Grandma Twinkle Tutorial

Grandma Twinkle
watching so near,
you are my treasure
my comforting dear...
I miss you at Christmas
most of all,
but that's when your light
shines brightest of all...

As I can imagine

there would be a lot of tutorials
and ways of making
Christmas Stars...
This is just the way I do mine

There is a edit at the end of the tutorial with a link...
I use 8 ply wool and 3.5 crochet hook
Standard Australian terms used...
Conversion for our American
friends in brackets...(...)...

First round finished...

Second round finished...
Edit for next round HERE...
If your tension is not right you may find this helps...

Third round finished...
Too easy...

Don't for get to see the edit on the 3 round...

Congratulations
You did it...
Make a pile and hang them on you tree...
Or do a garland by
Chaining a length about 30cm long
and attach a star by Slip stitching into the top of a point
or DC (SC)...
A few more chain
and attach another...
when all attached do another 30cm of chain and tie of...
String them up for a more Granny Christmas!!!

Update... Grandma Dear and a few more

Grandma Dear...
And quite a few others...
Are now in my etsy shop...
Sorry for the short post everyone but
I think my crocheting hands need a rest...
Well for tonight...
xxx

Grandma ...

I have thought of a name
but I will not jinx myself until it is finished...

This new cushion is made from the supersoft yarn
I adore
but a new colour called musk that has,
I think just come out as I haven't seen it before...
I was going for a more delicate look
with this one and I think it is working...
It will be about 40cm when finished...
And I have to start the back yet...
That's the part I don't look forward to...
I am always wanting it finished and find that the fun is in making the
pretty front not the boring back...
I might have an opening so the insert can be taken out
with this one...
I will see how I go...

My shop update was to be very soon but
the constant rain has left it impossible
to take any pics...
But it is great for the yard...
and for the water tanks so that is a good thing...

Hoping you are having a great crafting week...

Grandma Ruffle

Introducing my latest cushion

GRANDMA RUFFLE..


I really should have taken this shot holding a broom or mop
or maybe even a vacuum cleaner...
As none of these jobs were started while I was
preoccupied with this gem...
And what a gigantic task this was...
But I am more than chuffed with the result...


Trying to take a pic thou was tad of a dilemma...
I wandered aimlessly through the house
trying to locate a item
any item that would...
One-look good and Two-be the perfect colour...
I had almost given up until
I stumbled upon a very old
and half string less guitar that the kids
had been mucking around with...
I do recall picking it up a few years back at a garage sale
and yeah! it fitted the criteria...


When all set and ready with camera perched on a chair and
hitching up my sagging behind
I waited...
You see although I had thought of everything
I could possible think of
I did forget one detail...
The weather!!!
You see it was in fact a glorious day here at the cottage...
Too clear and glorious I might add...
You see
Mr Vintage is now so shiny that when the sun shines
upon him he "bling's"
Not a subtle "bling" either
a very glary can't see a hand in front of my face "bling"
So I had to wait and wait and when I had almost
decided that today might not be the right day
to take a photo of the most
Wondrous "Grandma Ruffle...
It happened...
A big fluffy cloud strolled over from nowhere
and "click"...


I will be updating my etsy shop with this and more
in about a week...
I hope everyone has a lovely weekend
filled with sunshine
and the occasional white fluffy cloud...

Must Have Etsy Find

While "surfing" the etsy highway...
I stumbled across a most impressive sight...
The most gorgeous cushions...
Not only in my absolute favorite colour...
But also with another "must have" of mine...A Crown...
This etsy seller is truly talented...
I have whipped one out of her shop and will
anxious wait till is sails the seas from England to my little
home here in the country...
And for those who like a tad subdued colour palette
then you are catered for as well...
Just take a look at the cool tones on these below...
And there is so much more to look at...
But I will not "nick" all her pics...
So click on the link below or on the pics themselves
to go straight to her etsy shop...
And if I forgot to mention one other wonderful thing...
They have a great price tag as well...
So hop, skip and jump over and nab a bargain...

Helkatdesign's can be found here...

Prioritize

While one of many, many loads of
washing was waiting not so patiently to be hung out...
I was all consumed in something more pressing...
Finishing something that I feel I have worked on and unraveled
way too many times...
But like a shower of rain it all fell into place...
Later than sooner I might add...
and now I just need to get it done...
and the washing, bed making,toilet scrubbing,
dog walking, laminate wiping
and well nearly everything
else just has to wait...
But off course I can stop to blog about it...
Yep get those priorities right...

Cozy Weather

Rather wet today...
which was just lovely...
The ground here at the moment had dried out so much
with all the wind we have been having lately...
Now hopefully a few nice days of rain will set things back on track...

And it gives me a great chance to light the fire again...
and have yet enough great excuse to sit on my "butt"
and crochet till my hearts content...
Hope the weather is just as cozy at your place!!!

EDIT...the "Apron of the Utmost"
Pictured above...
Care of the lovely Tif....

