Tag Archives: handmade

Label and Identity

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Hey everyone! For sometime now, I’ve been thinking about what type of sew-on labels I want to use for my creations. It’s easy to get something ready printed and then just attach it, but I wanted something a bit more authentic and decided on hand-crafting these myself. While this takes time to do, I can boast that 100% of the creation is hand made by me. 

First decision was theme : I knew it had to include flowers because the name Manjri (which is my name) means “a bunch or cluster of flowers” in Hindi. My first prototypes were not very successful. It was my husband who came up with a brilliant idea to use as my inspiration: 

Poirot’s Lapel Pin

I am a great fan of Agatha Christie’s stories. I enjoy reading her books, and also enjoy watching TV/Film adaptations of the stories. I also run a facebook group dedicated to Agatha Christie (Agatha Christie Club Malta and Gozo) – so if you are interested , please do join! My favourite adaptation to date has to be the ITV series “Agatha Christie’s Poirot” starring Sir David Suchet as Hercule Poirot. For me, he is the definitive Poirot! But anyway, in this adaptation, Poirot often wears the above lapel pin/brooch, changing the flowers each time.

The below design, is a nod to Poirot and also includes reference to my name (the flower’s) . Below is a photo of my label – would love to hear your feedback!

Fruit Garden CAL – Complete

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Hi all! I’m really pleased to share with you photos of the completed lap blankets. It was great fun and to be honest, I’ve been feeling a bit at a loose end now that these are over.

I will definitely use some parts of this pattern (by Janie Crow) for other projects, such as cushion covers, but more on that when I actually do make them!

While I do have some smaller projects on the go, however, I am now on the lookout for the next big one….if anyone has any suggestions, please feel free to message me!

Fruit Garden CAL – progress

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It’s been a while since I last posted – and it’s not because I have no projects completed or on the go, but sheer laziness on my part in taking photos of my work! I am much happier with a hook, or needle in hand than setting the scene and taking the pics! So today, I decided that, come what may, I needed to pick up my handy mobile phone and snap a few shots.

Anyway, back to the Janie Crow CAL which I started a while back – I had ordered the yarn pack for the light colour scheme as the other one was out of stock, but my heart was set on the dark scheme too.

Here is where I got to so far using the original colour scheme (n.b. the CAL is not yet over – we’re still around halfway)

As I could not find the yarn packs in stock for the dark scheme, I opted to find similar shades locally in a different brand of wool (Schachenmayr). Due to COVID-19 impact on shipping, not all colours were available , and not wanting to wait for more shipments to arrive, I went with a few alternatives. You can see the outcome below.

I have to say that I much prefer the quality and feel of the Schachenmayr acrylic yarn to the Stylecraft one. It feel a lot softer. The other difference I noted is the Schachenmayer yarn is a little thicker – so the end result is a bit larger – but I don’t mind that and I’m quite happy with the outcome.

I still have quite a stash of yarn, so maybe I will make yet another blanket in a totally different colour scheme of my own design 🙂

If you are following the same CAL, I would love to see your work! Please feel free to share .

Stylecraft Fruit Garden Crochet Along (CAL) by Jane Crowfoot

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I recently came across a post in one of the Facebook crochet groups for a most beautiful Crochet-Along (CAL) project inspired by embroidery works by May Morris,  daughter of William Morris . I could not resist – so I signed up, bought the yarn pack and have just started.

As we have just started, only the first part of the pattern has been released, and I can say that it is written very clearly. The designer has also provided a youtube video, in which she has shared some really good tips. I will surely be applying some of the tips to all my projects henceforth – so very worth taking a look.

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Here is my first set of tiles. (Note that these are not blocked yet as we will be blocking them at the end of the project. Also, the threads you see in the corners are actually being used as stitch markers.)

I find the most efficient approach to making multiple tiles in the same pattern is to first do one completely, so you familiarise yourself with the pattern, and then work on the remaining colour by colour. So, in this set, I did one tile completely, and for the remaining 7 tiles, – I first crocheted 7 flowers, then did the green background for all 7, then proceeded to do the parchment part. There is no rule of how you should do this, it’s just a matter of preference.

