Help I can't stop crocheting

I had real trouble with computer wrist last year and took the advice of my physio sister to exercise the wrist in a different motion. So I thought crochet might do it. I had a pouch of hooks that were my late mums and always thought I should take it up again - you know keeping the family traditions going. So I did! Do you know a small amount every night has really helped my wrist (or perhaps it was the drugs the doctor gave me!) what ever I have become obsessed. So now have nearly two blankets one for each of the children - I can't take credit for the colour they choose them - but I do like them. they are both made from DK wool.

Thinking about making a bedspread for myself to keep me warm in the cold nights.
Hope you like them.

printing tutorial

Great fabric printing tutorial by seed podbook it is very clear and easy to follow.

Easter images

These are a few of the images from my Easter in Scotland with my family - buns and chocolate everywhere.

Skinny notebook

My sister gave me a little easter gift of a skinny notebook by Sarah Hough - looked her up on the web because this little book is just to good to use I think. Beautiful designs.

knickers4africa

I have come across this type of charity on a few occasions in the recent past. It started with a radio programme of BBC radio 4 about Oxfam and the desperate need for bras in the developing world - bras are very complex garments which are just too expensive. However or second hand garments are very valuable. This is one garment I would have never recycled in the past but will in the future. Then I can across knickers4africa who provide new knickers for Africans and also collect second hand clothing such as baby clothes and bras.

I thought hard, wether or not to give my support this charity - Was it something I felt was worthy? - It wasn't food? But then I read about there efforts and that knickers (cotton) can help the health of a person.

So have a read and make up your own mind - at the very least put your old bras in the recycled bins for oxfam.

Long time no read

I have been very bad at keeping up with my blog. WHY? Well

1. At the start I got a bit bored needed something to say. Everyone else seems to have a particular skill either knitting, sewing etc. I do have skills; I can sew and knit quite well but am not focussed on any particular subject. I don't want to make soft toys or knit egg covers it just doesn't rock my boat. But I really admire those craft bloggers that do. I love to look in on their latest creations and would love to possess them. So I have been thinking seriously and I have a plan - watch this space.

2. Was very busy (work life balance) - I am having too work extra as Cornwall County Council in there wisdom thinks it is perfectly acceptable for your boss to retire and not get replaced - giving me two jobs to do - and I'm doing them both poorly - crisis management - which is never good for a long period. That's my rant off my chest.

3. Took a holiday to India for 3 weeks - great experience. Started with a family wedding in Bombay (the Indians themselves don't call the city Mumbai I have discovered) - spent time at my mother in laws family home showing the children that part of their heritage and the best bit went and saw tigers at Bandhavgarh reserve. Made new friends such as the bangle shop owner - lost lots of weight. By son learnt how to play cricket. And by discovered my daughter just has to work with nature in the future she amazed us with her knowledge.

4. My computer wasn't working properly - but hooray it is now fingers crossed it is working again.

5. Been doing a couple of courses to help the situation at work - boring management stuff.

cup cake heaven

I discovered a lovely blog all about cup cakes. I was bowled over be there beauty, they look like precious jewels - I now understand the USA's obsession with them. What's more there was a long list of links to other sites. WOW!

Great new book

Just discovered this great book - my luck just after I have just done a module with training textile design and technology teachers. It formed just a small part of the day. I gave them some 'smart technologies' such as thermochromatic dyes, electronic modules such as radios, led lights etc and just let them play. We had talking dog collars, colour changing children's hats etc. It is really good fun to introduce some thing new and stand back and watch the ideas grow, listen to the conversations and witness the furious activity (they have to do the same thing in the classroom). Only one student found this hard - he was a planner - there is always one who has to know something will work completely on paper before you start making; where the idea of designing through modelling is completely alien.

Anyway getting back to the book it is just full of ideas and tips really great. Published by CRAFT: craftzine.com that brilliantly mad crafting magazine (another favourite) written by Syuzi Pakhchyan it is available at through amazon

I also found a great new blog called moondial which has the rather grand title Fashionable Technology Research Consortium, which focus' on new technologies etc. Very interesting blog!