Scrap hat

At this time of year I should be knitting socks I suppose.  But I can safely say I have a hat obsession!  This is the latest off the needles and a bit of seasonal fair isle with the left over king cole yarn.

I'm actually looking for an airy summer pattern, that I can wear on windy days and remain cool.  I suppose if my scatter brain would stay still long enough, I would manage it.

Toddlers Winter Sweater

I knitted up a toddlers sweater with my left over aran/worsted (20% wool) weight yarn.  I thought this was really cute and it's knitted in one piece too.  Then the face it stitched on when finished, this was the first time I've done that.

I added some cute polka dot buttons to finish it off.  It's really thick and perfect for winter.  Aged at 12 months and fits a chest of 20 inches.   Now SOLD.

Celtic Trinity Knot Cards

I have been wanting to make some cards with charms for a while.  At first I thought I would just make gift tags.  But the Kraft tags weren't as sturdy as I would've liked. 

I mounted the Tibetan silver charms onto the tags, at this point I decided to punch the cards to hold the tag.  Whilst the tags looked fine like this, I thought that they needed a bit more, so I added some cerise crepe rectangles behind them.

I really like these, you receive them as a card and can either remove the tag and use it to gift a present, or you can just keep the charm and add it to a necklace or bracelet (or do both).

I decided to put them in 2 packs and you can buy them here

Sea-sons Greetings

I showed you previous some dabbling with seaweed. I managed to gather some purple-ish seaweed, to have it dried and pressed.  I added some glitter to the branch tips, along with gold hearts and acrylic gem baubles.   These are set on 240gsm A6 card.

You will find them listed in my Etsy store, there are only 2 packs available at this time.

The Frog Paperweight that lead to cards

Meet my cheeky frog.  Hand painted pebble with oil paints, varnished, then some googly eyes added, along with a foam base to prevent scratches.

Doesn't it look cute in it's wild habitat! LOL!  I gave it to my other half to brighten up his desk.

When I cut out the foam feet base, this gave me another idea for card toppers.  A silly but fun one, that I think are great for kids.  I enjoyed making them too.  I need to make a few more and sell as a pack of four or so.  I'm not convinced that single cards are always the bet option with Etsy because of the lack of postage options.  Which I'm certain is puts most buyers off if they want more than  one item of you.

As you can see the punch confetti came in handy once again in these cards.

Mums Birthday Card

So today is my mothers birthday and this is the card she got from me.  A nice little embossed card topped with a dog violet flower.  Added a couple of acrylic gems and 2 shades of butterflies punched out of a paint colour booklet.

Since we live in different countries I ordered flowers to be delivered by Bunches.co.uk, who I find are good value and actually deliver on time.  This is a biggie when you live on an island.  After all you don't want the people you care about to think you forgot them.

I used another company once and they not only failed to deliver on the day, but any of the following 3 days, the first bouquet sat in a courier depot for 4 days.  They sent out a second one, but it was a week after my friends birthday so wasn't happy with their service at all and the discount they offered on my next order was no consolation either.

Petalfly

When I started this card, this is not at all how I had envisaged it.  Originally I had the peony leaves as trouser legs, the cornflower petal as the hat and feathers for wings of this majestic fairy.  As you can see it turned out rather different indeed..... such is my cluttered brain.

 

Still it makes a rather interesting butterfly from flower petals.  I added a touch of glitter and sealed it all under plastic.  I'm wondering if a fixing spray would have been better.  I wanted to preserved it for longer, but it looked better before the plastic topping.

King Cole Country Tweed

Like I said I couldn't wait to get into that new multi coloured yarn.  I've made myself a pair of socks for the winter since I've always got cold feet.  I love the autumnal shades of the yarn.

When the socks were done I decided on a slouchy hat.  Of course when you make one that's sorta pointy you need to put something on the end.  A couple of dangly tassels might have been better, but I settled for a braid instead to keep things simple.  I added a round of single crochet to the brim, to stop it from stretching too much.  I'd say I like the effect the yarn has in the hat better.

I will be going up on etsy later, at some point.

Magic Seaweed

This is a new thing I'm trying out. Using seaweed as card toppers. I let it dry out, then press it for a few days.  I've found that dipping the ends in glue then glitter, causes it to curl up again.  Not something I want.

