tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47897570029715138632024-03-05T05:23:13.488+00:00Ditzy and DottyCraft ideas and tutorials of things I've made. Fabric bags, costumes, anything that I can use to craft.Ditzy and Dottyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663172498388376862noreply@blogger.comBlogger209125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4789757002971513863.post-3071486172143738682015-01-14T13:59:00.002+00:002015-01-14T13:59:34.323+00:00I've decided to start a new blog dedicated to all things yarn, visit it <a href="http://www.ditzyanddotty.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://www.ditzyanddotty.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://www.DitzyandDotty.WordPress.com</a><br />
Or come and see photos of my own designs visit me <a href="http://www.sallyshepherd.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://www.sallyshepherd.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://www.SallyShepherd.WordPress.com</a><br />
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<br />Ditzy and Dottyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663172498388376862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4789757002971513863.post-64525739318196995882014-07-01T11:11:00.000+01:002014-07-01T11:11:00.484+01:00Bow Ties and a trendy MumWhen your children ask that you make them something do you feel really proud that they want something made by you and jump to it straight away, forgetting everything else that needs doing? I don't get asked to make things very often now as my boys are both teenagers, and beyond the soft toys and dressing up costumes. So when my son asked me to make him a bow tie (thanks Dr Who!) I jumped at the chance to prove that I was not just the person who washes their clothes and puts dinner on the table, I too was once young and trendy and could do more than just homework supervision and taxi service.<br />
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This was my first attempt at making the bow tie. I swear it took longer to learn to tie the thing than it did to make it. Have you ever tried to tie a bow tie - we got so confused, but with the help of several diagrams and youtube videos, we managed it as you can see.</div>
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This is the second bow tie I made. I think I like this one better although it doesn't really show off the cartoon fabric very well, perhaps a smaller pattern would have looked better. But my son was happy, and for once I was a trendy mum in life as well as my imagination.<br />
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Ditzy and Dottyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663172498388376862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4789757002971513863.post-16970630507188506742014-06-29T21:32:00.000+01:002014-06-30T10:59:46.820+01:00butterfliesWow, that was a long break in posts! But I'm back now and hope to update this blog a little more often.<br />
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I have a new blog up and running, <a href="http://www.sallyshepherd.wordpress.com/">click here</a> to visit. The aim of this new blog is to showcase my own patterns and designs, many of which have been published in magazines, and some of which will soon be for sale through my Etsy shop, so its more of an online portfolio than a blog, but if you're interested, then hop on over and have a look.<br />
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I thought I'd share a couple of the things I have been working on today. I found a pattern for 3d butterflies <a href="http://www.kingsoleil.com/Crochet_Butterfly.html">here</a> and so decided to make some.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwxjat2iyf40XmQcq9jVJttTkE_D5IXKQbbcp4CVA7vKXySX8Po1YSIJpVuzlQSUivOLQjYLKzjXE7xqEC98CI5Y4J9wPhstPdeuuIYRmd-Yff42JWkL5btacbnYFqtLl5FE0p8R_fqs/s1600/WP_20140629_002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwxjat2iyf40XmQcq9jVJttTkE_D5IXKQbbcp4CVA7vKXySX8Po1YSIJpVuzlQSUivOLQjYLKzjXE7xqEC98CI5Y4J9wPhstPdeuuIYRmd-Yff42JWkL5btacbnYFqtLl5FE0p8R_fqs/s1600/WP_20140629_002.jpg" height="222" width="400" /></a></div>
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I made this one using 4ply cotton (dmc natura, my favourite cotton for crocheting, and no i'm not sponsored by them in any way!), and popped it on a hair slide for my daughter.<br />
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Then I decided to make a tiny one using thin crochet cotton. This time I made it into a necklace<br />
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My mind works in very mysterious ways, and while I had the crochet yarn and tiny hook out, it turned to jewellery. Nothing at all to do with the butterflies I'd been enjoying making, but this time I made a flower ring. It was a little plain so I decided to add a few seed beads into the centre, and this is what I ended up with.<br />
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A quick and pretty ring. I think I'm going to make a few more of these as they were so quick and easy to make.<br />
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<br />Ditzy and Dottyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663172498388376862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4789757002971513863.post-19117076653930257282014-01-06T12:21:00.000+00:002014-01-06T12:21:38.934+00:00Winter Yarn bombAfter the success of our <a href="http://ditzyanddotty.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/yarn-bombing-fun.html">September yarn bomb</a>, when the weather was nice and sunny, we decided in our wisdom that it would be a good idea to create a yarn bomb at the start of the term after Christmas. So after deciding on a theme (snowflakes & icicles) we set to work. Big mistake! We ended up decorating yesterday in the coldest, wildest weather the UK has had for years. We soon learned to hold tightly to every snowflake as we tied them to the tree or the wind would whip them across the playground, resulting in us charging through the mud and puddles to retrieve them. Our poor fingers were so frozen we had difficulty sewing the tree sock to the tree, and we had to make sure everything was well secured, or we risked the tree being bare by the next morning. Luckily we had a few extra hands to help, and we were done in less than an hour. Overnight here the weather was even worse – the wind was howling and the rain was absolutely hammering down and all I could think about was how our poor snowflakes were faring. So this morning I went up to the school with my fingers firmly crossed and yippee – the tree was still dressed<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xFjcBQ1Mh-I/UsqfI5QQmWI/AAAAAAAACqI/dRwdVrS2JWs/s1600-h/WinterTreeSm%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="WinterTreeSm" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_ksZcvHoGiI/UsqfKCUQg4I/AAAAAAAACqQ/AlTa_7ia4NA/WinterTreeSm_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="518" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="WinterTreeSm" width="504" /></a><br />
and the quiet area still had its decorations too.<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fyipayMo5Fk/UsqfLWIRMkI/AAAAAAAACqY/jph1jyxlF-Q/s1600-h/WinterQuietAreaSm%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="WinterQuietAreaSm" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HftU8HIEbX0/UsqfMfnr_7I/AAAAAAAACqg/7ucpWh7_cL0/WinterQuietAreaSm_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="379" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="WinterQuietAreaSm" width="504" /></a><br />
Phew, what a relief. <br />
Just for your amusement, here is the difference a term has made:<br />
September<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wWxCKTGdmyo/UsqfNfq27AI/AAAAAAAACqo/RLkBznLP9gI/s1600-h/decorating2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="decorating2" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TXpzWwzwqH0/UsqfOfyZ2eI/AAAAAAAACqw/mVkDsXMzx9M/decorating2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="379" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="decorating2" width="504" /></a><br />
January<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_k1_SauRngc/UsqfPR7LloI/AAAAAAAACq4/A0TUo4FurwE/s1600-h/WinterDecoratingsm%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="WinterDecoratingsm" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-e5OhGZewgNw/UsqfQgtKUrI/AAAAAAAACrA/RlgoWD4O_iI/WinterDecoratingsm_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="346" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="WinterDecoratingsm" width="504" /></a><br />
Lessons learned from the latest yarn bomb – wait until summer!Ditzy and Dottyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663172498388376862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4789757002971513863.post-69038971920045060852013-10-11T15:39:00.000+01:002013-10-11T17:24:41.449+01:00Simple Crochet Scarf Tutorial<br />
Scarves are one of the simplest things to make from crochet. I’ve only used treble crochet and chains to make this one. Like my granny square tutorial I am using a cotton yarn and a larger hook than recommended, both of these are just so that the stitches are easier for you to see. I am also using different colours for each row so you can see it easier – you can either copy the colour changes or just work in a single colour.<br />
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Chain 25, this makes quite a narrow scarf, simply add more stitches if you want a wider scarf.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rPaViw83xps/Ulf3voDFgUI/AAAAAAAACjk/CJyp0bfhsF4/s1600-h/scarf1%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="scarf1" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rex2Y8eoies/Ulf3wtAQIAI/AAAAAAAACjs/TJdaLFGd9kQ/scarf1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="scarf1" width="504" /></a><br />
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Chain 3 extra stitches, this will count as the first treble in your row<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2Rlcr4y7jeQ/Ulf3xFWCrUI/AAAAAAAACj0/n1ZRoYZhdEs/s1600-h/scarf2%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="scarf2" border="0" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGsRIvYycmp3sH-Tv3cy1ouhPAf_9rKUF8v5v5EwN-Qm7D71F7toOsl1EaPgMnT1KB-bo3crrYrrqwuG3tMbFbe0yo0qOm6K_CNz5fqttWrlzl8dxinJf3UyFtiKuC500gW-mgmnI7wg/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="scarf2" width="504" /></a><br />
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Treble into the fourth chain from the hook<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-k5vLUndGtic/Ulf3yvrd4gI/AAAAAAAACkE/rCd9xgUKFww/s1600-h/scarf3%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="scarf3" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DJNCvxp5vtA/Ulf3zcXBhMI/AAAAAAAACkM/zU5oofQWyYY/scarf3_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="scarf3" width="504" /></a><br />
