Sunday 2 September 2012

On Holiday with Sloppy Joe Beret!

Hi Everyone!

As you've all realised by now we have zoomed past August and are now well on our way to September!  All the trees will be changing colour soon and Autumn will be knocking on the door!  I actually quite like the change in seasons though, it seems to give me something to look forward to.

I missed Handmade Monday last week as we were away camping in Eastbourne. We had a great time with our friends, the diet went out the window and we had some lovely walks.   Rather than bore you with too many details, I thought I would put a collage of photos together.  The main thing was we managed to get the tent up and down without any rain!!  Someone was looking out for us!

Yes the picture in the top right hand corner is correct!!  The camera toppled forwards - although I think it is my favourite!  Don't you just love the legs!

Whilst on holiday I did manage to get some crocheting done.  You may remember I crocheted a hat for Hobbycraft to display but forgot to take a photo.  Well a lovely lady I clean for asked me to make one for her and this one I did remember to take a photo of!



I made one mistake very near the beginning and thinking it wouldn't matter I carried on!  Well as we all know (but try to tell ourselves otherwise!) it will show up - eventually - I got nearly to the end before I decided the mistake was glaringly obvious!  I couldn't leave it so took it back to the beginning!  Strictly speaking I made two hats really!  I was very pleased with the result (in the end!), it was crocheted using Rowan Cocoon which has a lovely weight to it and is really soft.  The recipient was also over the moon!

Also ..... whilst on holiday ..... I received an exciting email from Hobbycraft!  They have asked me to do a jumbo creation along the lines of Chester to raffle for charity!  I can't tell you what it is yet, just in case it doesn't come off, but I am now frantically designing a pattern and trying to work out how much yarn I shall need.  Watch this space!  I'll try and give you a few sneaky previews over the next month or so, without giving too much away!  I'm rather excited - all I've got to do now is make it happen!!!!

I was in Hobbycraft yesterday again, demonstrating the Jumbo Crochet and added a short post Chester's Choice yesterday so you may like to have a quick look.  Chester had a couple of young admirers!

Well, I'm off to do the washing up and then I shall pop over to Handmade Monday and catch up on all your news.  Thanks for reading :) See you there!

41 comments:

  1. Chester is looking good as always with his latest admirers! The new jumbo character for Hobbycraft sounds great- look forward to seeing what you come up with!

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  2. We spent a few days down Eastbourne way last month, at Beechy Head. Lovely place! See you too braved the cliffs to get some photos!

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    1. I thought someone I 'knew' had stayed in the lighthouse! I was telling my friends but couldn't remember who it was! It must have been you!!!! :)

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  3. Castles and Legs and seaside trails, what a wonderful way to spent a bit of time away. It would be so fun to travel to your neighbourhood... Love your jumbo kitty and will look forward to you next JUMBO!

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    1. You'd have to be prepared for rain though! Having said that, next summer can only get better, nothing could be worse than this summer - could it?

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  4. I love Hobbycraft it inspired me to get started in the crafty world so its great that you are inspiring others! Lovely holiday photos too xx

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    1. Thank you. It is so lovely to meet like minded crafters :)

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  5. It's funny but your beret so looks as if it is knitted to me, and not crocheted. But I do believe you. I can't crochet, and really wish I could.

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    1. Believe me, it's definitely crocheted! A combination of front post and back post trebles, making the raised stitches. I wouldn't know where to start if it was knitted!!

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  6. Mistakes are just annoying aren't they? I have just been through a similar thing with my project and have just spent the evening ripping it back (very slow and boring!). I think that you have just underlined to me that if you find a mistake it is usually better to correct rather than follow the immediate impulse which is to carry on! So looking forward to seeing Chester's friend :)

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    1. I'm looking forward to seeing Chester's friend too! At the moment he/she is still in my imagination!!

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  7. How annoying getting to the end and then having to frog it....still it's now a perfect hat. Looks nice and warm all ready for the winter. Chester is certainly getting himself known!

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    1. It was annoying but quite quick to crochet and undo and I would never have been happy with the result if I hadn't taken it back. Yes, Chester usually causes a stir wherever he goes!

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  8. Looks like a great place to holiday!

    Really can't wait to see your next big crochet project :-)

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    1. There were plenty of places to visit and being with friends made it even more enjoyable.

      I'm at the preparation stages of the project at the moment, maths are involved - not my strong point, so I don't enjoy this bit. Will be happier when I finally get to the crocheting bit!

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  9. Eastbourne is a childhood haunt of mine, used to get dragged to a certain hotel on the front and Dad loved to watch the band in the band stand, me I just wanted to play and have fun.

    Well done on your second Chester commission.

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    1. This is only the second time we have been to this area, I expect it has changed quite considerably since you were there as a child.

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  10. Lovely holiday pics, lovely hat and exciting news on the new jumbo character for Hobbycraft. Well done, hope it all works out without too many problems! x

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    1. Thank you and me too! Working out how much yarn to use is causing me a major headache!

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  11. Well done re your Hobbycraft 'career' - exciting times. Look forward to seeing what you make. Like the beret and glad you enjoyed your hols. Many thanks for your comments re my website - I do appreciate them, coz no matter how many times you look at your own site, you miss so much. Hope you have a good week.

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    1. I knew I wouldn't have minded constructive comments so hoped you wouldn't either! Glad they were helpful :)

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  12. That beret is definitely going to come in handy with these chilly autumn mornings

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    1. ... and one of your handbags to match would be perfect!

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  13. That hat is lovely winter will be here before we know it. We don't have a hobbycraft near us:(

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    1. I don't know whereabouts you live, but you can always live in hope!

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  14. that is wonderful news about the Hobby Craft commission! i can't wait to start getting glimpses... i hope you don't feel daunted by such a large project! (i think i might :))

    your hat is just beautiful and perfect for the approaching chill in the air :) i admire you for striving for perfection and starting again, the end product is fantastic :) x

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    1. Thank you for these lovely comments. It is a bit daunting, but my philosophy is say 'yes' then work out how to do it!!!!! I can foresee some rather late nights nearer the deadline!

      I knew I wouldn't be happy until I had the hat right so there was no other option really!!

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  15. Lovely holiday pics, and well done on the commission from HobbyCraft :-)

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    1. Thank you! We had a lovely time and I'm very excited about the Jumbo creation for hobbycraft!

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  16. Your photo collage looks great. I thought you were being creative with the leg pic. I really like the pattern on the hat. It looks perfect for our winter weather.
    Ali x

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    1. The leg picture was purely accidental!! It's a shame I don't wear hats but the recipient was very pleased!

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  17. I've never visited Eastbourne, your photographs are lovely.
    Well done on your HobbyCraft commission but I hope you don't have too many headaches working things out. :o)

    Jan x

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    1. We've only been a couple of times but the area was definitely worth a visit! I have a box of paracetemol at the ready!!!

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  18. Your beret is lovely, I'm glad hats have come back into fashion.

    Congrats on your exciting news about Hobbycraft, hope it all goes well for you x.

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    1. They may be in fashion but they don't suit me at all!! Good job I had someone else to make it for :)

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  19. Lovely photographs. The one with the legs shows you must have had some good weather, for all those shorts to be out.

    Congratulations on your Hobbycraft news. Maybe the jumbo creation could be a girlfriend for Chester :-D

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    1. We were very lucky with the weather thankfully :) Not sure this Jumbo creation could be a girlfriend .....!

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  20. Great photos.I love the 'legs'-sometimes the best photos happen by accident!Good luck with Hobbycraft.

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I really appreciate all the lovely comments you leave so thank you for taking precious time to do this.