Posh Jewellery Stands.

I went to the "Festival of Quilts" at the NEC last weekend, while I was in Penarth visiting my parents. Knowing that anything I bought would have to fit in my case to be brought home via the London Underground, I had no intentions of buying anything.

But fabric is so much more compact than yarn!

I bought a 3 metre piece of lovely cotton with the plans to make a new skirt and top set. That is the floral piece in the background.

Then I saw this stunning hand dyed fabric. Very expensive but soooooooo gorgeous. It is made by Farbstoff. The lady was lovely and spent ages helping me find the right colours. Originally I was looking for a pice to photograph my work on but I ended up getting two pieces, the second one to make jewellery stands with.

Yes, I know they are going to work out very expensive jewellery stands but I need something special for when I finally get around to designing the silk jewellery.

I used a template I found online. Stella & Hodge show you how to make some simple stands that fold flat. They make theirs from card. The template is perfect for what I wanted to do. I just wanted them posher.

I had also bought some very thick interfacing at the show. I went stash diving and found the Bondaweb and then I was ready.

As interfacing doesn't score and bend like card, I cut one full piece. The second piece was trimmed just inside the dotted lines of the template so that the pieces didn't touch.

I ironed the pieces all together and then got out the sewing machine. I tucked ribbon between the interfacing and the fabric. I did a single line of stitching, from the back, along the centre of the gaps in the second layer of interfacing.

As my machine does embroidery stitches, I used some to decorate either side of the lines. This was done from the front. This is partly to make it pretty and partly to make sure the interfacing stays firmly in place. I know from exereience that as Bondaweb get older, it loses its "stickiness". I do not want my stands falling apart while on display.

Finally, fold the hem over, sew a single line of stitching from the back to hold it all in place. Then a decorative row just inside from the front.

I only had enough interfacing for 3 stands so bought some iron-on interfacing to make the other two. It was no where near as thick so I used three layers to build it up. This way worked out a lot cheaper than the using the thicker interfacing and Bondaweb, it just meant more cutting out to do.

If I make any more, I would just use one layer for the full template and build up the strength in the separate pieces. This will give a much sharper fold line and make them sit better. I would also use thinner ribbon and magnetic catches in stead of having to ties bows each time.

Now all I have to do is design the silk jewellery to display on them.

Having a Murphy Day!

Actually, it started yesterday. The sewing machine wouldn't work. I took it all apart, cleaned it out then the door bell went. It was Sue for my class which I had forgotten all about. Actually, I had forgotten it was Wednesday but that is just a minor fact.

Then last night I managed to turn the computer off at the plug before it finished shutting down. When I switched it back on this morning it threw a temper tantrum or two. I had to leave it scanning and fixing the hard drive.

Then I put the sewing machine back together and it still wouldn't work. Very strange since it worked perfectly the last time I used it. Turns out there was a rogue bobbin in my box which I had just happened to use. I rewound the thread on to another bobbin and we were well away.

Back to the computer. Everything working fine - except for Kaspersky. It was complaining about a few things so I had to re-install.

Back to sewing. Going along nicely until I realised I was running low on thread. No thread that colour in Chatteris so it was off to trusty old eBay.

And the title? Murphys Law - Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong!

Number 1 completed.

The Numbers are available on the Childrens page of Rainbow Valley The butterflies are from "Scrapping with Crotat" and are available on the Scrapbooking page of Rainbow Valley

Website Woes

Ok, so I understand the concept of CSS. I am also amazing at "Copy and Paste". So all I need to do is find the relevant coding and C&P it into the right places?

Errr, Nope!

I won't bore you with the details but there was a lot more work than that to get the pages looking like they do. However, you may think, apart from the fact I put the navigation buttons down the side, that they do not look a whole lot different. They may not to you but, trust me, they do to Google!

Go and have a look!

I managed to get the patterns pages finished well before the deadline for the new selling regs. This included the new T&C page along with a cancellation form. I also managed to get the T&C pdfs upload to all of my Ravelry patterns. Whether people actually download them, is another matter.

However, Ravelry does not have the tick box required by EU sellers to protect themselves from unscrupulous people and this is one of the reasons I have decided not to use their download facilities on my site any more.

I have found a new instant download provider and, I must say, I am loving it!

Yes, more work to do on the website. More learning curves. And more late nights.

Watch this space for more news!

Eleven

Number 11 completed. The Numbers are available on the Childrens page of Rainbow Valley The Snails are available on the Scrapbooking page of Rainbow Valley

Riding Rainbows

I bought this gorgeous plaque which looks perfect hung from the Number 6.

Number 8

Number 8 finished! The Numbers are available on the Childrens page of Rainbow Valley The Poppy is available on the Scrapbooking page of Rainbow Valley

A Steep Learning Curve.

So, there I am thinking that I can learn all of this new stuff gradually when I get thrown yet another curve ball.

There are new selling regulations which are coming into force all over Europe on June 13th 2014 and my website has to comply with them!

Panic!

