tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-204919342024-03-07T23:08:27.347+00:00Good HookingA blog dedicated to the great art of crochet (now with added knitting and sewing!)Shinykatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06376772344231623274noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20491934.post-61561633224949266162011-02-26T13:16:00.004+00:002011-02-26T13:37:54.098+00:00Always busy making stuffIt's not that I don't love you -- I do, honest I do -- it's just that since moving house and having a baby I seem to find it impossible to actually locate things I've made, photograph them and then remember which SD card they're on.<br /><br />Such simple tasks in theory, and yet I fail consistently.<br /><br />This is not helped by the fact that my brain likes things filed neatly, and so even if I locate a few items on a memory card, they get rejected for not being the thing I made after the last thing I blogged about.<br /><br />Anyway, I'm just going to have to let it go and show you what craft-related items I have on my laptop right now (oh, and the death of a laptop has not been helpful in my quest to locate and file).<br /><br />:: :: :: :: ::<br /><br />OK, after a long search, I've found... some baby booties.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1OC3J8z4c_Kw_UDIV3E_Nzqa0QTxPsF7cahFFW64sCfv7zsprjsrDVtplH9N43C4JQPRMmMWUDl1BpRUNdK9O5mCgao2jws5IGV5hK-TQFdvbh6GtrbmTCFgdp07yxlMnosqdw/s1600/Crochet+Baby+Booties_GH.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1OC3J8z4c_Kw_UDIV3E_Nzqa0QTxPsF7cahFFW64sCfv7zsprjsrDVtplH9N43C4JQPRMmMWUDl1BpRUNdK9O5mCgao2jws5IGV5hK-TQFdvbh6GtrbmTCFgdp07yxlMnosqdw/s400/Crochet+Baby+Booties_GH.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577990865949218450" border="0" /></a><br />At this rate, the backlog could take a while to get through...<br /><br />Anyway, I made these ages ago (last summer) from a lovely Japanese pattern book. They were extremely quick and easy. The downside being that Cecily left them on her feet for about 20 seconds before pulling them off.<br /><br />After that, I actually altered the pattern and added a little extra row which made them less inclined to give into the merest tug from a curious infant. Unfortunately, this meant that they stayed on for a lot longer until Cecily decided enough was enough and ripped the entire strap off.<br /><br />After that, I put them in my craft bag where they make me smile and where a baby can't seek and destroy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgobNdLVhpLSvkV8U_mIL8KqK4VKN8kEniFbzOopx0-bC6KQIZ2kgZCsvRcXYRmUh1uc2DCCkNigPEr1Ki0kMA6h5AMRfVyoqrkDV7Zen4RiCC0LkhUaMGrx1yEixFSc2qszUetXA/s1600/Crochet+Baby+Booties+2_GH.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgobNdLVhpLSvkV8U_mIL8KqK4VKN8kEniFbzOopx0-bC6KQIZ2kgZCsvRcXYRmUh1uc2DCCkNigPEr1Ki0kMA6h5AMRfVyoqrkDV7Zen4RiCC0LkhUaMGrx1yEixFSc2qszUetXA/s400/Crochet+Baby+Booties+2_GH.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577991837398148482" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Look at her ickle chubby feet!Shinykatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06376772344231623274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20491934.post-78227246409234731782010-04-11T11:09:00.005+01:002018-07-16T12:57:56.847+01:00Things I've made recently...Well, I say "recently" but given the parlous state of this blog, what I actually mean is "in the really quite considerable amount of time since I last blogged".<br />
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I'm going to whip through them all, keeping my usual hilarious commentary to a minimum as I don't have as much time to play with these days.<br />
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<a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2701/4432885582_349dde9916.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2701/4432885582_349dde9916.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2741/4432888318_883990e844.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2741/4432888318_883990e844.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4432883314_4d1458ac33.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4432883314_4d1458ac33.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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Fort baby Noah, born 2 weeks after my baby.<br />
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<a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2795/4432861168_562074a55a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2795/4432861168_562074a55a.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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The eagle-eyed amongst you will have spotted that I've been knitting again (shocking, I know). All patterns are from the Erika Knight baby Natural Knits book.Shinykatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06376772344231623274noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20491934.post-64882913170728490552009-11-06T19:42:00.004+00:002009-11-06T20:11:29.894+00:00Dork Adore: Lovely Things for Geeks (including craftsters)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnftYCvw2U5BwpDWFczpwKTUI-gyfVrsY5meDOn5FBJZsblW0ElfL3Inx9kahEKfcwYWdXhFe3-Mls9NO8CmcNp0IZVebRyzWkL9fE1WLKChEy_FfEqLFQ-RJcrEzDrO8CmQzh0Q/s1600-h/DorkAdore.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 81px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnftYCvw2U5BwpDWFczpwKTUI-gyfVrsY5meDOn5FBJZsblW0ElfL3Inx9kahEKfcwYWdXhFe3-Mls9NO8CmcNp0IZVebRyzWkL9fE1WLKChEy_FfEqLFQ-RJcrEzDrO8CmQzh0Q/s400/DorkAdore.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401083720443391170" border="0" /></a>So, not only have I been busy knitting, growing a human from scratch and packing up to move house, I've also been working away at a brand new pet project: <a href="http://www.dorkadore.com/">Dork Adore</a>.<br /><br />It's basically a geek haven, designed to have a category for nearly every area of the internet that dorks adore. And, of course, it goes without saying that there's a <a href="http://www.dorkadore.com/category/geekcraft/">craft section</a>.<br /><br />Recent posts include:<br /><li><a href="http://www.dorkadore.com/geekcraft/regretsy-the-good-the-bad-and-the-seriously-ugly/">Regretsy: The good, the bad, and the seriously ugly<br /></a></li><li><a href="http://www.dorkadore.com/geekcraft/where-the-wild-things-are-amigurumi-crochet-patterns/">Where the Wild Things Are amigurumi crochet patterns</a></li><li><a href="http://www.dorkadore.com/geekcraft/lafayettes-true-blood-afghan-crochet-pattern/">Lafayette’s True Blood afghan crochet pattern</a></li><li><a href="http://www.dorkadore.com/geekcraft/bellas-twilight-mittens-free-knitting-pattern/">Bella’s Twilight mittens – free knitting pattern</a></li><br />I'm very proud of my new site, and I'm also blown away by the number of lovely writers who have given their time to what is basically a labour of love.<br /><br />Lots of ex-Shiny writers are on board, including <a href="http://www.susiweaser.com/">Susi Weaser</a> (my successor as editor of Shiny Shiny), <a href="http://www.gemmacartwright.com/">Gemma Cartwright</a>, <a href="http://orbyn.blogspot.com/">Robyn Wilder</a> and <a href="http://annawaits.blogspot.com/">Anna Waits</a>.<br /><br />I've also had world-famous children's author, <a href="http://www.themousehunter.com/blog">Alex Milway</a> (he's my husband, I'm allowed to be biased. