Finished Blanket!

Hello!
Do you remember I mentioned a few weeks ago that I was going to make a baby blanket for my friend? Well I finished it today!! I'm so proud because its the first blanket I have ever finished!
I absolutely love it! I have washed and tumble dried it (just to make sure it wasnt going to fall apart) and it has come out beautifully!
I used Hayfield Baby Bonus DK in Cream and Robin Paintbox DK in 'Carnival'

I havent measured it, but it's not overly big. I'll probably measure it before I give it to the parents-to-be!
I also used Lucy's Granny Blanket Edging which I think sets it off nicely....

here it is!!

 

 

In other news, the snow is FINALLY disappearing here and it seems a lot warmer than it has been lately. I think it might actually be 4 degrees outside today!

Louisa xx

Perfect presents...

Merry Christmas!!
My other half got me the most surprising, amazing, thoughtful presents EVER!! And the only people I thought could really appreciate them are you lot!!
Amongst tons of other fabulous things, he got me: a proper stash bag, aaaaaand.... 4 balls of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino!!!!!!! 2 cream and 2 purple!!! How amazing is he for doing that?
:-)

Louisa xx

Merry Christmas!

Hope you all have an amazing Christmas and 2011 brings all kinds of happiness and awesome crafting your way!!

Louisa xx

p.s Santas on his way!! http://www.noradsanta.org/en/index.html

20 Christmas Questions!

It seems like almost every blogger I follow has done this meme now, so thankyou to all of you! It's my turn for my 20 Christmas Questions!

1. Wrapping paper and gift bags?
Both! I wrap the presents, then put them in gift bags :-)

2. Real tree or artificial?
Artificial. I would love a real tree, but the mess puts me off, and seeing the poor thing wilt away after christmas would make me too sad :-(

3. When do you put up the tree?
2nd weekend in December

4. When do you take the tree down?
6th January, the day you are supposed to take it down! However, that is my birthday, so it's the not nice part of my birthday!

5. Favourite gift received as a child
When I was 4 I got my very own television for my bedroom. It was pink and had a little heart on the aerial and didnt have a remote- the channel buttons were on the top of the TV :-) I had it until I was 16!!

6. Hardest person to buy for
My other half :-) I have to rely on a list from him, as I never know what to buy him, plus he hates surprises! Makes it easier for me though, as then I know exactly what he wants :-)

7. Easiest person to buy for
Also my other half :-) because of the list!

8. Post or e-mail Christmas cards
Neither. I only really give Christmas cards to my other half and his family. My mum puts my name on cards to my family down south, but when I move out, i'll have to start sending my own! Then it will be post...

9. Favourite Christmas film
Santa Clause the Movie! (the one with Dudley Moore) I have watched it EVERY SINGLE Christmas Eve since I was tiny. (and it's 2 years younger than me, so it's probably every Christmas since it came out!)

10. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
I try to start as early as possible, but it usually ends up being November. I did buy a couple of little presents in October this year though!

11. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
No.

12. Favourite thing to eat at Christmas
Christmas dinner, yule log, turkey curry that my dad used to make (I have now taken on the tradition, but this years will be chicken!) pigs in blankets, nibbles, crackers, cheese.... pretty much the whole lot! My favourite part of Christmas is the food!

13. Lights on the tree (Coloured or clear?)
Coloured for me, although my mum prefers white :-(

14. Favourite Christmas song
Elton John - Step Into Christmas
Wizzard - Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday
Slade - Merry Christmas
Paul McCartney - Wonderful Christmastime
Jona Lewie - Stop the Cavalry
And embarrasingly - Girls Aloud's christmas offering from a few years ago (i cant remember the name and my Christmas CD is in the car!)
 
15. Travel at Christmas or stay at home?
Bit of both - have christmas dinner at home with my mum, but go to my other halfs house for presents, and then later on for Christmas film watching :-)

16. Angel, star or ribbon on top of the tree?
Star. Angels are a bit creepy...

17. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
I open one present on Christmas Eve, but only if its pyjamas. Otherwise I wait till Christmas Day! Last Christmas I got a Hello Kitty duvet cover from my mum and I got that on Christmas Eve :-)

18. Most annoying thing about this time of year
People panic buying in the supermarkets. They are only closed for a couple of days - get a grip! You do not need 15 pints of milk and 8 loaves of bread to last 2 days! (I used to work in a supermarket, and that really used to annoy me!) Fair enough for the people who were having loads of visitors to stay for a few days, but the majority didnt, they were just panicking that they might not be able to get to their precious supermarket for 2 whole days and therefore would need 10 times more food for those days than normal...
One year, the supermarket I was at closed for 3 days, and made regular announcements over their tannoy to customers. I overheard one customer say 'what the hell do the staff need a Christmas holiday for? It's my holiday off work, not theirs!"

