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Wednesday, December 26, 2012

The True Meaning of Christmas

              A Very Merry Christmas to you all!            
Thank you all for reading my blog so far. I wish you all a very merry Christmas. 
As well as this, I would like to remind you of who Christmas is all about. Jesus.Nowadays, most people seem to have forgotten that somebody laid down his own life for us. Christmas is all about seeing family and being happy, they say. But the terrifying truth is..........
IT IS NOT!
I admit that part of the season is about this, but most of it is to think about God. I'm not saying that its wrong to have presents or a tree, but they ought to be something on the side. 

I still hope you enjoy yourselves, never doubt that, but perhaps, for my sake, keep the real reason for the season in your heads, throughout the holidays.
Another thing to discuss is what some people say about where Christmas came from. They say that it is actually a pagan holiday in disguise. That is so stupid. It is unbelievably dumb. You saw an old church, and somebody told you that it used to be a pagan temple, and therefore was still, would you believe them? Of course you wouldn't, or you'd be a proper mug. Christmas is just like that. 
Well that's all done and dusted. I hope it is understandable, but if you have anything to say or ask, just comment 

Monday, December 24, 2012

PC carols? No way!

It's disgusting. It really is. I am talking about a video that I have just seen on BBC News. You can find it here. Isn't it revolting? Christmas carols are being changed so that a load of soft-headed fools can feel good. Why on earth are they trying to hide the true meaning of Christmas? This is a disgrace. Christ Jesus was born male, so why swap words in carols to keep the feminists happy? I just wish there was a way to campaign against it.
One example they showed was the chorus from ' O come all ye faithful', where the line goes ' O come let us adore him/ Christ the Lord '. They tried to change it to ' O come in adoration/ Christ is born. I admit that the video was from 2008, but I am worried that maybe this is still going on.
The root of the problem is probably a bunch of feminists. They imagine that when a courteous male stands aside to allow a female to go in front of him, it is through contempt.
This is ridiculous. Barely any women died on the Titanic. Why? Because in those days, a man would be hated for the rest of his life if he allowed a woman to die instead of himself.
Don't get me wrong, I don't believe that men are somehow above women. But some people take women-man equality way O.T.T, so far as to reverse what they are trying to fight.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Christmas Doings

Hi
I know that my posts are so irregular, and as usual, I have to apologise. However, this time I think that you will sympathise with me. So much has been going on what with Christmas and presents, that I can hardly want to sit in front of a screen for so long.
Despite this, I have much to show for it. I have  made a wreath. I would definitely recommend this to anyone. It is fun, though it takes up quite a bit of time. I built it on a sort of bambooish type of twisted wreath base  thing. As foliage, I used eucalyptus, jasmine and the green wood from the pruning of a tree out the back.
I have finished that scarf of mine that seems to taking for ever. We went to a Christmas concert yesterday night at which I finished off the ends
I would like to share with you a great Christmas bauble-making idea. You will  need sequins and polystyrene balls or hearts as well as some pins. Stick the sequins into the polystyrene shapes using the pins. The pins you use should be around 1 cm long and plain. We got all of the stuff for the project here. However, I suggest pinning a ribbon to hang it on with decorative pins. These can be longer, if you like. They do look quite jolly. Oh yes, we hung  up decorations today. I think that I definitely prefer putting them up closer to Christmas. Its just that it seems such a pity to make Christmas decorating earlier and earlier.
I have been making sugar mice and buying presents for certain brothers.
Some of the sugar mice are going in little gift boxes for our cousins, whom we are going to see tomorrow.
Last Saturday, I went on  bike ride with three brothers and Dad.











Wednesday, December 5, 2012

News

Well! Guess what! I have finally got those photos onto the computer.
Look and enjoy, then I will tell you what it is, and a smattering of colour will become............understandable.
Voila!









Oh....Oh no!Here comes the Fount of Knowledge charging forth, explaining the jumble through mathematical equations. 
Pic. 1=my friend (barn dance+smiles), Pic. 2+7+8=the baby nightie that was sewed several years ago, and finally finished, and is now put to good use, the rest= beautiful frosts.
..........Phew! At last! Its Gone! That Fount of Knowledge! How dare it! Dear me!
Well, to get back to what we were saying before the F. O. K disturbed us ( rhubarbrhubarbrhubarb),  it should at least be a bit clear even from  maths equations what the photos are supposed to mean.
The frosts, though. Ooooh! They were gorgeous. When it settled on the windows, and the sun shines through it, and you can see the fresh blue sky behind. 
We have been having such lovely weather lately. 
And then................. It snowed! Nice!  

