Wednesday, 23 October 2024

Crocheted Pumpkins and Leaves

Today, I am sharing some crocheted pumpkins and leaves I made recently.
After making this set of pumpkins for a friend, I decided to make myself some
along with the crocheted leaves.


I used these fabulous YouTube tutorials...
Pumpkins - Bella Coco
Pumpkins stalks - Tuula Maaria
Leaves - Blossom Crochet

I really recommend visiting their YouTube channels, as you will find there there
 are lots of tutorials to follow with easy instructions.

For the pumpkins I used Hobbycraft Knitcraft Everyday DK in Orange and Rust
and for the leaves I used scraps of leftover yarn in my stash.


When I taught myself to crochet four years ago, I made a few pumpkins
using some green wool that I had been practicing with.
 I wasn't experienced enough to make the stems, so I used
some twigs instead! They're still securely in place and come out every year,
along with the 'Memory' pumpkins I made with my husband's socks.


Thank you for visiting my blog today.
Janice x

Friday, 4 October 2024

Sweet Winter Blanket crocheted in Navy Blue and Cream


Sharing with you today another crocheted blanket I made
recently for my friend for her birthday.

I made it using the pattern for the Sweet Winter blanket in Navy and Cream.

The pattern was designed by Sue Rawlinson also known
as ‘Sweetpea Family’ on Facebook and Instagram



You can find the original blanket I made HERE, another I made in
neutral colours for my niece HERE and one for my sister HERE


I purchased Sue's pattern from Love Crafts HERE 

I purchased the yarn online from the  Wool Warehouse 
using Yarnsmiths Create DK 4 x Navy and 2 x Cream



I added my own border made up of 1 row DC, 1 row HTR and 3 rows DC.

Thank you for visiting my blog today.
Janice x















Friday, 28 June 2024

A Crocheted Blanket/Throw for my Great Niece

 Sharing with you today another crocheted blanket I recently made
for one of my great nieces.

I chose the Even Moss stitch for this blanket, which I found HERE on Daisy Farm Crafts
blog and followed their tutorial on their YouTube channel HERE

I would certainly recommend taking a look at both of the above, as there are lots of tutorials
and lovely patterns to follow. Although the instructions are in US terms, it is easy 
to convert to UK stitches.


I started by chaining 140 stitches using a 4.5mm crochet hook.
I crocheted the two row repeat pattern, changing the colour every ten rows
until I reached the desired length.

I finished by crocheting a border of one row of double crochet, one row of 
half trebles, one row of double crochet, and one row of 
half trebles.


I purchased the yarn online from Wool Warehouse
using 8 x 100g balls of Yarnsmiths Create DK
 2 in ‘Cream’, 2 in 'Light Pink', 2 in 'Pinkberry' and 2 in 'Purple Orchid'

Thank you for visiting my blog today. 
Janice x

Tuesday, 4 June 2024

Patchwork Baby Keepsake Memory Quilt

 Today, I am sharing a memory blanket made from baby grows.

My friend's daughter asked me if I could make a memory quilt from her
son's baby grows which she had saved.
After researching lots of tutorials on YouTube, I agreed to give it a go,
and this is how I went about the process.

I found using Bonnie's of Happy Space Creates YouTube tutorial really helpful,
as she goes through each step really clearly, which makes it easy to follow.

You can watch her tutorial HERE

I started by putting the baby grows into colour groups, plain and patterns and
any that had a motif or sentiment on the front which I could use.



Once I had decided which ones to use, I cut out a large piece from each one, 
and spent lots of time arranging them into some sort of order!



Next I used a lightweight Vlieseline/Vilene Iron on interfacing on each piece, which
stops the jersey fabric from stretching, and makes it so much easier
to cut into squares.
 
I used a 5.5" x 5.5" square quilting ruler to cut the squares.
I purchased this online from The Quilted Bear
They also have an eBay shop and can be found at the Knit & Stitch shows
held in London.



Next, I rearranged the squares into the final layout...



...and stitched them all together!



 I then placed the stitched squares onto a large piece of polyester wadding
(purchased from John Lewis), and pinned it in place securely using safety pins.

I then sewed along each seam channel using the 'stitch in the ditch' technique
to secure the squares. I used the quilting presser foot for this which came with
my Janome sewing machine.

Lastly, using a large rectangle of grey polycotton fabric, which I cut from a
fitted single bed sheet bought in the Asda sale, I attached it to the quilt front,
and top stitched it all the way round.

This is it when finished .


I really enjoyed making this quilt.
 It's definitely not 100% perfect, but I learnt so much and if I made
another, I know where I would make some changes.

I  think it's a great way of keeping special memories of your children
from when they were babies, and I'm pleased to say that my friend's daughter
was very pleased with it.

Thank you for visiting my blog today.
Janice x













Thursday, 23 May 2024

Birthday Card for my Great Nephew


Today, I am sharing the birthday card I made in March for one 
of my great nephews.


I used the Crafter’s Companion football embossing folder to partially
emboss the card base. I then embossed two narrow lines to edge
the embossing using my Scor-Buddy.

Lastly, I used 3D foam pads to attach the die-cut circles to the card.
I finished by adding the number, his name and the tiny circles.

