Good-Bye To 2013

It's been a very busy and productive year here at Linda's Crafty Corner.  I have enjoyed every little bit of it mostly because of all you lovely blogging friends who have joined me and left me such lovely comments.

Most Bloggers post a mosaic of the projects they have made throughout the year but I'm not going to do that as my projects, patterns and idea's link at the top of my blog is there for you to see at any time

This year was made even extra special because of The Stash-Buster Challenge and I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who joined in and made it such a huge success, also a big thank you to Ana for co-hosting it with me.

So for the last time this year please link up all your last minute 2013 stash-busting projects, the December Link Party will end midnight on Tuesday 31st.

Here are your favourite projects for November 2013

Erin's Owl Blanket

Lisa's Scarf

Ana's earflap hat and booties

I hope you will all join in again for 2014, this time it will be Stash-busting for Stashaholics you can read all about it on January 1st.

I would like to wish you all a Happy New Year and all the very best for 2014 :)

Just Managed To squeeze It In!

I was determined to finish this before the end of the year and I'm so glad I was able to get it done.

Granny Ripple Baby Blanket

I loved making this, I do urge you to try it.

I used three different shades from my stash, I made lemon the predominant shade because I have so much of it, then lilac and a varigated yarn with the same colours.

I love making granny ripples they almost produce themselves, lovely rhythmic ripples, you can just let your mind wander while the hook does the work.  The last time I made a granny ripple was here and I was determined to make another.

Florence the sheep just loves this blanket too.

She wanted me to take a picture of her so that she can be introduced to Fluffy, if you haven't met Fluffy yet take a look at Merediths blog, baa lambs want blogging friends too you know. :)

You can find the pattern for the blanket here it took 340grams of yarn

I have busted 620 grams of yarn this month that makes my grand total for the year ta da.......8182 grams that means nearly 82, 100 gram balls of yarn...I'm happy with that, I'm challenging myself to beat it next year :)

See other amazing totals here, I will be updating them over the next few days.

As Promised.

I hope you have all had a lovely Christmas with your loved ones it's amazing how quickly it passes, all the preparation that goes on for weeks before the big day and it is all over in the blink of an eye.  Still I'm sure we all have some lovely memories to look back on and before we know it, dare I say it.... Christmas will be here again :)

Remember those lovely parcels I received from Linda from Chalkys World that I left under the tree?
well here are the lovely contents revealed as promised.

I just love this little tile it's so beautiful and Christmassy, I would love to do a tapestry of this picture and hang it above my mantelpiece, I can imagine myself standing there singing Christmas Carols gazing up at the beautiful scene before me ahhh...

and buttons! lovely, lovely flowery heart buttons they are so cute I could eat them..well maybe not quite but you know what I mean don't you :)  
Thank you so much Linda I love and appreciate every single thing, you are so generous bless you!.

Then just when I thought things couldn't get much better, look what came tumbling out of a Christmas card.

These beautiful flowers from my friend Helen from Helen crochet, if you remember Helen sent me these too and I used them for my flower project which I did finish ages ago but I haven't had time to show you yet.
Thank you so much Helen I love them. :)

I had a fabulous time this Christmas it was made extra special because I got to meet my new daughter-in-law, she is from Syria and managed to get her visa just in time for Christmas, she will be living here in England now it makes my heart sing to see just how happy she has made my eldest son.  

I am still waiting to meet my son-in-law he has been waiting for his visa for nearly 2 years now it would have been lovely to meet him too, hopefully he will be able to join us too very soon. 

The end of the month and year is almost upon us so you have just got time to link up all those stash projects you have been making this month and if you have forgotten to add anything from previous months this year add those too.

Coming soon

Stash-busting in 2014 are you a stashaholic??

Knit a Block A Week Challenge

Did I finish my last stash project of the year?

Last Minute Essentials

Thank you for all the lovely comments about the little Christmas tree decorations and I do apologise for not answering them all but life is a little crazy just now as I'm sure you will all appreciate, but please keep those lovely comments coming I love each and every one of them.

Every year family and friends drop in to say Happy Christmas which is all very lovely of course but don't you find that some people just don't seem care where they lay their mug of tea or whatever it is you have so lovingly prepared for them. I can't count the number of times I have had to quickly snatch a steaming mug from polished table and place something protective underneath.  
The thing we have to ask ourselves is this...can one have too many coasters? the answer of course is no, we need to have some set out for immediate use and of course some stacked in strategic positions just to set out when needed.