Cushion as a Hat Fancy That

My cushion works as a hat...Fancy that!!!

with a bit of redesigning...
It worked out a tad small and only really fits
"Little Miss"
and she isn't fond of wearing hats...
But she obliged for the pic...

It is a bit of a statement piece and I am not sure
if it is every ones "cup of tea"...
But it was fun to make...
I am going to do another one and make it bigger...
and will see how it goes...

Finished some more Grandma Bunting...
And is in the shop if you
check out my side bar for my Etsy Shop...

And went for a lovely walk with my husband
through the river bed...
There is very little water in it at the moment...
so it was a good chance to take a look...
Heavy duty boots on thou...
The snakes are out!!!
eeekkkk...

It Must Be Spring

It must be spring
because
I am attempting to grow things...
I love beautiful gardens...
Large vegie patches...
and rows of pretty flowers...
But alas when it comes to growing these things...
I nearly always manage to
kill them...
But every spring I can't help myself...
I race off to the nursery
and buy bags of potting mix
and try again...
I thought I would try to keep it small
this time...
Less to kill I'm thinking...And if I am lucky this year
and in a month or so they are all still healthy
I will transplant them out...
as I am sure
that they will not have enough room to grow...properly...

So here is my mixed bunch
Basil
Strawberries
Coriander
Sage
Lemon Thyme
English Chamomile
Capsicum( I know this last one is a bit odd)
But I think capsicums are hardy...

Will let you know how they go...Or not!!!

Autumn Colours in Spring

I love these Autumn colours
and have been in crochet overload to try and get this one finished...
Wheat, Rusty and Forest...yum!!!
I managed to pick a few climbing roses for the pic
but most have blown away in the
dust storm we had again yesterday...
It feels like Autumn here even thou it is meant to be Spring...
I have even had to start the fire again...
So dusty inside and out!!!

I am very over the wind and staying inside
for the school holidays...
Kids inside for too long is not a great mix...
Little Miss and I had a game of "Master Chef"
The idea I am told is to get out some "cookbooks"
and play food and utensils and "cook up"
something very interesting...
I think my favorite was Blueberry Mixed Pie Surprise
and Carrot and Onion Boiled up Stew...mmm
Got to love how TV programs influence even the youngest viewers...

Grandma Winter

This is a new range I am calling
Grandma Winter Wear...
Even though we are coming into summer
our northern friends are approaching winter...
So a bit of cozy winter wear will help them out...

Grandma Winter loves nothing better than
cozy kitchens
baked dinners
and chocolate pudding for dessert...
She spends her chilly season
crocheting by the open fire
snuggling under rugs
and reading romantic novels...
And of course she is adorn from top to toe
in
Grandma Winter Wear...
Or so I hope...
Will be in my shop soon...

Grandma Bunting

With thoughts of summer in the air
my mind started to wonder...
Firstly to the scary reality that one might have to wear swimmers...
Then my thoughts turned to crocheted bikinis...
Then to summer days and caravan parties...
Then to a resent drawing I did of caravans

with bunting strung up between them...
Then POW!!!
It came to me...
Grandma Bunting...

I know that at times I can crochet fast...
But my head with the idea of this was spinning
faster than my hands would work...
I hope you all love the result as much as me...
And hopefully I will have some more made so I can
put some in the shop...

I have a big weekend thou with a Rodeo on
and lots of people and more than enough to do
so they might have to wait until after the long weekend...

Which leaves me not much time to do anything
with my new "friend" Roma either...
If you haven't meet her yet
you can visit her on
Loving The Vintage...

I hope everyone has a safe and happy October long weekend!!!
With lots of relaxing, holidaying and seeing family and friends...

Wedding Toppers Sets

While I have been very busy crocheting
and hopefully adding to my shop...Slowly...


I have also finished off a few wedding toppers
for my sisters business
You can find her here...
I love this cake it is just so perfect!!!



Or you can buy these sweet little birds here in her ETSY SHOP...
They fly out the window...
And she mails them all over the world,
so no worries to overseas buyers...
I think they would look sweet on any cake
and they come in lots of colours...

Hope everyone is having a great crafty week...

Nick and Sophia get in on the action

If I would have planned this shot it would never have happened...
Nick the rooster and one of the Sophia's
decided that it was about time that they got in on the action
instead of Mr Vintage getting all the fame...
They are a very "flighty" breed of bantam chook
and escape their yard every chance they get...
Every night I run around the backyard trying to round them up...
I usually end up screaming at them
"If you don't get in the fox will get you, and that wont be much fun, now will it"
But begin a bird of little brain
I have to re tell them this every night...
"Silly Things"...

Now while some may have be thinking that I have gone and
given up the "hooking"
Don't fear...
I was just having a little rest
Honest!!!
Well ok maybe I was just a tad slack...
But I am back...so...
If you are looking for a Grandma Love cushion I have just listed this
one on etsy...

Caravan Collection

I'm thinking it's easier to sit, relax and sketch them
than it is to clean them!!!
You can see another sketch I did here...
If you like...

