Craft Nutter

New in at Rainbow Crafts.....

2009-11-12T23:18:00.003Z

..... The creative juices have been alive and well tonight! There are 2 new ranges of stitch markers available in my store!

Allow me to introduce them:-

Oriental set of 6, I love these if I do say so myself! I might hold them hostage if no one buys them! I have 2 sets available.

Swiftly followed by a very cute set of 5 markers, funky purple set, flowery and stripey!!! 2 sets available.

Both sets are available in my store:-

http://www.misi.co.uk/handmade/rainbow-crafts.html

Getting Crafty.....

2009-11-11T15:58:00.002Z

......My lounge at the moment is an array of beads, findings, tools and all sorts!!! I am creating new stock for the web site! Keep browsing for sneak peeks of new products that I hope to have for sale by the weekend!!!

On a technological side I now have a fan page for Rainbow Crafts on Face Book! Go have a look, lots of pictures of stock old new and current! If you like what you see become a fan and spread the word!!!

Custom Items.....

2009-11-09T20:29:00.005Z

.......When a very good friend and customer of mine asks if I can create her a unique jewellery set to compliment a stole she's making I jumped at the challenge and this is what I created!

A simple yet elegant charm bracelet made with simple tibetan silver charms and some very dark beads with a beautiful almost peacock colour type sheen!

And matching earrings! Stunning silver swirled findings with the same dark beads as used in the bracelet!

Rainbow Crafts!

2009-11-09T20:21:00.002Z

Come on now folks.....let's face it, it's November and that means Christmas is looming. Most people should be starting to (if they haven't already) look for the perfect gift.

Do you know anyone who loves knitting? Hand made stitch markers are in stock NOW!

Love hand made unique Jewellery? Plenty in stock!!!

Forever on the mobile? Like unique accessories??? Have a look at the Bag / Phone Charms in stock NOW!!!

Got a special teeny person in your life? Check out my hand made Taggle blankets! Just gorgeous for little ones to snuggle up to!

Go on.....Take a wander over...... http://www.misi.co.uk/store_info.php?domain=www.rainbow-crafts

All items in the store are unique and hand made by me!

Getting My Act Together.....

2009-11-09T20:14:00.003Z

.......Hello all!!! I'm back at the blog! Only taken me since March to get my act sorted with it but once again I am feeling inclined to really get my teeth into something and make a huge show off that I am here and I am proud of what I do!!!

To kick it off I have re-vamped the blog! Hope you like it!!!

Pull up a chair, get comfy and have a good look round! Lots of pictures to browse, links to look at and much more. Including my waffling if you can bear it!!!

A New Look.....

2009-03-24T17:20:00.004Z

......I fancied a change so I have altered the background of my blog! A fresh start as it were and I promise to try not to neglect it so much!

Where have I been???

2009-03-24T16:52:00.007Z

A very extremely belated Happy New Year to anyone who reads this or stumbles across it!!!

To answer my question, Where have I been??? It was an immensely chaotic end to last year which saw me recovering from an operation to remove my gall bladder that I had NO idea I had a problem with! That was late November, before I knew it christmas was upon us! Then I went to Plymouth to see the new year in with my new man and his family while my tribe spent some time with their father!

On a personal front the seperation from my husband has all settled down, I'm in a new relationship and very happy. My divorce will soon be finalised and other than him seeing our children etc I will be very glad to close that chapter of my life.

Crafting wise I have been very slow and not done masses since I completed the cats. I am as you can see still plugging away at the huge list on the left! I am determined to get some longer term projects finished and show some piccies! I have LOTS of new ideas and inspiration for projects and a rather large ever growing stash of yarns of all varieties to plough through!!!

On a link front, please do browse my *Links We Like* section, Sarah Barnard's writing blog has been altered a bit and a new link. Rainbow Crafts is a new store that I myself run selling my hand made stitch markers and so on!

The finished cats.....

2008-12-17T13:54:00.003Z

The finished cats for my friends nieces. We shall be taking them with us when we go down to Plymouth for new year.

