Poorly Person

I have been a poorly person this week which resulted in me having to take a couple of days off work. Mixed blessing really. One the one hand it was nice to lay under the duvet all day but was too ill to even pick up a hook or a book for that matter. The sickness bug has done a full round here at the Fairyglade, giving each of us a seperate dose just to keep things fair. However, all is better now and we are raring to go.

This weekend has been a bit of a catch up, and of course that means that my crochet has been top of the list.

Oh what joy! Single granny's...............

Piles of grannies.....................................


Mounds of grannies.............................................

Towering grannies........................................................

And finally, when divided into two sections, two cushions of grannies!!!

I can't describe how happy these little squares make me feel. I simply love looking at them, moving them around each other to see what goes with what, feeling the softness of the Rowan wool which is a dream to work with, if a little expensive....

With that in mind I have cleared out the littlest fairy's wardrobe and placed all her pretties on ebay. Don't be alarmed, I have left her one or two bits to wear, bless her.

(If you are interested my ID is Gretagrouch. On the home page, click on feedback forum at the bottom, enter my named ID and bob's your uncle!)

I have chosen some lovely Debbie Bliss wool for my swap partner, Alessandra over at Just Be Happy. Not sure how I will manage to stop myself eating the chocolate part of the swap now that I am feeling better. Two seperate bars of the yummy stuff have mysteriously disappeared in the last week..have you seen them? No one is owning up here, and a this rate she will be receiving the most expensive bar of Cadbury's in the known universe!!

Time for bed now, feeling very weary now Will leave you with another picture of my grannies...............

Dev X

Cushions, Clouds and Crochet

I forgot to take my camera to the village fete on Saturday which was a shame really. We are very traditional when it comes to the fete. There is bunting, a brass band, maypole dancing, tombola and tug of war to name but a few of the many attractions. It was a happy event and well supported despite the sky looking like this a couple of hours before hand!

I thought that I would show you the lovely goodies that I received from my swap partner, Maggie. I feel that my parcel definately fell a bit short, but in my defence, I felt so unwell most of the 2 weeks leading up to the deadline.

A lovely scarf and mittens, a beautiful scented knitted heart..I don't think I have seen a knitted heart before? A pretty blue bag which the little fairy commandered as soon as I unwrapped it as a storage place for her nintendo games. And the most gorgeous tea cosy. Many thanks Maggie.






Isn't that just the sweetest tea cosy you have ever seen?








For my part, these were two of the items I did manage to make myself. Nowhere near as fab as Maggie's items. I made this brooch from a chart on Julia's blog, I know that I didn't do it precisesly as per her instructions, but as you know, me and charts just don't get along! I still think that it is pretty though.





The past week or two has seen me rushing home to see what the postman has brought me. I mentioned in my last post that I had gone a bit mad on Ebay and Amazon and here are some of my purchases. Food for the soul...


And talking of the soul, my heart skips a little beat when I see these little squares of coloured magic. This will be the first cushion I am crocheting to make my wrought iron garden furniture a bit my comfy and bright. Only another 36 to go.


The mystery item mentioned in my last post will remain a mystery for a little while yet and the gorgeous afghan is on hold until I sell a kidney to fund the yarn to make them both.

Lastly, check out Alessandra's blog to take part in a yarn & chocolate swap. Yes, you did hear correcttly, I did say YARN & CHOCOLATE in the same sentence....is there anything better! I am not sure when the closing date is, so get over there right now.

Dev X

Midday Sun

Am I the only one struggling with the intense heat, will I be shot down in flames for daring to say that I am not a sun worshipper? Don't get me wrong, a vivid blue sky and the warm sun on my back is one thing, but these scorching temperatures are proving too much for me. On the plus side, I have access to this on a daily basis and it is proving to be a godsend. Frankly, I don't know how we would have managed the past couple of weeks without it. Sheer bliss!

I have been unwell for a couple of weeks now. I have a terrible chesty cough that shows no sign of abating anytime soon. Why is it always worse at night and especially when you lay down and try to get some sleep? I have managed to complete the goodies for Melanie's cosy swap despite feeling so awful and hope that my partner likes what I have made. I can't show you the pictures just yet.

So, here at the Fairyglade, projects progress, albeit at a slower pace and on really hot days, not at all. A friend from my craft group leant me this book from the 70's. Oh my, did we ever really dress like this...


Firstly, check out those nails, how awkward to work with!!!!!!!!!!!. So glad that they are not compulsary.



Any one for cocktails darling!


Anyone takers for the psychedelic ripple boots, form an orderly queue please! What a great way to use the ripple pattern, very fetching and just the thing for the weekly tesco's shop wouldn't you say?

I actually borrowed the book for a few new stitch ideas like this one.

I recently found a knitting chart for an afghan which I think is stunning. However, the instructions might as well be in Russian, knitting backwards and other jiggery pokery. I sometimes think that charts are a black art, either that or I am just thick. I have actually printed out reams of instructions on this method, and have glanced through it briefly, but am completely baffled.

Isn't it to die for?

Now comes the reason for the book. This pattern is slightly similar in that it creates large and small patterned waves which is what I like about the afghan. So my reasoning goes that if I use the recommended wool and crochet instead of knit, and use this chart, then in theory I should get something similar looking. What do you think?



I have this pretty thing underway at the moment, what is it going to be I hear you mumble? Well I am going to leave you in suspense for a while! I love the colours though.

