The Royal Sisters

Happy Valentines Day My Dears...

2012-02-14T11:57:00.001+11:00

What a great way to start the week...

Bunches of flowers...

whether from a loved one, friend or neighbour

or maybe a bunch picked by yourself from your garden...

It really doesn't matter

They just make the day seem so much brighter...

So to all my dear friends

here is a bunch for you...

Picked from the garden of a local fellow

whose garden is just amazing...

Some Zinnias...

a favorite flower of the butterfly...

Also this week I have finished off some crocheting...

A lovely red wool vest
from the same Japanese crochet pattern book that I have mentioned
here...
This ended up begin about a size 14...
I will be making my next one a little bit smaller...

I did find it very quick and easy to understand...

and the subtle detail on the top and edge was just perfect...
If made in wool thou you will use about 300grams so it does pay
to get more just in case...

So that it about all here at River Cottage this morning...

I do hope you all have a lovely day...

Mr Benjamin...Bunny...

2012-02-07T11:59:00.000+11:00

I would like you all to meet

Mr Benjamin Bunny...

He is a Lop eared Cashmere fellow...

Very handsome

with the quietest nature...

Very Fluffy
and adores cuddles...

I think he quite likes to be photographed as well...

Of course now with Mr Bejamin residing here at River Cottage
I might not have much spare time...

So I needed a project that I could just do every now and then...

Click on the photo below for details of
the inspiration behind these colours...

So for now I will just be plodding along with some crocheting...
and getting lots of cuddles on the couch...

I hope your week has started out as sweet as mine...

So until next post
Keep up the Granny Goodness...and Hug A Bunny or two...

Chutney cooking

2012-02-02T11:07:00.002+11:00

I am officially obsessed

with Chutney making...

I have about 6 jars made

and will be looking for some more recipes soon...

The two on either side are Kasundi

a Indian style tomato chutney...

That is so yummy I have already opened

one of the jars and am half way through already...

I would have to say I made this a bit milder than what it should have been

but I prefer mild not hot...

The one in the middle is an Apple chutney but I did find this a bit peppery

and will be changing that recipe

next batch...

I have also made a Peach Chutney that is a little spicier

for my husband

and that tastes like a good chutney...

For the Kasundi I used the recipe HERE...

But did change a few things...

So I will write it out for you

if you like...

250ml olive oil

2 tablespoons turmeric

2 tablespoons ground mustard

2 tablespoon ground cumin

1 tablespoon garam Marsala

Heat the oil and place the above ingredients in a large pot

and gently heat...

Be careful it doesn't burn...

You just want to bring the flavours out...

In a separate bowl place

2 tablespoons of crushed garlic

2 tablespoons crushed ginger

1 tablespoon crushed chilli ( more if you like it hotter)

*I used the pre-made supermarket variety of these in jars...*

mix in 50ml of malt vinegar...

Stir well and add to pot...

Heat this all through for a few more minutes...be careful not to burn it...

and don't stick your nose in for a good smell

as it is could have you in a coughing fit...

Add to the pot

2 kg of Cherry Tomatoes quartered

1 teaspoon of salt

125 grams of brown sugar

and 170 ml of malt vinegar

Bring to the boil

and the turn down a bit

and cook for about 1 1/2 - 2 hours...

Heat washed jars in oven on low heat..

Using an oven mitt pick up jars and place hot chutney into jars

until overflowing...

be very careful not to burn yourself...

Place lid on jar...

Wipe outside of jar and let stand until cool to touch...

You will find that the jars with the metal lids the best to use...

The ones with the lid that has the "pop up" circle in the middle...

You will notice that the cooler the jar gets the button in the middle of the jar will depress

and vacuum seal the chutney inside...

Now that's it...

Oh! almost forgot...

It goes really well on crusty bread...

Yum!!!

Homegrown...Goodness...

2012-01-31T11:48:00.001+11:00

The garden here at

River Cottage...

is overflowing

with Tiny Tomatoes...

With bowls full at the ready...

I am recipe hunting...

I am thinking a relish would be tasty...

I like the sound of this one...here...

or

maybe this one...here...

Maybe you my dear friend has a "fool proof" recipe...
you would like to share...

It's another rainy day
and I am needing to cook...
how about you?
Do you like to cook on rainy days too...

Crochet Top...

2012-01-24T22:46:00.001+11:00

Hello there my lovely dears...

It has been far too long since I blogged...
I have tried to keep myself busy with a few crocheted tops over the last month...
But unfortunately not a lot of other crocheting projects...

We are still in school holiday mode which has kept me
occupied with visits to the pool, day trips out and lots of crafting with
"Little Miss"...

This is one of two swing crochet tops I have made this month..

The other is in a apple green...
I really like this pattern...super fast and everything worked out the way it should...
Which is always good when you are trying to translate a Japanese pattern...

I purchased the pattern book from this shop here...

This is what the front cover of the book looks like...

I do hope that the lull of late will not be a habbit...
and I will be back on track in blogland very soon...

Thank you all so much for your patience...and kind words...

A New Year ahead...

2012-01-02T21:43:00.000+11:00

With blue skies shining...

The summer has eventually arrived here at River Cottage...

The days are filled with

beach towels and bathing suits..

Garden filled with flowers...

and even picking our very own Peaches...

This is just what summer and the New Year is all about...

I am just hoping that all of this colour and sunshine...
leads to lots of inspiration...

For the last 3 weeks I haven't crocheted a thing...
I know, quite the shock to the system...
But I wanted a break to re-think...and get some new ideas...

I have missed blogging and missed catching up with all of my readers...

I hope your holiday season has been a safe and a family friendly break...

For my northern hemisphere friends...I hope the cooler climate has been forgiving...
and you have been able to spend quality time with the yarn and hook...
making warm scarves and woolly mittens...

and for my southern hemisphere friends...
I hope summer has arrived and is a pleasant change
from the inclement weather we have had before Christmas...
and if you are like me and still find the time to crochet in summer...
I hope you have found some brightly coloured cottons
to make crocheting a bit easier in the heat...

Till next post...
I hope your New Year is granny good...

Granny Seats...

2011-12-11T17:04:00.000+11:00

I made these two seats (with some manly help)
for two very special people in town

that have helped me out a huge amount this year...

They love recycling and helping the environment

so these were ideal for Christmas gifts...

The tops were crocheted in cotton and a bamboo-wool blend...
I really wish I had made one for home...
they are just too cute...

Inspiration:

Lots of old painted bits of timber from the bathroom renovation...

A stash of cotton and bamboo-wool just waiting for a project...

and pictures of the lovely amazing work of Ingrid from

"WOOD AND STOOL"...

who's stools I have admired for so long...

These sweet Granny seats are

a "one off" present for two special ladies...

Sorry there are no orders on these...

Yarn Motivation...

2011-12-06T23:36:00.000+11:00

Just needed to share...

Things that get me motivated...

Looking Forward...

2011-12-05T17:41:00.000+11:00

The week

I am looking forward to some peace and quiet...

But I have a feeling that it might not happen...

Too much Granny Goodness to share...

Granny Greetings...

2011-12-02T19:01:00.000+11:00

Granny Greetings...
from River cottage...

The tree is trimmed...I have re-arranged, dusted and washed the lounge room...
It's looking a lot like CHRISTMAS...

Crocheting classes have sadly come to an end...

We did have a lovely last night thou...

With sweets, crackers and dip...

and lots of "giggles"

We all made some Grandma Rosie Rings...

and went home late and full of Christmas inspiration and cheer...

A huge THANK YOU to all my lovely dears

who attended this years classes...

and I will be looking forward to organizing

even more exciting projects for next year...

***

from ME to YOU...

Enjoy your festive season

Stay Safe, keep up the Granny Goodness and Hug a Bunny...

That last one is just because

it can make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside

***

Grandma Rosie Rings...Tutorial...

2011-11-26T21:08:00.000+11:00

Yes that's right...

My Grandma Rosie Ring pattern if here...

For all to enjoy this festive season...

I have included a printable version as well...

Which is only in English terms

but the tutorial on this post will be in English terms with

American terms in brackets..

Requirements:

I ball of rose coloured cotton 2 ply or less...

1 ball of green cotton 2 ply or less...

(these will make several Rosie Rings...)

1 ring base

Super glue or very strong hot glue to secure ring to base.

Terms:

sl st - slip stitch

ch - chain

dc- double crochet- sc for American

htr - half treble - hdc for American

tr - treble - dc for American

To Start.

Using Rose coloured cotton...

Leave a "tail" of thread about 30 cm long to sew rose together.

Ch 31.

Round 1...

Working along these chains.

Miss first ch, 1 dc(sc) in all ch to end.

30 dc(sc) in total.

Turn work over.

Round 2...

1 ch, miss very first stitch that is directly under this chain.!!!

6 htr (hdc) into next dc.

1 dc(sc) in next dc(sc).

* Miss 1 dc(sc). 7 tr(dc) in next dc(sc). 1 dc(sc) in next dc(sc).*

Repeat * - * to end...10 petals in total...

The last dc will be hard to see... but just take your time...

Sew and trim in this end...

Now using tail end thread from the start...

curl and sew rose to form a pretty rose...

Leaves...

Using Green cotton...

5 ch, join with a sl st to form a circle.

Round 1... 1 ch, 9 dc(sc) back into circle. Join with a sl st to first dc(sc).

* 5 ch.(working along these now)

Miss first ch, 1 dc(sc) in next ch, 1 htr (hdc)in next ch,

1 tr(dc) in next ch, 1 tr(dc) in next ch.

