More Crochet Flowers!

After having shown you my most recent crochet project in its finished state, I thought I'd share with you how the idea came about. 

My friend was getting married and had asked all the girls to get together to make some flowers up for her bouquet (which turned out stunning by the way, such a genius idea of hers!). After an evening of wine and stitching and bitching, I felt really inspired to have a go at making some out of crochet instead of fabric. I found a basic pattern online and altered it slightly to make it my own design, and attached them to pipe cleaners wrapped in green wool as a stem. With a few added leaves, they looked quite pretty, but what could I actually do with them?

They sat in a project box for a month or so until I came across them again and had a light bulb moment.....why not weave a few of them together and stick a few hair pins through the stems? Voila....one crochet flower hair slide done! And here was my very first attempt:

Say hello to Charlie Beagle!

A little close up of the flowers. I also wrapped one around my finger to make up a ring. I was really pleased with how this turned out, hence why I've been trying to come up with a more polished version. I think this could easily be used as a statement broach/pin on a jacket, dress or even bag, so I'm thinking of making them multifunctional, what do you recon? 

Much love from Brighton, 

L.J.

&

Charlie

XXX

And now you're back, from outer space...

...however no sad faces being sported here!

I'm back again! I can't believe the last time I popped on here was in April, how time has flown! Hope you've all been well?

So you might have been wondering where I disappeared to after my previous promise of returning. Well, I've been spending a little time really thinking about what it is I want to do, what's important, makes me happy and gives me fulfillment in life. I've realised I've recently been moaning and groaning that I never had enough time to do the things that I'd enjoyed, such as crafting, spending time catching up with friends and family, and making plans for the future. A lot of my time had been wrapped up in work and studying for work, and the dark winter and frightfully chilly miserable spring just wasn't motivating me to do anything other than the essentials. I've finally got a summer break from evening classes, and I'm taking a slightly scary jump into a new job starting a week on Monday (wish me luck!). I finally have the time and freedom again to get creative, which includes a long overdue and missed return to blogging. 

The Mister and I have also just returned from a 3 day holiday along the coast on a little beach just down the road from Bexhill. We've had the most amazing time exploring Hastings and Rye for the first time, and met some lovely people as well as found some amazing beauty spots to take in the views. I feel totally refreshed and recharged, and today's sunshine back in Brighton has just put the cherry on the cake. I feel like a new person. A new person who's been a busy bee crocheting away at a new project. Can you see what it is yet?

For anyone who keeps an eye on my Facebook page, I posted a few pictures up of crochet bits and bobs I've been churning out, including some red roses which I fashioned into a makeshift hair-slide. I got some really lovely feedback off the back of it, and so I thought I'd try my hand at a more finished crochet piece. 

Featuring a green crochet base and two crochet roses in pinks, I added some snowdrops, a little robin (picked up in Hastings!) and a couple of vintage buttons from my stash, I'm rather pleased with this one! What do you think?

I've made a couple of these in different colours with different flowers and bits and bobs from my overflowing hoard of haberdashery. The Mister and I will be holding a stall at the July Johnny loves June Vintage fair in Shoreham on the 21st and I'm hoping to be able to test the water and see if anyone would like to take one home with them. Keeping my fingers crossed, it would be a dream to someday somehow make a living from a hobby! 

So on to today's happenings. The Mister and I decided that 3 rounds of Crazy Golf at the Hastings International Championship Mini Golf course on Thursday wasn't enough, and that we had a score to settle. If you didn't know already, we're a little Crazy Gold mad and play quite a lot! Today's arena: Brighton Adventure Golf on Madeira Drive. Here's me sporting my best golfer's pose:

For any fellow lovers of The Chap Magazine you might recognise the setting from one of their covers. Unfortunately for me, the Mister won this round after I royally ballsed up on the first 2 holes (the course was faster than I thought...my excuse and I'm sticking to it, hehe!), although I did managed to score at least 1 hole-in-one. Next time!!

Outfit:

Flower hair-slide - Made by Me!

Vintage bangle - Roedean Vintage & Collectors Fair

Vintage pale pink knitted top - Charity Shop, Haywards Heath

Vintage pink wool cardi - Lewes Flea Market

High waisted pedal pushers - Rye

Mexican blanket pumps - Primarni

Much love from sunny Brighton,

L.J.

XXX

A very Seventies Sunday Best

The Mister's Mum has just passed on a couple of her 70's dresses to me after a bit of a clear out at home. I don't normally think of wearing 70's bits as I didn't think they were my style, but after being given some, and playing around a little with some other bits in my wardrobe, I've finally managed to find a way of making 70's work for me!

I've teamed it up with a a very wide brimmed fedora hat, a crochet shrug made by moi with a vintage fur collar attached and a chunkywood necklace purchased from a flea market, so date and origin a mystery heh. 

