~African daisy progress, Crocherati update, Valentines day

 

... African daisy  progress

 

This week we've been making litle daisies for the African Daisy blanket. I think I should have called it the daisy eater because its a hungry little blanket and it gobbles up each new daisy as soon as its made. :D

 

 

Here are a couple of progress photos showing how the blanket is growing.

 

You'll see how each row grows it creates an edge that is not straight and to help minimise this I've designed one half of an African daisy that aims to straighten the edge out. 

 

 In terms of design that means the edges will be straight - but at this pont there will be a zig-zag edge on what I see as the top and the bottom of the blanket.

 

I quite like the effect it has and am in two minds on whether to fill it or not... I'll play with the design a bit more before finally deciding.

 

The last photo shows the "half a hexie" I made as a gap filler. I've shown it to a couple of friends as a bit of 'market research' and they seem chuffed enough with it so I think that will be an appropriate filler for the gaps. 

 

 

To round the blanket off I'll edge it with a couple of rows of the dark blue and "hey presto" the African daisy blanket will be finished. I have really enjoyed this blanket and the way it looks is truly festive - it lifts my spirits every time!

 

 ... Now an update about the secret granny square exchange, or "Crocherati"

 

 

The next round of the exchange has kicked off with a Valentine's Day theme and though I cannot show you the squares I made and sent - that would shatter the anonymity for my recipient!!! - I can share with you the squares I have received.

 

 

Two beautifully themed heart granny squares and then a surprise bonus as well: an interwoven heart that has lovely smelling potpourri in it! How very lucky and spoiled I am.

 

 

 

 

 

 

... Musings about Valentine's Day...

 

 

I think its so lovely to have a day dedicated to love and the pursuit of romance. Yes every day should be special and filled with love - but how nice to know that for one day a year you can be super soppy and totally over the top with romance crazy - and it is totally okay...

 

 

Yes I liken it to the same euphoria as going to Disney-land ... difficult to leave there without happy memories. Sore feet on the day, but as time goes by and the sore feet heel, along with the memory of the loooong cues (etc.) one is left with happy thoughts, of happy times, and fun.

 

 

That's me for this week lovelies, have a glorious week. Warm pixie smiles coming your way, xo.

 

oOo

~summary of projects on the go ~

Yay I'm better. I think I had this year's flu and its been a tough one - good luck to anyone out there going through it at the moment, hang in there!


Projects on the go


I needed to take stock of all the WIPs - that would be works in progress -  I have going at the moment, and make a list of causes I made promises to - and I am not allowing myself to take anything new on-board until I have delivered on all of them. They are - in no order other than the order I'm remembering them in.


1.\ Granny Square for the next round of the Secret Granny Square exchange (tick, but can't show it to you as its a secret :o( ... I will show you the ones I receive when they get here)


2.\ A couple of granny squares for the blanket being made for the fistula hospital in Ethiopia


3.\ A couple of granny squares for one of the Crocherati ladies who is compiling a blanket for friends of hers in Queensland who have been affected by the recent weather events (tick, here is a photo of the squares I'm sending)

4.\ One border row as part of the Creative Crochet Crew's QR code project (tick, I mailed this earlier the week and it has been received)


5.\ A couple of headbands for another Crocherati cause towards kids with cancer


6.\ As part of an outreach a couple of hearts to one of the Crocherati ladies


7.\ FIVE gifts as part of anew group I belong to where you make a gift as part of a "pass it forward" initiative.



8.\ Finish the lovely daisy blanket so I can list it on Etsy.


Here is a photo showing that the joining has started! This is going to be smashing when its done, love the colours sofar.


More to do about Daisy...


So many wonderful things to do with the African Daisy - on my list is this lovely handbag via the below link. Not only does it come with detailed instructions and layout information, but the entire pattern and instruction sheet is free. Enjoy.

http://www.craftpassion.com/2012/04/african-flower-crochet-purse-part-1.html


Warm pixie smiles coming your way, xo

oOo

~ Krista block 15, 16 litter blocks and 30 african daisies

Krista block 15

Still using Panda's "magnum soft" acrylic yarn (in butter) I made block 15 of the Krista throw. If you want to see the different colours its listed here:

http://www.auspinners.com.au/products/browse-by-brand/panda/magnum-soft-8ply/default.aspx
 

 

This block was so pleasant and super easy. It starts off with an eight petal flower in the centre - and then grows very quickly into a granny square pattern.









