ABC blanket

I finally finished another blanket. I was just making because I liked it but then got a bit bored with it so it got put aside then I heard that one of my nieces was having a baby boy. As soon as I heard this I knew what I would give her. So out came the hook and squares but silly me I had written down the wrong size hook so my square ended up to big after some trial and error I worked out which hook was correct and within the week it was completed. Here it is in all it's bumpiness

For the border I first did a row of hdc and then a row of bobbles. I'm really happy with the way that it turned out and would make another. I like the way that it is brocken up by the cream border and joins.
The original idea come from over here

Baby Blanket

Baby blanket Ta-Da

Material 8ply 100% Arcylic Marvel brand
Squares:
7 Round basic granny
2 rounds white
1 round light
1 round dark 1 round light
2 rounds white
The squares are joined with sc on the front
Border
First I made 3 round basic granny squares
1 round light
1 round dark
1 round light
I joined these to the blanket and each other using Lucy's join as you go method
Then I did 2 rounds granny clusters then Lucy's Granny blanket edge

When I joined the squares together I didn't want to have a very obvious pattern like I did with my granny square blanket So I came up with this design

As you can see there is a pattern but once the blanket is all together it looks like the blankets are randomly put together unless you are someone who sees patterns were ever they are.

I really loved working on this project. It is one of those easy relaxing do in front of the TV type projects. I really didn't want to give it away until I heard that my niece and her husband's baby had been born and then the parting wasn't hard at all. She phone yesterday to say thank you (I couldn't make it to the baptism so her mother-in-law took it up to her) which was really sweet, and she told me it gets used every night :)


I have another blanket in the making. This one is for me but it is on hold while I make some squares for a community prayer blanket for some very deserving ladies.
Till next time
(((((Hugs)))))
Sandra

Birthday dress

It was my great-nieces' birthday this week. I was wondering what to give as a present when it come to me that the other dress I made for her might be a bit warm for summer so I decided to make her a summer dress. Like always I start these things at the last minute. I bought the yarn and material on Tuesday and had to finish for Saturday morning, nothing like a bit of pressure to sharpen the mind and speed the fingers.
Here is the end result

For the bodice I made 8 daisy squares from Bunny Mummy and joined them together with a whip stitch through the back loops only, I didn't make circle as I wanted a button closer at the back. The shoulder straps I attached by joining my thread where the straps started and sc till the were the length I needed I didn't attach them at the back as I wanted adjustable straps. Once I was happy with the straps I sc around all the outside edges.
The bottom frill I made up as I went, this was also when I joined the bodice together.

Bodice

 For the skirt I cut two pieces of fabric 50cm long  and sewed the side seams. On the hem I added a lace edge. The top was gathered to the correct size. I them sewed bias binding over the gathered edge so that it would be more comfortable on the skin.
To attach the skirt to the bodice I simply sewed the skirt along the top of the bias binding edge and along the bottom of the bodice just above the purple sc.
For the straps I attached two buttons to each strap which can them be buttoned up along the daisy squares, no need to make button holes :)
For the back closure buttons I made some loops of a chain row with sc.

dress elements

I also made a little bag to go with the outfit as I had heaps of time HA HA, and I made it really straight forward one no thinking or planning, yeah right!!
I made two different sides one side is 4 daisy squares with 3 rows of clusters (Granny Square style) around and the other one is a single daisy square made to the same size as the other side.
The sides are rows of sc.
I made a liner with leftover material from the skirt and added a magnetic closer

The bag

I really enjoyed this project and would defiantly make another dress along this line but I think maybe I should give myself a bit more time (yeah right!!).
I have another ta-da to share but I still have to sort out the photos.
Bye for now and bear hugs to all
(((((hugs)))))
Sandra
P.S. See the flowers in the first picture? DJ sent them to me at work on Monday just to say I love you. What a man!!

Edged fleece blanket

A while ago I picked up some fleece blankets at Textile Traders with the view to crocheting an edge on them for baby gifts. Here two that I have done, I did do another but I forgot to take photos and I just gave it away today.

To edge these blankets I have done a row of sc around the edge and the a fan of 5dc in same sc skip 2sc sc in next sc repeat around edge join with a ss.
Very easy and very therapeutic.
To get the spaces even for the sc I used a skip stitch blade to cut a row of holes around the edged. This is the coolest blade which makes edging blankets really easy.

(((((Hugs)))))

Sandra

On and Off the hook

Hi All

School holidays are over so it's time to do some catch up work and what better way to start than by updating my crochet progress. It also helps that it is cold and wet outside and warm inside.