These new regs are "The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013" and have been updated to include a new section to cover the selling of "Digital Downloads" and that means me!

If you buy anything online, you have 14 days in which to change your mind and inform the seller. You then have another 14 days in which to return the item and the seller has 14 days from its safe return to issue a refund.

You generally do not have a right to cancel once a digital download has started. However, this is only the case if you have been told and given your explicit acknowledgement. You generally do not have a right to cancel once a digital download has started. However, this is only the case if you have been told and given your "explicit acknowledgement". The simplest way to gain "explicit acknowledgement" would be a tick box at the check out.

The problem here would be that I do not have my own check out. I use a variety of selling platforms across the www. Mostly USA based who do not have to conform to these rules and are not willing to change things to help European sellers comply with regulations.

We think we have found a way around this while still complying but trying to get a straight "Yes" or "No" from anybody official is like banging your head against a brick wall.

Back to that steep learning curve. Instead of learning everything gradually, I am having to learn it all at once. Mostly I can find what I need online and adapt it to my needs. But sometimes I get totally stumped and have to look for an alternative way.

I think, by the time I have finished, I will have earned a degree in "Copying, Pasting and Fudging it". But I am quite pleased with what I have achieved so far.

Number 4 finished! The Numbers are available on the Childrens page of Rainbow Valley The Daisies are available on the Scrapbooking page of Rainbow Valley

Ten

It has been rather a long time due to other commitments but I have finally finished number 10. The Numbers are available on the Childrens page of Rainbow Valley The flowers are from "Scrapping with Crotat" and are available on the Scrapbooking page of Rainbow Valley

Life Changing Decisions.

I have never been one to air dirty laundry in public. I like my private life kept private. The problem is that things happening in my personal life have drastically affected my professional life.

So, without going into too much detail, here is what has been happening over the past few months while I have been extremely quiet.

Just before Christmas, I left my partner of 10 years. I hadn't been happy for a while. My son certainly hadn't. And over the weekend of November 30th/December 1st, things happened which made me evaluate my situation and make the decision to leave.

It wasn't an easy decision to make, in fact it was one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make in a very long time. But needs must and on the Friday of that week I moved into a new house with my son.

I moved in with my partner with a whole heap of belongings but, over time, they had been whittled down and I moved out with very little.

This is when you realise what amazing family and friends you have!

Money, furniture and household items came from all directions and in no time at all, my new house was a cosy home.

Of course, moving that quickly meant no internet but, again, I had loads of offers to go and make use of a variety of WiFi connections. I had to rely on my poor little, overworked netbook but I was able to keep an eye on things. My internet was connected mid December but trying to run a business on the net book proved very difficult.

My other major problem was that I lost all motivation to crochet - not a good thing when that is how you earn an income.

While I was struggling with the curve ball life had thrown at me, my son positively bloomed. As hard as the decision had been, I knew it was the right one.

Life marches on and that was nearly six months ago. Things have changed. I feel better apart from an occasional pang of regret. Not for leaving, I certainly don't regret that, more for not realising what I did a lot sooner. But the past is in the past and that is where it should stay.

The future holds so many possibilities.

And I have so many plans!

This time next year Rodney, we are going to be millionaires............

Two

Number 2 finished! The Numbers are available on the Childrens page of Rainbow Valley The Pansies are available on the Scrapbooking page of Rainbow Valley

Nine

Number 9 finished! The Numbers are available on the Childrens page of Rainbow Valley The Bees are available on the Scrapbooking page of Rainbow Valley Now I know when it is quarter past and quarter to. And it is actually looking like a clock on the wall.

Three

Number 3 finished! The Numbers are available on the Childrens page of Rainbow Valley The Ladybirds are available on the Scrapbooking page of Rainbow Valley

Six

Now I know when is it 6 o'clock. Or half past 12. Or I will do when I get it up on the wall! Decorated with Violets from "Scrapbooking Flowers & Friends" which is available on Rainbow Valley

Twelve

Number 12 completed. The photo is taken on my keyboard to give you some idea of the size. If you are anything like me, you see a measurement and need to get a ruler out to see how big it is. If you are not like me, you will probably want to know that it measures about 12cm tall. Yes, this is going to be a big clock! And the details?

The Numbers are from Alphabet Mobiles - Numbers which are available on the Childrens page of Rainbow Valley

The decoration is from two of my free patterns, Doodling and Mini Flowers which are available on the Scrapbooking page of Rainbow Valley

The "I don't do Minimalist" clock.

We moved.

We need a clock.

And we have a big, plain, boring, bare wall.

So, do we go for a picture and a small clock? Or do we go for a big feature clock? Much discussion followed.

Eventually we decided to go for a big feature clock. But what type? More discussion followed. We finally found one we liked on eBay that was within my price range, ordered it and waited impatiently.

What a shock when it arrived! First of all it wasn't any where near as nice as it had looked in the picture. It was some sort of resin, not metal.

Secondly, it was smashed to pieces and totally unusable.

We had to find another clock. More discussion followed.

