Sunday Sunday

Emotions have been pretty much wibbly today but got so much done this weekend.

I did over time at work on Saturday morning and when I got home I decided that cleaning the cupboard shelves was the most exciting thing in the world. Yes really. I emptied all the cupboards, cleaned the shelves and they sorted everything out, including the "newly brought into the house stuff courtesy of G's dad's house clearance" and put everything in a proper place. And now everything knows where it should "live" it is going to always go back there too.

I did have a bit of a brain fart on Saturday morning though. I forgot to go to work! Luckily I wasn't late but I totally forgot. I was totally absorbed in buying this.

Button Heart ring by The Crimson Moon

I'd put it on my January wishlist and when I had a browse around on Etsy on Saturday morning, I noticed it was half price Woohoo! And I got so excited I was 15 minutes late leaving for work. Oops!

Work went impressively well with nearly everything done for next weeks deadline so with that i started on the kitchen. I'm such a big hoarder that I quite surprised myself with my effort. However, Note to Self. Climbing in the kitchen cupboard is a bad idea. I don't fit and it hurts. Trying to reach for the cloth at the back of the cupboard probably wasn't worth it!

Steampunk Patchwork Heart by feralstrumpet 

I also noticed an amazing necklace whilst browsing Etsy and felt the need for more retail therapy. I just couldn't resist it. How gorgeous!

And as far as new projects go, I've done around 6 inches of a new crochet blanket in the same style as my last one, but a baby blanket size. I fancied something brainless to make but a quicker "win" than a full sized blanket. Should be fun!

Next!

Ive been trying to think of what to do now my crochet blanket is finished. Normally I just start making my next one straight away, but in my effort to declutter this year, which is going really well so far, I thought I'd finish off another of my larger projects.

Problem is, we knew they were larger projects which would take a while to finished so we put them in storage. Doh! They are either in the attic somewhere, or at the bottom of a stack of Really Useful Boxes.

So with best intentions left behind, I'm in the process of starting two (maybe three) new projects.


First in another blankets the same as I just finished. I love having one of these around to do.

Second is a tumbling block wall hanging similar to this one

Tumbling Blocks

But as I don't take the easy route with craft projects, I intend to use every little scrap of fabric I have lying around to make each patch using freestyle applique and hand embroidery. I'm hoping this will be a nice project that is portable as I can make one patch at a time and carry it around in my bag and attack it in any spare moment of time.

And the possible third is a pair of socks as I have some lovely yarn lying around which I'd love to have something made from to wear. But I am very wary of second sock syndrome.

Blankie!

I'm not what you would could call a yarn snob by any means. I love my acrylic yarn. Nice easy to care for snuggle acrylics in bright colours.

And I'm addicted to making blankets in one piece. This is the first finished blanket of the year. I only usually finish one a year I love making them. They are so relaxing for me to make. Just the same stitch over and over again. No need to weigh yarn to see if I have the right amount. I use any amount. From 6" to a full 100g ball. I don't mind at all. And I recycle yarn from whoever and whatever I can to make them. Unpick items and give them a good clean sometimes. Or ply up cone wool to a DK thickness. or swap other items for it. If I run out, there is always some than soon comes my way to add to the stripes.



Please Excuse the messy bedroom! :)

Rattie!

For a change, and to stop me eating chips at the pub, I ate sandwiches on my lunch break and made a tiny felt rat.

Black and White

The theme in Operation tackle that Bead Stash for January is Black and White, with the addition of Squares if you can manage it.

I haven't managed any squares yet, but have managed two necklaces.

The first is a zebra print heart necklace.

And then a semi precious gem selection in a black and white wirewrapped necklace.

Blue Angel

I think I'm a bit of a prolific crafter. I've got so many projects that I've finished which I just haven't had time to photograph or list on etsy as I'm too busy having fun crafting. I only realised actually how much I make when I started writing this blog.