First is my ABC blanket which I blogged about last time. I have now finished up to letter R although most still need their outside round on cream. These photos where taken at Shannon River where we went for some R&R during the holidays.

ABC Blanket

While we were in Shannon I decided to try making a few Daisy squares. These are ones designed by Krystal for charity blankets. I had seen blankets made with these around the web and really liked them so when I found the link for the pattern I decided to give them a  try. To get the pattern you need to join Krystals yahoo group and she asks that all those who receive the pattern send her one completed square for her charity blankets which I think is a great idea. What a great way to spend some of my R&R by doing something for others.

I had a few goes at getting it right. The pattern is well written but I have a very bad habit of skim reading and then wondering why things aren't working. Also there is not internet service in Shannon so I couldn't have a look at the great tutorial videos she has a link to. I really enjoyed making these squares as they are different and a bit challenging but not to hard. I made two while we were away and will defiantly be making more

Krystal Daisy Squares

I've been following Michelle from Michelle made me as she has been making her hexagon quilt/blanket. Now I've always liked the crazy homeliness of these quilts and can remember one of my sisters making one, I can't remember but I have have even done some. But now would not be a good time to start making one as I don't have the time or the room to fit in another craft so when I saw this crochet blanket I knew that I would be making one.

Grandmother's Flower garden Afghan

Photo source

So before we left for Shannon I raided my yarn stash printed the pattern and packed it in the camper. Here are the few that i made in Shannon River, I have since made more I think that it will be one of those project's I have in the car for those times when I have to wait for the boys.

Granny's Flower Garden Afghan

Granny goodness

Above on the right is a stack of my granny squares and hexagons that I had with me in Shannon River. On the left is another blanket I am making that I worked on in Shannon River. I can't remember where I saw this idea I'm sure I'll come across it again one day.

I am also working on a child's sweater which I don't have any photo's of yet.

And last but not least I am working on something for me a SKIRT!! yes a skirt. Those who know me know that I hardly ever wear a skirt, sometimes a dress but rarely a skirt. So why I skirt? Because this one I will be able to wear over a pair of pants/leggings. I know that's cheating but I really wanted to try this out. I look for a crochet skirt that I liked and in the end found a poncho pattern that I am using for the skirt. I will only wear it if I'm happy with it but I really wanted to try this.

Poncho Skirt

For this skirt I am using a yarn call Liquide which i got from Spotlight. It is really nice to work with. The only problem with it is that it is almost impossible to frog as it has lots of little fibers like mohair which get caught together. Other than that I'm really enjoying working with it. It would be really nice to make a scarf or shawl with it

Here are a few projects that or off the hook

Granny Square blanket

I started this one to help get my crochet mojo back awhile ago. I raided my yarn stash as i didn't want to spend any more money on a craft I was loosing interest in, ha ha not any more I'm not. The squares are 1 round white then 3 rounds of colour, then I round of chain 3 loops and the final round of white joining as you go from Attic 24. I than did a border of 2 rounds sc in white and then a row of fans using a white with coloured flecks. Very easy, very cute and very therapeutic, I highly recommend it to anyone who needs R&R out at home without the red wine.

Sampler blanket

This blanket I made using Panda magnum Soft 8ply. It has the feel of soft wool but without the allergy problems. I am allergic to wool so I can't work with it. This yarn was really nice to work with and I will be using it again. The squares that I made for this blanket all came from this book which I treated myself to a while back

I picked blocks that I liked and then choose a colour scheme. My only rule was that when the blanket was made up it would have alternating blocks one with colour one plain cream. I joined the squares using sc on the front to create a ridge and then for the border I did 7 rows of granny strips and then finished with Lucy's granny edge. I'm really pleased with the end result.

Gilet with Hood

This jacket is made with Marvel 8ply in red and cream I used the pattern in this book

The pattern is really easy to follow. I love the projects in this book.

Lacy Jacket

This is another project I made from the above book. I can't remember what yarn I used I have it somewhere but can't be bothered looking right now (I think I've spent a bit long behind the computer). The colour is not true on the photos. It is actually a soft blue and white mix, it was rather dark the day I took the photos.

Well I think that is all my crocheting caught up on. Next time I will show you some photo's of Shannon River.

Lots of Luv

(((((hugs)))))

Sandra

WA Day long weekend

Hello All

Last weekend (2nd -4th June) in WA was WA day long weekend (formally foundation day long weekend). We had decided to go camping with some friends at house beach which is past Bremer Bay. Sound good?  Well on Friday evening/Saturday morning we received around 150 ml of rain in Albany and we experienced an amazing thunderstorm. It did not look promising for our weekend. But we all decided to go anyway and if we couldn’t get to our planned destination we would try the caravan parks in Bremer Bay.

