Happy Halloween and stash-buster round up

Happy Halloween for everyone who is celebrating today.

Stash-Buster Round up

How is everyone doing with their stash-busting? there is only two months left to go so are you happy with the amount of stash you have busted so far this year.  I must say I'm very pleased with my own efforts  and I can see a noticeable difference in my stash.  
Click on the party link and take a look at all the beautiful projects everyone has been making this month.

Here are your September favourites.

Adriana's Cushion

 Regulators little vest

Marianna's Christmas Stockings

You still have till midnight tonight to link up with the October Party. The November link Party will be up and running on Tuesday November 5th

My totals this month are 1450 grams, please leave me your totals here if you are counting and take a look at the amazing amount of stash that has been busted this year. :)

Something Different

Last weekend a friend just happened to mention that there was an exhibition of rugs in a community centre not too far from us.  Well as you know anything goes for me if it's craft related so I convinced my friend that we should have a look and see what it was all about.
What a fantastic time we had, I spent ages chatting to the rug makers, I had no idea how diverse this art was, I was completely fascinated and captivated I have to say.  I have done some latch rug hooking many years ago but there is so much more to it than buying your bits of wool and pulling them through with a latch hook.

Anyway I'm going to shut up and show you the pictures which I'm sorry aren't the best quality because they were taken on my phone......silly me didn't take my camera, I didn't think I'd need it lesson to self take camera at all times!!!

They were even selling oddments of wool and hand made items, I bought these

for just £1.50 and had a lovely conversation with an elderly lady who asked me what I was going to make with it, she thought it would make a lovely baby hat. 

and these

just 50 pence each not bad eh

AND...there were home baked goodies! well I had to sample some of the yummy quiche and cake.

I must say it really whetted my appetite.... no not the cakes the rugs, I want to explore further and find out more about it I'm thinking beautiful wall hangings, if anyone indulges in this kind of thing, please spill and tell all. :)

The Monday Smile

THE ROMANTIC WIFE

A wife, being the romantic sort, sent her husband a text that read: 
“If you are sleeping, send me your dreams 
If you are laughing, send me your smile 
If you are eating, send me a bite 
If you are drinking send me a sip 
If you are crying, send me your tears 
I love you.” 

The husband, a typically non-romantic, replied; “I'm on the toilet, please advise”. 

Thank you Pat for sharing. :)

Have a great week everyone!

Here

Side to Side Mittens

Cute Knitted side to side mittens a little different from the ordinary. When I see something different I want to try it especially when I want to make a few of the same.  

They don't take too much yarn either so they are great for using up your little bits of stash.

Made in one piece and then folded, and sewn up the sides

The pattern comes in two sizes but by adjusting the yarn thickness and the needle size you can easily make them smaller or larger.  It takes me 2 hours to make a pair. 

25 grams DK yarn

 I don't know about you but when it comes to things that come in pairs I enjoy doing the first one but find the second one a bit of a drag and usually leave it to do later and sometimes that later just never seems to arrive.  Easy solution really just make them both together, it takes a bit longer but it's great to have both of them finished at once so it's worth that little bit of extra time.

55 grams Aran yarn

Things to note, nearly every row is different because there is a lot of  clever shaping going on, which means that there is a bit of concentration needed, also because of the shaping, adding other colours is difficult therefore it's a good pattern for variegated yarns.

This is a very clever pattern and it results in a rather lovely pair of mittens I think.

Find the pattern here

linking to

my stash-busting is coming on a treat this month. remember this....

well this is what it's looking like now :)

A Lovely Act of Kindness.

I had to share this with you all because sometimes something happens which puts a huge smile on your face and totally restores your faith in human nature.