This pattern is available in 2 colour recipes (a third is expected in September 2020, when this CAL will be run again). Nonetheless, you could also come up with your own colour combination. I have also seen a monochrome version of the tile which someone tried out – and it is quite pretty – but I love colours – so it’s not for me 🙂 .

If you want to give it a try, this pattern is available free on the designers site : https://www.janiecrow.com/fruit-garden-cal.html.

Photo credit : Janie Crow website (janiecrow.com)

 

Lockdown crafting – Cross-stitch Sampler

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Hey everyone! Hope you are all staying safe in these difficult times. I’ve been busy working on several projects – well, actually, I’m tackling a whole bunch of projects which I started a while back and never completed. Today, I will feature a cross-stitch sampler , which I started last year (and this isn’t the oldest incomplete project I have!!).

Historically, samplers were created by young girls learning how to stitch and years later one could look back and see the advancement in skill. I’ve seen quite a few antique ones available for sale, and not only are they very beautiful, but can be quite valuable. They are wonderful pieces to decorate any room in your home – and hey – why not make one and hand it down as an heirloom?!

If you have not done cross-stitch, I think the easiest way to prepare is to buy a counted cross-stitch kit. This normally includes everything you need – the aida cloth (this is an even weave cotton fabric and usually quite stiff) , thread, needle and of course the pattern. Some people also like to use a embroidery ring / hoop – this keeps the fabric taut. I don’t use a hoop, as I think the stiffness of the fabric allows for neat work, but some people say that their work is neater when using it – so I suggest you try both and see what works for you.

The below sampler is from a part-work collection called “The Art of Cross-stitch” – which also covers embroidery and it includes tips, numerous patterns and project ideas.  I think, the biggest revelation to me (and I really don’t know why I never thought of this myself before), is that you can create a really clean definition of objects and make them pop in your work by outlining the object with backstitch using a single strand! So simple, right?

Anyway, I hope you find this simple tip useful and I would love to hear from you and see your projects!  P.S. once my sampler is ready, I will wash and iron it and then share a photo of the end result 🙂

On that note, I wish you happy crafting!

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Crochet Summer Beach Dress

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Summer is round the corner – so here is my first creation for summer – a stylish multi-coloured beach dress. It’s made using the Jaipu Cake cotton yarn from Katia.

The published pattern can be found here : https://www.katia.com/EN/patterns-spring-summer-woman-dress-8031-488.html.

I am working on an modification (improvement) to the pattern as we speak and will post it on this site once ready.

I love variegated yarn like this as you get a beautiful result even with a simple pattern.

Hope you get inspired by this ! Enjoy!!

 

 

Pretty Petals Little Girl’s handbag

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In a previous post called Pretty Petal Coasters , I shared with you a cute coaster pattern. I have adapted that and made little handbag for a little girl. I made 4 large coasters – and put joined two together by crocheting the white outline over both – that way, I ended up with 2 rather sturdy sides. I then joined the two together using crochet with white yarn. As for the handles, these are simple crochet chords. To finish, I added snap buttons.

Hope this inspires you ! Enjoy!

Pastel Flower Baby blanket

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I’m so happy with this gorgeous baby blanket which I made for a friend . It’s using the same technique as in my last post (Colourful Lapghan). Next up will be a cute little girls handbag…..keep a lookout for it!

Granny Square Lapghan

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I’ve been rather busy putting this very colourful lapghan together . It’s similar to the Colourful Lined Baby blanket I made some time back . Hope you like it! I’m now working on one in pastel colours. Check back soon for updates!

Pretty Petals Coasters

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I came across this cute coaster pattern sometime back (actually it’s been a few years!), and I knew I would make them, but not immediately. I guess I was waiting to have the right yarn in hand. I used a variegated cotton yarn for the flower and then a thicker dark blue cotton yarn for the petal outline. What do you think?

You can find the pattern here: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pretty-petals-6

Enjoy!