Busy bee

Yesterday I started out on this lovely cardi from Stitch 'N Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker. I have already completed a full repeat of the pattern. I have only been grabbing 15 mins of hooky time during my breaks at work, I can't believe how quick it grows or how easy this pattern has turned out to be.

Really I should be working on my two blanket WIPs but I find it really hot working on blankets when the sun is shining.



I am also in the middle of attempting to make a dress for my workmate's wedding. I have chosen a stupidly complicated pattern for only my second proper (from a commercial pattern) dressmaking project. It has boning and a lace overlay and all sorts of headache inducing stuff. I have managed to borrow a dressmakers dummy from my mum's friend which has helped enormously. I have discovered that there is nothing harder than trying to fit a bodice to yourself! Only problem is I only have until September 3rd to get it done. I know how I'll be spending my next four days off work!

I have also treated myself for a lovely "just in case" dress from Phase Eight that I figured will be ok for the wedding dressed up with heels and jewellery but will also get lots of wear as a casual dress with sandals for what might remain of the summer...

Folksy Finds

adorable polymer clay mole

cute brooch

holga bottle opener

beautiful glass bunting

Crochet baby hat

Really enjoyed crocheting this baby beanie hat found on ravelry. The pattern can be found on The Dainty Daisy. Its the first (non-granny) chrochet pattern following I've attempted and after 1 failed attempt...

Mental note: wrong yarn + hook size = hat sized for a tennis ball!

I'm pretty happy with how it actually turned out.

I have a patten for a lovely cardi with shell stitch pannels and knitted rib cuffs and waistband in one of my crochet books but not quite sure I'm feeling brave enough for that just yet...

Pretty flowers

After the what has probably been the worst 4 day shift I have ever experienced at work I really needed some cheering up. Luckily yesterday was sunshiney and spring-like (albeit a bit chilly) so off we went to Dunham Massey for a wander around the gardens and a bit of afternoon tea. The Winter Garden is looking so lovely right now with all the pretty spring flowers coming up.

On a roll

I really seem to be on a roll with digi crafting at the moment. I recently made my first all digi greetings card - a new home card for a friend who just moved. My digi scapping is progressing in leaps and bounds right now, I even found myself hunting out a tutorial to teach me how to create a torn paper edge. If you too have the need to make your own digi torn paper the really helpful tutorial I used is here. The kit I used for my layout was from The Daily Digi, their monthy kits are huge and great value for money. I love the cartoony style of this particular section of the kit, especially those dotty clouds!

Christmas Crafting

I found this rather adorable reindeer pattern while blog hopping ages ago. It has been on my "things to do" pile for far too long so I finally made a start on a little christmas embroidery. So far so good, though I think I need a little more practice at embroidering in straight lines as he has rather wobbly legs!

Check out Andrea Zuill's blog for lots of fantastic free patterns and her Etsy for some of the most adorable prints. The goldfish print is definitely going on my christmas wish list, so sweet x

Off to look for some inspiration for handmade christmas gifts now, any ideas?

Digi scrapping

As a birthday present to me I treated myself to the Now We're Rockin' with Photoshop class over at Jessica Sprague. I actually managed to complete all the lessons during the 4 weeks which is a first for me, I rarely complete online classes and never within the class timeframe. I really enjoyed the lessons, was impressed with the new skills I was learning and pleased with the finished layouts, all of which helped motivate me to finish the class. I am tempted to join the next session of Digi in Deep to add to my new found Photoshop skills and am also keeping my eyes peeled for the next pen tablet class as I am still getting to grips with mine and really don't think I have found out its true potential yet. Anyway here are a couple of the layouts from the lessons...