Two Angels - angels & petals AND crafty angel

A perfect Saturday afternoon

As the weather changed and the rain came in a group of people gathered to drink tea & coffee and eat chocolate biscuits. Oh! and to knit & crochet flowers too.

 
 Decisions, decisions - what colour, knit or crochet???????

Crochet proved the most popular option with even those who'd never picked up a hook before rattling off some rather lovely flora.

The speed of some of those needles & hooks was quite amazing!

 And the results a lot better than my photography!!

Not bad for a first attempt  - you should be very proud girls.
 

More Knit & Natter
Following last night's session of K&N it was decided that due to the popularity of the sessions, we should hold them every Tuesday.

They will take place in the shop each Tuesday evening from 7.30pm.
Entry is £2 and for that you get a drink & a biscuit!

All welcome - just come along and bring your WIP or we'll help you start a new project if it's a while since you've been yarn creative!

Flower Power

This coming Saturday afternoon (28th May) we are opening up the shop to an informal gathering of Knitters & Crocheters, who fancy making some flowers.

The session will run from 1.30pm for approx 2 hours. Please bring along your own yarns & needles/hooks and any favourite flower patterns you may have. If you don't have suitable materials, they will be available to purchase.

Brooch backs will also be available so you can turn your creations into wearable items.

£2 per person (for a cuppa & a biscuit). No suitable for complete beginners.

It's the bunting season

Oh yes, how I love the bunting.

So I decided to make some more.

This time it's a more traditional take on bunting - all be it still crochet.

It is does look rather jolly hanging across the shop.
 

Happy, happy colours for bright sunny days.

Enjoy your weekend.
 

Where ever I hang my bunting - that's my home.

Remember the little hearts bunting?

Well I've found just where I want to hang mine. From an old shepherd's hut. Wouldn't that be cool?

Since the arrival of Rosie, meaning we now have 2 dogs, our thoughts are turning to caravanning. Scary I know. But it does seem like an ideal solution to the 'what do we do with the dogs' scenario, whenever a short break is needed.

I do realise that a shepherd's hut is not really the answer and that a run of the mill cheap caravan for 4 will have to do, but it doesn't stop me dreaming.

Doing up vintage caravans is very 'in' at the moment and it does seem to me to be a project I might enjoy.

Lots of opportunity to use those blankets I've made.

There are lots of inspirational stories and photographs in this book....

I'm not sure how well they'd transfer to a run of the mill second hand van - but I'd like to have a go.

Does look fun doesn't it?

This book, and all others featured on the blog are available from Angels & Petals
 
 
 

Book to basics

Perhaps the few good things to come out of 'the credit crunch' are that it has reinforced the importance of appreciating the beauty in simple things. A single rose in a milk bottle, a tatty book from the 50's or 60's beautifully illustrated and found for pence at a car boot fair.

It is also responsible for allowing us all to be creative with our recycling and the return to power of the make do and mend mentality. No longer are our well worn home furnishings frowned upon by our visiting friends, but they are positively coveted.

And as we can all relate to, it has made 'hand made' possibly the most popular it has ever been. Certainly those who can knit & sew have their once whispered about hobbies, now envied by those who can't. What a delight!

Recently I came across some books which encourage all of the above and offer inspirational ideas of how to put it all together to best effect.

Bazaar Style - be inspired to create a beautifully individual home combining vintage, retro and flea-market finds.

 

 

This books has a host of gorgeous vibrant colour photos to get your creative juices flowing.

 

If a muted palette of colour is more your thing, then Comfortable Country should appeal to you.

Complete with a source directory this book is perfect for anyone feeling their home or furnishings are looking a little tired. The author will soon have you loving the look.

This book I think would make a great gift for someone just starting out. They've probably 'inherited' some old furniture to use as a base and with this book as a starting point they would soon have their place looking Chic.

Now doesn't that look chic & comfy? Perfect for an afternoon of crochet. Bye!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

Baby Bunting

I have been crocheting some little heart bunting over the weekend for the shop. It was fiddly trying to work out how to form the heart, but I think these look very pretty now.

I can see them draped around children's bedrooms, across the kitchen, over the fire place............

Outside to decorate the garden for parties, hung from a tent for quick recognition in a field of tents etc etc

In wacky shades

Or themed to match a colour scheme.

Ah well, better get back to it. It's not the quickest of projects!
 
 

 
 

Time for a break?

The weather seems to have improved a little and the sun is shining as I write this. I dear say your thoughts might be turning to holidays and perhaps with the long weekend not so far away, you are planning a little break.

I have just taken delivery of some gorgeous handmade Wash Bags which would do your weekend away essentials proud.

Perfect in purple. Shower gel & body cream also available!

For a more country look, spots & flowers. If you haven't tried Jane Maddern's goats milk soap - you should. It is lovely & creamy and smells gorgeous.

Bags of choice

Bag making is very much the 'in thing'. One of our ladies at Knit & Natter makes the most beautiful felted bags. She is proving to be very inspirational, and others are now having a go themselves.

This book has a great selection of ideas to knit or crochet.

I love the colours of the crochet bag on the front - might be my next project.

Mmmm, or maybe this one!

There are plenty for knitters too, including these two really gorgeous creations.

How about this one? If you think it might take you until December - perfect!

Or what about this one? for all you clever knitters out there.

It is a lovely book, and at just £9.99 I do recommend it.
 
 
 
 

Finished bag

A few of you have seen me hooking away at a bag for the last couple of weeks - so I'm happy to show you the result.

It is a large bag. Ideal for a day at the beach, carting stuff to work, or stashing yarn.

It was very simple to crochet. I used a treble stitch throughout. Striping with 3 colours of Stylecraft Special DK, which is just £2 a ball.

 

I finished it off with a scallop style edge.

and a pretty flower at the base of the handles.

 

You don't really need a pattern, but I will print some out and they'll be in the shop if you fancy having a go.