Join with a sl st to next dc(sc).

* Repeat * - * to end...

You will have 8 leaves in total...

Sew to base of Rose...
Then using strong glue secure to ring base...

Take some time to let it set properly before wearing your Rosie Ring...

Printable pdf attached below...

Click on image and you will be able to go to my flickr page and go to all sizes and print
out a copy for yourself...

I hope everyone enjoys this pattern...
Please feel free to make and share
but I would really love it if you
credit me for the pattern...

Random collection...

2011-11-22T12:34:00.000+11:00

Lots of lovely Granny Christmas Stocking patterns

are now in my shop...

Not forgetting

Rosie Rabbit patterns too...

Not one of my best photos...

But this is a shot of my Granny Flats artwork

hanging in the little shop in town...

This gorgeous round vintage tin storage cupboard...

That I have been in love with the day I saw it...

has been sold by it's current owners...

I will very very much miss it...

I have loved seeing it whenever I have popped into the little shop...

It is, I am sure, a great conversion starter...

Lets just say if I would have know there was a possibility of purchasing it

I would have saved up all of my

pocket money...

Note to self...In future when someone says something is not for sale

don't assume it will not be in the future...

It is going to spend it's days with a nice family in Western Australia thou...

Which does sound sweet...

I have see one a long time ago at an antique shop

and the owner said he knew of only 3 others...

But I would love to find out more...

They are just so unique...

If anyone has seen one of these cupboards thou and has any history on them

I would love to know...

I have google searched over the years but came up with...zero...

Picture perfect cards...a gift that keeps giving...

2011-11-20T18:35:00.000+11:00

I came across these gorgeous handmade cards

while visiting my local gift and nursery shop...

I have bought the first two and will be framing them...

Although many will not be able to buy them like me at my local store...

I have found an online store that stock them...

You can find these cards and so much more

at Sankofa

These wonderfully unique greeting cards are from El Salvador

They are made using native flowers and plants

by a group of enterprising women who formed a

co-operative in the highlands of El Salvador

after massive mud slides and a devasting earthquake left

many families jobless and homeless.

Not only will you get a unique gorgeous card

that you can give as a gift or like me frame it for all to see...

But you will be helping creative woman that are part of a

company committed to providing

sustainable employment to the economically disadvantaged.

They are a member of the Fair Trade Federation.

Granny Christmas Stocking...

2011-11-15T21:36:00.000+11:00

The Stockings were hung by the chimney with care...
In hopes that my Granny would see them there...

This is my new Granny Christmas Stocking pattern...

This is an adaptation
of my Granny Slipper pattern...

so if you have made my granny slippers
you will have no problem doing these sweet things...

The sole is worked exactly the same...
but I have added a few extra bits of redesigning to the new shaping for the top ...
and not forgetting some pretty little picots too...

Got to LOVE picots...

and the pattern is just about ready to be proof read
and
it will be listed in my etsy shop
by the end of the week...

So while you are probably thinking
"oh is it that time of year already"
well it isn't quite...

But it is a fabulous time to start those "merry good" projects...

Rosie Rabbit Pattern in store Now...

2011-11-14T00:43:00.000+11:00

After recent inspiration...

I have decided to call my

"bunny" pattern

Rosie Rabbit...

It will be listed quick sticks...

Just in time

to make as a CHRISTMAS GIFT...

Speaking of Christmas...

I have an

added bonus of listing 3 Rosie Rabbit patterns

for 20 cents each...

So pop over to my etsy shop to see if you will get a bargain...

If you miss out don't forget that these patterns are

just ideal for making lots of friendly critters...

Turn it into a mouse, bear or even a puppy...

Just use some imagination and adapt this very versatile style...

and also on the subject of Christmas...

I have been working very hard and have

a very sweet Granny Christmas Stocking pattern

all written up and several made...

I am just waiting for a picture perfect day to take lots of pretty pics...

Hopefully it will not be long away...

Rosie Rabbit...

2011-11-08T10:26:00.000+11:00

Introducing the newest member of the family...

Rosie...

Rosie rabbit is every so sweet...
But when she's naughty she nibbles out feet...

Ouch!!!

Rosie has found a new best friend...

Or it could be the fact that his t-shirt tastes so good...
Either way...they seem to be bonding...

It could have been coincidental...
But I had made lots of Rosie hair pins, brooches
and ring during the week...

But I like to think of it as fate...

Adaptable Bunny

2011-11-01T20:39:00.000+11:00

Yes here is Mr Mouse...

He is an adaptation of the Mr Bunny pattern...

I am thinking of many more things this pattern can be...

I'm thinking of calling this pattern
"Universal Bunny"...

Spring Flowers

2011-10-31T14:57:00.000+11:00

I thought a bunch of cottage blooms would

be very nice in a vase with an added

crocheted brooch...

with the help of some Blu-tack...

I used the pattern from Mollie Makes magazine...
Just added a few more trebles for fullness...
and added a back circle and brooch clip...

They are very easy and would look great in cotton like mine
or in some woolly goodness
for my northern hemisphere friends...

Crochet Top Finished...

2011-10-28T17:35:00.001+11:00

Crochet Top finally finished...

Edit: you can find the pattern book

Here...

Here a rabbit...there a rabbit...

There multiplying before my eyes...

I am working on a pattern for these...

and maybe another

Mr ....

that it can convert too as well...

To many ideas and absolutely no time...

It must be spring...

Granny Toys...

2011-10-17T11:22:00.001+11:00

Hippity Hoppity or Woof, Woof, Woof?

I am unsure if this is a Bunny or a Puppy...
What do you think?

I don't normally make animals but this was kind of fun...
that is, after undoing it too many times...
But it only took less than a 100gram ball of wool...
So an absolute bargain...

I am still thinking the head need work?

Hopefully my yarn will turn up today
so I will stop getting side tracked...

How To...with some helpful links...

2011-10-13T22:23:00.000+11:00

I did mention when I was

making my Rag Rug that I could do

a tutorial...

But after a lot of google searching I found some great gals

that have already done just that...

Great tutorials

can be found on these sites...

So please check them out...

They are very easy to follow

and pretty much how I do mine...

Mia' and the Boys...

Vintage Chica...

Sugar Bee Crafts...

Now if you want some inspiration to get motivated...

Check out the Flickr Rag Rug Group...

Now on to some other crocheting projects...

The crochet Green top is finished!!!
Yeah...
It does actually look much better on
than flat on the floor...

I should be receiving the yarn to finish two of my other tops early next week...
Can't wait...
I will be sure to try and model the pretty cream one when I finish...
That will be a keeper for sure...

I do hope your week has been sweet...
I am looking forward to the weekend but they do say there is 90% chance of rain...
I suppose you can't have everything...

But rainy weather is good for staying inside and crocheting some more
Granny Goodness...

While I am waiting...

2011-10-11T21:45:00.000+11:00

Until I receive the yarn I need to finish the three other tops...

I thought I would start another...

As one does...

This one would have been finished if I didn't have to undo it a zillion times...
I used 8 ply cotton
and the pattern which was Japanese was in something a lot finer
because I had to change nearly everything...

I still really like it but I think next time
there are still a few things I would change...
Like the way the armholes increase,
and the curve on the top etc...
But all in all I am really pleased with how it is coming along...

Only about 16 -20 more rows to go...

I should have that finished before I get bored and start something else...

But then I did see this other amazing top................

Almost Finished...but not quite...

2011-10-10T10:19:00.003+11:00

Project One...
I love it!!!
But I ran out of cotton for half of the back...
I ordered more...

It arrived....and it's the wrong dye lot...and it's noticeable...
Bendigo Wool Mills-cotton...
I haven't kept the label from the first lot...
I really don't know what to do with it now...
But it would be tragic to just leave it in a UFO pile...

Project Two...
Love the colour...
Much larger than I wanted it to be...It always happens when I follow other patterns...
This one I might have to pop onto the shop when I am finished...

90 % finished...Ran out of cotton...
Will have to order some more...Bendigo Wool Mills-cotton...
and will be making sure I keep the dye lot card...

Project Three..
Followed the pattern and it worked out a good size...
I would prefer it to be longer thou...

Yes again I ran out of cotton...
I need to do the picot edging around the top and only need one ball...
This cotton was from Spotlight...

But it's a long drive and day out to get it...
When I do get there (if they haven't ran out) I will buy two balls instead of one...
and do the edging and make it a tad longer...

As you can see
I am so over running out of yarn...
It's driving me crazy...

I am thinking there was a reason I stuck to small projects...

EDIT:
I have just rang the Bendigo Wool Mill and unfortunately the colour I need for
Project One
is unavailable in the previous dye lot...
The yarn is...
100% pure cotton 8 ply...
There brand...
in Parchment colour 816
The dye lot I just received is 139
But it is too white
if anyone, anywhere has a dye lot in this brand-colour etc that isn't the 139
could you please, please e-mail me...
I really would love to finish it...

Thanks...

EDIT..EDIT...
Found out the dye lot is 135...
Hope this helps...

EDIT...EDIT...EDIT...
this is getting confusing isn't it...
I rang Bendigo Wool Mill and they searched and searched and found one...
They are so sweet...
I ordered it right away...
I am so, so happy...
Can't you tell!!!

Tea Time Pincushion...

2011-10-08T22:54:00.000+11:00

I found this great pattern in a

Japanese Crochet Book...

As you can see
I became quite obsessed...

One turned into two...

And before I knew it I had three...

