A busy week...

A busy week here at the Cottage...
Lots of writing, scanning, and printing...
My first class last Thursday was just
wonderful...
Thanks to the sweet dears that came along of course...
Grandma Twinkle were made...
and lots of question and answers
and a last minute biscuit, due to going overtime

as we were all having such a lovely experience
we quiet forgot to look at our watches...

This week I have also started on a patchwork crocheted blanket
thanks to the amazing Dottie angel...


Check Dottie Angels blog
HERE...
Or click the gorgeous photo below of
an "ordinarily extraordinary blanket"
by Dottie angel herself...
Lovely eye candy and a must read 'How To'!!!

I adore the lovely mix of colours Tif comes up with...
It makes me want to race to the shops and stock up on
Peachy perfect colours...

Oh how I would love to find a nice Granny knicker pink...

The blanket is made up of the first 5 coloured strips crocheted together as usual.
then the other rows are crocheted to it as you go...
Don't you just love projects that you don't have to spend hours joining together
when you really just want to cozy up and enjoy right away...
Well this project does just that...

So for now I must get back to
my writing and printing of the Grandma Trees,
which will be for this weeks class...

and hopefully I will be back sooner than later with a
unusual deer thrifty find...

Granny Who Wristwarmers

I have called these
'Granny Who Wristwarmers'
after the show "DR WHO"
as while making these I was thinking
how much they reminded me of the Daleks on the show...
They are very warm...
and very comfy too...
Need to finish the other one!!!

Also thank you all so much for "loving" my granny slippers as much as I do...
I will try to keep them listed...
and remember to add your pics to the
Grandma Tutorial group...
I would love to see them...

can you pass me a spare hankie my dear...

Oh my dear friends...
How generous you have all been...
You have opened your hearts and shared
moments that I know have been very emotional for you all...
Reading through the amazing comments I was finding
so many similarities with my own Grandma experiences...

And the memories that for some are not so
vivid or clear...
I have found that you are the ones that are making
changes in yourself
to make some special granny moments for
your own children and grandchildren...

I think sometimes my desire in all this granny goodness
is not only to remember the past
but to insure that it is passed on to my children...
To make their memories as beautiful as mine...

Deciding on a winner was extremely hard
for I do believe that every comment was conveying something personal...
But as I read through,
one in particular stood out...
For I do believe the even trying to read this comment to the end,
even on the third occasion to my husband,
I still found I couldn't do it without a hankie in hand...
Ok lets be honest...Bursting into tears...

Lola Nova...
Congratulations...
and for all my dears here is Lola's comment..
If you get through it without a hint of a sniffle...I will be amazed...


When I was young, I was rich in grannies. I had three.
So it is hard to think of just one granny moment. All of them were fantastic bakers.
Each had their own specialty. My most granny moments are when I bake.
Cookies: I think of Harriet.
Pies: my granny Midge.
Bread: grandma Alta.

When I was 8, I was dying to have my ears pierced.
I had begged my father for a year and he finally relented.
There was no one to take me and I thought it was the end of the world.
Then my grandma Midge volunteered,
she took me to a fancy department store where I suddenly lost my nerve.
She then sat herself on the stool and said, "I'm getting mine done."
Mind you she was well in her 60s and had never pierced her ears.
She smiled through the whole thing and said it was no big deal.
Up I went and had it done.
I was so inspired by my granny, that she would do this for me.
She told me years later that she was terrified
and had wanted to yell and cry because it hurt like the dickens but,
she couldn't let me see.

In my late teens, I had gone for a visit to see my grandma Alta.
I had gone outside to sneak a smoke and a beer and she caught me.
I thought she would give me such a tongue lashing.
Instead, she took a beer, asked for a smoke and said, "Don't tell grandpa."
We then sat in the dark listening to the crickets.
We talked a long time...about life I guess.
It remains one of the most meaningful conversations I have ever had.

