Just how are you supposed to concentrate on writing patterns when the new Harry Potter book keeps leaping into your hands yelling "Read Me!"?
No, this isn't something you do to stop people contacting you, at least, not in crochet terms.
When you crochet a piece it all curls up. When working with acrylic, the easiest thing to do is to lightly iron it between two damp cloths. However, when working with cotton there is a much better way. Blocking.
As most of what I do is with small pieces, I use a small cork notice board with some kitchen towel laid over it. I just run the piece under the cold tap, squeeze it out then pin it in shape. Make sure your pins are rust proof! As the cotton dries it tightens a little. This pulls the piece into shape around the pins. Basically, you are ironing it without an iron, which flattens it and spoils the effect.
When working with larger pieces, it is easier to pin it into shape first, then use a spray gun to dampen it.
Happy Blocking!
When the last book came out there was a "discussion" with my dearest about who was going to read it first. So I went and bought it and hid it! By the time he realised what I had done, I was part way through it so he had to wait.
I had an email through from Tesco about this one, asking if I wanted to preorder it. So the "discussion" revolved around who was paying for it and who was going to read it first. We agreed that whoever paid for it, read it first.
Well, he didn't get around to doing anything about it, so I did. This meant it came with the postlady on Saturday morning and I get to read it first!
Of course, as soon as Benjamin saw it, he wanted to read it. You should have seen his face when I told him he had no chance!
"I am first, then Dad."
"What if Dad wants to read it first?"
"Then he can pay me for it!"
"Dad has to buy the book off you if he wants to read it?"
"No, only if he wants to read it first."
"Can I buy it off you?"
"No!"
Poor Deprived Child! Does JKR realise what she has done?????
It seems I have caused quite a stir on UK Scrappers and everybody is talking about either getting their dusty hooks out or learning to crochet.
I have been updating my lists down the side of the blog to include some crochet sites and lists. I run an msn group, Cwm Enfys Crochet, which has UK tutorials, lots of hints and tips (including "translating from US terms") and loads of free patterns. It also has a link library with even more free patterns.
If you are going to learn, I suggest you start with a 4.50mm hook and some DK yarn. This will be a bit loose but will make it easier to see the "holes" where the hook goes. The important thing to remember is that there isn't a right way to hold the hook and yarn. its what ever feels comfortable for you. Also remember, that it takes time and practise. Don't expect to pick it up straight away and have it looking perfect. And don't rush things. I saw a layout in a magazine with a crocheted chain and silk flowers, it looked great. So just practise a chain at first until you get some even stitches, then try working some stitches into it.
And for inspiration visit Crochet.Nu
I went to my monthly Craft Club last night. Its held on the 3rd Thursday evening of each month. We have talks about various crafts, often with "hands on" demonstrations.
Last night we made fabric beads using a heat gun. After making one small one, I asked if they could be cut and, when I found out they could, mades another 3 long ones! I can just see these being crocheted into a very original choker and earring set.
I haven't done much in the way of new things this week. I have been too busy filling orders. I know thats a good thing really but I like the challenge of something new. When I have made it once it gets a bit boring. However, needs must! As I am not selling very many patterns lately, it looks like making scrapbooking motifs will fill the gap for a while.
Yesterday I decided to make a whole load of chains to add to my site. I have seen some LOs in mags that have used silk flowers with crocheted chains and they looked really good. So I thought it might be an idea so make some to sell. While I was taking the pics for the site, I thought it would make a terrific background paper. What do you think?
As usual, you can download it here.
I am always looking for suggestions for what to make, so if you have any ideas of what you would like to see please leave a comment.
I would love to feature on here some of the layouts you have made using my crocheted embellishments whether they are digi or "real". Please either send me your layout or a link I can download it from.
Here is another free offering. Digi crocheted Dreamcatchers. As usual you can download them here.
Oooh! I love it. I don't know what the 350D was capable of but the 400D has built in filters. I vaugely rememebr playing with these when I did photograpy classes a long time ago at night school. 
Basically, when using b/w film, filters make certain items stand out more by taking the colour out of them and turning them whiter. For instance, if you want to take pictures of daffodils, use a yellow filter.
I have taken 3 pictures of the same scene to show the effects. The first is colour. The second is with the red filter. Look how the poppies stand out. And the third is with the yellow filter. The poppies are hardly noticable with all those little yellow flowers.
It didn't start off too well. I had bad pmt which made me just want to cry all the time. I really hate it when that happens. Then my camera broke!
My Camera. A Canon EOS 300D. I use it all the time. I love taking pictures and I love scrapping them. I use it for when I am writing patterns both to show the various stages when there is something a little complicated and, of course for the finished item.
It would have been a big problem without the pmt as I use it all the time. With the pmt it was a major disaster only to be surpassed by by an E.L.E. (if you don't know what that is, watch "Deep Impact").
After some online research, it appears that the shutter is broken. It means sending it off to a Canon approved repairer to be fixed at a cost of £122.55 + vat + postage. My dearest said he would pay as I really don't have that kind of spare cash lying about.
So, on Wednesday, off I duly toddled to the PO. Followed by a trip to Tesco. While I was out, I got a text saying he had a surprise for me. As he was off all week, I assumed that he had been down the shed making me a new crochet hook to cheer me up. When I got home, I discovered a brand new EOS 400D!!!!!! His is also still paying to have the other one fixed.
So now I am a very Happy Bunny!
Here is a lovely layout by Debby using some of my crocheted flowers and a butterfly. I love the way she has intergrated them the other flowers and buttons.
I have finally finished changing 6 of the daisies into png files. Download them here.
Working on the butterflies next. I have to admit, I much rather crochet them than convert them to digi!
I just couldn't resist!
A farmer friend of Marks is always going on about the Welsh and sheep. Doesn't he realise that there are a lot more sheep in England than Wales?
So I made him this delightful little willy warmer. If anybody else wants to make one, the free pattern is on Rainbow Valley.
This is the layout I did for the weekly team challenge. I love Benjamin when he is sleeping. Have to be honest though, at the moment I am not so fond of him when he is awake. He just seems to be going through yet another of his "How much trouble can I get myself into?" phases.
The background is a photo I took a few weeks ago of the moon. It was so bright that I couldn't resist. The neighbours must have thought I was loopy, hanging out of the bedroom window to take it. Mark says they should be used to me by now.
The Stars are part of another set of crocheted embellishments I am working on, although, these actual pictures come from the earrings pattern I did some time ago. You can download the free digi versions here.
Monday again! Is it me or is time seeming to speed up? At least the sun is shining this morning.
Nothing exciting happened this weekend, apart from Lewis Hamilton managing to get on the podium yet again. Not that I am a big F1 fan but as my Dearest watches it I tend to as well. At least I understand a little more of what goes on now as he answers all my questions.
I spent most of the weekend crocheting Dreamcatchers for Scrapping. Unfortunately, they are not ready to be photographed yet as I still need to ad beads to the small ones and feathers to them all. However, the Rainbows are all done. And I have done a digi version of the large thread Rainbow.
