tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42578238061155113142024-03-06T08:31:27.604+00:00made by valThe home of the made by val craft blog.made by valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16966251979606317057noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4257823806115511314.post-63199401001514126742012-09-04T11:40:00.003+01:002012-09-14T18:00:31.575+01:00Cushioney ThingsFor a while now I have been fed up with our sofa cushions, I am tired of looking at them. We bought them years and years ago in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woolworths_Group" target="_blank">Woolworths</a>, that gives you an idea of how old they are and that was before Woolworths had even thought of a closing down sale! I have to say the covers are the same but I have periodically changed the inserts. So the obvious solution would be to crochet some new ones, right? Now I have heard of how crocheting a cushion is a short satisfying project, now while I enjoyed it it did seem to take for-ever. As I have mentioned I am not the most patient person in the world, but still. The crochet part was straightforward but then the construction part meant a lot of a part project hanging about, totally my doing.<br />
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I was inspired by this fabulous cushion from <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/crochet-wooly-jumper-cushion-.html" target="_blank">Attic24</a> I loved the wooly back with the buttons. I decided to make the front using a treble crochet (uk) ripple stripe.<br />
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I then used a red cashmere cardigan that had long shrunk too small, to make the back. The cashmere makes a gorgeous soft back, as you can imagine.<br />
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I forgot to take a photo of the construction, but I followed the tutorial linked to above. Here is the back with some random buttons that were literally the only buttons I had that were the right size for this project<br />
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Here is the finished cushion on my sofa, and I love it! I am already planning my next one.<br />
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<br />made by valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16966251979606317057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4257823806115511314.post-68009017936525243352012-04-14T12:53:00.000+01:002012-04-14T12:53:37.353+01:00:: Quick Update ::Just thought I would do a quick Babette update. I have now finished panel nine and working on panel ten. I love the way the blanket is built up in panels but it does mean that each subsequent panel is significantly larger than the previous one, which can sometimes feel like a mountain to climb for impatient bods like me! I am always slow at getting the panels started and speedy at the end when I can see the end is in sight.<br />
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<br />made by valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16966251979606317057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4257823806115511314.post-77081815869080597262012-04-13T14:05:00.001+01:002012-04-13T14:06:08.802+01:00:: Hello And Zingy! ::<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The other night our current favourite advert came on the TV (is is bad to have a favourite advert?) it is the EDF Feel Good energy advert, it is our favourite because it stars no other than Zingy! He is very cute, very very cute.</div>
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So we decided we must have a Zingy of our own, but of course we couldn't as he was created for the advert. A bit of googling found he is a custom made <a href="http://www.mykeepon.com/index.php" target="_blank">My Keepon</a> but with all due respect to the little yellow guy, he just isn't as cute is he?</div>
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So that evening I was chatting a on a social network and mentioned how cute and unavailable Zingy was and the wonderful Charlotte from <a href="http://www.studiodelirium.co.uk/" target="_blank">Studio Delirium</a> offered to write me a crochet pattern, I couldn't say no could I? So within half an hour I had a pattern and started stitching and by the morning we had ourselves a Zingy! Ok so he is the wrong colour (it was all I could lay my hands on late at night!) and his face is a little dodgy but I was so pleased how he turned out. </div>
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There are more adverts coming soon, and I am sure EDF will be producing a Zingy toy soon enough!</div>
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x</div>made by valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16966251979606317057noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4257823806115511314.post-60409477375235425862012-02-28T17:16:00.000+00:002012-02-28T17:16:07.667+00:00:: Outdoorsy ::There always come a time in the new year when I remember I have a garden. I am not a very faithful gardener, I spend a lot of time in the garden and enjoying it in the summer but as winter descends, other than feeding the birds it does get a bit neglected. At this time of year the snowdrops are already out, the daffodils are about to bloom and the crocuses are here already. Finally seeing some colour in the garden even just a little is a very welcome sight.<br />
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My current project to put some more colour into the garden is to make some outdoor bunting! I will give more details when I have more to show, but here are some photos of the triangles that I cut out this afternoon.<br />
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<br />made by valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16966251979606317057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4257823806115511314.post-48722072775836497232012-02-15T16:21:00.001+00:002012-02-15T16:23:17.884+00:00:: WIP's ::A while ago I was feeling overwhelmed by my crochet WIP (work in progress) which is silly really as I only had myself to blame! So I decided to just work through them and not add to them. At all. Easier said than done. I soon realised that some of them, in my head, were WIP when in fact they only exisited on a to do list. So I scrapped the list and brought my load down further. I have been very good and managed to finish almost everything off so far. As I sit here I only have my <a href="http://madebyval.blogspot.com/search/label/art%20of%20crochet" target="_blank">Art of Crochet </a>blanket, which is only ten squares away from being finished, I am currently up to date with all the squares so far, and my <a href="http://madebyval.blogspot.com/search/label/babette" target="_blank">Babette blanket</a>.<br />
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Due to so many other things needing finished my Babette has been hibernating for the best part of a year, yikes! I have picked it up again and I am pleased to report I can show you another update photo. I am just sewing together section seven and will start crocheting section eight very soon.<br />
