Busy ..Busy...Busy

Apologies for the lack of photos.
Half term this week, and it  has been busy...busy...busy.

Busy.....entertaining mini hook and scumblers
Busy......trying to prioritise those household chores that need to be done
Busy....trying to recover from the lurgy last week
Busy....thinking about crochet designs

Hoping that by the end of the week life will have slowed down to a more manageable level !

Peterborough Press

Well it's not that long until I shall be packing up my wares and heading here.

Last week the Fair had an article in the local press, and next week is the preview.

Unfortunatly I am unable to attend in person, but I will have some work on display .

It's always nerve wracking waiting for the feedback ...

....but then again...

 nothing ventured nothing gained !

Crochet Corner

For some time now, I have been coveting a space to work.
I've flicked through various magazines and  read many a blog and have been envious of all those pictures I've seen of attics, dens and huts for just that purpose. I think Mr Hook and Scumble had picked up on this need and on my return from Ally Pally was in full swing of sorting, tidying and DIY-ing just for me... so I know "it must be love", as I can't imagine any other reason why he would make me.......

CROCHET CORNER  !

Isn't it great ?

A few finishing touches needed...like perhaps a crochet lampshade ?

Or on the other hand ... maybe I might just be pushing my luck ?!

An Afternoon of Felt

On Saturday afternoon, the eldest Hook and Scumbler and I attended our local Guild's workshop on Felt Jewellery Making...just right up our street.

Having had good intentions over the summer to try some wet felting, we never quite made it and have continued to practice our needlefelting techniques instead, so this workshop was one we were both looking forward to.

There was indeed lots of water, soap and the usual other things needed for wet felting.

So we have learnt about the art of making felt beads using some simple techniques, and some more advanced ones ...although despite both of our efforts...lots of practice still needed.

We both came away with some interesting pieces of jewellery and were very inspired, as the tutor was excellent and gave lots of ideas of how to use felt in jewellery.

....and thank goodness...

I have found another use for all those merino tops...Mr Hook & Scumble will be pleased !

Show & Tell

Hello everyone,
I hope you all had a good weekend. I think I have just about recovered from my Ally Pally visit and am just settling down into deciding what to do with all my yummy purchases. For a while back there I was feeling a little lacking in crochet inspiration, which was leaving me feel a little dispondant, but having spent the day absorbing the creativeness that comes with a visit to this show, and along with some choice purchases, I feel like I've got all cylinders firing.

So....are you wanting to know what I came back with ? You are ? Great, you're in four a veritable treat of sumptous colours and yarn.

I managed to only purchase 3 balls of yarn, bearing in mind I have a whole drawer full, so really quite restrained.....but I could not resist these three.

Gorgeous recycled sari silk, handyed cotton from Peru and some Lousia harding Kimono Ribbon. I love the colour combination, as the blues complement the  glorious warm tones of the red.

Would you like a closer look ?

Just inspiring !

I also came back with a fat quarter , embroidery hoop and buttons for my eldest ..

I love the design and colours in this fat quarter..and I'm hoping with her hoop and buttons we'll see a project soon.

Then of course the "special treasure button," for my youngest

Huge and pink for little girls hands.

I also bought some felt and a Christmas Felt Kit, which will all look much more interesting when assembled...so I shall leave that for another time.

All, in all fairly restrained..with my total yarn purchase coming in at £11.99...not to bad if I say so myself !

Ally Pally 2009

I love Ally Pally, not just because every year it is host to the annual Knitting and Stitiching show, but that it also has been played a part in making some very good memories whilst I flat-shared with some girl-friends in Muswell Hill  some15 years ago. So, I always enjoy the drive through north london ( despite needing to do a few U-turns and quick lane changes....I'd forgotten what it's like to drive in London !) as it gives me a chance to reminisce. After setting off at what seemed like the crack of dawn,  before we knew it Lucy & I had arrived  just as the doors opened at 10am - perfect timing !