Crocheted Bikini

While most have seen my attempt of the crocheted bikini's...
I did want to share the photo
of my sister, grandma and me
wearing the original ones
our grandma made us...
I thought I had long lost this photo
but out of the depths I came across it...
And so glad I did...
How cute!!!

I will need to try this pattern again at some stage...
There is a "womans" size in it too...
Hmmm that could be interesting, to say the least...

On the home front...
Not much crafting as I have had way too much other stuff going on...
Which is good
but consists of boring business stuff...
But this all leads to a good outcome I am hoping...

I have also bought a overlocker...
and now know the joy of trying to thread them...lol...
I would love to know though how do you do that
really, really close rolled-narrow hem...
It is a Janome and it does have a setting for these two styles
but it still isn't close enough together...
as in I can still see the material underneath
instead of just a band of thread so to speak...
any ideas would be great...

I have no idea what to make at the moment
which is really annoying
but it has made me tidy up the sewing room
so I now can see the floor
and my materials are very neat and tidy...

Maybe that's why I have sewers block...
I need a messy room to get the inspiration...

Well at least I have had plenty of time to catch up on
what everyone else is up to...
Loving all the crafty goodness on your blogs!!!

A Square thats not a Square

When is a square not a square?
Hmmmmm...
When it's a Granny Circle!!!

I have spent the last two nights
working on this and undoing this...
I am pretty happy and will only change one thing on my next one...
Which is why I am glad that I did it in colours I like...
Yes another one for me!!!
I basically tried to do a Granny Square and make it circular...
And now all I have to do is write it down because I am sure to forget
exactly what I did...

I hope your weekend is as sunny as what it is here...

Good Backdrop

New in my etsy shop...
I think Mr Vintage is worried that I am spoiling his limelight...
But he does make for a good backdrop...
Hoping everyone will have a great crafty weekend!!!
Edit : This cushion as been sold...
Thankyou too my wonderful etsy buyer...

Spontaneous

On Monday...
After "My Shadow" finished school
(yes we are trying the whole school thing again)
hopefully this time he will be more settled...
We up and through caution to the wind
and packed what we could grab in 15 min's flat...
and just headed out on the road...

Lucky for me I remembered the "Kodak"
and thought I would get in a bit of practice before
upgrading to a bigger and better camera...

I did manage to pack the "hook and wool"
but found for once I really didn't have time to do any...

I was having to much fun just begin spontaneous
(I think that's what it's called)
It's been a while...

So now that we are back I have spent the day in the yard
Mowing and clearing and pruning...
And feel like a new motivated person...
So a big Yah!!! to short breaks...
Well worth putting up with the chorus from the back seat
"Are we there yet" ...

More Granny Chic Love

Roll on the

Granny Chic Festivals...
To check out more great blogs
with lots of new ideas and crafty makers
see these great
places...

EMMA
SFGIRLBYBAY
WOOD AND WOOL STOOL
GRANNY CHIC FLICKR GROUP

And I have just listed this cushion in my etsy shop
in a colour combo that
the fabulous CAM suggested...
Thanks cam it worked out so well...

Hopefully I will have another one made by the end of next week...
Well only if those elves lend a hand...

The Most Amazing Post Ever

The most amazing post every...

Well OK I am begin bias...
The fabulous Tif is having a "Festival of Granny Love" series
and here I am
In Part Two...

The images are courtesy of the lovely Tif herself
and as you can see one of my
"Grandma Love" cushions
has found a perfect home in American

I first found and fell in love with her
Airstream (Glady's)
then not long after fell for her fresh and witty stories
and great eye for fabulous shots...

If one could have a crush well I'm guilty as charged...
Who wouldn't want to live in the world of "Dottieangel"
Were granny love reins supreme...
Chickens are more than egg producing fowl...
And even mice extermination sounds like fun...

***
If ever I find that perfect seaside cottage
were "Dottie" will be hanging out
I will be sure to pop in for a cup of tea
(remembering to bring my own freshly baked cake)
and while away the hours perfecting granny squares,
picking fresh flowers, laundering vintage linen,
and deciding what shade of blue to dye our greying hair...
***

You can see her amazing pictures
on her Flickr Photo stream HERE...
Or visit her Etsy Shop HERE...
to find the most pretty aprons one could want...

Thanks Tif you are a inspiration...

Obsessed with Burgundy and Blue

I have managed to finish two
"Grandma Love" cushions
for myself...
and I love these colours...
I think when I find things in these colours I go all weak and just
have to have it...
I try really hard not to look on etsy by colours as a result...
My bank balance would surly be in a dismal state if I did...
Lately I have been trying to make these cushions in other colours as
I am sure not everyone is so totally
obsessed with Burgundy and Blue...

So here is a question...
What's your favorite colour...
What colour combo's make you go all weak at the knees?

And on the home front
I do hope the August winds that are in full force here
are not sending you flying...

But instead at least getting the clothes dry...