Its even lovely from the back you can see how the flower evolves into the good old granny square so familiar and loved.

If you're looking for the patterns - they are free and via the link: http://promotions.spotlight.com.au/Facebook/Tabs/block_of_the_week/botw.aspx

16 squares for a fun cause

The Creative Crochet Crew invited crochet artists to participate in making a QSR Code from granny squares. This is a similar project to the one they ran for the Arts Hub QSR competition toward the end of last year.
 

So I've had the privilege of making 16 little white squares which will form part of the QSR border and  I'm so excited that I can be part of this collaboration.
 

In order to keep them flat I joined them with a slip stitch through the back loops only - this is one of my favourite joins as it looks like its been weaved together.

 

If you're wondering - the Creative Crochet Crew is a facebook community where a love of crochet is at the heart of the group - a great place to visit for fun and inspiration. If you want to see their page its right via this link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Creative-Crochet-Crew/142317845834754

 

 

African daisy update

Sofar I have 30 hexies in various stages of completion. Its still my aim to join them into a blanket and list it on Etsy. By the end of this week I'm comfortable that I will have all 30 hexies lined with the dark blue borders and ready for assembly into a blanket.

 

I wonder if it will look nice if I start it as a field of daisies - then have a thick band of the dark blue before adding a rim  of daisies again -- OR perhaps I should just have them all form a daisy blanket.

 

Time will tell how this evolves - its wonderful to be inspired I can't wait to see how this blanket develops - I'm letting it guide me as I go.

 

Well that's my crochet story this week - warm pixie smiles coming your way. xo

 

oOo

african daisy progress

No Krista block this week - instead I've been focusing on makings some african daisies for the blanket I would like to list on Etsy.


Sofar I've made a good start for the blanket and though I'm not quite as far as I would have hoped am pretty excited that this has the potential to be truly lovely - I hope whoever gets it will enjoy it as much as I have loved making it.


At this stage my big worry is which price to list it at - list it too high and it might not sell. List it too low and people might not trust the quality. Maybe I should list it low as an introductory offer as this will be my first Etsy listing and then take it from there.


A progress pic:

Other projects I have committed to this week include making a blanket for the Hamlin Fistula Organisation; making headbands for children with cancer; and also became part of a group of ladies who are crocheting a QR code as a group effort.


I'll keep you posted on these over the next two or three weeks. In the meantime I would really appreciate your feedback on how much you think I should list the African daisy baby blanket for.

That's it for show and tell this week - have a wonderful week with warm pixie smiles coming your way, xo

oOo

~Show and tell...

 

...Krista block 14

 

 

As you know I'm doing a block a week towards what is called the "Krista throw" - and this week I made the block for Week 14.

It starts of as a granny square - but instead of being worked in the round all the way it has the first two rows in the round and then expands outward via two of the four sides. The effect is quite unusual in that it expands outward to the top right from starting as a cross-like structure bottom left.

 

It would be interesting to make that initial squarer in a different colour to the rest of the block - and for the next one I might do that. This blocks for this throw will be a solid colour - its called "butter" and is made by Panda wool in their "magnum soft" range.
 

 

If you're looking for the Krista patterns - they are free and via the link: http://promotions.spotlight.com.au/Facebook/Tabs/block_of_the_week/botw.aspx

 

And a standard reminder that there is a Facebook group for the Krista throw. Like-minded crocheters who participated in the original Spotlight promotion as well as others who joined later on and I have found these ladies willing to share their experiences when constructing their own Kristas.

 

...Started another project - African daisies

 

With so many ideas to get my Etsy store up and running I have decided to make a daisy blanket using the African daisy or Somalian daisy pattern. The pattern seems to be pretty standard and freely available throughout the web - I just did a quick Google search for "african daisy crochet pattern" and it returned with 101,000 hits! www.google.com

 

I have always loved daisies and having it against a blue backdrop to symbolise the sky is so beautiful - this is how it evolves from yellow circle to daisy hexagon granny square:
 

 

And look, I've made a start! Next time round you should ask me if I managed to complete it and list it on Etsy yet, that is my target for next week.
 