Near the end, my grandmother Harriet "lost her marbles",
she forgot who we were,
she didn't know where she was and didn't know what year it was.
This was interrupted by occasional spells of lucidity.
During one of these, I found myself in
an incredibly profound conversation with her about dying.
She told me she was ready and that she had been lucky in this life.
She then asked me to sing to her,
"Will you sing me to sleep? I'm going to see my mama soon."
I wrapped my arms around her impossibly tiny body,
I held her like a babe in my arms (like she once held me).
I rocked her gently and sang old lullabies softly until she fell asleep.
It was the last lucid moment she would have...
a few days later she was gone
and I can not tell you how grateful I was to have that moment with her.

Sorry, didn't mean it to be so long.

Oh Lola...
What can I say...
Thank you!!!
From the bottom of my heart...

Granny Slippers...

Granny Slippers...

My granny slippers
are cozy and warm,
They keep my soles
from getting old and worn.
I wear them all day
to put them to the test,
down to the shops
I do not jest.
There been in the wash
and the dryer too,
pulling them out
they look brand new.
How can this be
are they just well made,
Or something quite extraordinary
in a granny sort of way.
What ever it is
I'm one not to quiver,
For these granny slippers
more than deliver...

PDF out soon...
The pattern will have a range of sizes...
From kids, women's, and men's...
and of course I will love to give away a free PDF to one my dears...
So leave a comment...
and I would love to hear about what
your favorite granny moment is...
It could be something that you did with your grandma...
Or maybe something that you did that reminded you
of begin a very granny moment...
I would love to hear your thoughts...


So thinking caps on
and this time instead of picking a winner
in one of my granny bowls...
I will be reading all your comments
trying really hard to not get too emotional...well maybe a little...
and let everyone know in a couple of days...
Till then...
Keep up the granny goodness...
Edit:
Entries have now closed...
I will be posting the winner...With hankie in hand...
Very soon...
Thank you my dears
for sharing some very special granny moments with me...

All Swirly...

My it's rather brisk here at the moment...
Starting to rad the
winter pile of clothes...
Found my wristwarmers...
and lucky me
now have a cute short sleeve cardigan
from mum and dad...
The rest is pretty much thrifty finds...

I am making a swirly scarf as I think it would be a great project
for my crochet class...
Nice, easy...
can't really go wrong...
I am using 2 strands of yarn...
One acrylic
and one a bit finer and slightly fuzzy...
Crochet hook size 5.5mm
but I think a number 6mm could have been better?...
If anyone wants the pattern...
Check it out below...
But there are lots of swirly scarf patterns online...


5.5mm hook...2 strands of yarn...

Chain 190...
3 chain(first tr(dc)), tr(dc) in next and all chains to end.
Turn.
3 ch(first tr(dc)), 1 tr into same stitch,2 tr(dc) in next and all to end...
Turn.
3 ch(first tr(dc)) 1 tr into same stitch, *1 tr(dc)in next, 2 tr(dc)in next*.
* * Repeat pattern to end.
Turn.
3 ch(first tr(dc)) 1 tr into same stitch,
*1 tr(dc)in next, 1 tr(dc) in next, 2 tr(dc)* Repeat to end.
Trim and sew in ends...

If using only one strand of yarn.
Use a 3.5mm hook...and make about 220 ch to start project
or more if wanting it longer...

I hope this is easy to understand
as I have just thrown it together...
But it really is just a matter of starting out with a plain row then increasing...

Edit... Some pictures of the swirly scarf finished...

Inspiring Color

Inspiring Color Originally uploaded by Loving The Vintag
I thought I would share some inspiring images via Flickr...
I love the colours in these amazing images.
and even more so putting them together to make almost a story...



I imagine this beautiful vision...
almost running out of time,
happily lost in a world living in the past...
and not wanting to return to the future...
A time of simple beauty, smelling of loveliness
and the comfort of life as it should be...

I hope your week is just as beautiful as these images...

Winners...

Yes indeed I have two winners...
You see, as I draw out a sweetie
I hadn't taken into account that I had one comment removed from the author...
So 90 numbers went into my good luck bowl...
and number 67 came out...
It wasn't till I looked through my comments that I realized my mistake...
So to be fair
I though that the comment that would have been the original number 67
and the now 67 (due to comment begin removed)
shouldn't miss out...
If you get my drift...

So Congratulations to...
Anita
and
Baa Me Kniits

I will be sending
you your
Grandma Love Cushion PDF...

