet toadstool pattern I knew I wanted to make it and looking round my house I have been drawn to mushrooms in the past. There were the felt mushrooms I<a href="http://thedottyone.blogspot.com/2009/04/other-peoples-projects-post-number-1.html"> posted about</a> way back in 2009:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSCjzbL6lD9oOno-gbx-HPiB-CTiSA3XEz54ACUB49FFUQnDw3-7FGhD6Mdh983tDBqc85_9d_TnFhzVi_xgnMqPogxKPcC-PHI4C4GtyTCZxWbe-Bo3ez67wSy54Y8wWZqgSd12HQOU/s1600/2009_0322Flowers_Wisley_etc0067.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSCjzbL6lD9oOno-gbx-HPiB-CTiSA3XEz54ACUB49FFUQnDw3-7FGhD6Mdh983tDBqc85_9d_TnFhzVi_xgnMqPogxKPcC-PHI4C4GtyTCZxWbe-Bo3ez67wSy54Y8wWZqgSd12HQOU/s400/2009_0322Flowers_Wisley_etc0067.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669286694604016066" border="0" /></a>These were one of the first things I made when I started crafting again.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRhbZKZp8K73pN7STNd_Shl-7P1kC6cIjYGFJ-Vnvij_giMw2OjV7Y8VDFj6AfLfqRbjuWhHOexumStwiTj89A3S1yJLKB5q0Rx8kk72rZimRFD3JGFMi3T724uzxNFA61PaBf_8nriE/s1600/2009_0414Craft0004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRhbZKZp8K73pN7STNd_Shl-7P1kC6cIjYGFJ-Vnvij_giMw2OjV7Y8VDFj6AfLfqRbjuWhHOexumStwiTj89A3S1yJLKB5q0Rx8kk72rZimRFD3JGFMi3T724uzxNFA61PaBf_8nriE/s400/2009_0414Craft0004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669286968348829522" border="0" /></a><br />And then, earlier this year I decided to mosaic some mushrooms for my garden (I say garden - its more of a step!)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTtlwNs_GkTIGZY81i14azscsM_PgwP4Yq65IqSO4BBTzin192i7gTdujxg6t-GIV0fyfsxquB8ZeHuorHek7Fkx4DReGvi7RiwrDgxaIpCMl8Su_x_YSnMFraCQBccnvucaAOVNRXvgg/s1600/mosaic+mushroom+3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTtlwNs_GkTIGZY81i14azscsM_PgwP4Yq65IqSO4BBTzin192i7gTdujxg6t-GIV0fyfsxquB8ZeHuorHek7Fkx4DReGvi7RiwrDgxaIpCMl8Su_x_YSnMFraCQBccnvucaAOVNRXvgg/s400/mosaic+mushroom+3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669287818141298674" border="0" /></a>These were some cheap ceramic garden ornaments which I thought would be greatly improved by covering them in mirror and turning them into disco mushrooms! They haven't actually ever made it out onto the step (apart from for the photo shoot!) and are still languishing in my fireplace.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eXdwu1dg7fskSxKc8zGZmwjS6KuKJNOjxSIyYfmuIhyphenhyphenIaUWnpH4LO02u3LSV6iPXJ1DynrJDf3s632DmnB-GGgcZoi96sOB5FvSG666WRBJ6euADbkv_PQx5fpyeDRgdiVIlhjx6Mfw/s1600/mosaic+mushroom+5.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eXdwu1dg7fskSxKc8zGZmwjS6KuKJNOjxSIyYfmuIhyphenhyphenIaUWnpH4LO02u3LSV6iPXJ1DynrJDf3s632DmnB-GGgcZoi96sOB5FvSG666WRBJ6euADbkv_PQx5fpyeDRgdiVIlhjx6Mfw/s400/mosaic+mushroom+5.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669288307954034930" border="0" /></a>So, I think we can conclude from this that I have a slight mushroom obsession! There must be more mushroom crafts out there..... Oooooh - a quick google search suggests that yes, indeed there are....I shall have to get to work!