 

 

That's it for show and tell this week - have a wonderful week with warm pixie smiles coming your way, xo

 

oOo

~ Krista block 13 ... Secret Santa ... The Lace Cafe

 

Krista throw block #13

 

This week I made the 13th square towards the Krista throw. Its also a flower but this one didn't have a centre ball in it like the flower did in week 3 - though very similar methinks.

 

 

 

I love the final effect of the raised flower petals, though I'm realising that I prefer less lacy blocks and blocks with a little more structure to it.

 

Its my intention to join these blocks together without spending too much time blocking them - and I hope that any tension concerns I have for the "lacy"-type blocks will be resolved when they form part of the throw's whole.

Remember all the patterns in this throw is free and via the link: http://promotions.spotlight.com.au/Facebook/Tabs/block_of_the_week/botw.aspx

Also the Facebook group for the Krista throw has a community of likely minded crocheters who are happy to talk you through the experiences they had when constructing their own Kristas.

The wonderful world of the Secret Santa / Kris Kringle

One of the Australian traditions that has a very special place in my heart is the "Secret Santa".

A group of people set out to buy each other Christmas presents anonymously in what is fondly called a "Kris Kringle" or "Secret Santa" exchange.

How does it work you're wondering.... Its pretty straight forward really. All the names of the participating group members are chucked in the proverbial hat - and from this you are given one name and that is the person you will be buying a gift for.

The price range is usually set upfront and everyone who participating agrees to this and a date to bring the gifts in. As great efforts are usually taken to keep it anonymous the gifts these are clearly labelled with the name of the recipient and then be collected in a pre-determined area, handed out and opened to great fanfare and enjoyment.

This year I had wonderfully unique pleasure of participating in two of these exchanges - with a couple of differences in that

 

-\ the participating groups covered the entire Australia as a geography;

 

-\ the gifts were to be mailed

 

-\ it was for two craft groups - both joined via social media.

   The first the Krista Facebook group; the second the Granny Exchange I have mentioned before and fondly call the "crocherati'

 

-\ these groups are full of talented crafters and crocheters

 

 

With all of these constraints you might be questioning the end result of these exchanges - but look at my beautiful gifts!

I am so very privileged I'm counting these as my best Christmas gifts this year! You can see from the photos the wonderful attention to detail as I received two fabulous bags, a detailed scarf, other goodies in line with my interests; a beautiful handmade card for the tree - look I can go on and on and list them all, but why don't I just show you how wonderfully spoilt I am. A picture speaks a thousand words so I hope you get as much joy picking out the gifties as I have in my enjoyment of them. PS those tealight candles are banana leaf candles and smell absolutely devine!

 

 

 

Clearly I'm still a bit giddy - wonderful people, a wonderful tradition. Thank you so much I'm so pleased to share your generosity with the world!

 

The Lace Cafe in Olinda

We also took a drive on the tourist road through the lovely Dandenong ranges here in the State of Victoria and had a pie and a cuppa in the lovely town of Olinda.

There is a beautiful Victorian-esque shop on one of the corners called "The Lace Shop" and what a treat to walk through there! I snapped these two phodies of the outside display windows - how beautiful:

 

 

 

Even though it was past 5 o'clock the shop owner welcomed me to walk through the shop and I'm definitely going to make a plan to go back and buy some of the goodies I spied with my little eyes... In particular there were some lovely spoons at the front counter that had a crystal embellishment at the top of its handle, all the goodies in the store were absolutely fabulous.

I do like to collect business cards of such glorious little shops but she had just run out - only to be so kind as to write down all the details for me on a piece of paper even though it was well beyond the store's opening hours at that time.

Saw on the outside shop window that the store is in the market - and just to tempt you I have found the link click here: http://www.commercialview.com.au/businesses/retail/1-olinda-monbulk-road-olinda/business-details-3191563.html

Its not often you get to buy into an opportunity like that with an existing reputation, clientele, and on the tourist route! Fabulous! If it were my time I'd be knock-knock-knocking on that door but at this stage of my life I have to pass on this opportunity. I hope the new owners will keep the character of the store - what a lovely lovely place!

That said I can't believe we're at the end of 2012 - yay we survived! Happy New Year to yawl - I pass this blessing to you that 2013 sees your hopes and dreams realised; that your best wishes are surpassed and that any kindness you show to others be repaid to you tenfold!

