Onwards and onwards!

When WILL I learn to act my age? Seriously - I worked most of my life (had time off when the kids were little as there was no way I could work with young kids in those days) but even now in my dotage I'm still pushing myself to 'do' stuff!!!! Perhaps I should invest in another BC? Perhaps BC4? A fourth BC MAY keep me grounded and NOT setting myself constant targets. Any thoughts?

If I did I maybe able to stop this incessant 'need' to have an aim in life. I can't 'just' make one thing - I HAVE to make lots!!!!

I've still got this obsession with the bags made out of the Japanese prints. The first one (below) is a medium sized bag and it's gorgeous. The other pictures show a dark blue bag. Actually not 'bag' but bags!!! There is one large blue and a baby one too. I've fallen in love with 'baby' bags.  See those dragons?  Beware of dragons!!!!

Oh, Ann, there are still more to come!!!

Another sewing 'stint'

This time I've made these two. There is still a bit more fabric left with a LOT of one type which I'll show you another day. I maybe able to make three with that design.

More bags

Yes, I'm happily stuck in 'bag making mode' at the moment. 

These are lovely to make mainly because of the truly delightful Japanese style fabrics. They're stunning. They're also inspiring me to sew, sew, sew.

The sizes are variable according to the fabric I've got which makes it even more interesting. I have a 'cutting out' session, then a 'sewing session' and try to complete bag before starting on the next temptation. Here are two I made over the weekend.

Crinoline Lady

On Sunday I spent ages trying to get poor old BC3 to sort out the TIAS on the server and tidy stuff up on this blog too. You will see that I've removed the TIAS from the side of this blog and added just a simple link to the TIAS blog where all the recent games are now to be found. I've moved all the TIAS links to another part of the server to make it easier for next year's game - well, for me, anyway!!!

I've also finally got the Crinoline Lady sorted and on the site too. Here's the link

You will see that I've added Barbara and Andrea's additions to the lady - with their permission, obviously.  Here is the pictorial umbrella from Barbara too (below).

Feeling good

At the tender age of 103 I'm feeling good. 

NO, I'm teasing. Actually I'm talking about the 103rd TIAS lady who arrived from Bed in The Netherlands on Saturday. Here's the link along with a subtle hint to send in any that haven't been sent in yet!!!! 

Well, not so much a hint as a 'nag'!!!!

You may have noticed a slight change to the front of my blog - more tomorrow on that!!!

A Herd of Seahorses

Now this is a collection of seahorses - I didn't make them, though. They were made by Liz for a project over the other side of Australia from where she lives!!! Aren't they gorgeous? 

Liz sent them to me some time ago but I keep forgetting to put them on my blog. Here's what she says.

"Here is what I will be sending for the Reef project in Exmouth, West. Aust.

I have not straightened up the small ones – Christie says she thinks she might have to stiffen them – so she can do that!!

I learned a lot- I had not done any beading before, and especially stringing the fin beads in the little ones – Grr!!

I omitted the beads within the seahorses – where one row of rings joins the next row. I just did plain, simple joins, but did the beads around the edge. They were fun to do, - and should look Ok in the Reef the Community is making.

Thank you for the patterns. You write them out so they are easy to follow. You can see how my tension differs, by the way some curl up more than others!! -- Well, - shows they are hand made!!!!!!!

Hugs, Liz.

There's always something SO warming when you see your patterns made by others. Sort of makes the hours of 'blood, sweat and tears' (well, not quite!) all seem worthwhile when you've long forgotten about old patterns.

Another change of scenery!

Yesterday I decided to tackle another task which I've been wanting to 'play' with for a while. It was this or another 'session' digging dandelions out of the garden!!!!

I have a good friend who sews so very, very beautifully. She's had a bad time lately with life in an utter upheaval and while I was visiting her she suddenly asked if I wanted any fabric. Well, you know me and my love of bags - craft bags in particular. I obviously said 'yes please' so she gave me an assortment of Japanese themed fabric. 

They are absolutely GORGEOUS but no use for the small craft bags as the prints are too large. So, decisions, decisions. I decided the best use would be for shopping/tote bags. Simple ones with a largish gusset in the bottom and not too long straps. The sort you can put things in at the supermarket and then lift EASILY out of the trolley into the car or just use around the home to 'put things in'!!!!