If you remember I made these last year as part of the Beyond the Square motif Challenge

Everybody loved them and they were used throughout the festive period, I made quite a few for friends too.

To add to my coaster collection this year I have made these

Lovely Christmas stars, who would have thought they they would make such lovely coasters but they do and people will just love placing their mugs on a star it gives the base of the mug a lovely frilly edge see...

Don't you just love that mug :)
These of course are Kara's granny stars you can find the pattern here.

Then I had to make more of these because I just love making them and they really are the perfect coaster

Ana's bloom coasters , if you remember I made some in the summer here and as you can see I have made these in Christmas red and green you really can't have too many I have put the regular ones away for now until after the Christmas festivities,

This will be my last post until after Christmas but I will be back shortly after to talk about stash-busting I am very curious to know just how you have all done in 2013 three things to ask yourselves...

Have you busted all of your stash.?
Do you need to continue. ?
Do you need to start ?

There will be more about the Knit a Block A Week Challenge too so lots to keep us busy in the New Year.

Here's hoping that you all have the best Christmas ever! xxx

Christmas Tree's

When I was just eight years old my mother gave me the job of decorating the Christmas tree and I have done it every year since, so by my reckoning I have erected and decorated 53 tree's in my time and then of course there are those I have decorated at work on the hospital wards and now in the Day Unit with a bit of help along the way of course.
You may think I would get tired of the whole Christmas tree thing and I must admit the thought of bringing it down from the attic and getting it all set up and decorated does feel like a bit of a chore, but once I get started and reacquainted with the decorations I soon begin to enjoy myself.
Each year I like to make something new for my tree and this year I have been making these cute little Christmas trees.

I loved making these

They are very easy to make too

The tree is made in two pieces, the tree itself and then the trunk is made separately and added on at the end.  

You still have time to make some they take just a small amount of yarn and are very quick to make. I have made lots for little Christmas gifts for my friends.
You can find the pattern here  

Then I saw this one and I just had to make some of these too.

I loved the simplicity of it.  They make lovely wall hangings and are great fun to decorate.

You can find the how to on Luna's blog

I have forced myself to stop making decorations for this year there will come a time when there will be no more room on my tree! 

I am trying to squeeze one last stash-buster project in before the end of the year, I'm not showing it to you just yet in case I don't get it done but after making little tiny things it feels good to start on a big project again. 

See you again soon. :)

Bow knot scarves

Welcome to everyone who is joining in with the Block Challenge in 2014, it's going to be so much fun and I can't wait to get started, for those who are thinking about it don't worry you will be able to join in at any time.

How is everyone's Christmas preparations coming along, have you managed to finished making your Christmas gifts? mine will be on going right up to the last minute because most of them can be made in a couple of hours or less anyway.

I just love these simple to do Bow Knot scarves, I saw the pattern for this one earlier in the year and have had it on my to do list for months.

Crochet
Sparkly Bow Knot Scarf

I love this pretty scarf and was very happy with how it turned out it is very quick to make I made this one in just one evening.
I know it doesn't show up very well but this is a sparkly yarn and it looks so much better in real life. it's just perfect to wear with a sweater, dress or with a coat.
you can find the pattern here.  

Or perhaps you would prefer a knitted version

Knitted
Bow Knot Scarf

 I have made quite a few of these and given them as gifts and everyone loves them and wears them a lot. Simple garter stitch a perfect result every time.
You can find the pattern here

The beauty of the Bow knot scarf is all you need to do is pull it gently over your head, no need to untie it and there it will lie looking pretty and keeping you warm at the same time.

Even better when you have the yarn in your stash, lovely gifts that cost you nothing but a little bit of your time. :)

Something For the Weekend

Thank you for all the lovely comments about my Baktus scarf, I did enjoy reading them! and the scarf making goes on so more to share on that subject later.

Now I know we have had side to side mitts and they were fun to make, this time it's the turn of the sock.

Side to Side Crochet Socks.

This time in crochet and so quick and easy.

They can be made as fun gifts in bright colours, ideal as slouch socks, nice and cosy to wear while snuggled up watching the TV or warn inside of boots to keep little feet warm in the cold winter months.