Thank you all so much for the amazing comments
I have loved reading through them all...
And the pattern will be listed in Etsy soon...

Giveaway Grandma Love Cushion PDF

Oh my dears I can hear the squeals of delight...
Yes I can't believe that I have finished it...
and
will be in my etsy shop very very soon...
So for a giveaway
to celebrate...
Just leave a comment
and I will draw out a lucky sweetie...
I will be only leaving this open for a few days
as I am keen to list it for all
that have waited very patiently
for so long...

This pattern is for a intermediate to advanced crochet...
In English crochet term...
There are lots of pretty pictures but this is not a
step by step tutorial...
The pattern I do think is nice and clear to understand...
and spaced out nicely over 7 pages...


Regards my dears...
Edit...
Thank you all my very sweet dears...
The giveaway is now closed
and I will drawing a winner very soon...
Good luck to all!!!

Warming the heart and tummy...

When it starts to get cool
I love nothing better than cooking...
And eating...
Today I had the fuel stove stoked up
and a pot of pea and ham soup bubbling away...
Just a perfect lunch...

Oh not forgeting some chocolate sponge rolls for
an after snack...
and a little light reading...

I also had an interview today for a story in one of the local papers...
Yeah...
Spreading the hooky love...

Speaking of Hooks...
Do my lovelies know of a online shop to bulk buy crochet hooks?
I need size 3.5mm
and do prefer metal
but candy bright are ok as well...
And I need them to accept paypal...
Big ask I know
but if anyone has any suggestions they will be much appreciated...

So back to the stove I go...
Just to warm the hands...
then a bit of pattern writing for my classes...

I have had some sweeties ring already...
Eeeekkkk...

Window Display...

Thanks to the lovelies at the Scone newsagent
for allowing me to have such an amazing display
to launch the June issue of Notebook...
They were very sweet and helped me put it all together...
I will be promoting my crochet classes that I will be teaching mid June...

And while I will say I am very nervous...
It is also very exciting
to meet some more dears with a passion for
the hook and yarn...
and enjoy a chat and a tea and biscuit or two...

A huge thank you for all the comments
and sweet e-mails I have been receiving about the issue...

I now believe that if you put the time and love into what you do
and try really hard to be true in what you are passionate about
you can really make your dreams come true...

Well that and a lot of luck, sweet dears
and plenty of
Tea and Biscuits!!!

Notebook is out!!!

Hello my dears...
It's out!!!
Notebook June issue...
EDIT: Sneak Peek Here
There is my crocheted pretties on the front cover...
and oh the lovely pictures inside...

I am still a bit in shock at the moment...
It's all very surreal...
and can't quiet believe it has all happened.
But I know that it has all been because of you
my sweet Granny loving readers...

It is times like this thou that I do miss telling the one person that made it all happen.
The loving, supportive treasure that taught me so much...
For without her patience and guidance from such an early age this would
never have come about...
Grandma these crocheted flowers are for you...
I miss you all the time.
and know that you are always with me even when I can't see or hear you.
You are there making sure I am alright
and pushing me to do my best...

And there still is some more sweeties that
have helped me and been there for me in "blogland"...

So a lovely bunch for you too...

Cam
Liz
Jodie
Tif
Luce
Linda
Bethel

Thank you my dears!!!

And the speed I am crocheting at the moment
I may have some bunches left...
They go to you
the many, many dears that leave comments
and pop in very post and say lovely words of encouragement...

Hoping your week if full of
Granny goodness...

Tea and Biscuits.

Tea and Biscuits.

Does grandma love biscuits more than her tea?
I ponder this thought, and then it occurred to me.
If she loves biscuits more than her tea,
could she in fact, love them more than me?

The crunchy topping, the creamy inside,
a chocolaty taste you can’t deny.
Heaven in a moment some would say,
or pretty close to it in a round about way.

Begin compared to a biscuit, isn’t that bad.
At least if it’s a good one, and not some cheap nasty brand.
Individually wrapped and sealed with love,
not tasting all lumpy like a clump of mud.

So as I weigh up the pluses and minus of sorts,
I came to the conclusion, after much thought.
She couldn’t possibly love biscuits more than me,
as she gave me the last one at afternoon tea.


