Happiness is a warm...bag of wool, or something like that...

I am not an expert knitter at all, but I'm trying to learn. So far, I have managed to knit three quarters of a scarf. Look how pretty the two-tone wool is! I love it because A. it looks slightly like I have used two types of wool, and B. the colours are so autumnal. While I am enjoying the sunshine and warm weather, I can't help looking forward to my favourite season to come around again!

The tote bag is by a really cool local band called Death of the Elephant.

My bag of wool is calling me to get busy. While working on my crochet throw, I might work up a few more amigurumi figures!

Have a happy week xx

Socks

A lovely friend bought me some gorgeous cotton wool and sock needles for my birthday. I am not an expert knitter and have NO CLUE how to operate these needles, there are FOUR of them! Hmmmm. Some time when I feel like a challenge, I am going to have a go at sock knitting with some test wool. Maybe, by next winter I will have pair of handmade socks and I will be SUPER proud of myself.

My Saviour!

I have just found the most amazing website ever which might just change my life forever, seriously. The site converts crochet patterns from American to UK and vice versa, saving me from having to re-write american patterns into UK format. 

This might not seem like such a big deal, but my dilemma is such...In UK patterns DC means Double Crochet, which is an American Single Crochet. In American patterns DC means Double Crochet, which is a UK treble crochet. Makes my brain HURT! This website is a simple solution to an irritating problem AND it also looks really cute (which isn't a surprise given that the owner is the author of the wonderful Creepy Cute Crochet)! I will now find it much easier to make this cosy throw.

Hooked

I am slightly addicted to crochet. Its so therapeutic, and the fact that you can create things relatively quickly makes it very satisfying. I was taught to crochet by my Grandma when I was 7, and rediscovered it until about a year ago. Since then, I have been working though the many amigurumi style books on the market and my house is coming down with cute crochet creatures! I have decided that it's time to brach out and crochet some thing a little more useful, and have decided on this bright, beautiful throw from Stitch Nation, who have lots of free patterns on their website. I have supplemented my already massive collection of wool with some new, bright colours, which makes me very happy! I bought DK wool instead of the slightly thicker one recommended in the pattern, and I'm using a 5mm hook rather that 5.5mm. It will mean I have to make slightly more granny squares to complete the throw, but I am looking forward to it! I think it will be one of those projects that I dip in and out off any time I fancy it, so could go on for ages!

Coffee makes you live longer...

Last week, a psychology student told me that sleeping five hours per night is ideal and that anything more is unhealthy. Then someone else told me that they only sleep 5 hours per night and never feel tired as they drink so much coffee. As someone who needs at least 8 or 9 hours to feel human, I decided to test this theory and hope that my new longer days give me the chance to be more productive...

So today I bought a cafetiere and some strong ground coffee, as well as very pretty cup from Laura Ashley which happened to have 25% off. Here's to a longer life and caffeine shakes!

resolutions

There are a few things I want to achieve this year (not sure December is feasible, I'm always a bit late with these things)...

Last May bank holiday, I was in Norway

1. Travel more..
2. Move to a better flat..
2. Knit something other than a scarf.
3. Crochet something other than a toy
4. Begin making granny squares for blanket, keep in a basket until ready
5. Make a quilted cushion.
6. Actually go to knitting club (which is also a book club).
7. Read at least ONE book per month.
8. Start a blog - somewhere to rant and post pics.
9. Save money.
10. Finish a sketchbook - one drawing a day until perfect.
11. Read Drawing on the Right side of the brain.
12. Take more photographs with my SLR.
13. Always go to the gym twice a week.
14. Make my own lunches 4 days a week.
15. Keep getting Graze Boxes.
16. Eat more fruit.
17. Make a meal plan for a whole week.
18. Keep to my shopping budget each month.
19. Wear better clothes to work.
20. Try to shop in new places.
21. Try needle felting.
22. Make a skirt.
23. Make a patchwork pillow and quilt.
24. Finish my polymer clay jewellery.
25. Make the most of living so close to London.
26. See more live music!
27. Go to Hainult Festival
28. Spend more time outdoors in the summer, walking, hiking, running and sightseeing

shiny, shiny failures

Well, my creative plans for the 1920s party didn't quite come to fruition! It didn't help that I had to go to an unexpected barbecue the night before, which resulted in me being very tired (hungover) the following day and  not having the energy to create! I tried, but I did not succeed. Thankfully, I have another 1920s party to attend in November, so I shall lots of time to make the perfect head dress with these very pretty brooches.

Its a bit of a shame, as I had bought feathers, hair grips and wire to assemble my creation. They ended up attached to my dress, in a typical brooch-like fashion.  I shall post the details of my totally non-fascinating make-up and costume soon, I just wanted to show off my shiny brooches for now!

sun through the trees

When I was back home at Easter (ages ago now!), I went with my sister to find where she had to go on the first day of her new job. She is now working in the most amazing building, just out of town. The building was the first psychiatric hospital in Ireland, purpose built 200 years ago. The patient wards closed two years ago, so it seems pretty serene. It is beautiful, creepy and surrounded by beautiful woodland which I used to go running around during my lunch break when I worked nearby. I took a few pictures on my phone, and actually love how they turned out!

Front of the building, not particularly the best view!

There is nothing nicer than photographing sun rays by accident!

Flapper Girl

On Saturday I'm going to a 1920's themed birthday party. The twenties are one of my favourite era's, so I am very excited and want to make a real effort to look the part.

I had planned to wear a long, flowing cream dress which I bought in H&M last year which would look perfect for a night in the Ritz (or a friends living room, where I'll actually be). However, as I was shopping in the vintage market in town I found an amazing sequinned shift dress - for £10. So obviously I bought it. And this chocker to go with it. Although I now realise that chokers aren't very 1920s. And now I have a choice of two dresses, hurray!

From all the vintage fashion books I have read, its clear that a spectacular headdress is key to perfecting the 1920's evening look. In a bid to be creative, I have decided to make my own. How hard can it be? I visited my favourite stall at the market, the one where I always look but don't but and I'm sure the lovely woman who owns it gets very tired of me trying on every diamond ring in her collection. Today I could finally justify buying not one but THREE beautiful brooches! Two from the 19203 or 1930's, and another from the 1950's. They are so pretty. I plan to attach them to a head band or perhaps fashion some way of turning them into a hair clip. With some feathers of course.

So now I only  have to sort out how to do my hair, my make-up and some jewellery before Saturday evening.

A book which I am very excited about...

Laura from the lovely bugsandfishes makes the most lovely things from felt. She also sells wonderful packs of felt and embroidery supplies online, in delicious colours that I never see in local craft shops. This book Super Cute Felt: the cover is full of her tutorials, and I personally cannot wait to find out the sewing techniques she uses to make her creations. Laura's blog has given me so much inspiration to make felty things!