<br /><br />Happy Sunday xxxxThe Dotty Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17467041152182432475noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514806242728981330.post-51045806211256183882011-10-16T13:05:00.001+01:002011-10-16T13:07:59.049+01:00Woohoo! Tapestry finally finished!!This week something very exciting happened - I finally finished my <a href="http://www.emilypeacock.com/">Emily Peacock</a> / <a href="http://www.misterrob.co.uk/">Rob Ryan</a> tapestry! I don't know how long I have spent on this (it must be well over 100 hours) but it was very exciting to see it all coming together at the end. Ta-dah:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Zdd83moK96lfZXqeFDVffoJ1W3Bdphsvrf9nVzsL2GeO-ewMAR7kIals8fRCfROrQiQbfH6E3ZPbZuIEnGChfEyuzei7D5VXmrPDeSuD7rCrAWq-xDiRZXM3ejH24G1BK7ymLs9tMDM/s1600/emily+peacock+rob+ryan+tapestry+1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Zdd83moK96lfZXqeFDVffoJ1W3Bdphsvrf9nVzsL2GeO-ewMAR7kIals8fRCfROrQiQbfH6E3ZPbZuIEnGChfEyuzei7D5VXmrPDeSuD7rCrAWq-xDiRZXM3ejH24G1BK7ymLs9tMDM/s400/emily+peacock+rob+ryan+tapestry+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664050218332049090" border="0" /></a>I think I started this in about February and have gradually been working away on it between other projects. I must have sped up lately though as I seem to have completed about half of it in the couple of months (comparing it to how far I'd got when I wrote my <a href="http://thedottyone.blogspot.com/2011/08/work-in-progress-wip.html">WIP post</a>).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaB0gJz0uBbnHH1MN3r4V6FD_IJ1mZXmrbHrVrLKnWleobhjv2YAUprmHzJ3vr3Zrfc9X3GVRvP6ev1GQ905PoLfosJxnVNL4IkyflTzrsMfaNAS3rl5BDNfxHC3G-IKeF4zLMnXJQOT4/s1600/emily+peacock+rob+ryan+tapestry+2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaB0gJz0uBbnHH1MN3r4V6FD_IJ1mZXmrbHrVrLKnWleobhjv2YAUprmHzJ3vr3Zrfc9X3GVRvP6ev1GQ905PoLfosJxnVNL4IkyflTzrsMfaNAS3rl5BDNfxHC3G-IKeF4zLMnXJQOT4/s400/emily+peacock+rob+ryan+tapestry+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664050810727594098" border="0" /></a>I am really pleased with how this turned out. Although I have to admit that these don't take that much skill other than following the pattern! The finished result is all really down to the fantastic design.<br /><br />This is the fourth tapestry I have completed now. I've done two other <a href="http://www.emilypeacock.com/">Emily Peacock</a> designs:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhtSlG86rFHZn2nWzO8ZtNAo7JmI6sP32Ckk8BKdpbPpoxETKymu2Is08Q8Vn6x_oIq5x43Ne1cjUR4poqKzMgYO6Ng7-_07-OR3LtUO4nB2Zwao5i0rJgKuKEoDyU_dmW-HlA60_s6c/s1600/hug+kiss+tapestry.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhtSlG86rFHZn2nWzO8ZtNAo7JmI6sP32Ckk8BKdpbPpoxETKymu2Is08Q8Vn6x_oIq5x43Ne1cjUR4poqKzMgYO6Ng7-_07-OR3LtUO4nB2Zwao5i0rJgKuKEoDyU_dmW-HlA60_s6c/s400/hug+kiss+tapestry.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664049761260853378" border="0" /></a>And one design by <a href="http://www.grannyknits.co.uk/">granny knits</a>:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJocgEO-SblVTveh2QoYXAc_BIShjBPp3jVimWBISg9LcZP_el11PIEJgMoLIufVObJ6TVQwzSB7eN18QSCjRqv3aAHAZmvNutwtqEtbNcP7zowHpcWQHBVVwjHaCgXZZvfWsirm89zQY/s1600/granny+knits+camper+van+2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJocgEO-SblVTveh2QoYXAc_BIShjBPp3jVimWBISg9LcZP_el11PIEJgMoLIufVObJ6TVQwzSB7eN18QSCjRqv3aAHAZmvNutwtqEtbNcP7zowHpcWQHBVVwjHaCgXZZvfWsirm89zQY/s400/granny+knits+camper+van+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664053036452913874" border="0" /></a>The camper van is the only one I have made into a cushion though. I am hoping that finishing the round design will spur me on to make the others into cushions! The Hug and Kiss designs have been finished for well over a year so I have no excuse really!