They are a great gift idea
for any crafty friend...
You can find the book
HERE...

It has other great patterns
and lots of gorgeous pictures...

I did adjust the pattern thou
as I used 8ply cotton and wanted them to fit into these
vintage tea cups...
They would also look amazing in little terracotta pots I think..

Thank you all too
for the lovely comments
on my Mum's Blanket...
She really does appreciate them all...

I hope you are all having a
nice weekend...
And find some great patterns to try out...Like me...

100% Wool...and an afternoon outside...

2011-10-08T00:43:00.001+11:00

I just love this woolen blanket
Mum has just finished...

Made from Bendigo Wool...

Lovely colours too...

You can find this listed on my ETSY shop...

Now for a spot of relaxing...
and a few tunes..
Oh and not forgetting
some
time
to
Crochet...

Now where is my hook...

Rolling Along...

2011-10-06T14:09:00.001+11:00

I am trying out something new...

I am making a crocheted rag rug
Using old bed sheets...

It is so much fun...
But a mighty workout on the wrist and arms...

I have half finished lots of projects at the moment...
So unfortunately I have been rather a slack blogger because of it...
SORRY...
I hope to have some finished items by next week...

As usual I have run out of yarn and waiting on getting some more in the mail...
Hopefully I will collect some of it tomorrow...

It is always so annoying when you don't buy enough...
Something that I find myself doing a lot lately...
I really need to work on that...

I do hope you are having a lovely week...
and don't run out of yarn...

Cozy all wrapped up...

2011-09-22T19:43:00.000+10:00

Lots of Granny Goodness...
In this multi-coloured Grandma Chevron Blanket...
It was a lovely afternoon,
Just me, the self timer and lots of props...

Grandma Chevron Blanket

made by my Mum...
It will be in my etsy shop soon and hopefully sold to a lovely dear...
Vintage finds: Vase and clogs...

Mr Vintage looking his best today...
Lots of gardening...
and a bit of thrifty goodness...
Vintage Find: Wrought iron set...

We have been adding lots of fences with pretty cottage pickets to
River Cottage...
It is starting to look lovely...

I am currently crocheting some flower motifs and trying to join them together to make
a cardigan,wrap...
I had to put it down today thou...
It was too nice outside...

I hope it is nice weather at your house too...

Just in time for spring...

Throwing caution to the wind...As one does...

2011-09-14T20:23:00.003+10:00

The weather has finally cleared up...

and Spring is just

gorgeous!!!

Lots of lovely green grass
and lots of flowers coming out..

Time to shake out the cobwebs...

and get motivated..

and there is nothing nicer than some "Lollie Pop" colours
in a Granny Chevron Blanket to do it...

This one is available in my etsy shop...

Over the holiday break I had this sweet idea
that I needed to have a change...
As one does...
and threw all caution to the wind
and did the
unthinkable...

Yes I got an 80's Perm!!!

I hear you all shriek in horror...
But you see I didn't have Internet access at the time...
I didn't have my dear friends to look at me in disgust...
No... I had a cold stark apartment, days of rain, and 3 males all telling me
"that would be lovely"...(of course they just said this to shut me up)...

Now I could just tell you I had a lovely breezy Body Wave...
The one that the lovely models in magazines have...
You know the ones...
with the fan blowing softly in their face making them look
bubbly and bouncy...

But in all reality...It isn't!!!
It is what it is...
An 80's frizz Perm...

The sort that is dry and harsh...
The sort that you need to add a huge blob of mouse into it to get any curl definition...
The sort that when you wake up in the morning you scare small dogs and children...
The sort that you really want to tie up and wrap with several bandanna's and hope for the best...

Now if I was at home I would have searched through and found pictures of myself
back in the 80's
and
"snapped" myself back to reality...

But that didn't happen...
Oh well...
Such is life...

Just as well it will grow out or drop out...

Just lucky my husband DID hear me when I said
"Wouldn't it be lovely if I had dreadlocks again"
his reply was differently not
"That would be lovely dear"...

Now I must track down those pics...
Just in case
I do need a reality check...

Starting out small...

2011-09-11T17:53:00.000+10:00

I feel like everything is in slow motion since begin back from holidays...

We brought the rain back with us...

So the washing is taking forever to catch up on...

The house still is not back to anything I would call remotely tidy...

and the crochet is taking sometime to come together...

So I started with something small...

Little "Dilly Bags"

to hang around the neck...
great for keys, phones or the old bit of change to go to the shop with...

I found the pattern for these in the Japanese crochet book
blogged about HERE...
I added some strips of linen....A cute little button...
and used soft cotton-acrylic blend...
They have a great spring feel to them...

I have also re-opened the shop...
so if you are after one of my cushion patterns please pop over...

I will be working on some more things this week so hopefully my week will end in
fast motion...

Thanks heaps for the lovely comments
I am glad to be back too...

Home Again Home Again

2011-09-07T20:39:00.000+10:00

So glad to be back...

I did miss you all...

and want to say sorry about not letting everyone know beforehand...

Going away and posting that there would be no one

at River Cottage seemed a tad "silly"...

I don't think that needed to be advertize...if you know what I mean...

So where did I go?

well this was one spot...

Vintage Espresso
at Mermaid Beach...Queensland...

It was featured in the Spaces mook by Frankie...
It was just as lovely as the pictures in the book...

and lots of "touristy" spots in Queenland...

Beaches, Movie world, shops, and lots of markets...

It has been 10 years since we went on a family holiday
so this was pretty special for all of us...

But I did miss my crocheting and I did miss not having internet...
So this week I will be spending lots of time catching up
on whats been happening...
and hopefully some time coming up with some new things...

Oh and I want to set sometime aside for de-cluttering...
I did think about this while I was away...
I really, really need to de-clutter...

It's funny of what you think about when you are away from home...

Holidays are always lots of fun...
But they do make you realize that "home is home"...and I missed it...

New Artwork...In progress..

2011-08-10T14:18:00.000+10:00

Crochet classes started last week

with the Granny Flats cushion...

We are taking it nice and slowly and working one square at a time...

with homework of the matching two square...

so after 3 classes the front should be finished...

We are going to have an extra class for working on the back

and going through the instruction on crocheting the two together etc...

For class I needed to make a few extra squares to pass around

and have a look at etc...

But then...

I did get a tad carried away and ended up with a lovely long row

Granny Terraces..

I have bought a canvas board that is just the right size (120cm x 40 cm)

and will put a layer of wading under the crochet work...

add some sides and secure it all into place...

Oh... that is after I finish those two outlines on the door...

Just noticed that...

Hopefully I will be able to take some photo's of the lovely finished cushions from class...

Until then

Keep up the Granny Goodness...

and don't forget to pre-order your copy of Dottie Angels up coming book...

It look amazing!!!

Family Time...

2011-08-05T11:15:00.000+10:00

There is nothing better than spending time with ones "oldest and dearest"

crocheting in front of the fire at night...
He is making a scarf for a girl in America that he chats to online...Hmmmm...
and I am making a slouch beanie to send too..
Not really the colours I would have chosen but I do believe that it is the thought that counts...

I am not sure there would be many who could say they crochet with there son's...

But if you do...

Congrats!!!

It is just so lovely to be able to share a common interest...

A Lovely Venue...To relax and crochet...

2011-07-26T15:07:00.000+10:00

I thought I would share some pictures of my new Venue...

Here my dears can sit, relax and take in all the Granny Goodness

they can...

All in a bright and airy room...

With lots of crocheting to inspire them...

and a combustion wood fire to keep them cozy...

My night class is fully booked and another night class will soon be organized...

There are still a few places left for the day beginners class

so if you are local and want to learn how to crochet

please e-mail me and I can let you know the details...

I have a small supply of yarns and hooks etc

and will be stocking more products in the next week...

for anyone who runs short...

And it's also a great place to take pictures too...

Wishing it was Spring...

2011-07-25T11:02:00.000+10:00

For us here in the southern hemisphere

it is still the middle of Winter...

I am "over" the cold...

I am "over" staying inside...

and I am "over" layers of clothes...

I just wish it was Spring...

So with the first ray of sunshine in days...
I set about adding some
Spring
to my morning...

This blanket
was made by my Mum...
Who is now on a roll...
Crocheting so fast it just amazes me...
Chevroning till her hearts content using Bendigo "Classic" wool...

This yarn is so gorgeous...
It has a crepe look to it...
which is very mid season
compared to the more tradition wool looks...

The colours are so bright...
and there are so many to choose from...
I think it will be hard to decide what colours to do next...

So for all of my dear friends who are sitting by the heater
to keep warm...
I hope these images add some brightness and warmth into your morning...

Have you been Nana-er-ing too

2011-07-21T08:19:00.001+10:00

I know that Kabeltrui has...

I loved how her "Elmer" cushion turned out...

Fabulous colours!!!

and the back of the cushion is just as pretty...

Thank you so much Trui

for adding these to the Grandma Tutorial flickr group...

If you haven't joined the flickr group yet please pop over and join in...

I love seeing everyone's gorgeous creations and pictures...

I will be hopefully posting my finished socks...soon...

(I am saving that now so it makes me do the second one)...

I can see why there is a term called "second sock syndrome"...

How true...

I was sure that I would be so amazed to finish the first that I would just whip out the hook again

and start straight away...

But no...

I pondered...

I got sidetracked...

I said to myself that I had more urgent commitments...

Like classes starting back this week...

When really I was just plain stuffed...

It drained me...

Do you get that too?

The pattern was major I will say

so I think that didn't help...