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=alex+milway&x=0&y=0">Buy his books</a>!) and Gemma's other half, <a href="http://twitter.com/RandomVentures">Charles</a>, who has written a hotly debated piece about <a href="http://www.dorkadore.com/film-tv/six-things-about-modern-day-vampires-that-are-better-than-twilight/">Twilight and how rubbish it is</a>.<br /><br />And last but by no means least, my wondrous editorial assistant who works for my company, <a href="http://www.miramus.com/">Miramus</a> - <a href="http://randombloggingsofawannabe.blogspot.com/">Emma Cossey</a>.<br /><br />Anyway, have a look at the site, and let me know what you think. And if you're a crafty person and have any tips (or want to write!) you can <a href="http://www.dorkadore.com/contact/">get in touch over on Dork Adore</a>.Shinykatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06376772344231623274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20491934.post-60806816270320942552009-11-06T16:25:00.004+00:002009-11-06T19:42:48.248+00:00Brace yourselves, people, I've been... KNITTING!It's outrageous, I know. I'm basically a traitor to the crochet community. But the fact is, I got myself knocked up (intentionally, I should probably add), and I started making a few crochet things, but soon even I had to accept that knitting has the edge over crochet when it comes to clothes.<br /><br />But knitted toys still aren't as good as crochet ones. Which is probably why the "<a href="http://www.dorkadore.com/geekcraft/harry-hills-tv-burp-knitted-character/">knitted character" on Harry Hill's TV Burp</a> is clearly crocheted and should be renamed immediately.<br /><br />Anyway, that was an unplanned side-rant and I should probably move on before I start getting foam bubbles round my mouth.<br /><br />So, here's something I still haven't finished crocheting.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTCBLdUI7FOoMyqhnum9R6mBO1Uf2eIKPz-CfMtREZKyKrNVAYmZJBKQZFJEYF1cq_kc4qpCcU5InvtK_fQxa72DBtPNQw9KJqt5_dr2aE_3cNh5G-pdzqa_0da8U3lXbCZC_2g/s1600-h/Crochet+Hoodie.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTCBLdUI7FOoMyqhnum9R6mBO1Uf2eIKPz-CfMtREZKyKrNVAYmZJBKQZFJEYF1cq_kc4qpCcU5InvtK_fQxa72DBtPNQw9KJqt5_dr2aE_3cNh5G-pdzqa_0da8U3lXbCZC_2g/s400/Crochet+Hoodie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401033046516112466" border="0" /></a><br />And here's the same thing, made by my crochet-whizz of a mother.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDPm59qh2CDkaQmZVBXOOLrBQsncIFZ8JAbUmPh3NDWrrXpO_jeXB-1kN3k9-da_EwvN-F75MDAMFqfA83Wy6SnD5lIusSzbIHLKxuM5xZUDgvSqpbe5wuxZ4WDcWlwAe7WnlyA/s1600-h/Crochet+Hoodie.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDPm59qh2CDkaQmZVBXOOLrBQsncIFZ8JAbUmPh3NDWrrXpO_jeXB-1kN3k9-da_EwvN-F75MDAMFqfA83Wy6SnD5lIusSzbIHLKxuM5xZUDgvSqpbe5wuxZ4WDcWlwAe7WnlyA/s400/Crochet+Hoodie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401032407453225762" border="0" /></a><br />And this is the point that I got bored of crocheting trebles round and round and picked up the needles.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJKHYAY7R_FH9DhrAofcdNr6jYIspYHbJiLqsh8BjoJOyn3C7KABI-F9M_1oQn10ZHgmUz3KXgetb-QhBkbakR4VO0O4CVTHM86decSDwE3JNP2Xne2LtXKjK6yfWoeqZBUZ1Dg/s1600-h/Red_Knitted_Cardie.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJKHYAY7R_FH9DhrAofcdNr6jYIspYHbJiLqsh8BjoJOyn3C7KABI-F9M_1oQn10ZHgmUz3KXgetb-QhBkbakR4VO0O4CVTHM86decSDwE3JNP2Xne2LtXKjK6yfWoeqZBUZ1Dg/s400/Red_Knitted_Cardie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401033802504462354" border="0" /></a>As you can see, my first attempt at knitting is a little bit iffy. There are clearly some errors in there. However, it turns out that one of the things that has always bored me about knitting was the simple fact that I always knitted scarves because I didn't know how to make anything else.<br /><br />And knitting up and down is as dull as crocheting trebles round and round.<br /><br />But once I'd actually decided to work out a pattern, it turned out to be surprisingly fun. And now I know how to pick up a stitch (why did no one tell me it was so easy - I used to unpick it all!) and do some basic stuff, I'm 2 jumpers, a cardie, and a nearly-finished cardie the richer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJk4rEsrNOsG78qeaAOXlM4wv4f7KRTkO21PFT0iZuyz5_L1EnVfCIeat4vNt1Gu42c097PzWWSvn7IIGUV-8A08vL_T1c3GTkbUW_GT-qodLjvIbkejeyw9CHnt8x7MyydwixJg/s1600-h/Red_cardie_open.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJk4rEsrNOsG78qeaAOXlM4wv4f7KRTkO21PFT0iZuyz5_L1EnVfCIeat4vNt1Gu42c097PzWWSvn7IIGUV-8A08vL_T1c3GTkbUW_GT-qodLjvIbkejeyw9CHnt8x7MyydwixJg/s400/Red_cardie_open.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401034079577475362" border="0" /></a><br />I'll upload proper photos once I locate the memory card I took them on. But rest assured they're a lot less dodgy than my first cardie. Plus, I actually made sure I had enough wool to finish the pattern - unlike this red one with the dash of "oh crap I've run out of wool, this will have to do" blue.Shinykatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06376772344231623274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20491934.post-43752348733703449392009-04-14T16:25:00.003+01:002009-04-14T16:43:09.898+01:00I'm Alpaca Girl's Fiber Arts Friday featured blogger!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3584/3408539713_8c0216ee58.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3584/3408539713_8c0216ee58.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />The lovely Katy from <a href="http://www.alpacafarmgirl.com/">Alpaca Farm Girl</a> contacted me to ask if I'd talk about the fine art of crochet for her <span style="font-style: italic;">Fiber Arts Friday</span> feature. How could I refuse? I am but flesh and blood.<br /><br />You can read my hilarious insights and homespun wisdom right<a href="http://www.alpacafarmgirl.com/2009/04/fiber-arts-friday-6/"> here</a>. <a href="http://www.alpacafarmgirl.com/2009/04/fiber-arts-friday-6/"><br /></a><br />Also, I know it's shameful of me, but I gave Katy the scoop on two things I finished making recently: my crochet blanket (well I say "finished" - I've still got a row of edging to do) and my amigurumi Milo, which I made for my Milo-mad niece over in Australia. She's already picked a hole in the back of his neck, which I think speaks volumes about the ingratitude of 2 year olds.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3400/3408547061_917ef83f15.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3400/3408547061_917ef83f15.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Shinykatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06376772344231623274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20491934.post-72606160582051133232008-10-19T18:30:00.011+01:002008-11-21T09:57:08.213+00:00Cafetiere Cosy and a spot of DIY decorYes, I really am living the dream. Not content with a black and gold tea cosy, I made myself a matching cosy for the cafetière, so now I have TWO tastefully crocheted items in my flat. Crazy, I know.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3276/2881153789_f1bb155d86.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3276/2881153789_f1bb155d86.jpg" alt="Seriously, who doesn't need one?" border="0" /></a><br />While I'm at at it, let's talk about the furnishings. You can just see the white bamboo table which I painted. It was given to us when we moved into our last flat and we had always assumed we would get rid of it when we finally moved into our own place. But in the spirit of trying to recycle and re-use, I decided to paint it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3098/2881994526_66905a0057.