Here are the first two.

Another WIP finished!

Well here it is in all it's finished glory. I really like this rather simple little mat and will definitely be making more sometime in the future. 

I really am not doing much tatting lately so there maybe 'dark' days on here while I get to grips with the garden and do other things. I'll also be sewing too and have a large crochet project 'on the go' as well. 

Don't panic - I am tatting but not designing much at the moment. I've fallen out with designing since I got into troublesome waters last year. I 'need' to get back in the mood sometime but not yet. I'm enjoying doing 'other stuff' at the moment.

Leftovers

I can't bear to waste anything and so when I'd got some yarn leftover from the Mochila bag I had to find something to use it up.

I found this pattern online and it just had to be the 'one'. What I liked about this pattern was the clear pdf file plus the videos that went along with it too. 

I had to buy some flesh coloured yarn but that was all.  I must say I do love doing Amigurumi crochet.  Very satisfying.

I'm on a roll!

Rather like Diane and her ice drops I think I'm on a roll with these. I don't know how long it'll last although I do have 25 of the rings all told. Now, one went on the bracelet and four (so far) on these dangles. Wonder how many more I'll make before I 'need' to do something else?

Another 'go'.

First of all - please take a quick look at the TIAS blog.  I've added number 102 from Ann-Sofie to it.

Well this one may look the same as Monday's but I assure you it isn't!!! I've amended the stitch count and now this little motif in the centre sits snugly where it should. I've also eliminated the beads which sat right next to the ring and that's helped enormously too. 

Now to raid my stash of threads and play with colours. No idea why I'm making these but maybe (if I can still find them!) they'll be my next Christmas giveaways. 

My next 'task' is to also devise a pattern without the ring which 'should' be relatively simple but I you know that saying - 'the best laid plans of mice and men'!!!!  We'll see!!!

Dora strikes again

Now this is the start of a sweet little motif on page 25 of the Dora Young book. I really like the pure simplicity of this one.

I'm very, very tempted to return and make another of these although I've already done two!!!! Just love the challenge now that I've got my own notes on 'how to'!!! I think Heidi maybe using some of the notes in the re-print which will (hopefully) save many from suffering the 'brain ache' that I did when trying to work it out!!! Mind, BC3 can be VERY useful sometimes. Well, when he's not sulking!!!

Anybody want this?

There's a dear little town near us (well, about 8 miles away) called Alcester. I went to my secondary school there - the grammar school, not that I was really grammar school material. I was definitely NOT clever. Anyway, I survived and so, incidentally, did the school!!!  I think I spent more time sitting outside the headmaster's office than I did in classes sometimes!!!

On a Friday afternoon a neighbour and I go to Alcester library for Crafternoon. There are around 6 to 9 of us who meet, chat, laugh and do different crafts. The session starts at 1.30 but Louise and I go a lot earlier so we can browse the lovely shops (mainly small and privately owned) and have lunch. 

Our main 'shops of interest' are the charity shops and we sometimes find the odd bargain which simply HAS to be bought!!! Last Friday I found this book in an excellent condition in one of the charity shops. Believe it or not - I bought this with my pocket money when I was in my early teens so I have a copy. I 'had' to buy this one as I'm always frightened that a shop may throw it in the rubbish. So, what I really want to know is - does anybody want to give it a good home? I'll charge what I paid for it - £2.00 plus postage which I'd have to work out according to where the person lives.

Of course, if you happen to live in Canada I could always take it with me to the Fringe Element tat days and give it to you there.  

Another idea for the rings

Now I know you'll remember this necklace that I got from a charity shop and the bracelet that I made with just one of the 25 rings which is here well I got fed up with the bracelet idea so I decided to try another one.

This is really a trial of the idea below. I'm not happy with the stitch count on the central motif so it will have to be done again. Also I didn't like the tiny beads added to that motif when the outer part was joined to it and the ring. So, some minor adjustments will keep me busy next time I tackle it!!!

Finally and finally!!!

I've finished my Mochila bag. 

About halfway through I was already planning another one. Now I've finished this one I'm not sure. It's been one HECK of a learning curve and I'm not really happy with the finished item. I'm going to take a 'rain check' on whether I do another or not. 

