Crochet Snowman Ornament

Crochet Pattern:

Mufficorn Snowman Keychain Ornament

Yarn:

King Cole CottonSoft

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Pooh and Piglet

These two crocheted cuties were made for my bestie as part of her Christmas pressie.

Crochet Patterns:

Winnie the Pooh and Friends by Bumcraft

Yarn:

King Cole Cottonsoft

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Granny Bauble Cover

Crochet Pattern:

You Tube Tutorial by Cosy Rosie Crochet

Materials:

Stylecraft DK Yarn

Polystyrene bauble

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

London Guardsman

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I made this little guy, intending to gift him, but I didn't want to part with him once he was finished!!!

Crochet Pattern:

CrochetPage Christmas Gnome

Yarn:

King Cole CottonSoft

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Poncho

I've used some yarn from Lidl and a 'Weekend Poncho pattern' from Kathy's Crochet Closet on Etsy to make this pretty poncho style shawl. It's got more holes than I usually like, but that's made it quite warm!  

It was quick to make up, I managed it in a week just crocheting in the evenings and I expect I'll be wearing it soon if the weather gets a bit chilly!

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Pumpkin

This week at As You Like It Challenge we're asking if you prefer Halloween or Fairies. I'm not a huge fan of fairies, and although I don't technically celebrate Halloween, I do love the decorations.  We usually get dozens of Trick or Treaters visit the house because we live very close to one of the largest schools in our town, so there are a lot of kiddies (and not so little ghouls) who dress up to ring the doorbell demanding treats.

Rather than make a card, which I don't tend to send for this holiday, I'm sharing some home decor in the form of a crocheted pumpkin that I've made using some fluffy chenille wool.

The pattern is from YouTube, chenille yarn from Aldi, and the stalks were from Amazon.

Designed for:
As You Like It Challenge

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Watermelons

I'm sharing another of my crochet projects. 

For this watermelon placemat I followed a YouTube tutorial but I added the black seeds afterwards by stitching them onto the raspberry rounds once I'd finished.  

Matierials Used:

• You Tube Tutorial
• Stylecraft Special DK Pomegranite
• Stylecraft Special DK Grass Green, 
• Stylecraft Special DK Kelly Green
• Stylecraft Special DK White
• Stylecraft Special DK Black

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Sunflower Placemats

I've been indulging in a spot of crocheting recently and have made these pretty placemats with matching coasters. I followed a pattern on YouTube for the coaster, and increased it to 9 rounds of brown, instead of 6, for the larger placemat, giving me 108 stitches in the final round of brown before starting the petals.  I'm really pleased with how they've turned out and I'm thinking of making some to give as gifts.

Pattern: Link to YouTube Tutorial
Yarn: Stylecraft Dark Brown and Dandelion Yellow

4mm crochet hook

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Crochet Baggie

Sharing a little crochet baggie. It's got a circular base, but when it hangs it's hard to show that in the photos.  I used Drops Cotton Light, which I struggled to get along with because I found that it splits which makes the stitches difficult, but I am pleased with the end result.

Pattern:

• Summer Vibes Trail Crochet Tote Bag by Nothern Lights Trail

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Cute Sheep

I've made this little sheep for my bestie's birthday using a pattern from Soft Toy For Joy (now A Pinch Of Cotton) on Etsy. It was quite easy to follow although I got befuddled with the puffy texture stitches and ended up doing them inside out, but I still achieved some kind of bobbly effect on his body and he turned out really cute.

Link to Pattern from @aPinchOfCotton

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Ladybird Gnome

I enjoyed making the recent Sunflower Gnome so much that I've dived into a second version.  This fella is a present for a special friend so he has been sent on his travels, and is safely in his new home.  

He was really fun to create and the designer has some fabulous patterns on Etsy. I've already purchased some more patterns from her!!!

Recipe:

• Mufficorn Ladybug Gnome
• King Cole Cottonsoft yarn (Cherry Red, Black, White, Powder)
• Pipe cleaner (to support the tip of his hat)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Sunflower Gnome

This is my third gnome project in a row, but in addition to watercolouring and papercrafts, I also dabble in other crafts, including crochet (and its associated, but totally separate hobby, of collecting crochet patterns!)

Recipe:

• Sunflower Gnome Crochet Pattern by Mufficorn
• King Cole Cottonsoft in Powder, White, Honey and Antique Gold

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Sunflower Placemat

Today's post is a change from my normal papercrafting project becuase I've and a crochet break!  