So I've opted for fixing it to the card first, dotting some glue about and sprinkling the glitter.  Works better but sometimes you have to do it a few times to get the right effect.  Still it's fun to play around with.  Looks like trees, some shaped by the wind.  Or perhaps seaweed with the mermaids magic touch ;) 

These aren't finish yet and still a work in progress, but like how they are turning out so far.

Recycling card bits

I've got a lot of bits floating around in my stash box, so much I don't know half of what is in there.  With all the new papers and bits I've bought recently I thought it was time to try and get some use out of them.

The one on the left is a garment tag which has made a nice romantic boho card.  The Daughter card is bits from an old birthday card.

This has also led to the beginnings of Christmas...... not like that word hasn't been mention often already!  But why are people talking about it in June and July?!

I'm just going to say here's a nice winter scene and some glittery seaweed!  The Seasons Greetings went onto the seaweed card.

Smoothie ice lollies

I've been hunting for lolly moulds for a while and even though I got a great set in TK Maxx, they wouldn't fit in my drawer freezer!

Eventually Lidl got little mould packs in, so I picked up 3 packs.  Basic and do the job, so log as you don't drop them, like I've done and cracked them.   I like to have fruit smoothies because you can bash anything into them and blitz.  Especially good if you want to use up the fruit before having to chuck it out!  I hate waste.

So I've been mixing and matching our fruit in the blender to make refreshing ice pops, I also added some of my elderflower champagne (although it went to one end of the lolly).  As you can see they slot into each other, perfect for lining up in the freezer drawer.

I also played around with vodka pops, but you can only have 20% vodka in there so really not worth it in my opinion.  I haven't tried the straight elderflower yet, but think that they will be fine, being low alcohol.

Knitted unisex Vest

Whilst the pattern is under a ladies design, I think that it works as a unisex one.  I used Aldi So Crafty DK 100% acrylic yarn and the Drops 71-3 b pattern.  It knits up quick and easy on straight needles and the fit around the neck and armholes are perfect.  Which to me is something unusual, as they are either too big or need some sort of adjustments.
I made one change to the design and that is where the V neck splits, you are supposed to split the centre pattern and work it up to the shoulder.  I didn't like that look, so I just took the K2, P1 part to work up the side, working the decreases before it.
I had cast off the shoulder seams, but I would recommend using Kitchener stitch for a nice neat finish, of course you can still join the seams this way even if you have cast off.

Crelando Border Punch set (Lidl)

So the Crelando border punch set from Lidl as previously mentioned.  I pick this up at the reduced price of just over €8.  So I think it's certainly worth it, even if it is meant for the kids!  Let's face it, if you want one decent paper punch, you will pay at least that for it.

 It comes in a nice sturdy plastic carry case.  As you can see it comes with eight different designs and the punch device, to make your life easier.  I have a small butterfly punch that requires some elbow grease to get the design, so if you have to make a bundle it's rather hard on the hands.

On the back of the packaging paper is the instructions, pretty straight forward for grown ups and kids.

Of course you can work left or right or vice versa, using the guides.  I chose the tulips & hearts punch and as you can see I've loaded the plastic insert guides (clear part with black print).

I work to the left because I'm back to front (true story). No really it's just easier for me, I suppose it depends if you are left or right handed.

To get the repeat patter you just align the first set up with the pattern on the guide and just punch and slide along.  Ta Da! Tulips.  The blue palm press makes it so easy.

Of course you have to empty the punch from all the paper bits every so often, around one long side of A4 paper.  Just open the clear window on the bottom of the punch design and empty it out.  As you can see I got confetti!!  So if you're using coloured paper, you can save these bits for confetti or more card making.  Of course this isn't possible for all the designs.

Now to the Dolphins and what I see as the only flaw in the box.  Below is how you should expect the pattern to run.

However when you set it up and follow the guides, you would want the smooth flow of up and down dolphins.

Not so, as you can see there is the flaw, you get a double set in the pattern, which kind of ruined it for me.  The cutter should only contain 4 not 5 dolphins, that way the repeat would be flawless.  So that's the blooper folks!  Sorry if you only just noticed this.  But hey, you get nice dolphin confetti!!