I bought this magazine a while back, I was swayed by the cupcakes on the front and the gorgeous wool included in the pack and the purple metallic hook, etc, etc. The afore mentioned things are lovely and I have begun to create a culinary masterpiece, but it was almost the price of a craft book and there are only one or two projects that I feel are worth making. No, no, I hear you all cry in outrage, a bit of a let down I would say. That's the problem when you are easily swayed by gorgeous coloured things in little bags on the front of magazines. I am a retailers dream and fall for it everytime.


On the subject of books, I have gone a slightly mad on ebay and Amazon, but I am only human and have been out in the sun too long. At least that is what I tell the man person! I will share when they arrive, promise. I am also eagerly awaiting my swap goodies. In the meantime, it is the pool followed by the apple tree, followed by the pool and so on and so on......

Bye for now Dev X

So Soothing

Crochet, so soothing for the soul, the rhythmic weaving in and out, catching the yarn on the other side and gently pulling through. So theraputic. It has been a peaceful weekend at the Fairyglade with much hooking and sewing filling the hours. I sat in the conservatory last night crocheting row after row after row. Would you believe that the birds were still singing at a quarter to 10. It was dark by 10 pm and still I sat there, comfortable in my chair with wool and hook. Sheer bliss.

Remember these?

Well these are the finished items. Soft and warm and cosy and scrumptious! I can't decide which one I like the best...which do you think?

I managed to pick up a pale pink jumper from the charity shop and spent this morning sewing them together. Job well I done I feel.

I have been meaning to have a go at Lucy's Summer Garden granny squares, just one, to see if I can follow the pattern you understand... Well, needless to say, they are totally addictive.........

One thing that I have decided to do, (and would recommend), is to weave in all the ends on each square as I go. Past experience has taught me that this is a very tedious process if left until the end of a project!!

I desperately need some new cushion covers for the furniture in my conservatory and these will be just perfect. All the colours of the rainbow just like the flowers in the garden. Summer Garden Granny's, exactly what it says on the pattern!

Turning my thoughts to up and coming birthdays and dare I say the "C" word! Sorry girls, but we are already half way though the year and the days are just hurtling by. So, as I was saying...I am so loving the pattern that I use for my dishcloths, I wondered to myself, (like you do) whether it would translate well into wool? Well, what can I say, it is lovely. So off to the wool shop for 100% wool, just perfect for warmth and softness against the skin.

I put the flower there just to see, and I like it, so will make one for each end.

This evening I will get on with one of my projects for the swap that I am taking part in. I cannot show you what I am working on at present for obvious reasons. However, I have been working on it in between all the other things that have made my weekend so wonderful. I feel totally relaxed and am now going for a nice warm bubbly bath. The perfect end to a perfect two days. I hope that you have all had a great weekend too.

I leave you with a picture of some of the beautiful and very fragrant roses that are blooming in my garden at the momet...pity you can't smell them as well, they are absolutely divine.

Dev X

Who Will Buy My Wares!

Well not many people actually! It was a shame really as the weather was nice, the tea was hot and the cakes were truly scrumptious, but sadly, it had been very poorly advertised..by that I mean, word of mouth at best.

All that work for a very small return, and in actual fact, by the time I had made a donation, I was actually out of pocket! However, it raised much needed funds for the church and a good time was had by those of us that were there.

I have decided to take part in a new cosy crochet & knitting swap organised by Melanie. I am a bit nervous as it involves something other than dishcloths and garlands. You can hardly call a dishcloth, cosy! My crochet skills will be tested as I try to find patterns simple enough for me to follow, and I don't want to let my eventual partner down. If anyone is interested then stop by her blog and put your name down. You have until 15 June.

Dev X

Busy, Busy Part 2

I have just realised how long it has been since I last posted and wondering where the time has gone. I haven't been anywhere in particular, I haven't been invaded by guests, the time just seems to have passed me by without me realising it.

I haven't been idle though. I mentioned in my last post that I have been asked to provide some crocheted goodies for a friend's coffee morning which is fast approaching..well in fact it is hurtling towards me aaargggh! This coming Saturday to be precise.

So what have I been making?....mmmm....well let's see shall we....

Brooches...pretty brooches

Gorgeous garlands......

Delicious dishcloths.......

fancy face cloths.....

Handbag charms...

Finally, scissor charms......

So, I guess all in all, I have put my time to good use haven't I?

In between times, I have been to the cinema to see Coraline in 3D which was amazing. Star Trek which is a must for all trekkie fans, and last night the littlest fairy and I watched Twilight together on DVD. Full of teenage angst, pouting lips and piercing stares. Great stuff!

Busy, Busy busy!

Hi there, and what a productive week it has been here at the Fairyglade. I have been busy, busy with more crochet and trying to decide what my next project might be?

The ripple is always going to be one of my favourites I think. This is my second cushion front. I still haven't decided about the backing yet, mainly because I don't have a jumper to felt and can't seem to find one in the charity shops in the right colour. It goes without saying that it has to be a shade of pink or possibly lilac.

I have also been playing with flowers and have been asked to make some things for a church coffee morning. I have one or two ideas in the pipeline and have a germ of an idea to maybe open an online shop one day. It is hard to commit at present because I am a bit lazy sometimes and I wouldn't want to let people down. I tend to craft when I feel like it and possible deadlines always make me nervous. Then of course I have make things that people want to buy in the first place....mmm...then there is the dilemma over prices/ postage and packing etc...we shall see.

These flowers actually look rather good up against the ripple don't you think? I wasn't sure to start with as I thought it might make it a bit busy, but now I am not so sure, I rather like them. What do you think...too much or too gorgeous!?

I like the idea of adding beads and baubles to make pretty brooches.

I can also feel another garland coming on................. yippee!

Bye for now. Dev X