Let there be light!

Here is my latest lantern. This one took a little working out, especial for how to get the light inside, but has come out well. Again, both photos are quite bad as the wiere taken with the Ixus under the stairs. Some stuff it does really well and I love the ISO 3200 setting but it is so noisy. When I take them for the pattern I will be using the DSLR and timed exposure. They should should come out much better.

The third photo is to show you the difference in size. I am planning a few more the smaller size and one more the larger size.

We spent Saturday in Ely. It was a bit stressful because I discovered that I only had one earring in part way through the morning. If it had been any but the pair I was wearing (Marks lovely anniversary pressie to me) I wouldn't have cared. We spent the rest of the morning retracing our steps but didn't find it. However, when I got home, there is was safe and sound on the sofa. My dear son had interrupted me in the middle of putting them on!!!!!

New shoes!

I have been looking at this pair of Sketchers trainers for what seems like forever! We go in the local shoe shop regularly. Benjamin goes through his shoes so fast. Every time we go in I look at them but never seem to have quite enough enough money for them. However, last time we went in to get school shoes, the Lady in the shop offered to put them away for me. So I tried them on and paid her a deposit.

I did regret it afterwards as my hours had just been cut and nearly £50 is a lot of money. My lovely red ones are wearing out. They are looking old and tatty and getting a bit thin on the soles, so I need new ones. I went and got them when I got paid this month. They are soooooo comfy. And I love that flowery lace.

Now this is a really rubbish photo. I took it under the stairs using the ISO3200 setting on the Ixus. On a lovely sunny day it is the only way to get a photo to show you. This is the first of the lanterns I have made, "Starburst". I have crocheted stars in to childrens wire bangles and them crocheted them together to make a ball. There are 11 motifs in all. This lantern is going to be one of the bigger ones, the others I have in mind will be totally different unless I do a "Snow Storm" one with snowflakes instead of stars.

Not to everybodys taste..

..and a few days late but here is the September desktop calendar. This is one of the turbines from the local windfarm. I managed to get right up close and shot some photos with the zoom lens. Not everybody likes them but I love them!

First Day at School

It doesn't seem all that long ago I was dressing him in a school uniform for the first time to go to Ysgol Sant Baruc in Barry. It was actually 7 years ago. This week he was all dressed up ready for his first day at Senior School.

He didn't like the feel of the collar but, after telling him it had to be done up, we finally got him sorted. Apart from the silly face, I quite like this picture. Now all I have to do is try to get into some sort of a routine! I know I wasn't going to mention the "C" word again but, when you design and make things for that particular season, you have to start early.

I had an order for a set of Christmas Tree decorations which I have been working on.

Unfortunately, I have run out of one colour I need and my supplier is also out of it. I ordered 3 different coloured balls from her about 10 days ago. Two arrived two days later but the one I REALLY need was out of stock. If it doesn't arrive at the beginning of the week I am going to have to phone and find out how long.

Hopefully, if it still isn't in, she will have some in smaller balls. It ends up costing more but will mean I get it quicker and can get the order done.

Of course, while I was making up the ones I do have the thread for, I kept thinking "There is an easier way of doing this" and have ended up re-vamping some of the pattern.

Silly really, as there wasn't anything wrong with the original way its just that the pattern was written over 3 years ago and my designing and pattern writing has evolved a bit since then.

I really ought to be working on new patterns, not revamping old ones, but I am having difficulty coming up with something different for this year.

I was thinking of lanterns. Now that you can get those LED battery powered tea lights, it would be perfectly safe to use lanterns made from cotton. They don't get hot and I used them last year in paper lanterns at the home with no problems what so ever.

Now to come up with some original and quirky designs. Maybe a Santa head? And a Christmas pudding? I am open to suggestions!

My 100th ATC

Yes, I received my 100th ATC in the post yesterday and it was from 10 year old Charlotte. And, whats more, its the first rainbow anybody has sent me! Thank you Charlotte for my lovely Rainbow ATC.

Here are some of the others I have had recently. They are not all from the ATC trail, some are from the monthly swap on UKS. I know I wasn't going to mention the "C word"+ again but while I was listing all those seasonal patterns on Etsy, I suddenly realised that I hadn't listed the Halloween ones.

This is one of my earlier patterns but it is one of my favourites. I remember taking the photos for it in a local park and getting funny looks as I was weeding around the rocks and re-arranging the leaves to look nice. I did try to go at a time when not so many people would be there. Now, I just don't care. If I get any comments I just tell them I am an artist at work and either they go away with a weird look on their face or stay and find out a bit more about what I am up to.