- warm pixie smiles coming your way. xo  -

oOo

` hearts hearts hearts

 

... Oh this has been a fun week - I have been making hearts that will [potentially] become pins during memorial services at a Palliative Care Unit here in Melbourne. I say potentially because if the Crocherati lady who is coordinating this activity finds an alternate use for them it would still give me great joy to have been part of this.

 

Yes, I have prioritised something over my Krista block again this week - but have no remorse as there are one hundred little happy hearts in my arms.

 

Let me share some pictures with you ....

 

 

 

So many hearts they are falling out of the box ... I need to do some planning to squish them all in without tangling their little heart strings....

 

 

It starts with one bunch ... 

 

 

... and then another bunch comes along for the party ....

 

 

  ... and another ...

 

 

... and before you know it they have multiplied like little hearts who are left alone in a box with other little hearts.... lol!

 

 

... fun in a variety of colours ...

 

 

 

All the hearts in the mailing box, ready for a send off...

 

 

To be a fly on the wall when she opens that box I'll send it off tomorrow and even though its Christmas Australia Post won't let me down I'm sure she'll have it in a flash!

 

I have been making some heart pins for my Etsy shop and am so pleased that the little guys in the photos above will add some value to the Palliative Care services.

 

Well, that's my craft story this week - warm pixie smiles coming your way. xo

oOo

 

 

A block, another facebook group, ideas for charity toys

Sofar I am still able to make a block a week - here's what block 4 looks like:

 

This one was super easy and took less than 1/2 hour to make!

[link to all blocks in the Krista throw: http://www.facebook.com/events/113761348749961/#!/Spotlightstores/app_371522569543043]

 

Joined another group on facebook!

I found the coolest group on facebook - its a granny square exchange and though specific to Australia I'd like to share the concept.

You participate in making a granny square block of 4 inches (10cm) across - and then yours as well as the granny squares made by others are exchanged anonymously. In this manner you build up a granny square blanket - and even though you don't know who contributed a particular granny square you know that it was made by like-minded people and with love!

A secret society... with benefit to only those in it... mmmm, I think I might be part of the "crocherati" now ha ha ha!

For this I found the cutest popcorn granny square tuturial. It follows the same method as for a normal granny square, but each segment is made out of a popcorn stitch. It is super cute and is called "Crochet Geek - Crochet Granny Square Puff Stitch 5 Rounds".

If you want to see the tutorial as well here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LY08Feh03pI

 

Secret Santa

Another project I'm participating in is the "Secret Santa" game. Also anonymously gifts are exchanged within the group. The rules are simple - it has to be handmade (and with love of course!) and within a set price range - usually not in excess of around $10.

 

For this I found the coolest idea - it is a crochet bath puff that is made out of cotton. And as it just so happens I recently bought some cotton yarn at the Wool Mill... a plan is born!

Sorry if I'm your secret santa and you're reading this - but I found the idea at:

http://web.archive.org/web/20010816055315/members.aol.com/lffunt/bath.htm

 

 

Toys for charity

Toys for charity is high on my Christmas list as well and I've mentioned the koala amigurumi I would like to try. It will be my first amigurumi but I'm not too worried as the link not only includes the pattern but also a tutorial.

See it at: http://www.craftpassion.com/2010/11/crochet-koala-bear-amigurumi-tutorial-pattern.html.

Ok I'm going to commit to making one this week, in addition to the next block in my Krista throw. Am all excited now - a little personal challenge!

Time for me to drag the bones off to bed - have a very good week

 

- warm pixie smiles coming your way. xo -

 

oOo

a block, a daisy and a granny finds a home ...

This week is one that flew by so very quickly - I am very happy that I managed to finish block 3 of the throw - and here it is!

 
The pattern for the Krista throw was part of a Spotlight promotion and is accessible via the link: http://www.facebook.com/events/113761348749961/#!/Spotlightstores/app_371522569543043

 

Giving a granny ...

One of the practice blocks made in the beginning of this journey as part of the tension test found a new home this week. The teal coloured granny square is made in one of my favourite colours and when I saw that someone was making a blanket in support of a friend trying to quit smoking I knew that this little square would be finding a home soon.

To accompany it I thought a little daisy in the corner will be super cute - and set out to improvise the little flower. As you can see it took me a few trial runs to create a likeable daisy and I'm very happy with the end result and hope that it fills the receiver of the blanket joy every time they look at it!

