Venus Jewels Pattern , Issue 41 ,Inside Crochet magazine

This is my latest design in the months issue of Inside crochet ,41. I still cant quite believe how wonderful the styling makes my designs come to life.The model is stunning.I love the outdoorsy (I know this is incorrect spelling but you know what I mean) I love this set of pictures.

 

Botticelli’s painting of the ‘Birth of  Venus’ .was my inspiration .Venus is also the goddess of love, beauty perfectly apt for a wedding set..

A great introduction to crochet with bead. This flexible pattern can be worked in any yarn type.Make them in the colour of the bridesmaids dresses  as a special momento for them of that special day.
This pattern uses Rico designs Maxi mercerized cotton,magazine available online here and in most supermarkets, and newsagents.

BonBon Necklace pattern link

 

The inspiration for my Bonbon necklace happened when I was shopping in Covent Garden, London. I stumbled upon an old fashioned sweet shop .With.row upon row of beautiful coloured sweets,it reminded me of beautiful balls of yarn. Needless to say I had to buy my favourite lemon bonbons .
The pattern was published in Inside Crochet magazine,(I hope you can believe it but I'm not sure what issue it was in.)I'm now selling the  pattern for £1.00

It uses so little yarn you can use all those scraps yarn we all have .This is a quick and easy pattern that is adaptable.Made smaller beads, thread on a shorter necklace and make bracelets and pile high.You could also made any entire necklace of crocheted beads..If you add more rounds they look wonderful on as baubles on a Christmas tree . The list of possibilities are endless.

Pattern available here

Yarn goodness

I thought Id share a pictures with you of some of my new yarn.A few balls of Rooster yarn. I have never used it before I had a colour palette in my head and this was the range that seemed to have the shades I like. The purple yarn is Debbie bliss's cashmerino aran, I do love this yarn, it is so very soft. I know I should be working with summer yarns but aran weight called to me, I'm sure you know exactly what I mean.For some people its drink ,some love chocolate but for me it is yarn.It really does call me and it restores my soul.

 

I decided to visit Mrs Moon a shop that has been opened for awhile and one I have been longing to visit.

It was a lovely day the sun was shining ,the sky so very blue .The colours in the shop made me feel as though I was in regents park, flower garden enjoying  the beautiful summer blooms.I had such fun swishing and stroking, oohing and ahhing , yarn bought I rounded off the day with steamed sea bass with garlic and ginger, stir fried broccoli and some deliciously soft  jasmine rice. What a joyful, soothing restorative  day.

Pompoms and feta with chilli

 I have been away from blog land for far too long,whilst I have not been posting I have still been lurking, peeking ,reading my friends blogs but just have not found the time to comment. Forgive me. Sometimes I really don't feel I have anything to say.Life simply gets complicated.Time is flying by.
   I have to confess,  I have been very busy designing. Sometimes you simply have to crochet . I have been playing around with my pom pom maker from clover, happily using those odds and ends in my stash.There is something very addictive with making this spheres of colour. I feel like I'm back at primary school decorating my parents Easter cards.

 This morning ,saturday ,I turned on the telly to watch my beloved Nigel slater. That man never fails to get me going. I read his books at night it is my bit of food porn.He is such a wonderfully descriptive writer he makes me salivate. anyway, I just had to make this delicious snack  today

 Hardly a recipe. Chop a few chillies, I leave the seeds in I like spicy food, Fry in some olive oil , add two chopped spring onions, a handful of coriander and the leaves off a sprig of thyme. Fry these lightly then add the feta cheese , to warm through coat with the  spice mix. Next time I will pop some cumin seeds in the oil before i fry the chilli or perhaps some  mustard seeds.All in all Ive had a very relaxing, comforting day.

Serve with crusty rolls .This was so good, very simple ,it soothes the way only warm cheese does but also tingles those tasterbuds .This is something I will be making again.
Making both these things means Ive had a very relaxing, comforting day.

Inside crochet issue 39

Presenting Precious metals ring ,my latest  pattern published in this months Inside crochet.Variety is the spice of life and I am totally in love with exploring different materials  to crochet with .I made these  rings in jewellery wire which is available in such a beautiful array of colours.

Some have swarkoski crystals added in the center, others plain. I have made two sizes for those day when you want to wear a small delicate ring and  larger size(see turquoise one) for those looking for a big statement piece. I love these rings.

Aside from designing I am in the middle of learning to drive.I've booked my theory test and I trying my best to muddle through it. I'm taking driving lessons and feel comfortable behind the wheel .Just make sure you aren't on the roads on Wednesdays  from 12 til 2.

Dishcloth anyone?

I have been watching channel 4s Obsessive Complusive Cleaners series and now all I want is one of those fabulous people to get into my home and help me get a clean ordered house.I have been obsessive about cleaning in the past hoovering up to ten times a day. Cleaning manically day in day out. I cleaned until I slept as I am an insomniac you can imagine how much I cleaned .The slightest mark, or cushion placed a fraction off would drive me insane. To me bleach, carbolic soap,vim, was the sign of a clean home .I loved it when hospital smelt of bleach and disinfectant, we now know it is harmful but back in the day it really did mean your house was clean if it smelt of these.Does anyone else remember???Isn't it strange that all those chemicals are now said to be harmful and yet the incidents of "superbugs,killer bugs" was almost non existent.

The series is wonderful and gives  great insight into this illness.Im hooked and urge you to watch.I m not able to clean as I once did my health prevents it, however I do my best .
I have been making tons of  dishcloths as you can never have enough to clean the house. The centre of this square is from this blog. such a pretty square , I added 5 rows of dc border .1 row of 1tr ,1ch skip 1 and a loop to hook. Now , Im off to find  someone who will clean for  handmade organic dishcloths.

Inside Crochet issue 38

I'm thrilled to bits , my design  called "Concrete Scarf " is on the front cover of this month's  Inside Crochet magazine.I am always amazed how wonderful the styling makes my work  look. I love the close ups it really shows the detail off perfectly.

This scarf was inspired by the contrasts of great splodges of grey concrete in London, with occasional splashes of colour from flower beds – nature and architecture in harmony.

It is made with two balls of wonderfully soft alpaca,from Garnstudio Drops which also happens to be inexpensive and it is just as luxurious as  more expensive brands. I really recommend it.The flowers are made in cotton , they would look  great in any yarn really but I do love the stitch definition that you get with cotton.You can use those odds and ends from your yarn stash.


More of my designs can be viewed on my designer page here .
Magazine is available in most newsagents and most supermarkets, it can also be purchased here.