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Oh and I might have bought a new pattern to crochet a Dragon, but shhh I won't tell anyone if you don't!made by valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16966251979606317057noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4257823806115511314.post-3477207749852131502012-01-31T17:07:00.000+00:002012-01-31T17:07:38.809+00:00:: New To Me Fun ::Isn't is great when you get new-to-me stuff? I am a massive fan of Ebay, charity shops, car boot sales, you name it, if it's second hand I'm there! <br />
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This last week I had some time to kill and decided to visit a local charity shop and picked up a fabulous red corduroy coat for £4. Bargain! I didn't like the buttons that were on the coat which was just as well as there were two missing! but never fear, new buttons have been purchased and as soon as I find myself some red thread they will be on the coat. I have taken some 'before' photos of my coat but right now they are trapped inside my camera so I will show the befores just as soon as I have some afters to share.<br />
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In other news my brother has passed his old iphone to me! How lucky am I? I was most excited as now I can use instagram which I have been looking longing at for some time. I have actually only taken one photo with it so far and here it is! Hmmmmn tea :) x <br />
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<br />made by valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16966251979606317057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4257823806115511314.post-26544692271920195242012-01-25T14:33:00.002+00:002012-01-25T14:34:54.323+00:00::The Art Of Crochet Third Quarter::I have recently finished sewing together the third quarter of the Art Of Crochet partwork. I have surprised my self that I have been able to keep up with all this crochet lark. Although the crochet itself has got easier it has also become less interesting as a result. The complete blanket is made up of 120 squares (from 120 issues) and there are many many repeats of the pattrens, but they are good for practice and to be able to compare squares and see progress. When I started square one I hadn't actually managed to crochet yet and here I am now whizzing up squares and thinking they are boring!<br />
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Here are a couple of photos of the new section. I haven't sewn it together yet as we use the first half of the blanket and I don't want to turn it into an unwieldy 'L' shape. So now we have one big blanket and one small blanket kicking around on the back of the sofa! Next stop one huge blanket wheeeeeeeeeeeee!<br />
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<br />made by valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16966251979606317057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4257823806115511314.post-2082802147055873262012-01-02T17:43:00.003+00:002012-01-02T17:47:48.395+00:00::Welcome 2012::Welcome to the New Year! Hope it is going well for you so far.<br />
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I am trying to take advantage of the quieter times and shorter days, spending time on the computer redoing my banners. I am also looking into building a new website through <a href="http://www.moonfruit.com/" target="_blank">moonfruit</a> . Currently <a href="http://www.wix.com/madebyval/madebyval" target="_blank">made by val </a>is hosted by <a href="http://www.wix.com/" target="_blank">Wix</a> but it is flash based so can sometimes take a while to load and also, can't be viewed on mobile devices that don't support Flash, so I thought perhaps moonfruit might be the way to go they also let you add a shop so that is helpful, but as with these things it takes AGES, I am not know for my patience :)<br />
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I have started to make more fairy doors in the hope that I can build up a nice stock for the coming year. Other business plans include taking some new photos and launching some new stock items which I have in the pipeline although these might need to wait until the boys have gone back to school. Well it is good to have plans, I never like the pressure of resolutions, so plans sound good to me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrlxxND8VfCL8Ks-7DCbxjAxTk2ulVwRdGSm6NGUKOAu088CMyex68TTvvV8kuShbK167RxYHV2hxz7tifY90cAAvdzGbG8AZ5QEn2lTLov0UajxbiZOJ33cEurU42CNmcNnB4U7rI1sA/s1600/matsPol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrlxxND8VfCL8Ks-7DCbxjAxTk2ulVwRdGSm6NGUKOAu088CMyex68TTvvV8kuShbK167RxYHV2hxz7tifY90cAAvdzGbG8AZ5QEn2lTLov0UajxbiZOJ33cEurU42CNmcNnB4U7rI1sA/s400/matsPol.jpg" width="352" /></a></div>
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<br />made by valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16966251979606317057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4257823806115511314.post-56159439109386918922011-11-18T13:52:00.001+00:002011-11-18T14:01:17.964+00:00Cheeeese!I love cheese, so imagine my excitement when I was buying some mini babybels for my son and it came with a mini 'meltpot'<br />
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Basically you place a babybel in the little tray, zap it in the microwave for 20 seconds and then you have a little melty pot of cheese! Sadly though, I was a little disappointed, although the resultant melted cheese tasted great, it was less fondue and more hot chewy cheese, it cooled too quickly and I ended up eating it more or less in one go, which wasn't good as I wouldn't eat a whole babybel in one go. I also thought the cheese was quite hot so not sure I will let my son near it!<br />
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So there you go I thought it was a great idea but sadly it doesn't seem to work in practice.<br />
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Now to think up a good use for he little pot!<br />
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xmade by valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16966251979606317057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4257823806115511314.post-73646464397883022182011-11-15T10:52:00.001+00:002011-11-15T10:57:58.632+00:00PercivalI have been wanting to make a pin cushion for ages so I finally got around to making this wee guy:<br />
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He was supposed to be stuffed with only polyfill but as he was to be a pin cushion I put a cardboard circle in first to give him a flat base to sit on and I filled him half full with poly beads to weigh him down, finally finishing with polyfill. I think he turned out quite good!<br />