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3098/2881994526_66905a0057.jpg" alt="Alex Milway at leisure" border="0" /></a><br />I made those cushions for the sofa as well. Previously, it was a very tired and old chesterfield, and a lot of the leather had begun flaking off. I bought some duck feather cushions and covered them with material that I bought on eBay. They're not only helping to increase the life of the sofa, they're also making it a lot comfier to sit on!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.blogger.com/%20http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3088/2881996080_383a126d01.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3088/2881996080_383a126d01.jpg?" alt="The room is actually tidy for us" border="0" /></a>The cream scatter cushion cover is made from the bags that our organic bed linen came in. I didn't want to waste them and they were exactly the right size for the cushions. <a href="http://www.themousehunter.com/blog">Al</a> thinks they're silly, but I like them! This is what they look like on the other side.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQazpbcSWdb88kKCPqymdmqB8ivshIvNZlVduKsMVBStbBCV-dRVFzN7ScCV9Ke5M7_cE5A0QuhszcOlzoqOqaz8YGNkGEA7xCKPrq1L76uZt4YrLVobb4SqB1ccKTwYpXuSrA-g/s1600-h/cushion+covers.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQazpbcSWdb88kKCPqymdmqB8ivshIvNZlVduKsMVBStbBCV-dRVFzN7ScCV9Ke5M7_cE5A0QuhszcOlzoqOqaz8YGNkGEA7xCKPrq1L76uZt4YrLVobb4SqB1ccKTwYpXuSrA-g/s400/cushion+covers.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258930370984426386" border="0" /></a><br />Waste not want not!<br /><br />And finally, we have the lampshade. Al's been promising to paint bright flowers on the lampshade for ages, but after about 3 years of waiting, I finally just decided to sort it out myself. Here you can see what it looked like, and how it looks now.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3102/2881992984_0b85f70d82.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 198px; height: 296px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3102/2881992984_0b85f70d82.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3248/2881158305_00da4ccd15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 277px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3248/2881158305_00da4ccd15.jpg" alt="after" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />The paper is from an Arts & Crafts wrapping paper book - Victorian paper for a Victorian house!Shinykatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06376772344231623274noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20491934.post-61323734794127693732008-09-23T13:51:00.003+01:002008-09-23T14:06:53.461+01:00New crochet blanketThose squares I started making <a href="http://goodhooking.blogspot.com/2007/03/square-eyes.html">a while back </a>are finally being put to good use. I've begun composing them into some semblance of order, adding some in to the mix and sewing them together into - almost - coherent patterns. It's almost as though I planned it that way!<br /><br />Anyway, here's what we've got so far:<br /><br />The latest square to be finished.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3259/2881213807_377b4f5966.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3259/2881213807_377b4f5966.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Here it is next to the first one I made (still my favourite so far).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3201/2881213943_7479bf2dea.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3201/2881213943_7479bf2dea.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />And this is the new one I'm working on. Still not sure how it will all come together (I might swap the corner pieces for something else), but it's looking ok so far, I think!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3291/2881214049_0de9031232.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3291/2881214049_0de9031232.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Shinykatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06376772344231623274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20491934.post-73455890254546016772008-09-23T09:20:00.004+01:002008-09-23T10:07:58.381+01:00International Crochet Day at Shiny Towers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3174/2851033342_1df6a1c77c.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3174/2851033342_1df6a1c77c.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>It's amazing what I'll do to try to win one of <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7fpM_uyAUjAC5tS8Ud1Kgo2Q3bR_r6VBbpNhjPl_kvWjmiA9p5JL6hhmsJJ9v6TWkw8ma2AoQD5MAFKsbLlN2Lu-m1vnNuXtb_Rd25M4Yc_Lhviofu-a0ZBcFygaXhZ_N6qfMA/s1600-h/001.JPG">Jimbo's beautiful handmade crochet hooks</a>. Quite how I found myself trundling into work with a bag full of wool and an almighty hangover the other Friday is a mystery to me - but I'd made a promise to teach anyone in the office who wanted to learn how to crochet, and my word is my bond.<br /><br />All this was in honour of World Crochet Day, something that I read about on <a href="http://jimbosfrontporch.blogspot.com/2008/09/international-crochet-day-approaches.html">Jimbo's Front Porch</a>, and which inspired me to have a crafty day in the office, much like they do over at Fruit Towers in the <a href="http://innocentdrinks.typepad.com/innocent_drinks/2007/09/lunchtime-knitt.html">Innocent offices</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3288/2851034432_827ef1c0d4.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3288/2851034432_827ef1c0d4.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>But while I was having these romantic thoughts of a bonding, crafting session with my staff, at the back of my mind was the knowledge that not all Shiny people are given to folksy crafting experiences, and - as expected - many of them scoffed at the very notion of spending a lunch break learning to crochet.<br /><br />Luckily, I know how to win them round, and once I'd <a href="http://moblog.net/view/851596/shiny-pizza">bribed them all with pizzas</a> (bit of free advice: carrying 10 boxes of steaming pizzas is not easy), six of them stayed seated (presumably, the carb coma kept them grounded) in order to learn crochet skills.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3256/2851039636_981b897253.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3256/2851039636_981b897253.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.susiweaser.com/">Susi</a>, <a href="http://www.gemmacartwright.com/">Gemma</a>, (who is already a wonder-knitter), Abi, Kelly, Lucy and Duncan all sat and listened patiently while I tried to talk through the hangover. Gemma proved (unsurprisingly) to be teacher's pet, and was soon helping the others. Lucy and Kelly eventually got fed up after about half an hour of valiant persistence (they were just getting the hang of it as well!), Abi finally got the hang of it (she's tried to learn before), Duncan was a natural, and Susi surprised me (and possibly herself) by not only having the patience to sit there and learn, but also by quite enjoying herself.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3183/2850210611_437bd22581.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3183/2850210611_437bd22581.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>In the end, my initial promise to teach them to make <a href="http://www.craftycrafty.tv/2008/08/crafting_for_charity_hats_off.html">Innocent Smoothie hats</a> proved a bit ambitious, but the rows of trebles (US DC) they produced were still pretty impressive! In fact, there was enough enthusiasm for people to get Gemma promising to do a knitting session, so maybe this is the start of something beautiful at Shiny Towers.