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Treble into the next chain<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0al_pNU6uy6nO-IGP8luY9IASCK1vfPmhxpanPJI2YC286l681GWnr5nt1e6XLDBLS7H7Lzpm-JsTotr_SV694nyWj7LQ7bosu88lqG_D-tNEvSkQALtVZfEoHXwFmZFoDjOcu_9WV9s/s1600-h/scarf4%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="scarf4" border="0" height="335" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ojj2QS4HvW4/Ulf30r88vEI/AAAAAAAACkc/9erE1cQXj5A/scarf4_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="scarf4" width="504" /></a><br />
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Treble into each stitch of the row<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YHMYnL8Gbqc/Ulf31JiYxmI/AAAAAAAACkk/ByyS0hloOpU/s1600-h/scarf5%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="scarf5" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uWxO0W7_k7A/Ulf31xR1m1I/AAAAAAAACks/7AJ-ZKRVeWc/scarf5_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="scarf5" width="504" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iEeQgEfjJPY/Ulf32i2bRaI/AAAAAAAACk0/Eb6Ago9UUX0/s1600-h/scarf6%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="scarf6" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WKU_AHyFq0I/Ulf33A_m6bI/AAAAAAAACk8/aJ7ULIW0jlE/scarf6_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="scarf6" width="504" /></a><br />
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Chain 3, and turn your work over, ready to work back down the row<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fiTrR4kOsM4/Ulf338suoCI/AAAAAAAAClE/FwpE4L2DN1g/s1600-h/scarf7%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="scarf7" border="0" height="389" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--ElRQhpDtmw/Ulf34q7he2I/AAAAAAAAClM/vqQtZKyGcfk/scarf7_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="scarf7" width="504" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wt5-ysFS6co/Ulf35CgK40I/AAAAAAAAClU/sDJ9rI2JpSI/s1600-h/scarf8%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="scarf8" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gxYEuQNIYd8/Ulf352NebTI/AAAAAAAAClc/xQhc0kUrIOc/scarf8_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="scarf8" width="504" /></a><br />
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Have a quick look at the top of the stitches here, you should see a row of ‘V’ shapes all the way down. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJdQAgF6cpaDP31xpsRGBLu_brQn3lHs33I4bLu04r8tOT2JYr2CsIu2k_cMgOSfpB_DDJg1H315NJ622TalvI-6jXqezHHIvdBdvo-xBbvdM_yXUtJb6B6r74B3AOtu0_ZwtnZyEoMVc/s1600-h/scarf9%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="scarf9" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OD7RWl4yATk/Ulf363cktxI/AAAAAAAACls/UAwjyMxtUzU/scarf9_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="scarf9" width="504" /></a><br />
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When you are making the next row, be sure to put the hook under both sides of the ‘V’ shape.<br />
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Now you know what to look for, find the next treble in the row and make a treble into the top of it<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UvbIOoJixiQ/Ulf37qFaxMI/AAAAAAAACl0/iCnN1yUWyNc/s1600-h/scarf10%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="scarf10" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mvjoB77sjhY/Ulf38qJCqMI/AAAAAAAACl8/POmyTCSaAfc/scarf10_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="scarf10" width="504" /></a><br />
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Continue to treble down the row until you reach the end. <br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bFSj5V_iGYA/Ulf39e8m3XI/AAAAAAAACmE/m46pfLAJty0/s1600-h/scarf11%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="scarf11" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mss7n9BUBbc/Ulf39wItrJI/AAAAAAAACmM/xPHaEPQeA0A/scarf11_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="scarf11" width="504" /></a><br />
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Now the only tricky bit left is finding the last stitch to treble into. This is probably where you are going wrong if your rectangles start to get a little more triangle-shaped. At the start of the previous row you did 3 chains. (the green stitch just above my thumb in this photo)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JMOJFJ4ntC4/Ulf3-mfbojI/AAAAAAAACmU/iHEoP2FBTsg/s1600-h/scarf12%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="scarf12" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hRJ_uRh0NOg/Ulf3_RZ-YGI/AAAAAAAACmc/AS7LP7YXZCA/scarf12_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="scarf12" width="504" /></a><br />
<br />
Your last treble should be into the top of this chain, like this:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wUNxajx0f9M/Ulf3_50FL3I/AAAAAAAACmk/iGgGojinfak/s1600-h/scarf13%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="scarf13" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HSdsbgHE9Sk/Ulf4AvbQi8I/AAAAAAAACms/mEcdAKYjEzU/scarf13_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="scarf13" width="504" /></a><br />
<br />
If you’re not sure if you’ve done it or not, then count your stitches to make sure you have 25 (or more if your original chain row was longer)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YLgltwDCrVY/Ulf4Bfv9wQI/AAAAAAAACm0/kFq2BhWhUjQ/s1600-h/scarf14%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="scarf14" border="0" height="406" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YeqrHREIL7o/Ulf4CBjqonI/AAAAAAAACm8/fBxJSA-9vbw/scarf14_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="scarf14" width="504" /></a><br />
<br />
For the next row, as before, chain 3, turn your work over, and treble into each stitch of the row.<br />
Keep going until your scarf is the length you want. If you want to turn it into a snood/cowl then just sew the ends together.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vuTVVLl2sZ4/Ulf4C1UPPUI/AAAAAAAACnE/_-LOuHPJH6w/s1600-h/scarf15%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="scarf15" border="0" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lkjMD0hNMKSVKu0BTJGAGMRQdHECsaX8HmzqAPVUZUSWJ6UXOdoYfDFHAAXq0FGtULFeBfdD9DKjYJFhgUXJ48W_UsrZ6PvShH8TFSplq5wXLdDGJuoTipdMASDFyFBUXE6e3sfS5-A/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="scarf15" width="504" /></a><br />
<br />
Hope that helps you get started.Ditzy and Dottyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663172498388376862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4789757002971513863.post-10270109322916858732013-10-10T20:21:00.001+01:002013-10-10T20:23:57.634+01:00Christmas Crochet in Simply Homemade<br />
Christmas is coming – no matter how you try to deny the fact, and who should we see on the front cover of Simply Homemade this month – my little Rudolf.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Simply Homemade issue 35 - on sale now! " height="703" src="http://www.simplyhomemademag.com/media/k2/items/cache/acaf69a47291143b36612c5b483fc572_L.jpg" width="500" /><br />
<br />
Sometimes it seems a bit odd to me to be making Christmas themed projects when I’ve just returned from my summer holiday, but I guess at least I have a head start on what will be hanging on my Christmas tree this year.<br />
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The ipad cover on the front of the magazine is also one of my projects and the magazine also has patterns for a couple of messenger bags I designed.<br />
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I’ll leave you with a photos of the other crochet projects that I made for this issue:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Wdb-JiBFm5A/Ulb-SS6HlLI/AAAAAAAACjM/ZbN2G9Y1Giw/s1600-h/animalsSm%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="animalsSm" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hm8GGAbDSoY/Ulb-TlUfXtI/AAAAAAAACjU/F1ZhG0EHn14/animalsSm_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="animalsSm" width="504" /></a><br />
<br />
Next time – a crochet scarf tutorial, are you excited yet?Ditzy and Dottyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663172498388376862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4789757002971513863.post-67463208101011447902013-10-07T10:00:00.000+01:002013-10-07T10:54:14.874+01:00How to Crochet a Granny SquareI thought today I’d add a post showing you how to make a granny square. The yarn I’ve used for this is a 100% cotton yarn which photographs nicely, and a 4mm hook (which is slightly larger than the yarn recommends) but which makes the stitches nice and clear to see.<br />
<br />
I am assuming that you know how to make a slip stitch, and how to make chains and treble stitches (UK notation).<br />
<br />
Round 1: chain 6 stitches<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6s4CQ3DL8O4/UlFjZXJjuCI/AAAAAAAACdM/4yyh1ewXOnc/s1600-h/granny1%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="granny1" border="0" height="337" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8EzllIGIG0k/UlFjanLXTiI/AAAAAAAACdU/3vIbWZHSlTE/granny1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="granny1" width="504" /></a><br />
then place your hook through the first chain you made, <br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZQ0aDz_Qt-c/UlFjcEVe4eI/AAAAAAAACdc/7enMykdNxKU/s1600-h/granny2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="granny2" border="0" height="337" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YEKbxSkfLoY/UlFjd1knZZI/AAAAAAAACdk/1Kb8mOQGRc8/granny2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="granny2" width="504" /></a><br />
and slip stitch (wrap the yarn around the hook and pull it through both loops on the hook)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IDIt4Pj-2DI/UlFjfvaIxBI/AAAAAAAACds/bLkscvwLPWA/s1600-h/granny3%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="granny3" border="0" height="337" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rII5rplxJko/UlFjhHOor0I/AAAAAAAACd0/-nDuO5dNDpA/granny3_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="granny3" width="504" /></a><br />
Chain 3 - this counts as a treble<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumF_THMAaGi5i6qBQfqucfsOg2x8oRnLW-Nai0_gwaxfZO0AJ2rU_cdLEUJQZfDwdafFH5nhC-vg6en10M9X6-knI5vcVpZ5ze89aXnlsQe6sp-M9cqdfI2iD_JU2U9vnaLCSR95pG8U/s1600-h/granny4%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="granny4" border="0" height="337" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-be15y1sYbWw/UlFjjCWmHUI/AAAAAAAACeE/Bfp8BVdJuis/granny4_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="granny4" width="504" /></a><br />