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<br />made by valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16966251979606317057noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4257823806115511314.post-84700631990204883272011-11-07T16:01:00.001+00:002011-11-07T16:01:43.185+00:00Today I .....Moulded ....<br />
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and painted ....<br />
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These are all different doors, unfortunately I am unable to mould, dry and paint a door all in the same day, just like the expensive phone advertisments, some sequences have been shortened.<br />
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The painted doors only have their first coat applied, kinda look like they are made of toffee nom nom.<br />
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<br />made by valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16966251979606317057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4257823806115511314.post-10297629348302762822011-09-20T16:33:00.000+01:002011-09-20T16:33:58.581+01:00Amineko!A while back when I was wandering around the web I came across a lovely crocheted cat called Amineko. He stars in his own book <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hello-My-Name-Amineko-Crochet/dp/1589235711/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1316532412&sr=1-1">'Hello my Name is Amineko'</a> and, how generous, the creator of the pattern - <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/nekoyama">Nekoyama</a> shares the pattern on Ravelry - for free!<br />
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Well, I just had to have a go at making one, and here he is!<br />
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The thing that makes him/them supercute is the fact they are slightly weighted in the bum area, and in the arms and legs so they can pose. Although he seems to enjoy sleeping. A lot. Cats eh?<br />
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<br />made by valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16966251979606317057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4257823806115511314.post-45028456494919422002011-09-01T11:18:00.000+01:002011-09-01T11:18:19.334+01:00New MonthWell hello September!<br />
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Today I have started with great enthusiasm. I have joined in with a Folksy group - September Embers, whereby we must list at least one item a day for the whole month. I joined this last year, in September as well it turns out, must be my 'get up and go' month! I think I almost managed to list every day, weekends are a bit of a challenge as I often don't even switch on the computer over the weekend. I will try and see how far I can get.<br />
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Today I listed a <a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/2227769-Handmade-Pink-Fairy-Door-for-fairies-made-by-val?shop=yes">wee pink fairy door</a> hopefully I can sustain my enthusiasm and I will have full shop by Christmas :)<br />
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<br />made by valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16966251979606317057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4257823806115511314.post-78083259599001566662011-08-18T13:11:00.003+01:002011-08-18T13:21:40.601+01:00New cameraOur new camera arrived yesterday.
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<br />It is one of those things that you look forward to, can't wait for, then it arrives and it has so many buttons and functions that you don't quite know where to start! So I have decided to start on full auto mode and work my way up =)
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<br />Here are a couple of shots I took in the garden during some (very) short bursts of sun.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwpH75Y5yriGwMxWII6FyV0saRKLnPHt2cuKC9LkXS42kAAXAl0wc7yJ1SYaloreyF1YbCgw-BW1WbSHYsbKLgoe0kvmpAlrMJ6JlgUby6pCXBrhuviVHC3qQiNtF0bUoZdn_Mg52sew/s1600/P1000073.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwpH75Y5yriGwMxWII6FyV0saRKLnPHt2cuKC9LkXS42kAAXAl0wc7yJ1SYaloreyF1YbCgw-BW1WbSHYsbKLgoe0kvmpAlrMJ6JlgUby6pCXBrhuviVHC3qQiNtF0bUoZdn_Mg52sew/s400/P1000073.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642169117856383250" border="0" /></a>
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<br />Since I took these I have found out there is a sports mode - to improve my bee shots :) and also a flower mode!! Well, you see I am learning and moving on already.
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<br />made by valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16966251979606317057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4257823806115511314.post-85308867787661133832011-08-16T14:08:00.004+01:002011-08-16T14:36:57.444+01:00On The UpWell I have been busy for the last few weeks with the boys being off for the summer. I know I have said it before but I really like them being off school. I much prefer the relaxed nature of the days and no dreaded alarm clock beep! Sadly tomorrow it all ends :( Yup it is the old back to school day tomorrow. Boo!
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<br />However I have been really busy today. A while ago I made a new design fairy door. After making and painting literally hundreds of my current design I felt some change was in order. It has been a real trial and error to get the moulding compound to behave itself. I have suffered so many air bubbles I was becoming quite despondant, but today I actually managed an almost, dare I say it, bubble free mould! Sometimes smaller air bubbles don't show in the casting but I was getting huge ones aargh. Anyway today I was calm and took my time, tried not to panic and yay! it worked. I currently have three new moulds and hopefully some more on the way. I am so pleased I managed to get it right. All the more frustrating of course as I obviously had done it before but couldn't remember how.
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<br />I am also on a mission to make a huge batch of doors so I can restock my <a href="http://www.folksy.com/shops/madebyval">Folksy</a> and <a href="http://www.misi.co.uk/store_info.php?user_id=945">Misi </a>shops. Wow they are looking sparse :( I have a problem I shouldn't complain about but I have been selling my Fairy Doors in wonderful shop called the Gift Gallery, in York (in the Shambles no less!) and they are selling so fast I can hardly keep up. Great for my bank balance but not so great for my online shop stock. So I am trying to make, make, make and get ahead of myself before the Christmas rush. We shall see. (It won't happen ;) )
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<br />In other news, we ordered a new camera which should arrive tomorrow. How very exciting. So my plan is to take lots of nice photographs of my new doors. I would also like to re do my banner but that is a long term goal.
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<br />So, new school year, new fairy doors, new photos, new.....?
