Birthday presents for Mum

I was racking my brain trying to come up with an idea for Mum's birthday present and I turned to the copy of 'Cute and Easy Crochet' on my shelf.  It had a very simple pattern for a circular cushion cover and, as I happened to have a small circular cushion laying around, I decided to give it a go!  The pattern was basically a stripy circle, very easy to do and when I'd got it to the size I wanted, I thought it would be nice to add some embellishment to the front.  So I turned to my very much loved 'Crochet Bouquet' book for some compound leaves and simple flowers.  The leaves were perfect but halfway through making the flowers, I decided the shape was wrong so I improvised a more circular look.  Stitched everything on and crocheted the cushion pad in (it's non removable once it's done) and then thought hmmm...hope Mum's mind doesn't go to the same place that mine does!

They do NOT look like booby flowers, ok!?!

On the reverse...

Hope she likes it!

Myf has been working incredibly hard this weekend on presents for her 'Moogie' as well.  She has a few crafty books all her own and she wanted to knit her a little purse.  Unfortunately, the instructions were a little confusing and I can't knit at all (Myf used to know how but it's been a few years) so instead I crocheted a small strip for her and she stitched it together, added a button and then went to her new jewellery making book that an auntie gave her for her birthday.  She chose to make a bracelet with wire wrapped beads-aside from cutting the wire for her and making the fastening, she made the rest entirely herself.  She then made a silver one for me and a little one for herself that I'm going to take photos of to put up tomorrow as they're wonderful!

Back to another book to look at some card making techniques and she chose one involving stitching with wool-

And we're done!  Still got to finish up another project that despite its small size is taking forever!  My poor sister must be bursting with the suspense...:-( Sorry darling, I promise it'll be finished soon!

Crafty plans for 2013

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I'm feeling very optimistic about this year-there's so many projects I want to do and gifts I want to make so I figure I need to make a list!  So here it is-my 2013 to-do list :-)

The sofas we have have been scratched up a lot by the cat and the cushion covers are falling apart so they need some work-

Arm rest covers (4)
Cushion covers (4)

I'm going to be seeding some herbs in the spring but the pots tend to look messy

Crochet plant pot covers

Myf has a lot of pencils and pens that I keep 'tidying' into jars

Jam jar covers!

Christmas 2012 was completely handcrafted giftwise and I'm hoping to do the same again for Christmas 2013!  Hopefully, I can start a little earlier this year :-)

HANDCRAFTED CHRISTMAS!


I have some ideas for Pagan crochet projects-which I want to start exploring this year

Tarot bags
Elemental candle holders
Goddess/God dolls


I'm working on a donation for the amazing SIBOL project and I'm looking for more crochet causes to donate to-I love making blankets and I'm going to donate at least one to SIBOL this year and at least one to another charity.  Any suggestions for UK based charities that accept blankets?  I'd like to be able to donate to the US and other places but frankly with the cost of postage, I can't manage it!

It's not a very big list but I may add more as I think of them!  So excited already :-)

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 :-)

Cushions and covers :-)

My sisters and I were planning to do a gift exchange in September/October but we all had a lot going on, especially in the run up to Christmas!  So Thea suggested adding them to the Yule presents-which was a relief as I'd had trouble thinking of useful things to make (Useful household things was the theme I think)
The main items I made were cushion covers-yet another excuse to play with granny squares but how can I refuse when there's so much a granny square can do?
Thea's cushion cover:

Side 1

Side 2

I've been having fun playing with diagonal squares

Not sure what to call it when you change colour along the diagonal?  I like the different combinations and effects you can make with them :-)

For Jess

Side 1

Side 2

Side 2 is completely diagonal squares arranged to form a pattern that reminds me of an American Patchwork Quilt:-)

I'm no good with zips so I used buttons for closing

Hope they liked them!