2 trebles into the centre ring - this is now your first group of trebles. We will be making quite a few of these groups of trebles before the granny square is finished.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-du065m-xQn8/UlFjkhgPzjI/AAAAAAAACeM/M0GVJRZ4rXo/s1600-h/granny5%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="granny5" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xo_2FBaZAD0/UlFjlfFqMlI/AAAAAAAACeU/0mmsFCmxAw8/granny5_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="granny5" width="504" /></a><br />
Chain 3 - this leaves a gap or "chain space"<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-17dZ7Mg_MyY/UlFjmZHffAI/AAAAAAAACec/3u_GheSDBYo/s1600-h/granny6%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="granny6" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NNT7cw8SQuM/UlFjnm9LQHI/AAAAAAAACek/Y0xW9g2r4Uc/granny6_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="granny6" width="504" /></a><br />
3 trebles into the centre ring - yippee, the first corner is made.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YjJO5c1VHxk/UlFjorbOUuI/AAAAAAAACes/062STKMUlYQ/s1600-h/granny7%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="granny7" border="0" height="337" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YUHVDoAYKmQ/UlFjp74cA7I/AAAAAAAACe0/MR01mnhP9wU/granny7_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="granny7" width="504" /></a><br />
chain 3, 3 trebles into centre ring - you've now made 2 corners, you're half way.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-76LMCc6YAdE/UlFjrBBP3HI/AAAAAAAACe8/ZSjC9vtI4Ro/s1600-h/granny8%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="granny8" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ItnxOi_CY6I/UlFjsKdi4fI/AAAAAAAACfE/tA0tpIJ6hOg/granny8_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="granny8" width="504" /></a><br />
chain 3, 3 more trebles into centre ring<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qIRlcNH3qXA/UlFjs5p8BkI/AAAAAAAACfM/ZIJZFaxaLHk/s1600-h/granny9%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="granny9" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9sxmE1TDhjM/UlFjuByNIQI/AAAAAAAACfU/W0bqQCi9_Bo/granny9_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="granny9" width="504" /></a><br />
3 chain, and then slip stitch through the top of the 3 chain you made at the start of this round<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aLuNb7lemQo/UlFjvPSpqoI/AAAAAAAACfc/1QaFkva1ots/s1600-h/granny10%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="granny10" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ULiqX-bVQ3E/UlFjvwrf9TI/AAAAAAAACfk/_8ajua7SP_Y/granny10_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="granny10" width="504" /></a><br />
Cast off this colour (if you are going to change colours), and admire your tiny little square.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jHR8loXa3cY/UlFjw5s-eWI/AAAAAAAACfs/ENM7a_vs4Ko/s1600-h/granny11%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="granny11" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MvebOdzS_fk/UlFjyLyS2eI/AAAAAAAACf0/isbTw7OH_Hs/granny11_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="granny11" width="504" /></a><br />
Round 2: join your second colour by holding the end of the yarn at the back of the square (make sure you leave about 5-10 cm of yarn at the back of the square otherwise you risk it coming undone later), and pull a loop of your new colour through the large gap in one of the corners of the square. <br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lFHZL3i1lWQ/UlFjy3ja9xI/AAAAAAAACf8/nSl2t2PDFjY/s1600-h/granny12%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="granny12" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-siRyb4-u-mk/UlFjz44AkDI/AAAAAAAACgE/BPZNJdrH5Yo/granny12_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="granny12" width="504" /></a><br />
Chain 3 - this counts as a treble<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fyiHLLnCFic/UlFj0nJiTGI/AAAAAAAACgM/XET_ZXhqv2w/s1600-h/granny14%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="granny14" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PVqRTCOrMwA/UlFj1le6mnI/AAAAAAAACgU/LISpMYZkMF8/granny14_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="granny14" width="504" /></a><br />
Treble 3, chain 3<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-y1G2yBdCVgU/UlFj2p24_eI/AAAAAAAACgc/-QWEQosNCwA/s1600-h/granny15%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="granny15" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-clGkNUCsQTo/UlFj323127I/AAAAAAAACgk/MoWABktHhzM/granny15_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="granny15" width="504" /></a><br />
Treble 3 more into the same space, and you have your first corner of this round.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pOCJF2335io/UlFj4_xGJpI/AAAAAAAACgs/8zjFP_dVLKE/s1600-h/granny16%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="granny16" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lt7EXw0UQ7c/UlFj5-hGxBI/AAAAAAAACg0/jz-eW1WzD1E/granny16_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="granny16" width="504" /></a><br />
Chain 2, then (treble 3, chain 3, treble 3) into the next large chain space<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pNIEw0J6F78/UlFj62-0r_I/AAAAAAAACg8/r4LOGncIxyw/s1600-h/granny17%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="granny17" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-diB5-N7B-p0/UlFj8hZPMvI/AAAAAAAAChE/V2-yRubAk7I/granny17_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="granny17" width="504" /></a><br />
chain2, then (treble 3, chain 3, treble 3) into the next large chain space<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oFsM3QmGpv4/UlFj9vSDA3I/AAAAAAAAChM/rCRJg3R4i3E/s1600-h/granny18%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="granny18" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NulGS4wSKic/UlFj-oTbMkI/AAAAAAAAChU/4UGxW-9gUqg/granny18_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="granny18" width="504" /></a><br />
chain 2, (treble 3, chain 3, treble 3) into the final large chain space. Finish this round with a slip stitch into the top of the first chain you made of this round. Cast off.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-I1YSu-xJf-s/UlFj_sWv5zI/AAAAAAAAChc/KRLreyOvOBo/s1600-h/granny19%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="granny19" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1xV5ZFhPbfE/UlFkBgp-DDI/AAAAAAAAChk/Qa4YWBbUxgY/granny19_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="granny19" width="504" /></a><br />
Round 3: Join new colour to one of the spaces on the middle of the sides, chain 3 and then complete 2 trebles in the same chain space. As this is a side not a corner, we only need to make one group of trebles here.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8pGiZXte-kc/UlFkDtnvzxI/AAAAAAAAChs/ViX_YDehFYY/s1600-h/granny20%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="granny20" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--IZEEAx2-wE/UlFkFC1lGOI/AAAAAAAACh0/e0S3OjjvI6I/granny20_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="granny20" width="504" /></a><br />
Chain 2, move to the next chain space and (treble 3, chain 3, treble 3) into the same space to make a corner.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eZTNf1Lp5OI/UlFkGb3v5jI/AAAAAAAACh8/QzC28C8hRk8/s1600-h/granny21%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="granny21" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mNZyAxvYb8Y/UlFkHbE12TI/AAAAAAAACiE/1n-Nh_jrGWs/granny21_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="granny21" width="504" /></a><br />
work around the edge of the square, in the same way. Into each side space work 3 trebles followed by 2 chains to move to the next space, and into each corner chain space work (treble 3, chain 3, treble 3) followed by 2 chains to move to the next space.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZfpcPB8fN5A/UlFkIImwAMI/AAAAAAAACiM/SxO1kakB3cI/s1600-h/granny22%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="granny22" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xkCcclPGi-w/UlFkJToEWnI/AAAAAAAACiU/9c4z2mxI_ug/granny22_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="granny22" width="504" /></a><br />
You can either continue working around the square to make it larger, or make lots of small squares & stitch them together.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-af-YU8ALhvc/UlFkKg1rOMI/AAAAAAAACic/uIXJnFfyyZk/s1600-h/granny23%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="granny23" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rL1TktaIFEI/UlFkLvz3FmI/AAAAAAAACik/GqtPYlPPrss/granny23_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="granny23" width="504" /></a><br />
Make sure you run all of the ends in securely, as you don't want all of your hard work to unravel.<br />
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Hope that helps to unlock the mystery of the granny squares. Happy crocheting!Ditzy and Dottyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663172498388376862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4789757002971513863.post-25456386446723520402013-10-06T13:07:00.000+01:002013-10-06T14:25:37.215+01:00Spreading the Crochet LoveAfter the success of our school yarn bomb, and the interest we’d had from the other school mums, Sam, Andrea and I decided that we should arrange a crochet group. A quick call on Facebook, and via the school network led to 15 of us meeting up last Wednesday in the function room of the local pub.<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hHIFjuwhyFw/UlFRoC2YA3I/AAAAAAAACb0/B88RQuveVlo/s1600-h/photo4%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="photo4" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9TZ2fPL3uXE/UlFRo1SQ8EI/AAAAAAAACb8/NaOwC0mz8yc/photo4_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="photo4" width="504" /></a><br />
Many of the ladies were complete beginners to crochet, so the time was spent with the experienced crochet-ers teaching the others to make chains and trebles.<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MMfgyNCu-Co/UlFRpgl4EpI/AAAAAAAACcE/lvsodLWkNdg/s1600-h/photo3%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="photo3" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3jDh1dfHACc/UlFRqYlI9SI/AAAAAAAACcM/nibGThSZQb4/photo3_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="photo3" width="504" /></a><br />
Look at those lovely bright colours of wool!<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TXAFr-16nlg/UlFRrI31JkI/AAAAAAAACcU/3x1rJ_NuF6c/s1600-h/photo1%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="photo1" border="0" height="398" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Eyq30mUSHCA/UlFRryXBijI/AAAAAAAACcc/d3X0vKybSFc/photo1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="photo1" width="504" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5nH8Txy9Hho/UlFRst-do9I/AAAAAAAACck/CcoEtCGX2r0/s1600-h/photo2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="photo2" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qE5diiFMvdg/UlFRtY2v_OI/AAAAAAAACcs/8dWBGnby0qE/photo2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="photo2" width="504" /></a><br />
