inspiration from the 80's

recently i picked a book called stitch by stitch from the oppy which is full of great sewing, knitting and crocheting ideas.. that is if you want to look like you've just stepped out of 1985.. but then again fashion is a cycle.

here's one of the ideas from the book for all your little bits of left over wool..

tie all the bits together...

Chain..

the book called for knitting (which i cant do) but i crocheted them into a block..
and Voila!

pure 80's awesomeness!

Now i actually really like it.. (being an 80's girl myself) its retro, funky and i got to use a heap of leftover bits of wool just screaming for me to do something with them. thinking this will end up being a cushion cover or part thereof..

Im now inspired for the next MEGA PROJECT... stay tuned.

what in the world have i been up to? everything it seems...

My creative space has exploded this week...

lots on the boiler all at once and as usual not a lot getting completed.

hemming some curtains.

Got some new wool which i am going to try and make a ripply crocheted scarf inspired by the lovely Attic24 (pattern here) her blog brightens my day.

Another 2 English paper pieced balls in this cute fleecy fabric, one for the bubba and another as a gift for little Jim.

Image and free pattern from here
then these cute little guys as a wedding gift for some of Hubby's work mates... now just need to figure out how to read the pattern

some handles for my next bag..

Lets not forget the bigs and smalls blanket that has been rudely shoved aside for the moment (don't worry, i haven't forgotten about you)

and I've also got material to make a crib for bubba. Luckily my FIL is very handy and has already made the frame and now i just need to figure out how to make the hanging basket, but as bub is due in 13 days i REALLY need to get a wriggle on!

Project alert - Bigs & Smalls and Ducks in a row

got a few things on the boiler at the moment, but am trying to focus most of my craftiness on just 2... difficult i know!

the first is my big and small blue crocheted blanket that has been in the works for.... hmmm, a while. Started out trying to make one reaaaallllyyy big granny square, just like my nan makes perfect for draping over the knees. but got bored when it got bigger, lots of work for little reward... going around and around was just getting dang tiring!
so i ended up making 2 smaller, big granny squares. but that just wasn't right either it needed something else... in come the small squares. That is how it went from big granny square, perfect for draping over the knees on those cold nights to MEGA PROJECT!

I've since started on another 2 smaller, big granny squares (it really should be a square) and need to make about a thousand more small squares for joining it altogether and a border.



all those blues do get me a little excited (it is my favorite colour!) and knowing that a good 90% of the yarn has been saved from many a back room gives me the warm fuzzies a bit too..

2nd project

I really have a thing for softies at the moment... here's the latest - Ducks in a row... or maybe birds, you can decide.

From humble beginnings (beautiful picture Robbie)

to a work in progress!

trying to get the hang of sewing curves on my 40 year old Janome passed down from mother to daughter (thanks mum) so they are a bit wonky but i think I'm getting the hang of it (i hope!)
in true style i think this will end up being a mobile for bubba.. sure they will love the bright colours and wont mind my wacky stitching.

Granny Square Scarf

Here is the FIRST project that i have finished in ages!

it all started back in 2004 on our trip to Europe where we ended up living in Guildford UK for a few months, where i found this luscious yarn! it was so soft and super plush, totally out of our backpacker price range but i just HAD to have it... so i got a ball of each!

Made a few granny squares during our travels with the vague notion that it would be part of a bigger project 'one day'... couldn't really think of a lot i could do with only 2 small balls of wool.

fast forward 5 years to 2009 when i came across the unloved squares and Voila... inspiration!