Tis the Season...More granny goodness

IMG_7401
Originally uploaded by MadebyKatie

These gorgeous
grandma twinkle
was made by Katie
using Jute...

Most clever indeed...

I can only imagine how hard
this would be on the hands
but I really think
it would be worth it...

I lot of decorations I have seen
in the pretty shops have used
natural materials this year...and red is BIG!!!
this would sit perfectly with any "store bought" decoration...

I do think I need to give this a go myself...
And maybe make up some hessian and linen
material ones to go with them...

What do you think?

Are the decorations in your town like this this year...

Or maybe they are a certain colour theme...

I would love to know what Christmas inspiration you have...

Granny-tastic stars

Granny-tastic stars
Originally uploaded by My Creative Haven

Tis the season!!!

Thank you "My Creative Heaven"
for getting into the festive spirit
with these Granny-tastic stars...

Love the rainbow effect of colours...

If you too have been very busy
with some granny twinkles
be sure to add to our
group...

Keep up the granny goodness...

Vintage Goodness...A thrifty Find...

Vintage Goodness..A Thrifty Find...

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I love finding amazing crocheted blankets at the thrift shop...
This was no exception...

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It is a huge blanket made with care and in amazing condition...even smells nice...
Full of granny goodness...

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As I will be working all weekend I will be posting 

a few Grandma Tutorial Fickr favorites

over this time...

So be sure to upload your pics...

I already have my eye on a few

as they are looking just festive indeed...

Over The River And Thru The Woods...

Over The River And Thru The Woods...
Originally uploaded by Anniepurls

Tis the season to be ...
getting really organized...

a huge
thank you to Annie purls
for adding this
festive scene to the group...

It is just the cutest
with the little squirrel and snowflakes...
Her variegated trees look amazing...

I am thinking I too need to start
getting my Christmas decorations organized...
How about you?...

Pattern out...and saving Ginny...

Thank you all my dears for such a lovely amount of

comments on my Grandma's English pattern giveaway...

The pattern will be listed soon...

Congratulations Caz from NEVER KNEW

your pattern is flying through cyberspace

as we chat...

While finishing off this pattern this week...

I have also been...Crocheting...

yeah amazing...I know...

 ***

Also going to the local market...

and finding...

Ginny the Giraffe.

She was in the bottom of a box

Legless...

No truly!!!

Her legs where not attached and I bought her home minus $2 in my purse...

 After much surgical reconstruction...

with the help of hat elastic, wool needle, and a pair of arterial clamps

her legs where back on and looking mighty pretty...

Why do I have arterial clamps?

that's a mystery but they did help...

Ginny was most impressed and very grateful to now have her legs back on

and spends her time teaching dance and music appreciation 

to the other forsaken souls

here at River Cottage...

***

So this week, once again I will be putting my granny cap on and

hopefully have some inspiration

for a new design...

If not...

I can always crochet my granny chevron...

and maybe even a spot of thrifting...

Grandma's English Cushion...

Grandma's English Cushion...

Is finished and looking

just royal indeed...

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Grandma’s English

My grandma’s English
a royalist so sweet,
with embroidered hankies
and pinnies pressed neat.

Doilies on the dresser
scent of talc and rose,
Freshly starched linen
memories that let you doze.

A cottage with thatching
with lavender in rows,
little grey cobbles
knee deep in snow.

Strolling hand in hand
pebbles by the sea,
It’s turning quite chilly
it must be time for tea.

Comfort by the hearth
wool close at hand,
An hourglass has no time
without any sand.

My homeland is distant
a land and sea away,
Now filled with grandma’s love
all I want to do is stay.

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Pattern will be out very soon...

I will of course have a giveaway to celebrate...

Very simple this time

just leave a comment...

That easy!!!

I will pick a winning

and

let everyone know after the weekend...

Be sure to look for this pattern in my etsy shop after that time...

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I have just loved making this cushion...

and hope you will too...

Work In Progress...Grandma's English

Grandma's English pattern is almost finished...

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Well apart from the fact that I need to write more out...

And make two backs to two cushion fronts now...

I have changed the pattern slightly from this one 

and have extended the red to the centre a tad more...

I probaby should have waited and shown everyone

the new one

but I didn't finish in time...

for the weather was so perfect

and the skies were clear...

So while I tangle myself some more in wool

I did want to share and

hopefully I will be back very soon

with more on my Grandma's English cushion

Finished and looking just royal...

