Tuesday, November 2, 2010

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...

Friday, October 29, 2010

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...


These Lovely
"Mary Go Round's"
Are just so easy!!!
and so fun to make...


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...


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...

Monday, October 25, 2010

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...

Saturday, October 23, 2010

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...

Sunday, October 17, 2010

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...

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...


Wednesday, October 13, 2010

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...

Monday, October 11, 2010

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...

Friday, October 8, 2010

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...

Flick

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...

Flickr  
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
They are all just gorgeous!!!
and I LOVE seeing them all...

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

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...

Friday, September 24, 2010

Grandma flickr favorites...

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...

Thursday, September 23, 2010

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...

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

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...

Friday, September 17, 2010

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 3rd 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 3rd 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 3rd 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 3rd 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 4th 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 3rd ch from beginning of round.
Sl st across into first space.




 Round 15…plain…
Repeat round 7 once.
Join with a sl st to 3rd 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...