<br /><br />I am a bit worried about turning the latest one into a cushion as I'm not sure my sewing skills are up to it!! The one in the <a href="http://ryantownshop.blogspot.com/">Rob Ryan shop</a> is made into a round cushion with piping which I would really like to try and do but I've never done piping before. Plus, I know from the camper van one that the tapestry is pretty hard to manipulate through the sewing machine. I have no idea what I am going to do with all these cushions!!<br /><br />I am already really missing having a tapestry on the go. I really like to have a project that I can pick up and work on which keeps me occupied without having to do much thinking! Its brilliant for the days when I am not feeling well or am sleepy but still want something to do in front of the TV. <br /><br />I have already started researching what I want to do next. I'm thinking maybe this to be framed above my bed:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8U4MzXtgFcLLgFwjRJI_WePjLPqVamFed6QcbYUktOinjYscty0IQN3bFw3wcvzqlprIISOwU3TIE0T56fw_9ufEduqbMLRIpngQp2yEJCwvzAFPZIjtbBp8RdxawT_VsSPUucAPHJs/s1600/think+happy+thoughts.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8U4MzXtgFcLLgFwjRJI_WePjLPqVamFed6QcbYUktOinjYscty0IQN3bFw3wcvzqlprIISOwU3TIE0T56fw_9ufEduqbMLRIpngQp2yEJCwvzAFPZIjtbBp8RdxawT_VsSPUucAPHJs/s400/think+happy+thoughts.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664055949492486370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(Picture taken from <a href="http://www.emilypeacock.com/">Emily Peacock website</a>)</span><br /></div><br />Or maybe a <a href="http://www.felicityhall.co.uk/prod1.asp?ID=287&title=needlepoint%20handbag%20kits%20felicity%20hall%20stitched%20clutch%20bag%20kits%20bar%20clasp%20clutch%20bags%20and%20needlepoint%20clutch%20bags">handbag kit</a> from <a href="http://www.felicityhall.co.uk/">Felicity Hall</a> or a <a href="http://www.janconstantine.com/Tapestries/default.asp">kit from Jan Constantine</a>. Ooooh so many options...... The big question is whether I can wait til Christmas to get my hands on one!!<br /><br />I suppose the next step would be to design my own....!<br /><br />Hope you are all having a lovely craft weekend xxxxThe Dotty Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17467041152182432475noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514806242728981330.post-73863041182112927972011-10-12T17:50:00.001+01:002011-10-12T17:52:39.448+01:00Finished presents!After <a href="http://thedottyone.blogspot.com/2011/10/stitching-against-clock.html">lots of work</a> I finally managed to finish the cross stitch I was working on for my grandmother in the nick of time. Phew! Here is the finished piece:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5x75Iru3IWkUf8UxHyUNSfCvu-sFulRu5QwoNiBu1tr8In5ry_ZJlc7Ozbo2pGqqOXxnnEzB2XkWeoSQgeFOOkuwBkc4MXk9tIX3kFqmEF0eF2whDdTxWS1_YeMMUcN-F6M2B9OBwQwU/s1600/finish+6.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASxUJvOqFnbPMkkRpERZqX9c2qEqRII2vOFwdkNjuV30annUraUPk1iKKWOMAxZ0VJL8TMmGORholjOJCTOsuSoiSq2yvc8GTW5DZ1Jjk5JBrUjd7d2pNfZaRpE-ynhWCDN3kHzjoBVY/s1600/finish+11.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASxUJvOqFnbPMkkRpERZqX9c2qEqRII2vOFwdkNjuV30annUraUPk1iKKWOMAxZ0VJL8TMmGORholjOJCTOsuSoiSq2yvc8GTW5DZ1Jjk5JBrUjd7d2pNfZaRpE-ynhWCDN3kHzjoBVY/s400/finish+11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662641279855708162" border="0" /></a>My original plan was to make a picture with nine butterflies but I quickly realised that it was going to be impossible in the time I had given myself so I had to settle for six butterflies instead. I'm a bit disappointed that I didn't plan better so I had more time but other than that I am actually really pleased with how this picture turned out.