Cheep!

*cheep cheep, cheepity, cheep cheeeeeeeeeep*

Balmy sunshine, the shedding of winter layers, and these mad looking chicks you can pick up for a few pennies from every shop. 
Their little crazy faces make me smile.
Yes, spring is here.

So I thought i'd make egg cosies.





Fancy making one? 
What? You're not very good at crochet? 
Can you do a single crochet stitch? (UK double)
Yes? Then you, my lovely, can make this. (Yes, Gem, you too)

I used:
DK yarn
4mm hook
Stitch marker
Adornments

I also use the American terms, but it's easy to translate into UK terms:
single crochet (sc) = UK double crochet (dc)

Round 1:
[Now I use the magic ring method when working in the round. Have a look on YouTube for a tutorial and give it a go.]
5 single crochets in magic ring
Too tricksy? Then make a slip knot and put onto hook, chain 2 and make 5 single crochets into 2nd chain from hook.



Round 2
Now you need to make 2 single crochets into each of your 5 stitches- see photo below (you'll have 10 stitches at the end of the round).
Don't forget to use a stitch marker in the first stitch (or bit of coloured yarn) so you know where you started out.



Round 3
Next, make 1sc into the first stitch and 2sc into the next.
Repeat around.



You'll have 15 sc now.

Round 4
1 sc in each stitch (15 sc in total)

Round 5
sc in next 2 stitches, 2sc in next stitch. Repeat around. (20 sc)

Round 6
sc in next 3 stitches, 2sc in next stitch. Repeat around. (25 sc)



It should start to look a bit like this. The 'right' side of the cosy is actually the inside. We'll turn it out at the end.

Rounds 7-13
sc in each stitch around (25 sc)

Finish off, weave in ends.
Turn right-side-out.

Decorate as you wish. I made pompoms, or here I made a frilly edge from here (chain 3, slip stitch around) and added a buttonny-flower.



Ahhhhhh, cheepity, cheep, all.
Xx

Crafty Spring Project

Well hello there, little fella!
It's one of the Korknisse, here to spread some joy!

How are you all? We haven't seen you for a while.
Oh really? You've been played with by the children and now there's not so many in your number?
And hardly anyone has a matching hat or jumper anymore?
Dreadful.
But you do have a lovely, easy, cheapy craft project to show us?
Game on!

Here's what to do:

Ok. First you need to find a little wooden-house-shelf-thingamabob. 
Mine is from my local craft shop. 
Cost £2.99.



You also need these sweet little Chinese Yuxian paper-cuts.
Again, from crafty shop.
Cost £about 3. (not bad-you get 10 in a pack. And they are beautiful)



So pretty!



Paint said house-shelf-wotnot with colour of desired hue.
I used white acrylic.
[Not for any other reason than I couldn't be bothered to find the key to the garage and risk my life and limb having to root through the dangerous arrangement of bikes, tools, barbeque paraphernalia and general guff to find the eggshell furniture paint]
Leave to dry.



Apply thin coat of PVA glue to wherever you want your designs to be and attach the paper-cut carefully. 
Warning: these cannot be removed without destroying the paper-cut, as they are sooooo delicate.



Stand back, and marvel at your handiwork.

Enjoy your evening, all!
Am off to quaff a teeny glass of the red stuff. 

Xx


 

Long Tall Sally (2)

Dressed.



Reversible-dressed.

This little number was inspired by the free tutorial over at Molly Chicken's place. Cute, and very quick 'n' easy to knock up. 

Would highly recommend for any doll or softie who is in need of clothes.

xx

  

Long tall Sally

I've been making crochet dolls for a little while now, since finding Beth's amazing tutorials here.
They change a bit each time I make one, and I make notes about how to improve the next.
So for this next doll I wanted different hands and feet, longer arms and legs and a shorter torso to make her more like a rag doll. 



I love making the little wig cap. 



Here she is with wig attached. 



The great thing about her is that her hair can be styled in different ways!



Oh, and I used buttons for eyes because firstly I have run out of safety eyes and secondly I was inspired by the wabbits I made previously. I think they're ok, but am not sure if she looks a bit freaky.. What say you?



All in all I'm vey pleased with how she's turned out. I just need to make her some clothes. Must engage brain and oik out the old sewing machine for that one.



Enjoy your weekend, all.
Xx

P.S. I have actually sold lots of things in my real life shop to real, actual real people! Am thrilled to bits!
P.P.S. am now a tweety-bird. Do follow me on Twitter, if you like that sort of thing (link somewhere in top left corner).

Xx

And here is the news...

There is lots to tell.

For those of you who are too busy to read all of this post, here are the headlines:

I am selling my wares in a shop in Arundel
I have received a surprise parcel from a bloggy friend 
I have been given lovely awards
I am selling in a real life shop where real people go and buy things with real money.
I have had a fab 'ohmegosh what a small world' moment.
Oh, and did I mention that I am selling in a shop?

Right, I shall try not to make this too dull.

My shop
Well, not actually my shop.



A rented shelf in a handmade crafts shop.
In the beautiful city of Arundel.
It's a fabulous co-operative owned shop set in an old church. Other shops are there too selling vintage wot-nots. I have to pay a small monthly rental fee and work one half day in the month. 
I did my first session today and set up my shelf. 
I loved it!!

Surprise parcel.
Do you read Signed With An Owl? 
Yes? Good.
No? Well you should. 
Kate is a clever crafter who crochets, embroiders, sews and generally makes cool stuff. Check her out.
Anyway, a while ago, Kate won one of my giveaway prizes.
Then, she sent ME a parcel to say thank you!
Look!




Lush!



Fabooo!



Thank you, you wonderful girl. This is all beautiful and thoughtful and just gorgeous.xx

Lovely awards
More thankyou-s.
This time to the lovely peeps who have bestowed bloggy awards on me:
Sam at A Bucketful of Everything
Jill from Stocki
Barbara from Made in K-town
Radish's mum from Harryraddishbean
And I'm sure there was another- I'm so sorry, I cannot remember who. (if it was you, do let me know and I'll update this post)

Thank you.
I shall do a proper awards post when I can, but seriously, thanks. I really appreciate it.

Small world moment.
Do you read Treasures from the Cherry Tree? 
Yes? Good.
No? Well you should. 
Gem writes a treat of a blog about her many escapades and of course, her amazing Cherry Tree Shop finds. 
So, she has recently relocated to my part of the world. We had plans afoot to meet up, do coffee and charity shopping.
Nice.
THEN, my bestie mate, Debs sends me a text yesterday saying that a new neighbour called Gemma, who writes a blog, has moved in opposite her, and she's just been over for coffee!!

Cripes!!  Small world, or what??

So apologies for my absence again in the land of Blog- I have been a tad busy wot with making all ye olde shoppe stock.. Am off now to try to catch up with you all. 

Have a great Friday, all.

Xx

P.S. Did I tell you that I'm selling in a shop?