It turned out quite the windy day. Wind + Fedora = chasing after hats through the park. Our neighbours must think we are rather odd, but at least it gives them something to natter about ;) 

Dress - 70's family hand-me-down

Hat - T K Maxx

Shrug - made-by-me!

Vintage Fur Collar - Marina Boot Fair

Necklace - Seaford Flea Market

Boots - T K Maxx

Much Love from Brighton,

L.J.

xxx

Experiments in Crochet

 I've mentioned previously that I've been devoting a lot of my spare time on developing my crochet skills and working on more projects. I was taught by my babysitter when I was around 6 how to crochet, but after a few failed attempts at making bits and bobs in my teenage years, and not having the patience to stick to patterns, I forgot all about it and started sewing instead. Last year however I vowed to change that and get back into crochet, thanks to my very inspiring friend Miss Amy Phipps, who, together with She's called Claire own and run Super + Super HQ. Amy taught me how to Hairpin Lace Crochet in July and reminded me how much fun it is to work with wool, and also how easy it is to improvise once you've learnt your basics.

I've now passed on some of my knowledge and taught a few friends, two in particular (you know who you are!) who have picked it up stupendously quick and have made some amazing piecesalready, in under a years worth of time!

When I've not been helping others along with their projects, I've been learning how to freeform and improvise to come up with new ideas. I'm so sad I forgot to take any pictures of the Christmas presents I made this year, so I've been making sure I document projects since then, including these two pillows:

I saw a pattern for a circular owl on Pinterest, and used it to come up with my own circular designed owl, and then a little fox too! Both pieces are worked in the round, changing colours as you work. That's definitely a new trick I've learnt this year, changing colours properly and neatly in the right stitch so you get crisp lines. Really really pleased with how these two turned out, and I've had lots of offers of adoption for these tow, who will be making their way to their new homes shortly :)

What do you think?

Much Love from Brighton,

L.J.

xxx

Pussycat Pussycat, Where have you been?!

...I've been up to London to visit the Queen.

Well....not really (but I do wish!)....haha! 

A very belated Happy New Year to all, and an even more so belated Merry Christmas! 

I decided to put down the keyboard over the festive period so I could crack on and get the mountain of presents finished, and then just enjoy and indulge myself. I'm happy to report this plan was a great success, however many a box of chocolates have had to offer themselves up and are no longer with us ;) well worth it!

Christmas was spent with my nearest and dearest, and I have to admit, I was itching for them all to open up their presents, this was after all my very first home made Christmas! Stupidly, I failed to take pictures of 99% of the presents I made, so cannot share them with my lovely readers :( sorry. Will do better next year.

I absolutely loved making everyone's presents, and have learnt a few lessons for next year:

Leave more time for completion

Vary the crafting techniques (not everything has to be crocheted!)

Plan further ahead and prep. I have leftover bits and bobs coming out my ears!

However, one present I can share with you is what I made for the little furry ones in my life. I realised none of them had their own stockings, so of course it was my duty to make them, and stuff them full of home baked dog biscuits. Of course the cat didn't miss out, she got catnip instead (very funny!). So here is one of them, made for Charlie Beagle:

I was so happy with how these turned out, and they loved them just as much, as Maisy can prove. I'm thinking of making a few of these for the local dogs trust.

Now normality has returned, I fully intend to make a come back to the blogosphere; it brings me so much joy writing this blog, and how I have missed it so.

Much love from Brighton,

L.J.

xxx

Hello hello!

I'm still alive, promise! 

I haven't disappeared, my heads just been full of Christmas crochet projects, clear-outs  trying to sort out my life, tailoring courses, oh and a whole career change and adjusting to a new job. Hectic indeed, but I'm glad to say I've come out the other side feeling slightly more organised and perhaps a little more on top of things again. Fingers crossed anyways!

I've got so many exciting things to share with you, and can't wait to get things properly going next year. I'm toying with the idea of setting up some sort of crochet-y project on the side to see if I could actually make a go of it and earn some extra pennies. Still in the planning stages, but it will be along the lines of vintage inspired crochet accessories and clothing....ooooh! But here's a little sneak peek at what I've been making these last weeks:

I've also successfully passed my Occupational Psychology course, woop! My first effort at distance learning.

I've also spotted myself in the November issue of Vintage Explorer, thanks to the lovely feature on local vintage Photographer Mat Keller. This photo was taken a few years ago, how I wish I could stay 22 forever, hah. Also spotted a lot of familiar faces I didn't realise were also part of the SouthernRetro.com project, wonder who of you will be next?

Due to the lack of posting, there are also a lack of pictures from recent outfits. I keep taking the camera along and then completely forgetting about it. I'll just have to get all dressed up again and take some pictures, what a shame, heheh.