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZFc5njAmCxjTYErPMPpMy4daL6NvusRLYqTXuKULQlu8q6eFIlm5MF8IgfQLMs7yM9QhusrM14x3lm4VGgW9_HqOgvswhJSm6a838r9Bm72u45Hl6NaLV2fyOEdZ1xJuMSoH8_yJoTM/s1600/finish+detail.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZFc5njAmCxjTYErPMPpMy4daL6NvusRLYqTXuKULQlu8q6eFIlm5MF8IgfQLMs7yM9QhusrM14x3lm4VGgW9_HqOgvswhJSm6a838r9Bm72u45Hl6NaLV2fyOEdZ1xJuMSoH8_yJoTM/s400/finish+detail.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662642051506428658" border="0" /></a>My grandmother seemed super pleased with the pressie and was obviously really touched that I had made the effort to make something so that is the most important thing!<br /><br />It was also my aunt's birthday celebration but luckily I had been a bit more organised for her present and started working on it a few weeks ago in my fused glass class.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEO589oiH9IbWToJh-AuGGXmwRXM-ijhgKtBEjLzuplLfK3OXQKuimEJi4is9TSsrcGwGq9jJfQUgMEB_bYhFHT3VEzuesT2dv5VSnX2dKN_UJrnPrCfarWa7jH75ow2sOVRSIDwMhWU/s1600/fused+glass+plates+2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEO589oiH9IbWToJh-AuGGXmwRXM-ijhgKtBEjLzuplLfK3OXQKuimEJi4is9TSsrcGwGq9jJfQUgMEB_bYhFHT3VEzuesT2dv5VSnX2dKN_UJrnPrCfarWa7jH75ow2sOVRSIDwMhWU/s400/fused+glass+plates+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662643136927442306" border="0" /></a>I decided to make a dish made up with squares of some of my favourite glass colours - mainly blues and pinks (as usual!!). This was slumped over a mould to give a slightly curved dish shape.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9PQMBo5-mcgxf9ptT3EiDNR1rZxLpNF2kCAYnYCMiL9ZZPzKoyGqXWzbsdhJCYX5skHX3NikLfeu9581W7wU5_4Rp1zMdlw2JJeOaS3WLdaLyqjsTLo7JByQ5nny7OH7sESazoA60e4/s1600/fused+glass+plates+5.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9PQMBo5-mcgxf9ptT3EiDNR1rZxLpNF2kCAYnYCMiL9ZZPzKoyGqXWzbsdhJCYX5skHX3NikLfeu9581W7wU5_4Rp1zMdlw2JJeOaS3WLdaLyqjsTLo7JByQ5nny7OH7sESazoA60e4/s400/fused+glass+plates+5.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662644040292192114" border="0" /></a>I really like making these dishes and I always make things using lots of squares and in these colours - it seems to be becoming my signature style!! I love the way the glass shines like boiled sweets!<br /><br />I'm still finding it really hard to take decent pictures of my glass pieces - hopefully you can kind of see the shape of the dish in this one.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwSLYznW6dduyFef8Y1Ub0HcEzdy8I1DCRVELgcfBOxLcTai-4QBRz7ILPr-ZRBqRN2Xgcb43hTe8FEd4Ij5ZzPQ62rGxVcPlXB2uWFO_e0JDNbwMiU6zbMdJD6iInl4cM7ORl2L2P88/s1600/fused+glass+plates+3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwSLYznW6dduyFef8Y1Ub0HcEzdy8I1DCRVELgcfBOxLcTai-4QBRz7ILPr-ZRBqRN2Xgcb43hTe8FEd4Ij5ZzPQ62rGxVcPlXB2uWFO_e0JDNbwMiU6zbMdJD6iInl4cM7ORl2L2P88/s400/fused+glass+plates+3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662647123693904466" border="0" /></a>This dish is roughly 20cm square. I also decided to make a smaller one to match too which is about 10cm square. Here they both are together:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CLegKCgj1ZxVdeLXz2enLY6TJT1-GZ4ahOT35RoJV-M_2vzqXTFK1KwMRmcisFkk2GyDqnhRLgk5rGxFhSZ-7ObuzvqpJGSc1Dn7OgT5Ly3hvs2eaQihBSp8_jzJyWz0bWz0jDTCdI0/s1600/fused+glass+plates+1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CLegKCgj1ZxVdeLXz2enLY6TJT1-GZ4ahOT35RoJV-M_2vzqXTFK1KwMRmcisFkk2GyDqnhRLgk5rGxFhSZ-7ObuzvqpJGSc1Dn7OgT5Ly3hvs2eaQihBSp8_jzJyWz0bWz0jDTCdI0/s400/fused+glass+plates+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662645648319527666" border="0" /></a>I <span style="font-style: italic;">think</span> my aunt was pretty pleased with these too - but it was more difficult to tell from her reaction! I hope so!