Circle of Love Handcrafted Giveaway!

Hello Everyone!

What lovely weather for ducks!  Well at least it is down here in Devon!  I have a few things to share with you before I introduce you to the Cirlcle of Love Handcrafted Giveaway organised by the lovely Natalie of Free Spirit Designs.  I'm afraid this post feels like a bit of a marathon this week but I have so many things to talk to you about!  I haven't even shown you the bowl I've been making so that will have to wait until next week.  I suggest you make a cup of something warm and scrummy before settling down to read this one!  I definitely needed two or three whilst I was composing it!! Oh and I mustn't forget I am linking up to Handmade Monday so please pop over and have a look at what all the clever crafty people are up to this week.   Just one more thing ... I can't get my usual font to work this week.  I don't think I've done anything different!  Hopefully it will be back next time!

Previous Post

Firstly I feel I must start by thanking you all for your wonderful responses to my previous blog A question for you! Er sorry it ended up being questions!   I read and digested all your comments and have now decided what I will do is this! 

When I feel a comment requires a  reply I will post the comment on the most recent post on your blog, that way you wont miss it!  And don't forget you can always fill out 'Follow by Email' on the top right hand side of my blog or click on 'subscribe by email' just below the comment box.  I will also try and refer to the previous post replies (if it's necessary) at the beginning of the current post (like I have done today)!

Thank you so much for helping me clear up my conundrum!

Facebook Page

Ooh and just before I go any further, I have set up a Fiddly Fingers facebook page.  I would be most grateful if you could pop over and 'like' it for me.  It's early days yet and I am just getting used to it so please bear with me!!!  But the more that pop over to say hello the more interesting and fun I shall be able to make it.  Thank you!!!

St. Ives Visit

So many of you have said how much you love St Ives so I thought I would just give you a little snippet of the beautiful scenes we saw on our weekend away!  It was absolutely stunning!

We loved it so much we have decided we will go camping in June to a lovely campsite not far from the beach at Gwithian - the bottom right hand picture.  I can't wait!

OK now to ....

The Circle of Love Handcrafted Giveaway has started!! Enter now to be in with a chance of winning a wonderful collection of handcrafted prizes contributed by a group of talented craft bloggers - you've got from now until 12 noon GMT on Sunday the 13th of May to enter the draw and be in with a chance of winning it all!!

What can you win?

This is a knitted wire brooch by me! 

It is knitted with two strands of wire, gold and olive, with small golden seed beads and a centre of small tear drop glass beads

Long Linen Heart Garland Free Spirit Designs

HartFelt mini owl HartFelt by Heather

Pinups for shawls and scarves Lilees Gram Knits

 'Loveheart Tattoo Needle Felted Brooch'

by Myths & Fabrications

The great news is that there are lots of ways to increase the number of times you are entered into the draw (please note that the giveaway is only open to residents of the UK and EU Europe):

How To Enter The Prize Draw On This Blog

1x entree for following my blog

1x entree for 'liking' my Fiddly Fingers facebook page

1x entree for 'sharing' the post about the giveaway on my Fiddly Fingers facebook page

1x entree for following me on Twitter

and remember, you can get 2x entrees by blogging about the competition!

Here are links to the other talented craft bloggers

Free Spirit Designs

Lilees Gram Knits

Hart Felt by Heather
Myths & Fabrications

IMPORTANT! MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE A COMMENT ON THE CIRCLE OF LOVE GIVEAWAY POST OF EACH BLOG YOU'VE ENTERED, SAYING WHAT YOU HAVE DONE e.g "i've followed your blog and liked your facebook page" etc.  - IF YOU DON'T DO THIS YOU WON'T BE ENTERED INTO THE PRIZE DRAW!! PLEASE ALSO LEAVE A KIND AND POSITIVE MESSAGE IN THE COMMENT BOX - THIS IS THE CIRCLE OF L♥VE AFTER ALL!! :)

Terms and Conditions

The Competition is only open to residents of the UK and EU Europe.

Items won in the prize draw are non-returnable and are distributed according to UK law.

To be entered into the prize draw entrants must leave a comment on the giveaway posts of the blogs that they've entered through saying what they have done.

If the chosen winner is found to have contravened any of these terms and conditions the participating bloggers reserve the right to select a new winner.

This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook or Twitter. We hereby release Facebook and Twitter of any liability.

Winners will be contacted by email within 24 hours of the end of the giveaway.

If you have any questions email free.spiritdesigns@rocketmail.com

A Fantastic Workshop

Hi there!

I have had a fantastic day today and thought I would share it with you all!

I ran the Knitted Wire Brooch workshop at Countess Wear Village Hall, Exeter, Devon today http://www.countesswearvillagehall.co.uk  and I am very pleased to say a brilliant day was had by everyone.   A lovely group of ladies, 8 in total, with lots of chat and laughter and some wonderful brooches made by the end of the day.

I took Chester with me today, to promote the two crochet workshops in April.  He managed to squeeze into the front seat on this journey!  He didn't look too comfy but didn't complain!

I arrived early to set up well in advance.  

Here is the hall, set up ready for use.

Chester 'supervised' the table with the beads and wire and the ever important tea and coffee!

He seems to have a certain 'air of importance' about him, don't you think?

Wire and bead colours chosen, we finally got down to business!