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<br />made by valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16966251979606317057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4257823806115511314.post-83279643266652593862011-07-30T14:46:00.004+01:002011-07-30T15:18:46.450+01:00GardenIt is sunny again today, yippee! It means I can keep up with my washing which, though sadly domestic, is something that keeps me happy!<br /><br />I also realised that a lot of the flowers that have been blooming in my garden have sadly bloomed their last, so I thought I would take some photos of some of the flowers that remain.<br /><br />The majority of the flowers have been grown from seed by Master M. and Master A. It seems like such a long time since we bought the seeds, dug the compost out the compost bin, and planted, and watered, and waited, and watered and waited...and then we had little seedlings which we planted out and how they grew! The boys have been so pleased with the results :)<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7kLW2CPQkBE/TjQOQ2i2MmI/AAAAAAAAAcM/pj4_2XHYJz4/s1600/gar06.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7kLW2CPQkBE/TjQOQ2i2MmI/AAAAAAAAAcM/pj4_2XHYJz4/s400/gar06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635144716429701730" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mrH5pCaXE40hii5EMXnYY09X5g-5jXncyYgGVROnLdrqB34AB2ri7jCTZn7uIm25oMkC_zavWREGQw9dIDWA764VUW69GlV4UuW-CvA-GeQEGPH3StZ7fOX-Qc2554aoLRnybci2XTA/s1600/gar05.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mrH5pCaXE40hii5EMXnYY09X5g-5jXncyYgGVROnLdrqB34AB2ri7jCTZn7uIm25oMkC_zavWREGQw9dIDWA764VUW69GlV4UuW-CvA-GeQEGPH3StZ7fOX-Qc2554aoLRnybci2XTA/s400/gar05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635144713017739458" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4MGXZVnAGWfIhmLhmxWdyZfa72OxDGOSO5TlRxW1pAKzPUwAtSpwduYEZ0Gho4y1VkTahPJkWS_PwBG4x3mVI96eO1xL1kgjYoCpV5wTZ_kZuj0RiVUNqOGJElp7c5DKJ6Ge8dwfbT4/s1600/gar03.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4MGXZVnAGWfIhmLhmxWdyZfa72OxDGOSO5TlRxW1pAKzPUwAtSpwduYEZ0Gho4y1VkTahPJkWS_PwBG4x3mVI96eO1xL1kgjYoCpV5wTZ_kZuj0RiVUNqOGJElp7c5DKJ6Ge8dwfbT4/s400/gar03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635144714322644098" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tOHNaRiKPDY/TjQOQaOHtjI/AAAAAAAAAb0/mBHB0PUzM_k/s1600/gar01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tOHNaRiKPDY/TjQOQaOHtjI/AAAAAAAAAb0/mBHB0PUzM_k/s400/gar01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635144708826576434" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wmSBaW0QLWE/TjQORO8S33I/AAAAAAAAAcU/qZiaG-nVFZ8/s1600/gar07.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 282px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wmSBaW0QLWE/TjQORO8S33I/AAAAAAAAAcU/qZiaG-nVFZ8/s400/gar07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635144722978889586" border="0" /></a><br />These were all grown from seeds except the Fuschia which is a really old bush that has lived in this garden forever.<br /><br />Oh and I have to mention out teeny apples growing on our (very modest) apple tree. It won't be long before they are full size apples - can't wait!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OK4_6KCfRZE/TjQSB38uWwI/AAAAAAAAAcg/xmvIIe0VMQk/s1600/gar08.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OK4_6KCfRZE/TjQSB38uWwI/AAAAAAAAAcg/xmvIIe0VMQk/s400/gar08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635148857155148546" border="0" /></a><br />xmade by valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16966251979606317057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4257823806115511314.post-19092417673821995162011-07-28T20:18:00.005+01:002011-07-30T14:35:00.424+01:00The Art Of Crochet So Far ..Wow I knew I hadn't blogged for ages but hadn't realised it had been this long!<br /><br />Just thought I would share with you some photos of my blanket so far that I have been making with 'The Art Of Crochet' partworks magazine. If you are not aware of the magazine, every week you get a ball of yarn and instructions to crochet a square, eventually each square is sewn together into a large vintage style blanket. There are also loads of other patterns in the magazine as well.<br /><br />I have really been enjoying the magazine because not only did it teach me to crochet in the first place, it has taught me stitches and techniques that I would probably never have attempted ( and a couple I never want to attempt again!!) because I am determined to get my blanket finished.<br /><br />This is only the second time that the magazine has published the making up instructions, it does get a bit frustrationing waiting on the instructions when I have had a huge pile of squares waiting patiently, but now I have a whole half blanket!<br /><br />I am pleased with my progress so far :)<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aM__qI86wdg/TjG383Fz2BI/AAAAAAAAAa4/lzmF5zkjdT0/s1600/bl05.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 279px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aM__qI86wdg/TjG383Fz2BI/AAAAAAAAAa4/lzmF5zkjdT0/s400/bl05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634486865025554450" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjp_AlGRVNMuvb5QYfk1yWjso7zMJ3oJ4Pt2Njc_YcqJ2V0yFIU8gG6MoLga3R7UAKY_TzQOM3x3Q_UYfeIBu4A9Uk1R2YDlc4jI-GfasQOaWmXC1FaqbwxkCiAvvdE9htQIg66kM1cQ/s1600/bl002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjp_AlGRVNMuvb5QYfk1yWjso7zMJ3oJ4Pt2Njc_YcqJ2V0yFIU8gG6MoLga3R7UAKY_TzQOM3x3Q_UYfeIBu4A9Uk1R2YDlc4jI-GfasQOaWmXC1FaqbwxkCiAvvdE9htQIg66kM1cQ/s400/bl002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634486872681050178" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFL1FICILcuw_pjb5NSUYtltz7GzcS7i1y1dGyEYOiJ_yykE774sOTVKCtwzbGYhUrt4nH0_XUyee0NemZDOzAXiWps73bf8gkvEvENakWHPn5-YRNZY_wmMWC2T0O0vjppAnE-RICuHk/s1600/bl001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFL1FICILcuw_pjb5NSUYtltz7GzcS7i1y1dGyEYOiJ_yykE774sOTVKCtwzbGYhUrt4nH0_XUyee0NemZDOzAXiWps73bf8gkvEvENakWHPn5-YRNZY_wmMWC2T0O0vjppAnE-RICuHk/s400/bl001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634486887447259730" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjp_AlGRVNMuvb5QYfk1yWjso7zMJ3oJ4Pt2Njc_YcqJ2V0yFIU8gG6MoLga3R7UAKY_TzQOM3x3Q_UYfeIBu4A9Uk1R2YDlc4jI-GfasQOaWmXC1FaqbwxkCiAvvdE9htQIg66kM1cQ/s1600/bl002.jpg"><br /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yRZmNiArq58/TjG3-ZxiNII/AAAAAAAAAbQ/zlDvPTw3yVs/s1600/bl04.