Reasons to be Cheerful (and other stuff)

Ok, this will be a massive post with a large variety of photos so hang on to your hats!

It's been an incredibly emotional week-Myf has finished her very last day at Primary School so they had a Leavers Prom

And a final School Assembly with Awards (linking the kids to famous names-mostly sports stars and singers but a few awesome ones) with Myf receiving 'Charles Darwin

She's having a lot of problems with her father at the moment but has been very strong in standing up for herself and telling him how she feels-it's going to be unpleasant for a while but hopefully it will settle down soon.

I finished my commision blanket in record time-the lady has asked me to post it to her when I get back from London.  I've sent her a photo and she loves it (phew!)

I've had a birthday as well-Myf spoiled me thoroughly and Rascal also wanted to get me something special-he brought me a dead bat :-(  Certainly never had one of those before!

I'm helping out the wonderful SIBOL with some blankets they've received that are a bit too small to use-

I'm taking a couple with me to work on-I'm playing with half squares for one of them that will make it about 40" wide, a little larger than standard but I'm hoping Sue won't mind!

My Dad had his 64th birthday a couple of days ago and he doesn't like presents being bought for him so instead I have made him this-

One of my earliest memories is when I was 6, helping my Dad build a barbeque in the back garden when a female stag beetle grabbed on to my toe-Dad managed to gently get her off and then spent ages teaching me about these gorgeous insects :-)  My Dad is also a huge Beatles fan so this seemed appropriate for when he's 64!

I couldn't find a pattern anywhere so I looked up a google image and went from there-the antlers should have been much larger as I wanted to make a male stag beetle but she's wonderful I think and I hope he likes it!

We'll be away for 10 days so I hope you all have sunshine and happy days :-)  Much love!

2012 In Crafting and Crochet (lots of photos)

Last year I did only a handful of posts-most of which were blankets :-)  This year has been so crafty for me-there's been blankets-

There's been a new camera so much better pictures of more blankets!

There's been an attempt at an amigurumi bear

Crochet cosiness in the form of hats, scarves and hot water bottle covers

 Ponchos too!

There's been a little bit of pyrography

A few banners :-)

Games and gifts :-)

I wonder if I can top this in 2013!  It's going to be fun finding out :-)

Attempting to make a Teddy Bear....

Last Christmas, one of my lovely sisters bought me this book-

I admit to being a little nervous about trying it as I'm not very confident following patterns but one of my nieces has been very unwell and now that she's home and recovering, I wanted to make her a little present.  So I used the pattern for one of the teddies on the front cover and managed to make this...

Sadly, I didn't stuff the head enough and it came out a bit wonky :-(  As a first attempt I think it's not too bad although I'd love to know how exactly you can stitch these things together without going completely mental!  The book is lovely but I found it difficult to follow-it presumes a lot of knowledge but I do like how the patterns are laid out.  I think I need a lot of practise-maybe I'll be brave enough to attempt another amigurumi toy for my nephew or one of my niece's next birthdays.