That C word

I know its early but........... I have started thinking about Christmas! The thing is, when you make stuff you have to start earlier. And, when you design stuff for other people to make you have to start even earlier!

Now, I promise not to mention the C word again until December! Well, I will try very hard not to anyway!

More about those ATCs

I love getting these ATCs through the post, even when I have paid for them. Its like Christmas all year round. Here are some of my new ones. Most of these have come from the ATC Trail on UKS. The duck one is from my lady at the care home.

She loves the postie coming as well so a big "Thank You" to all who have traded with her. And, I am pleased to say, I have a watcher on one of the ones I put on eBay. Now I know that doesn't mean to say that they will buy it but it still feels good. Debating about Etsy as well.

I need to add all my Christmas patterns to there very soon. People are going to start thinking of stuff to make for Christmas when the kids go back to school. This last lot of ATCs are from the fabric swap I took part in. Its great to see all the different styles.

ATCs or ACEOs?

This is all a bit confusing. I thought an ATC (Artist Trading Card) was for trading only but they are for sale on eBay. Apparently, if you call it an ACEO (Art Card, Edition or Original) you can sell it. And whats more, you can make lots of money. Some of them go for £100s!!!! Not being one to turn down an opportunity to make some money from something I enjoy doing, I have listed a few. In fact, I have listed all of these.

And all at 99p plus postage, although if somebody wants to pay £200+ for them, I am not going to complain. Now, I know this is really going to upset some people but I am still trading them with all the old rules. The best part of ATCs is getting a lovely surprise back in the post. I am having great fun on the "ATC Trail" on UKS. How could I possibly give that up?

And about those digi ones.... I have splashed out on some matt photo paper and am redoing them. I have also splashed out on a heat gun to redo them with. I got it on eBay, along with a few powders. All used but at less than £10 including postage, it was a bargain. The Lady at the Care Home is loving these ATCs as well. She will try anything and the fact that she is getting some gorgeous miniature works of art back, makes it even more fun.

We currently use a photo album to store them but, when she gets a few more, she is going to splash out on a ring binder and some 9-pocket pages. If anybody would like to trade with her, please use the "Ask me, I might" button on the left to email me. And now the bad news. After a lovely two weeks off work, I went back to find that my hours have been cut to 16 instead of 20.

Because of recent events they have had to cut all of the staff hours. Still, its better than no job at all. It means that basically I am going to have no spare cash - again" And just as I was getting used to having a bit to spend on myself. Another reason for listing these on eBay. £200+ for each would come in very useful! Actually, £5 each would come in useful.

One or two plans are going to have to wait, like being a sponsor on UKS. I am sure my crocheted scrapping stuff would sell if only I could get it advertised on there but I don't make enough to justify the expense at the moment and, with the cut in wages, I am not going to be able to afford it from those. Which brings me to another reason for listing on there - advertising. And when you list at 99p it is free, so it is free advertising.

So please, don't think too badly of me for trying to sell some. And if you want to trade, email me!

I shouldn't be here!

I should be doing about 50,000 other things.

But........

I really wanted to show you these. I really have this ATC bug - and I am loving it! I am hosting a Digi/Hybrid ATC swap on UKS and after some thought, decided to go away from the crochet theme and go for the A-Z instead. I was going to do some stamping on them and it was suggested that embossing looks great.

The problem is that I don't have the stuff required to emboss so the very nice lady who suggested it sent me some embossing powder in the post.

Now I am hooked!

The embossing didn't turn out as well as I had hoped but, after trying on on plain card and it working perfectly, I have decided it must be the photo paper that is at fault.

Now I had better go and do those 50,000 other things!

How Time Flies.

Is it really that long since I was last here???????????

I don't know where the time has gone.

Still, I have been busy, very busy.

First of all, I have been working on my A-Z. It sort of grew. Now it is an emormous scrapbook with a double layout for each letter. And it weighs a ton!!! I still haven't finished all the letters but I only have 2 more to think of, another 2 more that need to wait until the right time of year to finish and the final one will be X for Xmas lights. I may even get it published as I am being nagged to, but not sure about that.

I also have made a whole load of ATCs. These are not the ones I have made but some of the ones I have received in exchange. My small collection is growing. I joined an "ATC Trail" on UKS so now can take part in regular swaps whenever I want to, with no pressure if I am a bit busy.

And, of course, I have been crocheting. Well, to be exact, crotating. Its a form of tatting that is done with a crochet hook and combines crochet in with it. I have been working on some beaced crotat jewellery and some scrapping motifs.

I promise pics soon.

Which brings me to the final thing, Rainbow Valley.