Granny All Square Blanket

Granny All Square Blanket
Originally uploaded by Ali Baby

I very big thank you
goes out to Ali Baby for adding this
gorgeous picture to the
Grandma Tutorial Flickr group...

It took 6 months for her to make it...
And I am sure was well worth it...
As it is just so lovely...
It is always so nice to see how versatile
this pattern can be...

If you have any pictures you would like to share too...
Please pop them into the group as there is always room
for more granny goodness...

Not for the faint at heart...

This work in progress 

I will say isn't for the faint at heart...

It has been something that I have wanted to try and work out for a long time

and have only just started to think of just how it would be done...

I have used three strands of yarn mostly at the same time

and even though I will end up changing somethings

I think I have the general idea in my mind now of what it will end up looking like...

I will need some more yarn of course as I think it will suit a thicker yarn that hides 

the strands better...

And I also think I needed to put in an extra round of white...

and maybe loose the full granny square look to the middle of it...

But all in all I am happy with it's potential...

It reminds me of knitting thou using all of these colours at once...

and is very slow going...

I am constantly getting tangled up...

On other news...

I have been rather slack lately here on my little blog

as I am back to work...

So I will say sorry to you my dears for begin so sweet about it...

Only doing a few shifts here and there but it has been so long

since I have worked in a kitchen my poor legs

seem to be suffering so...

 Concrete and tile floors are the worst to walk on...

 

I didn't wear this number to work but I did find it at the thrift shop 

last week and thought it was rather nice to wear this time of year...

 Till next post...Keep up the granny goodness and I will be back

very soon with hopefully more on my "flag" design...

With Help From Lola...

I am always so delighted when I come across

such inspiration...

And LolaNova has been just that to me this week...

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These Lovely

"Mary Go Round's"

Are just so easy!!!

and so fun to make...

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I could not find any bangles to make mine with

and after much stress I turned to looking in the "Shed"...

Which is always a bit scary...

But I did find something just perfect...

Line Trimmer...Yes that stuff that you use on the whipper snipper 

to do your edges in the garden with...

I wrapped it twice around and stuck it together with some tape...

and it was done...

I can make any size (within reason)...

and 

as many as I like...

Well until my husband cottons on that is...

Anyway I am sure he hates doing the edges in the first place...lol...

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Now to find this Tutorial follow the link HERE

You will all love it I know...

and be sure to add a comment on lola's post 

as I am positive she will love to hear from you all...

I do hope your week has been inspiring too...

Keep up the granny goodness my dears...

Chevroning along

It's all about Chevrons

here at River Cottage...

Now I have always thought of myself as a very fast crocheter...

But alas I have nothing on my Mum...

 She might only know how to do two stitches but they sure work well for her...

While I have been plodding away at my chevron

my Mum has just finished this amazing blanket...

and already starting another...

I have put this beautiful granny chevron into my shop

At a fantastic price...

Which of course will also make someone out there really happy too...

as they will grab an absolute bargain...

Do you love Chevrons as much as we do?

If it's not really your thing...

what is your favorite...

I would love to know...

Reflecting...

These past few weeks I have spent

my time...

Thinking...

Wishing...

 Receiving...

 Making...

Brightening...

And reflecting on all the comments from you my dears...
It is so nice to know I am not the only one that has "moments"...

I think these "moments" are there to help...
Give us perspective...and to get us on track...
I think I have felt these last few weeks like I have fallen of them...
Does that happen to you?

I am just so glad that when I sort myself out... you are there...
Thank you for that...

Henry Loves Carnations

Henry's favorite flower is the 

Carnation...

And thank you Renee

for thinking so too

They do smell sweet...

Henry has dreams of one day wearing a smart dinner jacket

with a carnation in his lapel 

he thinks it will make him look very dapper and full of high hopes...

I think it would too...

Now for something else I have been up too...

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My first chevron blanket...
It is a emotional thing...
I have made this pattern before in a few cushions but I have never made a blanket...

A blanket is everything...and more...
My grandma made these blankets...my mum still makes these blankets...

But I have never...

I have put off...It is something that signifies memories, emotions and age...

I have not been ready to take up the challenge...

To make something that has become a family tradition...
Why all of a sudden do I think I am ready now...

As I crochet this blanket I get all sentimental...
It's just a feeling that is hard to describe and put into words...

It came to me after I took this photo...