It's very easy to adjust the size just by changing the yarn and hook sizes.
They take around 50 grams of yarn and you can find the pattern here
Great stash-busters too. :)

Have a great weekend and keep warm! 

First Baktus Scarf

What a lovely surprise I had when I came onto my blog today, so many projects have been linked to the December party already and they all look so lovely lots of festive projects it all looks so cheerful, keep it coming everyone.

I just had to post about this today because  Ana posted about her scarf yesterday and the colours are nearly identical to mine of course I can't compete with the beautiful Angora yarn she used but mine has turned out lovely and soft too.

I have been wanting to try and make one of these scarves for a long time, especially after seeing all of Ana's lovely creations, she has made so many and all are beautiful.
I have to admit although it's an easy enough scarf to make it took lots of ripping back and starting again to get the effect I wanted.

I love it now and although the edges aren't as neat as I would like them, I am pleased with the result and have worn it none stop since I completed it a couple of weeks ago.  Hopefully the next one will turn out much neater especially after reading Ana's helpful notes she is truly a Baktus scarf expert.

I always have a problem getting someone to model my scarves for me but in this instance I'm pleased to say Dudley was more than happy to oblige.

Mr Bear was more reluctant however and doesn't seem too sure at all, that's why I have kept his head somewhat in shadow he's not usually this shy, perhaps the pink colours aren't manly enough for him, although Dudley didn't mind at all :)

I have had lots of compliments about my scarf, so I think a lot will be made for gifts in the future, too late for this Christmas but maybe for next.

I used Robin DK and King Cole smooth in 3 different shades, all from my stash yarn, it took 125 grams altogether.
Find the how to here

Have you opened today's calendar just click on the Christmas tree top left for a bit of fun. 

A great new Knitting Challenge will be coming up for the beginning of the New year I do hope you will all join in, more about it very soon :)

November Stash- Buster Catch Up and a Big Thank you!

A big thank you for all the lovely birthday wishes and comments in my pompom post, the pompom making continues and remember Sense are collecting pompoms until December 12th so there's still time to take part if you want to.

Another big thank you to Wendy from September Violets for hosting her beautiful giveaway! and guess who won it? I did!! what a lovely surprise when I got back from work yesterday, I can't wait to receive the fabulous festive table runner, do pop over and see what I have won you will be green with envy I can promise you. :)

The last month of the year is upon us already! I hope you have all had as much fun stash-busting as I have.  There are so many beautiful projects in the November link party do take a look at what everyone has been making AND you still have time to link up those last minute November creations but hurry the last submission is midnight today.

Here are your October favourites.

Jacquelines Pillows

Ana's stash hats

Fiona's Toddler Granny Top

The last Link Party of the Year will be up and running on Tuesday 

I have busted 682 grams of stash this month, see all amazing totals here

Hope you all have a great weekend, I'm off to a festive craft fair today, can't wait! see you soon. :)

Fun With Pompoms!

I love making pompoms but I don't usually make them unless I need them for embellishments, now that has all changed thanks to the Great Sense Pompom Challenge now I can make them for fun too!  

I always have to have someone to blame for distracting me from whatever it is I aught to be doing, and this time it's Ali's fault ever since I read about the challenge on her blog, I can't stop making pompoms!

Now there are so many reasons why we can, and not feel guilty for wasting our time.  Just think of the advantages

What about that yarn you have in your stash, like this bright lime green mohair, I really never thought I would get rid of it, I mean to say what can you do with lime green mohair!

MAKE POMPOMS.....lovely soft squishy squashy pompoms they feel just great. You can use up all those yarns you don't know what to do with because it's all for a good cause, and the different textures will feel so good to the visually impaired.

Smooth and shaggy, big or small, just go with your inner pompom.

I was getting quite carried away with this one it's supposed to be a flower

You can see that right? See there's the stem.

I suppose it could be a candle too.

 Can you tell I'm having fun with these.

Read all about the Challenge here and the great news is there is still plenty of time because they are accepting pompoms until the 12th December and if you can't send them to add to the big pompom tapestry then you can add them to the pompom gallery.

If you really want to get some pompom inspiration check out this website it's amazing, I'm going to try some of those because I still haven't satisfied my pompom cravings yet.

Thank you for the info Ali, I'm having so much fun.:)

105 grams of pompoms made so far and counting...........

Letting you share my beautiful birthday flowers ....

These from my daughter...

and roses from my brother :)