I was going to take photos of everything I made to blog on here, but I'm worried I might be spamming people *blush* But here's my next make.

Busy Bee

I decided after a busy day yesterday at the Nottingham Bookcrossing meet that a chill out day was in order. Which means a busy crafting day instead. Wahey! I've been meaning to make another of my teaspoon (or rather mustard spoon) necklaces for a while but have been putting it off until I could give it my full attention. And today I've been able to do that. A major achievement!

It had sold by the time I got back to my computer with a request for the next one I made so I made yet another for the lady in question. I think I may make another to list on Etsy too since they seem to be in demand.

Update: That one has just sold too. Yay! I'm glad I like making them :) I've got another listed in my etsy shop now too.

Necklace Time

I realised that I don't have many "found art" mixed media type pieces in my Etsy shop at the moment. It was the perfect excuse for dragging out my bead soup box. I don't know if other beaders have one, but I have a box where I put all my lonely beads. Single beads from nearly used up strings. beads I have reclaimed from vintage jewellery and broken pieces.

I love my bead soup box. I sometimes buy boxes of broken jewellery, sometimes get given bits and pieces from friends having a clearout, buy end of sale items to dismantle, and trade for things on Swapbot. So last night I start sorting out focals and co-ordinating beads and ended up with this.

 

I think I might be keeping it myself :)

Chrysocolla

Chrysoprase

Foiled Glass

Quartz

Ribbon

Mother of pearl shell

Fabric

Vintage clip on earring

Glass Pearl

Silver plated Rounds

Silver Chain

January Wishlist

Button Heart Ring from TheCrimsonMoon

It's getting towards the end of the month, so I thought I'd post a wishlist of things that have tempted me over the last few weeks.

Bee Dazzled 2 by pursesonalsofpgh 

Film Noir - 9 piece bangle set by bullfinchbarbury

Challenge Bracelet 5

I seem to be getting a bit ahead of myself with my weekly challenges but I'm not too worried as it will give me leeway if I have a bad making week.
 
This time I've experiments with spiral peyote stitch
again. using techniques I learnt on making Challenge Bracelet 2  , and from the necklace which was my first finished project of the year, I made a new bracelet!

Challenge Bracelet 4

A couple of weeks ago Jo and I made a bid for freedom in our lunch hour and toddled off to Bojangle Beads who we knew had a sale on. there was a couple of things in particular I was looking for to finish off projects, and who can resist a sale?

I found exactly what I was looking for to make the next piece of jewellery using the rest of the beads from the Absolute Beads challenge pack!

A lovely silver cuff bangle ready for wirewrapping!

I think it shows of the colours of the beads so well. I love it! I had to remake it a few times as I used 0.2mm wire to begin with which just wasn't thick enough to hold the weight of some of the beads, but the next size up was just perfect. but then I noticed that a few of the hearts were upside down, so I started again for the third time. Third time lucky!

Absolute Beads Challenge Pack - And Challenge Bracelet 3

When I noticed that Absolute Beads had a purple themed challenge pack (my Favorite colour) I just had to give it a go.

I bought the £8 pack and in return received these beads. 

Purple Agate Onyx,
Crystal Butterflies,
Berry beads,
6mm Crystals,
8mm and 12mm Frosted balls,
4mm and 6mm  glass pearls,
Lampwork glass hearts,
Czech fire polished crystals






I'd never used berry beads before so after a while of wondering what to do with them, I decided on making a design I've made a few times so I could gauge how they worked.

I still had more left so started to think of my next piece

Seeds of a Different Kind

As the days start getting longer, my thought start going to the garden once again. I just hope I can do better than last year. I couldn't get out there as often as I could to water so things didn't prosper at all, and eventually everything dried up.