<br /><br />You can read Abi's piece about the day over on <a href="http://www.craftycrafty.tv/2008/09/we_celebrate_international_cro.html">Crafty Crafty</a>.Shinykatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06376772344231623274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20491934.post-72142204440904808832008-08-25T13:48:00.004+01:002008-08-27T11:26:43.745+01:00Teaching people to crochet in Crystal Palace<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tlu4uHynQVgCYGbbovcXK3DDvuWiyEsCKOyJ7Xun5hpUixM6DHLRHfNSW-Ql50VcNdrepHGBdU0UXV1Nqzd8ZXc48oVaZ5-uaClmhfbo2I5hvQrXh8wVg_hQ_oFFXl3iNCZzXQ/s1600-h/teaching-crochet-in-crystal-palace.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tlu4uHynQVgCYGbbovcXK3DDvuWiyEsCKOyJ7Xun5hpUixM6DHLRHfNSW-Ql50VcNdrepHGBdU0UXV1Nqzd8ZXc48oVaZ5-uaClmhfbo2I5hvQrXh8wVg_hQ_oFFXl3iNCZzXQ/s400/teaching-crochet-in-crystal-palace.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238445030962163042" border="0" /></a><br />The lovely <a href="http://noisypitta.blogspot.com/">Noisy Pitta</a> and I had a great day back in June teaching the good people of Crystal Palace how to crochet. Here's Noisy Pitta Alison herself sitting at our stall, surrounded by brightly crocheted objects after <a href="http://noisypitta.blogspot.com/2008/06/yes-im-probably-crazy.html">driving 2 hours</a> just to come and sit next to a person she met on the internet. Surely she deserves some sort of medal or award?!<br /><br />The day, aimed at promoting the local shops in the area, was organised by the <a href="http://www.itsagreenthing.biz/">It's A Green Thing</a> people, who confused me recently when they decided to move their shop to the other side of the Triangle. Lots of people stopped by to learn, which was a pleasant surprise - I had visions of us spending a day sitting on our own while people gave us a wide berth.<br /><br />Teaching is tiring business (as <a href="http://www.isshonilondon.co.uk/blog/">Vanessa</a> will attest), so thank goodness for whoever brought over the Eton Mess for us to devour, and for fellow professional blog botherer and Crystal Palace dweller, <a href="http://www.robhinchcliffe.co.uk/">Rob</a>, who bought me a pork butty from the food market. Otherwise I may well have *died*.<br /><br />All in all a good time was had by all, and hopefully a few people will have found the lessons helpful!Shinykatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06376772344231623274noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20491934.post-37964994357871480132008-07-08T17:26:00.000+01:002008-07-08T17:27:05.825+01:00Return of the Granny Blanket.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoEbhEkA8M9yTrxFlFB0kBRaqry7RP3GJeQ6IxdDcygObxykgMS9BLMC4Y21PeucyovOGmhAta6NNrQ_s2NCEUcoctwHL97II10ZZfTOzkr1xficzf8OzCPMF7isrGdqVTZoTfcQ/s1600-h/Crochet+granny+blanket.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoEbhEkA8M9yTrxFlFB0kBRaqry7RP3GJeQ6IxdDcygObxykgMS9BLMC4Y21PeucyovOGmhAta6NNrQ_s2NCEUcoctwHL97II10ZZfTOzkr1xficzf8OzCPMF7isrGdqVTZoTfcQ/s400/Crochet+granny+blanket.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209104825881607378" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My<a href="http://goodhooking.blogspot.com/2006/10/crochet-blanket-my-lifes-work.html"> life's work</a> has had another makeover, returning in a smaller, more manageable format, and with a whole lot more sturdiness.<br /><br />You'll no doubt recall that I've been making this blanket since before I can remember (so - what - like, 10 years or something) and it's never really been finished off properly, despite the fact that it's been put to use on many occasions.<br /><br />Since the weight of it meant it was starting to pull itself apart, I finally got my act together and rejoined the pieces (properly this time), taking out some squares to make it less heavy, and actually took the trouble to edge it as well.<br /><br />However, as you'd expect, I'm still not entirely happy with it. I want to do something a bit more fancy with the edging and make it a little bit bigger. But it will do until I have my next little blanket break down.<br /><br />PS. You'll note that I've left in the "bright orange monstrosity" that I so objected to last time. That's because it's grown on me and it's now my favourite one. Further proof that I just can't get enough of ugly crochet.Shinykatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06376772344231623274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20491934.post-53584629873964223482008-06-25T17:58:00.000+01:002008-06-25T17:58:30.625+01:00Black crochet tea cosy - surprisingly tasteful for me<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXU-nzjCjmhTOGraRNaFTKNqzKFwO6oPkgaI-O6yNv4F_FFlNlBMsWY0WDMeQg9G0bhFv9dCC2N8lE8aUwVHGqZMjZPwuRCTCG6tSelDylsSq6Jm2stMdTAsCqn7KiqR3k6hzgXA/s1600-h/Black+crochet+tea+cosy.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXU-nzjCjmhTOGraRNaFTKNqzKFwO6oPkgaI-O6yNv4F_FFlNlBMsWY0WDMeQg9G0bhFv9dCC2N8lE8aUwVHGqZMjZPwuRCTCG6tSelDylsSq6Jm2stMdTAsCqn7KiqR3k6hzgXA/s400/Black+crochet+tea+cosy.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209104336289286370" border="0" /></a>Those of you who hold each and every update I write close to your bosom, remembering every word and every project as though they were your own children, will have no trouble in recalling this "<a href="http://goodhooking.blogspot.com/2006/03/trendy-tea-cosy.html">trendy tea cosy</a>" (as I dubbed it at the time), which went disastrously wrong thanks to an ill-judged bit of sizing guess work on my part.<br /><br />Well, I finally got the unfinished project back out of my stash box and added the extension required to make it fit my tea pot. And now I have an *actual* bit of tasteful crochet in my house, as well as a very nice warm tea pot. It's like some kind of Christmas miracle. Except for without the Christmas.<br /><br />The cosy didn't really suffer from the half-arsed bit of bodging I had to do to make it big enough. In fact, I rather like the sideways rows I've added to each edge of the cosy. And the fact that it's custom-made to fit my pot gives it that special edge that I know will drive all my friends crazy with tea cosy-envy. They'll try to hide it with looks of complete indifference or polite interest, but *I'll* know the truth.<br /><img src="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/t3/My%20Documents/My%20Pictures/crochet/Crochet%20granny%20blanket.JPG" alt="" />Shinykatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06376772344231623274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20491934.post-76728635484347144122008-06-07T12:31:00.005+01:002008-06-07T12:44:34.892+01:00Yet another baby tomato hat<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoiTYLpXAu_8CR_6SjoAybp3OLUwuboA5iyK-xcuBL-viU4QiGV9OiNsv3b8iHHdm_WZYDPzZ0M8IUpV5adnKYvjS4_W1Fztae4hNE7zkFP0tvNgYxJtrbLa6k6Kj4DlUXD8TO7Q/s1600-h/Baby+crochet+tomato+hat.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoiTYLpXAu_8CR_6SjoAybp3OLUwuboA5iyK-xcuBL-viU4QiGV9OiNsv3b8iHHdm_WZYDPzZ0M8IUpV5adnKYvjS4_W1Fztae4hNE7zkFP0tvNgYxJtrbLa6k6Kj4DlUXD8TO7Q/s400/Baby+crochet+tomato+hat.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209104107465829346" border="0" /></a><br />I don't really see the point in having babies unless you dress them up in ridiculous clothes for your own amusement. Luckily, there have been plenty of powerless babes appearing in my life recently, and I've taken full advantage of their helplessness by plopping a tomato hat on their innocent noggins as soon as they hit the air.