But having said that

I do really want to see a matching pair...

So... head down... yarn at the ready...

Second sock here I come...

One down...One to go...

2011-07-15T19:58:00.000+10:00

Complicated...

Yes...

One sock down...and one more to go..

If I have enough patience that is...

I used this yarn...

From Bendigo Woollen mill...

In carnation...

I has just the right amount of stretch for socks

and is very soft...

I ordered the 8 ply which is very thick

I think it would work really well on a thick knitted sock as well..

Just don't know if I can get my shoes on with these thou...

Getting Organized...

2011-07-13T13:40:00.000+10:00

This week it is all about getting organized...

And also about turning another year older...

(thought I would sneak that in)...

My crochet classes will start back next week...

With a new venue...

and lots of new ladies starting...

I am very excited about this...and can't wait to see how it all works out...

There are lovely baskets full of yarn- yes acrylic...

but I will be adding some wool and cotton as well..

Plenty of hooks and bits and bobs too..

Above is a gorgeous Granny Chevron Blanket

that my Mum finished this week...

Made from 100% pure wool...

Oh My! it is so lovely...

and my copy of the Japanese crochet book arrived and I have been very busy

trying out the patterns in it...

This time I tried using a new Chunky acrylic that I bought at Big W

by "Sean Sheep" brand...It was a large ball of 200 grams...

It did crochet up very nicely

but I had to change both of these patterns to accommodate the size of the ply...

The head scarf pattern is amazing and I have made several to put in the shop...

and a few for myself...

I did use Magnum "super soft" 8 ply acrylic for them and they were very easy and fast to make...

Thank you all so much for your comments on my last post...

What a great response!!!

I loved reading everyone's thoughts on the subject...

and will now hold my head up high

and say "yes it is acrylic"...

and not be shy about it...

A very big thank you goes out to:

Pearly Queen

Who sent me a lovely parcel last week full of gorgeous cottons...

I can't wait to find a project for them...

and if you are after some yarn..

Pop over to this etsy shop too:

Crochetgal

I have purchased a lot of lovely yarn from this seller and she has

a large amount of good quality yarns and fantastic customer service...

Till next post...

when I am a year older...

Keep up the Granny Goodness...

Yarn Happy...

2011-06-30T19:06:00.000+10:00

Yarn Happy...

Oh my... I love a new pile of yarn...
It just brightens my day and makes me want to create...
more granny goodness...

On the subject...

Do you call yarn, yarn...

I have always called it wool...

up until I started to blog and realised that there is a bit of confusion when you just say wool...

maybe it is something that has been just a family thing

or maybe an Australian thing...I don't know...

Whether acrylic, wool, alpaca, bamboo or soy blend...it was all wool to me...

Random thought...

If acrylic was called something else

would it get such a bad rap?

I use a lot of acrylic because it can "hold" a design better...

Don't get me wrong....I love wool...

But some patterns do call for a firmer approach...

The lovely Granny Chevrons Blankets are made using acrylic

and look amazing...

But the minute you say they are acrylic it seems to devalue them...

If they were made from wool...

it would send the price through the roof...

Mainly due to the fact that it takes 3 balls of wool to match the same quantity of acrylic...

That and the price per ball of wool begin dearer

puts the cost on some "Granny Goodness"

unrealistic...

What are your thoughts...

Do you prefer to buy something made from a natural product?

Have you not purchased something in wool because the price is to high

even thou you can see that it costs that much to buy the materials and then make the item?

Is wool readily available and inexpensive where you live

or is another yarn like cotton in abundant supply?

Do you like the fact that acrylic is easy care...and you buy on the "wow" factor?

Much to ponder...

Till next post...and random thoughts...

Stay safe...

African flower hexagon...

2011-06-29T19:30:00.000+10:00

I have seen these flowers for a very long time...

But never tried them...

After not having my "wool" fix yet...

I needed to do someting with all my little bits of yarn...

Ok...piles of bits of yarn...

and while surfing the google images I kept seeing these

and thought...why not...

and I can see now why everyone loves them...

They are just gorgeous!!!

and very addictive...

But one can not survive on crochet and bits of yarn alone...

I need cake and lots of it...
to keep up the stamina and concentration...Of course...

Granny Pictures...

2011-06-28T17:30:00.000+10:00

Today I worked on some
"Granny Pictures"...

Using small canvas frames and making some visual impact...
Above is the first test one...

Need to source some more wool yet again...
I think if you are going to go to the trouble of wall art
you need to make it 100% woolly good...

I might sit down tonight and sketch some designs thou before I tackle a large piece...

? Does anyone buy there yarn wholesale...
Do you have a online store only or small business from home...
and still mange to buy wholesale...
Love to chat to you about how you go about it...or even if it is possible...

Thrifted winter...

2011-06-24T16:37:00.000+10:00

I must say... I do enjoy winter warmer clothes...

But when it reaches a temp

that it is just too cold to go outside...

It get very annoying...

Even more bothersome is the fact that I need pants on under my new thrifty skirt
because the draft is to chilly for my granny knickers to bare..

I think I will be spending a few hours looking at pretty online stores for winter woolly tights
in a nice burgundy...

Thank you everyone for your great advice with my "yarn dilemma"
I am thinking now I might need to just buy some "thick" sock yarn...

I did find a brand that was "trekking" that was a 6ply...
Has anyone used this?
If so I would love to know what you thought...

I would love a linen -nylon so they would stay up...
and a 8 ply or DK...But I think that is asking too much...
Maybe you know of some thou...Let me know if you do...

Till next time...
Stay warm...or cool...
and safe...
With no drafts blowing in the wrong direction...

Yarn help...

2011-06-21T00:26:00.000+10:00

I would like to thank everyone who purchased my latest Granny Flats cushion pdf

for the "giveaway" price...

and a huge thank you to all the dear friends

who have been purchasing it at the "normal" price...

Your support is so amazing...

I too have had a little splurge tonight on etsy

and purchased a copy of a Japanese crochet book...from here...

But I am in need of a bit of yarn help...

I adore these socks...

but am not sure what type of yarn is best...

and as I will only have the picture to guide me...

I was hoping that someone might know what would work...

I was thinking cotton..

But as cotton yarn is not easy to find in Australia

maybe my overseas friends have a favorite that they like to use and would suit this project...

Or maybe you have this book and made the pattern...and know what works best...

My book will take a week or so to arrive

which will give me time to find some yarn...

so all help will be greatly appreciated...

Thanks...

oh I almost forgot..I will re-list more patterns in the morning as it is rather late here..

and know that it is always nice to purchase a pattern and get it sooner than later...

Granny Flats Giveaway...

2011-06-20T17:49:00.001+10:00

I will be popping some cheap patterns into my etsy shop later tonight...

20cents each...as etsy tells me I can not list for $0...

You will have to have an etsy account thou...

But the price will say 20cents...so you can click on it and go to checkout etc with a small charge...

This will be my latest pattern...Granny Flats...

for a few very quick dear friends...

If you go to my shop and see that they are all gone...I am so sorry...

But I will only list 5 in total...after that they will be listed at $6 per pattern...

Thank you all...and good luck...

Stepping Up To Green...

2011-06-17T16:41:00.002+10:00

Today I thought I would try some green...
after reading THIS...
Cardigan...a resent thrifty find...skirt a few years old, thrifty find...

and newly acquired vintage ladder...
Great for all manner of photo projects...
or just to help me step up...

Looking to find some more

thrifty goodness...

How about you?

Grandma Rosie Rings...

2011-06-14T17:11:00.000+10:00

While cold, wet and down right freezing

here at River Cottage...

I tried really hard to not let it get me down...

Keeping myself busier than ever...

Making some very lovable

Grandma Rosie Rings...

Of course stopping at one was not an option...

and with the help of "my shadow" as a hand model (don't tell his mates)...
More where whipped up...

packaged sweetly...
and ready to be placed in the little shop...

This is the first time I have used a "hot glue gun"
and found it fairly easy...
Does anyone find that they have any problems with your "item" staying on?
I haven't seen any movement yet...
But I was wondering...
as I wouldn't like to sell a item that in the near future...
"fell off " as that would be just dodgy......
and we can't have dodgy items
that wouldn't be "Granny Good" at all...

I hope you week is a bit warmer and brighter...and not a bit dodgy at all...

Something Special...

2011-06-12T21:13:00.000+10:00

Today would have been my Grandma's Birthday...

I don't need to say much on how

I am feeling...

(If you read my blog you will know how much she meant to me...)

But...if you want to read more...

my sweet little sister has sumed it up

on her blog post

HERE...

Thanks Sis...

You have me blushing too...

My Grandma and my Grandfather...

when they were young...

Grandma Rosie Pin...

2011-06-10T17:39:00.000+10:00

I have made some

Grandma Rosie Pins

to add to the "little shop"

as it's the June long weekend here in Australia...

The forecast is for rain...

Which is such a shame

I really love the weather to be nice over a 3 day break...

I suppose the bonus for me is that it gives me more time
with the hook and yarn...

You can find the "Rose" pattern
HERE...

If you have a long weekend
I do hope it is sunny were you live...

Grandma's English Cushion... the second...

2011-06-08T14:19:00.000+10:00

The last three days I have manged to make

another

Grandma's English cushion...

This time I did the back in Burgundy/red...

and added little crown buttons...

I wanted to enter it in wool divisions Ravelry comp
But so far I can't quiet workout how to upload an image into the comp's page...
Hopefully I can work it out soon...

A am sure there is a few very clever ladies out there who know how it is done...
so please fill me in...