It was a really lovely evening, of socialising and, for many, learning a new skill. <br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ReMFx6q44YE/UlFRuNFv-TI/AAAAAAAACc0/IbV2e_sHhYw/s1600-h/photo5%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="photo5" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rR5gxF46IJM/UlFRu1FvhYI/AAAAAAAACc8/ed3ZxWjRy8Q/photo5_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="photo5" width="504" /></a><br />
I’m already looking forward to next months meeting, and can’t wait to see what everyone has managed to make. Ditzy and Dottyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663172498388376862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4789757002971513863.post-18167835066837058642013-09-14T18:16:00.001+01:002013-10-06T14:25:48.910+01:00Crochet gifts<p>After being totally immersed in the crochet yarn bombing project over the last couple of months, for a change I decided to do … more crochet! This time some gifts.</p> <p>Firstly these wrist warmers:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Es0ENXTIaG8/UjSZ0TI9LmI/AAAAAAAACZo/yHGoh9mWKT0/s1600-h/wristwarmers4.jpg"><img title="wristwarmers" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="wristwarmers" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lhowXFMabMM/UjSZ1OlsrlI/AAAAAAAACZw/dqFYLm8vMzU/wristwarmers_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266"></a></p> <p>I made a pair of these for my lovely friend Elisabeth, sadly Royal Mail have let me down & so far, over a week after I posted them, they’ve not yet turned up at her house! Luckily I have proof of postage, so I can claim compensation, but I don’t suppose they’ll pay for the time they took me to make. I made them from a pattern over at <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/2009/10/wrist-warmers.html">Attic24</a>, and they were so easy I made another pair for my daughter. The gloves are just made from htr stitch and sewn together with a little pretty-ing up on the openings. I made them with some cotton DK I had left over from another project (a little something I made for next months issue of Inside Crochet – are you excited to see what the project is?)</p> <p>My cousin had a little baby boy a couple of weeks ago & so I decided that he needed a little pressie. When I saw a pair of crochet high tops I knew I had to make some:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UJsTvVCUJ8g/UjSZ3jJH3KI/AAAAAAAACZ4/gcWDW9ggPcY/s1600-h/booties4.jpg"><img title="booties" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="booties" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R9IqxPlKVjo/UjSZ4VOz8qI/AAAAAAAACaA/9CT852lmiXU/booties_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266"></a></p> <p>I found a pattern on Ravelry, and changed the colours. They only took an evening each, and would have been a bit quicker but for the Great British Bake Off being on the tv the night I started, and as you surely know, you have to keep looking up to see what they are making. These were made in a baby dk yarn, which hopefully will take lots of washing, and be lovely and snuggly on his feet.</p> <p>I’m now starting to think about making some Christmas gifts, ideas anyone?</p> <p>Sally</p> Ditzy and Dottyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663172498388376862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4789757002971513863.post-13184060997918648872013-09-10T09:57:00.001+01:002013-10-06T14:25:48.909+01:00What to take when Yarn Bombing<p>With our <a href="http://ditzyanddotty.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/yarn-bombing-fun.html">first yarn bomb</a> being dismantled shortly, I thought I’d share some tips and things we learned.</p> <p>Firstly you will need:</p> <p><strong>A location</strong> – if it has a view like this then all the better, however wherever you choose should be easy and safe to get to.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Lb-qy3LVav4/Ui7e1PbGdoI/AAAAAAAACXg/1CkFHj56X5A/s1600-h/view5.jpg"><img title="view" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="view" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9Ppz2VDepr0/Ui7e15FCZPI/AAAAAAAACXo/wlkJA-oD1ME/view_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266"></a></p> <p><strong>Permission</strong> – we were lucky that the school saw this as a positive opportunity, and were happy to give us free rein.</p> <p><strong>A plan</strong> – Have a rough idea of what things will go where.</p> <p>We measured the tree secretly before making the sock. I’d read somewhere before that it is a good idea to make the sock smaller than the tree, that way you can stretch it round and it’ll stay up. We were lucky enough to have a helping hand from mother nature here as the tree we picked has very rough bark – just perfect for keeping it’s sock up.</p> <p>Things to take:</p> <p><strong>Several pairs of scissors</strong> – don’t take your best ones, as long as they’re sharp enough to cut the yarn you’re ok. Several pairs because it’s guaranteed that you’ll put them down somewhere & not be able to find them and spend longer looking for them than putting up the decorations!</p> <p><strong>Yarn needles</strong> – again take loads for the same reason as the scissors, these are even harder to find if you put them down somewhere. </p> <p><strong>Cable ties</strong> – perfect for attaching tree/bench ‘socks’. </p> <p><strong>Wire cutters</strong> – to cut the cable ties – you really don’t want to be using your scissors on these.</p> <p><strong>Fishing wire</strong> – great to ‘invisibly’ tie things</p> <p><strong>lots of spare yarn</strong> – no need to explain why you will need this!</p> <p><strong>camera</strong> – to record your decorations</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EEa_mdsS9MI/Ui7e3qoRglI/AAAAAAAACXw/QIcCDZHUP9M/s1600-h/starTreeSmall3.jpg"><img title="starTreeSmall" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="starTreeSmall" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7DqI2c4XWtM/Ui7e4TSBTrI/AAAAAAAACX4/OW6WytMuLrk/starTreeSmall_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="404"></a></p> <p>Optional things:</p> <p><strong>step ladder</strong> – helpful and slightly safer than actually climbing the tree to attach your yarn!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Uid5jH-89us/Ui7e5b8DtiI/AAAAAAAACYA/iYlg0_ieaUE/s1600-h/decorating24.jpg"><img title="decorating2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="decorating2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NcH9mep4KTw/Ui7e5zNvOdI/AAAAAAAACYI/BH8CowsUbdA/decorating2_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266"></a></p> <p><strong>Sign – </strong>how else will everyone know what it’s all about?</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4GPbnHpEsHE/Ui7e6kqvxKI/AAAAAAAACYQ/tQ-W-0nll3c/s1600-h/sign3.jpg"><img title="sign" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="sign" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NzMr2IJFSMM/Ui7e7TZmjPI/AAAAAAAACYY/QLghOu_x4IU/sign_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266"></a></p> <p><strong>A disguise or two</strong></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oZZ2hvR7gJk/Ui7e73dcjsI/AAAAAAAACYg/u-W3A3D0xDM/s1600-h/disguise12.jpg"><img title="disguise1" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="disguise1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nztMlyzPyX0/Ui7e8gqhkuI/AAAAAAAACYo/uItB6dXtv8k/disguise1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="183"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Qfml7-5A8eM/Ui7e9sefxwI/AAAAAAAACYw/LofmI3YZa50/s1600-h/disguise22.jpg"><img title="disguise2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="disguise2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8BdknUBOufg/Ui7e-CFcEvI/AAAAAAAACY4/lEK7kJvkj84/disguise2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>and finally a preparation tip:</p> <p>Run ends of your crochet in but leave long tails on everything, we used these tails to tie the stars to the trees. You can just cut them off if you don’t need them while you are there.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3Jdkh7GFoL8/Ui7e_53Qa9I/AAAAAAAACZA/G2BSn1eTjSY/s1600-h/P10202794.jpg"><img title="P1020279" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="P1020279" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VbJNFugJ9TM/Ui7fAROYoKI/AAAAAAAACZI/n1_n65mqTGg/P1020279_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266"></a></p> <p>We also discovered that when making stripy covers that are going to be sat on, it’s worth doing a row of Double crochet around the edge of the cover. This provides a little more strength between the rows and stops the stripes pulling apart so easily. We used cable ties to attach the cover to the bench. </p> <p>And lastly, the most important tip - make sure you’re not caught!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--VMjmmX2hLg/Ui7fCETRBMI/AAAAAAAACZQ/5dVUxueSJSI/s1600-h/benchDaisyAnna%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="benchDaisyAnna" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="benchDaisyAnna" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zh2dq_7fggw/Ui7fC4KEdII/AAAAAAAACZY/DaED5y9LTqs/benchDaisyAnna_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266"></a></p> <p>Happy yarn bombing</p> <p>Sally</p> Ditzy and Dottyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663172498388376862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4789757002971513863.post-60744913601106298252013-09-03T17:23:00.004+01:002013-10-06T14:25:48.913+01:00Yarn Bombing Fun Well today I can finally show you the project that has taken up so much of my summer and has resulted in the severe drought in my blog writing!<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-r3cR0FwS8Ig/UiYLE2cNLYI/AAAAAAAACUo/Xw_KuLQeYZE/s1600-h/starTreeSmall%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="starTreeSmall" border="0" height="537" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lZlr-wpAN0s/UiYLGhuDNxI/AAAAAAAACUw/PNIZWu2q5FA/starTreeSmall_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="starTreeSmall" width="404" /></a><br />
A yarn bomb project for our local primary school, St John’s Primary school in Tisbury. This tree has 100 stars attached, one for each child in the school, and was decorated to celebrate the start of a new school year.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wpMYBCkFa7g/UiYLILziMjI/AAAAAAAACU4/mkO8juhUYPk/s1600-h/treecloseSm%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="treecloseSm" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xnMhm-lQ3zo/UiYLI16CJaI/AAAAAAAACVA/wqeqliZsBlM/treecloseSm_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="treecloseSm" width="404" /></a><br />
