... Since I posted. I'm feeling guilty because I don't have one particular reason why I fell out of the "Blogosphere".
To start with, I think I spent a long time getting over the shock of losing my home, and learning to adapt to life surrounded by neighbours and all the accompanying noises - rather than having near silence all day and night, and the freedom to sit outside in my pyjamas if that's what I wanted to do!
I've also been suffering several crises of confidence. The first being the lack of views this blog has had. It took me until last night to realise that I haven't been tagging any of my posts... DUH!
After I've filled you in on events, I'm going to toddle off and correct that...
My lack of views/sales in my Etsy shop has caused me problems too.
I followed advice and worked hard on my photos, tags, titles and descriptions. My views rose and my sales started to look promising. Then a few months back, it all came crashing down. I'm lucky to get 10 views a day... and I think most of them come to me by accident!
At the weekend, I paid for a stall at a local village's annual Summer Fayre. I hadn't realised it's far more of a classic car show these days. I had lots of people looking, but few buyers. I did manage to recover the cost of the stall, and make a little extra on top, but it was no where near as good as I had hoped.
Saturday evening, I was dotting between strategies for increasing views and feeling like I should just stop right now.
Yesterday was spent feeling angry... mostly with myself.
So, I'm back. I have a new out-look and a new determination! I love what I do, the creativity of knitting and crocheting, and I'm not going to stop just because not many people are seeing my work.
I need to make changes, that much is clear, but I don't yet know what those changes need to be. I'll face them and tackle them as and when I work out what those changes need to be.
One of the things I can do right off is get back to communicating with the world at large. Even if I am just talking to myself right now!
I'm planning to write a blog post at least once a week. News of what I'm doing, what I'm planning... and photos!!
Talk to you soon.
xx
Showing posts with label knitting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label knitting. Show all posts
Monday, 10 June 2013
Sunday, 16 December 2012
Parcels and purses
I don't have much to show for my efforts this week. It's not that I haven't done very much - I just don't have much to show!
I've been dotting around here and there working on various projects (blankets, a wrap, baby booties), and have only finished these beauties:
They measure a very sweet 4.25 inches (about 11cm) square, and have a twisted cord strap that measures about 62 inches (155cm).
I love these little bags (purses)! The one thing I hate about summer clothing is the lack of pockets, and that's basically what these are - a pocket on a string!
Sitting here thinking about what else I've done this week, I realise I really need to take more photos! Also, I need to learn to take my camera with me almost everywhere I go...
On Friday, I got home to find a parcel waiting for me... A gift from Marina, one of my very best friends!
Want to see what was inside the parcel? Sadly, I haven't managed to take a photo that does it justice yet... I promise a photo on my next post! Until then you will have to be content with a description!
It's the most gorgeous wrap I've ever seen! Knitted with moss stitch and cables in a soft grey. The wrap is so soft and warm, but light as a feather... It's perfect!
Well, I need to get going... The Christmas cards need writing out today to be hand delivered this evening and tomorrow... People will need to be fed at some point... And I really would like to squeeze in a few more hours of stitching!
I've been dotting around here and there working on various projects (blankets, a wrap, baby booties), and have only finished these beauties:
They measure a very sweet 4.25 inches (about 11cm) square, and have a twisted cord strap that measures about 62 inches (155cm).
I love these little bags (purses)! The one thing I hate about summer clothing is the lack of pockets, and that's basically what these are - a pocket on a string!
Sitting here thinking about what else I've done this week, I realise I really need to take more photos! Also, I need to learn to take my camera with me almost everywhere I go...
On Friday, I got home to find a parcel waiting for me... A gift from Marina, one of my very best friends!
Want to see what was inside the parcel? Sadly, I haven't managed to take a photo that does it justice yet... I promise a photo on my next post! Until then you will have to be content with a description!
It's the most gorgeous wrap I've ever seen! Knitted with moss stitch and cables in a soft grey. The wrap is so soft and warm, but light as a feather... It's perfect!
Well, I need to get going... The Christmas cards need writing out today to be hand delivered this evening and tomorrow... People will need to be fed at some point... And I really would like to squeeze in a few more hours of stitching!
Sunday, 9 December 2012
What I'd really like for Christmas...
... Is a few more hours in the day. A working week that runs from Saturday to Sunday, with a weekend that lasts from Monday to Friday. Think Santa will fit that under my tree??
I've been very bad lately at letting you know what's been going on here. I'm planning on making a change with that and blogging a little more frequently!
