Friday 12 April 2013

Which ribbon?

Over the last couple of days I have been playing with turquoises, lilacs and this lovely distressed blue for a very special commisioned brooch for a soon-to-be married man to give to his soon-to-be wife on their honeymoon.

Here is the finished flower...

I wonder what kind of ribbon she would like?

I've narrowed it down to three ribbons in particular. There's the turqoise one. You can't see it very well on this photo but this is a lovely, rich turquoise, silky ribbon. Then there's the lovely neutral one. This one is a light creamy colour, with grey stitches down the sides. And then lastly (my personal favourite) the floral grey one, which I would adjust to be a bit thinner. But might this one be a bit too... well... floral for some people?


Will ask the  hubby-to-be in question which one he thinks would best suit his special lady.

Tuesday 9 April 2013

Taking a course with Craftsy : Know Your Wool


Craftsy describe themselves as " a community of passionate crafters featuring online classes about all your favorite crafts including quilting, sewing & cake decorating." I became a craftsy member to download a free crochet pattern from them, but until now have never taken any of their courses.

I have so much wool, even now as I type there are balls of wool all over the sofa as I am midway through a project (or ten!). But I must admit, most of the wool I own has been donated to me from people who have finished projects or people who wish to help me out in my little Cottage industry The Flower Mill.

Some of my own wooly work at The Flower Mill




This morning I signed up to a free class called 'Know Your Wool' led by Deborah Robson - click the link at the end of this post to get started! - and I thought I would let you know how I am finding it so far;




Getting started


Getting started was really easy. It took me less than a minute to "buy" the course. (It was completely free, but you still have to add it to your cart and process the order). The course is made up of detailed videos that I can watch as many times as I'd like. They never expire and are easily accessed once logged onto my Craftsy account. There was a short introductory Craftsy video about getting the most out of their learning resourses which again took only one minute. Then I was in...


The Course


This information is lifted directly from the Craftsy website. To view it at its original source please click on the text.


My thoughts...


I have only watched the first session and I am finding it really helpful. After just the first ten minutes, I had already realised how I have no idea about the content of different wools or the sheep that they come from or the way the wools are processed to achieve their different textures and looks. I was lapping up Deborah's vast knowledge. 


So far, I have found Deborah Robson's teaching extremely clear to follow and absolutely brimming full with her life-long learnt, specialist information on wool. I am excited to learn from her as she explains everything very thoroughly without waffling on or entering the realms of patronising.


Deborah's thorough book on wool types


The only thing I would say is that I am wondering if it will get more targeted at knitters (as opposed to crocheters and other wool based artisans) as the course goes on, but I don't think that will get in the way of me learning about making the right choices of which wools to use for various projects.

On the whole, I would highly recommend that you give this a go!

To sign up with Craftsy for free click here or to read about this particular course click here. Enjoy!

Sunday 7 April 2013

A happily accidental reunion

Isn't it funny how people grow up, change, lose contact with one another, and then - out of the blue - stumble across one another again.

When I was at school there was a girl who I never really got to know. I didn't particularly like her, but didn't particularly not like her. You know how it goes. I'm not sure if we ever spoke to each other in the eight years we shared a school building!

Now, another eight years have passed by and both of us have moved to different cities, both have gotten married, we haven't particularly maintained many mutual friends.

A picture from her website to promote her website
...And yet, thanks to the world of social media, we have found each other afresh and I'm so glad because she has set up a beautiful craft business.

Crochet hooks decorated by Hand-Made by Bee  - I 've bought the 10mm one!
As I've stumbled across her work and she's stumbled across mine, we've shared and supported one another's pieces.


A candle jar by Hand-Made by Bee
It's brilliant when small craft businesses support and share each other's work over the interweb. After all, us little guys need to stick together!!

Valentines Cards  by Hand-Made By Bee

So I thought I'd share her with you... so... introducing... the lovely Bee and her deliciously, pretty business (go ahead click here and see) Hand-Made By Bee.






Monday 1 April 2013

Baby headbands

Since photographing gorgeous baby Eva in a couple of my crocheted headbands I'm feeling inspired to have a go at designing more hair accessories for baby girls. I mean! Look at how adorable she looks...


I am going to make a load of baby-sized ones in different styles and colours because I'm feeling inspired by her big bright eyes and her cute little cheeks. She just looks so cute! I'll let you see how I get on.



Both of these photographs are taken by Dot & Lucy Photography

Here are a few others headbands that were photographed in the Park.