We have decided to get a Sky package for the TV, phone and internet. Of course, this means a whole new website as my current one is with out current ISP. I ended up opting for a Mr Site package.

I changed my domain name over to them and was surprised at how quickly everything got sorted out. The new site is up and running but there are a few minor blips to sort out.

Remember

This is another layout for my Crochet Album.

I have used the Poppy and Corn from the scrapping pattern on Rainbow Valley this time, along with some ribbon across the top. The paper and title were printed off from a free digi kit by Lillybell. She does some stunning kits and they are all free on her blog. I am just about to go and download the lastest!

Crochet & Scrapping

I know I haven't been on here much recently but I have been doing lots of scrapping.

I am in the process of putting together an 8" album to display some of my crocheted embellishments. Hopefully, if people see them used they will buy more! Some are new LOs, some are older digi ones that I have printed off without the crochet bits and added the "real" versions instead. This is a "real" one with crocheted daisiesfrom the scrapping pattern on Rainbow Valley. I have used brads in the centre of them.

And this is another using crocheted doodling which is a free pattern on my site. I am not entirely happy about the flower in the corner, I may change it for something else. The little bee stamp I got on eBay. And, of course, I did get the second set of letters from Tesco. And have made good use of them!

I have also been working on my A-Z photo journal. I know the idea was to get it all done last year but the time ran away with me!

I have started scrapping the letters. I am doing double layouts for each letter and three different versions - a digi 12", a digi A4 and a real 12".

The reason for the digi A4 is so that I can take them into work and get them printed off for the residents to look at. As many of them are local, it may help them remember things.

The digi 12" is partly for planning but also for printing off to give my family an 8" version of it.

And the "real" 12" is for me. I deserve it after all the hard work going into it.

Rainbows and Stars

Its finished!!!!!!

My new Rainbows and Stars crochet pattern. And, I must say, I am rather pleased with it. After months of no new patterns, I have finally done one. I have even added to Rainbow Valley. Now all I have to do is let my crochet groups know it is finished, sit back and (hopefully) watch the orders flood in!!!!!

The final set of motifs is the Pot of Gold. I have also included the Mini Rainbow Stars that I have for sale on my site. I have to decide what to do next. Any suggestions?

I suppose I really ought to be finishing off the puppet patterns I have been working on. I could get those done in a couple of weeks if I get down to it.

But I am really loving working with the thread, especially as I am getting more colours.

I'm a Yummy Mummy

Honest!

The name of our team on UKS is the "Yummy Mummys"

The new layout of the site has made us realise that we are sadly lacking in the avatar department so I came up with an in-house competition for the Teamies.

Create an avatar and we can vote on it. So, these two are my entries. The first one is a digi LO. I scoured the 'net for lips and created this in PSE5.

This one is a "real" one. And the reason I bought those stamps in Tesco last week. The paper is double sided and, although you can't tell from this pic, the large circle has flowers on it. I crocheted the "Yummy Mummy" with letters from my Scrapping Journalling pattern on Rainbow Valley and arranged it around the large circle then stamped "Im A" in the small one. Finally, I used the flowers I crocheted for our Easter tree in the middle.

So now you know why I NEEDED those stamps.

Actually, Benjamin has been having loads of fun with them. And my pens. They have kept him quiet for hours - no mean feat for a child that doesn't stop talking!

I managed to get around to adding my new Rainbows and Stars to Rainbow Valley. No sales yet though. I am still trying to think of some more along the "Rainbows and Stars" theme to add to the pattern.

Rainbows and Stars

I bet you are shocked. This is the third day in a row I am posting.

Don't expect it to carry on!!!!

I really wanted to share what I have been working on - Shooting Stars. You may recognise one of them from this Layout. These are going to be part of my new scrapping pattern. The Stars and their Tails are made separately so that you can add them to your layout in which ever way you want to.

And here are some more Stars. These are a version of the stars I used on this Silk Painting. They are beaded in both the silk and the layout. I also used a finer thread to crochet them with. The ones in this picture are unbeaded and with the size thread I normally use for all my scrapping bits.

I will be adding them all to Rainbow Valley for sale as soon as I sort out some prices and find some time to do it.

And finally, as requested, pics of my new stamps. They are stamped (badly) on to an A5 sheet, just for you!

Stamp, Stamp, Stamp!

As if spending all that cash on eBay wasn't enough, I bought more in Tesco this morning!

The thing is, I really NEEDED them!

We are doing a mini competition in our UKS team for an avatar. Rather than one of us just come up with something, I thought it would be an idea for all of us to create a LO or two then we can all vote for our favourite. I am half way through a proper 8" LO and needed some small letters for it.