The most "exciting" thing happened a few weeks ago. It rained and rained and rained. I found my way to work blocked - not just by water, but by the fire brigade trying to rescue people's homes:
You can just see J there on the left of the picture. He's going down the road to talk to the "Incident Commander" about a row of 6 houses that are about to be flooded. There was a poor old guy, at least 70 years old, walking backwards and forwards with a wheelbarrow, desperate for someone to bring him some sandbags. We did what we could, then went home to dry off and contact K's school to find out what the travel arrangements would be for getting the kids home.
My major achievement has been finally finishing the knitted blanket I started about 5 or 6 years ago. There are 90 individually knitted blocks. I finished those about 3 years ago, and they've been sitting waiting for some attention ever since!
This is was 60+ hours of sewing up will get you:
Not bad, huh?
I've been working on some things for my shop too.
I added a selection of crocheted brooches last week:
And decided to try my hand at making mug cosies (which caused great guffaws of laughter from my father!):
And today I added some baby booties:
I'm pleased with them, but not as pleased as I was with the booties I finished today. These are for a friend of mine at work. I'll be handing them over tomorrow - I hope she's pleased with them!
I also made a Christmassy penguin and snowman for a friend's daughter:
Then I started thinking "Well, they'll be packed away for most of the year", so I added an extra hat and scarf each!
I think they look cute!
Right then, time to dash and get some more things done - my "To Do" list is slowly getting smaller, so I want to keep going while I have the energy!!
I hope everything is going well for those of you who keep an eye on my blog? Do let me know how you are - I'd love it!
Until later, hugs to you!
I've been very bad lately at letting you know what's been going on here. I'm planning on making a change with that and blogging a little more frequently!
The most "exciting" thing happened a few weeks ago. It rained and rained and rained. I found my way to work blocked - not just by water, but by the fire brigade trying to rescue people's homes:
You can just see J there on the left of the picture. He's going down the road to talk to the "Incident Commander" about a row of 6 houses that are about to be flooded. There was a poor old guy, at least 70 years old, walking backwards and forwards with a wheelbarrow, desperate for someone to bring him some sandbags. We did what we could, then went home to dry off and contact K's school to find out what the travel arrangements would be for getting the kids home.
My major achievement has been finally finishing the knitted blanket I started about 5 or 6 years ago. There are 90 individually knitted blocks. I finished those about 3 years ago, and they've been sitting waiting for some attention ever since!
This is was 60+ hours of sewing up will get you:
Not bad, huh?
I've been working on some things for my shop too.
I added a selection of crocheted brooches last week:
And decided to try my hand at making mug cosies (which caused great guffaws of laughter from my father!):
And today I added some baby booties:
I'm pleased with them, but not as pleased as I was with the booties I finished today. These are for a friend of mine at work. I'll be handing them over tomorrow - I hope she's pleased with them!
I also made a Christmassy penguin and snowman for a friend's daughter:
Then I started thinking "Well, they'll be packed away for most of the year", so I added an extra hat and scarf each!
I think they look cute!
Right then, time to dash and get some more things done - my "To Do" list is slowly getting smaller, so I want to keep going while I have the energy!!
I hope everything is going well for those of you who keep an eye on my blog? Do let me know how you are - I'd love it!
Until later, hugs to you!
Friday, 19 October 2012
It's been too long...
... but I am finally BACK! Not just to blogland, but to life in general - and of course, that means lots of crafting!
I've been busy (amongst other things) turning this:
Into this:
As you can see, we are starting to settle in. Mr T was at home straight away... It took the others a little longer.
Sadly, Miss P had to go to a new home. We miss her and her fresh eggs, but we weren't allowed to keep her here, and at least we know she will be ok and with other chickens once again.
Miss P would have loved our new "blank canvas" back yard:
I managed to pick myself up a bit of a bargain last week:
Can you believe it was only 99p in a charity shop? I saw it, and knew I had to have it (useful for hiding some of my yarn stash, don'tcha know?!?) - I was expecting it to cost a bit more, so I was really thrilled!
Ok, on to the crafting!
I've been working on a promise I made a while ago - a little snowman and penguin:
My pastel squares blanket (my first attempt at join-as-you-go, so be gentle in your comments! Mr T and Mr R thoroughly approve though!):
It's not all been about using up my stash... I bought this:
To be turned into a blanket made out of squares like this:
Pretty, huh? I don't think the lady in the shop thought it would come out quite this good when I told her my plans and she eyed up my chosen colours. What can I say? I'm a misunderstood genius!!
I've been working on a few things for my Etsy shop too, which I'm planning to put up next week. A few pairs of earrings, another hat and scarf set, and a new bag based on this one:
Ok, that's all for now... I missed so much crafting during the move that I don't feel as if I've had my "fix" unless I squeeze in a good 12 hours!
I've got something really good to share with you next time... I just know you will love it as much as I do... But, I've said enough! You'll have to wait and be surprised!