Thank you for all your lovely comments while I've been away in lala-land, they mean so much to me and remind me of why I do this blog, and why I shouldn't let it slip. I've been asked for a few tutorials, so while I have some time off over Christmas I shall be posting a handful of hair styling how-to's as well as a few crafty ones. Keep your peepers peeled!

And the best news of all? I've hit the 100+ followers mark in my absence, how amazing!! Thank you to each and every one of you who has stuck by me throughout, and I look forward to a busy blogging future. To mark this grand occasion  I'm putting together a little thank you hamper which I will share with you for the next Give-away competition. 

Much Love from Brighton,

L.J.

xxx

Experiments in Vintage Crochet - Part 5

Strictly speaking, not exactly vintage corchet, but crochet none the less!

I've started branching out from cardi's now...5 of them are enough for the time being, heh. and with Christmas a few months away, I'm trying to crack on with some present making. First up, and because the recipient of this is only a wee one and unable to read the blog, I've made a crochet unicorn pillow friend!

If you want to give it a try yourself, the free pattern can be found right here

I'd say this is a very good beginners project. It was a lot simpler than I thought, and only used double and triple crochet stitches with very easy to follow instructions for the increasing and decreasing. All pieces were made in the round which was an interesting and very fast way of making this up.

I've shown a few people these pictures and already being asked to make more for other people. think I'll be a bit busy for the next weeks!

The body was made in the round in stripes until you have a square, sew up one side, stuff or insert a pillow, and then sew up the other side, simples!

The head is then started with a straight line in the snout, which you then start working around in as circle again, increasing and decreasing as you work your way up.

Then it's ears in a petal shape, sewn onto the head with a cone for unicorn stuffed up first.

And a mane of dark green hair and tail to complete.

And all made up of leftover wool frm previous projects. A proper Stash Buster!

I'm so pleased with how this turned out. I've never actually made a toy out of crochet before, and it was so much fun! I think I might have to make one of these up for our sofa too :)

Much Love from Brighton,

L.J.

xxx

New Job, New Outfit Post!

I'm starting to settle in to working at the Dome now, and I have to say I am absolutely loving it! It sort of feels a bit like I'm on school work experience or something and that next week I'll have to go back to reality... but then I remember that I do actually work there!

 

It's also proven to be a bit of an excuse to play around with my wardrobe a bit again, it's a lots less formal than working for a bank like I did previously, so now I feel a little over dressed if I were a suit to work. So now my suits can start being my out of work wear, and some of my more casual bits can start making more of an appearance in the office.

 

Today I decided to wear my new to me wrap-around circle skirt in bright pastel colours, teamed with a little crop mesh top and home made cardi.

 

Another bonus; I now have a new backdrop to office outfit posts. Fountain or wall? I pick fountain!

 

 

In love with the print on this skirt. I saw it hanging on the wall in my new favourite out-of-town flea market. I might have to keep a lid on its location for a little while until I get to go back with a camera and have another rummage ;) for £12.50 I think this was a steal!

 

Skirt - Vintage M&S

Mesh Crop Top - Beyond Retro, Brighton

Cardi - Made by Me!

Necklace - Upper Gardener Street Market, Brighton

Sunglasses - Primark

Flower - some classic car show years ago

 

Much Love from Brighton,

 

 

L.J.

xxx



Give-Away Winner Announcement!

Evenin' All!

 

 

Thank you all for your messages and to those who will be joining me with the Sunday Best campaign. I think this will be a great, and hopefully we'll get some more fellow bloggers involved in the future.

 

Don't forget, let me know when you put any posts up and I'll have a monthly round up! I have to admit, doing it every Sunday isn't as practical as I was hoping, but I did get all dressed up yesterday, so I'll share with you shortly :)

 

 

Without further Ado, using one of those online random generator thingys, the two winners of the fascinators are.....

 

Georgia at The Life and Times of a Vintage Ecentric- Green

 

 

Wendy at the Butterfly Balcony - Pink

 

 

Please could the two lovely winners get in touch with me via email at emma.c.collier@gmail.com so I can pop them in the post for you asap!

 

Thank you again everyone and I look forward to the next round!

 

Much Love from Brighton,

 

L.J.

xxx



Experiments in Vintage Crochet - Part 4

I have just discovered the heaven that is www.freevintagecrochet.com/

Finally, vintage patterns, at no cost!!! They have hundreds to choose from, collars, trims, homeware, and full outfits for the whole family! I have my eye on several of the patterrns for future patterns, including a few christmas present ideas!!

Project number 1 from this lovely site was meant to look something like this:

If you want to have a go for yourself, you can find the FREE pattern right here!

My version? Well I went a little freestyle...I just kept going and going until I realized it was longer than the picture above, and decided to turn it into...yes....another cardi! hehe I see a bit of a pattern coming on here!