I went to visit a craft fair last Saturday which takes place every other week at a Garden Centre not too far from where I live. I love visiting craft fairs and am always fascinated with all the amazing things people make.  As I was walking around I came upon a table of beautiful handmade crocheted baby items that one lady was selling and stopped to look and admire a fellow crocheters lovely work.  We got talking as crafty folk do and I happened to mention that most of my work goes to charity and at present I was making things for the Syrian Refugee's.  She asked me if she could donate something and I said yes of course and would call to collect it on my way out.  

This is what she gave me.  I was so touched, I was a stranger to this lady and yet she gave me all of this to pass on to the appeal.

Thank you so much Jean a lot of Syrian children are going to be snug and warm this winter thanks to your generosity. :)

Aren't crafty people lovely people it really warms your heart. :)

The Monday Smile

This ought to make you feel better about  your own computer skills yet wonder what people in call centres have to put up with !

Tech  support:   What kind of computer do you have?

Customer:    A  white one...

Tech  support:    Click  on the 'my computer' icon on to the left of the screen.
Customer:   Your left or my left?

Customer:  

Hi, good afternoon, this is Martha, I can't print. Every time I try, it says 'Can't find  printer'.  I've even lifted the printer and placed it in front of the monitor, but the computer still says he can't find it..

Customer: I can't get on the Internet.
Tech support:   Are you sure you used the right password?
Customer: Yes, I'm sure. I saw my colleague do it.
Tech  support:   Can you tell me what the password was?
Customer: Five dots.

Tech support:   How may I help you?
Customer: I'm writing my first email.
Tech support:   OK, and what seems to be the problem?
Customer: Well, I have the letter 'a' in the address, but how do I get the little circle around it?

A woman customer called the Canon help desk with a problem with her printer.
Tech support: Are you running it under windows?
Customer: 'No, my desk is next to the door, but that is a good point. The man sitting in the cubicle next to me is under a window, and his printer is working fine.'

And last but not least!
Tech  support: 'Okay Bob, let's  press the control and escape keys at the same time. That brings up a task list in the middle of the screen. Now type the letter 'P' to bring up the Program  Manager.'
Customer: I don't have a P.
Tech  support: On your keyboard, Bob.
Customer: What do you mean?
Tech support: 'P'.....on  your keyboard, Bob.
Customer:  I'M NOT GOING TO DO THAT!

Have a great week!

here

How Many Bobbles!?

Bobble Stitch Pram Cover.

When my friends granddaughter was born prematurely I asked her if she needed anything making for the baby.  I thought it won't take me long to crochet a few preemie jackets or hats for her.  I was assured however that she had enough clothes but was asked if I would make a pram cover for her.  I was glad to oblige I mean to say a little pram cover would take no time at all would it?  Of course she wanted something special for this tiny first granddaughter, so I showed her a book of crochet stitches to help her decide what she would like.  

She chose the bobble stitch! I then made some samples for her to see. I was thinking the odd bobble scattered here and there but no she had other idea's she wanted to see only bobbles and nothing else.

Then we had to decide on the type of yarn, I will buy the yarn says she, I don't know what I want until I see it, so she went away and she bought it...baby 4ply ahhhh!! so much for the quick little pram cover!

I know it's lovely and my friend loves it too, thank goodness. Please excuse the dark  photo's I waited patiently for a bright day but time ran out and I had to take the pictures on the day I handed it over and as usual it was a dull and cloudy day

 Reverse side

If you would like to make one these sweet little covers or even make a larger blanket you can expect an awful lot of work ahead. The stitch itself is easy enough to do but it does take a long time. The pattern just alternates rows of bobbles with dc (UK terms)  If anyone wants to make one or would like me to write a more detailed pattern please let me know.

It took me just over 2 weeks to make.

The finished cover measures 20 x 17 inches, the turn over at the top is 5 inches.

So how many bobbles are there can you guess ?

64 rows, 32 had 41 bobbles and 32 had 42 so that's.........

2656! 

Made with love for sweet little Mylee :)

I asked Mylee's mummy to send me a photo of the cover when it was on the pram and she has sent me these.

 A perfect fit I think.