My grandma loved Delta Cream biscuits.
Many a special moment was shared over a cup of tea and a few.
So here are my crocheted versions...
I really had to make them...
To add to my little shop display...
As I don't think the real deal would have worked...
I think they could have been eaten up very quickly if left out...
I don't think it is quite crossing over to the world of begin to twee...
as I see it more a little prop extra...and not total Nanna crazy...
I do hope you all like them...
I could have just found my new favorite crocheting pastime...
Seeing as though I really need to buy a few packets to make sure I making them look authentic...

Happy Day...

I hope all the Mum's and Grandma's
had a lovely Mother's Day on Sunday...

My day was just sweet!!!
A lovely breakfast...
Some very special handmade cards.
and some bright and cheery flowers.
What more could a mum ask for....
Hmmmmm...
well a few spare hours to crochet of course...
So I had that too...

I will be spending all my spare hours crocheting
and printing up flyer's and projects etc,
as the news agency in the town where I will be holding classes
are allowing me to do a whole crocheting display in there window
when the magazine comes out...
I am so nervous...
and so excited...
can you tell!!!

So till next update...I do hope that you are all
having loads of fun crocheting what ever you can get your hands on...
and decorating your life with some Granny goodness...

P.S...Happy B'day to someone special...

Crochet star garland

Crochet star garland
Originally uploaded by knitalatte1

I love
seeing so many lovelies
in the
Grandma Flickr group
so much granny goodness...
and so many beautiful ideas.
Thanks to Knitalette
for uploading such
a gorgeous Grandma Twinkle garland...


I also have had a few requests coming in about the
Grandma's Garden PDF in my etsy shop.
The listings have been selling rather fast...
and I will try to re-list as soon as I can...
and do hope you check back to grab one....
I love seeing these pics in the flickr group too...

and thank you all for the lovely blog posts that I have been seeing,
full of granny goodness, great ideas and amazing colours...
If you have put up a post I would love to hear from you...
and please give me a reminded if you have e-mailed me in the past
and I missed you in the kaos of late...

The count down is on for the magazine to come out...
and I am getting rather weak in the knees... ohhhhhhh...
hang on it seems to be spreading to my hands
and now I need to wipe my glasses as they seem to be getting all foggy of late...
Maybe a potter around the garden might help...
But then again a pot of tea and maybe a nanna nap would be
just as nice...

Hang on!!!I know what it is!!!

That's just the granny goodness in me coming out....lol...

The Amazing Cecilia Murgel

These delightful drawing are by the amazing Cecilia Murgel...
I am quite honoured that she choose my flickr photo's
to inspire her...
and so lucky to have "meet" her on flickr...

her drawing are so colourful and bright
and Cecilia finishes these with absolute speed
it makes me spin with delight...

Cecilia does her drawing on moleskin notebooks
and at this stage doesn't sell her work online...
A real shame for all of us...
As I know that her work would sell out on etsy...
Don't you agree...

The detail of the fabrics...
The socks...cute!!!
and the layout she sets are just so well "tres" beautiful...
everything about them I love!!!
I think the thing I like the most thou is that these
and all of Cecilia's drawings
really could be works of art for anyone to appreciate
and would look wonderful framed hanging up
in any home...

Please take a look at the work Cecilia has on her Flickr photostream...
or click on one of the pictures above to go straight there...
I am sure you will be amazed!!!

And I am certain she would love to read your comments...
You can even spot some drawing that Cecilia
has made of someone
that we all know to be " Just Dottie"...

Hoping that your week will be just as colourful and bright...
Regards my dears...

Twinkle in the Sunlight

Twinkle in the Sunlight
Originally uploaded by teacuplane-sandy

I just adore what
Teacuplane Sandy
has done with her
Grandma Twinkles...


They are just an amazing colour...
and have little buttons sewn on to the centers...
How cheery is that!!!
Just looking at this lovely
picture makes me want to crochet some more...
Oh how I love a twinkle...

If you too have some pretty pics of your
Grandma Twinkle Projects,
don't forget to add them to the flickr group...
The more Twinkles the merrier...

Well that's just Sweet!!!

My Dears...

