Baby Elf Hat

Ooops!!!  I just noticed that my last post was almost 2 months ago.  That's shameful, isn't it?!?  I've been a very BAD blogger!!!  I hope Santa hasn't noticed, otherwise I may well be getting coal in my stocking this year!  Just in case Santa happens to follow crafty blogs, I'm going to try to be a GOOD blogger over the next few weeks.....

Probably even more shameful than my lack of blogging recently has been my lack of crafting!  After Bo was born, I didn't touch my sewing machine, crochet hooks, knitting needles or pretty-paper-stash for months.  Then, about six weeks ago, I picked up where I'd left off all that time ago (though it only seems like 5 minutes ago), and started some serious crafting again.

So now I have lots of show-and-tells in the pipeline.

For today, I wanted to show you a little baby elf hat that I made for Bo. It was the first crafty project I managed to finish since our little elf's arrival.

Here it is.....

I sort-of made it up as I went along.  I couldn't find a pattern that was just right for what I wanted.  I made a similar hat for a friend last Christmas (which you can see here).  It looked very cute when I'd finished it, but it was a bit small and not quite the shape I'd hoped it would be when it was on.  So, for Bo's, I did my own thing.  It doesn't look as cute off, but better on (if you know what I mean).  

You can see for your self how it looks on, anyway.  Next time, I'll share some photos that I took of Bo in his elf hat.  

Until then.....

I hope you're all keeping warm and well, and getting lots of christmassy crafting done!!!

Hugs,

Carly

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Works-in-Progress

After taking a way-too-long blogging break over Christmas, I'm finding it quite challenging to get back into a routine of posting regularly.  

One of the issues is that I just haven't had many finished projects to show you lately.  I've been doing quite a lot of crafting (sewing, crochet AND paper-crafting).  But all of the things I'm working on at the moment are taking a while to complete.  

So, in the meantime, until I have a proper show-and-tell ready for posting, here are some clues as to what I've been up to.....

(making stacks of colourful Froebel stars)

(sewing lots of triangles together)

(working on a giant crocheted granny square)

I wonder which of these projects I'll manage to complete first.....

I'll let you know, of course!

Carly

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Merry Christmas!!!

Oh dear!!!  I think I've let myself down a bit here.  My last post was from the 5th - that was a LOOOOONG time ago.  I think this is the first time since I started this blog that I've left posting for more than a week - and it's certainly the longest I've gone without visiting anyone else's blog!  And I genuinely am quite cross with myself about this.  The bad thing is that I don't even have a good excuse.  I've neglected emails and Facebook and EVEN Pinterest too!  We've just been lazing around really - and visiting family and friends.  

But I have to say that the resting and relaxing HAS been lovely!!!

I had to venture online today, though, to wish you all, my dear blogging friends, a very MERRY CHRISTMAS.....

..... and to show you this tiny elf hat that I crocheted for a tiny friend.....

I'm wondering whether I could get away with one myself.....

Have a great day tomorrow, dears!!!!!

Cary

xxx

   

Crocheted Choker

If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you probably already know this.  But I LOVE costume jewellery and accessories!!!  If I’m not wearing a brightly-coloured brooch, a string of beads or a set of bracelets when I go out, I feel like I’m not properly dressed.  So, I’m always on the look-out for interesting accessories that I could make, to add to my collection. 

   

And here’s my latest effort – a crocheted choker.....

I found the pattern on Ravelry, here.  It wasn’t too tricky, and didn’t take me too long.  I love the colours, and think it’s really cute and unusual.  The only problem is, it’s a bit TOO choker-ish around my neck.  If I make another (which I’m sure I will), I’ll have to make it a little longer.  And I’m hoping I’ll be able to stretch this one a bit.  I don’t think the choker’s going to enhance my outfit at all if my face is turning blue when I’m wearing it!  ;-)

If you know of any cute (but reasonably quick and simple) accessory or jewellery tutorials out there in blogland, please do share.....

Have a great week!

Carly

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Spiral Cowl

Hello, lovely ladies!  Thank you SO much for all your comments on my last post - and for all the name suggestions for my crocheted dolly.  It was VERY hard to pick - I really did like ALL of the ideas you gave me.  I've decided to call her Molly - it begins with 'M' (so goes with 'Mortimer'), and it rhymes with 'dolly' - perfect!  

Molly and Mortimer have had a whale of a time lately - they had the house to themselves for 3 whole weeks, while we were in the UK.  

We had a whale of a time, too!  We visited Simon's family in Devon, visited my parents in Staffordshire, spent a weekend on a narrow-boat (photos to come in another post), caught up with friends, went on two successful wedding-outfit-shopping expeditions, splashed out on lots of new hobby supplies, ate some yummy meals out, ate some yummy fish & chips in, worked our way through WAY too many Easter eggs, caught up on magazine-reading and TV-watching, and stocked up on essential UK food supplies - to last us until our next visit.  