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yRZmNiArq58/TjG3-ZxiNII/AAAAAAAAAbQ/zlDvPTw3yVs/s400/bl04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634486891515622530" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UXkkQHfbKzQ/TjG3-7FkVpI/AAAAAAAAAbY/7ebqNjy70AE/s1600/bl003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 249px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UXkkQHfbKzQ/TjG3-7FkVpI/AAAAAAAAAbY/7ebqNjy70AE/s400/bl003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634486900458018450" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I will try and not leave it so long until I blog again!!<br /><br />Xmade by valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16966251979606317057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4257823806115511314.post-73158971204883259512011-06-18T17:42:00.003+01:002011-06-18T17:53:36.447+01:00Flower Garland<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1pAc60eBtWM/TfzWhCT39CI/AAAAAAAAAaI/kfpzreszjzw/s1600/garland005.jpg"><br /></a>Thought I would share a wee flower garland that I crocheted for my hall.<br /><br />Our hall is a rather boring apricot colour, apart from laying laminate flooring we haven't touched the hall since moving in seven years ago. I really want to do something with it just not sure what.<br /><br />We added a huge mirror a couple of years ago to enlarge the space and I though a crocheted garland would be just the thing to give it a lift. I was able to use some vintage buttons that my mum had given to me a long time ago.<br /><br />Oh and please excuse the blank canvases on the walls. hubby hung them there a while ago as a minimilist joke and we have never got round to taking them down! I sometimes think people that come to the door must think we are mad (they would be right, of course ;) )<br /><br />I am quite pleased how it turned out.<br /><br />Hope you like it :) x<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1pAc60eBtWM/TfzWhCT39CI/AAAAAAAAAaI/kfpzreszjzw/s1600/garland005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 235px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1pAc60eBtWM/TfzWhCT39CI/AAAAAAAAAaI/kfpzreszjzw/s400/garland005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619602298095793186" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GPLdJ7vdU7s/TfzWhEPXPMI/AAAAAAAAAaA/vw40kiiWAgk/s1600/garland003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 75px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GPLdJ7vdU7s/TfzWhEPXPMI/AAAAAAAAAaA/vw40kiiWAgk/s400/garland003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619602298613742786" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7QK--YrJzsA/TfzWgT3jNQI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/NuPx6dYZpik/s1600/garland002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7QK--YrJzsA/TfzWgT3jNQI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/NuPx6dYZpik/s400/garland002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619602285628962050" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RUUXfJG0kfY/TfzWgE7sz4I/AAAAAAAAAZw/Jt7IX68DZhs/s1600/garland001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RUUXfJG0kfY/TfzWgE7sz4I/AAAAAAAAAZw/Jt7IX68DZhs/s400/garland001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619602281619836802" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eEbwm0-PWk0/TfzWhnicCvI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/47t-HYaiy-w/s1600/garland006.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 388px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eEbwm0-PWk0/TfzWhnicCvI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/47t-HYaiy-w/s400/garland006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619602308088990450" border="0" /></a>made by valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16966251979606317057noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4257823806115511314.post-28249533675906033902011-05-24T10:58:00.008+01:002011-05-24T11:26:39.366+01:00Chair UpdateThought it was time for a little <a href="http://madebyval.blogspot.com/2011/04/before-but-no-after.html">chair</a> update.<br /><br />I stripped the chair down to the frame (the grey square on the front was me testing the paint for the legs!) please also excuse the lego pile in the background :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBR_8dOC8jM4MNdR8NQbmxCReGFLfs2Zq3Rm1BNiusf3WvxJLHYzCEFX_DuONuhz5EoJOOKu5REHsp0v65rkzBBtjUQRW2d_6rwboG7uX3IQcG3crlN-sgK6DQNy_cflz793fpI8nyagY/s1600/stripped.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 247px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBR_8dOC8jM4MNdR8NQbmxCReGFLfs2Zq3Rm1BNiusf3WvxJLHYzCEFX_DuONuhz5EoJOOKu5REHsp0v65rkzBBtjUQRW2d_6rwboG7uX3IQcG3crlN-sgK6DQNy_cflz793fpI8nyagY/s400/stripped.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610221555222804194" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I sanded it, and painted the legs a dark grey/barely black colour. Still not sure which fabric I am using but I wanted the legs to be dark.<br /><br />Before:<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-21xUaHprZOg/TduDlzXpIGI/AAAAAAAAAZI/VltVkNlBIgI/s1600/oldleg.