Using my 2 favourite designs this is what you can do with them, not just edges, but flowers and lace.  And if you're really smart, you can make shamrocks using the heart punch ~ who'd have thought that then.

So a round up, easy to use, can make other patterns, gives you confetti and no more sore, tired hands from continuous punching.  Well unless you're spending all day at it!  Has a nice carry case for storage.

The downside is the dolphin punch pattern repeat, along with having to empty the small compartments often and some tend to lose some of the small paper bits.  But let's face it, glitter is messier and harder to tidy up.

On the whole it's a great buy, especially for the sale price.  It appears to be very good quality and should last a long time.

What's Knitting?

I wanted to knit a vest for a while now, even when I decided on the pattern and bought the yarn.  I changed my mind on the pattern.  I chose the71-3 b - Vest by DROPS design and I altered the pattern at the V neck, as I didn't really like carrying that cable up the side. I've just finished the front and have got as far as the back rib.

The back is plain, so should go up fast and without error.  I like to watch TV and knit, sometimes it can lead to cable misdemeanours!  Yes I had a few hiccups on the front, but noticed them after a few rows and corrected my mistakes.

Also sitting on the needles until I get really bored, or might even get frogged is the Rosa sweater.  It's a lace weight knit and as lovely as the pattern is, you need a clear head to follow the pattern.  Something I've been lacking of late.

Image from the Rowan website, where you can get the free pattern.

I also picked up a couple of balls of King Cole Country Tweed and I'm just dying to make socks with it.  I really want to see how the mixed colour knits up, since I've not used a yarn like it yet.

I'll have to do a swatch, before I work out how many stitches to cast on.  But I'm just itching to get started!!  I swear my brain is in overdrive and a total clutter!

Sunday Afternoon Crafts

Well after a week of chronic fatigue or exhaustion, I finally managed to gather myself a little on Sunday afternoon.  I had an Iris card that had been lying half done in the drawer, for I don't know how many weeks.  So I thought I'd better get it finished off.

I had picked up the punch set in Lidl at a reduced price this week, so added a yellow heart border to the bottom.  I think it goes really well ~ but I may be a little bias.  It's now up in my Etsy store here.

I also had 8cm bits of ribbon and string left over from the glitter cards in the previous post.  I wanted to make bows, but with the bits being so short, it took me a while to figure out how to do it.  Despite all the you tube and other tutorials, I ended up having to do it my own way as the bits were so short.  But at least the dog was happy, since this is one thing I could do on the sofa ~ he hates me sitting on my lonesome in a chair.

Well at least now, I have some more bits to stick on the cards in future, when that will be, I have no idea.  If you notice the little yellow heart, that is from the punch, yep I'm saving the confetti too!!

I had a couple more Buttercups waiting to be mounted onto cards, so I decided to do them and add them to my Etsy listing choices (you get 10 pictures per listing now.. Yippee!).  Now if they would sort out the postage options, I'd be delighted.

As you can see I got to play with my new punch set again, I think I'll do a post on that later, it will be a short one, I promise.

Glitter, Glitter everywhere!

I do love glittery things, but oh my, does that glitter go everywhere or what.  I made some more little notecards, this time in green with butterfly ribbon.

But I thought they were a bit on the plain and boring side, so I thought to myself a little bit of glitter on the outer edge would be cool.  I also thought it would be easy to get it to stick, after about the 3rd attempt I think I got enough on the cards (and everywhere else in the vicinity) and my fingers!

I think I'm happy with them now, so they've been dusted, tagged and bagged! Currently they need a proper photo and are sitting in the not yet for sale box, along with quite a few others.

Herd it was your Birthday card

I made another card with the cows on the front.  A lot easier to do in english and it has just gone live in my Etsy store here.  On the front it says "We herd it was your Birthday!!...."

On the insert it says "........So mooo-ve on over and let's party"

 

I think it's a good card for a farmer, or maybe I shouldn't say that!! Perhaps I should say somebody who is fond of cows!  That would be more proper I think. (I do live in a farming area).

What's up Buttercup?

I wanted to make a selection of cards with buttercups. But rather than just the standard cards that I've made, I was looking to do some cards with text phrases and that little bit more decor.

