Shopping Bag Love

Have I mentioned how much I love my Granny Chic book I had for Christmas off my sister who must know me so well! Well if I have forgotten to mention this small fact then ....... I LOVE IT!!!

I have a small plan of every time I buy some new yarn, I have to use some up from my stash .... as I have to admit it is getting slightly ridiculous! So I decided to balance the act of buying some lovely chunky yarn for a ripple blanket, by using up some sock yarn I had left over from a scarf I made last year.

After browsing the Granny Chic book for some divine inspiration I decided to make myself a string shopping bag. Without a cause, or planned use, I knew I wanted one hanging on my pegs in my newly decorated hall.

I set to it. Using a 6mm hook and some fine sock yarn. Making a lovely round base to start and watching the colours melt into one another. It was a dream to work with slight yarn and a big hook. So fast and easy to catch. No splitting and it quickly spiralled into a lovely circle which I then could build up from.

Oh the sides were wonderful too. Simply wonderful. Just a dc and ch5 into each gap. This created the most stretchy and shape adapting bag there ever was! And no signs of this one ripping under strain! This was going to be a very strong bag!



 

After I had hooked up the sides I decided to bring it in a little by decreasing every time by just 1. So I did 1 dc into 2 gaps and then ch5. This added a little shape and charm to my bag. And I think that is the beauty of crafting. Once you know what you are doing you can change a simple pattern or recipe into something that is truly your own. And if it goes wrong, who cares! That's the glory of crochet .... you can unravel up to where you went wrong!

Nearly done now. Just a couple of handles to make ........

So here is my ta-dahing moment. And what better place to ta-dah than on my new quarry tiles!!!!!

TA-DAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Such a fabulous way to keep all those gloves and hats together during winter. And I am sure I will think of a grand use during the summer! Maybe keeping my flip flops, a book and a blanket in .... all ready for summers day outing!



 

So if you are looking for a stash busting and quick project .... that is equally as satisfying then this is for you!

Speak soon and welcome to my new fabulous followers!

Kate xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Lovely Books

I know most of us have already got this book ..... but it is delightful so!

 
 I am enjoying a snow day .... with lots of cups of tea.

 
I was going to treat myself to this book last year. But knew that the person who knew me the most would get it me as a Christmas gift.

My sister brought it me.


Sadly one of our chickens died yesterday. He couldn't with stand the drop in temperature.


My friend Jill gave me the powers to move the body out of the cage but standing and holding my hand.


Another perfect book.


This time from my husband.


So many ideas and all achievable!


I love my husband. I love my sister. I love my friend. R.I.P Black Chicken.

xxxxxxxxxxx

The day after bonfire night .....

I can officially look forward to Christmas. Yippeeeeeeeee!

I was always told by my parents that I wasn’t allowed to think about Christmas until the day after bonfire night. So weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeJ It’s nearly here!

How perfect and fitting that I should want to share the Molly Makes Christmas Book with you. I got it from amazon for a bargain price of £6.99 delivered and it was a great treat. There are so may ideas for lots of different crafts.

 

 

Nordic Felt Housing to hang on the tree.

 

Vintage Fabric Stockings

 

 

Crochet Rudolf ...... oh I can't wait!!!!

 

 

Some smoochy mistletoe .... and remember, what happens under the mistletoe, stays under the mistletoe!

 

 

Crochet mince pies, sherry and carrots to leave out for Santa on Christmas Eve!

 

 

A beautiful embroidery Christmas scene ...... and there are lots lots more!

 

Apart from the delightful projects the book is also great to sit and look through to get in the festive mood. The background vintage designs are absolutely gorgeous. Take a peek at these!

 

 

 

Finally, here is my Tuesday tallies ……

Apart from making a few bits in preparation for the snowflake swap (only 6 days left to sign up … if you want to follow this link and comment). I have been busy making granny squares for a scarf. I have used a chunky lovely bluey, purple, greeny yarn.

 

And also making lots of Christmas cards. This year I have decided to KISS (keep - it - simple-sweetie). With a simple cute red stamp design on a white background.

Fa La La La La!

And, phew, I have finished making 96 little advent bags .... it was a hard slog at the end, now I have to add the ties ... I bet you don't envy me there!