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 330px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-21xUaHprZOg/TduDlzXpIGI/AAAAAAAAAZI/VltVkNlBIgI/s400/oldleg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610222446287855714" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After:<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aER-ekCGvCI/TduD6pAZdOI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/MN1_J2yvumc/s1600/newleg.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aER-ekCGvCI/TduD6pAZdOI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/MN1_J2yvumc/s400/newleg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610222804283258082" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I have just finished attaching hessian and webbing to the back and webbing to the base.<br /><br />Before:<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b-gImviYgTI/TduENhk44oI/AAAAAAAAAZY/FPbebiBVO4M/s1600/oldbase.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 369px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b-gImviYgTI/TduENhk44oI/AAAAAAAAAZY/FPbebiBVO4M/s400/oldbase.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610223128706343554" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSyQLTLi5OUhiokLdvQuNEYeRmGsb9D6O_ROfNeWzqnoC_Lel37jDIRJljJflR9uf9o_wvIMSsEWwEdbN2HXSVAg8-DMS7ZDdKl2DwO5AazvBf2Pns5ok2Csjbu1dvuXdxhOLOR3sUrYc/s1600/newbase.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 335px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSyQLTLi5OUhiokLdvQuNEYeRmGsb9D6O_ROfNeWzqnoC_Lel37jDIRJljJflR9uf9o_wvIMSsEWwEdbN2HXSVAg8-DMS7ZDdKl2DwO5AazvBf2Pns5ok2Csjbu1dvuXdxhOLOR3sUrYc/s400/newbase.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610223441209529474" border="0" /></a><br /><br />As you can see the chair originally had rubber 'pirelli' webbing but it had long since perished and gone hard. I decided to just use jute webbing instead, I hope it will last longer. I have also glued and screwed a couple of joints that were still together but were becoming a bit wobbly. I am really impressed by the harness of the wood. Makes me sad that a lot of furniture these days is made form cheap pine and composite board. They wont last for the tens of years this chair has. Buy cheap buy twice, I suppose.<br /><br />I am now waiting to purchase some spray adhesive so I can join some hessian to the underside of the base cushion to stop the webbing cutting into it.<br /><br />This project is taking longer than I thought mainly due to the number of bits and bobs that I seem to need and I am trying to do it right and never having done anything like this before it is a huge, slow, learning curve. I am enjoying it and happy so far with my progress.<br /><br />On a side note, the other week I was in town (I rarely go into the City centre) and I popped into a brand new Cath Kidston shop (just for a nosey - never bought anything) and imagine my surprise when I saw they had a re upholstered chair, exactly the same 'nursing' style chair. Their one was covered in a 'vintage' picnic blanket and they were asking £265!! This has spurred me on a bit as I am sure you can imagine :) and to think my wee chair was destined for landfil :(<br /><br />Take care xmade by valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16966251979606317057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4257823806115511314.post-16080124397565059952011-05-10T19:06:00.003+01:002011-05-10T19:15:11.660+01:00New Product! New Photos!Today I have listed a new product -<a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/1742137-Handmade-Blue-Elf-Door-for-elves-made-by-val?shop=yes"> Elf Doors</a>! I have made quite a few Elf doors in the past as special orders but I have decided to start selling them as a main line now. Lots of people prefer elves to fairies. Some people have sons (like me!) and want a wee door that is less 'girlie' so the answer is a wee blue Elf door!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67ucghxYUybOcsHA6t_0y3eqfNqvcgqX4ML2qaRpuqF2cpaZhfsrpeOqKfLrWYQKsjmugG8FQqSqiOUXk7aoBfAD8jHXauPsWw9SOEI0VGBrIjmPUjouAlaIXlWat99WhMEy1gOjNfrQ/s1600/elfFDMat.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 387px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67ucghxYUybOcsHA6t_0y3eqfNqvcgqX4ML2qaRpuqF2cpaZhfsrpeOqKfLrWYQKsjmugG8FQqSqiOUXk7aoBfAD8jHXauPsWw9SOEI0VGBrIjmPUjouAlaIXlWat99WhMEy1gOjNfrQ/s400/elfFDMat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605151774407992402" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Of course, no elf door would be complete without an <a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/1742169-Blue-Elves-Doormat-for-Elf-Doors-made-by-val?shop=yes">elf doormat</a>, so I made some of them too!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9wDBJUnqB5Y/TcmAgHq0DzI/AAAAAAAAAYo/Fp0xnHxA2aw/s1600/ElfDM.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 380px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9wDBJUnqB5Y/TcmAgHq0DzI/AAAAAAAAAYo/Fp0xnHxA2aw/s400/ElfDM.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605152500542082866" border="0" /></a><br /><br />xmade by valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16966251979606317057noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4257823806115511314.post-39026453827257782152011-05-05T19:05:00.004+01:002011-05-05T19:17:32.015+01:00New Photos!Today it is raining much rain, but that is ok because the garden needs some rain some of my plants were starting to wilt!<br /><br />The other day I took my fairy doors on a wee trip to my local park and took some photos. I was trying to get some good shots in different locations but my photography isn't that hot. I think I rely too much on the Auto setting and should spend more time getting to know the other functions it has to offer.