Tennis are a new band to me, and to be honest so far I have only heard this song, but getting their album is high on my list of things to do. I found this song as it is on our play list at work and it has been on repeat ever since. :)
Tennis are a husband and wife duo from Denver and have had an EP and two albums, the second of which was produced by Patric Carney of the Black Keys.
This song Marathon is really sweet and summery and I am listening to it to wish the current never ending rain away!
Happy Listening :)
Wednesday, 2 May 2012
Monday, 30 April 2012
Things I have eyes for: Crochet Goodness
The things I have eyes for this week are all crafty things to make or buy handmade and link up to yesterdays post about how to make a granny square.
I hope these give you inspiration to make some of your own crochet objects. The apron would look so cute as an apron for a shop worker in a knitting store. The blanket is something I would love to get cosy under watching some great old films. I love the art, textured and something different to show people. The top is cute for a little one, and so easy but it really stands out. The lampshade is so retro, as is the cushion, these are both things that I would love to attempt myself.
Happy Crocheting x
Find more here
I hope these give you inspiration to make some of your own crochet objects. The apron would look so cute as an apron for a shop worker in a knitting store. The blanket is something I would love to get cosy under watching some great old films. I love the art, textured and something different to show people. The top is cute for a little one, and so easy but it really stands out. The lampshade is so retro, as is the cushion, these are both things that I would love to attempt myself.
Happy Crocheting x
Find more here
Sunday, 29 April 2012
How to Crochet a Granny Square
This week I have been teaching my skills to another, and in a cafe with tea and cake, oooh how scrumptious! She was a total beginner at crochet so we started the way I learnt, with a granny square. Granny squares are a way of producing a square of fabric by using rounds. They can be as big or as small as you like and you can even make whole great big warm blankets with them, either by using lots of little ones or having one giant granny square!
So, want to know how to make one? Yeah you do!
You need a crochet hook and a ball of yarn, to be honest this can be anything from cotton to wool or ribbon. I have chosen a gorgeous golden colour, and I am going to do it all in one colour, but, when you know what your doing, crochet squares also look good when each round is a different colour.
Start by making a slip knot. To do this you wrap the yarn around two fingers and pull a loop through. Let go from your two fingers and pull the loop. You should have a knot that you can pull tighter and loosen. Then pop this over the hook of your crochet hook and pull tighter, not too tight though.
To make a chain, make sure your hook is in the first loop then pass the yarn that comes out of the ball over the hook. Pull the hook from left to right to draw the yarn over through the loop, gently pull on the loop, but don't work it too loosely or it will be too baggy.
This is then repeated another 3 times to chain 4 which is the beginnings of our square.
Then slip stitch into the first chain that you made. To do this you insert the hook into the 1st stitch from the hook, yarn over and draw the yarn through the stitch and the loop that was already on the hook.
Then chain 3 like you did before.
The next step requires a US double crochet, or a UK treble crochet.
Take the yarn over your hook, insert the hook into the centre of the crochet circle that you made from the original 4 chains. Yarn over the hook again and pull through the hole. You should now have 3 loops over your hook. Next you yarn over and draw it through the first two loops, then you yarn over and pull it through the second two loops. Repeat again.
Then to work the corner chain 3 and then do 3 treble crochets (UK) through the centre hole. You should notice that a corner forms.
Then chain 3, UK treble crochet 3, chain 3, UK treble crochet 3, chain 3 and then slip stitch into the 2nd chain from the original 3 chains up from the circle. You should have something similar to the above photo.
Then for the second level, you chain 3, then turn the square over so that the tail from the beginning thread is sticking up. Your new hole is the corner to your left. Now 2 x UK treble crochet into that hole, then chain 3, then 3 x UK double crochet into the same hole on the other side, this forms the corner of your second round.
To get to the second corner chain 3, then (3 x UK treble crochet, chain 3, 3 x UK treble crochet) to form the corner and repeat another 2 times, then chain 3 and slip stitch into the 2nd chain from the original 3 chain onto that round.
Granny squares are traditionally 3 rows. To start the third row you chain 3 as normal, then turn the square over so the tail is underneath again. 2 x UK treble crochet into the hole to the left of your third chain (this third chain by the way acts as a treble crochet which is why you only do 2 at this point and three every other) then carry on with your chain 3, 3 x UK treble crochet round. The above photo is the final piece, this can be made bigger though with many many more rows, practise makes perfect at first. Then with these you can make many and make them into lots of things, like my crochet slippers or my bag that I made earlier.
Happy Crocheting people! x
So, want to know how to make one? Yeah you do!
You need a crochet hook and a ball of yarn, to be honest this can be anything from cotton to wool or ribbon. I have chosen a gorgeous golden colour, and I am going to do it all in one colour, but, when you know what your doing, crochet squares also look good when each round is a different colour.