Lesson learned: Always make time for crafting... If you don't, madness is only a very short step away!
I've been busy (amongst other things) turning this:
Into this:
As you can see, we are starting to settle in. Mr T was at home straight away... It took the others a little longer.
Sadly, Miss P had to go to a new home. We miss her and her fresh eggs, but we weren't allowed to keep her here, and at least we know she will be ok and with other chickens once again.
Miss P would have loved our new "blank canvas" back yard:
I managed to pick myself up a bit of a bargain last week:
Can you believe it was only 99p in a charity shop? I saw it, and knew I had to have it (useful for hiding some of my yarn stash, don'tcha know?!?) - I was expecting it to cost a bit more, so I was really thrilled!
Ok, on to the crafting!
I've been working on a promise I made a while ago - a little snowman and penguin:
My pastel squares blanket (my first attempt at join-as-you-go, so be gentle in your comments! Mr T and Mr R thoroughly approve though!):
It's not all been about using up my stash... I bought this:
To be turned into a blanket made out of squares like this:
Pretty, huh? I don't think the lady in the shop thought it would come out quite this good when I told her my plans and she eyed up my chosen colours. What can I say? I'm a misunderstood genius!!
I've been working on a few things for my Etsy shop too, which I'm planning to put up next week. A few pairs of earrings, another hat and scarf set, and a new bag based on this one:
Ok, that's all for now... I missed so much crafting during the move that I don't feel as if I've had my "fix" unless I squeeze in a good 12 hours!
I've got something really good to share with you next time... I just know you will love it as much as I do... But, I've said enough! You'll have to wait and be surprised!
Lesson learned: Always make time for crafting... If you don't, madness is only a very short step away!
Thursday, 14 June 2012
Busy, busy, busy...
I've been so busy lately - spending around 7 hours every day working on new projects to put up for sale on my Etsy shop...
Today, I decided I needed something for ME! I came up with this:
Believe it or not, these poor flowers had been sitting for several days in an old, unadorned coffee jar! They look so much better now!
The mini flowers are from this blog:
http://daisycottagedesigns.blogspot.co.uk/2011/02/tiny-little-flower-crochet-pattern.html
Lauren is kind enough to offer this pattern on her blog for free! I'm not the fastest crocheter in the world, but even I made 10 in no time!
Lauren's instructions are very easy to follow too!
So, I said in my last post that I would probably show you some unfinished projects... Here's a few to give you an idea of what I get up to!
This is going to be the perfect ripple afghan for me... Spice, green, brown, mustard... heavenly!
As is the front:
I'm also working on knitting this:
Again, I've done the back and the front. They are pretty rumpled and will need some serious blocking once the sleeves are done... So here's a close up of the cable detail which is on both the front and the back (you'll get an idea of the colour too):
And do you remember this:
Hope you can see the difference!
Ok, blogger has gone a little crazy, so I'm going to have to publish this and come back later...
Everything went all blurry on me, just as I was about to end. Oh well! Here's the end bit:
I managed to get several items finished for Etsy this week (visit my Etsy shop to see what's new!), despite several mishaps and near disasters.
Lesson learned: If at first you don't succeed - go away and think about it a bit before trying again!
Today, I decided I needed something for ME! I came up with this:
Believe it or not, these poor flowers had been sitting for several days in an old, unadorned coffee jar! They look so much better now!
The mini flowers are from this blog:
http://daisycottagedesigns.blogspot.co.uk/2011/02/tiny-little-flower-crochet-pattern.html
Lauren is kind enough to offer this pattern on her blog for free! I'm not the fastest crocheter in the world, but even I made 10 in no time!
Lauren's instructions are very easy to follow too!
So, I said in my last post that I would probably show you some unfinished projects... Here's a few to give you an idea of what I get up to!
This is going to be the perfect ripple afghan for me... Spice, green, brown, mustard... heavenly!
I'm working on this crocheted sweater... I have been for quite some time, on and off...
But the back is complete:
As is the front:
I'm also working on knitting this:
Again, I've done the back and the front. They are pretty rumpled and will need some serious blocking once the sleeves are done... So here's a close up of the cable detail which is on both the front and the back (you'll get an idea of the colour too):
And do you remember this:
Well, it now looks like this:
Hope you can see the difference!
Ok, blogger has gone a little crazy, so I'm going to have to publish this and come back later...
Everything went all blurry on me, just as I was about to end. Oh well! Here's the end bit:
I managed to get several items finished for Etsy this week (visit my Etsy shop to see what's new!), despite several mishaps and near disasters.
Lesson learned: If at first you don't succeed - go away and think about it a bit before trying again!
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