Jasmine's Cat

2008-10-04T16:07:00.001+01:00

After completing the Margaret Sherry cat Purr-Pendicular for my friend, he asked if I could do 2 for his 2 nieces, different designs. So I hunted ebay and got 2 of her Calendar cats, September for Jasmine and January for Freyja. Here is the September Cat for Jasmine, it took me approximately 2 weeks to complete from start to finish. We will be giving them to his Nieces when we go to visit them for New year! The only editing I did to the design was to add on Jasmine's Name and Date of Birth, I just used some of the left over threads from the kit so it contrasted well with the design. Next to do is January's cat for Freyja!

First Cables!

2008-10-04T16:03:00.000+01:00

I'm so pleased with how these are coming out! They are Evangeline long gloves, I'm using some wool I got from Krafty Koala (see links!), It'a aran weight and colour is called Midnight Lightening. I'm really thrilled with the effect the wool has, the white flash is so far spiralling round the glove! These will be fingerless gloves that go from hand to just before the elbow! I was dubious about making them as I have never knitted anything cabled but as you can see so far so good!

Feeling rather pleased with myself.....

2008-09-09T19:11:00.002+01:00

Feeling really pleased with this sock! It's my 1st try, my friend gave me masses of help turning the heel but I managed it!!!! Just got to continue decreasing and finish the foot and my 1st sock is ready to go! The yarn is lovely, Opal 6 ply in *Parrot* colour way! Looking forward to completing this / these now!

Something Finished.....

2008-09-03T19:10:00.004+01:00

At last some finished items! 2 Cross stitch offerings on this occasion.

Purr-Pendicular, a Cattitudes design by Margaret Sherry. I wasn't sure what I was going to do with this picture but a very good friend of mine has fallen in love with the cheeky cat so it is to be framed and given to him!

Tigger Bookmark, I made this with no idea who it was for or what not, it has gone down to Plymouth with a friend for his sister who is Tigger mad!

I'm back ish.....

2008-08-20T14:13:00.002+01:00

Hi all, sorry I've been absent from blogging for what feels like an age and a day! Things with reality got a bit manic, I seperated from my husband so it's all been chaos! I'm settled into my new house with the 3 children and just getting back into the real swing of my crafting.

Having a bit of a fad with the cross stitch at the moment so while that takes my fancy I'm getting stuck into it. I keep picking up various bits of my huge list of current knitting and crochet projects but I'm struggling for inspiration!

Hopefully back soon with a pic or 2 of some completed work!

Project update.....

2008-01-27T20:36:00.001Z

Quickie post with project updates, I have been trying to wittle down a few projects either by completing them or frogging them!

WIP's

Forest Canopy #2

Forest Canopy #3

Crochet Blanket for Nan

Crochet Blanket for Friends

Pretending I didn't start

Cozy

Shoalwater Shawl

Sock

Wildflower Shawl

Crochet Star Blanket

Crochet Stripey Blanket

Recently Completed

Calorimetry

Sophie Bag

Forest Canopy #1

Frogged

Mystery Stole

Calorimetry

2008-01-27T20:29:00.000Z

Loved Knitting this, very quick easy knit! I hate hats as a rule but when I do the school run I'm sick of getting back with ear ache from the cold air so this seemed the perfect solution! Only took 2-3 evenings to knit and has been made from Krafty Koala hand dyed Aran weight on 5mm needles. Already planning a 2nd!

Forest Canopy Number One!

2008-01-04T00:33:00.000Z

This was the last project of 2007 I finished. It was a long slog, I still have 2 more on the go! This actually was a trial run to see how I got on knitting lace. Verdict......Very pleased! So is my youngest daughter who has claimed it for herself :-) I knitted it in 4 ply wendy peterpan acrylic, I have blocked it again as a trial as I've never done any blocking either! Over all very pleased so onwards and upwards with number 2 and 3!

New Year.....New Plans.....

2008-01-04T00:20:00.000Z

Life being what it is as a working married mum of 3 the crafting took a fair bit of a back burner. The kids are getting older and hopefully I'm getting a bit more time for me, my crafting and waffling!

My main aim is to complete some of my HUGE list of projects that I have on the go as well as work throu my mountains of stash. I am buying as little yarn as possible, there is plenty taking over the house lol.

Other than the knitting/crochet there is the general masses of stuff I need to clear out the house via ebay where possible and put a bit more effort into making and selling some stitch markers!

Wishing all you crafty bunch, and anyone else who reads my blog, a very happy and prosperous 2008!