I had bought a small pad of decorative papers, picked up a multi pack of crepe papers and some other random bits in the last 2 weeks.  Hoping that I would find a use for it all.  Of course some always turn out to be your favourite and you tend to use them up first, with the least attractive put away and forgotten about.

These are not yet available for sale as I have to finish the range, I'm only halfway through.  Unfortunately my brain is in overdrive with ideas on what to do next.  I hope you like them and some of these are now stocked in my Etsy store. (link in the website list, bottom left of blog).

Not a Night Owl

To say I had a late night watching movies with the Mr, is not something that comes from me very often.   However that's what we did the other night and then I popped off to bed, looking for a deep sleep.  Ha, said my body, that's what you think! As it rudely awoke me 3 hours later and gave me pains that probably equal childbirth (I had a C section so have to guess).  At this point, you come to your senses really fast and grab your strongest prescription pain killers, take 2 and a muscle relaxant, then proceed with the breathing exercises and a hot water bottle attached to you.  After about 20 -30 mins all the meds kick in.

Now most people would lay back down and try to get some sleep, after all it's only 5:30 am!  But I think I was sort of in body shock, which in turn sent my brain into overdrive (again)!  I ended up with a cup of tea at my crafting desk.  Yup I think I can make cards in my sleep deprived state ~ turns out I can....... 🤒🙄😂

A set of six mini note cards with manilla envelopes. Light pink card, cerise crepe paper, pink & wine ribbon, with Owl ribbon on top.  I'm pretty certain there was more glue on my fingers than the cards.  I also put the left overs on the back using crepe hearts and the shimmer gauze ribbon.  Except one, which got a band of crepe like the front, well that was bound to happen in my zoned out state.  The only thing that surprises me, is that it was only on one! 🦉🃏🎀

Cabled beanie hats

Mum gave me a hank of handspun Scottish sheep yarn.  I had planned to felt it, but it refused to felt shrink or anything at 90 degrees.   It's not like the sheeps fleece is tropical, of course it may have been treated.  However it didn't feel like it was, it smelled of pure wool and has the course texture to boot.  It irritates my skin, so what the heck?

I had to come up with something so I worked the cable of a previous sweater, which I'm pretty sure I've done before.  Joined it with kitchener stitch, well my attempt to create the invisible join.

I then picked up and worked in the round on DPNs, decreasing every other row until I thought enough were worked.  Then decreased every row and finishing off by threading the yarn through the remaining few stitches.  It's driven my skin nuts, but was worth it.  It will make a great winter hat for someone and is available to buy in my Etsy store 

I also started a second one from a vogue knitting pattern, although I thought the instructions wrong and changed the chart order to mirror the first half.  I worked in the round, rather than one 2 needles like it asked.  I'm not a fan of seams in hats, so the less the better. 

I made a little pom pom for the top. I'm not too keen on the end result myself, but then I'm a cable fan and this isn't a cable.  I'm sure it will settle and look better after the wash.  Then I'll put it up in my Etsy store, that is if anything sells in the next few months!  I feel a little out of my depth with Etsy.

I still have some left, but not sure it will make a whole skull cap.  I do have some grey flecked yarn that I could use and put this yarn in as the design, for whatever chart I use.

My Cabled Poncho is for sale

The cabled Poncho I made in January is for sale in my Esty store here

Or if you are feeling up to the challenge of making it yourself, the pattern is now for sale on Ravelry
with Paypal Buy It Now

I've opened an Esty shop!

I've taken the plunge and opened a store on Esty.  Quite intimidating for a newbie, but I suppose it's a bit more professional than ebay and cheaper (to run listings).  It appears to be the more appropriate place to sell handmade items,  however I'm still wondering how anyone will find me amongst all those pros on there.  Here's a sample of what's available.

But hey if you don't try, you won't know, right!?  For me it's just a hobby, which hopefully,some people might like enough to buy a card (or more).   The other half is talking it up and making me break out into hot flushes......lol.

My chronic pain doesn't allow for hours of work, so it's little and not so often.  But it's something that I enjoy and provides distraction and makes me feel calm and happy.

So if you want to check it out my store is GormalCrafts and if you want to buy a few, you should message me about shipping costs, as the set up doesn't really allow for multi buy postage rates, well not fair ones as far as I can see. 

I'll be adding knitwear at a later stage, including that knitted poncho I made.