New Books

You know how it is when you get new craft books, you can't leave them alone, you just pour over the pages and dream up endless possibilities.  It doesn't matter that you are in the middle of another project your fingers are just itching to start on something out of the book.  I'm in serious trouble here because besides the two books I got for my birthday I got one for Christmas too. I have already tried some of the motifs, but I won't be happy until I get my teeth into a proper project.  Until I decide what that project might be, here is one of the motifs I have made.  I love it, a big flower I am such a fan of crochet flowers.  Now just imagine this flower motif  repeated several times over in lovely bright vibrant colours all joined together to make a huge flower blanket,  mmm maybe.

motif # 40
Beyond the square motifs by Edie Eckman
progress 1 of 100

Elephant Blanket

First of all I would like to wish everyone a happy and prosperous New Year and thank you all once again for your support and the lovely comments you have left for me over the past year.

 I have been neglecting my Loving Hands work over the Christmas and New Year period and have been making lovely decorations and presents for myself, family and friends, but now it's back to work. The Loving hands Winter challenge comes to an end in three weeks time and all I have to show for it is the granny ripple blanket I made back in November.  I am also trying to complete an elephant blanket, lol yes you heard me correctly, we are making blankets for orphan elephants, you can read all about their plight here. Most of the ladies are making squares or strips that can be sewn into 4,6 or 8 foot blankets but I would like to complete a four foot square one myself, I would say it's a third of the way through and I am using my stash it's a good way of using up all the left over bits of yarn, this is where I am so far.  If I can discipline myself to just concentrate on this blanket then I should be able to finish it, but I have already started a little crochet jacket so we will have to see if I can finish it in time.

still a long way to go!

Christmas cushion

It seems so strange making things for myself for a change I feel quite guilty but after my lovely friend bought me Jan Eaton's 200 crochet blocks for my birthday back in November I have been drooling over all the possibilities in there ever since, it quite sent my mind spinning with idea's.  I fell in love with the christmas squares  and I have actually had time between all the usual christmas madness to make this cushion for myself.  I just love the way it has turned out.  Of course I did have plans for more than one but I know that time won't permit not for this christmas anyway. So I have compromised by making a two sided cushion I can display it either this way or that, maybe change it round on alternative days.

Christmas Decorations

A big thank you to all of those who made such lovely comments about my Granny Ripple, I'm so glad that you liked it and I hope some of you will be inspired to make one yourselves.  After such a large project it's nice to make something small for a change, I have have been inspired by all the beautiful christmas decorations which everyone has been making at the moment and I had to make some for myself, so I have taken idea's from here and there.  What fun they are so addictive I can't wait to hang them on my tree this weekend.  I am going to pop some inside christmas cards for my friends too.

These stars are so lovely and easy to make. they are beautiful in all colours but I like the silver ones best. 

Tutorial

 I love these little trees even more, with or without decoration they are so sweet.  I need to buy some coloured beads to add decoration to some more, I'm going to make lots :)

Tutorial

Then a little wreath, I would like to make more of these too.

Last but not least this cute little snowman, and yes I want to make more of these too, if only you could just sit and crochet all day just think of all the lovely things you could make :)

Pattern