Another Blanket

2007-11-21T17:09:00.001Z

Took about a week to complete from start to finish, for a friends colleague who is expecting a baby boy any day! Done in DK acryic, some multi that I had laying round the house as well as some plain lighter for the edge.

A New Link

2007-09-09T18:36:00.000+01:00

My friend Sarah runs Ethics Trading, she's a single WAHM (work at home mum) with 2 children. She's truely passionate about all things Ethically and Fair traded as well as organics and naturals! Her speciality is soap nuts but she also has lots more to offer! Go check her out, link is in Links We Like and is there to stay!

New Look

2007-09-08T20:35:00.000+01:00

Was fed up with the dark dots so have brightened up and added new bits! Do be nosey and check out the new links bit (yes I FINALLY worked out how to add that in!) Having a slow crafting week but mainly due to my little madam who is 8 months old and teething like a trooper!

Anyhoo, I have been making oodles of stitch markers, some are now in my store, more are ready to go on (see Busy Beez Store or The Busy Beez Corner Ebay Store link) Other than that I am going to a wedding on October 12th 2007 and I am determined I will have Forest Canopy shawl #3 finished by then so I can wear it!

I have extended my stashalong until the 20th December at least, I fell of the wagon big time and I think possibly have more yarn now than when I started despite really trying!!!

Onwards and upwards!

Snuggy Squares

2007-09-02T22:15:00.000+01:00

Crochet baby comfort blankets! I passed one of these onto a friend with a young baby, he loves it so offered to make a couple of spares, only I ended up making a couple for big sisters baby dolls too as she likes to copy mummy! Used some fleecey feel acrylic yarn from my stash and crochetted them in a simple granny square style, nice quick and easy between big projects for an instant quick finish fix!

Right.....

2007-09-02T10:39:00.000+01:00

Crikey I am terrible at keeping up this blogging lark! *must try harder* Heard that LOTS before! Especially school reports!

Well, no finished projects since the sari silk stole, which my friend LOVED and wears as much as possible.

I am stash busting some wooly oddments into comfort blankets for a friends new baby, one done 3 to go!

Still mega busy between house, work and the kiddies but here's a WIP update

Currently OTN:-

Forest Canopy #1

Forest Canopy #2

Forest Canopy #3

Shoalwater Shawl

Mystery Stole

Cozy Shrug

Sock (new one, frogged the last one and gave it up as a bad job!)

Crochet:-

Stripey Baby Blanket

Star Afghan

Naughty Corner:-

First Steps Cardi (project 5)

Small Update.....

2007-07-15T18:08:00.000+01:00

Well as you can see by the lack of postings etc I have been somewhat absent, I have been rather busy lately, but not crafting as much I would like! I started a new job hence my absence as I have taken a bit of time to get in to the swing of juggling work, house, 3 kids and crafts but I'm getting there!

I have dropped a couple of WIP's I'm not enjoying them what so ever so have scrapped them and focussing on some others instead!

Current WIP List is:-

Forest Canopy Shawl number 1

Forest Canopy Shawl number 2

Shoalwater Shawl

Mystery Stole 3 Knitalong through the pinklemontwist designer

Cozy Shrug from Knitty

Stripey Crochet Blanket

Current Projects in the naughty corner:-

First steps cardigan - all garter stitch, I am totally bored with it

Sock - Struggling with all the dpn's etc

A Completed Item!!!!!

2007-07-15T17:57:00.001+01:00

81 inches long, knitted in recycled sari silk yarn from Angel Yarns on 20mm needles, love the finished effect of the yarn and am going to make another eventually for myself, this one is for a friend.

Still here, Plodding along!

2007-06-07T13:47:00.000+01:00

Crikey me, I've neglected the ole blog a bit, sorry folks! That thing called life crept up n bit me on the backside for a while so crafts went on hold, but am back and have been crafting again. Here's some progress on stuff.

My forest canopy shawl, this is about half way complete now, currently up to 123 sts on the pins and half way through the 6th pattern repeat. Still really enjoying this one!

Sari Silk stole, about half way there now! This is a very easy knit, all garter stitch, just a bit clumsy and time consuming I find because of the needle size (20mm!)

Stripey crochet blanket for a friend who's just had a baby boy!

