Photo Challenge Tuesday – Flower

Just a quick post to share this lovely challenge that I came across whilst browsing blogs both new and old. Isn’t it great to discover some thing new? I have followed Nanacathy for some time and have joined her in a previous photo challenge called Friday Fences, it was so obscure I just couldn’t resist, but that was way back in 2013.

My recent browsing led me to Wild Daffodil where the new photo challenge is housed, well actually it is only new to me, and now you of course, as it ran all of last year too. Basically you are provided with a theme and on the first tuesday of every month you post your contribution then leave a link to your post in the comments on Wild Daffodil’s blog post.

The blossom image above is not a new image but one that I have shared on a previous post here it’s right at the end of the post, not totally realted to the woolly content apart from being pink. It was just that it is my favouite tree in our garden, it only blossoms for about 3 weeks in a year and creates a whole lot of sweeping up once the blossoms fall but it is incredably beautiful for those 3 short weeks.

The photo above is more weeds than flowers and mostly dead at that, but rather beatiful in my eyes nevertheless. Anyway a friend once said to me that a weed is merely an uncultivated flower so on that note it does qualify, I will leave you to make up your own mind.

My last entry is a woolly one, I couldn’t resist as creating with yarn is what I love to do most, a very simple Sunflower.

So don’t think about just join the photo party visit Wild Daffodil  now!

Country Garden Crochet Bicycle

In line with the current trend for cycling what better way to celebrate than to our craft than upcycling a bicycle.

I had so much fun creating this quintessential english country rose garden wrapped around one of the bicycles that were kindly donated by our local recycling centre in Burniston.

A bed of 20 roses in shades of red, pink, peach and lemon made the cover for the seat. It wouldn’t be a rose garden without a cute little bumble bee, this little honey maker was donated by Mrs G, a very talented knitting friend.

Continuing the rose theme with 2 giant blooms displayed on the rear wheel.

With his cute pink button cheeks a snail this sweet just has to be forgiven for having a little nibble on the vegetation.

Nestling on the front wheel is a silky silver spiders web, home to two (not so scary) spiders, but wait a minute there’s only one!

There he is, he’s obviously just been for a spin, pardon the pun.

He has just been exploring the rose vine that’s creeping around the cross-bar.

The Country Rose Garden bicycle featured in the 2015 yarn bombing at the surgery along with another themed on the seaside. They certainly gained a lot of interest.

It took me approximately two weeks of crocheting to cover each bike and make the adornments

Crochet Cave Folk

May I introduce you to Master and Miss the crochet Cave Kids, named Magnar and Sadiki respectively. I wanted some company for Stan the Stegosaurus and found the pattern for these and was instantly inspired to make them.

Magnar goes out each day armed with his club to capture food and drag it back to cave for  Sadiki to cook.

Sadiki’s a little vain and is always trying new hair styles, today is a simple ponytail with a polished bone clip.

If you want to make your own cave folk you can buy the pattern here.

Happy hooking.

 

 

Amish Puzzle Ball and Crochet Boots Swap

I was reading through posts one day and came across some lovely crochet slippers made by Simply Hooked with an offer I could not resist. A swap request, offering a pair crochet slippers in exchange for an Amish Puzzle Ball, “well” I thought to myself “I have made these puzzle balls before and I would love those gorgeous slippers”. So here it is ready to be shipped off.

And here are the said gorgeous slippers!

We exchanged emails and Simply Hooked agreed to my swap offer and chose the colours for the Puzzle Ball. If you haven’t seen one before I will try to explain how it works. You make twelve triangular pouches and three rows of lids. Each row of lids is attached to four pouches stuffing each pouch before finally closing it off.

So you end up with these.

First you interlock 2 of the finished rounds.

Then the last round fits into the gaps to make a round ball.

I love this pattern so much, they are quite quick to make and there are animal versions too. I made an Elephant shown in a previous post here.

If you fancy making your own puzzle ball you can download the free pattern from Ravelry Amish Puzzle Ball Pattern, there is also a flower version which is delightful. These two  patterns are kindly available free thanks to Dedri Uys.

The Elephant Puzzle Ball pattern is available to purchase on Ravelry too. Dedri is obviously quite dedicated, I talked in my post about how struggled a little with the elephant head and Dedri was kind enough to contact me and advise that she had altered the pattern and asked if I made one again would I let her know if it was better. How kind was that?

Mollie and Claire’s Lace Leaf Shawl KAL

Yes please I thought when Claire from Mollie and Claire offered to do this KAL.

