Recharging....

The school holidays are coming to an end here....

we have enjoyed lots of beautiful warm sunshine,
 lazy mornings, fresh air
and family time.

we were spectating, not participating!

 A few books have been devoured,
new technology installed (yet to be mastered!),
music has filled the air....

its been a chance to recharge batteries,

although I usually need a few days to get back into the weekly routine.

Its also been an opportunity to recharge the stash!!

I love looking at fellow bloggers thrifty finds
(and have been in awe of  Wendy's keen eye as seen on September Violets).

A while ago I found these gems in charity shops:

Some of the threads and the cream cotton have already been put to good use!

My stash has also been boosted by these beautiful skeins that were part of a very generous lady's down sizing.

The shop they were purchased from closed down more than 20 years ago!

Some bright acrylic from the same source will be used for some winter scarves for charity.

Whilst recharging there has been some
crochet hooking,
designing,
a bit of a spin,
oodles of ideas

 and lots of photos for inspiration....

so with some of  the creations....

I'll be back...

(we watched the Terminator Quadrilogy too!)

Dobby the Free Elf!

Here he is...Dobby the free elf!

Thanks for all your comments and guesses! 

The fabulous pattern  - so smooth to follow - is from Lucy Ravenscar

Little Folk amigurumi

He has needlefelted eyes and mouth

The cool evening sunshine was perfect for a photo shoot

Lounging around!

 

Dobby was given his shirt by Mr RW!

Love the shape of his nose!

Dobby's been given to a new family! He's still a free elf and enjoying his new home!

Stitches in the sun

Over the last ten days I've really enjoyed sitting in a shady corner of our very sunny garden in the late afternoon and early evenings hooking away at a secret project!

It involved a downloaded pattern, 3.5mm hook and just over a ball of natural coloured wool/acrylic mix (with flecks of colour)

 Sirdar Click in cream.

The individual shapes are art forms in themselves, such beautiful structures.....

I love the knobblyness of the stitches, and although I'm not sure they were designed that way- my attention may have drifted - they really do fit the subject!

Many of the al fresco sessions were accompanied by Wimbledon commentary on the radio..consequently some of my tension may have gone awry - particularly in the semis and finals!

This is really the first project I have attempted where consistent tension matters...

The pattern starts with a rather prominent part, so I moved on down the page to a less complicated one and was pleased with my first (pre-Wimbledon) sections.

However.....they turned out proportionally much larger than all the other parts - so I repeated them at the end, with the new tension and found some extra shape when I did so!

Just shows how important it is to get into the swing or try initial swatching!

I have learned so much from this project...and am looking forward to revealing the finished item soon!
Any guesses ?!

Anti-stashbusting!

I had some wonderfully colourful birthday presents a couple of months ago

These two cakes came from an exciting new crafty shop recently opened nearby.

 It caters for all stitchers!

It was difficult to choose from all the exciting colours and textures; a fabulous feast for the eyes and fingers!

Very helpfully a winding service is offered for a donation to charity..well worth it to save the air at home going blue!

The wool below is 55% BFL and 45% silk 4ply  in Lemon Rind, it is sooo soft, has lots of yellow tones and is one of the shops own hand dyed yarns.

I'm sure I'll be back for more of their wonderful unique colourways.

These vibrant colours are a Superbiffle - Carousel from Easyknits.

As the choice was so tricky RW Jnr had the final say on this one!

I had taken a photo of some Easter blooms earlier in the week we went shopping, as I had been captured by their colour combinations and thought it might be useful for future projects.

 When we returned home I wondered if we had all been influenced by the vibrant tulips?

Another present I received, from my sister-in-law just shows how much she gets my love of colour, and bags!

My fabulous friend Tracey from school and blogland picked up a thread I had mentioned and sent me a new toy!

I have had a couple of spins! 

The first was really a non-starter, but after a bit more reading and video watching I did get moving and a bit of fluff was spun!

As I usually hook or felt small pieces I am aiming for some arty yarn with plenty of colour, variable texture and weight (just as well!!) so hope to use some of the future spun yarn in my projects!

Whilst adding to my yarn stash I am busting my fibre!

I am really pleased I have been using some of my collected wool in the stashbuster challenge as it has made me appreciate the new additions even more!
I wonder what this will be.....?

Ali the Alien!

I really appreciate all your wonderful comments on posts - recently finding out that many of you save your short ends  - and some of you are going to start the addictive hobby!

I also relish those comments that set a challenge or get me thinking!

The fabulously creative Kate from Starfish Studio set me on a voyage to a galaxy far far away...
when she commented on the aliens made to decorate bras for my friends when they walked the moonwalk.

A smaller rounder version was created....

but she's a bit shy....

 

ah...that's better!

This little alien had a look around outside

...and inside...

... a crocheted sphere, some needlefelted features, fuse wire and wet felt for antennae and an (almost) invisible hanging thread...

the most unique element is the stuffing - oodles of short ends - a head full of memories of previous fun projects!

one more look around before she travelled in a recycled tomato box jiffy bag spaceship

all the way to the Scottish coast

where through the magic of the web I have seen her hanging around in Kate's workspace!

Kate has named her Ali - so I am very flattered!
She was made with 13g of stash.. if you include the stuffing!

The original aliens and their/my friends had a very memorable night raising money and awareness - they walked the walk, had fun and met lots of interesting ladies!

As a thank-you they gave me a beautiful brooch

and some amazingly delicious works of edible chocolate art!

I think the alien ideas may be here for a while...I may boldly go and hook some more!