<br /><br />It was a beautiful day but it turned out to be too sunny (I know!). I took several photos but hardly any of them were successful, the sun was so bright it glinted off the glittery paint. I hadn't realised it had done this until I got them home so most of the shots that are useable are of my brown 'wood' doors.<br /><br />Here are a couple photos of the park:<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--jQ-QrNlB-c/TcLolNLFkiI/AAAAAAAAAX8/20ccdjbpFEA/s1600/DSCF1310.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--jQ-QrNlB-c/TcLolNLFkiI/AAAAAAAAAX8/20ccdjbpFEA/s400/DSCF1310.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603296612291285538" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x41Mdt2y6uA/TcLok_J34LI/AAAAAAAAAX0/Zvh0W-ygALk/s1600/DSCF1312.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x41Mdt2y6uA/TcLok_J34LI/AAAAAAAAAX0/Zvh0W-ygALk/s400/DSCF1312.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603296608528097458" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It was such a beautiful day it makes me feel guilty I don't visit this park more often.<br /><br />Here is a glinty picture of one of my doors :(<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-isljaUwpZig/TcLolXZLsgI/AAAAAAAAAYE/RGkFBoLCoLE/s1600/DSCF1300.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-isljaUwpZig/TcLolXZLsgI/AAAAAAAAAYE/RGkFBoLCoLE/s400/DSCF1300.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603296615034761730" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And here is the non glinty version!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7krANciyN_A/TcLol8JCBzI/AAAAAAAAAYU/1Of9wCLMA50/s1600/DSCF1332.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7krANciyN_A/TcLol8JCBzI/AAAAAAAAAYU/1Of9wCLMA50/s400/DSCF1332.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603296624899131186" border="0" /></a><br /><br />With added 50p windmill!<br /><br />Hope you are enjoying the weather (whatever it brings!)<br /><br />xmade by valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16966251979606317057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4257823806115511314.post-9706514031655644422011-04-18T18:25:00.004+01:002011-05-11T18:54:04.573+01:00Before But No AfterYou know when you share something and then think I need to finish that because people will wonder how I am getting on well, this is kinda the reason for this post. I am sharing the 'before' of a project which is currently a work in progress and hopefully will one day become an 'after' I was going to keep it to myself and just do a ta da 'before and after' post but I thought by sharing it I might be insentivised (is that a word?) to actually finish it!!<br /><br />You see the other day we were driving to the supermarket and it was bin day. Now when it is bin day I often have to avert my eyes as I get really stressed at the things people throw out things that are perfectly good but destined to be crushed and buried in the ground because it has served its useful life with that person. Well this day and I spied a wee chair. I thought it looked 'useful' not too big not too small. We could do with and extra chair. One that is not to big and not too small. So later that night (it had actually gone dark!) I asked my hubby to drive back to see if the chair was still there. You see the bin lorry should already have been, but it was still there! It was fate. So I picked it up and brought it home to keep warm :)<br /><br />Here it is!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L0tGvRqXU2Q/Tax3K8w_xiI/AAAAAAAAAXo/exc2KJNDIdM/s1600/chair03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 364px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L0tGvRqXU2Q/Tax3K8w_xiI/AAAAAAAAAXo/exc2KJNDIdM/s400/chair03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596979466908714530" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eQfLRUn3N1U/Tax3KpNGE9I/AAAAAAAAAXg/xh3KS41bVxQ/s1600/chair02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eQfLRUn3N1U/Tax3KpNGE9I/AAAAAAAAAXg/xh3KS41bVxQ/s400/chair02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596979461657859026" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LN1Ip1NqcQw/Tax3KM4tvJI/AAAAAAAAAXY/sHkuHl76a4s/s1600/chair01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 386px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LN1Ip1NqcQw/Tax3KM4tvJI/AAAAAAAAAXY/sHkuHl76a4s/s400/chair01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596979454056184978" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And so begins my first upholstery project! I mean, how difficult can it be?<br /><br />xmade by valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16966251979606317057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4257823806115511314.post-49229626628388879452011-04-10T18:04:00.006+01:002011-04-10T19:16:35.141+01:00Spring!Well how nice it is to see some sunshine around. My garden has burst into life over the past couple of weeks. I feel as if winter had just gone on and on, this year.<br /><br />The sunshine meant the host of daffodils I have in my front garden burst into life. I do love daffodils, the way they always open with their fantastic yellow blooms just when you think there will never be any more colour outside. Unfortunately for my daffodils just when they had revealed all their lovely colour we had strong winds and heavy rain and oh dear he daffs did not like that weather one bit! So I had to go out and save lots of my poor battered blooms, so many were broken (but lots survived - yay!) . I put them in an old jam jar and then set about making the jar a wee jacket! And lo and behold this is what they became.