Clips of the summer

As September slowly shows it's hand, I find myself enjoying a very warm sunny Saturday morning. The children went back to school (gradually) this week and I ploughed through a pile of work. Now the weekend is here and I am determined to dedicate some time to creativity.

The school holidays are always a difficult time. With three children, self-employment which should offer flexibility but invariably never at the desired time, I often find myself frustrated for those six weeks.

Looking back at what I did manage to get done....well the results were few, but at least there's something to show.

Amigurumi Cat

I made this little fella for our friends, who just became proud first time parents. The pattern came from Janagurumi at Dawanda. 

My on-going project is  a poncho I'm making - I've made a few mistakes on this, it was a muddle up on treble and half-treble crochet, I've nailed it now though and and slowly ticking off the 92 starbusts I have to make! This gorgeous pattern is taken from Rowan, Amy Butler River Camp Knits

Starburst crochet Poncho

And finally, whilst trundling around in the camper van, spending a relaxed couple of days in Beer, Devon, we sheltered from a cloud-burst in a cranky antiques shop behind The Dolphin pub. I found the sweetest lace crochet hook and vintage french silver thread. The hook is victorian and features engravings and mouldings of a lighthouse. The hook retracts and is TINY. The lace making ladies of Beer actually made the lace for Queen Victoria's wedding dress....perhaps this very hook was used.....

Lace-making hook, from Beer, Devon

So this afternoon, I will set up a cosy corner in the shady part of the courtyard and will get busy...I've a wedding dress to make! Enjoy the weather
Katerina lalala xx

Initial ideas

Well it's London 2012, and I'm watching the velodrome action on the Beeb, fantastic. I have been busy creating this morning, finally doing some 'housekeeping' updating my GiftWrappedandGorgeous boutique. As my last post stated, it's mainly Christmas stuff, but other designs are popping into my head. Once that creative flow starts, sometimes it's hard to stop, which probably explains my insomnia last night. Seriously, 3 hours lost because my brain was working through designs, I should have got up and got busy!

Illuminated Initial Art

Crochet Christmas Bauble Card

Crochet Christmas Baubles (set of 6) 

Folky Bauble Christmas Card (set of 4)

Nordic Stocking Christmas Card (set of 4)

Partridge in a Pear Tree Christmas Card (set of 4)

Scandinavian Reindeer Christmas Card (set of 4)

It's July, therefore it is Christmas

I sit here, the rain is on it's way, I'm wearing a poncho, both of which are making my current work a little easier than it normally feels in July. I'm getting myself organised for Christmas - no not shopping - I like to leave that until at least November. My mind is on Christmas cards. I sell via Folksy and Gift Wrapped and Gorgeous, and the lovely Press Office have informed me that requests for Christmas items are starting to come through.

I wanted to revamp my range, give it a fresher feel. Influenced by letterpress with a Scandinavian feel, I'm reworking some traditional themes. I don't want anything glitzy and sparkly, instead aiming for bold, clean with really strong lines and shapes. Starting with an inked line drawing, I then rework it digitally and get busy with the vector lines.... The real fun comes when I play with the colour palette, 4 colour ways, I've shared one of them here.

Inked design

Working on the vector version

Finished!

Flutter through Folksy

Inspired by lovefromflorence.blogspot.com, I've been flicking through Folksy and wanted to share some of my current favourites. I'm drawn to the attention to detail, the choice of yarn and the technical skills used in these projects.

Owl Hat by ChayChay Hand Knits and Crochet

Symmetrical flower Cushion Cover by NostalgicPieces

Lavender Sachets by Nomolio

Apple Coasters by Tatjana474

Owl Apple Cosy by HeloiseV

Baby boots by Bamboots

Organic Cotton Cloths by Scrubbitty

Crochet Hook Roll by KnitsandKnots

Crochet Chirpy Bird Keyring by Simply Hand Made

Crochet Frog Pin Cushion by PawsomeCreatures

Pencil Toppers by Super Cute

Aromatic Crochet Hearts by Angela's cute crafts

Summer holidays.....crafty plans

Granny square blanket

Phew! After the very, very wet Nova Festival, and a lovely weekend away with my gorgeous man, I feel refreshed and ready for the summer (!)

School holidays are looming, weather not looking any better, so we may be inside rather a lot. I have a few ideas to occupy us, some film making - it's always a challenge but the results are so satisfying. There really is something for everyone when it comes to film, the story, the imagery, the music & sound and the team working opportunity. Watch this space - the finished film will be published, hopefully before the new school year.

Additionally I'm going to continuing hooking with my daughter, she did really well first time round, starting with a circular coaster and I'm confident with some relaxed, holiday time she will get the hang of it.

As for me, well I've been using up a vast quantity of wool which I have collected over my adulthood. Granny squares-a-plenty are slowly but surely forming this years winter blanket. Our lovely house can be a bit chilly and I like nothing better than feeling cosy as the nights draw in. All this rain has made me feel I need to be truly prepared for winter - avoid the blues! I started this 3 weeks ago, and realistically it needs to be twice the size, at the moment it would cover my knees in a bit of a granny way. Hey but the great thing about granny squares is you can just keep adding them!

Mobile crochet becomes Hook Therapy

Should I be worried? Found myself sitting outside the boy's school at pick-up, with hook in hand. Also know I'm going to take some with me to the festival next week.

Hooking on the move

Life at home can be a little tense, with number one child approaching 13 (behaving 15 sometimes) I often find myself needing to escape. Immersing myself in a complex pattern helps.

With this in mind, and having read Attic24 Lucy's post about hooking with her daughter, I'm going to try and teach my gal, working on the theory that doing something together may open up some closing channels between us. Hook therapy!

Tonight is the night, a friend is having a baby and I've found an amigurumi pattern, Booba from Menwy which I think she'd eventually be able to complete....which us luck!

Make a list and get ticking

katerina lalala & pablo meccano

I'm trying to tick some things off my list - got my fingers in too many pies at the moment and it's stressing me out. The film is almost finished, another 40 frames to edit and then I'll publish. Desperately would like to get this done today, my hook is awaiting me - want to get back to the paisley crochet!