<br /><br />My latest victim is my nephew, George, who's shown his gratitude to his favourite aunt by instantly growing too large for his. What he doesn't know, however, is that I can knock these things up at a hell of a rate of knots, and each time he outgrows a hat, another one will soon appear to replace it.<br /><br />It's important that these youngsters know who's boss.<br /><br />Here's a picture of him pretending he doesn't care that he looks ludicrous.Shinykatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06376772344231623274noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20491934.post-18207782959792142272008-06-07T12:31:00.003+01:002008-06-07T12:39:12.939+01:00Whitting in the Wood - my first handmade wood crochet hook<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgJ2DPSmdyzjeqikhF89iJ8STwokqbHFw7PIj0QlaKh8dE852HFudY9qpZ8klFZnniTappGWPHZP5k4g0qwmJZsEbhEES6h0GE5abh3tNNenw-DiRfJ2quRemB4Jf7WewXqitOw/s1600-h/Crochet_Hook_handmade_wood.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgJ2DPSmdyzjeqikhF89iJ8STwokqbHFw7PIj0QlaKh8dE852HFudY9qpZ8klFZnniTappGWPHZP5k4g0qwmJZsEbhEES6h0GE5abh3tNNenw-DiRfJ2quRemB4Jf7WewXqitOw/s320/Crochet_Hook_handmade_wood.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206589993002727586" border="0" /></a>We bought a woodland recently. You know, as you do. The story of how it happened is too long (and possibly not very interesting), but the short version is that we love camping, we love woods, and we found a <a href="http://www.woods4sale.co.uk/">woodland for sale</a> that was near enough to Crystal Palace for us to be able to drive to our very own woodland campsite in an hour.<br /><br />Most of our time spent there so far has been used for clearing some space for the undergrowth to start returning, making a few paths and taking down dead trees. But in between the hard work, there's plenty of time to sit and stare at the camp fire and pass the time with a spot of gentle whittling.<br /><br />I thought I'd have a go at whittling a crochet hook. As you can see, I still have a long way to go before I'm anywhere near to making something that's usable. But since this photo was taken, we've got some proper wood working knives, which makes life easier. It's also a lot easier once you've got a bit of wire wool involved in the process to help keep it looking a bit more tidy. I've made better attempts since this one, but still nothing I'm entirely happy with.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJAnWTGYrby7SwoHhTgvHcLADWQzyB0ttFuYrXbVYMGZVAldvm2V9JjiO2B9_ct2jUpwLd9594LDKmakh9IM7ejj_JL-th4Rki6P4rGwoHhSNBFVp9PpMRZU_IuDECHe5y9PLQw/s1600-h/Wooden+crochet+hook.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJAnWTGYrby7SwoHhTgvHcLADWQzyB0ttFuYrXbVYMGZVAldvm2V9JjiO2B9_ct2jUpwLd9594LDKmakh9IM7ejj_JL-th4Rki6P4rGwoHhSNBFVp9PpMRZU_IuDECHe5y9PLQw/s320/Wooden+crochet+hook.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209100179869466754" border="0" /></a>My brother in law is an especially keen whittler, and he produced this finished hook (above), which he's sanded and gently waxed, making a hook that's surprisingly easy and comfortable to use - much better than those<a href="http://goodhooking.blogspot.com/2006/03/check-out-these-bad-boys.html"> jumbo plastic ones I've got</a>. (Click for bigger)<br /><br />Maybe one day, we'll be as talented as the <a href="http://jimbosfrontporch.blogspot.com/">amazing Jimbo</a>. Check out his blog for some truly beautiful handmade wooden crochet hooks.Shinykatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06376772344231623274noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20491934.post-47409330645402113242008-04-06T01:03:00.007+01:002008-06-07T11:50:11.525+01:00Orange Crochet Baby Hat. Almost as good as tomato hats<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtW5HkdLlAYI5byNMURnUfa4pmbINhn0PwTKVTwha03ASM4VkVmDHaSTs0vZjcou1vcGGCqIshXn0yzHc0SNPfWiTdAfozpsKZjO4qFXrwgoyWBZvuWbw4UKRXsLpSISP-zjbGw/s1600-h/Orange+hat.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtW5HkdLlAYI5byNMURnUfa4pmbINhn0PwTKVTwha03ASM4VkVmDHaSTs0vZjcou1vcGGCqIshXn0yzHc0SNPfWiTdAfozpsKZjO4qFXrwgoyWBZvuWbw4UKRXsLpSISP-zjbGw/s320/Orange+hat.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185918290503384962" border="0" /></a>I never got a photo of the two cute little tomato hats I made a while ago. They were both used, but neither set of proud parents managed to get a photo of his be-hatted sprog before it grew out of the tomato hat. "Useless" is the word that springs to mind.<br /><br />The hats seemed to have gone down well, especially with <a href="http://www.themousehunter.com/blog">Al's</a> brother, who asked me to make a bigger hat for little Maya, but requested that I make it an orange instead.<br /><br />Thanks to the lovely Craftster forum people, I came up with the bright idea of making the hat using the orange peel stitch that Jan Eaton uses in her <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Crochet-Blocks-Blankets-Throws-Afghans/dp/0715321412/ref=sr_1_1/202-3622642-6491001?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1173609345&sr=8-1">200 Crochet Blocks </a>book.<br /><br />I think it came out pretty well - though I ended up over-estimating the size and produced something that almost fits me (as you can see in the pic). However, Maya's growing like a fast-growing thing, so I wouldn't be surprised if it fits her soon. Though, no doubt, now she can speak she may have something to say about being made to wear a comedy hat.<br /><br />I learned a useful lesson while making this hat, which I can't believe I hadn't learned earlier: never iron acrylic wool. It goes floppy and lifeless and there's no getting it back once you've killed it.<br /><br />The hat's still wearable - it's just a bit limp.Shinykatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06376772344231623274noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20491934.post-51436622065425069662008-03-25T11:57:00.002+00:002008-03-25T12:08:04.068+00:00Come visit me on Dollymix!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitMY12XavNUC43Us7OD7tI6or7R_51pZwZ0M7jAyY0EhqvjOlxy95Y-wmQnZW-vJrLi84LjLddlmwr1bD33cpbVMnsdMREvIEP3xU2FT2XIqmZce1c56JstSg_rm6v9EjfBCRUnA/s1600-h/Dollymix+Good+Hooking.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitMY12XavNUC43Us7OD7tI6or7R_51pZwZ0M7jAyY0EhqvjOlxy95Y-wmQnZW-vJrLi84LjLddlmwr1bD33cpbVMnsdMREvIEP3xU2FT2XIqmZce1c56JstSg_rm6v9EjfBCRUnA/s320/Dollymix+Good+Hooking.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181649732961288050" border="0" /></a>Just a quick note, I'm guest editing <a href="http://www.dollymix.tv/">Dollymix</a>, our fantastic women's magazine, for a couple of weeks while Cate is away. So please do come and visit me and leave me lots of nice comments.<br /><br />In other news, I've got loads of crafty stuff to write about, but I never seem to have the right photos on whichever computer I'm using when I feel like blogging. But, just to whet your excitement buds, I've made a tea cosy, a hat, a new blanket and another hat. I know, I know - it's too much excitement for one day.<br /><br />Anyway, forget that - <a href="http://www.dollymix.tv">visit me on Dollymix! </a>You'll like it there!Shinykatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06376772344231623274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20491934.post-70050390097013990532008-03-13T18:00:00.003+00:002008-06-07T11:46:14.899+01:00Yet another free crochet pattern - Link from Zelda. Will this kindness never end?