This was another super duper easy pattern to follow. I have to admit, I don't really understand why I avoided crochet for so many years, in particular following patterns. I guess the last project I did before many years away from crochet was so complicated for a 14 yr old that it just totally put me off patterns. But I'm very glad to have found this site on a bored night searching through google.

It's another very repetitve pattern, which makes it perfect for doing in front of the box, because once you've got started, you don't really have to keep refering back to the pattern. You start with the collar first, then once you've finished that part you continue on to make the 'mesh' part. This simply involves making chain's of increasing length over and over again, joining them with a single crochet through the loop of the previous row, and working from side to side until you reach the desired length! I stopped increasing after I got to chains of 12 stitches long, so the gaps wouldn't be so big I could fit my hand through them.

Super easy and very beginner friendly!

And here is the result:

I used left over yarn from a different project which never got finished to make this up; the cheapy cream wool you find in most charity shops, and some more luxury left over alpaka yarn in dark turquoise. I used this to make a baby blanket for a friend, now I have a cardi to match! Took so little time and such little wool, I know what to do with my leftover's in future, next time, not as long.

Then added some cute little pink bow buttons I picked up from a little old lady at the Ardingly Classic Car Show last month. Stash busting indeed. Love these. Wish I had more!

 

My judgement? Pretty but not practical. Doesn't keep warm at all, as you may have guessed, heh. But it's great as a little accesory or for an evening dress. I've worn this with a strapless 50's summer dress and the colours go together perfectly, I'll have to get the Mister to take some snaps next time!

 

Much Love from Brighton,

 

L.J.

xxx

Experiments in Vintage Crochet - Part 3

After the first attempt to produce this 1940's Crochet Bolero came out a little larger than expected, here is attempt number 2!

This time I decided to use a much chunkier wool, in bright purple, and a lot less stitches than advised in the instructions! The last one came out far bigger than I thought it would, so having learnt my lesson, I nearly halved the stitches (bigger wool also equals bigger stitches!) and pretty much just made it roughly the width of my shoulders plus an inch or two either side.

This was a super fast project, taking only 2 evenings watching the box to complete. Instead of using the double crochet like in the last one, I used triple crochet, with a chain between each stitch, making it even faster, and in my opinion easier, to complete. Very much recommend this for anyone taking up a crochet project for the first time. Results in next to no time!

Again, too lazy to make up the pom pom's as I liked it as was, but perhaps attempt 3 with a nicer yarn will involve copius amounts of pom pom action ;)

And here are the results:



I especially like the over-turned collar that stands up much better with the chunkier wool than in the last one. Might start making more things chunky!

So has anyone else been crocheting away or otherwise crafty things? Link back some projects :) I've had internet issues of late, so no chance to catch up on some blog reading!

Much love from Brighton,

L.J.

xxx

Vintage Inspiration - Hairpin Crochet

I just stumbled across these and had to share them. If only I had an army of people to make these for me......this dress is devine! And to think, this is all made from those strips of hairpin crochet I showed you earlier in the week, amazing! I might have to work on something like this, very very slowly in the background, because this must have taken months to make!

source

 And this top...can't figure it out. Do you think it's a separate top to the dress, or part of the whole thing? Interesting combo if so!

source

 And something perrhaps a little more achievable for a newbie like myself. Another one to add to my increasingly growing cardi collection:

source

So many ideas, so little time!

Much Love from Brighton,

L.J.

xxx

Oh, I Say! Crochet Nipple Tassles?!

Can you tell my mind's been on burlesquey things of late? hehe!

I've put my new found hair-pin lace corchet skills to use planning a costume for the next performance, whenever that may be. So it had to start off with...crochet nipple tassles!!

What do you think?

I plundered the local Fabric Land for tassles, metalic thread to use with my metal flake balck wool, beads, and lots and lots and lots of ribbon.

I started off with the black wool, then finished off the edges with metalic embroidery thread. Beads threaded through the loops of the crochet, as well as some ribbon, and then sewd on some more beads on top, including one to hold the tassle in place ;)

Now I just need to think of what to do for the rest of the outfit. This is going to be fun!

 Much Love from Brighton,

L.J.

xxx



Experiments in Hair Pin Crochet

Following on from my lessons att Super+Super HQ, I've been playing around with different colours and different techniques for joining them up. This time grouping up tthe individual 'threads' from the hairpin lace peice, and looping them together with single crochet stitches to turn them into shells:

I like how it keeps it nice and straight and even, But not sure how I would join up two strips of this. You'd have to join up the green bits either side to another and another.... any ideas?  I've seen a few pictures of inspiration online so far though and think I want to try out something more wavy for a big piece.

Might just keep this as a little tester though :)

Much love from Brighton,

L.J.

xxx