 

Design a daisy ...

Select & attach a daisy ...

 

 

The final granny ...

 

 

I also setup a pintrest board this week and before long found that so many ideas and inspirations clipped there - highly addictive methinks. Spent quite a few hours just looking at pretty crochet pictures and clipping some pretty ones to the board. http://pinterest.com/goldenpixies/

In google and pinterst there is one pattern that keeps on popping up - it is a super cute amigurumi koala bear. With Christmas coming up soon and charities calling for toys I'll be trying my hand at making this little bear. Maybe I can even find someone who'll crochet along (CAL) with me and we can double the bear making efforts!

 

Thats me for this last day of September. Have a very good week - warm pixie smiles coming your way. xo

 

oOo

A correction, a block, a lesson and a discovery

First a correction. Last week's post showed how I bought 100% wool online for my Krista throw and then ended up not using that wool in the blocks made for the posted photos. That is because I thought to do a trial run of the blocks in an acrylic worsted yarn and save my wool until my skills have been dusted off, and that's why the finished squares in the previous blog had different colours to that of the wool!
 

The pattern for this week's block is at:

http://promotions.spotlight.com.au/Facebook/Block%20of%20the%20week/spotlight_block_of_the_week__02.pdf

 

A lesson or a gripe...
 

So last week I made a pretty big deal about making a trial square to get the tension right - and may I say that I was pretty chuffed with myself for doing that little exercise. Running low on white 8ply (worsted) acrylic yarn off to the shops I went for more of the exact same brand. Halfway through making the second square I discovered to my utter horror and dismay that the tension was all wobbly and not at all the same as that for the previous block - even though it was the exact same brand and colour of yarn, bought at the exact same retailer with the only difference being that my purchases happened one year apart!

Back to the drawing board for me to determine the crochet hook size that will give me the tension I desire - 3.5mm being the new winner - then I quickly remade the blocks for weeks 1 and 2 again. What a difference as you can see last week's square for block one next to the finished [albeit wobbly] block two in the top row - and the remade blocks on the bottom row. It will be tighter and slightly smaller but it will be as I like it.

Now about that discovery...
 

All these trial granny squares I'm making will not be wasted. A couple of weeks ago I came across a Yahoo group called "Knit4Charities" - they also have a website at http://www.freewebs.com/knit4charities/.

The squares I don't use will be donated to them and go towards one of their causes and thus not be wasted at all.

In addition to my Krista throw I'll also be scouring around for a toy pattern or two to make as a contribution to the Knit4Charities Christmas drive. More on that next week, and hopefully the blog's colours and theme will get better as I become more familiar with blogging.

oOo

My personal challenge - week one's block is complete!

Hurrah my wool has arrived and I'm super chuffed with how beautiful these colours are - the latte and almond are 100% wool; the blue is 100% cotton. I am super excited to start my projects!

  

Now to start the Krista throw. This was actually a promotion run by Australian Retailer Spotlight [click for more about Spotlight] who created a Facebook page and event for a CAL (crochet along). Even thought the event has finished the group is still there and after seeing the pictures of their throws I am totally motivated to make one of these for myself.

 

Even though the actual promotion has finished running the patterns for the blocks are still available online and I'm going to work my way through them. First step is to familiarise myself with the first pattern, its called "Spotlight block of the week 01" and is online at http://promotions.spotlight.com.au/Facebook/Block%20of%20the%20week/spotlight_block_of_the_week__01.pdf

 

After I make a few of these I'll see if I can find someone who will CAL with me so that I'll stay motivated and complete the throw - its so pretty!

 

So how did I go...

 

Week one's square is a good ole fashioned "granny" - and the pattern calls for a 6.5mm crochet hook to have a final crochet square of around 22cm.

Of course I only have a 6mm hook and will need to improvise so I thought to make two squares to see how they look i.t.o. size and tension.  

 

I made two squares with 8ply or worsted yarn and used a 6mm crochet hook for the block on the right and a 2mm crochet hook to make the block on the left.

From the trial blocks I learnt that the block on the right is 22cm and so I made my block for week one with the 6mm hook.

  

And here it is - tadda - week one's block, TICK!

 

Oh I can't wait to start week two - this project is a good way to dust off some of the ole skills and come out of it with a beautiful blanket at the end!

 

oOo