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAvbD_7GdX89TI64-SsdHkPJyj-Zly3gcxclln1dNJeAdKo5iekQAJcTTOxKWjntNnIlwVJ1v8g6P2Mv9idkNE3RhNLZVThXfKfyBcOIAzaHA_TDwZJYGoHLJc8L8FiMyfH0w7Cg/s1600-h/zelda+crochet+3-thumb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAvbD_7GdX89TI64-SsdHkPJyj-Zly3gcxclln1dNJeAdKo5iekQAJcTTOxKWjntNnIlwVJ1v8g6P2Mv9idkNE3RhNLZVThXfKfyBcOIAzaHA_TDwZJYGoHLJc8L8FiMyfH0w7Cg/s320/zelda+crochet+3-thumb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176426605947443970" border="0" /></a><br />Yes, I did it again. Far from being content at offering the world my free Jolly Roger pattern, I set to work to create yet another masterpiece, this time in the form of the wonderful Link from the Legend of Zelda. He's not exactly perfect, but I've tampered with the final pattern which means that your version should come out a lot better. Please do let me know if you make one of these - the validation makes me feel... well... validated (wrote myself into a bit of a vocabulary cul-de-sac there).<br /><br />As before, the pattern can be obtained from the wonderful <a href="http://www.craftycrafty.tv/2008/01/geek_craft_legend_of_zelda_cro.html">Crafty Crafty blog here</a>, edited by the marvellous Abi Silvester, who also edits our green blog, <a href="http://www.hippyshopper.com/">Hippyshopper</a>. She works very hard editing both those blogs for us, so do go and visit one of her sites and leave her some nice comments. It makes *her* feel validated.<br /><br />I should probably also mention the fact that it's thanks to the wonderful artistic talents of my other half, Alex Milway (to give him his full name to help his Google rankings), who made the pattern for me from his childhood memories of Zelda and nothing more. He really is very clever. Annoyingly so, in fact. But don't tell him I said that.<br /><br />By the way, if you would like to read the blog of the world famous children's author and illustrator, Alex Milway, you can do so here: <a href="http://www.themousehunter.com/blog">www.themousehunter.com/blog.</a> You can also leave him some comments if you like - he's also a fan of validation.<br /><a href="http://www.craftycrafty.tv/2008/01/geek_craft_legend_of_zelda_cro.html"><br />Click here for free Zelda pattern from Crafty Crafty</a>Shinykatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06376772344231623274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20491934.post-65328576959555364312008-03-11T09:46:00.005+00:002008-06-07T11:46:52.687+01:00Free Jolly Roger Pattern from Crafty Crafty<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiebWYjCIX-GxoYm6I8Ti8xoGETa5569P28CFnlde4y5Ujm0SxVLlY0GC3vjPfh7OTLS9g2sZg7xsH7fupH1v2Wum6yOhQ68qo3YlRbUxNGXjpSc67xPfy2nupSeXmk-iCPJSWrOQ/s1600-h/Crafty+crochet+skull.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiebWYjCIX-GxoYm6I8Ti8xoGETa5569P28CFnlde4y5Ujm0SxVLlY0GC3vjPfh7OTLS9g2sZg7xsH7fupH1v2Wum6yOhQ68qo3YlRbUxNGXjpSc67xPfy2nupSeXmk-iCPJSWrOQ/s320/Crafty+crochet+skull.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176421258713160434" border="0" /></a><br />Because I'm such a nice and lovely person, I made a pattern especially for all the readers of <a href="http://www.craftycrafty.tv/">Crafty Crafty</a>. If you suddenly realise, upon looking at this, that your life has been an empty and meaningless existence without a skull and crossbone patch, you can download the pattern and create your very own Jolly Roger forthwith. It's a good job I was here, that's all I can say.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.craftycrafty.tv/2007/10/free_crafty_crafty_pattern_jol.html">Get the free pattern here! </a>Fill your heart with joy.Shinykatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06376772344231623274noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20491934.post-67926596797669902442008-01-14T10:58:00.001+00:002008-06-07T11:50:34.223+01:00The Mousehunter by Alex Milway - available in a shop near you!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EPl2UEzn0a5lt_NCGth7CMtdlKZ7q7H645ihpc-wV6AdkqcJHT8gj1VhgG48Z-qeVRz-56a9JHtfS_Mg5pjokFDyKeAYEy_Tc6S9jkFHMxZPOGf1fVsX_t0fGL_3rEBHOkZWBQ/s1600-h/the+mousehunter+on+sale.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155287277180115458" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EPl2UEzn0a5lt_NCGth7CMtdlKZ7q7H645ihpc-wV6AdkqcJHT8gj1VhgG48Z-qeVRz-56a9JHtfS_Mg5pjokFDyKeAYEy_Tc6S9jkFHMxZPOGf1fVsX_t0fGL_3rEBHOkZWBQ/s320/the+mousehunter+on+sale.jpg" border="0" /></a>Al's book, <a href="http://www.themousehunter.com/">The Mousehunter </a>is finally out in book stores trying to earn its keep. It's been out for a few weeks now, but the official launch is this Thursday 17th January. So, if you happen to be anywhere near the fantastic <a href="http://booksellercrow.typepad.com/the_bedside_crow/">Bookseller Crow</a> book shop in Crystal Palace, you can meet the author, get a signed copy and join us in celebrating the launch of the first of many Alex Milway children's books!<br /><div></div><br /><div>The sequel will be out later this year, and he's got another deal to write a whole different series (about Yetis!), so it's going to be a busy old year. Plus, The Mousehunter will be coming out in America and Germany (and hopefully some more countries once he gets offered some more deals).</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I don't hold out much hope for our <a href="http://www.anythingbutsprouts.blogspot.com/">vegetable patch this year</a>!</div>Shinykatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06376772344231623274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20491934.post-8886061335671582752008-01-02T11:05:00.000+00:002008-01-14T10:55:58.092+00:00Amigurumi Dude - my half-arsed attempt<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTe8cPY1Kpb5JHn3UF9Gk3QcMtobZ87DRAYKdPbfK6wU3-m9skiMdoO79XjMEHylJv2NEeeYDYDCpTEeevd0IE86T5RvTPJFECe95dA85iQ-z7mh9o-_m9HKz272loqoJkhM80vw/s1600-h/crochet+dude.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5040627998810107250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTe8cPY1Kpb5JHn3UF9Gk3QcMtobZ87DRAYKdPbfK6wU3-m9skiMdoO79XjMEHylJv2NEeeYDYDCpTEeevd0IE86T5RvTPJFECe95dA85iQ-z7mh9o-_m9HKz272loqoJkhM80vw/s320/crochet+dude.JPG" border="0" /></a>Oops! Just discovered this on draft from ages ago. I actually made this *last* Christmas, which makes this quite a feat of forgetfulness.<br /><br />Thing is, I love the idea of making cute amigurumi dolls, but when I actually start, I find the whole process a bit too boring to keep me going. Lots of fiddly little bits and not an awful lot of mindless crochet fun, which is why blanket and hat-making command so much of my loyalty.<br /><br />Anyway, as you can see, this is a fairly half-arsed little <a href="http://www.crochetme.com/amigurumi-dude">Amigurumi Dude</a>, which I didn't ever quite finish off. I'm not even entirely sure what became of the poor little fellow. He was supposed to be a Christmas king, and I was planning on giving him to my sister. But I probably fobbed him off on some innocent child who was visiting one day. One thing worth noting, though, is the fact that I took the trouble to *knit* him a scarf, which is a very rare occurrence and should probably be marked with some kind of national feast day.<br /><br />My friend put the little tassles on. She'd popped in with her other half and before either of them knew what had hit them, both <a href="http://anythingbutsprouts.blogspot.com/">Al </a>and I had got them assisting in each of our craft projects. We really are fun people to know...Shinykatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06376772344231623274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20491934.post-18489437922346180492007-12-29T15:24:00.001+00:002008-06-07T11:45:03.347+01:00Mmm, crafty books.