Spring is here.

Well this week has been one filled with plenty of April showers but we were able to avoid any this morning and make the most of the Spring sunshine and head off to RSPB Salthome.

This is one of my favourite places to head to for a bit of fresh air and inspiration. During the Easter holidays they have the lambing shed open to the public, we didn't get to see any lambs being born but we did spot the happiest lamb I've ever seen, looking like he was smiling and enjoying the warm sun.

It was so refreshing just wandering around the different trails, letting the warm breeze blow away the cobwebs.

Of course the main thing you go to see here are the birds, my pictures of the birds were a little blurry as it was at this point that my friends little boy decided that he was going to 'help' me with my camera.

Although I have to admit that I get more distracted by the arrival of the butterflies more than the birds!

I really do love this time of year with all the signs of new life awakening after the winter.

Hopefully there will be plenty more sunshine during the rest of the Easter holidays x

Little Dachshund

On Friday I was lucky enough to become a lovely tin of colourful gorgeousness.

A minature rainbow of yarny delight.

And how marvelous that on the same day I purchased the latest edition of Simply Crochet, which had the cutest pattern of a minature dachshund! Of course it just called out to be made as soon as possible.

 

 

So today has been spent curled up in my chair, hook in hand, lots of cups of tea being drunk while I have hooked up this little chap.

The downside is stitching all the limbs together, as I have to admit my amigurumi can sometimes end up looking a little 'wonky'.

Luckily he seems to have come out looking rather fabulous.

 

 

Easter Break

Today is the first day of my Easter break, no I'm not lucky enough to be heading anywhere nice for a little get away, but I do get to spend two whole weeks pottering about and making pretty things.

Something that I will be making plenty of is some cute little egg cosies to go with Easter gifts.

 

 

 

 I do like my eggs to be dressed nicely.

 

There are lots of patterns out there for making pretty egg cosies but this is mine that I like to use x

 

Stylcraft DK

3.5mm hook

Buttons

Felt

Make a magic ring.

R1.   4dc into magic ring (do not join, place a marker such as a short piece of wool to mark the beginning of each round).

R2.   2dc in each st (8st).

R3.   *2dc in next st, 1dc in next st**, repeat from * to ** 3 times (12st)

R4.   *2dc in next st, 1dc in next 2st**, repeat from * to ** 3 times (16st)

R5.   *2dc in next st, 1dc in next 3st**, repeat from * to ** 3 times (20st)

R6.   *2dc in next st, 1dc in next 4st**, repeat from * to ** 3 times (24st)

R7.   1dc in each st (24st)

R8.   2dc in next st, 1dc in next 11st, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next 11st (26st)

R9.   2dc in next st, 1dc in next 12dc, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next 12 st (28st)

R10 -16 1dc in each st (28st)

Slst to join, finish off and weave in ends.

To decorate as a caterpillar choose 2 buttons for eyes then cut 2 felt circles slightly larger than the buttons. Choose a black button for the nose. Cut 2 antennae from felt. Sew all in place.

For the second egg cosy I added the butterfly motif.

 

 

There are so many possibilities for decorating your egg cosies!

Have fun x



Just because...

Sometimes I feel the need to make something just because I feel like seeing something pretty. It doesn't need to be for anyone or be particularly useful.

 

 

 

Lets just make something because!

Sunshine on a windy Sunday

Today I woke up to the sun shining through the window and the birds singing in the garden.

A lovely way to start the day.

On such a lovely day who wants to stay inside (yes I know I need to iron and clean) so coat on - still a little chilly and very windy - and off I went.

I am very lucky to live close to the coast. I find watching the waves a great way to relax.

 

 

After a wander along the beach I headed along the promenade and over to the Marina.

 

 

 I felt that after all that walking I deserved a little ice cream treat.

 

This is definitely one of the best ways to spend a Sunday afternoon.



Granny Square Love

Whenever I am feeling a little low on inspiration I love to go back to the good old granny square. This was how I taught myself to crochet and have loved the simplicity of it ever since. I love how quickly they work up and the way they can change by changing the widths of the colour bands.

 

First I made a snuggly blanket for my best friends little boy.

 

 

 

He is a big fan of Dr Who so I got out some lovely blue shades that will match his favourite theme.

 

I've never had so many hugs and kisses for one of my crochet gifts x

 

 

At least now my friend will be able to snuggle under her own blanket I made for her and her little boy will have no need to pinch it anymore.

 

I then found some gorgeous spring inspired colours and began again, as I couldn't leave my friends daughter without a snuggly blanket too!

 

 

 

I think this has to be one of my favourites, the colours are so warm and vibrant.

Oops, it's seems I  have been away from here for a little longer than I realised.

Unfortunately the last few weeks I have been a magnet for germs, having bronchitis followed by tonsillitis, grrrrrrrrrrrr.

 

To cheer myself up I decided to do those things that I enjoyed doing as a child, my favourite being blowing bubbles.

 

 

I always loved the colours they make and the way they dance in the sky.

 

I am not a fan of little plastic bubble wands, not pretty enough. So first I spent a nice few hours making bubble wands fit for a fairy princess.

 

 

 

I gathered a few twigs that I had collected and dried and painted them with some very pretty glitter paint and let it dry. While they waited I threaded beads and buttons onto strands of jewellery wire .

 

 

I was then able to wind the wire around my sparkly twigs, Tra-la, pretty bubble wands.

 

 

Having covered myself in glitter paint I decided that while I left the rest of my twigs to dry fully it would be nice to make some wands out of the wire only, and add little bells for some added twinkle.

 

 

 

 

 

I think I may have to spend the rest of the day sending pretty bubbles into the sky x