There's wool as a prize...
Yes wool...
I love wool...
Do you...
If you do and have a ravelry account pop over and enter the comp too...

The link is here...Wool Division Comp...

Granny Square and some winter warmth...

2011-06-07T13:09:00.000+10:00

This week we are making the

Granny Square

in class...

I thought I would share the pattern with you

as it has the colour changes for each row included...

It is a tad "long winded"

but for beginners I think that is important...

You can click on the image which will send you over to Flickr

where you can then click on all sizes and print one off...If you like...

Today was a thrifting day...
The sought of day when you just hope that something lay in store
waiting patiently for you to "find"...

and there it was...
with many a coat with dusty moth balls...

A perfectly comfy
minty jacket...
"minus the moths"

Fitting me just lovely I left with a smile and some winter warmth...

So upon arriving home a quick tumble and dry
my coat was firmly on my shoulders...

Time for tea...

and a quick flick through Frankie...

I hope you week is much warmer than here...

The bonus is I get the have the fire going all day...
Toasty!!!

It's a Keeper...

2011-06-04T17:25:00.000+10:00

Last weeks thrifting

was just perfect...

I managed to find the most comfy cardigan

in a soft mint colour that matches

my top that I thrifted last year...

Adding my now "it's a keeper" scarf

And it's a great outfit for a cool winters day...

or afternoon...

Trying to "re-invent" the hair...

after watching THIS tutorial...

How cute is this girls hair...

Into Blue...

2011-06-03T13:49:00.000+10:00

I started this scarf by doing a simple flower...

From my Chunky Flower Tutorial...

And just kept adding them...

I think it is turning out to be a very nice pattern...

I am really unsure if I will put this into the shop to sell it

or keep it for myself...

I am very into blue...

It could be a "keeper"...

Chevron Granny Blanket Pattern

2011-06-02T13:40:00.001+10:00

Thank you to all the lovelies who have e-mailed me

and received this pattern as a pdf...

I have now worked out how to upload this to flickr

so everyone can enjoy and print off there own

without the worry of e-mailing me...

Not that e-mailing me is a worry...

But you know what I mean...

So please click on the picture below

and it will send you off to flickr where you can click on all sizes

and have a copy to keep...

P.S...classes were wonderful last night

with many of my ladies finishing there very own Nana Square...

We are starting the Granny Square next week...

and the all worrying changing colours as you go...

I am sure they will all be fine at it thou...

Nana Square Tutorial...

2011-05-31T13:51:00.001+10:00

I am teaching my class this week

the Nana Square...

as I think it was a easy one to start beginners on...

After drawing the diagram and writing out the instruction

I thought I would share it all with you...

You will need to click on the images

and it will hopefully send you to flickr where you can

go to all sizes and print off one that you will be able to read...

I have never written and uploaded instructions like this before so I am unsure

if it will all work...

Cross fingers...

and happy crocheting...

p.s....I almost forgot...
It is written in English crochet terms...
So for American terms...change all dc to sc
and all tr to dc...

I am here...I promise...

2011-05-30T19:21:00.000+10:00

So many things have happened recently
but I assure you I am here...

I promise...

Just a short but unexpected hospital stay for

"my shadow"

A case of two lurgy bugs at the same time...

and a heart that just doesn't cope very well with it...

But we are home

and doing much better...

"Oldest and Dearest"

is unexpectedly home for a short break

and this time I have managed to teach him how to crochet...

He is on to his second wristwarmer...
and this is only day 2...
As you may note from the photo he has done nothing else but crochet...
"desperate need of a shave I am thinking"

Of course he wanted to be "unconventional"
and have them different colours...
I wonder where he gets that from...

This week I am starting some classes at the local primary school
so I will be teaching a class of about 9 local ladies
how to hook
like the rest of us..
and hopefully I will have them
loving
crochet as much as I do...

More Nana-er-ing...

2011-05-20T18:23:00.000+10:00

The weather has turned cold...

The thick woolly tights are out

and all the kids have the lurgy...

A fine start to the season of Freeze...ing...

I really never mind pulling the warm and woolly clothes out of the wardrobe...

But I did note that not many"updates" have been made to the

clothes "collection" in some time...

I do hope the thrifty store is stocked up soon...

I am in much need of some

second hand "Laura Ashley","Colorado"

and maybe the odd

"Hammock and Vine"

well... one can dream!!!

Image for the Hammock and Vine website...

I don't usually "borrow" images but this is my favorite...

Little Nana Square cushion...

2011-05-17T11:39:00.002+10:00

This cushion is a order for a lady in town...
I really love these little squares...they make the colours the focus...
and in pure wool it is so soft...

It wasn't too difficult to do these squares...

Just a couple of rows of tr(dc)'s and a outer row of dc(sc)

and hand stitched them together

with a simple whip stitch...

I really shouldn't say this cushion is "little" thou...

It is about 45cm square...

Nice and Big...

I would look amazing on a plain couch

a real statement piece...

I have called this a Nana Square as I think it would be easily confused with

it's Granny Square counterpart...

Thing I Must Remember

2011-05-14T20:11:00.003+10:00

To always....

always...

back up my computer...

My "new-secondhand" laptop...3 months old...

Blew the hard drive...

as a result...

Lots of

"Oh dears..."

and other words I care not to repeat...

I of course didn't take the advise given to me

and "back up" my work...

So lots of photo's now lost...

setting that I now can not remember...

Thanks to Kate...I have pdf copies of my last 3 patterns...Whew...

and I have had a lovely day out at the "Little Shop" up the street...

With lots of
Granny Goodness all round...

Flowers everywhere...

Lots of bright colours...

Someone to keep me company... "Rin Tin Tin"

and making everything look picture perfect for the day...

and what a glorious day it was...

I think it made up for the stress of losing my computers

bits and bobs...

Thank you all for begin so patient with me...

At the moment I can only recieve e-mails and can not send on the laptop...

another setting I can't remember...

So it will take me a bit longer to work that out...

and maybe a few other things...

Like buying a "thingy me jig"

to save my files onto...

short interuption

2011-05-13T00:01:00.000+10:00

Due to computer problems...

Yes the "new" laptop...

I will be having...I hope... a "short" break...

and will be back...

SOON...

Cross fingers

xxx

Colours to warm...

2011-05-11T18:06:00.000+10:00

After a freezing cold night(-2 degrees) and day(15 degrees) here at River Cottage...

I am enjoying working with some

bright yet warm colours...

My favorites...are...

these...

A bit blingy with the photo but

they are...

Mustard Yellow,

Dark Purple,

Green Teal and Tangerine Orange...

What colours are you loving...

Chunky Granny Flower Tutorial...

2011-05-10T20:03:00.000+10:00

I am back again for another quick tutorial...

This time a very Chunky Flower...

Now you may like to do this design in something

less bulky...

and you can...

This pattern works whatever yarn you want to use...

So give it a try...It's very quick

and so easy...

I used
20 ply yarn
7mm hook
and when I sewed it onto my scarf I added the button...

So lets begin...

Ch 6, join with a sl st to form a circle...
1 ch...

12 dc(sc) into circle.
Join with a sl st to first dc(sc).
Starting "PETAL"
2 ch...

In same stitch as the sl st you just joined into.
Do a tr(dc) till you only have two loops left on hook...
This means.
Yarn over hook,place hook into stitch,yarn over hook,pull through loop,
yarn over hook and pull through two loops...
You will have two loops left on hook...

In same stitch as the sl st you just joined into.
Do another tr(dc) till you only have three loops left on hook...
See "this means"...

With your three loops still on hook...
Yarn over hook and pull through all three loops...

3 ch,...

By using a sl st attach this 3 ch to the same space that all of your stitches have gone...
This is your first "PETAL"...

Sl St across next dc(sc)...
Continue around your circle...

By doing a "PETAL" in the next dc(sc)...then sl st across next dc(sc)...etc...
You will finish with a sl st.
and have 6 "PETALS" in total...

Trim and sew in ends...

Attach to all and everything without exception... admiring your handy work
and granny goodness...

Well Done!!!

Chunky Granny Scarf Tutorial...

2011-05-06T17:32:00.000+10:00

I was thinking...

It has been ages since I did a tutorial...

And with Autumn here and Winter getting closer in the Southern Hemisphere...

It was just the right time for a warm and chunky Granny Scarf...

So here it is!!!

Oh... almost forgot...Written in English terms
with american term in brackets...

Get your extra large Crochet Hook out (Size 7)

and some very chunky wool (20 ply)

and we shall start...

Chain 165...

1 tr(dc) in 6 th ch from hook...

* Miss one ch.

1 tr(dc) in next ch...

1 ch...*

Repeat * - * to last tr(dc)...

1 tr(dc) in last tr(dc) at end.

4 ch...

Turn work over to wrong side.

* 1 tr(dc) in next tr(dc), 1 ch...*

Repeat * - * to last tr(dc)...

1 tr(dc) in last tr(dc)

4 ch...Turn work to right side...

3 tr(dc) in next tr(dc)...

* 1 ch, Miss next tr(dc)...

3 tr(dc) in next tr(dc)...*

Repeat * - * till one tr(dc) remaining.

1 ch, 1 tr(dc) in last tr(dc)...

4 ch...

turn work over to wrong side...

The next part may be tricky for beginners so there are a few pictures...

* In top of next tr(dc) Start 1 tr(dc) but only until you have 2 loops on your hook left.

leave these 2 loops on your hook.

and work another tr(dc) in next tr (dc) until you have 3 loops left on hook...

leave these 3 loops on your hook.

and work another tr(dc) in next tr (dc) until you have 4 loops left on hook...