The products I have used:
Crafter’s Companion embossing folder - Football Crazy
Spellbinders Nestabilities - Circle and Scalloped Circle
Number and alphabet dies - Brand unknown
EK Success punch - Three tiny circles
Scor-Buddy

Thank you for visiting my blog today.
Janice x

Friday, 3 May 2024

A Crocheted Throw/Blanket for my Great Nephew

 Today I am sharing a crocheted throw I recently made for my 5 year old
great nephew.



I used the lovely textured Textured Trebles stitch which I found HERE on
the 'Blossom Crochet' YouTube channel.

Rebekah’s tutorials are really easy to follow and she has lots of different
crochet stitches to share.


I started by chaining 140 stitches using a 6mm crochet hook.

I then crocheted the two row repeat pattern until I reached the desired length.

I finished by crocheting a border of one row of double crochet, two rows of 
half trebles, and one row of double crochet.



I purchased the yarn from Fabric Giant
using 7 x 100g balls of Woolcraft New Fashion DK
 3 in ‘Navy’, 2 in 'White' and 2 in 'Multi Blue'

Thank you for visiting my blog today. Next time I'll be showing you
the one I have made for his sister!
Janice x



Thursday, 2 May 2024

Mother’s Day cards

Sharing two Mother’s Day cards today, which I made in March, for my 
friends to give to their Mums.



The products I have used are:
Couture Creations A4 Embossing folder - Swiss Dots
Hunkydory - The Second Little Book of Decoupage
Alphabet die - Unbranded



The products I have use are:
Spellbinders Labels Ten
Couture Creations A4 Embossing folder - Tied Together
Hydrangea stamp - Unbranded
Promarkers
Stitched pennant die - Unbranded
Sentiment - PC generated


Thank you for visiting my blog today.
Janice x









 

Friday, 22 March 2024

A Crocheted Throw/Blanket for my Niece

Today I am sharing a crocheted throw I have made for one of my nieces.



She found this design of a knitted blanket on the Dunelm website, and asked  
if I could crochet something similar.

I used the lovely textured Cluster stitch which you can find HERE on
the 'Blossom Crochet' YouTube channel.

Rebekah’s tutorials are very easy to follow. She has lots of different
crochet stitches, tips and techniques to share on her YouTube channel
and her Instagram account found HERE



I started by deciding how wide I wanted the throw to be and using a
4mm crochet hook I chained 146 stitches.

I then crocheted the two row repeat pattern until I reached the desired
length, (larger than my usual blankets) and I didn't add a border.


I purchased the yarn from Hobbycraft
using 11 x 100g balls of Women's Institute Premium Acrylic
in the colours Bright Lilac, Light Pink, Cream, Mustard, Honey, Soft Blue,
Denim, Vanilla, Aqua, Hot Pink and Magenta.

Thank you for visiting my blog today.
Janice x

Tuesday, 12 March 2024

Female Birthday Cards

 Today I am sharing the birthday cards I made recently for my sister
 and two of my friends.

The same style card, in different colourways.




I used this beautiful 3D Lisa Horton embossing folder to emboss a square
of white card. I just love how deeply embossed the peonies are!

I then matt and layered it onto the coloured card, and glued it onto the base card.
Next, I die cut the ribbon die, glued it onto the embossed square, and
added the sentiment.
 I finished the card by adding the pearlised and diamante gems.





The products I have used are:
Lisa Horton Crafts 3D embossing folder - Blooming Peony
Presscut - Happy Birthday
Ribbon die - brand unknown

Thank you for visiting my blog today.
Janice x



Wednesday, 28 February 2024

A ‘Clean and Simple’ Birthday Card

 Today I am sharing a ‘clean and simple’ birthday card I made recently
for a friend.


I started by embossing the base card with the embossing
folder. I then die-cut two pieces of card in lilac and white.
I stamped the sentiment onto the white piece, then glued the two pieces
together. I attached them to the base card using 3d foam pads.
Lastly I added the diamante gems.



The products I have used are:
Embossing Folder - Craft magazine free gift
Hero Arts wood mounted stamp - Fabulous Birthday
Spellbinders Labels 3

Thank you for visiting my blog today.
Janice x


Tuesday, 20 February 2024

A Crocheted Throw/Blanket for my Nephew

Today I am sharing a crocheted throw I have made for one of my nephews.

I made this one larger than the usual adult ones, as he is quite tall.



I used a Half Treble Slip stitch which I found on YouTube HERE


I started by chaining 143 stitches using a 6mm hook.
I then crocheted the one row repeat pattern until I reached 
the desired length. I did not add a border this time.

The finished size was 60" x 70"/152cm x 180cm



I purchased the yarn from Little Wool Shop
using 5 x 400g balls of Hayfield Bonus Aran in Navy Tweed

Thank you for visiting my blog today.
Janice x







Tuesday, 16 January 2024

A Crocheted Throw/Blanket

Today I am sharing a crocheted throw I made last year for my sister-in-law.

I used the lovely textured Crossed Trebles stitch which I found HERE on
the 'Blossom Crochet' YouTube channel.

Rebekah’s tutorials are really easy to follow and she has lots of different
crochet stitches to share.

I started by chaining 120 stitches and then crocheted the two row repeat pattern 
until I reached the desired length.

I finished by crocheting a border of one row of double crochet, three rows of 
half trebles, one row of slip stitch, three rows of half trebles, one row double crochet
and one row slip stitch. 



I purchased the yarn from Hobbycraft
using 9 x 100g balls of Women's Institute Premium Acrylic
 5 in ‘Mustard’ and 4 in 'Cream'

Thank you for visiting my blog today.
Janice x