I've been a little quiet on this blog for a while and anyone who follows my other blog will now why...... training for a triathlon really takes up your time and energy!!
Since my last blog I've been back in health and therefore my crochet/knitting has suffered but I am poorly again :( so I've taken up my wool and hook and am crocheting a unicorn!!!
Having a love all all things 'Despicable Me' I've decided to crochet a fluffy pink unicorn. So far I have 4 legs and a body but tonight I start on the head...... images to come soon I promise.
On the making my dream a career front.....well I've stalled. If I could earn the same money from my full time job but stay at home and create wonderful things I would but as is life I cannot so I am stuck trying to fit in a mini crochet in between work and training which as you can tell is not working.
I think I've done the very familiar Claire thing and tried to bite off more than I could chew and the result is I've knackered myself out. Lesson learned.
From now on I am looking at this as a hobby and a hobby only. Something to pick up when I have a spare afternoon or evening and enjoy it again. I was starting to dread my long list of tasks to do rather than relish in the thought of creating something wonderful.
I'm my uber organised manner I have planned in one evening and lunch time per week to crack on with the things I love to do......make purty things....... :)
I will keep you posted but for now x
Wednesday, 13 March 2013
Monday, 18 February 2013
Rest, warmth and plenty of fluid.......
...... were my doctors orders last week :(
Yes the cold got worse. In fact it was sinusitis in the end which meant antibiotics and lots of rest.
On the crafting front this wasn't a bad thing as I cannot stand day time TV and so alternated sleep with reading and crafting.
As it was valentines day last week my husband and I decided to make/buy something for the house or garden. I decided to crochet a rose and make a paper cut card.
I had a little look online for rose patterns but couldn't find anything I liked so decided to create my own pattern. Now this will be appearing on this blog soon as I am just tweaking the pattern so it actually makes sense to people other than myself! I've got to say not only was it really easy and quick to do I absolutely love the end result!
The card was very fiddly to make and I had my first experience with a craft knife but I think it came out OK My husband definitely loved both so that's all that matters.
I've also started on Woolly the Spider 2 for my friends other grandchild and attempted to make an iPhone cover from my own pattern which did not turn out well! Oh well you win some you lose some :)
On the business front I've been in contact with a local craft shop about selling my wares and will be meeting the owner on Saturday so fingers crossed that all goes well. I've also contacted Business Link about discussing a possible business idea but more on that another time.
My husbands very romantically whisked me off to Brighton as a Valentines Day treat as I am a massive Molly Makes fan and a issue or so ago they featured North Laine in Brighton as the hot spot for all things crafty and homemade. My husband must have been taking notes as I talked about possibly going sometime this year.
We had a wonderful little self catered apartment in Hove, about a 20 min walk to the pier and had 2 wonderful days of exploring hidden treasure troves in the Lanes and North Laine and eating far too much wonderful food.
I've come away with some gorgeous fabric, ribbons and buttons which now have a lovely home in my re organised craft space!
If you are looking for an ideal getaway destination for crafty inspiration and hidden treasures I cannot recommend Brighton enough.
Next on the radar is creating more patterns to try out. Since Brighton my mind has been racing with seaside inspiration so will let you see what I come up with soon.
Yes the cold got worse. In fact it was sinusitis in the end which meant antibiotics and lots of rest.
On the crafting front this wasn't a bad thing as I cannot stand day time TV and so alternated sleep with reading and crafting.
As it was valentines day last week my husband and I decided to make/buy something for the house or garden. I decided to crochet a rose and make a paper cut card.
I had a little look online for rose patterns but couldn't find anything I liked so decided to create my own pattern. Now this will be appearing on this blog soon as I am just tweaking the pattern so it actually makes sense to people other than myself! I've got to say not only was it really easy and quick to do I absolutely love the end result!
The card was very fiddly to make and I had my first experience with a craft knife but I think it came out OK My husband definitely loved both so that's all that matters.
I've also started on Woolly the Spider 2 for my friends other grandchild and attempted to make an iPhone cover from my own pattern which did not turn out well! Oh well you win some you lose some :)
On the business front I've been in contact with a local craft shop about selling my wares and will be meeting the owner on Saturday so fingers crossed that all goes well. I've also contacted Business Link about discussing a possible business idea but more on that another time.
My husbands very romantically whisked me off to Brighton as a Valentines Day treat as I am a massive Molly Makes fan and a issue or so ago they featured North Laine in Brighton as the hot spot for all things crafty and homemade. My husband must have been taking notes as I talked about possibly going sometime this year.
We had a wonderful little self catered apartment in Hove, about a 20 min walk to the pier and had 2 wonderful days of exploring hidden treasure troves in the Lanes and North Laine and eating far too much wonderful food.
I've come away with some gorgeous fabric, ribbons and buttons which now have a lovely home in my re organised craft space!
If you are looking for an ideal getaway destination for crafty inspiration and hidden treasures I cannot recommend Brighton enough.
Next on the radar is creating more patterns to try out. Since Brighton my mind has been racing with seaside inspiration so will let you see what I come up with soon.
