I am….a glitterholic

Hi, my name is bec, and it’s been about a fortnight since my last purchase of glitter- although I’m pretty much using every day. I can’t stop. I literally dream about it every single night. I get withdrawals if I don’t use it. Sometimes half an hour will fly past and I’ll I’ve done is stare at my glitter, and rearranged it into different colour combinations. I’m afraid the dreams won’t end until I have purchased every single colour. I’ve never required “Black Onyx” glitter, but I know I need to have it – just in case.

As you can see I gave in at spotlight the other day and added “brownstone”, “malachite”, “amethyst” and “carnelian” to my collection the other day, and they WEREN’T on sale. But my justification to my husband is “as I no longer smoke, I have an extra $10 a day to spend on craft items!” (I quit a year ago, so that’s a lot of saved cash!!)

My Creative Space Thursday

Just a bit of a sneak peak at the Skirt I'm making for my sewing class. It's good because I'm learning how to sew properly- losing all the bad habits I've taught myself, and finally finding out exactly what on earth a 'nap' is; and no, it's not a short sleep!


The Skirt is a cotton sateen, Simplicity pattern #2807 and is sitting on beloved dress form that Mr Honi bought me.
In the background you can see a glimpse of my inspiration wall too.

For More Creative Spaces, pop on over to Kootoyoo with a nice cuppa and enjoy!

Next cab off the rank

Another dear friend has just had a little girl. This is another appliqué blanket (like the hexagon one)

It’s my own design of a large rose, in rose patterned fabric with a raw edge on the applique (i just zig-zaged around the edge).

To do the zig-zag edges, I used some very cool Gutermann metallic thread in a bright pink and an ocean blue and a multicoloured sulky Holoshimmer thread. These are mainly used for embroidery stitching, and I’d never used them before – but I will totally be using them again!

The metallic thread was a little hard to use as it was quite coarse and not smooth like normal thread. The Holoshimmer was like a shiny, smooth metallic thread with a small amount of stretch to it. I used this one for the leaves and it worked wonderfully.

Pick yourself up a reel when you’re next in spotlight and have a go!

My Creative Space Thursday

Can you believe I actually had too many creative spaces this week to choose from! I've got the Crafty mojo going on, and I'm loving it. Normally when the inspiration overflows I get "Craft Jam" where I have too many ideas to action any of them. But planets have aligned somewhere and I'm in the groove.

A quick run down of current projects include:
- continuing with my 200 crochet blocks
- another baby quilt- an appliqued one I'll show you soon
- some "light up" jewellery
- a skirt (Miss Luzi and I are doing a sewing class together)
- a drawing project
- some vintage lace headbands
and a couple of other BIG ideas bubbling away in my head

So rather than pick one of these projects, I thought I’d share some of the creativeness that’s been a’happenin in the kitchen. I’ve started to review cookbooks and plan our meals – which leads to planned shopping which equals less wasted food AND no last minute takeaways which also equals a better diet and losing weight!! YIPPEE!!

One of this weeks dishes above was lamb chops with melted goats cheese served with steamed asparagus, sliced home grown tommies a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and slithered almonds. Takes 10 mins to whip up and is tasty and healthy.

For more creative spaces, pop on over to Kootoyoo!

Whats in a name..

My nearly finished name tag for Brown Owls tonight. I just need to cut it out and add the pin. I tried to use all my fave things - crochet, buttons, cross stitch, flowers, fimo, embroidery, bunnies, Japanese dollies and tea in a nice cup and saucer.
I used 3 layers of cardboard as the backing, and then used mod-podge to glue it all together. Mod Podge is wonderful stuff. It is a clear drying glue that acts as a bit of a lacquer and it doesn't warp paper

On a Roll

"Square Target" block#3 - I'm loving the colours in this one.

Still a little wonky around the edge, but I'm definitely getting the hang of the hook size and yarn type. Never realised how much of a difference pure wool makes!!

By George, I think she's got it!

Well, it seems the crochet gods heard my prayers, and delivered me some words of wisdom through the divine Amy!

I have improved my counting skills and have also worked out when I need to crochet into spaces, and when I need to crochet into those little chain loops.

My attempt at "Lacy Cross" wasn't too shabby at all-

Thos holes are a little skewiff but otherwise ok


But I am mostly impressed with my Briar Rose!!

Here's how it should look...

And here's my attempt!!! One of the spoke is a little wonky, but other than that I'm very happy with it! Especially as it's a harder one than the others I've had a go at!

By George, I think she'

My Creative Space Thursday

The other day I finished off a baby blanket for a friend of mine who is due in a couple of weeks. I am getting MUCH better at planning my projects and making sure I finish them by a due date (rather than 6 months after the baby is born!!) Plus I am forcing myself a bit more to only work on ONE project and finish it before I start a bazillion others!

The blanket is a cotton flannel, with English paper pieced appliquéd flowers across the top, with matching binding around the edges. The spotty material is from spotlight and the centres are Japanese fabric with monkeys, deer and mushrooms.

This is a picture of the hexes before I sewed them onto the blanket.

Is there anything cuter??

Honestly, this is the cutest thing I have EVER seen. Japanese Amigurumi playing ukulele’s and singing funny little songs!



More here

Love is all you need

Well, the time since my last post has been filled with crazy workloads, a little crafting (more on that tomorrow) and nursing Mr Honi through a fun little trip to the emergency department. His groin wound split open and….well, I don’t think I really need to give you any more information!

It’s been a pretty tough time, but I like to find pleasure in the simple things to keep me going – like this little heart that appeared in my shoe AGES ago. It’s still in there and it makes me smile every time I put these shoes on.

What keeps you going in tough times??

My Creative Space Thursday

It seems that most of you were tickled pink by my craftastrophies!! So, by popular demand here is the first train-wreck (this one was much better than the blue attempt- not so much hideousness!)

This is AFTER being blocked too!! I’m still puzzled by the “growth” in the top left corner. The whole block reminds me of those tests that were done on Spiders under the influence, and the webs they built…

Thankyou all - especially Amy for your help! Turns out I TOTALLY miscounted from row one, putting the entire thing out of whack.

But I do feel that I need to show proof that I CAN do the granny square. So for my Creative Space this week (which happened to be the lounge) I channelled the uber-creative Kirsty and attempted her “mini granny” (as seen here)…..

Turned out pretty swish I think!

I LOVE Martha.....

and her AMAZING range of glitter!!!

There is a limited range at Spotlight and they're a bit exy at $12 a jar, but oooo i just LOVE them!! With names like "white gold", "smoky quartz" and "lapis lazuli" who can resist them!!!

Sadly, the massive range as seen here at "Such Pretty Things" isn't available in Australia, AND Amazon wouldn't let me buy it.

Not as easy as it looks….

After looking through this Flickr pool, I was possessed to purchase the 200 crochet blocks book. “Pfft…I can totally do these” I naively thought.

Now, I can say that I think I have mastered the Granny square – but that’s where my crochet talent ends. Attempt one was so disgraceful, I couldn’t even photograph it. Working in rows isn’t my bag it seems.

So, with my head hanging low, I’ll show you attempt number Two. It’s EVEN WORSE than attempt one!!

What it SHOULD look like (another fine example of it here)

What it DOES look like......Oh god! It's hideous!!!!

I think I have tension issues. I’m worried I’m not holding the hook right, or weaving the yarn around my finger right. I have a feeling I crochet into the wrong holes. I think my yarn and hook choice are mismatched and I know for sure I can’t count stitches properly.

Oh help me crochet gods, help me!!