Addicted to pinning?

Is anyone else out there suffering from Pinterest addiction? I have just realised how dangerous joining this site actually is. It has already swallowed hours of my free time just browsing and oohing and ahhing at all the visual loveliness. I had heard that because the site is invite only it is difficult sometimes to get an account but the blogging world is full of kindness and Cristian Monroy offered me an invite. Does anyone else need an invite as I want to pay the kindness forward? If you are looking for a Pinterest invite then leave me a comment letting me know what you would pin on your boards and I'll pass out some invites x

Looking at my photos from last month I realised that January can be beautiful too...

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!