Slow Crafting Week...

2007-05-19T13:49:00.001+01:00

Not had a good week and made next to no progress on any of my projects :-( Had a busy 1st half of the week, then managed to fall on one of my kids toys and fell full onto my right wrist so ended up with a mild sprain so that put the crafting on hold :-( My wrist is still somewhat achey but am using it more now and getting back to the knitting and crochet. Have even cast on yet ANOTHER project hehe, a Cozy shrug from Knitty in a deep wine red type colour. Just completed my first pattern repeat, so far so good I'm pleased with how it looks, I'm using wool from my stash, I believe it's a chunky acrylic but I don't have the ball band any more so not 100% certain, am making it on my 5mm brittany birch needles, these are such a joy to knit with! Will do piccies when I have done a bit more!

Project Update

2007-05-14T19:18:00.000+01:00

Been tinkering with several of my current projects so here's some piccies of whats at what stage now.

Sari silk Stole, almost ready to add in 2nd hank.

Cardigan from sirdar first steps book (project 5), just cast on the left front panel.

My started attempt of my 1st ever sock, using catterpillar colourway from opal. Done 7 rows of the ribbing now.

Shoalwater shawl, really loving this project now I'm getting to grips with it, it's slow going but keeps the interest with the pattern repeats.

Forest canopy shawl, nearly finished the 4th pattern repeat now, and o pleased with how it's looking, this is my 1st ver lace project and attempt at knitting something other than a plain fluffy garter stitch scarf.

Crochet stripey blanket for a currently pregnant friend, better get cracking with this one, she's due very soon! Will be a vibrant array of colours still to add to this, including purple, green and a buttery yellow! All in patons DK cotton.

Green acrylic blanket for a friends daughter, this is to be quite big with a sea theme so will be adding some fish and sea theme embellishments to this when it's finished.

Another acrylic yarn blanket that I've started, I am hoping to do quite a lot of these as donations for the residents in the dementia care home where my Grandma is being looked after due to suffering quite severe senile dementia, the staff there are all so lovely and not many of the residents get visitors so I am doing as many as I can to donate to them all to cheer the place up a bit by way of thanks for the fantastic care the staff provide round the clock.

Some Finished Woolies

2007-05-07T19:01:00.000+01:00

My rainbow crochet lap blanket for curling up on cold evenings, made using up some left over chunky acrylic yarn.

A rainbow hot water bottle cover, my own design from scratch, made again with chunky acrylic yarn. This was a request from a friend, I also made a second one for another friend but the rainbows cascade the other way, red top to purple bottom.

Mittens for my youngest daughter, this is the first item I ever knitted from a pattern, I was really thrilled with the finished item. Knitted in sirdar bonus flash DK.

Cross Stitch Progress

2007-05-06T11:48:00.000+01:00

I really fell out with my knitting last night, couldn't do right for doing wrong and frogged it more times than I wanted to so it got put in the naughty corner and I sat with the good ole faithful cross stitch. Here's a little pic of my progress. Have almost completed all the solid stitching on the cat, just the bits on the washing line to do then backstitch the details on!

Margaret Sherry's Cattitude Range - Purr-Pendicular.

Current Projects

2007-05-03T19:13:00.000+01:00

This is the VERY beginnings of my Shoalwater Shawl. Im using 4mm Addi Turbo lace needles and Kaalund 2 ply yarn in Guava. Gorgeous autumnal colours.

Also on the go I have a very easy knit in the sari silk, it's simple garter stitch but looks lovely because of using the monster 20mm needles!

More Stash!!!

2007-05-03T19:08:00.000+01:00

Sari silk! WOW this has to be the most unusual stuff I've worked with yet but I'm really enjoying how it looks and feels! I had 8 hanks, I've balled 2, almost completely used up 1 already!

Another Project Started

2007-04-30T17:04:00.000+01:00

I've just cast on the start of what I hope will look good when I finish it! I've now got shoalwater shawl on the pins. It's on my 4mm brittany birch needles for now but will be transferred to my new addi lace needles very soon. I'm knitting it in kaalund 2ply in the colourway Guava. It's the finest ply yarn I've ever worked with but touch wood so far so good! The yarn itself feels really nice and I do like the colourway very much. Will add piccies when there's something bigger than about a 50p piece hehe.