As I haven't been at home, I'm afraid I haven't been keeping up-to-date with goings-on in our lovely crafty-blogging world (I cheated - my last few posts were scheduled).  I've missed reading about what you've all been up to, and feel very behind!  I'm looking forward to catching up this week.....

In the mean time, here's a quick show-and-tell.  I started this Spiral Cowl ages ago and, at last, it's finished.

I had to learn lots of new knitty things to make it, and the whole thing got ripped back more times than I can remember!  But I'm quite pleased with it now it's done.  There are a few little mistakes, but they're all hide-able if I wear the cowl the right way around.  Shhhhh! 

I think I may have to put it away until next winter, though.  It was 22 degrees here today, so I think that spring may be here at last - YIPPEEEEEEE!!!

Hugs to you all,

Carly

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Crocheted Dolly

Do you remember the crocheted monkey I made ages ago?  You can read all about him here.  He was my first ever finished crochet project – and got me ‘hooked’!!!  He’s been sitting on a chair in our living room, looking a bit lonely (and with nobody to play with when he comes to life at night – which, of course, he does).  So, I decided to make him a little pal.

I made my monkey by following the brilliant Annaboo’s House crochet-a-long.  Sarah’s super CAL gives instructions for making a monkey, a rabbit, a cat, a mouse, a bear and a doll.  So, this time, I decided to make a little dolly.

She was a bit trickier than the monkey – especially the hair!  I spent HOURS making her ‘wig’, and then HOURS more trying to make her two (level) pigtails and tie ribbons neatly in them!  She also required some clothes (it’s still pretty chilly in Düsseldorf, after all).  I followed the dolls’ dress tutorial that Sarah suggested in the CAL, which you can find here.  It wasn’t complicated – just a little bit fiddly.  I made it reversible – red with white dots on one side, and blue with bigger white spots on the other.  Of course, she likes the red side best!

And here she is, all finished:

  

And here she is with her best pal, Mortimer:

  

They have lots of fun together!  They like to watch movies together and play on the wii, after we’ve gone to bed.

 

I haven’t given her a name yet.  Do you have any good ideas???

Hugs,

Carly

x

        

More Easter Makes

Thank you for all of your sweet comments on my Bunny Bunting tutorial!  You can find it here if you missed it.  Now I'm back again, to show you a few more of my Easter makes.....

I made this sweet little crocheted Easter Bunny for my sister:  

I love his long, floppy ears and bright shiny eyes.  I found the pattern on Ravelry, here. 

As my sister's now caught the sewing bug from me, I thought I'd wrap her little Easter gift in fabric and ribbon - that she can use in a future project, maybe:

I liked how my little parcel looked, and think I might try wrapping some future pressies in fabric, too.

I just want to show you one more thing before I go.  Here's one of the Easter cards I made with my class:

They were so easy to do - just a hand print in black paint, a googly eye, and some fluffy cotton wool balls.  WARNING:  it is entirely impossible for a teacher's clothes to remain clean amongst an entire class of 4-year-olds with their hands painted black (no matter how hard that teacher may try to dodge the little darlings until all hands have been thoroughly washed).    

I hope that the Easter Bunny managed to find you this morning, and that you've now got chocolate enough to last you until August (and if not, Christmas)!  HAPPY EASTER to all of you, my dear friends!!!  

Carly

x
    

Better Late Than Never

Ooopsie!!!  It’s almost the end of January, and I haven’t made my new year’s resolutions yet.  I guess it’s not too late (as it’s still January).  And I’m sure a wise man once said “BETTER LATE THAN NEVER!”

Deciding to ONLY set fun, crafty resolutions last year was a brilliant idea – no worrying, no guilt, no disappointments, no shame, no stress! 

So, there’ll be no dull diet plans or excruciating exercise itineraries for me in 2013.....  just lots of crafty capers and arty adventures - AGAIN!!!

How did I do with last year’s resolutions?  Here’s a quick review:

1.  Learn to crochet. Well, I did!  I’m still just a newbie, but I’ve completed a few crochet projects now – and you can tell what they’re meant to be.  So, tick!

2.  Make more things for myself (including some clothes).  I’ve knitted myself a few bits and bobs to wear, and I’ve made myself some jewellery.  But I haven’t sewn myself any clothes (which was what I intended last January).  So, yes and no to this one.

3.  Make more (and hopefully buy less) greetings cards.  Tick!  I have made more cards (especially Christmas cards) and bought less. I could still do better, though.

4.  Have a go at knitting things that are not just sewn-up rectangles.  Yes!  I’ve knitted a few things using circular needles, and a few things that aren’t rectangles or squares.