Start by making a slip knot. To do this you wrap the yarn around two fingers and pull a loop through. Let go from your two fingers and pull the loop. You should have a knot that you can pull tighter and loosen. Then pop this over the hook of your crochet hook and pull tighter, not too tight though.
To make a chain, make sure your hook is in the first loop then pass the yarn that comes out of the ball over the hook. Pull the hook from left to right to draw the yarn over through the loop, gently pull on the loop, but don't work it too loosely or it will be too baggy.
This is then repeated another 3 times to chain 4 which is the beginnings of our square.
Then slip stitch into the first chain that you made. To do this you insert the hook into the 1st stitch from the hook, yarn over and draw the yarn through the stitch and the loop that was already on the hook.
Then chain 3 like you did before.
The next step requires a US double crochet, or a UK treble crochet.
Take the yarn over your hook, insert the hook into the centre of the crochet circle that you made from the original 4 chains. Yarn over the hook again and pull through the hole. You should now have 3 loops over your hook. Next you yarn over and draw it through the first two loops, then you yarn over and pull it through the second two loops. Repeat again.
Then to work the corner chain 3 and then do 3 treble crochets (UK) through the centre hole. You should notice that a corner forms.
Then chain 3, UK treble crochet 3, chain 3, UK treble crochet 3, chain 3 and then slip stitch into the 2nd chain from the original 3 chains up from the circle. You should have something similar to the above photo.
Then for the second level, you chain 3, then turn the square over so that the tail from the beginning thread is sticking up. Your new hole is the corner to your left. Now 2 x UK treble crochet into that hole, then chain 3, then 3 x UK double crochet into the same hole on the other side, this forms the corner of your second round.
To get to the second corner chain 3, then (3 x UK treble crochet, chain 3, 3 x UK treble crochet) to form the corner and repeat another 2 times, then chain 3 and slip stitch into the 2nd chain from the original 3 chain onto that round.
Granny squares are traditionally 3 rows. To start the third row you chain 3 as normal, then turn the square over so the tail is underneath again. 2 x UK treble crochet into the hole to the left of your third chain (this third chain by the way acts as a treble crochet which is why you only do 2 at this point and three every other) then carry on with your chain 3, 3 x UK treble crochet round. The above photo is the final piece, this can be made bigger though with many many more rows, practise makes perfect at first. Then with these you can make many and make them into lots of things, like my crochet slippers or my bag that I made earlier.
Happy Crocheting people! x
Thursday, 26 April 2012
Little Bird
Lisa Hannigan is someone who I have blogged about before. I really do love her music and this song is beautiful!
The song Little Bird is from the album Passenger by Lisa Hannigan, I hope you guys will listen!
Enjoy x
The song Little Bird is from the album Passenger by Lisa Hannigan, I hope you guys will listen!
Enjoy x
Wednesday, 25 April 2012
Owls Wing Fascinator
Today I did a quick little make to spruce up any hair-do! It's a small hair clip fascinator that looks like an owl's wing. I cut 19 oval shapes out of felt, in rows of the same colour. I then sewed them onto a basic oval base and to finish the top off, I cut a heart out of felt to add some love and glue-gunned it onto the end. I then glue-gunned a clip to the bottom of the base and voila! It took about half an hour to make and is really cute. It could be made in any colour, though I chose some browns and a navy blue.
Sunday, 22 April 2012
Drip Drip Drop
It's April and that unfortunately means many showers! So how do we stay looking good when the clouds won't let us?
This Umbrella is really cute, its polka dot and navy so will go with anything. I know trying to match my umbrella with my outfitsounds silly, but sometimes it's too much for me when they don't! Something to do with OCD probably. These little raindrop Stackable rings I found are so cute, one would be cute on its own but a couple is so much better! This Jumper is fab, with several flying ducks and just the right amount of warmth for this time of year. These stripey Wellies are lovely. I love wellies and wish I could wear them all year round, in England it could happen. Last but not least is a yellow Rain Mac! I have wanted a yellow rain mac for aaaagggggges and this one is beautiful! I cannot wait until payday!! :)
And, just because it has been in my head all week, get this in yours too...
Friday, 20 April 2012
Snapshot of my week
This week has been one filled with gifts. Firstly, I received news of my tea cosy getting to its destination and becoming part of a new family. Then an old friend had a beautiful little baby boy, so I sent her a little package of goodies! I found a huge haul of vintage buttons which was a gift to myself, followed by a cute little lunch. Lastly, my friend asked me to make some pinwheels and put hair clips on the back for her, obviously I obliged. Then because I can't just give someone a gift without nice packaging, I made a box for them...
I do like to spread a little joy... :)
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