Hearty Congratulations!

1989 was a great year for weddings on my calendar!

I was bridesmaid three times that year and attended a few other ceremonies too!

This year all those couples celebrate their Silver Anniversary, I can't believe how quickly time has flown!

 I have a wonderful collection of photo albums that take me back instantly to those celebratory, sunny, summery (or in one case autumnal) days.

At the end of each special day, after celebrating happily with friends and families, I assembled all the memorable paraphernalia, (bouquet, dress, order of service, headdress, jewellery etc) and took a photo.

In those days you had to send away your precious film and wait (im)patiently to see how each picture turned out, hoping that amongst the blurry images and fractions of main subjects there was a representation you were pleased with!

The late night collection photos have been very useful in planning my gifts for the anniversary couples.

 In late July when L and T were married I wore a turquoisey dress,

 the bouquet had pretty pink carnations, 

ivory freesia and gypsophila, 

the bride carried a spray of  lilies

and we wore pearl necklaces.

My multi-threaded heart pattern has been embellished with some pearly beads.

Stash yarn used: 21g

Congratulations to the happy couple!

I had so many merry memories of their special day during this project....

...hope it brings them lots too!

The next celebration will be in August.....that gift is ready to post....

meanwhile I am off to dive into my wonderful stash to select yarns for a birthday project....plenty of squishing and colour therapy!

Multiple threads!

When I have plenty of time, one of my favourite parts of a project is the selection of materials...

I love searching through my eclectic stash, 

reminding myself of purchases, donors, 

past projects, new possibilities; 

going off at a tangent, 

feeling the 'precious' yarns (and thinking 'I will use that one day!')....

Being fairly new to crochet the learning curve of how patterns vary according to yarn selection is quite steep, and although I am prepared to experiment, sometimes things just miss the 'giddy excitement upon finishing' stage!

However this heart surpassed all expectations!

As it is my own pattern, I know there is a discrepancy, some yarns make this glaringly obvious, however this combination seems to hide it well!

I found some beautiful mohair in a charity shop, jewel like colours but very fine...put with other yarns it has added extra texture and a dash of colour!

The shiny sparkles are part of some shimmery ribbon yarn, a present, a while ago, from my fabulous friend Tracey...

The whole heart has a sturdiness to it thanks to the combination of threads, and to remind me of the ones I used I have saved this tiny bundle!

 20gs of sumptuousness given to friends!

Round the World Blog Hop!

The wonderfully creative and talented Jacqui over at Living with Ethel has invited me to take part in the Round the World Blog Hop...

Part of the process is to let you know about how I work, and to signpost you to three other talented creators.

What am I working on?

I make presents or cards for most of my family and friends...so there is always something to be working on...
In my blogger profile I describe myself as a bit of a flitter...similar to Jacqui's thought of herself as a butterfly!
So..at the moment there's..

...some felty notebook activity..
my thumb has met the hammer a couple of times!

..some tiny flowers to embellish this felty piece...

..the net below is ready and waiting for the ideas in my head to flow..

and there's some familiar therapeutic hooking in the form of winter goodies on the go too!
At times when the concentration is not the sharpest its good to have a safe option!

How does my work differ from others in this genre?
As the internet is such a vast resource I can find others with like minds.
Most of what I make is small, no large blankets or garments...yet!
I am particularly enjoying designing my own bits and pieces...
 and being more freefrom in nature...
I have difficulty disciplining myself to count, so geometric designs are taking a break!

How does my writing/creative process work?

Well, the writing part of this question is easy - I write mostly about what I make! I first started blogging to have a record of my creations!

I think my creative process starts with either a person, event or thing...(that safely covers most possibilities)

People and events are self explanatory, although random gifts do appear from time to time!

At quieter times (eg after the Christmas rush) a joint project has given me a focus - like the Crazy Randomness with Ali.

After Linda's stashbusting inspiration I began to look at my materials in a different way,
 I have been trying to use what I have,
 whatever I buy, is for a particular project and at the moment is from charity shops or in the sale!
 I enjoy the challenge of finding a use for beautiful colours and texture.
For particular projects I have an idea, then love the process of taking the time to sort, feel and select the colours and textures, putting them into a project bag and musing over them before getting started.
I think I have always been a muller-overer of ideas!

Some random stashbusted bracelets!

 Why do I write or create what I do?

The creating is mostly to pass on to others,
it keeps my fingers and mind occupied,
soothing rhythm makes me calm,
wet felting works off some energy and encourages my messy side,
everything gives me a colour boost...
and the writing: to record and hang out with like minded inspirational people!

I have already mentioned a few of the many inspirational people I enjoy...

The following three people I pop in and visit too, if they would like to pick up the baton and take part in the blog hop, that would be great, however as busy makers I'll understand if its tricky!

Una at Great Balls of Wool is a member of Loving Hands and makes lots of woolly items for charity

As its an international hop here are two stateside bloggers:

Kate of  Stitches Scraps and Sparkles in the Sun  is a prolific crocheter and has just had a baby girl...I'm so  impressed at her ability to multi-task!

Jacqui, Una and Kate I have found through Linda's blog, however Melody I met quite early in my blogging life, I love her illustrations and her visual images are stunning.

Hope you enjoy the hopping...
I love the way the internet can bring the world closer!