Wednesday, 6 February 2013
The winter blues
Well the inevitable has happened and I have been hit with a winter cold. Apart from feeling sorry for myself and having no energy its not too bad and I honestly haven't moaned half as much as I could :)
With this said I have managed to make another minion for my friends daughter and a few flower brooches for the craft market in March. I do need to get a wriggle on with the items for the craft market though as it will come around ever so fast and I want to be prepared.
I am having a less busy week allowing for time to recover from the cold and to try and get some evenings in when I can get my wool and hooks out. Tonight will hopefully be productive as I have the evening to myself.
I think this calls for a bottle of wine, some good crocheting and possibly a little bit of Ryan Gosling on TV????
Even the thought puts me in a good place :)
With this said I have managed to make another minion for my friends daughter and a few flower brooches for the craft market in March. I do need to get a wriggle on with the items for the craft market though as it will come around ever so fast and I want to be prepared.
I am having a less busy week allowing for time to recover from the cold and to try and get some evenings in when I can get my wool and hooks out. Tonight will hopefully be productive as I have the evening to myself.
I think this calls for a bottle of wine, some good crocheting and possibly a little bit of Ryan Gosling on TV????
Even the thought puts me in a good place :)
Wednesday, 30 January 2013
My first craft fair - booked!
Well I've done it! I have booked a table at a local craft market in Bristol on 2nd March! Not sure if its the most sensible idea but I am an impulsive person and will let fate decide whether I sink or swim.
I'm now in the process of making a list of things to make. So far I have the following ideas;
Crochet
Coasters
Flower brooches
Heart (3D) keychains
Mini Minions
Granny square pin cushions
Mug cosies
Crochet owls
Knitted
Iphone socks
Coasters
Knitted bunnies and chicks for eggs
Bunny nuggets
Knitted headbands
I don't want to go mad as I have a small table but I also want to ensure people can buy what they want. I've ordered business cards and will be making a sign but any other tips or suggestions will be appreciated!
I will post some photos of the event and my goods - if I ever make them all!!!!
Wish me luck :)
I'm now in the process of making a list of things to make. So far I have the following ideas;
Crochet
Coasters
Flower brooches
Heart (3D) keychains
Mini Minions
Granny square pin cushions
Mug cosies
Crochet owls
Knitted
Iphone socks
Coasters
Knitted bunnies and chicks for eggs
Bunny nuggets
Knitted headbands
I don't want to go mad as I have a small table but I also want to ensure people can buy what they want. I've ordered business cards and will be making a sign but any other tips or suggestions will be appreciated!
I will post some photos of the event and my goods - if I ever make them all!!!!
Wish me luck :)
Monday, 28 January 2013
New inspiration
Just spent that last two days getting inspiration for my next crochet project! I could literally lose days wandering around the amazing posts people put up showing their work.
Now I have made enough Minions to start my own army (and a few from some adoring fans!) I am turning my attention to my granny square throw. I've made 10 of these and have decided to make 10 a week. To complete this project I am looking to make 400 so I have no plans on using this throw to warm me up on the extremely cold winters nights that the South West of England is experiencing at the moment - maybe for next year........
Since making Woolley the Spider and Splodge the Minion I have got a bit of an addition to making crocheted characters so will be looking at making some bunnies and chicks to house easter eggs this year.
I'm also looking into a potential new crafty business venture but you will have to wait and see on that one..........
I will be posting some granny square photos this evening - all encouragement on this project is gratefully received!
Now I have made enough Minions to start my own army (and a few from some adoring fans!) I am turning my attention to my granny square throw. I've made 10 of these and have decided to make 10 a week. To complete this project I am looking to make 400 so I have no plans on using this throw to warm me up on the extremely cold winters nights that the South West of England is experiencing at the moment - maybe for next year........
Since making Woolley the Spider and Splodge the Minion I have got a bit of an addition to making crocheted characters so will be looking at making some bunnies and chicks to house easter eggs this year.
I'm also looking into a potential new crafty business venture but you will have to wait and see on that one..........
I will be posting some granny square photos this evening - all encouragement on this project is gratefully received!
Wednesday, 23 January 2013
Pinterest!
Keep up to date with my projects and wishlist through my Pinterest boards - http://pinterest.com/mrscmclaren/
Tuesday, 22 January 2013
Handmade Christmas 2012
I decided that Christmas presents for 2012 would be handmade. The comments I received afterwards were fantastic so I think this will be an on going theme!
The baby mobile is made from crochet stars (I will get the pattern on here shortly!)
The crocheted baby booties are a free pattern from the Making Spot - http://www.themakingspot.com/patterns?keys=gum+drop+booties
The knitted Meerkats were from a book - http://www.knittedmeerkats.co.uk/Knitted_Meerkats/Home.html
The baby mobile is made from crochet stars (I will get the pattern on here shortly!)
The crocheted baby booties are a free pattern from the Making Spot - http://www.themakingspot.com/patterns?keys=gum+drop+booties
The knitted Meerkats were from a book - http://www.knittedmeerkats.co.uk/Knitted_Meerkats/Home.html
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