Vintage Granny Chic

I spent the afternoon yesterday at cakestand & crumb with a group of ladies eager to try their hand a crocheting Granny Squares.

By the end of the 2 hours we had several granny squares made,with a few people well on their way to making a cushion cover.

If you fancy joining me for crochet, cake and vintage inspiration I've listed our

my  Spring 2012 workshops here

Scrumble Stones & Fossil Finds

Over the summer I spent some time working on some "scrumble stones," -

 freefrom crocheted covered beach stones.

The shape of this stone I found on the beach particuarly reminded of the shape of a fossilised sea urchin,

If you search carefully you can sometimes find

them on the Norfolk beaches.

I decided this stone deserved its own fossil cover

This trio was inspired by the greens and browns of the seaweed

that clings to the sea defences,

.

This year I was lucky enough to find one of those prized fossilised urchins,

and this shot I plan to make into a print to sell..



"Norfolk Scrumble Stones & Fossil Finds."

Stylish Stitches

Way back in June I spent most of my time designing and crocheting a piece of headgear for the WI  and UK Handknitting Association Stylish Stitches Competition.

The inspiration for my design was based on the fascinators and hats worn at the Royal Wedding earlier in the year and I decided I wanted to create a decadant crocheted version complete with gold plated and colour copper crocheted wire.

One of the judges this year was knitwear designer and author Erika Knight so I was pretty excited to learn today that I came second overall - apparently the only fascinator entered too !

All the winners work will be on display at the fothcoming ICHF Exeter and Blue Water Creative Stitches & HobbyCraft Shows so I'm looking forward to trying to get along and see all the other great designs.

Pink Inspiration

Pink Sea Glass,

Pink |Rocks,

Pink Seaweed,

Pink inspiration from the sea piled high.

"Crochet for Children"

This arrived in the post today,  I pre-ordered it a little while ago from here

It's written by Claire Montgomerie who blogs here.

I was looking forward to seeing the book and the designs as I've always been a fan of Claire's designs and her creatures - her book did not disappoint . 

I however, had little time to absorb all the book offered before it was whisked away by the eldest Hook & Scumbler who had already arrived with yarn and hook ready to make a start

"...after all it is called Crochet for Children " I was reminded.

True enough, I could not argue and by the end of the day she had completed her first project and was deciding what colour to start the next..

 

.....a girl after my own heart !

Crochet & Cake

This weekend saw the launch of my crochet workshops at the lovely cakestand & crumb.

Two hours of beginners crochet surrounded by vintage inspiration with tea and delicious home made cake.

By the end of of the afternoon everyone was well on their way to mastering the basic crochet skills

 needed to make their very own vintage inspired coathanger cover.

More workshops are planned for Septemeber through to Christmas and I'll be posting details soon !

cakestand & crumb

Sometimes , when you least expect it, you stumble across one of life's little treasures.

cakestand & crumb is a beautiful little shop that has recently opened  in Bedfordshire's small market town of Ampthill , and is open for homemade cakes, tea, coffee and cordials, vintage homewear, plants and herbs.

When you step into the shop you are immediately transported back to a bygone era,

beautiful dressers displaying vintage glasswear and linens,

cosy inviting corners with vintage crochet throws

retro sweets 

gorgeous home made cakes displayed using vintage cakestands,

all served using beautiful vintage china,

in what could easily feel like home,

so much so you just don't want to leave...just my cup of tea !