That it was 13 years ago that my grandma pasted away...

At this time of year...

Maybe that's why I have been so out of sorts lately and 

feel like I am loosing direction...

Maybe that's why I started this blanket...

To get direction...I hope so...

My sister...

My sister...
Originally uploaded by Loving The Vintage

My sister and husband were in the paper today...

So exciting for them...
We are just so proud!!!

I have been very lucky to have tasted
her cakes...
and they are so amazing...

They are moving into new, bigger premises very soon...
So it will be full stream ahead for them both...
Just wish I lived closer,
I think I could get a job if I did...

Imagine being surrounded by cakes all day...
Now that would be hard to cope with...NOT...

Don't forget to add a comment on the post below...
Giveaway is still open...
I will give a hint...No one has picked the flower yet...
So it's still up for grabs...

Grandma Violet Cushion pdf

Grandma Violet Cushion pdf

will be out very soon...

I will have enough time thou

with all the proof reading to get in a giveaway

before it's ready...

I think dear Henry will help 

this time...

I have loved making this cushion...

and wish I would have written it out a lot better as I went...

I have pages scated everywhere with little notes

and diagrams...

and it really didn't make much sense when it came to the

proper writing out...

So while I read and re- read what I have down

a giveaway will be just sweet to make sure

it is all finished within the week.

So please add a comment...

Telling me what your favorite flower is...

As Henry my new little friend has whispered his favorite to me

and the very first dear to get it right will win this 

pdf pattern before I pop it into my etsy shop.

Till next post stay safe...

And keep up the granny goodness wherever you may be...

Cupcake Cooking...

Lots of baking going on at River Cottage...
After spending some time at my sisters I arrived home full of inspiration...
I bought a swirly piping bag...and got busy...

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I also managed to find some "Stitch Nation"
by Debbie Stoller wool...
At spotlight no less...I didn't know that they now carried it...
I am now in granny goodness heaven...

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I have started a simple Granny All Square...

But I am not sure if this is what I will end up doing...

At the moment I just love looking at the wool...

It is in the most amazing colours...

And a huge thankyou to all the dears who have

added pictures to the flickr group...

and sent me photos by e-mails of their

Granny Tissue Box Covers...

They are all just gorgeous!!!

and I LOVE seeing them all...

Sunbeam Mixmaster.

Sunbeam Mixmaster.
Originally uploaded by Loving The Vintage

Yesterday when I arrived home...
I found this beauty at my back door...
A present from a very sweet dear...Maude...
Thought I would like it...
Ummmmm...
Let me think....
Are you kidding like I needed to think about it...
I only have wanted a "working" one for the past 8 years...
Since my beloved sunbeam stopped suddenly and was put  to rest on the shelf of vintage goodness...
This one didn't have any beaters and no bowls but works a treat...
Luckily I have beaters...but no bowls...
But that's ok...I will be sure to find some on e-bay...

Now here comes the strange thing...
All of these years I have remembered cooking with my grandma...
standing beside her on a chair...mixing....pouring...baking...
and thought the smell I remembered was just that...
The smell of baking...
But no I was wrong...So wrong....

It was the smell of the Sunbeam Mixmaster that I remember...
Have you ever smelt one working?
I know that this may sound very ,very strange...But truly they have a certain smell...
And when I turned this one on...It came flooding back to me...
I found my spare beaters...Found a bowl that "sought of" worked...
and started cooking...
And the only thing that was the right thing to cook was a chocolate cake...
Baked in my Baby Belling..."that still needs tweaking"...

and covered with creamy frosting icing..."To hide the wonkyness of it all...

How good is that...

To me it is the BEST...

Grandma flickr favorites...

Grandma flickr favorites...
Originally uploaded by Loving The Vintage

I am truly amazed and delighted at seeing
all the pretty tissue box covers from all over the world
begin added to the group...

Thank you all so much...
I am so overwhelmed with happiness...
It is so inspiring to connect with everyone
and in some small way
spread the granny goodness
that I know and love so much...

So to you my dear sweet friends I want to share your pictures
and let you know that you make me smile everyday...

Granny tissue box 5

Granny tissue box 5
Originally uploaded by nataliapatalia

Thank you Natalia for adding
your finished Tissue Box Cover to the
Grandma Tutorial Flickr group...

If any of my dears have some pretty pics like Natalia
please pop them in the group...
I love seeing them and sharing with everyone...

