Saturday, July 29, 2006

You know it's time to wash your car when...

...you've got not one, but two plants growing from it.

 
 


To be honest, there's a part of me that thinks this is pretty cool...and another part that is kind of disgusted with the amount of time my car goes between washes. I won't try to explain because all I have is lame excuses. Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Fan bookmark

I made this lovely bookmark a couple of weeks ago now. I love the design, it's so elegant. I'm thinking about making a few as gifts.


Fan bookmark Posted by Picasa


I'd like to thank crochetroo for the pattern from here. I made a couple of changes. I only did 6 fans rather than 8, and did a plait before the tassel.
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Sunday, July 23, 2006

Woven belt

I made this, based on instructions from the book Complete Crafts, that I found recently. It was basically an experiment, and I was trying to use up some yarn so the colours aren't my favourite, but I'm pretty happy with the technique. It would probably come in handy for bag handles and stuff (if I was going to crochet a bag), because it's a bit more solid than crochet, and I can make it in the same colour scheme as the hypothetical bag.


Woven belt Posted by Picasa


But this is a belt, not a bag handle. To be honest I like the dangly plaited ends, I can flick them around. Hee hee!
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Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Oooooh

I'm a bit slack at the moment. I'm trying to space out my posts a bit, but now I'm getting behind, because I bought all this stuff on Saturday, and I've got a few completed projects that I need to take photos of. Anyway, the shopping was lots of fun, although I've realised I need some other stuff now. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to buy some more!


New Supplies Posted by Picasa


Anyway, I got some yarn (I'm planning to use it for amigurumi), some eyes (amigurumi), stuffing (amigurumi), buttons (they were on special), embroidery thread (maybe crocheted earrings), a wash off pen (embroidery), a new hoop (embroidery), a plastic tray (I sorted out some of my beads, now I need more trays for findings and other stuff), and some ribbon (it was on special).

I've got a few ideas ticking round my head at the moment too, which is good because I felt a bit out of inspiration for a bit before I went away.

I saw Superman Returns last night. It was kind of good, but could have been cut down by about an hour. By the time it finished I was definately ready to go to bed. At least I didn't fall asleep in the middle of it! I managed to entertain my friends by getting completely lost in the carpark. I had never been to that shopping center and I got given pretty crap directions by them. Admittedly I'm not that great at directions anyway, but I kept everyone amused so that's the most important thing!

Monday, July 17, 2006

New craft books

Ooooh look! I bought these at the Lifeline Book Fair that was on when I went to the Gold Coast and I'm so glad I had room left in my suitcase for them (and the novels I bought too).


New books Posted by Picasa


The Encyclopedia of Embroidery is a wonderful book. It has detailed illustrations of different embroidery stitches and techniques as well as examples of embroidered art which makes the book more interesting. Techniques include cross stitch, applique, machine embroidery and more. It also has a number of patterns as well, and was just an enjoyable book to read.

The Complete Crafts book has a wide range of projects with clear instructions for all of them. The variety of crafts was very impressive.

Sunday, July 16, 2006

Hairpin lace scarf

I did it! I made a hairpin lace project that I'm actually happy with! Yay!

Anyway, I bought this yarn at an op-shop, and I'm still not sure why. It's a bit of a pain to work with because of the texture but using it for hairpin lace worked quite well.


Hairpin lace scarf Posted by Picasa


I basically ended up using sykosparks instructions from here and I'm pretty happy with my new scarf. It's nice and soft and the colours remind me of the sea.

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

3D Afghan

Alright, so I didn't make this one, but my granny did. She made three altogether for some of her grandchildren (she's refusing to make any for the new ones!). She did it a few years ago and I really love it. I realise now why she was complaining about putting it all together.

My granny didn't actually teach me how to crochet. I was pretty impressed by all the crochet projects on craftster and after finishing mid year exams at uni decided I couldn't wait until I saw her next so I taught myself off the internet (it's good for everything!). Last weekend I stayed with my granny in Queensland and she now claims she can't remember how to crochet anyway so I probably made the right decision to teach myself. Plus I think it would drive both of us insane her trying to teach me.


Blanket Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Dodgy hairpin lace project 2


Hairpin lace 2 Posted by Picasa


Once again, it's the yarn, not the project (yes, I'm a bad craftsperson blaming my tools!). I bought this stuff ages ago, before I learned how to crochet (only about a year ago, but it seems like longer) when I was trying to learn how to knit (not for the first time, and once again I didn't manage it). Anyway, I like purple, but with it's texture I've now decided that this stuff looks like it should make some kind of impractical frilly decorative item that smells of lavender, possibly a teacosy of the sort banned at craftster. I've got three balls to use up, so hopefully I'll get some inspiration!

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

Dodgy hairpin lace project number 1

This is my first hairpin lace project...and it didn't work.

I was going for a hairpin lace panta/headband thing but I chose the wrong yarn. I wanted something green (because I like green) but the only yarn I had turned out to be too chunky and I ended up with something far too thick for a headband. All is not completely lost though, because I'm sure I can use the basic pattern for something else in the future, because I like the look of it, just not when it's on my head.


Hairpin lace 1 Posted by Picasa


To make this I did sc hairpin lace going under the loop, rather than through it, then *sc three loops together, ch 2* repeat until end.

On a completely unrelated topic, I'm going to a conference tomorrow (in Queensland, so bring on the warm weather!), so no posts from me until at least Monday, possibly longer because Monday is salsa night.

Sunday, July 02, 2006

Crochet Supplies

Oooh, look what I got! I ordered it from Crochet Australia and it arrived really quickly, with a bonus Freddo Frog. Yum!


Crochet Supplies Posted by Picasa


I bought a Hairpin Lace loom, a Tunisian/Afghan Hook and some cro-tat hooks and an instruction/pattern book. I'm really pleased with it all!

Saturday, July 01, 2006

Birthday Card

Yay! I've got internet access again. It was getting very annoying having to check stuff from work all the time. Hopefully I'll be able to control my internet usage a bit better this month!

Anyway, last weekend I went home for my mum's birthday and she LOVED the blanket I made, which was a big relief, and she appreciated all the hard work I put into it. I bought her a cook book as well at the last minute and she thought that was really good too.

As well as the blanket I made her this card. I think I may have had a little too much sugar when I did the front though, but I still think it looks kind of cool.

 


I got the instructions for the cake and candles from here, and there are a number of other designs too.

 
 Posted by Picasa