Bee and Buzz: July 2011

Friday, 29 July 2011

Friday Flickr Favs

I've been on a Internet hunt for lovely things created with wool and yarn

and have found these beauties on flickr this week ...............

Tuesday, 26 July 2011

Tea Cosy & Pin Cushion Giveaway

A GREAT GIVEAWAY FOR A GREAT TUTORIAL

1st Prize Hand Knitted Tea Cosy

Have I put you all off entering my Great Giveaway posted on Friday?

I probably made it too demanding and boring.

As yet I haven't had any entries so I have decide to change the entry criteria as follows and add a second prize too:-

2nd Prize A pumpkin pin cushion

I had a thought that it might be nice to create a 'Great Tutorials' section on my blog

with links to other blogs and their fab favourite tutorials.

Have you got a favourite tutorial you have found on the Internet?

Or have you got a tutorial you created yourself you would like to share?

I think this is definitely more fun than the other entry requirements!!!

To enter:

send me a comment on this blog post, with a link to your favourite blog tutorial.

It can be for any type of craft, from any blog, your own blog or others.

I will pick the best two tutorials as the winners on Friday, 5th August, 2011,

and I will notify the winners shortly after this date.

This is open to all who wish to enter, those who comment regularly and those who don't! I would love to see your great tutorials and hear from you so get entering.

NB: don't forget to include your contact details, either email address or blog address, in your entry, so I can contact the winners.

Good luck!

Bee x

p.s if you have planned to enter on the other post with the other criteria, I hope that this hasn't messed up your plans.

o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o

Monday, 25 July 2011

Crochet Coaster Pattern

I found this beautiful crochet pattern over at Yvestown blog for crochet coasters and thought they look really pretty and easy to do so I thought I would give the pattern ago.

After following the pattern, and making one coaster up to the instructions, I realised that the Yvestown pattern was in US crochet terminology and this was the result ......

although cute in itself, it wasn't what I was expecting,

it should have looked like this one .....

I realised that I needed to convert the pattern to UK crochet terminology so I did and changed the pattern a bit.

My UK Crochet Coaster Pattern as follows:

You will need:

DK Cotton, I used cotton yarn from both Rowan and Patons collection

4mm hook (Size 8) or a 3.50mm hook depending on your tension

tapestry needle

scissors

steam iron

Stitches used:

Slip Stitch - SS

Double Crochet - DC

Treble - Trb

Chain - C

To Start:

Make 8 ch, close as a ring with a ss.

Row 1:

Make 2 ch, 23 dc in ring, close with a ss in the 2nd ch of the beginning of this row.

Row 2:

Make 4 ch, 1 trb in the closing ss of the previous row; 1 ch *skip 2 st; in the next st: 1 trb, 2 ch, 1 trb; 1 ch* Repeat 7x from *to*. Close row with a ss in the 2nd ch (of 4) of the start.

Row 3:

Make 2 ch; 1 trb, 2 ch, 2 trb under the 2 ch of the previous row; 1 sc under the 1 ch *2 trb, 2 ch, 2 trb as before; 1 sc as before*. Repeat 7 x from *to*. Close row with a ss in 2nd ch (of 2 ) of the start.

Row 4:

No build up with ch as before; then make 3 trb, 1 ch, 3 trb under the 2 ch of the previous row; 1 sc to the left and right of the sc of the previous row. Repeat 8x and close with a ss in the first st of the row.

to finish:

Bind off with a ss.

Sew in ends with a tapestry needle and press lightly with a steam iron.

These are the ones I crocheted today:-

I think they are beautiful and will be crocheting some more no doubt.

Has anyone else had trouble with decoding UK and US crochet terminology in patterns?

How do you get around it?

Bee x

p.s. Many thanks to Yvestown for the original pattern idea

o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o

Friday, 22 July 2011

A Great Giveaway

Tea Cosy Giveaway

As promised last week in a previous post, I said I was going to do a blog giveaway to celebrate my birthday and share some 'Bee & Buzz' love!