I've made a pair of sunflower placemats which I'm really pleased with.  I based them on a tutorial that I found on You-Tube for a smaller coaster version, and I just added extra rounds of Dark Brown before changing to the Dandelion Yellow.  I might make some coasters at a later time, but I'm a bit dandelioned out after making 2 of them. They're quite quick to make, and I managed one on Sunday and another split over 2 evenings.

Project Recipe:

• Stylecraft Dandelion DK
• Stylecraft Dark Brown DK
• 4mm crochet hook
• Dandelion Coaster Tutorial (but with 9 rounds of Brown instead of 6 for placemat size)

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Woolly Dragon Stocking

As well as papercrafting, one of my other addictions is crochet, and as soon as I saw this little woolly dragon I knew I'd love to colour him up.  Popped onto a supersized gifttag he's the perfect companion for one of my recent crochet projects: a Christmas Stocking.  The photo's a bit dark, but the stocking is a deep purple with cream accents, and I've popped some purple yarn into the dragon's stash too!

Here's a close up of the gift-tag, which is about 8 inches tall:

The stocking crochet pattern is an easy tutorial from Alexis Middleton at Persialou (YouTube Tutorial or Written Pattern) and has a lovely shell stitch texture. The size is great, mine is about 20 inches in length, so it's great for actually presenting gifts inside.

Water-coloured on Langton Watercolour paper with Ranger Distress Ink Reinkers:

• Dragon: Bundled Sage, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss
• Yarns: brown: Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain
             purple: Milled Lavender, Villainous Potion
             orange: Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge
• Box: WTea Dye, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, Walnut Stain
• Ground: Hickory Smoke, Black Soot

Project Recipe:

• Dragon Woolly Treat from Lee Holland
• Nitwit Collections Papers
• Wild Orchid Crafts Cosmos Daisy
• Wild Orchid Crafts Open Roses
• Wild Orchid Crafts Mini Rosebuds
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies Extreme Labels and Tags No.12
• Crealies Crea-Nest-Lies XXL41 Circles with Dots
• Crochet Stocking Pattern

I've been inspired by:

• Simon's Monday Challenge - Any Holiday Occasion
• Country View - Christmas Gifting

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Sunflower Blanket

Brace yourself; there's not a paintbrush in sight today because this fornight at As You Like It Challenge we want to see your favourite non-card project, and it doesn't even need to be papercrafts.  

So for my project I'm sharing a sunflower granny square blanket that I made for my Mother-in-Law's birthday which is next week.  Sunflowers are her favourite flowers and I followed a Tutorial on YouTube by Bag-o-Day.  It was an easy pattern, and after the first dozen or so squares I think I could've made them in my sleep!  

I bought a yellow fleece blanket from Wilko to line the reverse, although I did spend an afternoon weaving all the loose ends in anyway.  I made enough granny squares to cover the fleece (which was 40 as it turned out).  I then joined and bordered them before attaching the lining.   

There are a lot of photos below, but I was so pleased with how it turned out considering I've not been crocheting very long and this is the biggest project I've attempted.  

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Heffalump

Following yesterday's deviation from my normal papercrafts, I have sneaked in another little crochet creation; this time an ickle pink heffalump made for an extra-special friend.

Materials Used:

• Amigurumi Today Elephant Crochet Pattern
• King Cole Cottonsoft Rose Pink (1x 100g ball)
• Drops Muskat Vanilla (scraps)
• 9mm safety eyes
• Black embroidery thread
• Clover Softtouch Crochet Hook 2.5mm
• Trimits Soft toy stuffing

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Gerry

I've got something a little different to share today because I've been playing with wool instead of paper! 

I'd like to introduce you to Gerry. As soon as I saw his pattern on Amigurumi Today I knew I wanted to try him and then I got the perfect excuse when I got a shove in the right direction from my crochet mentor Squirrel!  

I would normally use safety eyes but as Gerry is going to a newborn I had to embroider his eyes which scared the bejeezus out of me. Half way through my embroidery attempt my hubby looked over my shoulder and remarked that Gerry had devil-eyes that would give the poor kid nightmares for life, but I added some eyelashes and some white highlights and think I managed to more or less salvage him.  I admit that the safety eyes are a much easier option!

Materials used:

• Giraffe crochet pattern from Amigurumi Today
• Drops Muskat Vanilla Yellow (2x 50g balls)
• Drops Muskat Light Brown (1x 50g ball)
• King Cole Cottonsoft White (1x 100g ball)
• Black embroidery thread
• Clover Softouch 2.5mm Crochet hook
• Trimits Soft toy stuffing

I've been inspired by:

• Fab n Funky - Not a card

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Amigurumi Easter Bunny

I've been indulging in a little crochet time this weekend and what better than a couple of cute little Easter Bunnies with quirky faces and comical ears!