Several of us got involved (you know who you are!) and not only did we decorate this tree, we also decorated other areas of the playground.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hxB7JUpxwxk/UiYLKdpaVPI/AAAAAAAACVI/SmRbEolRb0M/s1600-h/buntingSm%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="buntingSm" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-p1Ey8Nbk5Ag/UiYLLJgfTlI/AAAAAAAACVQ/noEGW6N87m4/buntingSm_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="buntingSm" width="404" /></a><br />
The nature garden.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-N7TGBcxb2DY/UiYLMVuFvVI/AAAAAAAACVY/jBkeA7XmQ80/s1600-h/quietAreaSm%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="quietAreaSm" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RVFnhVq-NeQ/UiYLNNGfNmI/AAAAAAAACVg/-7iks22XZKc/quietAreaSm_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="quietAreaSm" width="404" /></a><br />
The quiet area with the birds and balloons can only be seen by entering the ivy covered shelter.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--_OVFDbXJIQ/UiYLN65HCtI/AAAAAAAACVo/vJZqWb5Xlqo/s1600-h/benchSm%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="benchSm" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--WTF1Je2RME/UiYLOijIS0I/AAAAAAAACVw/Eeuc3WmgwEI/benchSm_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="benchSm" width="404" /></a><br />
The benches<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Xtxx72rhkz8/UiYLQ31LwiI/AAAAAAAACV4/Wmfj19haR3Q/s1600-h/castle%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="castle" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EjEo5h-ZaW0/UiYLRgG6mLI/AAAAAAAACWA/8qS1OdluLZ0/castle_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="castle" width="404" /></a><br />
The entrance to reception class (we can’t claim credit for the castle walls, they were there before we started decorating)<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qZuD7b-eXEo/UiYLTQZJD0I/AAAAAAAACWI/Ts08ZzWsWT0/s1600-h/miniDragons%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="miniDragons" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TULZ7I4Goj4/UiYLT2b9aRI/AAAAAAAACWQ/eYmRS1KENTs/miniDragons_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="miniDragons" width="404" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1hb-VkrGXCg/UiYLWFCBVTI/AAAAAAAACWY/6egjGJo_w8g/s1600-h/Norbert%252526Owl%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Norbert&Owl" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-59YWLmJ6Huk/UiYLWyHQSuI/AAAAAAAACWg/12bllKo_2G8/Norbert%252526Owl_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Norbert&Owl" width="404" /></a><br />
And a couple of close-ups of the reception entrance, and finally:<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vDzxh_0c_uY/UiYLYcQnq7I/AAAAAAAACWo/gVPo77BqQYo/s1600-h/cobwebSm2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="cobwebSm2" border="0" height="537" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7SZR-Ml6hak/UiYLZqzVzbI/AAAAAAAACWw/8bhOxASgg9k/cobwebSm2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="cobwebSm2" width="404" /></a><br />
I think the school sign may need a little cleaning after the long summer break!<br />
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It was really lovely to see the reactions when everybody arrived at the school this morning, with us mingling among the other parents and denying all knowledge of who’d done it.<br />
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So here’s to the Tisbury Knitwits, well done ladies. My only question – what shall we make next?<br />
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SallyDitzy and Dottyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663172498388376862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4789757002971513863.post-770609065388764492013-08-28T20:55:00.001+01:002013-08-28T20:55:28.437+01:00Sewing World September Issue<p>I’ve been a bit quiet for a couple of months, but I have been madly crafting, and over the next few weeks I’ll be sharing some of the things I’ve made with you. </p> <p>Firstly however I have to show you the cover of Sewing World’s September issue – which is out now.</p> <p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="Picture of Sewing World September 2013" src="http://www.trapletshop.com/gb/content/images/thumbs/0010460_sewing-world-september-2013_300.jpeg"></p> <p>Is that one of my lunch bags on the front cover? Why yes it is! How exciting. </p> Ditzy and Dottyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663172498388376862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4789757002971513863.post-53654897504065858782013-07-18T12:53:00.001+01:002013-07-18T13:40:28.635+01:00Cushion CompetitionWhen the lovely people at <a href="http://www.terrysfabrics.co.uk/">Terrys Fabrics</a> emailed me to see if I would be interested in their craft bloggers cushion challenge competition, I popped over to their site to see what fabrics they had. As part of the challenge I got to choose 2 fabrics which were sent to me, along with an 18” cushion filler.<br />
These are the two fabrics I chose:<br />
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<img alt="Twist Curtain Fabric" src="http://www.terrysfabrics.co.uk/files/productimages/Twist-Fabric-Summer.jpg" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><br />
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and for those familiar with my blog, this next choice of fabric won’t really come as any surprise:<br />
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<img alt="Campervans Curtain Fabric" src="http://www.terrysfabrics.co.uk/files/productimages/Campervan-Fabric-Pink.jpg" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><br />
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The fabrics were 100% cotton and were a heavier weight that quilting cotton, so were perfect for making cushions.<br />
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This is my entry for the competition. A reminder that we all have the power to dream of bigger things:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQahlx7fWlj9fE4FvYEZWG2MYCniDpR5hafkHaH8aQWJoLOnPHuF8sg68-touE4hNdYy_B-sE5Tgdi0UA2ArCjR9YYdONY0zWTh0hTEgBGyLYRewStV2v49CqKJe-oCOnyrFPy3RiRUM/s1600-h/cushion%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="cushion" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zTxoEI5Ks14/UefXAg_UoDI/AAAAAAAACRM/pxxfyvA2px4/cushion_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="cushion" width="504" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CJpS_eBGmxE/UefXBeq6XvI/AAAAAAAACRU/I_8bEt9Akzg/s1600-h/cushion2%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="cushion2" border="0" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLj4H39bqLTvcAdjx8q9TyTdxyYKuJxKqiR1U_iM42EqJCKMY9ojrstp7q8ulNe1t5tnAek6nLZ6XstUf9vkD0o2E6ErlD0K-N3crgyaRN4-OtPMEbc7aylbAsSEmymwhOFfgX576vjsg/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="cushion2" width="504" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wRVktKmby3I/UefXDJF0xrI/AAAAAAAACRk/WPOcsc4poEY/s1600-h/cushion3%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="cushion3" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hULPuFTZY4E/UefXDzcU2vI/AAAAAAAACRs/nVWpH6kYGP4/cushion3_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="cushion3" width="504" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xkbM-QmCPn8/UefXEnpbC7I/AAAAAAAACR0/vIaOQW3mlpY/s1600-h/cushion4%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="cushion4" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Rg5URUO3BAE/UefXFjlhfKI/AAAAAAAACR8/Ok2Kw2vKWCQ/cushion4_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="cushion4" width="504" /></a><br />
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I’ve used an envelope back so that the cover can come off and be washed, and I have added a couple of the front facing vans on the reverse of the cushion just to carry the theme on.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-S4LHjwvb7qk/UefXGnVLp-I/AAAAAAAACSE/rr7-zqW5eTw/s1600-h/cushion5%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="cushion5" border="0" height="429" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dRG09P9NtV0/UefXHS_lQ7I/AAAAAAAACSM/YGWWKlOKQD0/cushion5_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="cushion5" width="504" /></a><br />
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Lovely fabric and a cushion that is just perfect for my living room. <br />
<br />
Sally<br />
xxxDitzy and Dottyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663172498388376862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4789757002971513863.post-40665095553941813662013-07-02T10:35:00.000+01:002013-07-02T10:35:05.778+01:00Why: Part 2I’ve just looked back through my blog and realised that I never got round to posting the second part of my “just because” post – oops! The first part of this post can be found <a href="http://ditzyanddotty.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/why.html">here</a> if you can be bothered to go back and look, but if you can't, here is a quick recap:<br />
<br />
Sometimes I like to make things that serve no purpose other than to amuse me, and to challenge my making skills. Well here is the idea that I was working on at that time, and yes they are mad & no they don't serve any purpose at all, other than to fill up my shelf of 'things that I have no need for', but they're fun!<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZynUgb48UUY/UdKc_EammOI/AAAAAAAACP8/xswp-z7sRSs/s1600-h/NosePig%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="NosePig" border="0" height="422" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0Um8kEtr_K0/UdKc_2lEZ2I/AAAAAAAACQE/B41pq2KPHvc/NosePig_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="NosePig" width="404" /></a><br />
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My crocheted Pig Snout<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CNW53vxl02k/UdKdAieu6rI/AAAAAAAACQM/fDyT0mqrkHo/s1600-h/NoseMouse%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="NoseMouse" border="0" height="475" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Eu1ocrhyXqE/UdKdBd75EyI/AAAAAAAACQU/wm96HltLnYs/NoseMouse_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="NoseMouse" width="404" /></a> <br />
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And my crocheted mouse nose, beautifully modelled I think you’ll agree by my daughter Daisy.<br />
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So, why did I make them? Just because.<br />
<br />
Sally<br />
