A good day :) :) :)

If there's a better way to get some paper work done than sitting out side in the sun I can't think of one!  Our beautiful cherry blossom tree is in full bloom and the pup has stolen the seat next to me to sit and enjoy the rays. I'm still full of chocolate from yesterday and the first ladybird I've seen this year just landed on my shoe!  Over all a good bank holiday Monday, hope everyone else out there is feeling as blissful :)

Just chilling; blocking some crochet, eating some chocolate :)

Mmmm chocolate...I mean Happy Easter! ;)

What better way to start Easter Sunday than this;

Followed by this;

My mum still spoils me! And my dad has his uses to as he's going to have to widen the doors after I eat all of this!!! #fattyfatty  Happy Easter Pals! xXx 

My colourful, floral bangle :)

I hope everyone has enjoyed their Bank Holiday Weekend and managed not to over indulged in to much chocolate...unlike myself! :/ :s :/

Last night I finished my first crochet bangle and I'm really pleased with the results and can't wait to make more.  :)

Although it was very simple to make this is the first time I have attempted to write out any of my patterns so please feel free to get in touch with any questions or -ahem- point out any mistakes :):):)

For this project I used a large wooden bangle, a 3.5mm crochet hook, yellow and orange seed beads, invisible thread and DMC Natura Just Cotton 4 Ply in the following colours:

Turquoise - n49

Tournesol - n16

Coral - n18

Pistache - n13

Glicine - n30

Safran - n47

Geranium - n52

You can buy these shades from the following link: http://www.deramores.com/dmc-natura-just-cotton

And here's what I did:

Firstly I measured around a simple bangle (you could recycle one of your old ones) and then the circumference; as shown in my little diagram below:

Now you are ready to begin :) 

I made a crochet chain the length of 'measurement 1', then added one extra chain.  In the second chain from the hook I crocheted to the end of the row using dc (or sc if your American).  Ch1 then turn your work and continue onto the next row.  

I changed colour scheme after every 2 rows, but it is your choice how you wish to continue and what colour scheme you wish to use.

Note: After you have done a few rows it might be worth wrapping your work around the bangle to check that you are happy with the length and tension, as you may have to add or undo a stitch or two.  This will save a lot of time if your measurements were not correct. :)

When your work measures the same length as 'measurement 2' in the diagram you can sew the two short ends together to form a loop.  Turn your work inside out so that the seam is not showing and pull over the outside of your bangle.

Now onto those pesky end bits...you could use a needle to thread the bits into your work but I preferred to cheat a little by just using a simple hand stitch over them (as seen below in black thread), personally I found this quicker.  Invisible thread might prove best for this but as it will be hidden in the middle of your bangle your stitching shouldn't matter to much.  Great if your a sloppy stitcher like me :D

Finally sew the to edges together around the inside of your bangle making sure your colours match up and use a needle to hide any escaping bits... And your done! :)

You could choose to leave your bangle like this or add some embelishments; I decided to go with a crochet floral theme using the same bright colours as before. :)

Flowers:

3ch then slst into the first chain to make a circle.  *2ch, 1tr (USA 1dc) 2ch, then slst back into the circle.*  Repeat *_* until you have 5 petals and fasten off.

Leaves:

7ch and slst into the 2nd chain from the hook, then dc, htr, 2tr and dc in the last stitch.  (USA - sc, hdc, 2dc and sc). Fasten off and hide the loose ends.

After making enough flowers and leaves I had a little play around before desiding on the final layout and sewing them on using invisible thread.  This is a bit fiddly but worth it!

I then finished off by sewing a number of yellow and orange seed beads into the center of each flower.

Hooray!  You're done!

Here's my finished product ready to be torn from my adoring wrist and placed up for sale in my Etsy shop.  I would love to know what you think of my final design.  xXx 

www.deramores.com/blog-awards:

 This blog entry is my submission to the Deramores Blog Awards 2014. Deramores is the UK’s number one online retailer of knitting and crochet supplies. 

A bit of wisdom this Feel Good Friday :)

Fantastic felt flowers

Yesterday I had lots of crafty fun with little mister Pj, lots of glue was used; most of it to apparently cover my jeans!

My favourites that we made were definitely the flowers using felt shapes I had cute out and ice lolly sticks.  The little fella really enjoyed making them to and took them home later to give to his mum as an early Easter present.

So incase your wanting to do a quick arty project with your kids this bank holiday weekend I have put together a picture tutorial as shown below. :)

Firstly drawn and cut out a variety of shapes in roughly 3 different sizes as you will be layering them.

Find some brightly coloured felt or you could even use cardboard from an old cereal box, tissue paper or scraps of fabric (using a background of cardboard on the first, biggest layer to keep it stiff). Get lolly sticks (a great excuse to have a icy pre-craft time treat!) or again cardboard and colour the stems in bright colours. Also find some sequins, buttons or other small adornments (I used foam shapes) to decorate the from of your flowers.

After you have cut out your shapes layer them on to the lolly stick using PVA glue and Hey Presto! A quick cheerful flower :)

You don't just have to make flowers either, how about balloons and stick the onto the front of a birthday card or cut out some space themed shapes, I could definately see the makings of a bright, speedy space rocket!

Here's to Master Barry and his puppy outfit :)

Over the last few months I've been busy crocheting some outfits and accessories for my pregnant cousin in Abu Dhabi, I haven't wanted to put up any photos on here in case certain family members discovered the surprises.  Luckily all my gifts arrived safely on April 1st, which happened to be the same day the gorgeous William (Liam) Barry was born!  After some photographic proof was given determining little L.B's arrival was not an April Fools everyone is completely in love with the newest member of our family, especially my brother who will now be known as 'The Godfather'!

Now he's had time to settle in all, he's proving to be quite the poser as seen below!

Such a gorgeous boy and yesterday I got a lovely suprise of the first picture of L.B in one of his outfits I crocheted a little doggy hat.  I ordered the pattern (one of many) from a shop called 'Beezy Moms Creations' on Etsy. I changed the tail but other than that the pattern was simple and as you can see below the finished product is very cute. :)

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/BeezyMomsCreations?ref=search_shop_redirect