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Short Post ( again)

I am so stupid and forgetful. That camera is still not charged and is sitting there gathering dust. Still, I should tell you that we are going to a craft fair in a few minutes. I will have to use Mum's phone, I guess. Lots of fun to come, though. Mum has finished her scarf, except for some flowers for the ends, so hopefully some eye candy on that front.
G'day
Verity
xxxxxxx

Monday, November 12, 2012

Flowers, flowers, everywhere!

Once again, I must apologise extensively for the lack of photos, but I just I had to get back to blog world with a new pattern. This my 2nd one now, and it is quite an simple awfully easy one.
Cute Flower Pattern:
This pattern is very versatile, and can be made with any number of petals. Just adjust the number of  chains in the foundation ring and double crochets. You can also change the shape of the petals, by doing, for example, a thinner petal (a slipstitch, a double crochet, a double treble, a double, and slipstitch).

chain-ch
double crochet- dc
Treble-treb.
double treble- doub. treb.
slipstitch-ss

  1. Ok, so start by ch 6 and join by a ss to make a foundation ring. 
  2. Next, dc 7 times into ring.
  3.  * ss, dc, treb, doub. treb, treb, dc, ss * into each individual dc. 
  4. Ta- da! you flower is fini!
Lovely! Tell me how you do on this. I am thinking of including these in my secret project.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Lately..........

Lately:
 The camera has found its way back home, bringing its tail behind it, but is out of battery, so you will have to be patient yet, my friends. However, I would like to give you a brief sketch of what has been happening to me lately.
The Barn Dance was great, and I met up with some more people whom I have not seen for a long time, which was a pleasure.
We had a big Bonfire Party. It was really lovely, in front of the raging flames, with the sparks dancing, leaving trails of light like long, golden ribbons as they leapt up to the heavens.
My secret project is coming along very well, and I just can't wait to show you. It is mainly a scrapbuster, but I still love the colours all the same. They work so well together. I am already onto the sides, so it will not be too long now. Watch this Space.
love
V
xxxxxxxxx

Monday, October 29, 2012

Fragrant Cushions- the Big Picture(s)

Do you remember that in past weeks, I kept on babbling about my fragrant cushions? Well, I forgot to show you their photos in previous weeks, didn't I? So, shall we take a peek? Shall we?
My apologies that it is not perfect, folks, but I have another one here:
I love the gorgeous button on top. They smell so good. I really do adore them. I must make some more. but I already have so much else to do, what with needing to start on making those Christmas decs, and all my other hooky stuff. So, bye, I am hoping to get back soon. I have not forgotten about the Barn Dance, its just that I don't have my camera at the moment- its a long story, and rather complicated, but I am hoping to reclaim it some time in the near future. For now, however, I'm afraid you will  have to do with little notes and titbits until the Big One. 

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Saturday Rush

Yo!
Well, it has been frrrrreeeeezing today.
However, there were many good things about that:
There was a lovely view with a blue sky from my window............

............. and there was a fire. I am afraid that I couldn't get a picture of it in its full glory, but it still was very beautiful even in the embers................

....................I even stayed in slippers, pyjamas and dressing gown all morning..............
........................ I also got down to some baking.....................
 Mmmm! I love muffins..............
..........................................I did the ironing for the clothes I am going to wear tonight to the Barn Dance.

Have I told you about the Barn Dance? No? I thought not. Some friends are having a Silver Wedding Anniversary Celebration. I will take my camera, and bring the whole experience back to you. This is going to be fun. I love barn dancing. At Camp, we have a gigantic Barn Dance on the last night. It is brilliant, especially if you have a good partner. 
Yesterday was even colder than today. I had to put on three pairs of socks and my slippers.
I was looking through my old photos, and found some really sweet pics of Macavity, the cat.



The 1st picture is of when he broke his leg. Being an adventurous cat, I suppose this had to be inevitable.

I must go, now. Good bye, my friends 


Friday, October 26, 2012

Top Secret

I have a secret project I am working on. I must really not tell you. But-Oh, all right, its something to do with my balls of wall. But no more.
Good bye

Thursday, October 25, 2012

My Crochet Cushion is Now Finished!

I am so pleased! I have finally finished one of my crochet creations. It is a pillow. It began with the first granny square I made, and grew so big, that I decided to make a cushion cover. It is far from perfect, but it has a kind of old-fashioned, vintage style which speaks of  how ' Granny made this thirty years of '. It is soft, and cuddly, and warm.



I made it from a single giant granny square, and joined the corners together to form the back. It is so warm and colourful.
I have really enjoyed weaving the different wools together to make a whole, flowing stream of colour. It goes well with the sofa, don't you think? Well now, fellow bloggers and crafters, I must leave you now....

