miss marie's miscellany

January

I've decided to have a change; new year, new look. My end of month round-up will now be a list of good things with my favourite photo in the background. I hope you like my idea!

 

2010 retrospective

2010 seems to have sped by with great speed, and to be honest, some of the ride has been very bumpy. But despite that, when I looked back over my photos, there were lots of good recollections and happy moments.

The weather and seasons have been quite a feast for the eyes, sunsets and snow seem to be greatly featured in this collage.

I have carried on my love affair with crochet. It has kept me sane over some difficult times this year, and it makes me really happy to see how far I've travelled since I first picked up a hook early in 2009. And I made all of these! 

I've been on a few trips to places interesting and beautiful

And last but not least, the garden has been a wonderful source of inspiration and pleasure

Thanks to you all for reading and commenting, lovely blog friends; let's hope 2011 is full of adventures and new wonderful opportunities for us all!

Happy New Year  xxxxxxx

3 good things - day 3

1) Hmm, the first batch of mince pies; the house smells wonderful with the spice and fruit scenting the air. 

2) I meet my lovely friend M for coffee and chat; with all the hustle and bustle of getting shopping and presents bought, it's good to step back and make time to sit and catch up and wish each other a happy Christmas.

3) I made a crochet Christmas tree!

I've seen people do this kind of thing with all sorts of objects,Christmas cards and old polaroids to name a few; I used various crochet shapes I made for Christmas last year (stars, snowflakes, hearts and flowers) and fixed them on the wall in a tree shape.  I am quite taken with it, in fact next year I may do this on a grander scale! 

3 good things - day 1

During this week, I thought I'd post 3 good things which have happened each day.

1) A long overdue haircut is a nice pampering treat, and makes me look human again! My hair is quite curly and once it needs cutting, can't be got under control. I don't look like Miss Frizzy anymore :-)

2) I finish off some orders for crochet stars and a hat, and am so pleased when they are delivered to happy recipients.

3) To a friend's for a mulled wine and mince pies party, my first festive socialising.........a lovely, and slightly drunken evening was had by all.

Craft fair crochet

Well, tomorrow is the big day, my first attempt at selling my crochet wares at a small craft fair; unfortunately, I can't go as I'm working, but my lovingly crafted goods have been delivered to a trusted fellow seller, who I think may buy several items herself! I will let you have a peek at what I made; something someone said to me about gifts for Christmas inspired me to use a heart motif and to make a string of them which you could hang on the wall as I have, or on a door or even on the Christmas tree. I made some in bright red and dusky pink, both are good 'heart' colours :-)

I made some single hearts too, in either red or gold, perfect for the Christmas tree.

I've also tried some different combinations of star colours; green and red with a lone white star

and red and white; I think this is my favourite, it look so festive and cheery.

And here are all my flower corsages, looking pretty together

I finished these off with a nice crocheted backing and a proper brooch clasp, so they will stay put and look fresh.

I wish I had had a little more time to make a few more things, but I'm pleased with what has been sent to the fair, so cross your fingers for me for a few happy buyers.......I'll let you know how it goes :-)

October collage

This month; autumn arrived with all its beautiful colours, plus its changeable weather; I crocheted with pink and blue and a touch of romance; I went to my friend's wedding; a garden project ( a little peek is in this collage for you to wonder about!); new friends; lots to be happy about and much to look forward to :-)

Romantic

A story about how crochet can come to the rescue of a damsel in distress. Well, sort of!  One of my colleagues was telling me that she was playing at a wedding on Sunday and had been told to look more 'romantic' for the occasion. She is a busy mum of 4 and said she didn't think her wardrobe held much in the way of romantic attire. "Fear not" said I. "I'll make you something to do the trick". She is playing as a one third of a trio, so I made 3 rose corsages, in romantic pink and red.

Not bad, considering I didn't get home from work till after 10pm last night. My hook is on fire; I hope they feel the love!

Wishing everyone a lovely (and possibly romantic) weekend :-)

September collage

September has been quite a month ; hot weather, cold weather, stormy weather have turned into autumn with the leaves already turning, a fair bit of hooking and some wool purchases, the garden is still blooming with lots of beautiful autumn shades and some delicious fruit and veg........oh, and there was a certain visitor from Rome across the road in the park!

Hope you have a happy weekend, whatever it brings :-)

Blackcurrant and orange cream

Hello! Long time no see, as I've been a busy bee, but things are a little quieter and I'm happy to be here again. Despite all that's been going on, I've tried and succeeded to find some much needed hooking time over the last week. I do find it very therapeutic and calming, in fact, I have been getting up early so I can do some before I go to work.......hmm, some might say that is going a bit too far, but I find it the perfect start to the day, a few rows of crochet with a nice cup of tea. A friend asked me to make a baby blanket for a gift ( yes, a commission, how exciting!) I made some squares using different stitches.

 

Purple and orange were requested colours, and I thought the cream set them off nicely. I decided to use all the squares in a random arrangement. You can see all the various stitches in the above photo; bobble stitch on the bottom right and top left, the top middle square is a new stitch to me which I found in one of my crochet books, angled clusters. moss stitch on the top right, star stitch on the bottom left and shell stitch bottom middle.  

The squares were really quick to make, it was the joining up which took ages. But it came together well,and here is the finished article.

 

The colours really buzz, and although they might not be everyone's choice for a baby blanket, I think I like the fruity combination:-)

 
The purple and orange wools are a merino /cashmere mix and the crean is lamb's wool so  it will be very cosy. 

I edged it with a row of treble crochet in each of the 3 colours and finished off with a row of crab stitch which I have become a big fan of. It is worked by crocheting from left to right which feels weird when you first try it out, but it's worth persevering with, the rolled edging it creates looks very fine.If you want to try it out, I found this video on YouTube very helpful:-)

 

I'm happy that this turned out so well, now I just need to find a new WIP to make in the mornings!
 

August collage

I can't believe August has been and gone, it flew by. I started with all the garden improvements, I went back to work, and did a humungous amount of crocheting. I took a trip across the sea, went on a hen night and I have painted, dug and chopped things down in the garden. Perhaps that's why August whizzed by, I have been very busy!