<br /><br />I really like making homemade presents but I find it so much more stressful giving them than bought ones! Does anyone else find this? I think the reaction feels so much more important when you have put so much time and effort into making something.<br /><br />I definitely need to start planning my Christmas presents now. Working on that cross stitch last week has made me realise that I will need to be a lot more organised if I am going to give homemade presents - I don't want to be frantically finishing all my Christmas presents with one week to spare!<br /><br />Better get to work.....!<br /><br />xxxThe Dotty Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17467041152182432475noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6514806242728981330.post-37222962869415725852011-10-08T21:24:00.002+01:002011-10-08T21:27:57.121+01:00Stitching against the clock!Firstly, thanks for your comments on my <a href="http://thedottyone.blogspot.com/2011/10/granny-blanket-progress.html">last post</a> - its given me a lot to think about before I start attaching my granny squares together. I've had to put that to one side this week as I have been working on a present for my grandmother's birthday. It was her birthday on Thursday and I am seeing her tomorrow (Sunday). I've known I wanted to make her a present for ages and I've known I am seeing her on Sunday for ages. So when did I start thinking about what to make? Monday of course! There's nothing like forward planning!<br /><br />Since Monday I've been frantically stitching in any spare moment to try and get the present ready in time. Its been tricky as I've had a pretty busy week. And I still haven't finished! In fact I should really be stitching now but I need a break! I decided to make a cross stitch picture using some butterfly designs I found in <a href="http://crossstitcher.themakingspot.com/">Crossstitcher</a> magazine.<br /><br />Here's the results so far of my frantic stitchery! And the process my brain goes through when I start making something.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day 1: Monday</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Right, this is going to be great. I think I'll do a sampler with 9 butterflies"</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaPNCZGegB9x9QcKpJ3ntPlYKNObl_xjBWfCTtKr4O0beBpOhQmfOsjxQVdT1An2josHbxHngpI4-qqoOfJ1jENoyE4AzPqx8fER6NbReR4jbJVbl8-dqQX3Eln6TTus_pU-wdODE2W0/s1600/day+1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaPNCZGegB9x9QcKpJ3ntPlYKNObl_xjBWfCTtKr4O0beBpOhQmfOsjxQVdT1An2josHbxHngpI4-qqoOfJ1jENoyE4AzPqx8fER6NbReR4jbJVbl8-dqQX3Eln6TTus_pU-wdODE2W0/s400/day+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661211953916995458" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Aaaah, I'm enjoying this. The butterflies do seem to be taking longer than I expected though"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day 2 - Tuesday</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMKZ_t3iXt8qYMkm3unVrGLfAhuP9YYCyUHhkRNIS_LQ793iXnBjO9n7yB7TIxDv9y592CDjRZptVei8tw-flhR_fBJgsXwI4OgXE74W_7kFq9odKQ2UWnvmzprIWx2PHN1bQmuzHDv4/s1600/day+2+1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMKZ_t3iXt8qYMkm3unVrGLfAhuP9YYCyUHhkRNIS_LQ793iXnBjO9n7yB7TIxDv9y592CDjRZptVei8tw-flhR_fBJgsXwI4OgXE74W_7kFq9odKQ2UWnvmzprIWx2PHN1bQmuzHDv4/s400/day+2+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661212580128259170" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"</span><span