5.  Experiment with making more home accessories.  Tick!  Lots of cushions, a few papercrafty things to hang on the wall, baby quilts, different kinds of Christmas decorations.....  I would have liked to have experimented with more new patterns and ideas, though.  

6.  Improve my photography skills.  I think I have.  I feel more confident in using my camera now.

7.  Post more tutorials on my blog.  Sadly, no.  Sorry!  I only posted one last year.  That’s shameful, I know!  Must do better!!! 

Bearing my review of 2012, and thinking of what else I’d like to achieve, I came up with my CRAFTY RESOLUTIONS FOR 2013:

1)  Post more tutorials on my blog!

2)  Make some clothes for myself (sewing).

3)  Learn to follow a proper crochet pattern.

4)  Make more greetings cards – for different occasions.

5)  Expand the range of things I make to sell (including adding more home accessories).

6)  Venture into the kitchen to do some baking.

7)  Try out some crafts that I’ve never tried before.

If you have any suggestions for number 7, I’d love to hear from you!

Let’s see how this year’s resolutions go.....

I’m off to make a start right now.....

Carly

x

P.S.  Who else is IN LOVE with their Mollie calendar?

CAL Monkey

Thank you for all your sweet comments on my last post.  I’m glad you appreciated our silly Jubilee antics!!!

I have to admit that there wasn’t TOO much crafting going on while we were away.  With all the preparations for out ‘Open House’ party, I’d been ridiculously busy with my sewing before our trip, and so I decided to give myself a bit of a break for a few days.

BUT, you know me.....  imposing a TOTAL crafting ban on myself (even for just a couple of days) would have been IMPOSSIBLE!!!  So, I took along my CAL monkey.  And what a fun and relaxing holiday project it was! 

Before we left, I’d made his head: 

And I’d given him a body and some legs:   

While we were away, I made all his other body-parts:

And I sewed them on.  The day we got back from Center Parcs, we had our new IKEA sofa and chair delivered.  My little monkey was ALMOST as excited as I was about this grand event, and INSISTED on having his photo taken sitting on the new chair:

For my first non-granny-square crochet project, I was pretty pleased with him.  The only problem was that his head was a bit wibbly-wobbly.  To resolve this, I crocheted him a little red scarf:

Can you tell what a poser he is???  He loves to work it in front of the camera!!! 

Now he has his little scarf, his head doesn’t keep lolling to one side, and he looks like a real dandy!!!  I’ve named him ‘Mortimer’.  I think it reflects his personality..... and it begins with ‘M’!!! 

I know that my crocheting looks a bit odd.  I wasn’t aware I was doing something not-quite-right until it was pointed out to me.  Now I need to work out how to do it properly.  Then I need to get me some pretty-coloured yarn.  Then I’m going to crochet a whole stack of little monkeys.....  Thank you SO much, Sarah!!!  You were the BEST teacher, ever!!!

If you haven’t entered already, there are only a couple of days to go until my GIVEAWAY closes (on Monday night).  So, if you’d like a chance to win a super book and some Crafted by Carly goodies, take a quick look at this post.....

Wishing you all a wonderful (and sunny) weekend.....

Carly

x

Grannies Galore

Last month, I excitedly did a ‘show and tell’ of my first ever crocheted granny square.  Well, like with most new crafty activities I try, I'm now well-and-truly addicted!!!

And, as with all my other crafty activities, one of my favourite parts of the process is putting together the colours.  How many different combos could I conjure up from 7 colours of yarn, using 4 for each square?  Well, I could work in out precisely.  But I think it’s adequate to just say LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS! Yippeeeeee!!!

So far, I’ve made 13.  Here are some of my favourites:

I still haven’t decided 100% on what I’m going to do with all my grannies.  In my head, I'm picturing a big, colourful blanket.  But I’m going to need a fair few more if I stick to that plan.  I think I’ll just keep on making them until I get bored, and see how far I get.....

By the way, can anyone explain (or point me towards a good video that can explain) what I should do with the ends after I cut them and pull them through?  I’m just wrapping them around and around, but I think there must be a neater, ‘proper’ way of doing it.  I’d be really grateful for any tips!

Right now, I’m also working on another crochet project.  It’s very exciting indeed, as it’s my first try at crocheting something other than grannies!  I’m joining in with Sarah’s wonderful crochet-a-long over at Annaboo’s House.  If you enjoy crocheting, or if you’re a beginner (like me), and fancy trying something fun, you should definitely join in!  By playing along, you can make either a cat, a monkey or a doll.  Can you guess which one I’m working on???

Off to grab my hook and do another granny square.....

Hope you're all enjoying lovely, warm days and beautiful, blue skies wherever you are!  

Carly

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