Pretty Bits and a Crochet Workshop!

Hello All

Well here we are at another Handmade Monday! Don't the weeks just fly by?  We've had a bit of rain for the garden and a few lovely bits of warm sunshine in the sheltered spots, so hopefully you all got the bit you wanted when you wanted!  I hope this next week turns out to be a really good one for everyone, not just weather wise!

I was really pleased to be a Friday Guest Blogger over at Christmas Pie Crafts last week so if you haven't already why not pop over and have a look.  You'll be able to see what Chester and Taffy cooked up between them!  Ooh and I was also awarded the Versatile Blogger Award, very exciting as I have never been awarded anything like this before!

I meant to share this make with you for a while now but kept forgetting, so before I tell you about the workshop I ran on Saturday, have a quick peek at this!

I used a pattern from Attic24.  She makes some lovely things!  I don't think this one is quite as pretty as Lucy's but it was using carpet yarn and the colours aren't quite so bright.  I made it just after I finished Chester as I wanted something quick to do.

I've just started making Lucy's Blooming Flower Cushion, this is as far as I've done but I'll keep you posted on progress!

Ok now to the workshop.  It was a one day workshop at Countess Wear Village Hall.  A lovely group of ladies who used a tremendous amount of concentration, punctuated by chocolate mini rolls to keep the blood sugar levels up!

Here's the hall set up ready for the students

And of course, Chester had to come along to supervise again!

Very busy!  Not a chocolate mini roll in sight - just a healthy looking apple!

Just a few of the projects completed by some of the ladies.

(Wonky photo - can't get it to turn around!)

I was really pleased with what all the ladies achieved, a couple really struggled with wrapping the yarn around their fingers (something I remember finding difficult when I first started) and during the morning I was beginning to wonder whether they would ever crack it.  They had a lot of information to take in, all in one day.  But fear not!  Everyone managed a granny square and some even went on to do a little bag and a flower. 

I had lovely comments from some of the ladies and thought I would like to share them with you.  It makes it all worthwhile!!

Excellent day!

I learnt absolutely loads and made 2 items!

Thrilled I could even read a pattern!

Very enjoyable course.

Clear instructions.

Thank you.

Great class!

Very interesting and informative!

Very patient teacher.

Would come again!

I think you'll agree I couldn't ask for better comments. 

Thank you to all the ladies who attended for making this a very enjoyable workshop!

Hope you have managed to take a look at what Taffy and Chester cooked up for me, they really did get in a bit of a mess!  I have a few other photos of Chester I know you're going to love but that's for another blog.  Hope you all have a really good week!

See you soon!

x

Big Chef, Little Chef - A birthday surprise for mum!

First, I think I ought to introduce you to the stars of this tale.  I would like you to meet Taffy.

Taffy is the first bear I crocheted.  He is crocheted from pure welsh wool – hence the name Taffy.  He often comes with us on our walks and gets up to allsorts of mischief, the adventures of which can be found over on my blog.

I would also like to introduce you to Chester.  He is an extremely large amigurumi cat, crocheted on a 12mm hook with 5 strands of yarn throughout.  You can find out how I made him, on the Chester page over on my blog.

It was my birthday on Tuesday so Taffy and Chester decided they would bake me a birthday cake!  They added flour and butter to the bowl but Taffy seems to have more flour on him than in the bowl!

Having added the sugar already they now need to add the eggs.  This proves a little more difficult than they thought!

Oh no Taffy!  You dropped an egg!  What a mess!  Not to worry!  Give it a good mix Chester, perhaps Taffy can give it one final stir at the end.

This cake is coming along nicely, mum will be pleased!  What are you doing now Taffy?  No, don’t lean over too far Taffy!  Now look what’s happened!

Look at the mess you two have made!  Although, between you and me, Taffy seems to have made most of it!  I think it’s about time we got that cake in the oven!

  

After a bit of a clean up and popping the cake in the oven it is finally finished.  I think you’ll agree Taffy and Chester have made a really good job of it – in the end!

Versatile Blogger Award

A huge thank you to Christmas Pie Crafts for awarding me the Versatile Blogger Award.  This was a complete surprise and very exciting as I have never received anything like this before!

Now the hard work starts though!  How do I chose just 15 bloggers to nominate for this award?
Well here goes, in no particular order!  My nominations are as follows:

Mrs Shilts

Highland Monkeys

1st Unique Gifts

Ros Made Me

Attic 24

Diane's Mutterings

My Calico Heart

In the Sky

This Creative Bliss

The Patchwork Heart
Three Red Apples

Heart and Handmade

Coryographies: Handmade Creations

Lemons for Lemonade

Sew Quine

Yay! I've managed it, although it has taken me a good few days.  I had no idea it was so difficult!  I'm aware I may have duplicated some people who already have the award but I hope they will be happy to receive another one!  If I've missed anyone out please don't be offended, it's an incredibly demanding challenge, as my 15 nominees will no doubt find out!

If you would like to know more about the Versatile Blogger Award all will be revealed if you click on the link.  One of the requirements is that you tell your nominee 7 things about yourself. So here are 7 things about me!

My favourite flowers are primrose and fuchsia.

I love bright colours.

I'm very chatty and love socialising.

I enjoy the odd glass of wine (or two!).

I detest turkish delight and aniseed!

I fell off my bike into a canal in Holland.

I have the most dreadful memory!

I hope you are as pleased as I was to receive this award.  I'm off to work out how to add the VBA button to my blog - could take some time!  And of course, I shall be contacting all the lucky nominees in my list.  Have a great weekend!

happy blogging

x

A bit poorly!

Well hello again everyone!