As we travelled the sky began to clear and our hopes began to sore and then we came to the gravel road.

Let’s just say I’m glad I wasn’t driving. I’ll let the pictures tell the story.

I don't think Super Ted really wanted to watch

Don't be deceived the road is gravel with a high clay content which makes it VERY slippery

A regular sight

Just a few of the puddles we drove through

After our rather interesting trip in we arrived safely at our destination and found that we had the place all to ourselves.

Enjoying the sun outside our camper

On Sunday we decided to do some exploring along the coast. We have been to House Beach a number of times but our camping companions haven’t so we took them exploring.

We stopped in at Drage’s beach after having a quick look we decide to explore some more and then come back for lunch.

From there we went and had a look at Doubtful Islands/Shark Alley.

We did a little more driving

and then David spotted some Emus in the distance.

We then went back to Drage’s for some lunch.

Monday morning was really relaxing everyone got up in their own time. The boys decided they needed a fire so after awhile we all gathered around the fire and had coffee and just relaxed.

Here's a few more photos from the weekend

Maddy having a whale of a time with her new bone

The she decided to try to dig to Tibet to look for her ancestors.

After lunch of pancakes, which the blokes cooked we packed up and headed home. By this time we had had almost 2 days of sunshine and wind to dry the track which meant that it wasn’t as slippery but was now starting to harden up into lots of ruts and corrugations. We decided that puddles are much better then killer whoops (corrugations).


On the crocheting front I am busy working on a blanket at the moment. It is a version of this blanket

ABC Baby blanket

This blanket is made as one piece but I didn't want to work on such a big blanket as I often take my work with me when I pick the boys up from School, Work, bible study etc. so I decide to make each letter it's own square and then join them together. I've also made some squares with pictures for the corner square rather than the plain ones. So far I am up to the letter M but for some reason I missed the Letter J so will do that next. I will take some photos next week and give you a sneak peek.

(((((hugs)))))

Sandra

Sunrise

 I captured this sunrise Tuesday morning

The colour change is amazing

This is the first photo

This was taken less than a minute later from pink to orange

Will be back later with some pictures of our long weekend and my latest crochet project.

(((((hugs)))))

Sandra

Ebony dress

My niece has a twin sister who also has a daughter so that meant I would haaaave to make another little dress, oh the hardships :) It is so hard to make cute little girl clothes..... NOT. After looking at my boys dark clothes it is so nice to make something pink and pretty. 

I had a look on the internet for a pattern to use and found LOTS of adorable dresses. 

I decided on this dress

Granny yoke baby dress

I had some pink and purple yarn which I had bought for another project, but had decided against, which was perfect for this dress. It was Moda Vera "Gelato"which is a 50/50 Acrylic and cotton blend.  So Sunday afternoon I started this dress

My eldest son went for his licence on Monday morning so I took along my granny squares finished of the last of them (did I say that I started this dress Sunday afternoon?) and sewed in the ends while I waited and prayed that he would pass (YES he did :))

The skirt took longer than I thought but it was great to do while watching Agatha Christie's Poirot, I love  David Suchet as Poirot. By Friday evening I was ready to put it all together. So less than a week after starting here it is

Ta da

 I decide to make a little dress to go under the crochet dress  as it is an open pattern and it is winter here. My first plan was to make one in cream but after trying cream behind it I decided it needed a stronger colour. It took me awhile and just as I was about to give up this lovely bright green jumped out at me.

 I also added a trim of cream lace which just pokes out from the bottom of the dress when worn.

I had a little chuckle when I made this dress as I used the same pattern that I used for my sons shirts years ago. It is from the Kwik-Sew's "Sewing for baby" book. 

I wanted to give it to my niece before Sunday so that her daughter could wear it to church if she wanted what I didn't realise was that it was Ebony's birthday on Saturday so it was perfect timing.

On Sunday after the morning service the twins come up to show me the girls in their dresses. They were both very cute. Alycia loves here dress and had to give me lots of hugs. There is just one problem and that is that the neck slips down, but I think this can be fixed by maybe tying/buttoning the top of the neck together like this

Not sure what I'm going to do now but I will need to organise a project as I think I may be spending a bit of time sitting quiet as my Asthma is playing up with all the cold and very damp weather we are having at the moment.

Till next time 

(((((hugs)))))

Sandra