19. What do you want for Christmas this year?
All kinds of things, but apparently, not enough!! ;-)

20. Traditional colours (red and green) or other colours?
Lots of lovely bright, bold colours. However I do love traditional colour schemes too :-)

Anyone else who hasnt already done this meme going to take up the challenge? :-)

Louisa xx 

I'm still here!

I just realized I haven't blogged for ages! I'm still here, still checking all your blogs regularly!
I'm posting this from my iPhone. I'm in bed with a stinking cold :-( woke up with it this morning and it just got progressively worse all day :-( was in Nottingham last night, which was awesome, but driving back today was a chore!
I have officially started the baby blanket I mentioned in my last post :-) I'm very excited about it. I'm not going to post any pictures until it is finished though!
Hope you are all well and getting excited for the big man in red making his visit? I'm extremely un-religious, but throw myself into the commercial side of Christmas! (mainly the food....)

Ok im off to go feel sorry for myself and watch lots and lots of Gilmore girls!

Louisa xx

A whole new world of crochet...

A friend of mine has just announced she is 12 weeks pregnant. So of course this is opening up a whole new world of crochet possibilites for me.... blankets and hats and baby moccasins!

Still got horrendous weather here :-( made it in to work today, but only really because I was able to stay at my other half's house last night :-)
I drove home in horrible hailstones and snow tonight,  but when I got home my mum had bought 2 massive bags of grit (rock salt) so I have surrounded my car with it. Hopefully I can get out in the morning! The forecast is dreadful, as the temperature is dropping even further so we are expecting lots and lots of ice :-(
This weather really depresses me :-( I love autumn and winter so much, they are my favourite seasons by far, but I really hate heavy snow and ice :-(

oh well, its the first day of my Hello Kitty Advent Calendar tomorrow!

Louisa xx

New look blog....

Still being snowed in (though not as bad as yesterday!) I decided I didn't really like the design of my blog...

So here we are with a new look blog! It's probably still a work in progress (I'm not 100% happy with the background)
What do you think? :-)

Louisa xx

Little Granny Bag....

After reading the fabulous tutorial over at The Royal Sisters, for the most adorable little granny bag, I decided I had to make my own! So I chose some pretty colours of yarn and started this morning with 2 plain granny squares. I then joined them together with the picot edging, and lined with felt before hooking a couple of handles. I've just finished it, isnt it cute? and so easy to make!

Off to make my cupcakes that I mentioned yesterday.... still snowed in here i'm afraid, although the main road is now clear and it looks like its raining or sleeting outside rather than snowing...

Louisa xx

Snowed in...

It's been snowing here since Wednesday evening. It got lots worse on Thursday morning, and even worse is yet to come on Monday apparently. I hate the snow, I hate being snowed in. I'm miles away from my other half and I'm missing him like mad :-(
The only thing consoling me is the fact I have a pretty view from my bedroom window.

 

This was half an hour ago...

and this is now.... just after it stopped snowing.

Pretty isnt it? If I wasnt so depressed about being stuck in the house, i'd be wanting to make christmas cards out of the view ha ha 

Oh well, i think i might go and bake some cupcakes in my new animal print cupcake cases (pics will be posted!) and maybe get some hooky time in while watching Gilmore girls (I love that programme!) 

What's the weather like in your neck of the woods?

Louisa xx

Urban Craft Collective!

Evening all!

I was given a page from a newspaper today, featuring a certain website - called The Urban Craft Collective. It's fabulous! You should all go and look right away! ha ha! Especially those of you who are fans of PDC's (Public Displays of Crafting!)
They are having a Crafty Commute Day next Wednesday, 1st December. Unfortunately, although my commute is a long one, I actually drive, and crocheting behind the wheel is not recommended! (by the way, I have my car back, all fixed and lovely!)

I do have to go into town from work for the afternoon on that day though, so I may get the bus and get some PDC's going on...

And for those of you that want to take the Crafting Pledge - here it is!