So, I was looking in Tesco this morning, having just filled up the trolley with food, and I saw a pack of stickers which would work.

However, then I saw a set of alpha stamps complete with acylic block. My son is no help at all, you know. He promptly took the stickers out of the trolly and told me the stamps would be much better as I could use them over and over again. And that the birthday set that was in the same box would be perfect to go with them.

So I came out of Tesco having spent nealy £40 on food and another £10 on stamps.

At least they are giving me some peace as he is now sitting at the table playing with them.

Anyway, here is the jpeg of the personalised stamps I ordered from eBay yesterday. The seller is ever so helpful and will send you a jpeg so that you can see what it looks like before you order.

All the other stamps I ordered from this seller, also very helpful.

I promise pics when they arrive.

Tree-mendous

I thought you would like to see our Easter Tree.

We have never made one of these before and I thought it would be fun.

Of course, ours is decorated with the inevitable crochet. I made the little eggs and the flowers to go on it. I bought Benjamin some bunny and chick kits from Tesco and he made those.

But, I have to say, the bit that really makes it for me is the fact that I put the twig in water when I cut it and all the leaves have come out on it.

Unfortunately, despite being out in water, the leaves didn't come out on the ones I made for work.

They are decorated totally differently, although I have used some crocheted eggs. I used plastic eggs which the residents decorated and were later filled with choccy, tissue flowers and lots of ribbon.

The photo isn't very good either, it was taken with a flash in the corner of the room so the shadows on the make it look odd.

Oh, and you really don't want to know how much I have just spent on new stamps!!!!!

Don't you just love eBay?

That Slippery Slope - Part 2

I really have to say a big "Thank You" to all those who have encouraged me in my spending!!!!!

I know there are certain people who wouldn't agree with you! LOL

However, I have also been earning it!

Here is a photo of an order fresh off the hook. Yes, the background is kitchen roll as it is still on the blocking board after taking the pins out.

Now I am really curious as to what she is going to do with it all!

I am already on Etsy and Folksy so, before I go further with this and spend even more time on the puter, I would like to hear some people opinions.

Easter Freebies

Just a quickie!

I don't know how many of you out there crochet but I have a few free Easter patterns on my site - Rainbow Valley.

There are these cute little bunnies.

These just as cute little Chicks.

And these really easy to make Eggs. Have Fun!

Do Trolls have Tails?

Is it that long since I blogged???????

So much has happened this last month.

The good news is that Mark has found a new job. It isn't as much money but it is something he will enjoy doing and he can walk to work which will save around £1500 a year! After his first week he is in a much better mood than he has been in a long time and its really great to see him back to his old self.

Of course, that now means that any money I have spare at the end of the month after the food shopping is all mine!!!!!! I have been looking at cameras again.

I quite like the Ixus 970 or 80. Basically the 970 has better macro and zoom capabilities but is about £60 more. Its a hard decision!!!!

And, after Saturday I am going to have to wait even longer for it. I think I may have got myself on a very slippery slope yesterday. Mark went shooting for the first time in ages so I cadged a lift to Huntingdon. I needed some "Happy Easter" peel offs for work. I got them, I also got a couple of other things for the cards we are making.

The Market stall didn't have what I wanted but they were selling some stamps cheap. I resisted. Stamping is something I haven't yet got into. And I don't have any ink. It was going to work out expensive to buy ink and stamps for work.

However, there were a lot of sales around!!!!! Colemans were selling peel offs at 10 for £3, so I just had to get some (especially as I was rather shocked last week to realise that I didn't have a gold "Happy Birthday" for a card I was making). However, I knew my peel off folder was full so I only got one lot. Grafton Projects were having a closing down sale. They are going online instead. They had peel off folders there. They also had a box of 20 assorted small size inks reduced to £4.99.

You have guessed it! I got both of them then went back to the market and got some stamps then went back to Colemans for more stickers!!!! Anyway, now I have 20 inks and 4 stamps and an extra filder of peel-offs! Might have a play later.

And later, after encouragement from Mark, I went to Argos and bought two games for the Wii. Board games (for me) and Brain Training (for him). They were selling them any two for £30.

I think the camera might have to wait for another month unless I sell an extortionate amount of crochet over the next month!

These Fellas might help! I am currently working on a new set of puppets - Fantasy. I have a Dragon and Unicorn and wanted something else to go with it. I decided on a Troll. This was the first draft. I used some pictures I found online. I wasn't entirely happy with him. Hands and feet too big for a start.

Of course, I couldn't make him exactly the same. Apart from the copyright issue, the face would have been too flat to get your hand in. And what point is a puppet you can't get your hand in? So, do trolls have tails?