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7fHKJuShcqH3cocA4jgfjs0cUO42jsZ5Sy1sfwIxBTf4KEmcmd9ohZLeR8vi2GQpalb9ui1ZvZOVYJmwz5QScw0X27OQMhvi1qdYpdhYnQb5omjgUoKBo-96ZLSFKJ8hF0qmnQ/s1600-h/knitted+icons.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7fHKJuShcqH3cocA4jgfjs0cUO42jsZ5Sy1sfwIxBTf4KEmcmd9ohZLeR8vi2GQpalb9ui1ZvZOVYJmwz5QScw0X27OQMhvi1qdYpdhYnQb5omjgUoKBo-96ZLSFKJ8hF0qmnQ/s320/knitted+icons.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5149490381295540658" border="0" /></a><br />I've been thoroughly sated on the crafty book front in the past couple of months. My Secret Santa gift off Sheldon in the office (everyone fessed up who had bought what about 5 minutes after everyone had opened their gifts) was a fantastic book called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Knitted-Icons-Celebrity-Doll-Patterns/dp/159474209X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198941995&sr=8-1">Knitted Icons</a>, which clearly comes from the mind of a twisted genius. It is surely enough of a reason even for me to dust down my much maligned knitting needles - even if it's just so I can make the knitted Gandhi.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhrOZYEQyO7wQgOszis8WLE3qeF-S5E7CF5Mq_nI855dvIrDTJMrGJHHrgtWtks_sgDw7g7OfshDN6_AjkdtRoLAL5EEuhiNhb6hsJBtT-IV1zNeSfG2AoZK4vW7sgpj35I5Gzg/s1600-h/crochet+me.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhrOZYEQyO7wQgOszis8WLE3qeF-S5E7CF5Mq_nI855dvIrDTJMrGJHHrgtWtks_sgDw7g7OfshDN6_AjkdtRoLAL5EEuhiNhb6hsJBtT-IV1zNeSfG2AoZK4vW7sgpj35I5Gzg/s320/crochet+me.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5149491802929715650" border="0" /></a>The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crochet-Me-Designs-Fuel-Revolution/dp/159668044X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198942090&sr=1-1">Crochet Me</a> book was sent into the Shiny offices for the <a href="http://www.craftycrafty.tv/">Crafty Crafty</a> team, so I've commandeered it and promised to write up a review. But since all my craft-related possessions are in storage, I haven't had a chance to do much more than pore longingly over the pages and read the biogs of the craftsters.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfEt8dNQK1es3VL5ufcR0XJkfOcUgmcSqhgYpgH_tWWaEouzXSMptDF7YiTyQe4FwDk9xW0Bx8Hi8FIRXzCj2XMf4jySwl_wF4aKgPqQX9nITkkcZ2etz_Md4Zh0UbAqq2-J-UA/s1600-h/craftzine.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfEt8dNQK1es3VL5ufcR0XJkfOcUgmcSqhgYpgH_tWWaEouzXSMptDF7YiTyQe4FwDk9xW0Bx8Hi8FIRXzCj2XMf4jySwl_wF4aKgPqQX9nITkkcZ2etz_Md4Zh0UbAqq2-J-UA/s200/craftzine.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5149492906736310770" border="0" /></a>And, finally, my first issue of <a href="http://www.craftzine.com/">Craft magazine</a> has arrived and I've been carrying it everywhere with me, and lovingly leafing through it whenever a spare moment appears. I'm not actually sure it has much in it that I'll ever even think about making, but it's been so beautifully designed, laid out and published, that it's just a lovely thing to hold in your hand. After years of working in magazines I thought my love for them had entirely gone, but this little publication has reminded me how great it is when you find a mag that makes you want to join its club (which is the key to any good magazine).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFucnxkxxtKeP00tIlAlZBm8koiUxTH_dxYFH8G6ohLYb0LZcEhdC78aefZQp_5B75tGx5z8vxFffOZXe8pz-f1m5BS5o3XLv-_eGCRmruqs0Nb1jxZW4U2d1VeGRyS8kWwd2fg/s1600-h/recycled+home.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFucnxkxxtKeP00tIlAlZBm8koiUxTH_dxYFH8G6ohLYb0LZcEhdC78aefZQp_5B75tGx5z8vxFffOZXe8pz-f1m5BS5o3XLv-_eGCRmruqs0Nb1jxZW4U2d1VeGRyS8kWwd2fg/s320/recycled+home.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5149492159412001234" border="0" /></a>Not entirely crafty, but one of those great "inspiration" books, nonetheless, "<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Recycled-Home-Mark-Bailey/dp/1845974514/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198958993&sr=8-1">Recycled Home</a>" was in my pile of Christmas presents this year, and it's already driven me to give an old table a bit of a makeover. Since I was going to throw it away or flog it, I'm now feeling all good inside about my recycling job. I wish I'd taken "before" shots so I could put up a post about it's transformation, but I didn't think about it for some reason.<br /><br />Anyway, I think it's fair to say that I'm booked up to the eyeballs for the time being!Shinykatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06376772344231623274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20491934.post-74387279799330129922007-12-29T14:55:00.001+00:002007-12-29T15:24:07.494+00:00Why I'm not making any more presents for anyone ever again... maybe.It's been a long time, I know, but it's been a busy old year and although the crafting has continued, the blogging has gone sadly astray. We have been having our flat done up, and it's been a much bigger upheaval than we expected (thanks, lady project manager!!!! We *loved* being homeless). Because of that, my wool has been put into storage and I only have one size 6 crochet hook that somehow missed being boxed away. I haven't managed to fulfil my usual ambition of making everyone a present for Christmas, but I don't think anyone's too cut up about it, since my <a href="http://goodhooking.blogspot.com/2006/02/tea-cosy.html">sister's tea cosy</a> sits unused and unloved in her spare bedroom, Al's grandma has hidden the <a href="http://goodhooking.blogspot.com/2006/03/crochet-tea-cosy.html">cosy I made her</a> in her kitchen drawer and uses a different one, and I've never seen any evidence of the little bag <a href="http://goodhooking.blogspot.com/2006/01/crochet-bag.html">I made my niece </a>being put to use (in fact, I've never seen it since that fateful day it was unwrapped with much false glee.) As for Lia and her <a href="http://goodhooking.blogspot.com/2007/02/where-have-i-been.html">various</a> <a href="http://goodhooking.blogspot.com/2006/03/lias-hat_114251338988152395.html">gifts</a>. Well, the least said about those the better.<br /><br />Screw them, that's what I say. If they can't appreciate the genius of my ugly creations, then I'm just going to keep all that crafty crochet goodness to myself. Ungrateful wretches. Apart from the hat I made my niece (same as my<a href="http://goodhooking.blogspot.com/2006/10/petrol-crochet-hat-from-japan-and.html"> Petrol hat</a> - this is now the third time I've made this hat since I lost my first one), the two hats I've made for my new baby niece-in-law (which I will get round to posting about some day... when I've found the pictures), and the skull and cross bone placemat I made for my skull-loving friend (post about this one coming imminently). Apart from all those gifts, I'm not making gifts any more... OK, that's probably a lie - making things for other people is more fun. Even if they do just quietly secrete them into a bottom drawer for the moths to enjoy. The buggers.Shinykatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06376772344231623274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20491934.post-38015007327433378232007-08-26T11:18:00.001+01:002008-06-07T12:00:37.663+01:00I'm in a Crafty Crafty video!So, part of the reason that I haven't been blogging recently is because I haven't actually been crafting. I made a couple of tomato hats for babies, which I've yet to get decent pictures of - babies tend to be ungrateful that way - and I've also made some curtains for my camper van. But aside from that, my crochet hooks and sewing machine have been gathering dust. I always think it's best not to beat yourself up too much if you run out of crafty juice. Sometimes there are craft droughts that last for years, but this craft drought feels like it will be over any day now - I can feel the juices flowing once more. Mmm, juices.