Vegan treats

I am so tired of buying expensive or tasteless treats that are semi-healthy. I love nakd bars but they are so pricey I can't justify them. Though that's probably why they are a treat. Anyway, I have decided to experiment and make my own nakd type treats. 

I raided the local health food shop yesterday and bought pitted dates, dried cherries, cocoa nibs and flaked coconut. Once home I broke out my food processor into it I added 1oz of each of the fruits and coconut and 1/2 oz of the cocoa nibs. I blitzed it all together then squished the yummy goodness into four truffle shaped rounds. They taste delicious and much tastier (and cheaper) than nakd coco loco bars. I have stored them in the fridge but don't think they will last long as I am on a treat myself Friday. 

Helping others

A good friend of mine is an amazing blogger. Yesterday she shared a link on Facebook calling out for help for someone wanting a character crochet camera lens cover from Sian at geekisnewchic.com This lady cannot crochet and wants this lovely item. I took a look at the link and to my surprise there were no takers. Even though she has the pattern and is willing to supply all the yarn.  The pattern is a an original design by Sarah Goldschadt

I have no exciting projects on the go as its way to hot for wool at the mo. so I replied. I had a message back a couple of hours later. I now have the pattern for a really cute little doggie lens cover and plan on making this item this week, I will post photos when it's finished. 

First photo - ears and start of face 

Photo two - just needs a nose

Finished cover

Sian wearing her camera cover

Belly bump painting

Today I painted my second baby bump. It was a lovely morning and my model is a beautiful young lady who is having a little boy. We decided on a cheeky monkey as she did not want anything too girly.

It took just over an hour to complete and mum-to-be loved it. Which gave me the happys.

Lush spa taster evening

Lush in Carmarthen offered taster spa sessions in their shop last night. I went along with my sister as we both love lush products. The taster sessions were 20mins each (in reality I think they lasted longer) we were supposed to have three each but when we got there we could have all four! It was awesome. I had the good hour first. It was a lovely relaxing arm massage with an amazing staff member. Then I had the spell, this was my fave session an absolutely divine foot massage. I could have gone home at this point and been really happy. Next I had the comforter which is the most recent treatment, it was all pink and lovely (with chocolates too). My final surprise treatment was validation. I don't normally enjoy facials but this was a lovely treat and how I stayed awake is anyone's guess. The staff were all fantastic and I can only hope that lush open a spa in wales (Liverpool is a bit far to travel ) as I can't wait to try the full treatments! 

I can blog on the go!!

I have just discovered a mobile app so I can blog on the move. This will hopefully stop me from going long periods without keeping updated. I am amazed at how easy it is to use and can even add photos. Not sure about adding hyperlinks and whatnot but could always add them at a later date. 

This is my first mobile writing. But now I need to charge my iPhone! Typical. 

My very first prenatal painting

Anyone that knows me, will be aware that I also dabble in face painting, it is a passion that has grown since having my two youngest children. This week I was able to paint my very first pregnant belly. It is the most amazing thing I have ever done. A good friend of mine is currently 28 weeks pregnant and agreed to be a model for me. And what a beautiful model she is. As it was my first I searched and searched the internet for ideas and had a head full of inspiration. On the day I felt excited yet nervous, mum to be had no expectations and gave me free reign of what to paint. I opted for something quite simple, as a first attempt I didn't want to knock my confidence.

There were a few errors and plenty of room for improvement, but my lovely model has agreed to let me practice again. Next time will be butterflies :) I am very very excited!

To busy to blog!!

I can not believe that I have not written anything since February. I have been so busy with crochet orders and family life I have had no time to keep a record.
I think the very long winter kept me crocheting more than I normally do, I had a flurry of orders for pixie style cardigans ranging from adults to babies. I still have not finished, there are three more children's sizes and another adult to go.
The one currently on my hook is orange and black stripes. I had no idea buying orange yarn would be so difficult. Locally there is cheap and nasty scratchy acrylic or not quite orange. So I had to buy online, my only problem with this is not being able to see the actual colour. But thanks to Deramores I got all that I needed.
I have made this cardigan for boys and girls in all different colours. It is so versatile and easily adaptable. Here are a few pics of the ones I have completed.

I have also joined a local "stitch and bitch" group, its an off shoot of a knit and natter as we all work so can not attend a day time group, we are all also about 30 years younger than the other ladies. Its a great evening out. Every Wednesday evening we meet at a local club with our crochet / knitting / sewing and discuss our project and ideas for new things. We have been fascinated by yarn bombing. So much so that we may have a sneaky plan for the summer. It is amazing how people in pubs just accept a group of ladies knitting and crocheting in full view, we have had a few people come to ask us what we are doing but it has all been really positive.

Baby items

I have had a few requests to make some baby shoes and headbands, they are all for girls (obviously!!) and I have used many shades of pink, and different styles of flowers. In amongst them I was also asked to make some slippers for the mums of the babies. I have enjoyed the variety from making hats and looking forward to getting some cotton to make summer bands and items.
Here are the pics

 I am now making my first ever crochet baby cardigan, I am using a Peter Pan pattern that I bought in local shop, iits quite tricky having to reverse patterns to make opposite sides (my brain like clear follow me instructions) and I'm not looking forward to putting it all together as I am bound to make a few mistakes!! I'm hoping it will turn out ok and then will have to decorate it so its a bit funky - I like to add my own uniqueness to things :)

Treasures Made From Yarn: Mobius Ripple Cowl Pattern

I love this cowl think I need to get some yarn and get busy.


Treasures Made From Yarn: Mobius Ripple Cowl Pattern: So I did write up a pattern for the ripple mobius ripple cowl.  For the first cowl I used a plastic crochet hook and don't know the exact si...

crochet a granny a day

Whilst browsing on Twitter yesterday I noticed that there were some people who had started making a granny square a day with the aim of making a big blanket (or two smaller ones) by the end of the year. I think this is a fantastic idea - especially with my new found love of granny squares, so I contacted Ali (@CrochetAli) and told her that I would be joining. I looked on her blog and website and was very inspired by this lady's work. I got to work straight away and now have 6 little squares to sew together. My only fear is that the colours in my stash won't all go together but I have been assured that this does not matter, and to be honest after looking at other peoples work, this is true. I will have to go around the outside when the squares are all completed though to tie it all together, so hopefully this colour will be in the squares somewhere!
some of my grannys

 This one is a bigger square for a project for a friend - We are making a blanket but the squares are donated from lots of different people.

Granny Squares

I have decided that as I have no requests for goods at the moment that I would make a start on some stuff for me and the family. My mum has expressed an interest in a granny square throw or afghan. I have an endless supply of scraps of wool - it is taking over a room in my house! So I thought that this would be a useful project and possible present for my mother.
Yesterday I made 10 granny squares, they are fairly easy to make and quite pretty. This morning I got to thinking where on earth does the name granny square come from?? I looked on wikepidia - as this is the fountain of all modern day knowledge but after reading their page I was still left wondering.

Further web based searching I found out this:-

According to a 1946 article attributed to the Oregon Worsted Company, the thrifty women of early America would carefully save scraps of yarn and fibre unravelled from old sweaters and socks.  As these scraps accumulated, they were crocheted into small squares; the colours combined on the whim of the craftsman.  The squares were then sewn together to make a blanket which was both functional and colourful.  Because grandma was no longer up for manual labour, she was often the one to sew the squares together, thus they became GRANNY SQUARES

and so now I know!!!