So when I saw the special offer on seeds at Thompson and Morgan via The Cottage Smallholders blog I had to take a nosey. And I'm glad I did as I had priced up some seeds that i fancied when I went to town a week ago and found the sale seeds were a bargain and placed my order. nothing too extravagant. Radish, Salad leaves, Runner Beans, Tomatoes, Carrots, Sunflowers and Rocket. I figure if I'm going to make an effort this year, I'm going to make my effort worthwhile by using new seeds instead of all the old out of date packets I usually use. (I'm going to plant the out of date ones anyway as they generally do grow, but the germination rate isn't great. Any spare seedlings are going to friends and family, and Freegle)

What a Week!

 A wool ornament on Etsy by thirtyone13

What a week!

As well as being totally manic at work, we've been focussing on getting my self assessment tax form done. not my favourite job, which is why it is now not OUR favourite job as I drag in G to help me with it to I don't lose the will to live.

However, filling in the form means that I have to admit how many beads I actually buy hence the EEK!

Come to the Dark Side, We have Cookies

An Oreo Hair slide on Etsy by natalielpwrth839

I seem to making a few gothic pieces lately.

My favourite are stitch markers for knitting at the moment. :)

Howlite skulls stitch markers from my Etsy shop.

And some Amethyst Coffins from my Etsy Shop

I've kept a set of Amethyst coffins for myself as i love a set of good stitch markers, and the inclusions on them were too tempting to sell both sets that I had made.

Weekly Challenge - Bracelet 2!

After playing with peyote spiral rope a couple of weeks ago, I wondered what would would happen if I just used one size of seed bead in the spiral pattern instead of varying it.

I guess I have an answer! I think I might have a go at a few more of these too. The rope is a nice relaxing pattern to make in front of the television after work in an evening, and I do have a fair amount of seed beads in my bead stash!

Now listed on Etsy for sale.

Feeling the Love!

I'm noticing quite a lot of heart around at the moment. Maybe it's just a coincidence, or are people getting ready for Valentines now that Christmas has gone away?

Valentine Postcard on Etsy. I just love the colours on this. I've bought a great felted bracelet from this seller before. It was lovely!

Musical heart button on Etsy I'm liking the scroll design on this one.

Hanging ornament on Etsy How cute!

Bracelet Challenge Week 1

The lovely people at Operation Tackle That Bead Stash have set a challenge of making a pair of earrings a week. As I don't wear earrings, I thought I'd have a go at making a bracelet a week as I wear bracelets all the time

My first bracelet is going to be a swap gift for my partner on a Swapbot swap entitled "Something Selfmade of Recycled Materials 2"

 
I'm sure you can tell what I made it from! I found a picture of a design like this a while back, but with no credit to the designer that I could see. But at the time I was looking for a way to use up my stash of bugles and it helped with my button stash too. I forgot how much fun these are to make and wear, and how quick they are to make up too so I might make a few more in the next few weeks.

Bead Soup Blog Party!

I've been following Lori Anderson's blog for a while now. She always has very pretty work. And I noticed a while back she was going to run a Bead Soup Blog party.

Basically participants send:

:: A focal ::
:: Some coordinating spacers or beads ::
:: A special clasp (not just a lobster claw) ::

And you receive a set from another participant. When you have received yours, you make a set of jewellery with them and post them on your blog! I've just signed up. Have you?

Upcycled Pink Dice Brooch

I realise today I've been quite unobservant lately. As well as Rachell having to give me a poke to realise she  mentioned me on her blog. And it took me a couple of days to realise after she poked me too! Sorry Rachell, and thankyou!

And today I've walked splat bang into a door in Jo's office whilst it was open, and dropped some beads on the floor. Ooops!

Fuschia Pink Recycled Brooch

Found this little beauty in my stash of things to list the other day. Haven't seen this for a while! 

How many different sort of adornments can you see on there?

I can see Sequins, pompoms, seed beads, pony beads, acrylic flat backs, sparkledust beads, and a dice.

Did I miss anything? *smile*

First Finished Object of the Year :)

And on Etsy