Yarn over hook and pull through all 4 loops.

3 ch...Miss 1 ch space *...

Repeat from * - *

to last tr(dc) group at end. Omitting the last 3 chs...

1 ch, 1 tr(dc) in last tr(dc)...

4 ch...turn work over to right side...

1 tr(dc) in top of tr(dc)group, 1 ch,

1 tr(dc) in middle ch of 3 ch group from previous round...

* 1 ch, 1 tr(dc) in top of tr(dc) group, 1 ch,

1 tr(dc) in middle ch of 3 ch group from previous round...*

Repeat * - * to last tr(dc) group.

1 tr(dc) in top of last tr(dc) group,

1 ch, 1 tr(dc) in last tr...

4 ch...Turn work over to wrong side...

* 1 tr(dc) in next tr(dc), 1 ch *

Repeat * - * to last tr(dc).
1 tr(dc) in last tr(dc).

Fasten off and sew and trim in end...

Add some Granny Goodness...and your all rugged up for winter...

My next tutorial will be for the Chunky Granny Flower...

So stay turned...

A Royal Affair...

2011-04-29T11:59:00.000+10:00

Final countdown to the Royal Wedding of William and Kate...

It's a very Royal Affair here at River Cottage...
The excitement is building and preparations have began...

The pearls are dusted off...

The tea is brewing...and cakes are cooked...

It's not too late to Call Me William !!!

Decorations and Royal memorabilia everywhere...

Let the celebrations begin...

Oh I almost forgot...

I have a cottage William...

If that helps...

I think that this may clinch the deal...

Don't you?

Going High Tech...

2011-04-28T19:12:00.000+10:00

Going High Tech...

The granny way...

E-Book and Laptop bags...

I made Sara's Boutique bag a little bit longer for the E-Book Bag

and the Laptop Bag wider and much longer...

I have popped these two into the shop in town...

and I hope they find a new home over the weekend...

I hope everyones weekend is as bright and granny good as the colours of these...

New Look to Mr Vintage...and a NEW CUSHION...

2011-04-25T16:59:00.001+10:00

Mr Vintage has a new home...
He is looking rather cute and loves his new look...
Here he is decked out for a few pics...
In Granny Goodness...in all it's glory...

These two super Granny blankets will be in my etsy shop soon...

They are made by my Mum...

and full of grannyness...

I had some help today ...

And as you may notice from the next pic...

This is my Newest cushion...

Granny Flats…

My granny lived in a block of flats
three storey’s high,
I can picture it right now
and I don’t even need to try.

Frangipanis in my hand
teddy in the other,
Slowly up the many stairs
walking with my mother.

I’m staying with my granny
time that I now miss the most,
Her flat with many windows
overlooking the city to the coast.

I would hug her tight and breathe her in
and smell that granny smell,
There’s nothing that replaces it
a tear rolls, it’s just as well.

Hand in hand through the park
and down to Darby Street,
Past our favorite bench
where we would sit and rest our feet.

Talking to the grocer
memories of a time now past,
When bread was bread and milk was milk
and fruit and veg would last.

Heading back with bags now full
much slower than before,
Spending time together
always meant so much more.

Now days grow old as we do
and noon turns into night,
Till there is no city below us
just a sea of starry light.

Teddy in hand and snuggled down
between blanket and blue sheets,
The soft warmth of comfort
puts me straight to sleep.

My granny lived in a block of flats
Three storey’s high,
She would see me from her window
as wave to me goodbye.

I still need to test this pattern out...With Kate...

So it might be a little while before it is out...

In the mean time...

Grab a cuppa tea and a few biscuits...

Nab that comfy chair...

and enjoy the veiw with me...

Well worn grannyness...

2011-04-23T23:19:00.000+10:00

After seeing these boutique bags

on Sara's blog

I knew they had just the right amount of

Grannyness

to give them a try...

After taking a few snaps...

I remembered my mother saying...

"when your my age your hands will look just like mine"

yes...

mine are looking very much like I remember my mothers looking at my age...

Maybe a few more gallons of
Vaseline intensive care could help...

Or maybe that's just what they are meant to look like...

older...wiser...and well worn...

I hope this Easter brings

much joy and lots of hugs from some

older...wiser...and well worn hands

from family and friends you adore...

Working Day Out...

2011-04-17T18:48:00.000+10:00

What a week it has been...

I have been crocheting till I can no longer crochet anymore...

and them some...

I have worked for the day in a little Gift-Nursery Shop

in town that not only has some gorgeous

items and plants...

But also sells my Granny wares...

It was a rather brisk and cold wet day...

But I didn't mind...

Lots of amazing plants everywhere I looked...

Fantastic organic seeds...

Very quirky shop fittings...

Like this drum tin cupboard...

and vintage dress dolly...

Both of which are not for sale...Oh I wish...

These two Beanies were whisked away by some lovely shoppers

by the end of the day...

and just SO much to look at...

I wasn't at all weary by the end of my day...

I do hope you enjoy seeing some of my pictures of my day at work...

I shall leave you all with some Granny Goodness...

A beautiful bunch of Dahlias...

Bursting with colour...

2011-04-08T21:24:00.000+10:00

Nothing like a lovely burst of colour to start a weekend...

Sunshine...

Family...

and lots of crochet...

Just what I am looking foward too...

How about you?

Just So Darn Cute...

2011-04-06T09:46:00.000+10:00

Thank you all so much for the amazing response

to my latest Grandma's Picnic Cushion

listing...

I am thrilled as

all 5 patterns ran out the door...

The Grandma's Picnic cushion pattern is now re-listed

without the bonus offer...
Sorry for those sweeties who may have missed out...

Granny Square Apron...
Pattern and inspiration to make it ...
Found on Sara's Blog...

I have loved this pattern so much
that I had to make another...

I could even do more...

This is just the epitome of Granny Goodness...
A unique combination
that has all the right elements...

Apron...
Which conjures up everything from baking, kitchens, sharing,
working, teaching and comfort...I could go on and on...
Granny Square...
Where do I start,
the distinctive image that is conjured up for crochet the world over...

But really...I just think it is so darn CUTE!!!

Exclusive Offer for My New Pattern Release...

2011-04-05T14:40:00.000+10:00

Grandma's Picnic Cushion PDF

and exclusive offer of ONE free pattern...
If you buy this pattern you will be able to choose one free pattern from my etsy shop...
Just include the name of the pattern you would like in the "note from buyer" section on checkout...

then these two patterns will be e-mailed to you for the price of only

the Grandma's Picnic Cushion pattern...
This offer will only be for this pattern and will only be for a limited number...

There are 5 patterns listed at this offer...

Once offer ends...It will re-listed at the original pattern price without free pattern...

As thank you for all of your lovely comments

and encouragement with this new pattern...

I have listed this special offer for 5 lucky readers...

So please be quick if you are in need of crocheting some sunshine and summer

into your home...

The cushion I crocheted above was for a bargain price of $9 in yarn,

some buttons and a cushion insert...

and I think that is pretty amazing and affordable for most people...

You don't have to spend a huge amount of money

to make something that is pretty and practical...

My grandma was a firm believer in this...

Through recycling, reusing and rescuing vintage finds and practical items

we can all incorporate some Granny Goodness into our everyday life...

I will be back very soon

with more colour and granny crocheting...

My Heart...

2011-03-31T16:56:00.000+11:00

Thank you all for your lovely

sweet words about my

latest cushion...

I will be adding this to the shop soon...

But while I am still tweeking

I just popped in to say HI!

Hows your week panning out...

Has it been raining buckets or has the sun been shining...

I have spent my week

Doing some school activities...

Weeding the garden...

Cleaning up my very, very messy room...

Lots of washing...cooking...and more washing...

These jobs may seem boring and ho-hum...

But sometimes they surprise me...

I am lucky that I have a family...

that needs me to do these jobs...

and make them feel loved...

That's important to me...

Grandma's Picnic Cushion...

2011-03-28T23:02:00.000+11:00

My latest cushion is all about summer and picnics

and all things bright and cheery...

Something that I think we all need some of...

Summer Picnic…

I love our summer picnics
no dishes to be done,
A soft breeze is blowing
sitting here in the sun.

The pond is full of water
and ducks are paddling by,
Children run and chase them
only to watch them fly.

Cozy pillows, books in hand
watching clouds float past,
The warm rays of sunshine
will inevitably not last.

But not before the games are over
and laughter had by all,
patting backs and shaking hands
and promises to call.

Can these days go on forever
I wish they really would,
A longing for nostalgia
when summer felt so good...

I will be having a giveaway of a slightly different sought this time...

So I will wait till the end of the week

when the pattern is ready to put up in my etsy shop...

and let everyone know what it is...

I hope my dears are all having a lovely week...

with lots of

inspiration

and a few sunny days...

Nostalgia Festival

2011-03-27T21:12:00.000+11:00

Kurri Kurri Nostalgia Festival

is recognised as a NSW Tourism Flagship Event.

The weekend attracts over 30,000 people to the region and town centre and is all about Rock n Roll, Classic Cars, Hot rods and the 50's and 60's.

There are lots of great 'rock n roll' and 'rockabilly' dances...

There’s a classic car and hot rod show
with over 400 cars on display, rock n roll dance workshops,
talent quests, feature bands, markets stalls,
Vegas wedding renewals, and much more.