Another website I would like to mention, which I feel is just as awesome as the UCC, is Newcastle Craft Mafia. This is a fabulously talented bunch of ladies, and I have had the pleasure to attend one of their craft fairs this year at The Cluny pub in Newcastle, and bought a gorgeous necklace made out of a scrabble tile and a postage stamp from the lovely Emma Louise :-)

And one more website to check out.... Made in Newcastle

Well that is all from me for tonight, go have a look at those fabulous websites!!

Louisa xx

Super stressful times.... (warning - rant!!!)

You know sometimes, stuff happens at the worst possible times and it's all you can do to stop yourself crawling under your duvet and hiding there for weeks? Well that is my week so far. I've been having problems with the acceleration on my car for a couple of weeks, so today I took it to a garage. Turns out I need a new clutch. Which is going to cost about £300. This had to happen just before Christmas didn't it? Plus I need to go and renew the photocard section of my driving license tomorrow, and also hope my car will get me back over to Newcastle on Sunday night so I can take it to be fixed on Monday morning.
Things have been stressing me out at work too the past couple of days, and I've had to cancel a photoshoot with my photographer friend tomorrow for my other hobby website because I don't have my car to get to her house.

Plus I don't get to see my other half till Sunday night :-(

Apologies for the rant, I just needed to vent somewhere before I broke and did the duvet thing :-(

Hopefully my lack of transportation will enable me to get some crochet action in this weekend and I may have something new to show you next week! (nothing too exciting though!)

Louisa xx

The Holy Grail...

I have just arrived home after a very long and stressful day to find that the gift guide to end all gift guides arrived in the post today...

Thats right - I have the Cath Kidston Christmas Gift Guide 2010!!

 

(I made the picture extra-large so everyone can get in on the loveliness!)

Isn't it pretty? with the sparkles, I love sparkles :-)

I'm off to get into a nice warm bed and have a flick through :-) (I can never afford anything good, but its nice to pretend for a little while ;-)

Louisa xx

p.s. A friend of mine is the assistant manager of a CK store... I am rather jealous ha ha :-)

For The Fallen

For The Fallen
With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.

- Laurence Binyon

Weekend Crocheting!

Hello!
After my awesome trip to Manchester, I was more than ready for a relaxing weekend! Unfortunately Saturday was a busy day, but Sunday was much more relaxing.... I managed to get a bit of crocheting done!
I did a bit of this....

And then I made these....

following the tutorials by the lovely ladies at Yvestown Blog (for the star) and The Royal Sisters (for the tree). Thankyou ladies!
Aren't they cute? I love them!!

Anyway, thats all from me for tonight!

Louisa xx

Things I Love Thursday

Hello!
It's time for another Things I Love Thursday!

First up we have:
1) Deciding what to do with present from Australia...
You may remember last week I mentioned a ball of wool that was sent to me by a lovely Ravelry member? Well I am having trouble deciding what to make with it! I have made one small thing so far, which isnt finished yet, but I have loads left over! Isn't it beautiful?

2) Pretty Views.

I love looking at beautiful views. My house overlooks fields, and we get some pretty spectacular sunsets in the summer!

This is a pretty view from yesterday - I went Christmas shopping in town (Newcastle Upon Tyne) and I took this photo from the rooftop car park in Eldon Square...

3) Trips away...
I love going away to different places. 99% of the time it's to see a band somewhere. Today is no exception - me and my other half are off to Manchester to see Linkin Park tonight at the MEN! I'm very excited! We've been to Manchester twice this year already, and are going again next month. It also gives me a chance to indulge in one of my other loves - Krispy Kreme Doughnuts!!!! Manchester is our closest place that sells these, and its 165 miles away!!!

Thats all for Things I Love Thursday. Hope you all have a great weekend, whatever you are doing!

Louisa xx



Holiday Greeting

Glitter Text Maker

 
 
If you celebrate Halloween, then I hope you have a fun-filled day (I will be watching Casper and Ghostbusters with my other half :-))
If you don't celebrate Halloween, then I hope you have a great day doing whatever you do :-)
 
Louisa xx

Granny Cushion

Here is a granny cushion I have made as a Christmas present - Its 40cm x 40cm. I don't know if you can see very clearly, but there are 3 little flowers in the top left hand corner :-)
I've made another one, in green, lemon, cream and white, but I havent finished that one yet.

I can't wait to make more like this!!

Things I Love Thursday

I'm posting this from my iPhone so this weeks Things I Love Thursday is pictureless - sorry :-(
So here we go!