So I've decided to giveaway one of my lovely tea cosies as the prize,

with all those summery afternoon teas

and garden parties in mind (dodging the rain of course)!

It is hand knitted by myself in pure wool from the Rowan collection,

so go easy on the washing as it will shrink if washed with too hot water.

I would wash it on a wool cycle on 30 degrees C,

or hand wash and leave to dry naturally, preferably flat to keep its shape.

It fits an average sized family tea pot so should fit most tea pots.

To enter

all you have to do to enter is one of the following:-

1.) share the 'Bee & Buzz' blog by linking it to your blog and letting me know where;

2.) or send a twitter message about this giveaway;

3.) Or mention it on your Facebook page;

4.) and then leave a comment on this blog post to let me know what you have done.

I will pick the winner at random on Friday, 5th August, 2011,

so you have two weeks to enter. I will notify the winner shortly after then.

GOOD LUCK!

bee x

o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o

Wednesday, 20 July 2011

A Birthday Surprise

My 40th Birthday Surprise

My lovely man whisked me away to the Isle of Wight for 3 days. We stayed in a lovely hotel in a place called Shanklin which is a small quaint town on the beach. We were fairly lucky with the weather, although the forecast was terrible, the sun did shine in the afternoon on the Saturday and Sunday.

What a beautiful Island it is. I didn't realise how green it was over there.

There are no motorways, so travelling around is a pleasant meander on the A and B roads. I got to see the beautiful coast and beaches nestling along side the countryside.

Shanklin

alum bay

The Needles

One of the coastal bays

shanklin

On the Monday, 18th July, my actual birthday, the weather wasn't so good so we went to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. I love steam trains and think they are a very romantic way to travel as I love their motion, sound and era from where they originated.

The Steam Railway

Happy Birthday to Me

My other half had a word with the guards and told them it was my birthday so they put a plaque up on the front of the train as a surprise.

I got to go on the footplate and talk to the driver. I got a whistle stop tour around the engine and the controls. This particular steam train was 120 years old!

Inside the train on the footplate

I got to travel First Class in a compartment to ourselves for most of the way which was lovely as the rest of the train was rather busy.

If it wasn't for the pack-a-mac, I could have been in a period drama!

I had a lovely few days away in the Isle of Wight, and it was definitely worth a visit.

Bee x

o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o

Wednesday, 13 July 2011

The big 40 is approaching

Well it's time to mention that I will be turning 40 on the 18th of July!!

I can't believe that I am nearly 40, where does the time go? I have had mixed feelings about it although I know that time doesn't stand still for any man.

However, any major birthday is a landmark in ones life

and it does make one look back to the past and look forward to the future.

My 30's weren't the best time of my life.

I split with my now ex-husband, went through a very acrimonious divorce,

lost my business, my home, friends, and my health,

as I had a nervous breakdown through it all.

However, nearly two years ago, I met my now fiance, a lovely man who is kind,

sensitive, loving and very supportive.

It took me a while to learn to trust myself and my feelings but I am there now.

We are looking to buy a house together soon so things are looking bright for my 40s.

These events certainly have made me who I am today.

I am alot more understanding and compassionate to others.

I love the creative side of me which I found again during my breakdown

that had been buried under work, work and more work

and I know what is important to me now,

so you can say, that my 30s were a time of clearing out the rubbish,

and making way for the new.

I am looking forward to my 40s because I know it has a lot of good things waiting for me just around the corner.

I am being whisked away on a weekend break for my birthday so won't be around for a few days but next week I am going to do a birthday giveaway!

bee x

o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o

Monday, 11 July 2011

Crochet Bead Pattern

As promised in Friday's post, I have written up the instructions on

how to make a crochet bead as follows:-

CROCHET BEAD PATTERN

I used:-

4 ply cotton glace (Rowan) but you could use any yarn and alter the hook size accordingly;
Hook 3.00mm
Polyester Stuffing or off cuts of wool
Large tapestry needle with large eye and blunt end to sew in ends

Stitches used: (UK terminology)

Chain - (C)
Slip Stitch (SS)
Double Crochet (DC)

Techniques:

Working in rounds

PATTERN:

Round 1 -

Make a slip knot, then make 2C, miss the 1st C closest to hook, and then 6DC into 2nd C. SS to join to create a circle, 1C and turn.