xxxDitzy and Dottyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663172498388376862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4789757002971513863.post-58584250657118868302013-06-24T19:42:00.000+01:002013-06-24T19:42:27.398+01:00Cardboard Earring Display TemplateFor a while I made jewellery which I sold at craft fairs, but since I’ve discovered my love of fabric and yarn is all-encompassing, I’ve decided that the jewellery has to go! Over the next few weeks I’ll be adding it to my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/DitzyandDotty" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a> at clearance prices, basically because I need the space to fill with more fabric!<br />
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I decided to take some photos of the jewellery, but couldn’t find a prop I liked to show it off. Then I found a template for making my own cardboard necklace display stand on Pinterest and voila here is my necklace stand.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lubveAjbgmc/Uchip9KxcwI/AAAAAAAACLw/mvLh1kS9oK0/s1600-h/DSCF0710%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCF0710" border="0" height="359" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0OJM7C4Z2LY/Uchiql66URI/AAAAAAAACL4/NNperkxwCYU/DSCF0710_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCF0710" width="304" /></a><br />
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Now that was all very well, but the colour of my card was too light to show off the necklace, so I grabbed some crepe paper & covered the cardboard.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-r6w9MrbeIMM/UchisA-eFfI/AAAAAAAACMA/zMSzB-1pxHE/s1600-h/DSCF0729%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCF0729" border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_DUx9VL0s1RA2cndhB-MeZKLe7MUBE4s9cfNiIBt-O_VcF2cTSDZpj1ekFlTOGHwOn1nTVlSFNNW3dh-KV0pvi21HC-1oT38LUsiXRk7UAqvAEAf446dE4X4JtRTv6w4nQJ3txacE1KA/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCF0729" width="304" /></a><br />
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Much nicer don’t you think? Well now my next problem was that some of the sets I had to sell also had earrings. So I grabbed some more cardboard, messed about with shapes and here is my solution:<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eLifl2D3qqk/UchiuvDcX0I/AAAAAAAACMQ/lhUq-oAT_MA/s1600-h/earstand%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="earstand" border="0" height="309" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--KZ5Rcnaqbo/UchivtoOjUI/AAAAAAAACMY/-ZvAmCMKL90/earstand_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="earstand" width="304" /></a><br />
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I then changed the words:<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TLfVLTRJBWk/UchixOuPJ4I/AAAAAAAACMg/j2jnLHbMF48/s1600-h/DSCF0737%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCF0737" border="0" height="325" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5TtlHmOB7hc/Uchix-zWlvI/AAAAAAAACMo/LRvNS6_RFqU/DSCF0737_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCF0737" width="304" /></a><br />
and then tried a little subliminal messaging:<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--1cimfLAtjE/Uchizb9N-xI/AAAAAAAACMw/xhQSDNJiJTM/s1600-h/DSCF0744%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSCF0744" border="0" height="305" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-C_-DQMqixVE/Uchi0kvb9OI/AAAAAAAACM4/ZATr8FgINjs/DSCF0744_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSCF0744" width="304" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7IpFBd67DdY/Uchi1wjoi3I/AAAAAAAACNA/xqfRDvXgc2M/s1600-h/prettyearringsbuyme%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="prettyearringsbuyme" border="0" height="190" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-w6PB9QWJTHg/Uchi20onWGI/AAAAAAAACNI/9NnQav4Tqi4/prettyearringsbuyme_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="prettyearringsbuyme" width="304" /></a><br />
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But then I decided that there was too much cardboard and too little earring on show, so I adjusted the template again:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kHfnPgBDdXephHSCq2YTxVblP-MrH7Dbs4yftfnjGnLJnCv6_Zb7vbN6H5IKsQed6bLUmJQI9VRJOtgJOM7vHYSJMbx-JZyNRgA5Qx-oAFn8eoXSEemqu5OmNr2fXIfz6bVc0VeI8xk/s1600/loopyblueEarrings2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kHfnPgBDdXephHSCq2YTxVblP-MrH7Dbs4yftfnjGnLJnCv6_Zb7vbN6H5IKsQed6bLUmJQI9VRJOtgJOM7vHYSJMbx-JZyNRgA5Qx-oAFn8eoXSEemqu5OmNr2fXIfz6bVc0VeI8xk/s320/loopyblueEarrings2.jpg" width="314" /></a></div>
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Anyway enough of my creative process, here is the template I used to make them.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_-kz6y0CS4a99IN5O_hn1F2l5Bk9JxbIoN2cSDTRnhKu_ZQbGKcYHQk2w3Uq5gUgM13_TA4lqdS-FBMt3W0ucNg49yj7lTSPaTUl0OTzWYWHCdhBR6uz4E7Z50VBPVCLF-Ry9og3jfM/s1600/earringstand2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_-kz6y0CS4a99IN5O_hn1F2l5Bk9JxbIoN2cSDTRnhKu_ZQbGKcYHQk2w3Uq5gUgM13_TA4lqdS-FBMt3W0ucNg49yj7lTSPaTUl0OTzWYWHCdhBR6uz4E7Z50VBPVCLF-Ry9og3jfM/s320/earringstand2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Copy and paste this template, and print it out on an A4 sheet of cardboard, and you can make your very own stand. Cut along the lines, and crease and then fold along the dotted lines. Thread some ribbon or string through the bottom two holes and pull it together to make it stand up. The letters are back to front as I printed it out on the reverse of the card, that way you can’t see all of the template lines – clever eh!<br />
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Hope it’s useful for you<br />
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Sally<br />
xxxDitzy and Dottyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663172498388376862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4789757002971513863.post-87173061649765095332013-06-16T14:26:00.001+01:002013-06-23T23:16:56.822+01:00Retro Arcade Cross StitchingIntroducing my new cross stitch design, well actually it’s based on a picture designed by my son, but as long as I pay his royalties in chocolate biscuits, he’s kindly given me permission to use the design!<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gJlrC3cmS_k/Ub284qSTk-I/AAAAAAAACLA/XwxDd0FPTc4/s1600-h/RetroArcade%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="RetroArcade" border="0" height="385" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0P62JpD5lMs/Ub285yAA8pI/AAAAAAAACLI/4dsfgEeCGoA/RetroArcade_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="RetroArcade" width="504" /></a><br />
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The cross stitch chart is available as an instant download in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/154025025/retro-arcade-machines-cross-stitch">Etsy Shop</a><br />
You can also take one element of it and create a card, ideal for the retro gamer in your life!<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kSgisf09vZA/Ub2876fMabI/AAAAAAAACLQ/k2ijoKeaDb0/s1600-h/RetroGames%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="RetroGames" border="0" height="306" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OZTa7srr2pU/Ub288wSySXI/AAAAAAAACLY/BBCn-s6Qzyo/RetroGames_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="RetroGames" width="504" /></a><br />
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I really love this design, I guess because I’m one of the generation who remembers these space invader machines the first time around! <br />
Sally<br />
xxxDitzy and Dottyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663172498388376862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4789757002971513863.post-91227856432603389962013-06-06T21:13:00.001+01:002013-06-06T21:13:02.644+01:00Keep Calm! Cross Stitch Chart<p>One of my crafting friends had her birthday last week and I wanted to make her a small gift. I was at a bit of a loss what to make until she mentioned that she had cross-stitched the keep calm sign for a couple of her friends. So I designed and printed out a cross stitch design, but 2 days before her birthday, when I’d still not started it, I realised wouldn’t have time to cross stitch it. So I cheated, traced it onto a piece of red cotton and embroidered faster than I’d ever embroidered before.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KmffrJPmq-c/UbDtLieJhTI/AAAAAAAACKA/oHcuG3cJdVs/s1600-h/DSCF0650%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCF0650" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCF0650" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YzYQxhU6NNk/UbDtM7LzjJI/AAAAAAAACKI/CgkgfYvPThI/DSCF0650_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="335"></a></p> <p>I then turned it into a small tote bag which I lined with red gingham</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KBQLugmlYuA/UbDtOOXxnVI/AAAAAAAACKQ/W7l3DuFiTkI/s1600-h/DSCF0650%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSCF0650" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSCF0650" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pyYPB07La7I/UbDtO1Z1-_I/AAAAAAAACKY/VKkmugzD6Dk/DSCF0650_thumb%25255B14%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="362" height="527"></a></p> <p>If anyone would like to succeed where I failed & wants to cross stitch my design, here is a copy of my pattern which is free for personal use. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KhlHUfZm_08/UbDtQmMLSyI/AAAAAAAACKg/cOsyPG51PjA/s1600-h/DitzyandDottyKeepCalm%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="DitzyandDottyKeepCalm" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DitzyandDottyKeepCalm" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Qm9_4Csj6XA/UbDtTHufIpI/AAAAAAAACKo/v2dis18l5Oc/DitzyandDottyKeepCalm_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="710"></a></p> <p>Enjoy</p> <p>Sally</p> <p>xxx</p> Ditzy and Dottyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663172498388376862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4789757002971513863.post-54999738276238563562013-06-03T10:34:00.004+01:002013-06-03T10:35:15.893+01:00Giant Fabric Snakes and Ladders– TutorialSeveral months ago I decided that what my nephews couldn’t live without was a giant snakes and ladders game, big enough for them to use themselves as counters. <br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-k00gwt3J8Pg/UaxiVR28PDI/AAAAAAAACIY/5zGyi0blpfw/s1600-h/snakesLadders%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="snakesLadders" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YR-CBeTkz2A/UaxiWW09swI/AAAAAAAACIg/CfgTfdCmA0Q/snakesLadders_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="snakesLadders" width="504" /></a><br />