Eventually, I had enough of discussion and bought this one.

It is a "Minimalist" style clock. The big hand is about 30cm long. But those who know me, know I don’t do minimalist…………. Watch this space.

Hearts and Stars

Really chuffed to announce that I am inside "Inside Crochet" again! This time it is my "Hearts & Stars Wreath". It is designed with Christmas in mind but is suitable for a few occasions. And it is designed with the beginner in mind as it is created from almost all dc (US-sc) with a few short rows for shaping.

I used a wire wreath ring for support which you can get from your local florist (or on line) and electrical tape to cover the wire to prevent it rusting. Light stuffing and some buttons give it a 3D look. And the bells on the ends of the streamers give it a festive feel.

So go and grab your copy quick! All images © Inside Crochet and used with permission.

Mid Month Guest - Charlotte Stafford

The first of my mid-month guest bloggers!

Charlotte Stafford is a well-educated, enthusiastic freelance writer with a passion for interior design. She is fascinated with combining different materials to create a unique look in the home.

Incorporating crochet into the home

A beloved pastime amongst crafters everywhere, crochet is the perfect way to brighten up your home, injecting colour into tired-looking rooms, or transforming dull furnishings and appliances. Whether you’re moving into a new home, or simply looking to give your current pad a little bit of love, crochet can be the perfect way to add the flash of inspiration you’ve been looking for.

While the most popular crochet patterns include jumpers, blankets, scarves, and shawls, more and more crafters are turning to their hook and yarn to breathe a little life into their homes. In fact, far from being ‘just’ decorative, crochet items are also incredibly practical; think soft furnishings like cushions and pillows, place mats, rugs, lampshades, and even flowerpot covers. The good news is that crochet needn’t be complicated, and patterns can be adapted to suit just about any home; just use your imagination and let the hook lead the way.

Crochet in the home

© Inside Crochet. Used with permission.

There isn’t a room in the house where crochet is off limits. From mats and toilet roll holders in the bathroom, to tea cosies in the kitchen; decorative placemats in the dining room, to cushions, rugs, and lampshades in the living room, inspiration can be found in every corner of your home. Of course, crochet doesn’t have to think big to be effective; if you ever have trouble finding your keys, consider creating a cute keyring, or a special pouch to keep them in. Even photo frames, candles, mugs and flowerpots can be reinvented with a flick of a crochet hook; it’s amazing what a little light work with some yarn can achieve, and in no time you can rediscover items you may have previously disregarded.

Reviving tired furnishings

Everybody has that item of furniture, be it an old corner sofa, armchair or bed, which has seen better days. Rather than spending money on a brand new item, though, consider cheering it up with a brightly coloured throw, brash cushions, or crochet detail. It’s amazing what a little yarn and some nimble fingers can do. Of course, there’s nothing to stop you creating various items for your home and swapping them with the seasons; it’s certainly less time consuming – and more enjoyable – than redecorating regularly.

Crochet items also look fantastic in guest rooms and areas where you regularly entertain visitors. Crochet bedspreads can keep guest beds looking smart and loved, while wall hangings, chair covers and coasters will brighten your everyday furniture without any expense; perfect for those who love to keep their homes fresh and exciting.

Crochet for all occasions

The good news is that, when it comes to crochet, the possibilities are as boundless as your imagination. Consider the charm of crochet Christmas decorations, hanging from the tree for all to admire, spooky Halloween trinkets to scare and amaze, or charming Easter ornaments to brighten a windowsill. Crochet items make fantastic presents for friends and family, with the added charm of being handmade with love. Perhaps you’d like to crochet a soft best friend for a new baby in the family, a memory blanket for a beloved relative, or even create fashionable jewellery that’ll get tongues wagging; simply use your imagination, and anything is possible.

Ally Pally 2013

I had an exhausting day but loved every minute of it. Not so sure today though, aching all over!

Up at 6.00am to pack my lunch, tea and crochet. Because we are back so late, I always take something to eat on the bus on the way home. I can leave it on the bus so it isn't as if I have to carry it around all day.

We arrived rather early for the bus and sat in the van where it was warm and dry waiting for it to turn up. We made good time and got there about 10.15am.

First stop - Tulip. I had to say hello to the friends I made last year. We had a chat then I spoke to Pauline Turner. We chatted a little about James Walters and Sylvia Cosh (my Crochet Heros)and off I toddled to my next stop.

I know the Owner/Designer of the Natural Dye Studio from Ravelry, so really had to pop in and say hello when I found out she was there.

And, my final planned visit before things got too busy, was to the Crochet Chain to see my friend Diana. Some things never change. Just as bouncy and cheerful as ever, even with all that pink! She knows I have a thing about pink so my rude comments about it were just laughed at. We shared forthcoming patterns to be published in Inside Crochet and congratulated each other on our success. It is always fun visiting with Diana.

After that, I went back to the beginning and systematically went up and down the aisles so that I didn'r miss anything out. I was on my feet from 10.15am when we got there to 4.30pm when we left.

Is it any wonder I am aching?