Happy Easter to you all!  I am linking up with Handmade Monday over at http://www.1stuniquegifts.co.uk/blog/  This is my first post for a couple of weeks so I hope you enjoy it, and why not pop over and have a look at the many other bloggers who are linking up to Handmade Monday!


Taffy's been feeling a bit sorry for me recently! 

Why you may ask?  Well you may or may not have missed me recently but unfortunately last weekend I was struck down with a tummy bug and it took me till at least Thursday before I began to feel better.

But I am glad to say I am back to my normal self  now (my husband said the volume has gone up again!  I have no idea what he means!).  So really this post is just a quickie to let you know I haven't forgotten you all and to apologise for not visiting many blogs recently.  I really hadn't the energy to turn the computer on!

The week before I was ill I went up to a small weaving company in Dunkeswell, Devon to collect some more yarn, mainly to use in the Extreme Crochet Workshops coming up soon.  They very kindly provided me with a car load ....

I was going to take Chester with me to show them what I was making with their yarn, but as the very sensible man said "Just bring a picture with you, leave more room in the car for yarn!".  Good job I did judging by the load I brought back!

What do you think to all these gorgeous colours?  It was like Christmas come early!  I was like a kid in a sweet shop! 

Just got to decide what to make with it now!

I am busy writing a post for Christmas Pie Crafts http://christmaspiecrafts.blogspot.co.uk/ as I am her guest blogger on Friday 13th (unlucky for some!) so please pop over and visit her blog, we would both love to see you there.  Without giving too much away, Taffy and Chester will both be playing staring roles!

Bye for now

So pleased to be back and it's good to be feeling well again.

x



Extreme Crochet Hearts

A very warm welcome to everyone out there! Hope you are all enjoying the sunshine :)  This is the first time I have linked up to We Did It Wednesday over at Sew Much Ado but lets hope it will be the first of many!

I would like to share some Extreme Crochet with you! 

What? I hear you ask. 

 Extreme crochet is using multiple yarns with a huge hook.

Taking crochet to the extreme - so to speak! 

Before I show you my latest creations I have listed links to my previous posts for those of you who are not already familiar with Fiddly Fingers.  

I hope you like what you see - Look out for Chester!!!

 http://www.fiddlyfingers.blogspot.co.uk/p/chester-extreme-crochet-cat.html

http://www.fiddlyfingers.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/experimenting-with-extreme-crochet.html

http://www.fiddlyfingers.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/chester-goes-topless.html

And now you've all caught up, take a look at my newest creations!

I'd finished this basket one evening and was wondering how to photograph it!

The following day a trip to the supermarket was a necessity and being a bit peckish (never a good time to go shopping!) I bought some hot cross buns - two packets actually (buy 1 get 1 free offer!).It was soon after this I had one of those 'ping' moments!  Hence the photo!

The basket is made using 20 strands of yarn and a 25mm hook.

If you click on the link below you will be able to see the size of the hook!

  http://www.fiddlyfingers.blogspot.co.uk/2012_01_01_archive.html

You may be asking yourselves why I am making these?  Well as you will see from 'Chester the Extreme Crochet Cat' link.  It's all my sister-in-law's fault!!  I started with Chester, on a 12mm hook with 5 strands of yarn, then decided to try something a littler larger!  These are my experiements for workshops I will be running in the near future.  I need projects that can be completed within the day long workshop.  So far I have made a really big flower and a 2 round granny square seat pad (see link 'Experimenting with Extreme Crochet' as well as the basket above and heart below.  If you are interested in either workshops just (you guessed it!) click on the following links

 http://www.countesswearvillagehall.co.uk/vh/Home.html 

and

http://www.rowantreestudio.co.uk/workshopcalender.html

 Here is the latest addition to my experiments.

The photograph below shows the scale!

I thought this heart would make a lovely wall decoration and I even thought it would be handy to hang 'hooky' earrings on.

If you have any other ideas for me to create in extreme crochet please let me know and if I manage to make any I can put a link to your blog when I put up a picture.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post.

Enjoy the rest of the week.

Happy hooking!

X

Chester Goes Topless!

Hello Everybody!

I expect you have all had a wonderful weekend with wall to wall sunshine?  I know I have!  A wonderful walk around Salcome on the Kingsbridge Estuary, with 270 degree views from Snapes Head up, down and along the river.  Absolutely stunning!  And a day in the garden today topped off with a few G &T's in the late afternoon sunshine (wine ran out!!).  Ignore any typing errors please!

Well Chester was enjoying the sunny weather too!  He fancied a drive out in Rob's Mazda with the top down.

Come on then Chester, start her up!

Oh dear Chester!  Don't like the look of all that smoke!  Better make sure there is nothing wrong before you drive off!

Have you checked the

oil?

 Better book it in for a service when you get back!

Not looking too bad now!

Have a safe journey Chester!

Byee!

Just in case any of you are wondering who Chester is, I have written a page 'Chester the Extreme Crochet Cat' on my blog explaining how and what he is made from.  If you click on this link it should take you straight to it http://www.fiddlyfingers.blogspot.co.uk/p/chester-extreme-crochet-cat.html I am using him to promote Extreme Crochet workshops.  If you would be interested in holding a workshop or attending one here in Devon please contact me via my blog or email me at alisonjoyw@hotmail.co.uk

One more thing! I am linking up to Handmade Monday over at http://www.1stuniquegifts.co.uk/blog/ why not pop over to have a look at all the other interesting blogs.

It looks like most of us are going to have a good week weatherwise, so lets hope it lives up to expectations otherwise! 

Can't wait for tomorrow! Am going to collect another car load of yarn for even more Extreme Crochet!  Oooh! So excited! Can't wait to see what colours I'll get!  Better than Christmas!!!

Have a good week!

Talk soon!

xxx