A Collection of Thoughts

Guest Blogger: Yvette Adams

Today I welcome sweet friend Yvette - who has some awesome tips on learning to crochet - Once I am well enough I hope to join back with a group of ladies I started learning with some time back.

Over to Yvette.

I have been wanting to learn to crochet for years.  My mum has crocheted since she was a young girl and she has tried teaching me a few times over the last few years, but I just couldn't get it.  We both felt like failures!  Then I saw this book in my daughter's Scholastic book catalogue and thought I would try it.  It's WONDERFUL and now I can crochet!  Well I can at least make granny squares and crochet flowers.  I'm getting better all the time!  

The book is called Crochet by Anne Akers Johnson (publisher is Klutz) and you can buy it HERE online here with free postage worldwide.

It has pictures and diagrams - THAT'S what I was missing when my mum tried to teach me!  I refer to them over and over.  It's so easy to follow.

Here is the very first thing I made from the book.  A very wonky amoeba-like flower.  But not bad for my first effort.  

I moved on to granny squares.  Hey, these are easier than flowers!  I should have tried these first!  But this one doesn't look right, does it...

I needed to user a thicker yarn.  And look how my granny square turned out when I used a thicker yarn!  I was so thrilled!  So I kept adding more and rounds.  I couldn't help myself!

Now I can say I can crochet!  I still have lots to learn and am keen to try some new things.  I have a wonderful crochet inspiration board on Pinterest, including links to some patterns which I will try soon!  
http://pinterest.com/eeveeadams/crochet/


Next I think I will try crocheting some simple clothes and beanies for my daughter's Blythe doll.  You can follow my crochet adventures on my blog.  If you'd like to have a look at my crochet only, you can do so HERE. 

Pip Lincoln also has a wonder tutorial on her blog for making granny squares.  I recommend you check it out!
http://meetmeatmikes.blogspot.com/p/granny-squares-101.html

Happy crocheting!

 Yvette x

Snuggly Owl tutorial & pattern

via www.makeit-loveit.com 

Hi, it's Mel here again! Just popping in for a little guest post and share.

Lately I've had Christmas on my mind, which I know is crazy early since we're only at the start of October.  But, with around 11 weeks to go, it just creeps up so fast, which means I need to be organised with gift ideas.  I try really hard to make as many handmade gifts as I can - so long as I think the recipient would enjoy and love the present idea.  Some people on my gift list I end up buying for, because I know they really don't like handmade OR because I just can't think of anything to make them.

Last night I stumbled across that handmade owl pillow above and thought it would be cute to share.  It's a free downloadable print - just print and then sew.  I think one of these would be cute for my daughter's best friend and also my niece - I'm going to give them a whirl, perhaps out of cotton fabric.

What about you - do you make gifts for Christmas and have you started yet?

P.S. Just click on the link (below the photo) to find the pattern!

Guest Bloggers - coming soon

That naughty Mel hijacked my blog and wrote the loveliest things :) I'm so touched. She's also helping me to pull together a cool set of bloggy friends with some lovely crafty posts and gossip to intersperse the chemo cancer talk :)

via weheartit.com

Starting tomorrow at 10.00am.

I'm excited to show you what they all have lined up - and you never know I may just join them too :-)

Dottie Angel Book

Have you seen? The ovely Dottie Angel has released a new book.

via uppercase.squarespace.com

Available for preorder here

Fathers Day Ideas

Each year the girls and I try to think of something crafty to do for fathers day - a combination of pinterest and google always yields some fab ideas so

here we have the best I have seen.

via pinterest.com

This would be cute on his desk in the morning :)

Seriously?? This is so cool - and it's kind of fiddly - but not so much - It looks scarier than what it is - and it even has all the downloads for you to print

via www.bakerella.com

 

via eighteen25.blogspot.com

Got to love a good token - my girls do - I'm not sure Richard ever redeems them but its the thought right?

via alphamom.com

We have made this now about 5 times for every male we consider a super hero in our life - its just so so cool. Hands down favourite DIY I have ever found online.

via blog.catchmyparty.com

These are really cute - and do click the link because there are other bits that go with it as well. Would be lovely for a fun afternoon tea.

via pinterest.com

Fathers day cake pops! too cute right ??? They'd be awesome for a Fathers day Stall at school or to add to the afternoon tea.

via charlottesfancy.com

Loved this one as soon as I saw it - you have to gather your own images but it's a very thorough DIY and not too tricky.

We haven't decided what we will do exactly - and umm sometimes Richard reads my blog so I had better not say. LOL

 But we did also see these and we love them - definitely doing these

via www.mooo.com.au

via www.mooo.com.au   along with some coffee vouchers

via www.mooo.com.au and to this one we will add some home made choc chip cookies

Have you seen anything awesome out there ? I'm always on the look out :)

Before - Side Board

In our op shop tripping today to find some costumes for the girls for guides we pulled up to the Salvos at Nerang and found this sideboard. I literally held my breath while I waited for Richard to stop the car - I couldn't see any sold sign on it and I couldn't see the price either. I ran over and couldn't believe my luck - $10!!!! and no sold sign.

I said ohh It's ours- quick go speak to the ladies.

Richards  like - what the? I thought we were looking for costumes.

Bless my two though they were quick to chime in 

Sof said Dadda you never know what lucky find you will have

Tals said  - you just have to go with a happy heart and you will get awesome.

and I'm but it's so beautiful and its $10!

 and so it was and now it's all mine.

The lovely ladies were all gushing over it - They said it had only just arrived and they were worried what they would do with it if it wasn't sold today as the truck doesn't come until Monday and they had no room. They think its from the 1960s It's solid wood and needs a lovely sanding back and a new stain . The back left hand leg is wiggly woggly and will need to be fixed as well. Other than that so good :)

I excitedly rang my DIY know everything friend and begged his help next weekend for my very first lesson in fixing up. I'm imagining a trip to Bunnings and the chance to play with power tools.

SO SO SO looking forward to it. Don't you just love the retro handles??  The drawers are the perfect size. Some shallow and some deep.  Ideal for crafty goodies.

DIY Custom Envelopes

via www.puglypixel.com

I LOVE these little custom envelopes by pugly pixel- Katrina is so very creative. We use her frames and graphics all the time in teapot. Pop over to her blog to see her little DIY.

One More Sleep

 Just one more sleep until Hip Hip Hooray for Winter starts :)

 

Our posts will go up at  7.00pm each night starting Monday :) So excited to be bringing you this series - we have some really fun winter crafts and some totally delicious winter cooking happening too.

See you tomorrow at this time :)

 

Etzcetera Magazine

via kimarcher.typepad.com

I'm so so so excited to be able to share this news! The fabulously creative Kim Archer and her  crafty band of helpers have been working very hard to bring a brand new magazine to life. I have been fortunate enough to have had a peek into the behind scenes production and I can say without doubt it will be fantastic. It's bringing together all the crafty goodness that we love into one magazine.

 You can read about Kim's vision over here - and more importantly sign up here :)

 

Hip Hop Hooray Fun

via tatumwoodroffe.typepad.com

Did you do any creating from Mel and my Hip Hop Hooray projects ?

Check out Tatum's gorgeous bunny ears and biscuits - over here - such pretty photos. Thanks for sharing Tatum.

Tamar x