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Annoyingly this is the only photo I took of the finished game, sorry for the poor quality, I should really have ironed it before photographing it.<br />
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Right here is a quick guide to how I made it:<br />
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Firstly cut out your fabric – you will need quite a lot of fabric, I used 36 squares, each about 14” x 14”. I was lucky enough to win a bundle of blue fabrics in giveaway a few months ago and with the addition of a few fabrics from my stash, I had enough to make it with.<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-l5XqsdG2YME/UaxiYkTLcQI/AAAAAAAACIo/2MvMVpzJo8U/s1600-h/SnLd1%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="SnLd1" border="0" height="410" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ogSLDB7zrso/UaxiZm75BKI/AAAAAAAACIw/7P5Gi33XFfA/SnLd1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="SnLd1" width="504" /></a><br />
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Lay them out on your table to see how they look.<br />
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Next print out or draw lots and lots of numbers. I printed 4 numbers on a landscape sheet of A4 paper, and this seemed to fit well in the squares. Next trace the numbers onto bondaweb, (remember to trace them in reverse otherwise your numbers will be backwards when you stick them on) iron them onto some white cotton and cut them out.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PoKkEKnLEno/UaxibpFlqnI/AAAAAAAACI4/axHLToB9udc/s1600-h/SnLd2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="SnLd2" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pC60sNaS6EU/UaxiciUirNI/AAAAAAAACJA/kPDNT4mnhQc/SnLd2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="SnLd2" width="504" /></a><br />
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Here is my pile of fabrics and numbers.<br />
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Your next job is to iron the numbers into the centre of each square, and then the time consuming bit – use a zig zag stitch to outline each of the numbers. I used to bright blue thread so it stands out from the numbers. Sorry no photo of this step, but I’m sure you can get the idea from my main photo.<br />
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Start to sew your squares together<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Y_Un4Fr-sNA/Uaxid6Vh8QI/AAAAAAAACJI/TL0sxIAmED8/s1600-h/SnLd3%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="SnLd3" border="0" height="229" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oxESS-tkb5E/Uaxier8uQOI/AAAAAAAACJQ/aKIAZZPKWA0/SnLd3_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="SnLd3" width="504" /></a><br />
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Make sure you sew them in the right order as you want number 7 to be above number 6, so the rows go back and forth.<br />
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I used some felt to make the word Win on the final square, just to make it different from the other squares.<br />
Once you’ve sewn them all together, you can either hem all around the outside edge or you can back it with another large piece of fabric. I used a cheap patterned poly cotton to back it with. <br />
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Next make and decorate some snakes and ladders from felt to place on the game. This was my daughters job as she really wanted to help.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GlfoRBCS3_o/UaxigwPE5pI/AAAAAAAACJY/KJA4KmrRTNo/s1600-h/SnLd4%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="SnLd4" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QtXKfaYrpJw/Uaxihz_-8iI/AAAAAAAACJg/AbMP-Axu93Y/SnLd4_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="SnLd4" width="504" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ssy_2xH4ZWI/UaxikRI4-dI/AAAAAAAACJo/xfMOF7nr6ts/s1600-h/SnLd5%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="SnLd5" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-G1m8Tgtx0N4/Uaxile2moWI/AAAAAAAACJw/2ZQrHokBf7w/SnLd5_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="SnLd5" width="504" /></a> <br />
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We made 2 snakes and 2 ladders, both different sizes, but you can make as many as you like. <br />
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So there you go, a giant snakes and ladders game. If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment and I’ll try to answer them.<br />
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SallyDitzy and Dottyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663172498388376862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4789757002971513863.post-35013901225675896432013-06-02T17:55:00.001+01:002013-06-02T17:55:12.092+01:00Cross Stitch Instant Downloads<p>I have been crafting over the last few weeks, and a few times I’ve tried to write a blog post about it, but words seem to be playing tricks on me and hiding somewhere deep inside my brain and refusing to come out, no matter how much chocolate I try to bribe them with. It seems that the longer I’m absent on here for the harder it is to write anything that makes any sense at all!</p> <p>So today I thought I’d keep the words to a minimum and share a couple of photos of some cross stitch patterns that I have been designing:</p> <p><a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/152870465/cartoon-animals-cross-stitch-digital-pdf?"><img title="CrossStitchPhoto" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="CrossStitchPhoto" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mvtsfpbZsYk/Uat42jyAuWI/AAAAAAAACIA/yYg28JQtOQo/CrossStitchPhoto%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="404"></a></p> <p>This one is called “Through the Square Window: Animals” and is a collection of 9 cartoon animals.</p> <p><a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/152880055/retro-joystick-cross-stitch-pdf-pattern?"><img title="JoystickPhoto" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="JoystickPhoto" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aSbBGD7HAVI/Uat47uMzKOI/AAAAAAAACII/v1TT903bvJk/JoystickPhoto%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></p> <p>And this one is “Game On! Retro joystick” based on a drawing by my son.</p> <p>Both are very different styles, but both patterns are available as an instant download in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/DitzyandDotty">Etsy shop</a> priced at a very reasonable £2.70 and £2.03. </p> <p>Now my first post for a while is over I’m hoping that words will come a bit easier – we shall see!</p> <p>Sally</p> <p>xxx</p> Ditzy and Dottyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663172498388376862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4789757002971513863.post-63796775285792753972013-04-16T14:53:00.001+01:002013-04-16T14:53:52.665+01:00Why?<p>Do you ever have the urge to make something that serves no purpose and has no reasoning behind it other than ‘just because’?</p> <p>My <a href="http://ditzyanddotty.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/crochet-banana-cosy-pattern-banana.html">banana basque</a> was one of these mad ideas</p> <p><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" alt="DSCF8844" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ql9F57Xr8iU/TrGbxb3CI4I/AAAAAAAAAp0/VqRvDoSigzY/DSCF8844_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800"></p> <p>as was a teeny tiny mouse with it’s house – (Mr D&D couldn’t quite figure out why I was printing cheese wallpaper for that one, my answer ‘just because’!)</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2yVQvzWUBFM/UW1X18iQDqI/AAAAAAAAB-M/DP7HqfTZXyQ/s1600-h/mouseHouse%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="mouseHouse" border="0" alt="mouseHouse" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YgUqzhj8vyo/UW1X3Q4Ae1I/AAAAAAAAB-U/dp-dDj7l1U0/mouseHouse_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266"></a></p> <p>here’s another photo of the mouse so you can see just how tiny he is:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-whHL1mmVrcA/UW1X5rEb7wI/AAAAAAAAB-c/HaRmSmnNAxw/s1600-h/mouse%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="mouse" border="0" alt="mouse" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-giGSJEUbhYU/UW1X6ux2CRI/AAAAAAAAB-k/-lfszo5owzo/mouse_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="253"></a></p> <p>Well today I’ve been working on another of my ‘just because’ projects. Did you think I was going to show you yet? Nope, sorry, it’s not quite ready for showing, but be assured it’s the maddest one yet!</p> <p>Something to look forward to</p> <p>Sally</p> <p>xxx</p> Ditzy and Dottyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663172498388376862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4789757002971513863.post-75925080625074930162013-04-16T10:33:00.001+01:002013-04-16T10:33:33.438+01:00Minion, mini-Minion and mini-mini-Minion<p> I was spending a lovely few minutes browsing on Etsy and what should jump out of the page shouting “Pick me….pick me!” but <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/62396740/minions-pattern-crochet-amigurumi-pdf?ref=shop_home_active">this crochet pattern for a Minion</a>. The pattern is for two different Minions, but this one was my favourite.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZkXycRicz2Y/UW0azhRozTI/AAAAAAAAB8Q/h6y6jblmbKI/s1600-h/DSCF0493%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0493" border="0" alt="DSCF0493" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hIRcmrzVn3I/UW0a03acJWI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/LRUz9dBN5eU/DSCF0493_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266"></a></p> <p>I must admit to making a few changes to the pattern, simply because I didn’t have the exact colours required and I didn’t have any toy eyes so I crocheted the first row of the eye with black wool instead. Not quite as cute, but acceptable.</p> <p>Once I’d finished, my mind begun whirring and I wondered how easy it would be to make a mini-minion:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-USjQUsqwCFc/UW0a3cZu7MI/AAAAAAAAB8g/hrqXyVfR-Pc/s1600-h/DSCF0507%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0507" border="0" alt="DSCF0507" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-d8NxIXXtDa0/UW0a4Ai8aFI/AAAAAAAAB8k/PC5XxGw3NPw/DSCF0507_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266"></a></p> <p>And then, just because I could, I made a mini-mini-minion!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3ZeMD2mkbkg/UW0a5SVnVAI/AAAAAAAAB8s/naJn5kdPySc/s1600-h/minionsTiny%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="minionsTiny" border="0" alt="minionsTiny" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XLeAos6gCUo/UW0a60se97I/AAAAAAAAB84/0-w-ByuWWKA/minionsTiny_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="354"></a></p> <p>The tiny one doesn’t have arms and legs so is more of a jelly bean shaped minion, but I though he was cute anyway. </p> <p>Sally</p> <p>xxx</p> Ditzy and Dottyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663172498388376862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4789757002971513863.post-75481515059542780262013-03-09T16:21:00.000+00:002013-03-09T16:21:00.587+00:00Crafty CreativesSo far I haven’t shared any of my makes from February’s Crafty Creatives Box, so without further ado, here are a couple of the makes. The first is a design that features on their blog, and as I had a friend’s birthday to craft for I decided to make it:<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SMroQ9SzU-c/UTeVR3jAU3I/AAAAAAAAB1c/7oAIVT7Bof0/s1600-h/CCcard1%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="CCcard1" border="0" height="458" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5-VqaEt5hdY/UTeVS0is4uI/AAAAAAAAB1k/nvjF10KB3ho/CCcard1_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="CCcard1" width="354" /></a><br />
