Memory wire bracelet

It seems I'm going through a patch of crafter's block. It's not that I lack the creative ideas, I have a list as long as my arm of stuff I want to make, but I just don't fancy making any of it. I think I may be suffering from an overdose of textile crafts. I've been knitting and crocheting and sewing an awful lot lately and I've just had enough. So my rose jumper lies abandoned in a corner and the granny shawl has ground to a halt.

Jewellery has always been my biggest crafting love so in an attempt to fight the block and get inspired again, I've dug up a number of jewellery kits I'd bought from The Beadshop a little while back. Kits are a great way to learn new skills and they shouldn't require too much thinking, just what the doctor ordered!

First up is a project I've been eyeing for some time, a memory wire bracelet. The kit comes with everything you might need, bar the jewellery pliers.

The instructions were really simple so I was ready to start in no time. And within 30 minutes, I was finished. I can't believe how easy it is to make. It's literally just a question of making a loop in the wire, stringing the beads and then make a final loop to close it. A great project for selling at craft fairs as it's such a quick make. It does require a fair amount of beads though so it would be worth considering buying them in bulk or wholesale to reduce costs. Here's the finished product:

The cutest kitten on the block

My beloved Miss Marple turned 14 today. She may be a mature lady now but she was once a very cute, mischievous kitten.

I thought today would be a good day to scan in a few rare images of Miss Marple the day she came to live with me. How could I possibly resist that little face?

Look at that little face! the cutest kitten on the block!

She wasted no time making herself at home

She seduced my dad in a few seconds flat despite him being very much againt having a pet at home

Yes, yes, that's me with the corn rows and sunburnt ears!

Baby quilt

You may remember that I had a bit of a fabric splurge the last time I was in London. Some of the fabrics I'd bought were with a baby quilt in mind for my best friend's little boy, born at the end of February in Quebec.

Based on the pictures I'd seen of it on Facebook, I knew the nursery was decorated in subtle tones which is what led me when choosing the colour scheme.

I debated for some time which size quilt to make and which pattern to use. The size was decided on with the help of the mums in my craft club. Apparently, a small quilt is quite handy when out with a pram so I went for 65cm by 90cm. I then made a few drawings but eventually decided to go with the simple pattern we used to teach at the Make Lounge.

I made most of the quilt in an afternoon and finished it a few days later by hand stitching the yellow edges. Here's the finished result:

Baby knits - part 2

My latest baby knits have reached their destination safely so I can finally blog about them. 

Little Liam was born in Quebec at the end of February and I'd promised his mum I would handcraft him something with love. 

I came across this cute pattern by Sublime for a little motoring coat and matching hat and I just couldn't resist. 

I decided to knit it in Debbie Bliss Eco Baby, an organic cotton yarn. I had to fiddle somewhat to get the tension right but eventually found that by dropping 2 needle sizes I could get the right stitch count. This meant I had to go and buy size 2.5mm needles, as I only had double pointed ones in that size. I usually prefer knitting on wooden or bamboo needles but when knitting with very fine needles, I have now learnt that you're better off with metallic ones or, if you insist on wood, then go for circular ones. The straight bamboo needles were just too soft and ended up bending after the first few rows. With the circular needles, the needle part is that much shorter that it doesn't really have the opportunity to bend. 

This pattern is really easy but it's knitted in many individual parts so if like me, you don't particularly like stitching your knitting together, it's a bit of a bummer. I stayed up most of the night to finish the stitching, I just got so fed up with it, I had to get it out of the way! But the final result looked great. The yarn is really soft and the pebble colour gives it a bit of of a vintage feel. What do you think?

 Little Liam certainly seems to like it, even if it's still a few sizes too big for him!

It's Beltane!

Happy Beltane folks!

This is by far my favourite festival and my favourite time of the year. At Beltane we celebrate spring, the emergence of life, nature in bloom, love, passion and sensuality. In short, we celebrate all things that make life beautiful.

For a moment, I was worried that we'd have the wettest, coldest Beltane ever but the rain ceased and the sun came out right on cue.

As always, hubby and I attended the celebrations at the Goddess Hall last night. We had planned to go to the early morning celebrations in Chalice Wells this morning as well but a final downpour and a nasty cold made us decide to spend a bit of extra time under the duvet.

Here are a few pictures from this lovely weekend.

The beautiful Goddess temple dressed up in traditional red

At the Goddess hall, waiting for the celebrations to start...

The Beltane shawl I made a few weeks ago

Beltane is for everyone, young and old. How cute is this little one?

The Maypole being erected

Music and rhythm

The Maypole dance

Fire jumping

Another day, another Maypole. Chalice Wells this morning.

The decorated well head at Chalice Wells

The Beltane gathering in town this afternoon