Shall we get comfy...

Perhaps a cup of tea and chocolate biscuit,
or a hot Milo and a few marshmallows,
maybe a can of coke and a cigarette...(well I'm not here to judge)

have we our knee high stripy socks pulled up,
and mary-janes polished...
or maybe a super soft pair of Homy Peds
and knitted socks are more your thing...

Is your granny scarf tied tight
and your glasses nice and rosie...

Then hitch up your granny knickers and
re-align your slip
and we shall start the exciting whirl wind news...

We will need to go back some months earlier,
around the time of moving into River cottage...
I remember all too well the no-internetitus
I had been suffering from and was certain that I had
missed far too much to cope with...

but then fate showed me it's caring ways
the net was working and so was my e-mail...
And just in the nick of time
as there in my in-box was a most amazing request...

Notebook Magazine

wanted me to be in there June issue...
Yes I can't believe it either...
I even was silly enough to question them on the very subject...

"Ummmm ME... are you sure...really....
are you really quite sure you haven't go me mixed up with Someone else,
Someone that has talent and grace and doesn't show there slip in public...
Someone that does there make-up and hair every morning...
Someone that has all there clothes washed and ironed
so they can just pick straight out of there wardrobe
the right colour co-ordinated ensemble to wear,
Someone that is so organized that there children are never late for school,
Someone that isn't obsessed with granny goodness to the point of no return...
and still cuts there sandwiches in little triangles
just like her grandma did for her when she was little...
and really are you quiet sure you are wanting
the crocheter that has her rose coloured glasses on
and forgets to take them off,causing great kaos in thrifty shops
and garage sales...
You do ...well that's just sweet!!!"

I am now ever grateful to Notebook for having great faith in me
and my Granny loving ways...

So here I am dear friends,
some months later...
In total disarray
and crocheting so fast my hand will not even keep up...
so excited I think I will just burst...

So the next few weeks I will be making and packaging up some
Grandma Goodness to place in my little etsy shop...
and crossing fingers that you all like the
very first magazine article I am in and the
gorgeous pictures that the lovely stylist and photographer organized...

There will be a couple of crocheted Grandma Projects for you to make
and even a garland that I haven't showed you all yet...

So as the count down begins
thank you all,
for I do love that you have all been there for me
and followed my projects and left sweet comments...
That is the reason I have made it so far...

You my dear...

grandma's garden cushion by Kabeltrui!

grandma's garden cushion!
Originally uploaded by kabeltrui

I love seeing so many creative ladies out there....
And this sweetie is no exception...


I am still in amazement that my design is begin made all over the world...
Kabeltrui hails all the way from the Netherlands...
and after purchasing my PDF pattern has whipped up a
Grandma's Garden Cushion all of her own...
Thank you my dear for adding it to the flickr group for all to see...
and I think it is just lovely...great colours...stunning crocheting...
you have made me smile so much...Thank you...

If you are looking for a project do try out the pattern,and I would love to see it in the flickr group or drop me a line with a pic...So I can share it for everyone to see...

A whirl wind is coming...

Making pretty labels this week...
It's all about the packaging and so much more...
For you see dear friend I have something to tell...
Very soon, that is...I can tease at times!!!
But for now let me reassure you I have been very busy crocheting
as fast as my little hands can...
and will be adding much, much more stock to my shop...
For I feel the need to take that scary step forward...
to make what I do that bit more professional...
I know you are all there with me holding my hand...
And that is a great comfort...

So starting sometime in May...
I will reveal all
and hopefully I can cope with the excitement till then...
Taking things to a new level is something that has been hard to do...
You see I have always set myself a "level" in my head...
The one where I usual think Hmmmm
this isn't quiet good enough...
and then I run!!!
I know it's strange but it's just the way it is...
But I do know that this is different,
you see I have reached that level and now
overtaken it...
and jumping higher than I thought I ever could...
And it is all thanks to you...
It may sound silly but it's very true...
For you my dears are there with me
pushing me every step of the way...
I often wonder if I would have stretched myself
like this if I hadn't started a blog...

The answer to that is unknown,but it is probably true
to say that I think not...
You see I look forward to creating my projects and taking my pics
for all, it gives me purpose and for that I know I am thankful...

