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Sunday, 24 April 2016

Crochet Workshop Event

I'm ever so excited to announce that my Crochet Workshop event is open for bookings.

This is a one off event for me. I recently retired from 22 years working for the same company and took an opportunity to do something different.

The Workshops in People's Homes is an art project run by AND (Abandon Normal Devices). There are 10 workshops being held throughout Cumbria during May/June and I am one of them.

I have turned my living room into a crochet museum where I will deliver a lecture on the social history of the craft of crochet, followed by tea and a slice of traditional Westmorland baking and an opportunity to try crochet techniques.

To see about my workshop, click here.

To see the full programme, click here.

Preparations are underway. First job is to sort out what I have got


then wash the blankets to freshen up. Not often you see such a colourful washing line.

Friday, 22 April 2016

What am I made from?

Fabric scraps wound round washing line then machined into bowls with zig zag stitches. Makes a sturdy bowl. Thank you Janet from The Threshing Barn for the workshop. www.threshingbarn.com

Thursday, 31 March 2016

Glorious Patterns

I always take a quick look at the knitting patterns in charity/junk shops and occasionally I find a crochet pattern or two, but look what I got yesterday, FIVE, yes FIVE patterns. Liking the Wendy Miami, though it is a bit chunky. Also, is that Joanna Lumley in a fetching jacket?


Sunday, 20 March 2016

Exciting News

It's Sunday morning, 0535 hrs when I awoke to the sound of the dawn chorus. At first it was just a jumble of sounds, but I opened my windows wider to listen and bit by bit I was able to make out different tunes. This continued for a full 11 minutes, not even missing a beat when a lone vehicle drove past. I am no bird song expert so I couldn't identify the individual singers, apart from near the end of the concert when the jackdaws joined in. I can still hear birds singing now but the main performance is over. What joy from simple pleasures.

My outlook on life is slightly coloured by the rose tinted glasses I am wearing at the moment. I have taken the opportunity to retire from the daily 9 to 5 to concentrate on my creative works. Having been fortunate to have worked full time since I left school I am now lucky to be able to start on the next stage of my life. And wow that has started in a big way. I saw an article in a local publication which was looking for participants in a countywide arts programme. I contacted them, was interviewed and then invited to take part. It's called Workshops in People's Homes. 

www.andfestival.org.uk/events/workshops-in-homes 

It is such an honour to have been invited as they have only invited 12 people in the whole of Cumbria.

My workshop has still to be decided on but I am thinking of setting up a crochet museum in my living room, providing tea and cake, and a quick crochet practice. So much work to do. Not least organising and cataloguing my crochet collection which grows each month.

A kind friend popped round with an old knitting bag which was full of these goodies. So more joins the stash.

But I still have a bit of time for my own crocheting. From a book which was published around the early Edwardian era by Flora Klickmann I have started this piece of fillet. I am making mine with a larger hook and thicker cotton than would have been used. The old instructions are quite hard to follow, but I'm making progress.

Thank you for reading my blog.

Sandra xx

Sunday, 21 February 2016

Finishings

Sometimes you get to finish a couple of projects in the same evening.

A pile of these

Equals one crochet beret, modelled here by Doris

And, one crochet blanket

Now, what should I start on next .............

Sunday, 24 January 2016

January is not blue

It's full of colour. It's been ages since I did plain granny squares so have started to make this blanket. I can even do this and watch TV at the same time. I now have a lot of ends to sew in.....


Also added Seamus the Alpaca to my growing zoo.


Not sure who to make next, Benedict the Chimp


 or Douglas the Highland Cow, any thoughts

My two hand sewn EPP cushions are now on Folksy too. 

All this enthusiasm at the beginning of a new year, I hope I can keep it up.

Sunday, 20 December 2015

A few makes and Merry Christmas

My entry to my Inside Crochet magazine challenge. A cheeky crochet star for my Christmas tree.



A dress for my granddaughter. The photo doesn't show it but it has sparkle in the yarn. There is still a ribbon to add. Hopefully she will feel like a princess in it.


Three elf stockings, a commission make for a work colleague for Christmas. I sold a similar one from my Folksy shop. I know it is small beginnings, but I have sold three items now, it means so much when strangers buy your work as family and friends could just be being kind. No offence to my supporters......


On piece of printed cotton I embellished with embroidery and then hand quilted. Added a backing fabric and festive fabric binding. I'm quite pleased with the way it turned out.


Merry Christmas to you all.