Blog blank

Yeah a blog blank. Or more accurately a brain blank. I have been busy doing things but not in a very productive way.  Over the last few weeks I have been learning to crochet but my mind has also been turning to new and old projects. Remember the felt booties I made a few weeks ago?

I have been wondering how to package them.  I looked up various boxes but most of them are too big and just not special enough to make them a keepsake.  Then a friend suggested calico bags.  That got me thinking, if I made calico bags I could stamp them or embroider them with  babies name and date of birth.  So that is what I will be doing tomorrow, making my first bags and I will post them on here and hopefully you will give me some feedback on them.

I also have had an order of some more felt and glass necklaces like this one.

I have been searching for more tray pendants like this heart shaped one, but in different shapes but they are kind of hard to find. I finally tracked some oval ones down so hopefully they will arrive soon so I can make some more.

At the same time my big wallpaper books still sit there and I am itching to make some more beads but my craft room is still FREEZING. I managed a couple of hours in there on Monday but I had to have my radiator on full blast and wear several jumpers. After a while my fingers go all stiff :(

So to keep myself from mischief I have been carrying on with the crochet.  I got  a book called "200 crochet blocks for blankets,throws and afghans"  from Amazon and I have just started a project from it with the lovely wool I showed you in a previous post. I haven't got a photo as I only have one square done but I will keep you posted .

New books, new crafts.

These are my latest books I picked up. I rarely buy books full price and these are no exception.  I found Stitching for beginners and beyond  in The Works It is no longer available on-line but maybe your local Works store still has a copy or otherwise Amazon has it here.    It is a lovely book with a few really nice ideas for projects to get you started.  The instructions are clear and well set out.  Considering I bought it for less than £4 it is a real bargain, less than a craft magazine. I haven't started on any projects from this book yet, but keep watching this space!

The other one, Crochet step by step, is one I bought from The Book People and you can find it here. I bought it for £3.99 but its RRP is £12.99 so a nice big saving for a good basic crochet book.  Crochet is one craft that I haven't managed before as I found most books unclear in their explanations or just too daunting.  It has clear pictures showing everything step by step.

I have actually managed to crochet "granny" or "afghan" squares with the help of this book and for the first time in my life they are actually square. I have managed the instructions to crochet them together as well and although I really struggled doing it the instructions showed it well and the struggle was just my own inexperience as I got quite quick towards the end.  Now I have to finish it all off and make it into the bag I imagined which will involve more skills explained in the book.  As soon as it is ready I will post a photo of the finished article.  Anyhow, here are the squares I have made.

Well there you go, bargain books. What bargain books have you found or what books would you recommend?  I would love to hear from you!