Weekend

It has been one of those wonderful weekends with glorious weather and the bluest of blue skies. A weekend of pottering about doing a bit of this and a bit of that. No pressure, no urgent business, no real housework, just lazing around in the sunshine.

There was a nice parcel in the post on Saturday morning which set me up nicely for my one of my new projects. I am not really into acrylic wool, but this has been recommended by several bloggers and a fellow member of the craft club that I belong to. The colours are scrumptious and it is really, really soft and most importantly, it doesn't make that sqeaky sound on the crochet hook. You know the one I mean don't you......It is also a bargain at £1.50 for 100 grams!

I have loved this design for ages, it's called African Flowers in case you haven't seen it. There is an amazing flickr site with hundreds of projects using this design. Just google and have a look see. I wanted something summery in pastel shades and after a bit of playing, I came up with the above. I am going to call it my Isabel blanket. I am trying to "join as I go" as well as crocheting in all my ends. It is a bit new for me and I am a bit slow, but I think that once I get the hang of it proper it will save loads of time. I hate sewing in all the ends don't you?

Originally, I was going to use all the colours that arrived in the post, but to be honest it all looked a bit too busy. This was my third combination of colours and it sort of clicked. It won't be a huge blanket, just a lap quilt for those chilly evenings when it isn't quite cold enough to light the fire.

So now, I suppose I should give you the results of the giveaway. No magic hand this evening it was her night off, (the camera was being naughty). I decided that I would give both brooches away in the end. So without further ado........Congratulations to.....................

If you can let me know your addresses, I will endevour to get them in the post as soon as I can. Neither of you expressed a preference for the colour so in the order that they appeared in the photo on my last post, and the order I drew the names from the bowl, the lilac/pink one will go to Marqueta and the rust one to Kazzy. I can't say fairer than that. I do hope that you like them.

Dev x

My Second Giveaway

Hello there and a Happy Mother's Day to you all, I hope that you all received something nice from your little people. I woke to find this on the table.. She has recently opened a store in Canterbury, good news for me and the Littlest Fairy....not such good news for Mr Fairyglade though.

Would you like to see what was inside? Look at these amazing pretties. I am such a lucky Mummy am I not?

So here at the Fairyglade everything is bursting with colour and activity. The birds have gone into overdrive, prinking and preening and strutting around. Old nests are being renovated, particularly by the doves and new ones are being built by the wildies. I sat outside after breakfast, my new mug keeping my hands warm because it was a bit sharp to say the least. I could see my breathe! But it was so worth it. The doves were cooing, the robins trilling, the crows cawing, the magpies chattering, the woodpeckers drilling, oh so much noise, but so worth listening too. Nature's alarm clock I call it.

As for colour, the spring fairies have spun their magic and the daffodils are lighting up even the gloomiest of corners. Everywhere you turn there is a golden pool of colour.

I just can't get enough of the daffodilies and Mr Fairyglade has planted thousands upon thousands since we moved here.

Such hard back breaking work at the time, but so worth the rewards now. We have quite a few different varieties and some flower early and some a bit later, that way we can keep the colour going as long as possible.

Then there are the hyacinths that waft their sweet intoxicating perfume on every soft puff of breeze. The Fairglade is a beautiful place to be all year round, but particularly so in the spring.

On my last post I mentioned that I had picked up my knitting needles for the first time in a while. My fingers were literally itching to get hold of the needles. Do you know what I mean, it's that irresistable urge to do something, that I actually feel like my fingers are twitching. So I suppose you are wondering what I was up too or maybe you weren't and there was no one out there with an interest either way. I am going to show you anyway....

A trio of pretty brooches! Once I started, I couldn't stop. So do you like them? I hope someone does because I don't need three and I so I thought I might offer one as my next giveaway. You have a choice between the lilac bow or the rust/orange bow. I am keeping the dark pink one for moi.

You decide which one you would like and leave me a comment and I will pick a winner next Sunday 10th April around teatime.

Well, that's all for now folks. Looking forward to the new series of Lewis this evening. I feel a bit of crocheting might be in order as well, remember the itchy, twitchy fingers.............

Dev x

Christmas Crafting

I thought I would show you a few of our snowy pictures from last week. Sadly, it has all but gone for now, though there are still patches here and there on higher ground. I must confess to absolutely loving the stuff.

Man Person even went as far as making an igloo for the Littlest Fairy and Hector of course. He was very excited by the strange white stuff, but he felt the cold badly bless him. There were frequent trips indoors for him to thaw out and warm up.

How beautiful is that fir tree in my neighbours garden?

Following on from my previous post, there was much crafting taking place in the warmth of the kitchen, listening to the radio and sipping mugs of hot chocolate.

I bought this book months ago and want to make every single flower in it. But, being practical, and the fact that my present list is rather long, I decided on a few of the simpler designs to allow for maximum speed and wow factor. I have no doubt that many of you have a copy of it on your book shelves as well.

These mistletoe brooches are so cute and take a few minutes to crochet. In fact it took me longer to sew on the pearls and the brooch back. The original chart calls for a crochet berry, but I thought these beads made them extra special. I also had to back them with green felt as they were a bit floppy.

I have been wearing one to work and so many people have asked me where I bought it from. When I tell them that I made it, they don't believe me!

A few of them will make be used as stocking fillers and a secret santa or two that I have joined in with at work and at my sewing group. Who wouldn't be chuffed to receive one? I have made a few rose brooches as well but haven't managed to get a decent photo yet. I will post pictures next time.

Away from the book, I made this brooch a while ago using a Sarah London design. Check out her blog, it is truly fantastic.

I found this one a lot more fiddly to make up. The basic design is fine, but rolling it up into a rose took me a lot of go's, and it is not as pretty as Sarah's one, but I am happy to wear it nonetheless.

Well the weekend is fast approaching and we are off to find a Christmas tree and start wrapping up the goodies. Bye for now.

Dev x

Tilda (EDITED!!) Shop open for business!

Hi there, and for all you Tilda fans out there, have you seen Tone Finnangar's newly released book...no...well here's a sneaky preview to whet your appetite and have you rushing to log onto Amazon. I pre-ordered and received it a few days ago. If you are a fan then you won't be disappointed, every page is beautiful, every photo stunning and the designs....well here are a few snaps to be going on with.

Who wouldn't want to sit at that desk, designing and crafting?



Beautiful and instantly recognisable Tilda Angels....



Beautiful cupcakes...........


Adorable creatures.................

A bag just waiting to be made from fabulous materials.......


Sandcastle anyone?.................


A truly beautiful book.

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Now then, do you want to see what I have been up to over the last couple of days? Go on.........you know you want to.....drum roll please........

They still need cushion pads and backing, but I am so in love with these little jewelled grannies, there isn't a colour combination that I don't like. I just cannot stop looking at them!

Dev x

Edited --I just wanted to tell you that I have opened my shop for business, so if you have a moment, then please stop by. There is a link on the side bar. Thanks 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!