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

   

Knitted Scarf-Thing

Once upon a time, before Christmas, I knitted a scarf-type-thing for my sister.  I intended to give it to her as one of her Christmas pressies, and put it 'safely' away.  Of course, I forgot where I'd put it!

So, I saved it up for all these months, and gave it to her for her birthday last week instead!  

Here it is.....

I didn't follow a pattern.  I just started knitting a scarf, then had the idea to add some duffle buttons and turn it into a collar-thingamybob.

I quite liked it.  And I think I might knit one for myself too, if I can remember what I did.

Am I attempting anything more difficult than rectangles of fabric in my knitting yet?  Errr..... no!!!  I must get on to that, as it was one of my crafty resolutions for 2013.....

Carly

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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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Pretty Pressies

A little while back, the postman brought me a package, from my friend Paula (of the beautiful Sugar Sweet and Pink blog). 

And, of course, I had to share some photos with you.  Let's take a peek inside.....

Such pretty, pink, spotty tissue paper!  And, inside it.....

More prettiness.....

Some Martha Stewart yarn - in SUCH lovely colours.....

And the sweetest sweetie tin EVER!  And inside.....

Some cute cakey buttons.....

And the presttiest of sweet, vintagey prettiness (tags and ribbons and handkerchiefs and fabrics)!  Surely NOTHING can be sweeter?!?

Oh YES it can!!!  This is Miss Pistachio - and NOTHING is sweeter than her..... apart from Paula!  ;-)

Thank you SO much for all of my WONDERFUL pressies, dear friend!!!

So, what do you think I should knit (or crochet) with my gorgeous Martha yarn???

Carly

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A Birthday Present for a Kniting Friend

Last week, a good friend of ours turned 40.  I'd bought a couple of little gifts to package up for her, but I wanted to MAKE her something too.  While browsing on Ravelry, I found just the the thing to knit for a friend who knits - a teeny, tiny sweater-in-progress brooch.....

..... knitted on a pair of snapped-in-half toothpicks!!!

I found the pattern here.

Of course, I had to make her a card too.  And I couldn't resist making ANOTHER paper and buttons bunting card.....

..... just in a different colour (you can see the red - ruby wedding - version here).

Happy birthday, dear Saffron, happy birthday to you!!!  

Carly

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Now THAT’S What I Call Yarn Bombing!!!

We were out on a little ‘Sunday Drive’ last weekend, just a few miles from home, when we came across THIS:

Now THAT’S what I call yarn bombing!!!  As you can see, pretty-much EVERYTHING was covered in pieces of knitting or crochet:  the wall, the fence, the gate, the door, the shutters, the windowsills, the big tree, the planters, the ivy, and the.....  horse!?!  

I didn’t even need to say anything to Simon.  He knew what had to be done, and pulled over to let me and the camera out.  He knows me well!!!

This wonderful place is a clothing and gift shop called Punch and Judy, in Lohausen.  I’ve never been inside, but I do plan on a visit in the VERY near future.  The same people also have a ridiculously quaint-looking cafe, just down the road from the shop.  You should definitely check out the website, here.  I don’t want to spoil the surprise, but it’s VERY cute – and VERY German.....

Now, I wonder what the neighbours would say if I decided to get myself a big plastic horsey and a stack of yarn, and tried to create my own woolly wonderland right here.....

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

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