Meanwhile the crochet 'bug' is still with me but I really need another idea or inspiration. All suggestions are welcome!!

Black bracelet

Do you remember this necklace that I vandalised? 

Well it gave me a HARD time when I wanted to dismantle it!!!! I sat and cussed on the floor wriggling the pliers (two pairs) backwards and forwards. Must compliment Marks and Spencer's for a well made item!!!!

I finally got it apart and then set out to try and decide what to do with it!!! Below is the first result. Sadly the photographs of my ancient wrist wearing it didn't come out too well. You can see from the background that it was a wet, wet and grey, grey day. I've no idea what I'm going to do with this so if anybody wants it they're very welcome. It's pretty sparkly but sort of elegant too. As you can imagine - I don't 'do' elegant!!!!

I have ideas for the other 24 metal rings so watch this space!!!!

Another pattern done.

I thought it was about time I showed you the other pattern I've submitted to the Fringe for their Tat Days in September. 

This started out as another idea but ended up like this!!! I'm quite pleased with it and will share it on my pattern site when I get back home in October. Well, I will if I remember!!!

Mochila progress

Now you would think that using colours like these you'd automatically know which ones go where as you progress.   Well, most people would but I had to take out around 3  rows as some of the second (brown edged) diamonds were not brown but were green on the edges!!!  Least it was only 3 rows or so but boy, did BC3 get into trouble!!!!

I did it - I'm 100

No, you daft moos. Not 100 years old although I've felt like it this past week. 

What I mean is we've reached 100 Crinoline Lady TIAS's finished and on the TIAS blog. Thanks everybody - I'm truly delighted.

I'd still welcome more and my next 'me' target is 110!! Well you've got to have aspirations, haven't you?

Today's the day and this is the reason!

Later today I'm going to let the Pop A Bobbin Shuttles go 'live' in my Etsy shop which is here. The reason for this is because our local Post Office opens on a Sunday so I can get them on their way that day. Tomorrow (Saturday) the Post Office stops sending parcels out at 12 noon so I may get a few on their way before then.  It's lovely and quiet this time of the year in the Post Office - particularly on a Sunday. It's not far from 'THE' Birthplace so it does tend to get very crowded each week day.

Also in the Etsy shop is a large selection of button brooches, a few butterfly pins and some bags which are very useful for tatting supplies. 

I've added these as they're small articles to add to the packet if you should so wish. They're bright and (I think) beautiful and I've added a few 'taster' pictures below for you to see.

A new necklace

Well it was a new one when I bought it from a charity shop. It's a Marks and Spencer's Per Una one and I got it for almost £4. It's drop dead UGLY but the rings are really solid. The construction of the necklace was really well done with very good metal used.

I've taken it apart (it was a heck of a struggle) and now have to decide what to do with the 25 rings I've salvaged!!! I've got an idea but I'm waiting for BC3 to decide what he thinks is best.

More Mochila

Finally progress but it's not been plain sailing at all!!!! 

I'm pretty pleased with it now, though. It's sloooooow work as the tension of the 'hidden' threads has to be adjusted every few stitches but that's fine.

More shuttles and more

Well I'm in a strange 'mood' at the moment!  Sort of down in the dumps. I spent a lot of time yesterday taking proper photos of the brooches I've been making and packaging them. When I'd finished I got so down as they didn't look as good as I imagined they should. DARN IT - I know what's wrong - I should've used REAL diamonds instead of beads.  

Anyway, I'm going to take BC3 in hand and get him through these dumps and will list some of them in the Etsy shop. I'm hoping to have the pins I've made ready for listing too. Butterfly pins. They look (like the brooches) fantastic in real life but I'm not sure how they'll look when I've taken photos. 

Oh, I've also got a lot of Pop A Bobbin Shuttles to put in the Etsy shop too. Below is a list of what I've got.

2 EBONY £22.50

3 COCOBOLO ROSEWOOD £20.50 

3 ZEBRANO £20.00 

2 PURPLE HEART £20.00 

1 PURPLE HEART £20.00 without a hook

3 SPALTED BEECH £18.00

1 APPLE £18.00

2 CHERRY £18.00

2 OREGON MYRTLE £18.00

3 AMERICAN BLACK WALNUT £18.00