Cheap Chic

Cheap Chic
Originally uploaded by Loving The Vintage

I ordered this fabulous book online...
Cheap Chic by Emily Chalmers...
Just GORGEOUS!!!
I received mine very easily from
HERE in Australia which had free shipping...
But if you are in the UK...
Visit Emily's shop and you can order
it  HERE...

Granny Tissue Box Tutorial

Granny Tissue Box Cover Tutorial 

8ply yarn.

3.5mm crochet hook.

Wool needle.

Scissors.

 Tissue Box 12cmD x 21.5cmL x 8.5 cmH

This pattern is in English crocheting terms.

English Abbreviations:

sl st - slip stitch

ch - chain

dc - double crochet

tr - treble

d tr – double treble

Ch 36, join with a sl st to form a circle.

Round 1…

1 ch, 1 dc into this ch.

1 dc in each ch to end, join with a sl st to first dc.

36 dc in total.

 

Round 2…

3 ch, 2 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr in this dc.

*Miss 2 dc. 3 tr in next dc*  repeat * - *4 times (5 groups in-total)

Miss 2 dc. 3 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr, 3ch, 3 tr in this dc.

*Miss 2 dc. 3 tr in next dc* repeat * - * 4 times (5 groups in-total)

Join with a sl st to 3^rd ch from beginning of round.

Sl st across into first 3 ch space.

Round 3…

3 ch, 2 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr, in this 3 ch space. 1 ch.

3 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr in next 3 ch space.

 

*3 tr in next space *,  repeat * - * 5 times (6 groups in-total)

3 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr in next 3 ch space. 1 ch.

3 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr in next 3 ch space.

*3 tr in next space *,  repeat * - * 5 times (6 groups in-total).

Join with a sl st to 3^rd ch from beginning of round.

Sl st across into first 3 ch space.

Round 4…

3 ch, 2 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr, in this 3 ch space. 1 ch.

3 tr in next space, 1 ch.

3 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr in next 3 ch space.

*3 tr in next space *,  repeat * - * 6 times (7 groups in-total)

3 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr in next 3 ch space. 1 ch.

3 tr in next space, 1 ch.

3 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr in next 3 ch space.

*3 tr in next space *,  repeat * - * 6 times (7 groups in-total).

Join with a sl st to 3^rd ch from beginning of round.

Sl st across into first 3 ch space.

Round 5…

3 ch, 2 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr, in this 3 ch space. 1 ch.

3 tr in next space, 1 ch, 3 tr in next space, 1 ch.

3 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr in next 3 ch space.

*3 tr in next space *,  repeat * - * 7 times (8 groups in-total)

3 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr in next 3 ch space. 1 ch.

3 tr in next space, 1 ch, 3 tr in next space, 1 ch.

3 tr, 3 ch, 3 tr in next 3 ch space.

*3 tr in next space *,  repeat * - * 7 times (8 groups in-total).

Join with a sl st to 3^rd ch from beginning of round.

Sl st across into first 3 ch space.

Round 6…Note d tr in corners!!!

4 ch, 2 d tr, 3 ch, 3 d tr, in this 3 ch space. 1 ch.

3 tr in next space, 1 ch. 3 tr in next space, 1 ch, 3 tr in next space,1 ch .

3 d tr, 3 ch, 3 d tr in next 3 ch space.

*3 tr in next space *,  repeat * - * 8 times (9 groups in-total)

3 d tr, 3 ch, 3 d tr in next 3 ch space. 1 ch.

3 tr in next space, 1 ch. 3 tr in next space, 1 ch, 3 tr in next space, 1 ch .

3 d tr, 3 ch, 3 d tr in next 3 ch space.

*3 tr in next space *,  repeat * - * 8 times (9 groups in-total).

Join with a sl st to 4^th ch from beginning of round.

Sl st across into first 3 ch space.

Round 7…thru to Round 14…

3 ch 2 tr in this space.

3 tr,  in next and all spaces to end.

Join with a sl st to 3^rd ch from beginning of round.

Sl st across into first space.

 Round 15…plain…

Repeat round 7 once.

Join with a sl st to 3^rd ch from beginning of round.

Sew and trim ends.

Round 15…shell pattern…

*6 tr in next space, 1 dc in next space.* repeat * - * around base to end.

Join to start of round with a sl st. You will have 16 shells in total...

Sew and trim ends.

I do hope you enjoy making your own Granny Tissue Box Cover...