Handmade Monday

Wow Monday comes around so fast!  I hope that the weather has improved for you all - strangely, we had no snow though it was cold but only until Thursday when the temps came up a bit. Today it was actually really nice here and not cold - I wore my thick jacket while out with Mindy and was actually too hot!

First off, I want to say a huge thank you to Jill over at Christmas Pie Crafts who awarded me the Liebster Award. The Liebster Award is given to bloggers who have up to 200 followers in the hope it will bring them new followers and friends. The tradition is that is is then passed on to five other bloggers to help them too. I will be doing this in a separate blog post. Thanks again Jill x

I meant to update on Mindy's trip to the vet re. her paw last week - seems to be getting better and the red patch is shrinking so think the cream the vet gave us is helping.  Mindy is not too keen when she sees me slipping on my latex gloves to apply it! I also have to watch her like a hawk that she doesn't lick the cream off!

I have been making a few recycled  'rubber rings' as I'm really enjoying wearing them and making them.  They are comfortable to wear and I'm enjoying coming up with different designs.  Not sure if I will put these on my website for sale or just make for myself.

Finally some crochet - have been 'crocodiling' again - made this chunky crocodile cowl.  This stitch does take a long time to do but I like the effect when it's done.  

Now pop over to 1st Unique Gifts and see what everyone else has been up to. 

Have a great week everyone!

Mich :) 

Handmade Monday

Well it has been a busy week back at work.  Was glad to see Friday - speaking of Friday, coming out of work on Friday night I was pushing my bike to the cycle path (tend not to ride it out of the industrial estate at nights as its a bit like 'whacky races' - cars, vans and lorries all rushing to get out), so I just walk on the pavement pushing my bike, well suddenly I was flying over the top of it!  Turns out out of the straps of my cycle bag had got caught in the wheel!  No real injuries (bar a big bruise on my leg) - had to scramble around collecting the office mail which had scattered!

Did some crafting at the weekend - made 3 bracelets:

Today made a '2 flower ring':

Still having problems with my camera/computer connection however have discovered that I can take pictures and then just pop the memory card into my laptop to download the files.  Must be something wrong with the USB lead.

Must get started on some decorating this week - the kitchen is first on the list!

 Pop over to 1st Unique Gifts to have a look and see what everyone else has been up to this week.

Have a good week everyone. 

Mich :)

First Handmade Monday December

Time is flying and Christmas is drawing close!  Today's weather here is definitely more Winter like - very cold and was slippy in places on the pavements - as I discovered while dog walking!  Now I'm wondering if I'm going to be ok cycling tomorrow (I worry in case the roads will be slippery) so I think the plan tomorrow will be to give myself enough time to walk to work if need be. Will check the 'slippiness factor' at around 7.30am.

I've had a nice weekend.  Got the baby blanket finished so will get that posted off with the hats this week.

Today I made a face cream for myself.  I am finding that my skin is so dry with cycling now that the weather is getting colder.  I put in some nice oils - wheat-germ, almond and some hibiscus extract and also some glycerin - it feels lovely on.  (If anyone would like the recipe let me know).

I made a star decoration based on this crochet pattern . Instead of the suggested wool and hook size I used very fine crochet cotton and a 1.75 hook.  First time I'd really crocheted with this size - very strange! Like using a needle and thread! I added a few sparkly beads and a little bit to hang it up at the top.

I again adapted the pattern and made a little ring -

Thought it might be nice to wear something a bit festive!

Well that's been my weekend.  Pop over to 1st Unique Gifts to see how Wendy is getting on with her campervan clocks and to catch up on the other blogs.

Have a great week (and start searching for your hats and scarves now - Winter is coming!)

Mich :)

Handmade Monday (though it is Sunday!)

I'm writing my blog today for the Handmade Monday group as I certainly have more time on a Sunday.  Well it has been a busy weekend.

I decided to arrange for someone to come and take a few things to the recycling point (one of the downsides of no car means I can't do this myself now!) One thing was an old TV.  I was moving it last night and strained my back in the process.  At first it didn't feel too bad but as the day and night wore on got very sore.  I could have kicked myself really for (a) not waiting till my daughter's boyfriend arrived to help and (b) using my back instead of my legs when lifting.  So that kind of put a scupper on things last night as any time I stretched a bit or stood up I groaned!  This morning things were still quite sore however I discovered that if I kept moving it wasn't as bad so have tried to do that today.

Craft wise, here is a picture of the elf baby hat that I crocheted last weekend - wish I'd had a baby on hand to model it on for the picture.  Its made of a soft, cosy wool and going by how the temperature has dipped here this week, cosy hats will in vogue again.

I also had the bright idea of making some napkin rings.  Thought they may be something people might buy for Christmas time.  I got some nice silver coloured organza and made some flowers then I made the bases by crocheting wire, and finally finished them off with a crocheted ribbon yarn centre. Now, they did take quite a long time to make (and I only made 4!)  and I'm thinking that I don't know if the time and effort in making them could balance against what I would sell them at.  I'm still pondering that. 

Made a little squiggle ring for myself tonight - 

Well that's all my happenings for today - pop over here now and have a good read of some great blogs :)

Mich :)

Beading

Just a few words this morning before I head to work.

I am actually really enjoying beading work.  I made this bracelet and ring last night - just made up the pattern and am only still using seed beads so as not to waste more expensive beads in my trials!

I need to find out how to attach clasps etc and how to finish off when using 'flex-rite' so this weekend will have a search for tutorials and instructions.

Hope everyone is looking forward to the weekend as much as I am!

Mich :)

Bits and Pieces

I managed to make a few little things tonight.  Started with a new design for a hair pin - really wanted to see if the circle part would stand up without laying flat - which it does so I am happy with that and can build further ideas into it now.

Also beaded a hair comb and I'm pleased with how it has turned out.  One thing I've noticed though is that I keep making things in purple!  It is my favourite colour but I think I should maybe try some different colours - just that I find it quite hard to make things in colours I'm not too fond of! Sometimes though you can get a surprise when you make things is a different colour - I must remember that!

Also tried a little beaded ring (again in purple colours grrr).  Just made up a pattern - I don't think I could follow beading patterns just now as I've just really started this.  I must see if there are any classes on beading as I really quite enjoyed it but would like to find out the proper way to start and finish and how to do specific patterns.

After 10pm already - where has the night gone!

Mich :)