I had gone with a list...with the aim to stick to budget, and for the most part I managed to...it was just the "other list" provided by my eldest which made me tip a few pennies over the agreed amount !

So, armed with a show guide to ensure I was able to navigate to my favourite suppliers we eventually arrived at The Eternal Maker and The Button Company. I'm glad we arrived early, as we were told that the queues yesterday to get to their gorgeous buttons and fabrics were pretty difficult to negotiate, and it's not difficult to see why.....

...gorgeous colourful buttons..

after button..

 after button !!

I came away with my £3 bag of buttons - to share with the eldest Hook & Scumbler and bought an enormous pink button for my youngest as a "special treasure." I also couldn't resist some of their lovely felt...especially when I saw this....

I have the pattern in my latest Sew Hip magazine...and thought it maybe the perfect project to attempt with a tortoise mad daughter !

I also popped into ...

they stock lotsof gorgeous roving and felt embellishments, you can find them here

these looked great for jewellery, but I managed to restrain myself for a very good reason ( all will soon be revealed).

Lucy and I then decided that as the crowds seemed to be winning and we were tiring, a nice comfy sofa was called for...the Rowan stand was obliging and as there were piles of their yarn, along with hooks and needles it wasn't long before we started a granny square to contribute to the Macmillian Comfort Blanket Campaign and we then dropped them into their stand and admired some of the finished blankets ..

This one had a few more crocheted squares..

the campaign closes on the 30th October, so there's still time to take part.

On our way home, we managed to stop and admire the exhibits in the Palm Court Foyer, which was a little less crowded than when we arrived..the first by Rachel John

Can you see these enormous knitting needles ? She was also selling enormous crochet hooks too, but for the time being I shall leave extreme crochet for another day...apart from the fact I don't think Mr Hook & Scumble would be to impressed if I turned up with such an enormous hook...another thing to squeeze into our little cottage !

We then spent some time admiring the exhibit "Casting Off - A Coat for A Boat"

Apparently it took over 350 knitters to create this piece..

I particuarly liked all the colourful fish...

It would be great to see the hyperbolic crochet coral reefs and this piece exhibited to complement each other.

It was then off home.

I shall unpack my goodies and do "show and tell" later on in the week, for now I need a hot cuppa .

Take Care x

I'm getting the itch to stitch !

Although I would say crochet is my first love, sewing comes in a very close second. Infact I learnt to sew before I could crochet on my mother's vintage Grain Child's Sewing Machine. Eventually at about aged 10, I went to stay with a Great Aunt near London,who had a sewing room....the holiday was heaven. In fact this Great Aunt was already into "upcycling, " "swishing "and "make do and mend." I spent the whole week in that sewing room, she taught me everything...how to use an electric sewing maching, put in zips, freestyle embroidery, quilting and patchwork... the works. She had an enormous stash of material...all thrifted..and we even spent a whole day scouring charity shops in the local town looking for 10 year old garments that could be customised and "swished" into something fashionable...I came away with a whole new wardrobe for pennies. I have very fond memories indeed of this holiday and this Great Aunt ,and all the zips, buttons, vintage materials and patchwork pieces I have since inherited are very precious. Consequently, it's no real suprise that every so often I "get the itch to stitch," and it's again not to suprising that this "itch to stitch" comes around this time of year as I think about getting ready for Christmas...yes I've gone and said it !
Last year I did manage to finally make a stocking I'd been promising my youngest and was even fortunate enough to win a whole pile of CK sewing goodies in the process !
So, with this in mind I have bought a few books to inspire...

And if all else fails..where else would be a place full of inspiration ??

Of course, the Knitting & Stitching Show at Ally Pally this weekend...you may remember back here, that lovely Mr Hook and Scumble had already pre-emptied the need for me to attend...along with my lovely friend Lucy.

So, with that in mind, I'd better take an inventory of my yarn ,material and notions stashes so I don't go over budget and I shall be back to report !

Have a great weekend X