Care Instructions

I spotted these labels and  had the 'wantsies' very badly.  I ordered them from Leafcutter Designs and they arrived today.  I think they are very cute.  I just need to work on acquiring the woodstove.  If you follow the link you can read about some very interesting projects for environmentally friendly clothes.  Sadly the large majority of my clothes are mass produced.  If I could only wear hand made clothes I would look like a sack of rags as my sewing skills are non existent.  I made one skirt at school, many moons ago and it was not even wearable.  I used a rather nice herring bone tweed.   I miscalculated the waistband somehow and had great trouble sewing the 'darts'.  I also hit my finger a few times with the machine needle and that hurts.  My machine sewing days were over before they even began.

      I saw this photograph over at Paloma Textiles, I think I could rustle up this sassy little crochet number.  I have always had a secret yearning for a pair of Granny Square trousers.
      I also love the work of One Man Crochet, you should really check this blog out.  Matthew is obsessive about crochet, by his own confession.  He runs a social crochet group in Cardiff and used to teach crochet lessons.

I think you either love or hate this look, personally I love it and wish everybody dressed like this.  I am sure it would go down a bomb in my home town if I stepped out wearing a Crochet Ripple tunic with Granny Stripe trousers.  The odd flip flops and the yarn bombed staff do it for me too.
XXX

The Angel's of Crochet have been...Again!

Sometimes you just have to love 'cyberspace' and all it's little synchronicities.  I read this post here by Carol at Smile at the Flowers.  The Simply Crochet Magazine looked great and it had a page about Lucy at 'Attic 24'.  Lucy is a bit of crochet guru!  Well this magazine was proving to be elusive.  They sold like 'Hot Cakes'.  Even online there were no back copies available and it had completely sold out at the beginning of the Summer.  Carol left a comment on my blog wishing me luck finding a copy 'as they were like Hen's teeth to find'.  I have never found a Hen's tooth so I had given up.
        Last week I also read Linda's post 'A Day of Doorbell Ringing' over at 'Chalky's World' and I could relate to the excitement of the postie arriving with goodies.  I felt a little deflated though as I was expecting no goodies at all!  In fact I have been trying to sell stuff rather than order stuff, so I have been selling on Ebay for the first time.  Phew what a palaver it all seems to be.  Parceling up packages to send to other people is not nearly as exciting as receiving them.
          Yesterday the Postie arrived with a large envelope, I initially thought 'nope not for me'.  Then I thought  'It must be work related bumf or boring stuff'.  Well. . .The Angels of Crochet have been again!  Yippeee.  They arrived courtesy of my cyber buddy 'Wiggles, aka Julia' of 'Wigglesbears by Julia'.

Here is an example of one of  'Wigglesbears'
Cute eh?

I know many of you know Julia in 'Cyberspace' and without going into personal detail it is suffice to say she is an inspirational lady.  I think she an incredibly brave lady who has remained remarkably creative and positive in the face of extreme 'health' adversity.  I wish Julia well with her 'Crafty Business', I think she deserves the very best.
Do pop over and take a look at her website.  She makes beautiful handmade bears, animals and toys.  If you are looking for a unique, handmade gift for a 'special someone' you may just find what you are after over at Julia's.  She will be happy to discuss 'made to order gifts' to your specifications too.  You never can be too organised for December 25th!!!   I also thing it is brilliant to support each other in our crafts and 'Handmade' says so much more than 'mass produced'.  I have had some ridiculously cute 'Sock Monkey's' for my cousin's girls for Christmas last year.  They were very hard to pass on!

Here is an example of one of 'Wiggle's Sock Monkeys'
Who wouldn't want one of these?

             If you read yesterday's post you will understand I had a weekend of mixed fortunes and was feeling a bit down and stressed.  This surprise package really lifted my spirits!  I couldn't believe my luck.  Just what I wanted.  I did enjoy browsing the magazine at bedtime last night.  A big 'Thank you' to Julia...whose timing and kindness were spot on!
XXX

The Ninth Weave - Beautiful 'Hand Woven' Give Away

One of my Favourite Blogs / Blog buddies is having a 'Give Away'.  I have been following Sarah at Knits and Crosses since she started her blog and started to weave.  Her Blog never fails to put a smile on my face and I am quite literally in awe of Sarah's weaving and how quickly her skills have progresses.  I wish I had half the talent.  I can not believe how quickly Sarah creates beautiful scarves and fabrics.  She adapts ideas and experiments with her own ideas and I really think she is the most inspirational 'weaver' that I have encountered. Somehow she places a funky, contemporary style into her weaving projects and her enthusiasm is infectious.  It is a joy to follow her work.  Sarah does not run workshops (yet) but it would be a dream to meet up and work with her imparting her knowledge and passion for weaving.  I know she will probably be quite embarrassed by my compliments but seriously don't take my word for it, pop over and search some of her 'Woven Work', see for yourselves.
            Well, I was overjoyed that Sarah is having a very generous Give Away and offering one of her own hand woven scarves up for grabs.  This is not just any old woven scarf, it is a scarf quite literally with a fascinating little twist.

Now tell me you wouldn't love to own this beauty.  I know I would wear it with 'Panache'!  In my mind I can picture myself swishing around in it and I know because of its colours it would be a really versatile piece.    I wasn't going to tell you about it!  It would be mean not to share though wouldn't it?  If you would like a chance to win this scarf just leave Sarah a comment on the link above at 'Knits and Crosses'.  You can get entered twice if you are a 'Follower' of her blog and trust me on this one...it is a blog worth following!  Good  Luck!  Please don't gloat if you win...I will be sore about it!
                  Take a look at Sarah's Etsy Shop too, The Ninth Weave the shop looks beautiful at the moment with a 'Rainbow' of hand woven treasures to inspire you.  If you deserve a special treat for yourself or you are looking for a stunning 'One Off' handmade gift for someone, this could well be the shop for you.  My favourite piece selling in the shop at the moment is 'Jaipur' the scarf in the photograph at the beginning to this post.  It was hard to choose a favourite though.