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Extra! Extra!

Hello
I'd just like to give out some photos of the scones we had for lunch today. They were with soup, and delicious!

Also, these are the lavender, rose and larkspur buds that I put in some little gauze bags.





My Photos Are Now Out!

Hi there again
Ooooo! What a treat I have in store for you! I have finally found my camera charger, charged it, and uploaded all the photos. Soooooooooo. First of all.

This is as far I have got with my granny square blanket. Some of the squares are not sown on, as you might be able see and one of them is yet to small ( the corner one ).






 This is the humble beginnings of my granny stripe blanket as seen on Attic 24.



These are some little flowers I crocheted. I am going to put them on hair grips for a friend. I think that my favourite one is probably the red one. Which is yours?
 These to soaps I made. They are lavender ( yahoo ) with, as you can see, lavender buds. The buds were supposed to be distributed throughout, but they kind of- floated. Still I think I rather like it that way. 
Mum and I have been making soaps for quite a while now. We do soap-making every year on Craft Day  at our camp. 

Lately, we got some food from a fruit and veg market, so we have been having some lovely, fresh food: Sliced tomatoes with mozzarella cheese, a basil leaf and salt, pepper, oil and spring onion on top; Roast peppers stuffed with onion, tomato and mushrooms. Oh, it really is delicious. 
I have some other food photos to show you, but I have to upload them, because they are on a different camera. 

Here is my hat and scarf I have ( almost! ) finished. 


And now, I have been saving this till last: MY OWN, HOME-MADE RIPPLE BLANKET PATTERN!
I am so excited! I tried to do ripple using another persons pattern, but it didn't work, so I decided to make my own.
1. Basically, to start off, you need to chain a multiple of 16, then add 3 to it ( the extra 3 is for turning ). 

2. So, finished all those chains? Right, now do a treble into the 4th chain from the hook. Do three more trebles into the next 3 chains. 
3. Now you are going to do the valley of the ripple.You need to do 3 2tog stitches ( wool round, in to stitch, wool round, out of stitch, 2 middle stitches over ( 2 stitches left on hook ), wool round, into next stitch, wool round, out of stitch, wool round, all stitches  ( 4 ) over. 
4. To do the other half of your valley, do 4 more trebles into the next 4 stitches.
5. To do the hill, do a treble into the stitch, chain 1, treble in to the same stitch. 
6. treble 4 more trebles in to the next 4 stitches ( again ). 
7. Carry on to the end in this way. Once you get there, chain 3 and turn. This time, you will of course be doing in between stitches. Be careful on those 2togs! Make sure you go in between them, otherwise you will end up having too few stitches.



I will try and get back to you sometime soon, my friends, but: That's all for now, folks!



Sunday, October 21, 2012

Short Post

Hello there once again
Harking back to those fragrant cushions I made, I have finished them and wrapped them in ribbon, with a button. I have quite a bit to show you and tell you, but for now, you must wait.............................................

Monday, October 15, 2012

Winter's coming- so time to get ready

AAhh. Winter is on the doorstep. The cold is stretching its icy fingers over Britain. The only way to tackle this, when you are going outside into the freezing outdoors, is of course, to wrap up warm. So I have begun making hats and scarves. The first one is a hat and scarf, made in stripes from two colours of wools- olive green and deep purple- the scarf is still in the making, but the hat is finished. I am actually really happy about it! It has earflaps and fits me perfectly. I have actually got a petition from a lady at church to make one for her. She will buy some wools, and I do the crochet.
Well, as to the scarf. It is long, and I am hoping to make it nice and wide too. Mmm. A lovely, wooly, soft, cosy, warm, comfortable, thick scarf around my neck on those cold winter mornings is just what I need.
I have also taught my Mum to crochet, and she loves it.
Well, so long. I need to get back to making that nice scarf.
xxxxx

Friday, October 5, 2012

The Best In Life........

