August Round-up

Summer is always quite a disjointed time for me; the Kid goes away for long periods of time (miss her keenly) and work colleagues are out of the office a lot so I generally spend quite a few hours on my own.

Obviously I have filled my time :) with ...

... crochet ...

Some of the things I have been working on this summer ...

I spent time with some lovely people at the Etsy Craft Party on Jesus Green - really should have brought a coat or jacket with me though, I was freezing by the end of it.  Claireabellemakes blogged about it on her lovely blog.

I'm currently working on something which isn't making me happy mainly because I have realised that I am just not very good at picking out colours. My Mum and sister can do it without even thinking ... me, not so much! Once I've finished it, I'll do a Giveaway ...

 

 ... the Olympics ...

Have just loved watching the Olympics and am very happy the Paralympics are here. I was lucky enough to get to see the Norwegian Women's semi-final match against South Korea which we won. Made me very, very happy ... as it did this man, Camilla Herrem's very proud Dad as snapped by my sister.

 ... trips...

I made a very short, supposedly cheap trip up to Edinburgh with some very funny Crisis friends. We hardly saw any of the Fringe but I laughed so much all weekend. 

... watched ...

I went down to London and sat on these for an evening of lectures where I learnt about microadventures from the amazingly inspirational Alastair Humphreys, the lovelife of a seahorse from Helen Scales, was introduced to the addictive world of The Retronaut where I have fallen in love with a post called TIPS FOR SINGLE WOMEN, 1938

A few days earlier I went to the cinema to watch Ted which, I have to say, is one of the worst films I have ever seen. 

Real life resumes next week so expect more interaction then ...

Wednesday WIP

This is my Wednesday WIP. 

Trying to create a pleasing monkey face ... it's harder than it looks.

Trying to design it ...

Monkey B v1

Monkey B v2

Bunny B

Am creating a little family of animals for a colleague who is going off on maternity leave using this fantastic pattern on Craftzine here. It's by Stephanie Jessica Lau who has a great blog called All About Ami.

I always find it fascinating to see how people come up with their designs and to see who inspires who ... Stephanie was inspired by Cary Bates who has another lovely blog called Lue and Sue.

I've taken a stall at a craft fair in November and am obviously looking at what I can and can't make to sell. I've decided to carry around a little design book to make sure I can prove provenance on all of my own designs - just in case.

This particular pattern was really quick to work up. I predict it will be another go to for baby gifts. I used Patons 100% 4ply Cotton and a 3.5mm hook.

O's Octopus

It's time ... time to unleash my musings on the world.

I will  mainly be showcasing my crochet but will, no doubt, share my attempts to bring up The Kid, my singing efforts and whatever else is pre-occupying my mind. If anyone is reading this, feel free to say hello.

This gorgeous little thing is from a fab pattern by an amazing woman called Yan Schenkel on the  pica-pau blog. Her blog is incredible with lots of tutorials and free patterns.  I really like her work.

The Octopus was really quick to work up & am loving the simplicity of it. I can imagine this will be one of my go-to baby gifts. I made it for the 1yr old daughter of my colleague V. I used Good Fortune Cotton and a 2.5mm hook.