I hope they make you smile too.

Project Recipe

• Amigurumi Today Easter Bunny
• Marriner Double Knit Wool (green)
• Euro Yarn Babe Jazz Double Knitting 301 Sweet Tart (variegated)
• 9mm Black Safety Eyes
• Black Embroidery Thread
• Trimmits Supersoft Toy Filling

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Crochet Kitty

I've recently become 'hooked' on crochet and although I've only made a couple of things so far, I wanted to try some Amigurumi for Valentines day.  I found the pattern for this kitty online and decided to give him a try.  

I'm hopeless at embroidering the features so I opted for a plastic safety nose but I managed to add the whiskers and mouth with some black thread. 

He is only about 20cm tall, but he took a whole afternoon to make and some bits were really fiddly, like his paws, the base of his tail and those dinky ears.

I was pleased with how he turned out and am itching to try something else now. 

Recipe:

• Valentine's Day Cat Crochet Pattern
• Marriner DK red wool
• 9mm safety eyes
• 15mm x 11mm Triangle safety nose
• Black embroidery thread
• 6mm Satin Ribbon
• Trimits Supersoft Toy Filling

Happy crafting
Annette
xx

Goodbye 2019, Hello 2020.

I read earlier today something that shocked me when I stopped to think about it: 

1990 was 3 decades ago! 

Time seems to move so quickly and becomes so scarce. I can remember where I was in 1990 and it certainly doesn't feel like it was 3 decades ago!  

There are projects that I wanted to achieve during the past year that have fallen by the wayside, but there have also been other new ventures that I didn't have planned. 

As 2020 is only one more sleep away, here I am having my usual annual stumble through the past 12 months.  Thank you if you've stayed with me this year. I seem to be getting fewer visitors and even fewer comments on my blog, and I'm not a huge fan of Facebook, although I have tried to keep my Instagram diary mirroring my blog. 

I appreciate that it's more convenient for you to click a 'like' button than it is to type out a comment and I also acknowledge that I've been writing less myself for the same reason. If you do leave a comment, please know that I really do appreciate it because I know that it takes more of your own previous time.

Anyhoo, brace yourself for a photo-laden finale to 2019. I've selected my favourite card from each month and if you last until the end of this post then I'll share an extra little insight into my new hobby. 

In the meantime, I wish you all a happy, healthy and creative 2020. 

January 

I had 3 cards featured in Making Cards magazine this month, with a tutorial on Sunsets and Moonscapes. This was my first card and I loved the warm colours in the coldest month!

February

I was so excited to join the Design Team at Lee Holland and this was my first card. Unfortunately my excitement was short lived because the team was disbanded when Lee cut back his store's promotions.

March

I love the Stuffies from Stamping Bella and these Honeybears in particular.  I think they remind me of Winnie the Pooh, my favourite Honey Bear!

April

I spent a long time colouring this card for a friend, but the card was unfortunately lost in the post and never reached her. For this reason I'm giving it another outing here so it's not lost entirely.

May

I really loved this card-stand die, especially with this Crealies XXL stitched circle propped on it. 

June

I made this clock for a colleague who had a baby boy and it reminded me how much I like making non-card projects too. She wanted a jungle theme for her son so the Lee Holland giraffe and ellie seemed ideal.

July

Shaped cards are another thing I like to make and I'd been wanting to use this cute giraffe from LOTV for ages. It seemed the perfect opportunity to combine the two into a babygro card.

August

Bunnies are one of my favourite critters and LOTV make some of the cutest!

September

I really liked the moonlit background for these robins. 

The card was really easy to colour too so it became a favourite because I liked the effect.

October

In a break from my CAS cards, October's selection is fully loaded.

A wedding card is always a great excuse for extra embellishments!

November

While getting in full swing ready for Christmas I tried a lighter touch with my paintbrush and I liked the way she turned out.

December

Finishing off the year with one of my favourite images, another from the Stuffie clan!

So if you've stayed for the duration, I threatened you with news of a new hobby. I was coerced by my bestest pal (and partner-in-craft) to try crochet during the summer.  After starting with a scarf and some fingerless gloves I optimistically decided to dive straight into something a little more adventurous and made a mini-stocking advent calendar bunting for her.  While she might get me into a lot of crafting trouble, I do happen to think she's worth it! (Love you sweetie!)

Here's a close-up of one of the mini-stockings.

They were each filled with a Lindt chocolate ball.

That's all Folks.

Happy crafting, and Happy New Year! 

See you on the other side.
Annette
xx