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The candles are straws from the box and the green stripey tape was also in the box. I only had to add a stamp, some string for the candle wicks and a card. It was lovely and quick to make and made a really effective card.<br />
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The kit inside the box was a spotty clay heart. I’ve never tried crafting with polymer clay, and was really excited about trying this kit. My kit had pink and blue clay and these are the pendants I created from the instructions:<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OaT6-z5sRJg/UTeVUZt9-QI/AAAAAAAAB1s/KXTEA8DYVIo/s1600-h/CCBeads%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="CCBeads" border="0" height="275" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3jzNbfS6cvs/UTeVVbHRHvI/AAAAAAAAB10/iQ5h_m0JiUo/CCBeads_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="CCBeads" width="354" /></a><br />
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I made the blue one first and then mixed the colours to make the purple one. There was plenty of clay in the kit, so I gave the rest to Daisy to play with. This is what she came up with:<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--D6_evpFMAU/UTeVW5wrKoI/AAAAAAAAB18/phzWUwqvoag/s1600-h/CCbeads2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="CCbeads2" border="0" height="265" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-n6TQBIGD-qo/UTeVXzMP0QI/AAAAAAAAB2E/0WigRjqVwCI/CCbeads2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="CCbeads2" width="354" /></a><br />
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She made two pendants and then with the last of the clay she made some clay beads which she is planning on turning into a bracelet. <br />
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This box is far and away my favourite so far, I loved the kit and there was nothing in the box I won't use. <br />
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Sally<br />
xxxDitzy and Dottyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663172498388376862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4789757002971513863.post-47598539405477818442013-03-07T16:13:00.000+00:002013-03-07T16:13:30.378+00:00A New Friend & Artist Trading CardsAt the beginning of the year I saw a blog post on <a href="http://whipstitchfabrics.com/blog/">Whipstitch</a> asking if anyone would like email sewing buddies. I signed up, and using a very scientific calculation (favourite colour - Red & number - 7) I was matched with Ginger who lives in North Carolina. <br />
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Our first challenge was to create and exchange an Artist Trading Card. I must confess I had to look this one up as I’d not heard of them before, but once I’d found out a bit about them, I set to making one.<br />
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This is the ATC that Ginger sent to me:<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Cw2qjcdpVCs/UTeQ8Jeg2wI/AAAAAAAAB0s/BIXaOmqIZGY/s1600-h/ATC%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="ATC" border="0" height="415" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MVEoWxvMb_k/UTeQ9UVWSfI/AAAAAAAAB00/suWQmLBMzpM/ATC_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="ATC" width="404" /></a><br />
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How lovely is that flower. I’ve been reliably informed it’s a Kanzashi flower, another new technique for me to have a look at.<br />
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Here is the back of the ATC:<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wLwlHMkPS5o/UTeQ-HmJOjI/AAAAAAAAB08/8A3l7lXrJlg/s1600-h/ATC2%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="ATC2" border="0" height="438" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5nlEJ_ZClMk/UTeQ_eA_-kI/AAAAAAAAB1E/bRWoT4tKo0A/ATC2_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="ATC2" width="404" /></a><br />
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Ginger also sent me a gift of Fat Quarter of fabric, in a lovely bluey colour, which I've used as the background for the photo. Such a pretty piece of fabric and it'll be perfect for several projects I have brewing in the back of my mind.<br />
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Just in case you are interested, here is my take on the ATC:<br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-K7DPJYuOwKY/UTeRA2_PX1I/AAAAAAAAB1M/oKvTJax9ZeQ/s1600-h/ATC3%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="ATC3" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FrahwHeJ_bE/UTeRCF7KYzI/AAAAAAAAB1U/5jFlHI4itw4/ATC3_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="ATC3" width="504" /></a><br />
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I stamped onto some white fabric, and used free motion embroidery, buttons and fancy machine stitches to hold all of the fabric together. I wanted the card to reflect the two countries we lived in, so I chose red, white and blue fabric.<br />
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It was a really fun challenge, and a good way to get to know our sewing buddies. Thanks again for the card Ginger, it's now propped up on a shelf in my sewing room.<br />
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Sally<br />
xxxDitzy and Dottyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663172498388376862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4789757002971513863.post-69622661608870563052013-03-06T17:37:00.001+00:002013-03-06T17:37:47.119+00:00Simply Homemade issue 27<p>Slightly later than I’d intended to show this, but here are my ballet themed items in this month’s issue of Simply Homemade</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CDUDzCFksyw/UTd-10Aa7QI/AAAAAAAAB0E/jrMW1CFPqmI/s1600-h/Scan0001%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Scan0001" border="0" alt="Scan0001" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-J2DhGSwXk_c/UTd-3NoqjgI/AAAAAAAAB0M/z4vPGlURHeo/Scan0001_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="360"></a></p> <p>A ballet bag, some crochet legwarmers, a bun cover and a tutu.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jY74E9fBE5U/UTd-5Mz4gnI/AAAAAAAAB0U/ALlDAJplBFc/s1600-h/Scan0002%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Scan0002" border="0" alt="Scan0002" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8tHyKvtCigk/UTd-6ONX2jI/AAAAAAAAB0c/bO0yhHzEQhI/Scan0002_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="415"></a></p> <p>How pretty! If you have a girl who loves dancing then these patterns are just perfect. </p> <p>Sally</p> <p>xxx</p> Ditzy and Dottyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663172498388376862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4789757002971513863.post-158032337899520742013-02-24T17:43:00.002+00:002013-02-24T17:43:38.166+00:00How To Make A Felt Owl with Template<br />
As promised, here is the template for making the felt owl:<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FLelWE5dB4U/USkf1dZZAQI/AAAAAAAABzE/mS3pYciihUo/s1600-h/OwlTemplate%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="OwlTemplate" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-B9yaMLsSkbw/USkf123RT8I/AAAAAAAABzM/lgKNRyi8kkA/OwlTemplate_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="OwlTemplate" width="176" /></a><br />
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Print it out on an A4 sheet and cut out the template pieces. It’s fairly easy to put together, but I’ve added a few instructions in case you need them.<br />
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You will need felt in whatever colours you feel like. We used 1 colour for the front and back pieces, and then scraps of other bright coloured felt for the rest of the owl pieces. You will also need some embroidery thread, stuffing and 2 large buttons.<br />
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1. cut out the pieces of felt from whatever colour of felt you’d like<br />
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2. Use 2 strands of embroidery thread to sew the belly shape onto the owl<br />
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3. Sew the beak on the front of the owl<br />
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4. Take your buttons and sew them on either side of the beak<br />
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5. Take the two body pieces and place them together. Pin the ears and wings in place, between the two body layers.<br />
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6. Sew around the edge of the owl, which secures the wings and ears. We used a running stitch, but you could use a blanket stitch if you prefer. Leave a small hole in the edge so you can stuff the owl.<br />
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7. Pop some stuffing inside the owl, and then finish sewing around the edge.<br />
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Here is a photo of the owl my daughter made, so you can get an idea of what it should look like:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhniytLJDMxtN02Vdyewl7dH1rbgRH7jw7K0yaOM8DyBRRBlRVS0EAmuz1THD-DRrQCKvUovbRio97GIDXclARhB_7esMrF6p5Dx9EV2P6QPq7WrvT0Zl_MFmkhBVqVHuSVUZmNcUkjsvo/s1600/DaisysOwl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhniytLJDMxtN02Vdyewl7dH1rbgRH7jw7K0yaOM8DyBRRBlRVS0EAmuz1THD-DRrQCKvUovbRio97GIDXclARhB_7esMrF6p5Dx9EV2P6QPq7WrvT0Zl_MFmkhBVqVHuSVUZmNcUkjsvo/s320/DaisysOwl.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hope you like the owls. If you make any I’d love to see them.<br />
Sally<br />
xxxDitzy and Dottyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12663172498388376862noreply@blogger.com