<br /><br />So, I've done hardly anything of late, *EXCEPT* for this hat I started making ages ago and still haven't finished. You can see it here in this video I shot for Shiny Media's craft blog, <a href="http://www.craftycrafty.tv">Crafty Crafty</a> (if you haven't visited, please do - and let me know what you think!). I've got some work in progress shots I took, that I'll pop up once I get round to actually finishing the hat off.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/K0da59tMwYU"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/K0da59tMwYU" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />Keep watching for Isabelle's info on how she customised a man's shirt and what she did to her shoes to make them lovable again.Shinykatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06376772344231623274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20491934.post-24104913898517918692007-05-09T11:37:00.000+01:002007-05-09T16:56:50.677+01:00Shiny Media launches Crafty Crafty - a blog for crafty types<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidP-uWhyphenhyphen_D8qw7CKgc8AVzKsN6TAIT8VvmskDQF89fKyNUd6h4hFkzioPUIU-7lKmFZNPzWH-9WhHDyjttOiSdaCVYook1fIiUTYNCf7q-HpuwU-xeDH0heWy6wbk2vYa45APF2w/s1600-h/crafty.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidP-uWhyphenhyphen_D8qw7CKgc8AVzKsN6TAIT8VvmskDQF89fKyNUd6h4hFkzioPUIU-7lKmFZNPzWH-9WhHDyjttOiSdaCVYook1fIiUTYNCf7q-HpuwU-xeDH0heWy6wbk2vYa45APF2w/s320/crafty.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062553684049510322" border="0" /></a>It started as a bit of an in-joke between me and Gemma (Shiny Media's excellent Fashion Editor and fellow <a href="http://www.17percentgeek.blogspot.com/">crafty type</a>). If Shiny Media, creator of <a href="http://www.shinyshiny.tv/">Shiny Shiny</a>, were to start a craft blog, what would it be called? After sniggering at the simple genius of the name Crafty Crafty, we kept on mentioning it to the boys as if it were a fait accompli, even going as far as to stick up some sample posts on a test blog for our own enjoyment. And somehow, we managed to reach the stage where it was actually happening for real. Now Gemma and I just have to hope that it works out - since we're the fools who sold it to the others.<br /><br />So, without further ado, please allow me to introduce you to Shiny Media's new craft blog, <a href="http://www.craftycrafty.tv/">Crafty Crafty</a>. Let me know what you think, won't you! And if you fancy writing for it, you can contact me on editor@shinyshiny.tvShinykatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06376772344231623274noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20491934.post-31967952262982114112007-04-15T12:06:00.000+01:002007-04-15T12:28:52.224+01:00*Slightly* off-topic, but look what I just bought!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFyBMz6RUXi5hjN_XrVbNApnbtyBkDr3VSG5VSqfLXhPnch91QTJD8x8xSjS-K-d3_1B3fbqeqN-nffWlx8sAGvsSg4oy-kBoxDa0MwDBdPL6JEmOPCrlzvowBp22hglngOL1uCQ/s1600-h/Green+Camper+van.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFyBMz6RUXi5hjN_XrVbNApnbtyBkDr3VSG5VSqfLXhPnch91QTJD8x8xSjS-K-d3_1B3fbqeqN-nffWlx8sAGvsSg4oy-kBoxDa0MwDBdPL6JEmOPCrlzvowBp22hglngOL1uCQ/s320/Green+Camper+van.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5053615308300617842" border="0" /></a>OK, I've got a couple of crochet projects I've been working on recently that I just *have* to post up, but before I do that, I needed to share with the world my joy and excitement at the frivolous purchase I just made. I bought me a campervan! Yes, I'm the proud owner of a <a href="http://www.eastfalia.com/detail.php?carid=47">1980s VW Westfalia Camper</a>. None of those shonky old 70s buses for me. They may look good, there's no denying that, but my childhood memories of holidaying in the 80s Devon Moonrakers and Holdsworth Kampers my dad used to sell has left me slightly dewy-eyed for these more modern VWs. They have a charm all of their own (at least I think they do) and this particular beauty has everything I wanted - round headlights, Westfalia interior and (most importantly) the green paint job.<br /><br />I got it from the lovely boys at <a href="http://www.eastfalia.com/">Eastfalia</a>, down in Surrey yesterday. I knew I was doomed to make the purchase before I even got there - all the other vans I'd seen for sale had something that wasn't quite right, not to mention the fact that the 80s vans seem to be snapped up faster than the older models at the moment.<br /><br />The one downer for me was the slightly grotty interior. My childhood memories are of brand new vans with spankingly clean interiors, but this one not only had a fair few dinks and frayed edges, it also had 25 years' worth of grot and a mouldy ceiling (which the previous owner had made worse by painting over the flocked finish, preserving the mildew AND ruining the fluffy feel).<br /><br />But I can't help being ever so slightly pleased that the interior needs a spruce up. I know that keeping the original features is important for campervans and I don't want to be responsible for ruining the 80s interior in the same way that Victorian home interiors were ruined by people in the 80s (a pox on whoever decided to rip out the best bits from my flat and Artex the walls), but I reckon I can get the place looking like (mobile) home without making any irreversible changes. At least, that's what I'm telling myself. If I get too carried away, I'll just have to hide it from Antony at Eastfalia who will probably be appalled at the sacrilege.<br /><br />I smell a Campervan blog on the horizon...Shinykatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06376772344231623274noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20491934.post-80462696863758698632007-03-11T10:57:00.000+00:002007-03-11T11:03:44.903+00:00You can never have enough squares<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuTHSMNor-UBgYtpBTHsQ6jp-aDUa_2QYvlDz58JF8agzuBv-U5XylIeGS3CBBmO20tKnrN5i5qTzREq1KPyRIJL6dI9YBQRCDDc1t9TWkITEUn99TCdYTJrBZDFtb52ZOASEBQ/s1600-h/pastel+squares.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuTHSMNor-UBgYtpBTHsQ6jp-aDUa_2QYvlDz58JF8agzuBv-U5XylIeGS3CBBmO20tKnrN5i5qTzREq1KPyRIJL6dI9YBQRCDDc1t9TWkITEUn99TCdYTJrBZDFtb52ZOASEBQ/s320/pastel+squares.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5040620504092175714" border="0" /></a>Yet more squares, this time of the itty bitty variety. These ones were my attempt at making something a little less garish than normal, but I soon got bored of the teeny tininess, which involves far too much scissor action for my liking. How can I concentrate on Boston Legal if I'm constantly having to start off new colours? I can't, that's how. So, they too have been retired indefinitely to the work bag and may or may not make a come back some day in the future. Maybe when there's no more television.<br /><br />By the way, for some reason these ones came out all bluey and the last lot came out all pinky. To save me the effort of re-taking all the shots, I'd be much obliged if you could just adjust the colour mentally in your own heads (as opposed to anyone else's) to reflect the *actual* colour. Thank you.Shinykatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06376772344231623274noreply@blogger.com0