1) Presents from the other side of the world.
A few months ago I helped a fellow Ravelry member with something, and as a thankyou she sent me a ball of yarn. She lives in Australia, and I am in the UK! She sent it via SeaMail and it took 3 months to reach me! I love this beautiful ball of Australian yarn - I will have to think very carefully about what to make with it - it's so well travelled!

2) Making Lists.
I love making lists - for all kinds of things! My other half laughs at me, but I don't care! I'm organised! I especially love yarny related lists and my amazon wish list :-)

3) Days Off
Although I only work mon-fri most weeks, I still feel I don't get enough days off! I'm particularly looking forward to next week - I have 2 and a half days off work! Yay!! And that doesn't include the weekend!

Well that's all for this week! I will write a proper update soon, I promise!!

Louisa xx

Things I Love Thursday....

Hello! Time for another Things I Love Thursday.... this week we have:

1) Drums.
To be more specific, my boyfriends drum kit (well one of them!) This is it all set up for a gig he was playing at the weekend - its the smaller of his drum kits, but its my favourite because its all silver and glittery and sparkly :-)

Isn't it beautiful? He gave me permission to post this photo, so massive thankyou to him! (he reads this blog too - *waves*)

2) Doris Day.
Doris has been my idol since I was a little girl watching Calamity Jane over and over again! I just love her sense of style and her wardrobe and her voice - she's great! I have a degree in Film and Media Studies, so it was only natural that when the time came to write my dissertation, that it would be about her!
I emailed her once, and I recieved a lovely letter and a signed photograph, which is framed and on my wall :-)

My favourite films are the ones she did with Rock Hudson :-)

3) Live music.
I love live music - especially rock and metal - there's nothing like the atmosphere at a gig! I have been to more gigs than I care to remember, and I have been to at least one festival every year since I was 16 (I actually went to 3 this year!) Me and my other half travel all over the country to see bands - we're actually off to Manchester in a couple of weeks, and we were in London last month for Ozzfest! Here is a photo from the last band I saw live - Alter Bridge at Newcastle Academy last Sunday - it was great!

Well thats it for this weeks Things I Love Thursday - I hope some of you start doing this too, then I can read what you love! (apart from crocheting of course!)

Louisa x

My other hobby...

On Monday, I told you that I would give you a peek at my other crafty hobby.... well here it is - Hama beads!
Not just any Hama beads though - I use the mini ones, that are 1/4 of the size of the midi beads (which are the common ones in the UK) The mini ones are only available through one website - luckily its an excellent website!

I make jewellery with these beads, and I have a website and etsy shop to sell the jewellery. I mainly make video game characters (such as Super Mario, Sonic the Hedgehog etc... but as you can see in the photo, I do make other things too!
All you do, is use the beads to create the design on a special pegboard, then you cover the design (carefully!) with special ironing paper and gently iron over the top until the beads are fused together. Then you peel the design from the pegboard, and do the same to the other side.
Its very relaxing, and a lot of fun :-)

Louisa x

Monday evening ramblings....

Hello :-)
I was hoping I would have some more of my scarf to show you today (actually I was hoping I could show you the finished thing today!) but i'm only 3 squares along...
It's been a busy weekend! However, I did manage to get some hooky time in on saturday afternoon, sitting in the empty function room of a social club (think Phoenix Nights x1000! - if you don't know what that is, youtube it!) while my other half was setting up his drum kit and soundchecking with his band for a gig they were playing that night. (i'll ask him very nicely if he'll let me post a picture of his drum kit up on here - its very pretty and sparkly!) so that was a good hour and a half of crocheting :-) I managed another scarf square, and a whole round on my giant blanket!! I'm really loving this blanket, I can't wait until it is finished, and I can snuggle under it!

Something that surprises me (in a nice way) is that I don't really get any disparaging remarks about only being 26 and crocheting in public. There are a couple of people who sort of make fun because they think I should be out getting drunk and 'having a life' - excuse me, firstly I don't drink and secondly I happen to think I have a pretty awesome life! Other than that though, I just get compliments, and i've even inspired a couple of people to learn to crochet! I saw a woman sat in a camping chair at Sonisphere Festival this year, knitting a pair of socks!! Do any of you other bloggers get any negative attention about your crafting, especially if you do it in public?

Thats pretty much it for my ramblings tonight. On wednesday i'm going to give you a peek at my other crafty hobby.... so watch this space!!

edit - just noticed i've had 200 views of my blog! not bad for only 1 week!! 