It was a great Day out

and so much fun...
The clothes and outfits were so lovely...
I could be easily converted to become a rockabilly wannabee
and wear some very, very cool outfits...

I found this stall...
Gorgeous!!!

Granny Square Apron...

2011-03-24T18:35:00.000+11:00

After spotting this pattern on Sara's Blog

Tangled Happy

I had to give it a try...

I will definitely give this pattern another go...

and find some Cotton worsted weight yarn...Or equivalent...

As I think mine turned out a little bit smaller

than it should be...

I still think it is pretty cute...

and quite like wearing it

while I work...

or sit...

or blog...

Thanks Sara...

It gets

a Granny Good

hug of approval...

Baby Felt Owl

2011-03-23T20:18:00.001+11:00

I made this little cutie today...

The pattern was in a old issue of Notebook magazine...

The design is by the very talented

Katia Donohoe

Of Plushkacraft...

Her blog is well worth a visit...

Tracking down the templete was a little bit tricky...

But I found it HERE...

It was quite fun and not very hard to do...

and even turned out just like the picture in the book...

Don't you love patterns that are like that...

On Explore

2011-03-22T13:38:00.000+11:00

I recently found out that quite a few of my

pictures have made it onto

Explore...

Now I would love to enlighten you on what this is,

or better still what it means...

But I don't know either...

What I do know is that this

makes for a pretty picture in itself with

a lovely looking border...

and you can find it on bighugelabs...under scout...

It's a Flickr kind of thing...

At home this week I have been making progress with a new pattern...

Yes I do realize that it was not very long ago that I put

my latest one out...

But I must be on a roll...

And have managed two in a month...

While I busy myself...Writing and Reading

and thinking of a name for

this new pattern...

I will leave you all with a Sneak Peek...

of the back that is...

As gosh I am loving the buttons that go so well

with the yarn...

Yum!!!

Miss Milla and a Giveaway winner...

2011-03-18T16:29:00.001+11:00

I received a lovely e-mail from the delightful

Kirsten of Miss Milla...

Sharing lots of sweet words and gorgeous pictures

of her finished

Grandma Daisy cushion...

Kirsten

was inspired to make her Grandma Daisy cushion

after seeing it on Kate's blog Foxslane...

You can find Kate's cushion here...
and I am so glad she did...
as it looks just perfect!!!

The Miss Millas website also offers a range of online suplies

Like embroidery patterns, fabrics and supplies from knitting to crocheting...

Just delightful for us crafty types...

find these here...

Also on the subject of delightful things
The winner of the Grandma Tic Tac Toe pdf pattern is...

TBIRD77
After reading this comment I couldn't stop thinking about
how sweet childhood memories really are...

tbird77 please e-mail me at ( kludas@bigpond.com)
your details and I will send this pdf your way...

tbird77 wrote...
Noughs and Crosses!
Brings back childhood memories of a boredom moment
which enabled us to find quirky ideas of where to play.
On a steamed up kitchen window in the middle of winter,
on the patio using wet foot prints on a summer afternoon.
This is such a happy pillow!
Would be great as a throw too. Its just happily brilliant!
***

Thank you all for entering the giveaway...

Be sure to lookout for this pattern in my etsy shop...
and a HUGE thank you to Kate
for testing this pattern out...
Stay tuned to her blog
for some lovely pictures of how it turned out...

I will be back very soon with more crocheting adventures
and maybe even another pattern...

Granny Tic Tac Toe Cushion and PDF Give-away...

2011-03-13T17:11:00.002+11:00

My granny’s lost the plot

But she’s ever so nice,

We sit and play games

And take turns rolling dice.

Tic tac toe,

yahtzee and snap,

Games to make you think

so you don’t and take a nap.

She always seems to win

which is awfully strange,

For a granny so doddery

of a ripe old age.

At last I can show you my latest design...

As always I am still writing this pattern out...

I have had a few set backs with adapting to new programmes

and saving small file size pdf's.

Now at long last these "high tec" things are soughted

and I am back on track...

It will still be about a week before it is all looking lovely

and ready for my etsy shop...

The lovely Kate

is also helping me out with testing...

Which reminds me...

Sorry Kate for the long delay with getting it to you...

Very soon...Promise...

Now...back to the give-away...

Please leave a comment...

Tell me if you like it...or not...

If you liked playing Tic Tac Toe...?

Or much preferred to call it "Noughts and Crosses"...?

any comment at all will go into the draw...
And I will pick one winner for a free PDF...

That easy...

I will let everyone know how it is coming along by the end of the week...

And for anyone wondering about the little dolly in the picture...

I made her a very long time ago...

Inspired by the amazing Shannon of Aunty Cookie...

Who's fabric designs and illustrations are just "ACE"...

And the sweet little stripped Cat is called Felix...

He thinks he's the "Top Cat" around here...

and has a air of "grandness" and "distinction" about him...

And is quite happy with begin the only one of his kind

living at River Cottage...

Till next post...

Please stay safe!!!

Hug someone you love...

and keep up the Granny Goodness..

Edit:
Entries are now closed...
Thank you all for your kind words and lovely thoughts...
I will post details very soon...
And this pattern will be available in my etsy shop...

Begone my slumpy ways...

2011-03-10T18:40:00.000+11:00

What a relief...

I hear you say...

Yes my slumpy ways have headed for darker pastures...

and left me to create...

and there is nothing better than a new cushion design...

I will have to leave everyone

with only a tiny sneak peek...

sorry...

Just know that I will be sitting down tonight and starting to write

everything out and try and make sense of my sticky little notes...

Luckily I have taken all the photo's so even if I get stuck I will have them to remind me...

Till next time...

Keep up the granny goodness...

Union Jack Cushion by Amanda

2011-03-07T09:35:00.001+11:00

Union Jack Cushion a photo by Manda's challenges :) on Flickr.

I huge thank you to Amanda for adding her
finished Grandma English cushion to
the flickr group...
There are a few photo's of finished ones on Ravelry...
and I just love seeing them...

I hope everyones Monday morning
has started out well...
We have lovely weather here at River Cottage...
Blue skys, slight breeze...
A freshness in the air...that smells like Autumn...

Just Perfect...

Washing Wednesday...

2011-03-02T16:18:00.000+11:00

Washing is something that we all have to do...

But some manage to do it in such vintage style...

Like my flickr friends above...

Washing on a Wednesday just sounds nice...

Don't you think?

I even made a point of begin a bit colour co-ordinated for the day...
Well at least I thought so...

Note to self...
Don't freak the neighbours out with Washing Wednesday outfits...

As they already think me a bit "strange"...

My Mum use to have a wringer...

Just like this...

I think washing would have taken a lot longer...

But how lovely it would be to have one

just like this

sitting in your laundry...

So Vintage...

Henry's Lack Of Interest...

2011-03-01T13:00:00.000+11:00


Flickr

Henry's getting a little annoyed with the time spent on my art work...
He thinks I should have been moving on by now...
But I am sticking to it I say...

Not even the dreaded lurgy will stop me...

Well ok...it will...

But I can't believe how long this cold has lasted...

It should be long gone...

Packed it's bags and headed for the hills...

But no it's much to nice it says...

staying with me here at River Cottage...

Why oh why would it want to leave...

Maybe because I actually want to get some work done...

Or even to get a chance to wear my new thrifty frock...

in public!!!

I am hoping all of my friends have had a lovely weekend...

with no dreaded lurgy and lots of happy crocheting...

And thank you all for putting up with my absense

and general slumpy ways of late...

I am most happy...

2011-02-23T14:56:00.003+11:00

I am most happy...
Originally uploaded by Loving The Vintage

When I recieve lovely etsy parcels in the mail..

I am even happier when the cover of one
of these gorgeous Dottieangel notebooks
has the very photo of the apron I bought from her...

Pass me a tissue please...
It's all too much...

Yes I have managed to go and get myself
the dreaded lurgy...
After such a nice start to the week too...

Thank you for your sweet comments last post...
and for the great links...
They have sent me to some lovely sites and blogs...
Just what I needed...

So while I lay low for the rest of the week...
And cough and splutter some more...
I would love to find some more interesting places to visit...
Maybe you have a favorite blog?
Maybe it even has nothing to do with crocheting?

Some of my favorite blogs are totally different to what I do...
I just love getting inspiration from all creative people...

And it's ok too if you want to share something that you think
I would like from your own blog...
Just leave a easy link so I can pop over...

Till next post...Stay safe...
Eat healthy...and keep those dreaded lurgy bugs at bay...

Hi

2011-02-21T20:53:00.001+11:00

Hi
Originally uploaded by Loving The Vintage

Just thought I would pop in to say Hi...
How is your Monday...
Quite...or busy...

Have you stumbled across any great patterns...
or maybe a great new blog...

Have you finished a project or maybe bought some
fabulous new wool to start one...

Whatever your week holds in store...
I hope it is just full of goodness and smiles...

And a couple of hugs...they never go astray...

Flickr Favorites

2011-02-19T21:46:00.002+11:00

7 Feb 2011
Originally uploaded by cjcsew

Thanks to Cjcsew for adding this gorgeous
grandma hearts garland to the flickr group...

I love the colours and the great idea of adding letters...

If anyone wants to add pictures to the group...be sure to pop over...
the more the merrier...

I have seen lots of pictures over on Ravelry of some granny cushions
made from my patterns...Just gorgeous!!!
I would love to see these added to the group if you have a flickr account...
They are just so many crafty crocheters about it's lovely to see there work...full of colour and granny goodness...

I will be back soon with pics of something new and arty I have been working on...