Lorna's Lace and Lane Borgosesia

2007-04-30T13:06:00.000+01:00

Some other recent additions to my stash.

Lorna's Lace in Purple Iris, this is going to be used to knit Scotch Thistle Stole.

Good old loony boony in purple, this yarn looks and feels just gorgeous, though I am NOT looking forward to balling this it's so fine!

There's Needles and NEEDLES!!!!!

2007-04-30T12:14:00.000+01:00

There was a pattern in a magazine some time back for a knitted stole in sari silk, I've promised to make one for a friend, the silk is on order but I thought seeing as stuff was coming through anyway I'd order my needles while I was at it, the pattern calls for cast on in 8mm and then move on to 20mm, OH MY GOD they're MONSTER needles lol, but looking forward to doing the stole. It should grow super fast on those pins anyway!

Also through the post today came my Addi Lace needles all the way from the USA! They feel lovely, am looking forward to casting on my shoal water shawl on these as I am planning to do it in kaalund 2ply.

Oooohhhhh New Stash!!!!!

2007-04-30T11:39:00.000+01:00

My lovely postie brought me some fantastic new stash at the weekend only he took it away again and left me a red card to collect it cos he couldn't be bothered to deliver!!! So off I trundled to fetch it this morning!

An Opal starter kit complete with pattern yarn dpn's and stitch markers, a ball of opal in Catterpillar colour way, 2 pairs 4mm addi turbo's with 24 and 32 inch cables. There was also 2 pairs of brittanys as well but they are so big they will get a post all of their own hehe!!!

Forest Canopy Progress

2007-04-29T22:58:00.000+01:00

I've done 2 complete repeats on this now, I'm really enjoying it now I'm getting the gist of what I'm doing! I can safely say this project has started my lace knitting addiction and I have already lined up more lace projects to do as well!!!

Scraper Foil & Cross Stitch

2007-04-29T22:34:00.000+01:00

While clearing out this weekend I fround 2 half started projects, my cattitudes cross stitch and a parrot picture scraper foil, well that inspired me, I finished the parrot picture and did some more to the cross stitch! I enjoy a bit of scraper foil as a change now and again but this is the 1st rainbow one I've done.

This is the cattitudes picture from the Margaret Sherry collection I'm doing, It's called purr-pendicular, it will be a cartoon cat hanging from a washing line when it's completed.

Been nice to do a bit of cross stitch again after so long, and sheer determination to complete at least some of my huge half finished list is keeping me going!

Works In Progress...

2007-04-24T13:13:00.000+01:00

Off the top of my head this is the list of current projects that are partiially started that I really ought to finish!!!

Cross Stitch:-

Wolf & Dreamcatcher Picture

Tigga Bookmark

Tiger Picture

Dreamcatcher Picture

Harebell Flower Panel

Cattitudes Picture

Oriental Butterfly Picture

2 x New Baby Cards

Latch Hook:-

Eeyore Rug

Santa Wreath

Labradore Mini Picture

Needlepoint:-

Pansies Picture

Chinese Symbol Picture

Knitting:-

Sirdar First Steps Book - Project 5 - Garter Stitch Cardigan

Forest Canopy Lace Shawl

Crochet:-

Sealife Childs Blanket - My own design - Cheapy Acrylic Yarn

Stripey Baby Blanket - My own Design - Patons DK Cotton Various Colours

Unfortunately I have lost all interest and inspiration for Cross stitch and Needle point so I am ignoring them for now hehe, I am focussing more on my wooly interests and sticking at the Knitting, Crochet and Latch Hook as and when the mood takes!

My husband often refers to me as "Arfur" cos I only ever seemt o do "arfur job" Cheeky as he is I am beginning to see what he means now I have it in "black and white" the list of UFO's!!!

My First Post!

2007-04-24T12:41:00.000+01:00

OOOhhhhh all swish and new! Never done this blogging lark before so please bear with my innane mundane waffling hehe. I am hoping that through regular updating here and publicly shaming my overly long list of unfinished projects I may well find sufficient inspiration to complete at least some of them!!! Along the way I hope to share moments of pleasure at the finished items and despair when I'm at my wits end with some funny bits thrown in for good measure! Right will stop waffling now and start listing my UFO's (un finished objects!)