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Dkygk6iLhvCLzXe-IwdGfkrdgIRXCRsBt4gVLL1RHNctc2vMglCmEF_FOP-1SN7QXgCCUUyX5MoL3PX6TyH408I-CH1Hz4Sx98Wn98n4K_o0CVcdyrvWnIOQEldwQBEoUCjsnZ2dk1M/s1600/jarjkt02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 359px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Dkygk6iLhvCLzXe-IwdGfkrdgIRXCRsBt4gVLL1RHNctc2vMglCmEF_FOP-1SN7QXgCCUUyX5MoL3PX6TyH408I-CH1Hz4Sx98Wn98n4K_o0CVcdyrvWnIOQEldwQBEoUCjsnZ2dk1M/s400/jarjkt02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594003609512057698" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--E5UztFUFOs/TaHkkgVwJKI/AAAAAAAAAXE/EViezsy-Eis/s1600/jarjkt01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--E5UztFUFOs/TaHkkgVwJKI/AAAAAAAAAXE/EViezsy-Eis/s400/jarjkt01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594003527978460322" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So simple, yet so pleasing :)<br /><br />If you want to make your own the pattern is from Lucy at the fantastic <a href="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/crochet-jar-jacket.html">Attic 24 blog</a>.<br /><br />Hope you are out and enjoying the spring sunshine.<br /><br />xmade by valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16966251979606317057noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4257823806115511314.post-47296190263592619632011-03-29T12:28:00.003+01:002011-03-29T12:52:32.466+01:00GeorgeEvery time I start to write a blog post I never know what to call it. Sometimes I think I should just number my posts, other times I think I will just call them George.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AxHKxgnhSak/TZHH6HBg6mI/AAAAAAAAAWY/noXrBHn8MDE/s1600/pinkfair05.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 392px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AxHKxgnhSak/TZHH6HBg6mI/AAAAAAAAAWY/noXrBHn8MDE/s400/pinkfair05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589468413675235938" border="0" /></a><br /><br />In an attempt to fill out my shop I have added a new <a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/1572861-Pink-Fairies-Doormat-for-Fairy-Doors-made-by-val?shop=yes">pink fairy doormat</a> listing to my<a href="http://www.folksy.com/shops/madebyval"> Folksy shop</a> the perfect accessory for your pink fairy door!<br /><br />I met with a crafty friend of mine the other day. They lovely Suzanne of <a href="http://www.folksy.com/shops/fieldytweed">Fieldy Tweed</a> fame. We were both discussing the difficulties of staying motivated when you work from home and trying to stay inspired in order to pursue our chosen handmade career paths, when the urge to wrap up in a blanket, drink coffee and watch Homes Under The Hammer is very strong. It is something I have struggled with for a long time, motivation.<br /><br />To this end we have set ourselves a goal - to sell X number of items and to write X blog posts and to meet up once a month to make sure it happens! As the sun is gracing us with its presence occasionally now, we are going to meet up in a local park armed with products and cameras to take some product shots, just trying to think outside the box a bit. Having product shots is something that really holds me back more than it should, so hopefully this will help.<br /><br />I will let you know how we get on!<br /><br />Take care.<br /><br />xmade by valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16966251979606317057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4257823806115511314.post-1633204051625935752011-03-16T12:53:00.006+00:002011-03-16T13:19:28.211+00:00Babette UpdateI thought it was time for a babette update. Sadly I am about as rubbish as getting on with the babette as I am at remembering to blog, so a bit of an advancement but not much.<br /><br />I haven't actually been able to do any work on this blanket for a few weeks due to life stuff. I find it takes a lot of concentration, working out the size of square, the colourways and the tedious (for me) colour changes! So I am hoping this little update will spur me along a bit :)<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8YwgpRTRvkY/TYCzs_t8NCI/AAAAAAAAAVs/AfU1vwg-xDc/s1600/bab001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 384px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8YwgpRTRvkY/TYCzs_t8NCI/AAAAAAAAAVs/AfU1vwg-xDc/s400/bab001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584661123539153954" border="0" /></a>A gratuitous yarn photo<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5gPXGha1IQ7_h8UVyJuEiFXs9rn8Yf6-M5Ijqwgbja1GCg7DmhGeceSgr9jxUW1SLunrS3RN_9lHIIcNET4JQLoTFbNj8qyPBOg4AsFQl0lS0-FtNB7oq_uns9KauRIQdO2yC-RpBkI/s1600/yarn.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 333px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5gPXGha1IQ7_h8UVyJuEiFXs9rn8Yf6-M5Ijqwgbja1GCg7DmhGeceSgr9jxUW1SLunrS3RN_9lHIIcNET4JQLoTFbNj8qyPBOg4AsFQl0lS0-FtNB7oq_uns9KauRIQdO2yC-RpBkI/s400/yarn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584666365709841762" border="0" /></a>In other news, yesterday I made another batch of fairy doors. Here are some of them drying out<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z1ZcnkrDga0/TYC3ancxRHI/AAAAAAAAAWA/Zbmab88YOvw/s1600/whiteDoors.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z1ZcnkrDga0/TYC3ancxRHI/AAAAAAAAAWA/Zbmab88YOvw/s400/whiteDoors.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584665205833548914" border="0" /></a>Not as colourful as the last three pictures!<br /><br />Finished Fairy doors always available in my Folksy shop <a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/1327733-Handmade-Wood-Effect-Fairy-Door-?shop=yes">here</a> (well, you can't blame a girl for a little self promotion ;) )<br /><br />Take care<br /><br />xmade by valhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16966251979606317057noreply@blogger.com3