Hello there again
Ah! Life is good. At the moment, Macavity, the ginger tom, and overall Hidden Paw ( see T.S   Eliot's poem ) is stretching, yawning and purring beside me.
That cat has quite a personality! He has different mews for different occasions. He even has his own expressions. He can look nonchalant, pitiful and ferocious. This is mostly accomplished with careful positioning of the ears. He masterfully manipulates us in this manner. My grand-mother dotes on him, as she loves cats, but our grand-father calls him a ' mangy old flea-bag '. I am not sure if this is tongue-in-cheek or not, but he still doesn't like the cat sitting next him.
As to the other furry members of the household, there is Ursa, our 4-year-old Leonberger. She is a German breed, a large dog. Her ancestors were used to guard flocks in the mountains, and so is very protective and loving. She sheds her winter and summer coats each year, which results in the house being littered in soft colourless fluff. It gets everywhere, including food.
However, having finished moulting, she is a very beautiful dog. The back half of her body is reddish brown, and the front half is in different shades ranging from pale beige to brown to black. This fur is more of a mane. Her face is black, as are her ears, but the ears have long golden fur hanging down. Her paws and legs are also golden.
As for crochet, my double blanket is still growing. I have been teaching one of the ladies at the church to crochet. She is very enthusiastic learner.
Using a pattern from www.thestitchsharer.com, which is, by the way, a lovely website, I have attempted to do the crochet hat there shown, but have failed miserably, not I am sure, through any fault of thestitchsharer, but that I am still learning. I wrote to her, and she suggested a solution.
 

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Scented Cushions

Hello there once again,
lately, I have been making some little bag/cushions filled with scented stuffing. They were great for using up scraps of fabric, and looked really cute when finished. I have made 2 so far and am hoping to make some more today. To scent the stuffing, I mixed in a few drops of perfume. I have not yet been able to get a few photos of them, but I will soon.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Egg Cosies and Doll Hats ......

Ok
here is a pattern for egg cosies:

chain 4
join with a slip stitch into a foundation ring. *Into your ring, then work 2 chain ( this is to count as 1 treble ) and 2 treble. chain 2*, and carry on round you  ring, from * to *.
Right, I cast off here, and cast on a new colour. With your wool, just double crochet into your stitch ( not the gap between trebles ), and do this all round the circle. Carry on doing this round and round until you have the size you want.

I also have a pattern for a little doll's hat:

much like an egg cosy, chain four. Instead of doing 2 chain in between the trebles, do 1.
As before, go round about 5 times on the outside, double crocheting. Now, to make the brim of the hat, do 1 chain in between double crochets. I did 2 rounds in this way, but I reckon you could do more than that.
and here are the finished results...........




Thursday, August 30, 2012

Buttercream Crunchies


Ok, so here's the recipe:

Right, a kindly word of warning before we start: don't spoon too much mixture onto the baking tray!

Formalities past, here it is, the grand opening.......................

Ingredients:

75g butter
75g Alpen breakfast muesli ( you can use oats, but this also a nice idea )
100g white caster sugar
1 medium egg
2 tsp self-raising flour
1 tsp baking powder

For the Buttercream:
100g butter
175g icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 tblsp milk


Heat the oven to 170 C, 325 F or gas mark 3. Melt the butter in a saucepan, then add the Alpen and the sugar. Stir it all up and then leave for 2 or 3 minutes, so that the butter can soak deliciously into the Alpen.
Break the egg into a cup, whisk quickly around, and tip it in with the rest of the cake mixture. Now just add the flour and B.P, as they call it in the trade, and pop them in the oven for 9-10 minutes.
Give them a bit of time to cool down, once you've taken them out, then spread some butter cream ( I didn't bother to put the instructions for these, as you just mix it all up ) on the top, and slap another crunchy on top.

You could also use lemon cream in between the biscuits

Lemon Cream:
cream ( it matters how much you want - it doesn't make a huge difference )
lemon zest

just mix it up, and lather it onto the biccies!


Friday, August 24, 2012

Hi!

Hi there!

As this is a new blog I have set up, I am going to tell  you what I have been doing lately.
I have been doing two blankets at a time. One of them is a baby blanket, or rather the beginnings of one, and another is for my mum and dad. I am also making a cushion cover, but have only made half so far.
If you look at the top of my blog, you'll be able to see the picture behind the heading. There is a strip of little granny squares with flowers in the middle. That is all that I have done so far of the baby blanket.
I found the pretty design on My Rose Valley, a lovely blog.
Here is the pattern:
Chain 4, and join into a foundation ring with a slip stitch. Form a treble into the ring, and then do one chain. Carry on trebling and chaining until you have eight trebles, then cast off.
Cast on a new colour into one of the gaps between the trebles. Then, form a cluster. Carry on eight times around your circle.
Once again, change colour, and start among your clusters. Act like you are doing a granny square, with one normal block between each set of corners.
How To form a Cluster:
Yarn over, and go into stitch, then yarn over again. Pull through stitch, and yarn over. Pull through the top to stitches. Yarn over again, and go into stitch. As before, yarn over and pull through stitch. Carry on doing the same once more. You should now have 4 stitches on your hook. Yarn over, and pull through the 4 stitches. 

I hope this works for you as it does for me, and that my instructions are clear enough.

As a beginner, for I only started crochet back in early July, I would love to be sent any tips, patterns or other crochet stuff any of you know of.