Roses Are Red...

2011-02-14T13:38:00.000+11:00

Roses are Red,

Denim is Blue...

Blogging is sweet,

with friends like you...

Happy Valentines Day my dears...

These flowers are part of an installation crocheted art piece

I am working on...

Getting side tracked again...

But I am loving it!!!

I like Blue...do you...

2011-02-09T09:44:00.000+11:00

Flickr

I also have a fondness for Turquoise

and Aqua...

flickr

I love when the light is just right

for taking photo's...

flickr

I love finishing UFO's like this Grandma's Garden

which I have had sitting waiting patiently to be completed and admired...

flickr

Most of all like it when it all comes together so perfectly...

Bursting with Granny Goodness...

Crocheting my way to Happiness...

2011-02-07T14:16:00.000+11:00

As we all know,

crocheting can just help sooth the soul...

So I have told myself to just pick up the hook and get on with it...

I told myself this in a very gruff, important voice too!!!

And I think for once I was listening...

So I have now finished another Tissue box cover...

and managed to make a very simple Granny square cushion...

complete with pretty little picots around...

I am in the very early stages of a new pattern...

The stage where I have undone so many times I have gone quite loopy...

It will be about a week or so before I am totally finished,

at least I have an idea now which direction it is heading...

The buzzing direction I think...

Thank you all so much for your encouraging words of late...

I think it was the enormous kick in the butt I needed...

Now if I can just find those boots again

as I think there is a pile of dishes to do and a few floors that need cleaning...

P.S...You can still e-mail me for the Granny Chevron Blanket pattern...

Just pop over to the side bar and click on the ABOUT ME...

and that will take you straight to my profile and e-mail details...

Till next post...

Keep up the Granny Goodness...

The Waiting Place

2011-02-04T11:18:00.000+11:00

Have you ever read the children's book...

Oh, The Places You'll Go

by Dr Seuss???

I have...

It describes The Waiting Place...

I think that's were I have been stuck

for quite some time...

And as the story goes...

I need to escape...

Maybe it has been a combination of things...

The excessive heat...frying my brain...

Work...Sweating kilo's off me...

Uncertainty of what to do next...

Yes just waiting...

Sometimes it's not hard...

To kick ones butt!!!

Maybe I just need to buy a bigger pair of shoes...

I have been very remiss in not blogging...and for that I feel quite bad...

So until I shake myself out of it all...

Or buy some enormous shoes...

I will try to keep you close

and all of your sweet comments even closer...

Maybe the start of the Chinese New Year will do it...

I mean honesty who can resist the year of the rabbit...

How cute are they...

And I will leave you with a pic

of me this morning...

Trying to start on improving my disposition...

Hugs to you all...

P.S...If you would like a copy of the Chevron Granny Blanket pattern

please just e-mail me and I will send you out a PDF...

And the winner is...

2011-01-11T23:53:00.000+11:00

Thank you all so much for an amazing response

to my latest Grandma Daisy pattern giveaway...

I did find it hard to find a way of picking a winner...

So I thought I would be very conventional...

for me anyway...

And give a free pattern to the very first

and very last comment...

Thank you

Aisyah Helga

and

Melody

(Can you e-mail me your details...that would be great)

and Congratulations!!!

I will be listing the pattern for sale on etsy

so if you would like to grab a copy

please take a look...

At Home...

I have been spending a few afternoons

in the vegie patch...

With the amount of rain we have been having

it is looking more like a jungle patch...

The basil plants are fantastic...

And that mass in the middle of the patch

is three tomato plants...

They are suffering a bit from the wet weather

but we should have about 30 large tomatoes on it to harvest in a week...

and in front of them is a row of baby tomatoes

which we have been picking already...

Lots of other vegetables too...

Finding time to spend out in the garden is just what I need...

It clears my head a bit...

and is so relaxing...

***

I would also like to send my best wishes

to all of my dear sweet friends living in Queensland...

I do hope you are all safe...

and your family and friends are too...

Stay high and dry!!!

Grandma Daisy...

2011-01-05T12:42:00.000+11:00

Grandma Daisy

is my latest design...

I am very excited about this new pattern

and do hope you will be too...

If you would like to leave a comment

I will draw a lucky winner by the start of next week

and one of my lovelies will be the first to receive a free copy of the pattern...

I am about half way through writing it out on the computer...

So there will be nothing better than a deadline...

I did find that the older I get

The harder it is to get up once down...

Granny All Square in flickr group...

2011-01-02T14:40:00.001+11:00

Granny All Square
Originally uploaded by Lady Colori

By Lady Colori...

Thank you my dear
for adding to the flickr group...

I am so amazed at the amount of work
and time that you must have put into this
gorgeous blanket...

and LOVE seeing it...

It has put a huge smile on my face
and a warmth in my heart...

I have decided that this year I will be putting
more time and effort into my work...

I hope to organize at least 3 classes a week...
plus pattern writing time...
and not forgetting blogging time...

I have almost finished the front of a new cushion
and have written the start of the pattern out...
On lots of lovely scrap paper....
and just need to pick up some extra wool
when the shops open back up again...

I am really excited about this one...it's very pretty...

I do hope that everyone's New Year is starting
out happy and bright...and full of inspiration and Love...

And thank you all so much for sharing your granny goodness
just like Lady Colori has...

It's All About The HOME...

2010-12-30T11:14:00.000+11:00

flickr

This New Year...

it's all about the HOME...

A granny good Home of course...

Putting my best foot forward and making

my home life extra special...

Lots of gardening...painting...prettying up...

and most of all

lots of LOVE....

I do hope everyone's New Year will be just sweet...

Thank you for all of your support over this last month...

it has made me realize that there is so much more I could be doing

instead of feeling all wishy washy...

Like crocheting some more...

I have started working on some more patterns

and will have one out in January...

Cross fingers...

But for now...keep up the granny goodness that you know so well...

And I will see you very soon in the New Year...

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T10:38:00.000+11:00

Wishing you all a very...

Merry Christmas

and a granny good New Year...

Flickr

With the help of a last minute "How To"

by the lovely Dottie angel

Thank you my dears for your sweet words

and kind thoughts

over this past year...

You make it all worth it...

Reflecting...

2010-12-18T11:04:00.004+11:00

Reflecting...
Originally uploaded by Loving The Vintage

Reflecting...
on a year almost past...

Surrounding myself with comfort and memories...

Carnations...my favorite flower...
Garlands...to hold me together...
Tissues...in case I need to cry...
Tea...to sooth the soul...
Granny Blanket...to keep my safe and loved...

Chevron Granny Blanket pdf

2010-12-13T15:48:00.000+11:00

Thank you all my very special dears...

for all the well wishes and kindness

for our sudden loss of our dear pet Millie...

Your comments have helped me so much...

I would love to thank you all

so I have added a

Chevron Granny Blanket pdf

in my sidebar...

It is free,

but I can only have the pdf link for 30 days

through the host server...

So please feel free to download it and save to your computer...

I do hope it works as I am new to uploading this sort of thing

I know you will need Adobe to access this...

Wishing you much granny goodness... Michelle...

Farewell my sweet Millie

2010-12-11T00:41:00.000+11:00

You will be so dearly missed...

You were taken from us tragically yesterday morning...

and the tears keep flowing...

I would like to say more...

But it hurts too much...

Know we will always think of you as our little friend...

Always in our thoughts

and now sadly in just our memory...

About my tutorials

2010-12-07T16:16:00.000+11:00

With the festive season approaching

and many of my dears

crocheting their decorations...

I have had a lot of e-mails asking about my free tutorials...

so I thought I would help out

and answer a few here...

You are most welcome to use my free tutorials...

You are more than welcome to borrow a image and post a link with it to my free tutorials...

You don't even have to contact me...But I do like to see every one's lovely work...

You can of course sell your finished product...even on etsy...

Changing my tutorial significantly and posting a tutorial on your site is also most welcome...

Things I find not ok...Are...

This is more a blog etiquette thing...

Copy and paste my tutorial and posting it on your site...

I have only ever given one person permission for this...

and it was so it could be translated into another language

so more people can benefit from some granny goodness...

Taking your own pictures of the "Grandma step- by- step Tutorial" and posting it...

Changing the pattern slightly and posting it as your own step-by-step tutorial...

eg of slightly : colour changing, adding a picot etc...

This doesn't mean showing these steps that you have come up with...

it means the whole tutorial from start to finish with a few added steps included...

(did that make sense?)

I have always kept the original patterns very basic...

no colour changes,adding an extra row of dc(sc), or adding picots etc...

because I really want the patterns to be used by everyone...

including people who are only learning...

and by keeping it simple the finished product is achievable...

also if you are an advanced crocheter you can add these things quite easily without

a step-by-step tutorial...

and of course I always love seeing these as finished products...

and I do know a lot of my dears out there have done just that and they look amazing...

and thank you so much for sharing your versions with me...

I do realize that many people can and have come up with some of my patterns without every seeing my tutorials or pictures...That's just the beauty of crocheting and trying new things out...

and if you have come up with a pattern that looks identical to mine without realizing it or every seeing mine till now...that's wonderful...

I would never want to upset anyone that has made a pattern from scratch

and it just happens to look like one that I did as well...

I do hope these last things haven't upset anyone...

I do believe though if you stick to the general blog etiquette rule

sharing links and pictures we can all

keep up the granny goodness...

and all enjoy the wonderful free things you can find on the internet...

P.s...Thank you MADE BY KATE for the lovely jute idea...

I'm loving it this year!!!