Twinkie Chan giveaway!

Hi everyone! I realise I havent blogged in MONTHS!! But I just quickly wanted to share an amazing giveaway over at Twinkie Chan's blog!

http://www.twinkiechan.com/blog/2012/01/13/lil-giveway/

Reblogging this gives me an extra entry into the giveaway.... Go and check it out!!

Louisa xx

Busy Sunday!

I've had a very busy Sunday!
I bought a slow cooker from Asda for £9 a few weeks ago, and I have been desperate to try it out! Well I finally did today... I chucked in a couple of packets of the cheapest diced casserole beef from Asda, a bag of their ready chopped casserole vegetables and a couple of pints of beef stock. 9 hours later I  had the most delicious casserole I have ever eaten!! The beef was amazingly tender! I am officially a slow cooker convert! I can't wait to try making something else!

I also made cheese and garlic scones. These are a favourite of mine (and my Other Half!) so yummy!
No pictures of those I'm afraid, they didnt last that long!!

I've also spent the last hour or so listing items on Etsy. My beaded keyrings and charms are ready for the market I'm doing in 3 weeks, but thought I would put them on Etsy as well. Why don't you go and check it out? My Etsy Shop

Well thats all from me tonight!

Louisa xx

Yarn question...

Is it just me, or have Stylecraft increased the number of colours in their Special DK range? I'm sure there didn't used to be 56!!
(I'm just going on what Masons have on their site...)



Louisa xx

Crochet Coasters

After reading PaisleyJade's post yesterday about these coasters, I just had to give the pattern a try! I love the fact that the pattern has been adapted from an original pattern published in 1893!
I used Stylecraft Special DK (what else?!) and a 4mm hook.
Each one only took about 20 minutes to make, they are so quick and fun!
I have 3 now, and I will make another one to make a set of 4. I would also like to try them with multiple colours of yarn, make them more flowery!
So beautiful!

Thanks Kristy for linking the pattern!

Louisa xx

ETA: I made another one with different colours! what do you think?

Granny Square Blanket Update!

Here it is, a very very long overdue update of my granny stripe blanket!
I hadnt worked on it for quite a while, then about a week ago, I picked it up again and have done quite a few rows! I was sat in the car on Wednesday night waiting for my Other Half to finish work, and worked on it some more. I really love crocheting in the car, listening to Radio 2. I think it is my favourite place to crochet!
Here is a picture of it, draped over the steering wheel! I'm onto the 4th repeat of the colours. I'm going to do 5 repeats, and if I have enough yarn left, maybe a 6th repeat, then edge it in cream.... what do you think?

Louisa xx

Beads, Markets and Alnwick Gardens...

I haven't updated since June!!! I don't know where the months have gone! I'm still keeping up with all of your blogs though, so i've not been totally away from the blogging world!

I've been very busy since June... I've done 2 more craft markets, and have another 3 to go before Christmas! Busy bee!
I haven't really done any crocheting recently, because I have been so busy making stock for my stalls.... You may remember that I also make things with Hama beads... well those seem to be my best sellers!
Here is a peek at some of the new things I have been making....

Keyrings:

 and Bag Charms:

They have been a lot of fun to make, but I still need a LOT more!
The craft markets have been going really well, especially a new one I signed up to. It was held in Cramlington, and it was a full day event. It was the very first one of that kind being held there, so no-one was sure how well it would go, but it turned out to be a really excellent (and profitable!) day! It was so good I have signed up to the Halloween and  Christmas markets!

It's been a good summer too... I went to Sonisphere Festival at Knebworth with my Other Half and we had a great time :-). We also went to see the final Harry Potter film, which was amazing, but also really sad now that it's finally all over :-( I guess I will just have to wait for Pottermore.com opening next month! (I didnt bother trying to get the early access!)

Last weekend we took a trip up to Alnwick (which isnt far away) to visit the Castle and Gardens. It was a very hot day, and I ended up being quite poorly the next day! :-( but the day itself was brilliant and I would love to live there!
Here are some of my photos from there...

It was brilliant :-)

Well I will stop rambling now! Hopefully I will be better at blogging and won't leave it so long until the next post!! :-)

Louisa xx

I love Fridays!

I do! They are possibly my favourite day of the week (for 7 weeks out of 8 anyway!) I love the feeling I get at 5pm on a Friday when I walk out of work and have the whole weekend in front of me!
In case you were wondering, the craft market was brilliant! It was very quiet but I had a great day, met some lovely people and made some sales! I've definitely caught the craft market bug... I've signed up for 2 markets in August!
Before all of that though, I've got a trip to Sonisphere festival in 2 weeks which I am so excited for!
A lot has happened since I last posted too... I went to Glasgow to see Elton John who was amazing! And do you remember the baby blankets I was making months ago? Well their recipient is here! She is absolutely gorgeous :-)
I really do promise I will post photos of my granny stripe progress this weekend. I really really promise!

Louisa xx