Granny Square scarf - square one!

Don't worry, i'm not going to make a post every time I finish a square for this! I just wanted to post the first square!

Made out of stash yarn (was so very happy when I found the purple at the bottom of the box!!)
I havent blocked it yet, so please excuse the wonkiness of it!!
What do you think?

Louisa x

Crochet on the high street....

So my other half and I were in Newcastle city centre last night for late-night shopping, and we were in Eldon Square when I spotted something rather familiar in Accessorize, under a big 3D sign saying 'Knits' (you can guess whats wrong with this scene in a moment.......) so anyway, I race inside to find them selling this.....

and they were charging £22 for it!!! (the quality was pretty shabby too....)
I was astounded (but also secretly pleased that granny squares have made it to the high street!)
There were loads of other crocheted items there too, in fact, most of the items there were crocheted!

(and the thing wrong with the scene.... that they were advertisng them under 'knits'. Oh dear accessorize... you really should do your research!)

Anyway, at work today, i was just sitting doodling on my pad of paper, when i decided I would make my own uber-fashionable granny square scarf, except mine would be all kinds more awesome, and be much much cheaper! So watch this space for progress!

Louisa x

Things I Love Thursday....

Every Thursday, I am going to make a post describing 3 things I am currently loving.
So for this weeks Things I Love Thursday, we have:

1) My coloured crochet hooks.

I got these from eBay, because you can't actually get them in the UK!! (apart from online of course...) They are beautiful and I love them :)

2) The King of Queens

I only own seasons 1-4 of this comedy (hoping to get more for christmas though!) and it's absolutely hilarious. I'm re-watching season 3 at the moment. Kevin James plays Doug Heffernan, a delivery driver for IPS living in Queens, NY with his wife Carrie (played by Leah Remini) and her father Arthur (played by Jerry Stiller). It's so funny!

3) iCrochet
http://i-crochet.blogspot.com/
I discovered this blog a couple of weeks ago, and it's amazing! It has linked me to most of the blogs I now follow daily! If you havent been there already - why not?? It's great - you can post a picture of your project, and link it to your blog or flickr page, and you can look at all kinds of other crocheted loveliness too!


Ok well thats all from me for my first Things I Love Thursday - Hope I haven't bored you too much!!

Louisa x

5 things about me...

Just as a little introduction to myself and my blog, here are 5 random facts about me!

1. I am obsessed with Hello Kitty. I own hundreds of items, including a guitar! (which I cannot play!)

2. I love colour - especially rainbow colours, pink and purple. Funny thing is though, 95% of my clothing is black!

3. I live in North East England. It's a beautiful place (in some areas!) but I would love to live in either Yorkshire, Scotland or America. My dream house in the UK would be a cottage with a thatched roof, lots of land and lots of rooms in the house. It would be in a small village that has a cute little cafe and a local yarn shop, and not too far away from a Lakeland!!

4. I love lots of crafts, especially crocheting and making jewellery with mini Hama beads. There is a link to my website on the right there -->

5. I have one treasured ball of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino that I keep in a zip loc bag. I occasionally take it out to look at it and stroke it. I want to be able to eventually afford more colours then I can make a beautiful cushion cover for a very BIG cushion that will be mine-all-mine :-)

Louisa x

First Post!

Hello! First post on this blog! I have been inspired to start my own blog after reading so many amazing blogs out there in the land of tinterwebs. My favourites are listed on the right there ---> 

I thought today would be a good day to start, as it has been exactly 1 year to the day since I started to teach myself how to crochet!

I will never have a blog as fabulous and interesting as some of those, but what the hey?! This is my little corner of the internet, and I'm going to do my best to make it warm and welcoming and very much 'me' :-)  

The first picture I would like to post is my 'long-running' project - my giant granny square blanket. It's not really giant at the moment, but i'm hoping with a lot of patience and more yarn, it will be HUGE! 

I'm using mainly Stylecraft Special DK (it's my favourite!) but there are a couple of colours that are Bonus DK and Woolcraft New Fashion DK. Future projects will all be Stylecraft (simply because its the best 100% Acrylic, budget yarn there is! Plus they have a fantastic colour range, and I love the names they give to each of the colours!)

Ok, so here it is - the giant granny!

I love this picture - I took it with my iPhone last weekend, and I love how the colours have turned out! I'm a little bit further on with it now, I have just started a dark purple round. 

Ok, well thats enough from me!

Louisa x