Flower Power

It's been a quiet few weeks on the sewing front but my hands have not been idle. 

I decided I wanted to make a crochet Spring Wreath. I've been inspired by the fabulous ones I've seen on pintrest.

Here's how I'm doing at the minute!

Quite a few more to make yet I think and lots of leaves left to do. But I'm really pleased with what I've done so far, as I'm only just venturing away from basic crochet!

 I've spent far too much time on YouTube watching tutorials but I don't think I would have even started the wreath without them. As I'm not very good at following crochet patterns!

 I've finished Lily's Flower Heart and she loves it so that's all good! It's hanging on her bedroom wall with all her other favourite things.

O no I feel a Sound Of Music moment coming on! I think I might watch that tonight as I do some more flowers.

Have a great weekend.

Melanie xxx

Swap Makes

I joined Cheryll's Initial Heart swap again this year and these are the gifts I sent to my partner.

The stitchery on the needle case was a design by Rosalie Quinlan.

I didn't make the case as per the pattern as I wanted to put a few extras in.

I made pockets for scissors, needles and an unpicker (essential when I'm sewing)

These are the gifts I received from Andrea @ Indigo Blue Designs

I loved them.

The Heart had my initial as a charm. I love it.

Thanks Andrea and thanks to Cheryll for hosting this fab swap.

...................................

I also received my Send a Little Love swap gifts from Karren @ My Handmade Adventure

I loved the gifts she sent especially the washers I have quite a collection now. But they are all much to nice to use! 

Thanks Karen you spoiled me!

I made Karen a mug bag. I used the Red Brolly free Mug Bag tutorial, and a crochet heart. The pattern was from Attic24 a great place for crochet patterns. I seem to use that site alot at the moment.

A big thanks to Tracy @ Mad About Bags for hosting.

Have a great week.

Melanie xxx

Owls Again!

I'm sitting writing this and thinking of what I should do with my free week. Lily had gone to France with school and Rowan is staying at her boyfriends. 

I suppose I should have planned something, but I'm suffering from acute toothache caused by a couple of abscesses.  I'm hoping the tablets the dentist prescribed kick in soon, as I'm so over the amount of pain they're causing me.

Last week was quite a productive week and I got lots done but I can't post about some of them until they have reached their destinations.

I can show you two more Owls that flew into the gift box last week though.

From left to right  Ivy, Sharron and Helga.

I've really enjoyed making the owls they're quick and easy which is always a bonus. I had better put my thinking cap on and decide what to do this week.

Have a great week.

Melanie xxx

Melanie xxx

Sewing Buddies

It's been a busy week I've been making these super cute Owl sewing buddies.

The pattern is a free one from Shanni Loves and it's a quick and easy tutorial to follow.

I've been doing quite a bit of crocheting on my Granny Stripe and when I nipped into the kitchen to make a cup of tea. This is what I found on my return. Rowan isn't too impressed with the photo so it's a good job she doesn't read my blog ;)

Have a great weekend

Melanie xxx

FNWF

It's the first FNWF of 2015, also my first post of the New Year. How slack am I!

I haven't been idle though, I've been busy crocheting.

Lily asked me to make her a school water bottle cover so she knew which bottle was her's without looking too hard. She wanted it in her football teams colours - Derby County ,so black and white it was.

I thought I'll do a double crochet stripe.

 I took it upstairs to show her and she was not impressed.

 "I wanted one like your blanket!" was the next sentence. So off I went back to the sofa and here is the finished article. This time I got a huge hug when I went to show her the finished bottle.

The stripe isn't going to waste as Rowan asked me to make it into a scarf. That'll be my job for today.

Thanks to Cheryll as ever for hosting. I'm off to see what all the other lovely ladies were up to last night

Melanie xxx

Christmas what a wonderful time of year!

I hope everyone has has had a lovely Christmas.

Now all the chaos of the week running up to the big day is over, it's back to relative normality for a few days at least.

I was spoiled by my DH who bought me a Crochet Blanket kit by Attic24 at Wool Warehouse  I can't wait to start it, but I must finish my Granny Stripe one first. I'm making good progress on it though.

I have a couple of swaps to share first is the cutest cracker that Tracy sent me in the Mad About Bags Cracker swap.

These are the goodies I received.

 There was a beautiful felted Robin on the front and lots of goodies inside. The Robin has found its spot on my tree and is happily swinging away.

And sent. 

Next is my Santa Sack Swap goodies from Rachel.

Cheryll hosts this swap every year and I really look forward to it. It's a definite must on my Swap Calender. 

These are the fabulous gifts she sent I was truly spoiled. 

 Rachel also popped a crochet stocking in full of chocolate coins for Lily.

She loved getting a gift too.

Thanks Rachel.

This is what I sent for Rachel. 

Great minds think alike we both sent and received washers and soap :) 

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.

Melanie xxx

Wreath Success

I made my first Christmas wreath yesterday. 

If i do say so myself I'm really happy with how it turned out. 

My friend Pat supplied me with the bits and I set too yesterday evening.

I don't think my kitchen has ever looked so messy there was straw and pine needles everywhere. It soon cleaned up though. 

I think it's going to be a christmas crafting day today. Hopefully Lily will join me and we'll put some festive music on and have a few mince pies while we craft away.

Have a great weekend. 

Melanie xxx