U Rock!

It's been a hive of activity here at Little Blue Shed.  My brain has been in overdrive since plunging into the crafty world of selling.  Well ok, it's just the school fair......but....still!

I had a New Year aim of selling my crafts and I'm determined to fullfill at east one of my resolutions.  Well the loosing weight one went out the window ages ago.  Maintaining my current weight is tricky enough.

Ahem!  Back to my news, I've set up a Facebook business page and I'm starting small.  Just local like.  A craft fair or two but its a start.  

So this week I have been working on some Fathers Day cards.  They are not finished yet but it has meant that I needed to get the cross stitch out.  It shows you how long I have done this as I found a project that I took to hospital with me when I had to go in for observation when I was pregnant with Rob.....18 years ago!  And it's still unfinished!

Hmmm, cross stitch and I have a love hate relationship.  I love the finished result but I'm seriously rubbish at it.  I've lost count of the amount of times I have had to unpick the work.

Anyhow, here is the result of my frustration, now I need to attach it to a card.  I'll be back soon to show you the finished result.

Sian's small things swop...

Hello there!

I had some happy hooky hours in the garden at the weekend but alas the glorious sunshine has now disappeared.  It's the law isn't it? 'Two days of sunshine and then a week or so of rain'.  Oh well that's why England is so green I suppose......but still!

Anyway, I'll share crochet projects later this week as today I want to share what I received in the post from Sandra, my small swop swopee.  It's all there, sewing, cycling, buttons, butterflies and pins. Thanks Sandra. 

Sun,hail,wind and rain.

What a week! We experienced every type of weather this week except snow!  I wouldn't normally mind......oh all right I would still complain about it (its nearly June for gods sake).  But it was worse because I was off out in it every day with my Year 6 children.  

Yep! It was cycling week!  Totally exhausted but pleased that they all passed.  I think we had all had enough when even your underwear is wet through from the rain.  Couldn't help whizzing through a puddle, totally soaking my feet in celebration though.

So the Hi Viz tabards are washed, ready for my next group in June.  Please let it be warmer.  But for now I'm on half term holidays and planning all my crafty ideas that I haven't had time (or the energy) to do.

You colour my life...

It's the little things in life that can really make your day or your week.  I'm still smiling about my 'wooly' delivery last week.  Just look at that Stylecraft DK....don't it warm the cockles of your heart?  It was an impressive delivery from the 'Wool Warehouse', less than 48 hours from ordering.

Unfortunately it's a busy week this week for me as I am working extra time at work so I can teach a couple of on road cycling courses.  Also I need to finish my cushion  that I started before I start another project. 

So my gorgeous  yarn will have to wait a while, at least until the end of the week as its........half term! Hooray! Can't wait to get hooking something new.  Hopefully by then I can show you a finished cushion.

'Sigh' ......so many ideas, so little time.

Ooh sparkles....

Ooh! I'm all excited!......Well you would be too if you had just come home to a bumper delivery of yarn.  Ok maybe you wouldn't of but whatever your into craft wise, then just imagine a lovely big package of supplies.....see! Your excited now aren't you?

This week some cute flowers have been tripping off my crochet hook and now I have some lush 'sparkly' yarn to make them with.  I can't wait to get started.  But for now you will have to make do with a photo of just the 'sparkly' yarn that I will be using and one of the flowers made up using Wendy Merino yarn.  The pattern can be found in this months Simply Crochet magazine.

I timed myself that it took around 25 minutes to make a flower so if i start now I will just have enough time to get one done before lunch .......

..My go to..

So when the opportunity arrises to play with paper it's normally because I have an occasion like a birthday coming up and I need a card to send.

I'm normally thinking ' let's get this over with' and end up thinking ' I'm really enjoying this, I really should make more. However my 'go to' card supplies have recently been some Samantha Poole typewriter stamps with suitable quotes, my polka dot embossing folder, corner rounder crocodile and Tim Holtz Core Definitions scrapbook paper. The ingredients differ slightly each time but I love the slightly vintage look with a modern twist.

I continued with this format when I made some Thank you cards for Rob to send out after his recent celebrations for his 18th birthday.

Sometimes you just want to get on with the job and not faff around getting all arty. I'm not sure I could cope without these supplies to get me out a tight spot.

What's your 'go to'?

Popcorn and icing biscuits...

I confess I have been procrastinating a little lately. What with applications for student accommodation and student loans for the teen. Coming of age preparations and work , I just haven't had the energy to get crafty.

Although I was inspired from my WI biscuit decorating post to make a felt iced brooch and start a new cushion crochet project.

The brooch was super easy. I cut two brown biscuit bases with a round nestabilities die with a white felt creamy centre. Topped with scolloped die cut felt icing. I sewed tiny stitches around it all to hold it together, larger stitches as decoration on the icing, added a pale pink heart with an embroidered scroll. I think it would look good as a bag charm too.

Yesterday I tried out a new crochet stitch called a 'popcorn' stitch which gives a lovely textured feel. I'm using the Rowan red and green wool I showed you recently. And yes as some of you said, It is very soft and cosy to touch. But I have found it to 'split' easily when you crochet. I have been using my 'Compendium of Crochet Techniques' by Jan Eaton to help me along too.

This week my big boy turns 18.....he reckons he is ordering the first round for us and his grandparents when we go out to celebrate......not sure he is buying though! I'll update you on that at the end of the week.

Hope you all have a good week and it turns out to be another sunny one:)