 

I have also been taking little snaps with my mobile of decorations in shops I want to try and remember and use for inspiration.

 

Bright felt and pompom Christmas tree cushion...

 

 

 

Don’t you just love these the little mitts!

 

 

Gingerbread men were everywhere in the garden centre.

And I just love love love these cute hearts, not just for Christmas!

 

 I have opened a Pintrest account and have been having oh so much fun pinning lovely photos on my boards. Do pop along and have a look!

 

http://pinterest.com/gtm2crochet/

 

So, a question; how do you make you crochet stiffer …. do you use starch spray? I have read a bit sugar water, do you use that? Can you make your own? If not where do you get it from etc …… blogging community ….. SOS.

 

Gtm2C xxxxxx

Vintage Gifts

This morning I have been searching the world wide web for lovely gifts. I have a friend who has just has just moved in with her boyfriend, and another who has recently relocated as well.

I've been looking for something light, bright and pretty. Something that is a perfect item for displaying on a shelf or hanging on the wall. A very Kateish gift!

I turned for inspiration from my own home and looked at the little things that I treasure the most. Things that were special gifts from special friends given to me and Craig for our wedding or when we moved in.

Craig's Mum and Dad kindly gave us this welsh dresser which we absolutely love.

We both had welsh dressers in our homes when growing up and it just oozes with special things.

The bottom cupboard houses our special wine glasses we inherited from Craig's Grandad and our precious wedding Ainsley China. When I was growing up, this was where the "adult" drinks were kept! Which I must do something about. Maybe I could start my own collection!

The two draws are home to my sewing tin, and little bits and bobs. And the top displays my prize possessions!

Here is a whistle stop tour of the shelves.

Cath Kidston China Mugs, which my best friend gave me on my wedding day.

A very lovely hand crafted, wooden family of Russian Dolls.

The next picture shows three items; A tiny tin from Spain which my Dad gave me as a gift (once containing the most delicious milk chocolate buttons I have ever, ever had!).

A perfume bottle and matching candle holder from my Granny; who seriously, is the best present buyer in the world. I always save her present till last on my birthday because I am never disappointed!

Also you can see a sewn picture which Craig's sister gave us when we got married.

A box from Krakow that I brought Craig and a lovely dish from a holiday my Mum and Dad went on.

And finally, this heart stopping writing set. Just look at the pattern on the envelops! Oh my!

Other pretty things I treasure include a coaster set of my Granny.

 A sign I have hung near the front door.

And a couple of tres cool Keep Calm mugs off my oldest and dearest friend in the world.

Most of these things are inexpensive but are what I consider to make a house a home. Which would be impossible with out a little love, of course, but trinkets and gifts can set a corner or shelf off in an instant!

*          ♥         *         ♥        *

I also need to consider a gift of the home made variety! How couldn't I!? This leads me nicely onto introducing a book I brought a few weeks ago (I mentioned it in this post and promised you a sneeky peak).

The book is called Homemade Gifts Vintage Style by Sarah Moore.

There are lots and lots of stunning ideas from hand sewn to machine, thrifted to handmade. I just can't get over home amazing each of the 176 pages are. They are brimming with ideas which collide together to set off new ideas.

Door hangers made from old jewelry. How lovely would lots of little ones be, hanging from a set of draws? Or even a christmassy one! Ohhhhhhh I can't wait for a rummage around the charity shops next weekend!

Old tea cups made into scented candles.

Home made Faberge style eggs for an Easter decoration.

 And beautiful thrifted fabric, felt and button hanging mobiles.

Something very do-able seen as I have five huge Lavender bushes in my garden .... scented lavender bags.

So I will continue on my search! And let you know how I get on. Weather its a shop brought or home made gift I choose for my two special friends .... I will be sure to show you.

Just one final picture.

This was an engagement gift. I hold them very dear to my heart. ♥

Love birds are not a new feature of homes in my family. My Grandparents had a set of by a fountain in their garden, and my Mum and Dad have some by their pond, and now I have my very own pair, nesting on my welsh dresser.

♥  My precious Kate and Craig Love Birds ♥

So precious they were placed on our wedding cake!