Round 2

2DC into each of the DC's below (12DC in total), SS to join, 1C and turn.

Round 3

1DC into each of the 12DC below, SS to join, 1C and turn.

Round 4

Repeat as for round 3, then fill crochet half with polyester stuffing, 1C and turn.

Round 5

Holding the stuffing in place if necessary, make 1DC into each of the 12DC below, SS to join, 1C and turn.

Round 6

* 1DC into the next 2DC, miss 1DC, repeat from *, then 1DC then SS to join, make 1C, no turn.

Round 7

* 1DC into DC below, miss DC*. *Repeat 4 x. SS to join. By now you will have a bead.

To finish

Cut the yarn leaving about 5cm, use your crochet hook to pull the yarn through the stitch to complete.
Sew in the ends and then roll the bead in your hands to mould it into shape.

There you have it!

I hope that I have written clear enough instructions. However, if you get stuck, let me know and I'll try to help.

bee x

p.s you might have noticed that I am left hand crocheter so if you are right handed you can follow the pattern. You can reverse the images with a mirror if you want. There are also alot of crochet videos on You Tube for help.

o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o

Friday, 8 July 2011

Crochet Beads

My little fingers have been working away making these pastel coloured crochet beads .....

They remind me of chocolate truffles, they look so delicious, I could eat one!!

(perhaps not)

I thought I would make a necklace with them ...............

so off to the shops I went to buy some ribbon!

I also added some felt balls that I had made prior to me breaking my wrist

the end result

I will try over the weekend to write up a little pattern for the crochet bead so if anyone wants to make them they can.

Happy Weekend!

bee x

o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o

Wednesday, 6 July 2011

Vintage Suitcase Makeover

Two little lost suitcases got a bit of tlc .........

On a recent treasure hunting afternoon, I spotted these two rather shabby cream 1950's suitcases looking rather sorry for themselves.

I fell in love with their shape and thought, 'can I upcycle them in some way'?

So after a little deliberation, I bought them home with me!

After a good scrub they came up a bit better .....

But I felt they needed a bit more improvement so

I gave them a couple of coats of emulsion. I used the colour called

James White from Farrow and Ball

and then gave them a buff up with some clear wax which made the paint shine.

On another treasure hunting afternoon, I found this vintage floral wallpaper for 50p and thought it would be great for covering my vintage suitcases with, so ..........

I covered the two suitcases, front and back, with this pretty floral wallpaper. I stuck it on with wall paper paste as I seemed to have run out of pva. It worked a treat and the wallpaper was really easy to apply.

Then I thought they needed something extra!

So I rummaged through my collection of doilies and found these suitable subjects.

I stuck them on with fabric glue which dries clear.

Here are the beauties in the restored and upcycled glory.

The whole project must have cost me under £5.00 which I love as my pocket money is in limited supply right now!

bee x

o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o

Monday, 4 July 2011

Treasure Hunting ......

I hope you all had a great weekend.

I've been treasuring hunting this weekend and on my travels I found several beautiful items to add to my array of vintage items I've been collecting .....

I found this pretty little blue and white apron with a pocket depicting the South cities.

Floral Teapot

I also found this Sadler Teapot with colourful floral images on. I like its attractive shape with its basket weave pattern and finally,

a lovely wicker framed tray with illustrated roses.

All very shabby chic and summery

and to top it off, I bought some bedding plants for my little garden.

I got these little beauties in honour of my lovely gran as she used to grow
them in her wonderful garden.

I still miss her even though she died 15 years ago.

I call them snap dragons because if you squeeze the base of a flower together, its mouth will open wide, but their proper name is Antirrhinums.

Two flower heads dropped off so I put them in the smallest jar I could find. Aptly so, as both my gran and grandad introduced me to Marmite years ago!

Love it or hate it, I love the little floral display!

Bee x

o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o