Here are a couple of brooches with the outside edge completed
and before the centre was added.  Looking good so far!

At this point we stopped for lunch and how lucky we were!  The sun was shining and there was a little sheltered spot just outside the hall door, perfect for a picnic!  Not the most scenic position (hence no photos) but good to feel the sun on your face.

After lunch, fat, full and drowsy after our session in the sun, we pressed on with the centre part of the brooch and finally got around to sewing all the components together.

Here are all the finished brooches.  Don't they look fantastic?

You may notice there are only 7 brooches but there were 8 people on the workshop!  One lady had been ill previously and this was her first day out.  Unfortunately during the afternoon she was feeling unwell again and decided to go home.  She just needed to sew everything together so took it with her to complete when she felt better.  We all wish her well and hope she starts feeling well again soon.

From the above photos I think you will all agree everyone produced a very unique brooch, some of which were being given as presents.

I'm about to blow my own trumpet now as I had wonderful comments from all the ladies, with requests for some more workshops (which I shall work on as soon as I can).  I hope you don't mind but I feel so proud and would love to share them with you.  I've listed them below!

"A very well paced day - very relaxing.  

Instruction sheet clear and plenty of personal attention"

"Great to learn a new skill"

"Great course

Great lady

Great way to spend a Sunday

Thank you"

"Fascinating day learning a new craft"

"Knowledgeable tutor, friendly group. Good size class.

Great to produce something in a day.

Lovely selection of colours of beads and wire.

A really enjoyable, creative day.

Thank you.

Look forward to further classes with Alison."

"Really enjoyed the knitted wire corsage course.

Many thanks"

"A lovely day - I'm so pleased with the end result.

Thank you"

The delightful ladies showing off their unique creations!

Thank you to all the lovely ladies who joined me for the workshop and for your wonderful comments. 

 You really did make my day!

Alison x

Knitted Wire Brooch Workshop - Countess Wear Village Hall

Hi there!  Happy Monday!

Have had a very busy weekend with my daughter's birthday.  She and her boyfriend cooked a meal for 16 on Saturday night.  Absolutely delicious :) Just managed to seat everyone at the dining table! Our other daughter and her boyfriend came to stay for the weekend too. So lots of fun, eating and drinking all weekend :)

Today I have been busy starting to think about the Knitted Wire Brooch Workshop I am running at Countess Wear Village Hall http://www.countesswearvillagehall.co.uk/vh/Courses.html  If you are interested in any of the courses on offer here, please contact them via the link to their website.

Here is the kind of brooch we will be making.   

I have started measuring out the wire so everyone can have a choice of colour.

Still a few more to go as we may have up to 12 crafters.

Glass pearls for the centre of the brooch.  Oooh which colours to order?

Would you believe that this has taken me all afternoon to sort out and I'm still not finished!

Chester

Unfortunately Chester has ground to a halt until I can decide what to stuff his arms and legs with!

I emailed a foam company to see if they could help with any waste bits of foam but they haven't got back to me yet!  Maybe I shall have to try somewhere else.

Taffy

Taffy is relaxing at the moment and having a fitting for his new boots, kindly being made for him by my daughter! The birthday weekend and Uni work seem to have got in the way though!  Should be finished soon hopefully.

Needle Felting

I've been having a play on something a little smaller than Chester recently!  This is a tiny needle felted picture which is a fraction under 2" square.  It is made completely from scraps of carpet yarn needle felted together.  It's not backed on felt or any fabric and was done using a single needle.  I really must invest in one of those multiple needles!  This is my first attempt at something like this so the picture was made up as I went along.  I shall have to see if I can find a few inspiring designs so I can try another one.

Ok, shall be at work for the next 3 days so not too much time for crafting :( boo hoo! but needs must.

Folksy

Just a last minute thought!  I've got a small shop on Folksy (only two items on there at the moment!) and am thinking of getting organised on the selling front and putting more items on.  If you've had any experience with Folksy or Etsy I would love to here how well your items sold or didn't as the case may be!

Thank you for taking time to read my ramblings, I've enjoyed my little chat with you all :)  I read, appreciate and reply to all comments you leave so please feel free to stop by for a chat.  

Bye, see you all again soon!

Knitted Wire Brooch

Well everyone's gone off enjoying themselves tonight and left me home alone! Ahhhh!  I here you say!

I've been busy over the last few days putting together a brooch for a workshop I am running in March.  These brooches are knitted in fine coloured copper wire.  The 'frill' around the outside is made separately to the centre.  I made quite a few of them a while back, but do you think I could remember what I did!

This is one of the brooches I made a while back.

The first couple turned out too small.  I began to panic that I may not be able to work it out but it came together in the end.

Finished brooch - all that's needed now is the brooch pin on the back

To be honest I have never managed to make two the same yet!  I shall probably make a few more in different colours, now I've worked it out, and then I can sell them after the workshop at my next craft stall.

If you would like to know more about any of the workshops on offer, here is the link http://www.countesswearvillagehall.co.uk/vh/Courses.html.
I am running 3 workshops - Knitted Wire Brooch/Corsage (the one I've been working on), Introduction to Crochet and the last one Extreme Crochet.

That's all for now.  After all this knitting the crochet hook is calling.  I've not forgotten Taffy though!  See you soon xx