I am a little behind but wanted to show that I have started and will be focussing on catching up over the next few days.

It was rather lucky that I had this colourful yarn in my stash and have been wondering what I could use it for. It is rather fine for me to knit with but I feel it is perfect for this KAL. I hope Mollie approves.

Yorkshire Beard Day

Do you remember I told you about Yorkshire Beard Day? My friend had a stall full of crazy knitted beards. I made one too here and was so happy when it sold!

The lady who bought it kindly allowed me to take a photo of her wearing it.

Then a friend came along with a matching real beard!

 

 

 

African Flower – Bluebird of Happiness

I loved this bird as soon as I saw the pattern and just knew I had to make one, and now I have made one I want to make another!

I made all the African Flower Pentagons before starting to join the bird together.

First I made all the yellow centres, then the turquoise flowers followed by the yellow trim.

Finally the blue rounds were completed.

I have always fancied making one of Heidi Bears animal patterns but thought it wise to start with a small one just to break myself in, next be the Stegosaurus!

Woolly Beards

Yorkshire Beard Day 2015? Yes there really is such an event. My friend makes woolly beards and sells them at the TBBC Northern Beard Meet up at the Spa in Scarborough, this years event takes place on 21 March 2:00 to 7:30pm. Organised by The British Beard Club, it’s a family friendly event and it’s free, the funds raised from the sales go to The Prostate Cancer Charity UK.  An all round light hearted event that’s not only a good day out for the family but helps a good cause too. Last years beard stall………… ……and a bearded assistant. Here are some close ups of the crazy beards featured at last years event by this very skillful young lady. Gnome Fishing Beard Birds Nest Beard Very Long Beards Dr Who Inspired Scarf Beard.   There is even a doggie version My contribution looks rather normal next to Bluebeard and co, I think I will have to get a bit more creative with my next beard!

Crochet Leaf Garland on a Trellis

Who says you can’t have colourful foliage all year round? Crochet your own Leaf Garland and let it wind it’s way around a garden trellis.

The beauty is you can choose the colours you want to use, not sure if I have ever seen turquoise leaves in reality but I liked the colour combo so who cares about reality?

The trick is to twist the leaves as you place them on the trellis to give some dimension to them. They don’t look as real if you fix them to your trellis flat. I tried to take a photo from an angle to show this but am afraid it was quite difficult to get the shot right.

I have done this leafy garland before and the last time I stiffened the leaves with PVA glue but this time I tried it without the glue and it works just as well. There are 3 garlands altogether on this one so it’s nice and leafy.

Once you have made enough garlands for your trellis its good to wind them roughly into place before finally fixing them. This way you can make sure that you have enough and they are evenly spread across your display area.

Here is the whole thing to give you a better idea of how the full piece looks.

The 2 I made in the summer sold for £25.00 each so made a good contribution to our chatiry fund. This one has been made to order so will be going to take up residence in a new home soon.

Charity Yarn Bombing Details and Patterns

Firstly I must give my heartfelt thanks to all of you who have made pledges to help with our yarn bombing project; I know our patients will love it!

You have all asked for ideas of what to make so here goes……….

The name of the project is Fantasy Garden so here is an overview of what we are aiming to create through our creative collaboration:

1. Flowers: As the overriding theme is “Gardens”, flowers of all colours, shapes and sizes would be wonderful and, in particular, sunflowers. I have been using a video tutorial by Meladora’s Creations to make mine.
2. Bunting: I’d like to create a festive feeling so bunting is needed to hang around the building and garden to draw the spectacle together and attract attention from passersby. Attic24 has a great tutorial.
3. Birds: This simple birdie pattern is an easier choice if you fancy something quick and straightforward and it looks great in all sorts of colour combinations. Another tutorial from Lucy at Attic24.

And if you feel like getting even more creative, there are two mini themes that I would like to incorporate into the Fantasy Garden…

4. Fairy Garden: A Fantasy Garden wouldn’t be complete without a few fairies, so I will be making fairies, toadstools and gnomes.
5. Seaside Scenery: And finally, because we live by the sea, I couldn’t resist a seaside scene. A lovely friend of mine is knitting the sea! So if you fancy making some fish or even seals and seagulls, I will find them a happy home by the sea!

I hope that these ideas and links to patterns will help you to get started and I am so happy that you want to help our Fantasy Garden become a reality. If you need any more information or would like to join us please contact me by email TheGrangeRange@hotmail.com . Thanks so much for your help.