So hold on to your knee high socks
and granny knickers as a whirl wind is on it's way...

Grandma's Loopy...Love

Grandma's Loopy...Love
PDF is now in the shop...
Congrats to two winners
For their help with the names...
Miss Muggins
and
Victoria...
A pdf is coming your way...
I decided to add the Love to the end of the name
if another pattern in chains pop's into my head I can
just add another ending...

I would love to see any finished projects
so please pop them into the flickr group

Apart from all the Grandma Loopyness going on in my home..
I have started another project for "my shadow"...
It was a pattern I found at a garage sale...
And I know he is over the moon about it...
For you see "my shadow" is like most 13 year old boys
and loves all things American...
America for him means...movies, games, y-tube
and well "cool"...
So a flag blanket it is...
to give him creative dreams and warm his toes
on what I think will be a chilly winter ahead...

So for now form me
I am back to the hook and yarn
and will see you all my dears very soon...

Grandma hmmmmm

Hmmmmm
I need some help with this new project...
Can you help?
I need a name...
Something Grandma...
Something just lovely...
If you have a fab idea please leave a comment...
and go into my draw to win a copy of what will be my next PDF...
That's right I will be adding this pdf pattern to my shop
later in the week...
Just some writing to finish,
and of course a name...

I love the fact that this "paper chain"
is just so versatile...


It could be used as a garland...

Maybe a scarf...

Or necklace...

and something just plain PRETTY
to decorate the house...

So looking forward to hearing from you all...
and will be announcing a winner by mid week...
Good luck my dears...
EDIT: A name has been picked!!!
Thank you all for your lovely creative ideas...
I do believe there could be a first and second thou...
Will let everyone know on my next post...

Grandma All Square Tutorial

Grandma All Square...

This tutorial is using a favorite of mine
The Grandma All Round pattern...
I have used the first 3 rounds and added 2 rows
as a boarder to make it into a square...
It is a perfect way to use as many scraps of wool you have
and I haven't really thought about following any colour combo
apart from the white boarder...
Do try to buy your boarder wool in one go though
as I was stuck with a wrong dye lot which was totally out of whack
with the one I had and only managed to get back to the shop
and find 2 balls that were the same...
I will remember this in future!!!

Here is the Tutorial...

8 ply
and size 3.5 hook...
English crochet terms used throughout,
America abbreviations are in brackets...

Starting round 1...

I have taken a few extra shots for this colour change
just to help those of you who are new to it...

Starting round 2...

Starting round 3...

Starting round 4...

Starting round 5...

Now that your first motif is finished...
All the other motifs will be added as you go to this and others...
I have taken pictures of the joining process below...
and will try to explain as I go...

Below is the first picture showing joining a motif to two sides...
You motifs will be joined either to one side or two sides
depending on where the placement is...
but these pictures should give you the general idea...

You will start your last row as normal until you get to the second corner...
Instead of doing 3 chain...
you will do 1 chain, 1 dc(sc) into the corner on the motif you are attaching to
1 chain...and continue on with you 3 trebles(dc) as normal...

You will not do the next 1 chain
but 1 dc(sc) in the next space of your attaching motif...

Continue with you 3 trebles(dc) in next "normal "space...
and miss the 1 chain...and 1 dc(sc) in next attaching motif space...

Continue in this way till the next corner...
do the 3 trebles(dc) into the "normal"space...
miss the 3 chain and 1 chain, 1 dc(sc) in attaching corner,1 chain instead...
and continue finishing the 3 trebles(dc) as normal...

I do hope the pictures are helping!!!

Continue in this way...

Attach last corner the same as the others above...

As you finish the attaching follow the pattern as normal...
Now including the 1 chain in between...

Join to end with a slip stitch...
Cut and sew in ends...

Now you have the making of your Grandma All Square rug...
A work in progress for many a quiet night...

If you are feeling like sharing please add your pictures to the flickr group...
Or drop me a line with you post details etc...
And remember my tutorial are free to use as you like...
and that included selling your finished items...
I can only imagine what you can come up with using this pattern...
Grandma pillow, throws, scarfs and ha even curtains...
Happy crocheting my dears...