style="font-style: italic;">Hmmm</span><span style="font-style: italic;">....these actually take quite a long time. Its probably not great to stay up til 2 am sewing every night"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day 3 - Wednesday</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"I'm so tired. I shouldn't have stayed up so late stitching last night! I'll just fit in one more butterfly before I go out tonight"</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2zP8f2D3ez_wvVS0D5-dgXBdnAcuyObBNpJBrz45acZPSbQDK4OJ1A10yMy36L9PeXRhVkL-QH37wPf9BA5c0uGih-vnKPIPriHY01kVpWn_JxqhSiRLUqLE72Q2Bwa2MItf9ETB5eUg/s1600/day+3+2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2zP8f2D3ez_wvVS0D5-dgXBdnAcuyObBNpJBrz45acZPSbQDK4OJ1A10yMy36L9PeXRhVkL-QH37wPf9BA5c0uGih-vnKPIPriHY01kVpWn_JxqhSiRLUqLE72Q2Bwa2MItf9ETB5eUg/s400/day+3+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661213142560549314" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day 4: Thursday</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"I'm not sure I really like this. Maybe I should put in the black </span>back stitch<span style="font-style: italic;"> to see if that makes a difference and check they really look like butterflies"</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Mnr9evWrCCI5v0Heb7eB89wks69yzsPq9pD7r6sFsDPCAzS6E0gVHSdLVCnT89oinvsdXkxmuds9Hc3MTR8XGhfQc5PjeIY0-GasNOd_TostwWMi5Wiwr3wPlsHvpIZmAoUeAFQOLBs/s1600/day+4+2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Mnr9evWrCCI5v0Heb7eB89wks69yzsPq9pD7r6sFsDPCAzS6E0gVHSdLVCnT89oinvsdXkxmuds9Hc3MTR8XGhfQc5PjeIY0-GasNOd_TostwWMi5Wiwr3wPlsHvpIZmAoUeAFQOLBs/s400/day+4+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661214184111916322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />"Yep, starting to look more like butterflies now. The back stitch part takes ages though. Maybe I haven't left enough time....."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day 5: Friday</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"</span><span style="font-style: italic;">Aaaaarrgggghhh</span><span style="font-style: italic;">. It's Friday. I'm never gonna get this finished!"</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WzIG-7F2aHsajlsKZ14B7gWt1GJXv3I1CSdP5qWhnqqzmDsFKVRL7vNjOs7xVZkkK3ljaNgL1nMecrTfPOtokmpORPYKjsderCf4otF-aIkHfYl5zHdDQ8JV_IQ4bdKXlSk9NDh9-L8/s1600/day+5.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WzIG-7F2aHsajlsKZ14B7gWt1GJXv3I1CSdP5qWhnqqzmDsFKVRL7vNjOs7xVZkkK3ljaNgL1nMecrTfPOtokmpORPYKjsderCf4otF-aIkHfYl5zHdDQ8JV_IQ4bdKXlSk9NDh9-L8/s400/day+5.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661215958652443490" border="0" /></a><br />And that's as far as I got by the end of yesterday!! I'm still stitching away and hopefully I'll have it finished by tomorrow! I think I like it but I'm never sure til I've finished something. And its going to have to be 6 butterflies rather than 9 which is disappointing. Aarrgggh - why didn't I start planning earlier?!! I never learn....<br /><br />Right back to work! I'm trying to bake a birthday cake and wrap up my aunt's pressie at the same time! Hope you are having a lovely (and not too frantic) weekend xxThe Dotty Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17467041152182432475noreply@blogger.com3