W.I.P Pikachu (Crochet)

So the above just got frogged because I forgot to count stitches and ended up with twice as many as I needed. That was about 6 hours work (don't judge :) I'm new to crochet). So it was a rather heartbreaking realisation.

My first attempt at this adorable Pikachu was using this cotton yarn. Fairly good price on Amazon - although I did find it frayed really easily. I'm definitely not recommending it for beginners.

Personally, apart from finishing off the stash yarn, I won't be using this again. DK weight but needs about 3.5mm hook to be even slightly usable. If anyone can suggest any recommended patterns for this I would welcome as I have a few balls of yellow, red and black to use up.
Now using this yarn:
Aran weight sugar n cream. Happy days. 3.00mm hook. It's the same brand as I used for the dog and I should have started with it really.

This is where we are so far. Much more shaping this time! Definite progress

And from above...

This project seems to be a pick up and randomly put down type of in progress work. If I'm honest, I do find this rather frustrating. But it's my own fault because I keep changing the bag it's in - I was only able to get these photos by tidying my lounge and finding the last bag I took this to work in.
So locating it means I can hopefully make some progress on it this weekend while I'm curled up on the sofa recovering from the flu. Today I took my first sick day for 2 and a half years. Not a brag, just a general observation that I hate being sick and that I usually have a pretty good immune system.
Immune system - you have let me down. What's really annoying is I'm going to miss my brother in laws stag do (a Total Wipeout style assault course).
Hopefully this might make some progress, we're both off this weekend so I might get a chance to recharge.
Love to you all and Happy Knitting!
MrsKirstyHoll
x

Inspiration Update!

Ummm… so I went onto Pinterest earlier….

Found this circular pattern! How awesome is this? Knitted as well – which wasn’t something I would have thought you could do!

Idea is that you can do it in different yarns and different needle sizes depending on what you want to make (rugs, table mats, blankets etc)!

I may also have pinned about a million different Pokemon Crochet ideas…

Ummm…. Really need some new yarn? Honestly I’m going to have some space for it once I finish this scrap yarn blanket….

Off to actually knit something…

Love to you all and Happy knitting

MrsKirstyHoll

x

Service Station Crafting Magazine - Homemaker - Issue 35

On  Monday I was heading home from a weekend up in Derby with my grandparents. Having married and left home, it's not often I head out on a family weekend away. But it was lovely weekend :)

Getting bored on the drive home (Dad was driving) - I swung into W H Smiths and picked up a crafting magazine. I don't treat myself to them very often, so it was pretty exciting.

The one I eventually picked out from the limited selection is called Homemaker and I'd never seen it before. Has anyone else heard of it?

Homemaker Magazine - Issue 35

It also came with a couple of freebies - a colouring book and a kit to make some crochet projects.

Only problem.... I can't currently crochet. But this could be a really fun opportunity to learn.

I have found this video is a great start for the basics through :)

Beginner Guide to Crochet

If you are looking for a new magazine, this is a really good one. It's packed full of a mix of different craft projects and instructions. As I love swapping between different types of crafting to liven things up, this suits me down to a T.

There are a few of the suggested projects (all with instructions) that I would love to try.

1. Peg bag

My current peg bag was a cheap bag brought from Wilko a few years ago. With my new love of crafting, the concept of making my own from scratch is so much more appealing. Fabric shopping time! Perhaps to match the apron I would like to get started on from my Pinterest Inspired Project To Do List..

Peg Bag Project Idea

2. Cushion.

This one looks a little more fidly. But I have a friend who is keen to teach me to sew and so this could be a fun one to get started on :) I'm thinking bold primary colours as that would match the marvel themed living room we are planning!

Inspiration for a Sofa Cushion

3. Floor cushions

Now I don't plan on doing this exactly. But it could be structurally better design idea for my denim patchwork floor cushion. Slightly more complicated I think. But a jobs got to be done properly.

Inspiration for floor cushions

4. Pocket door hanger.

I was thinking about doing something like this for storing my knitting needles. My collection is starting to get too big for the needle wrap.

So I'm thinking the same length as the door with slimier pockets a use of ribbon to keep the matching pairs together.

Inspiration for my needle organiser for the back of my door

5. Terrocota painted pots.

These look seriously cute. In addition to the bright colours, they also suggest using chalkboard paint so that you can write on what the pot contains. I'm not entirely sure what I'd use them for yet. But they would be a pretty solution to potting out herbs etc when my new kitchen is set up.

Terracotta painting pots. Ideal for keeping pretty much anything in - including plants!

6. Knitting wall project.

I loved this idea for a project. Having now got some confidence for changing colours mid row (check out my chevron square if you haven't already) this seems like a great project technically.

It's all DK wool, so I can easily pick up most of the colours I need at the local charity shop. So I will hopefully get started with it in the next couple of weeks - once I've caught up with this months squares.... A girl can dream...

Knitting Wall Project

So my project list is starting to get longer again... opps... But it's so much fun finding them all.

Have you been inspired by any of these projects?

Looking forward to hearing from you!

MrsKirstyHoll

x

Projects from Pinterest Inspiration

So I did something dangerous this morning. For the first time in a while I headed over to Pinterest. In this case it was to my boards. I've now got a list of projects I want to have a go at. Opps... lol

I took some screenshots to share my new funky to-do list.

1. I love this idea for a rug. It's such a funky idea and pretty easy to to - just time consuming.

To make this even better there is apparently a way of making them multi coloured... I find this concept insanely exciting. All i need to do is add some metallic/glittery wool to this concept and I will truly be in love.

2. Apron - Superhero themed

Based on this pattern I need to find this material and make myself a full length apron. It is just so amazing and my apron is getting a bit old / it would be good have a spare.

I don't think I'd do the frills... but I like the contrasting fabric on the pocket.

3. Flip flop bag.

Not for me this one. But my mother-in-law loves flip flops. So I'm definitely thinking of this for Christmas.  Will probably add in a zip and try and add in some internal pockets.

It will be this first time I've made a bag since I was 14 though...

4. Teacup candles.

This is such a beautiful idea. Candle making is always something I've fancied dabbling in.

Definitely thinking these would be perfect in the craft room...

5. Cross stitch idea.

I need to make this (or a variation on the theme) and hang it in my kitchen.

I hate washing up. Cross stitch isn't my favourite craft though (it's so slow) but I do enjoy it in the right mood.

6. Lego figure wall display.

I love this idea with the box frame. We're doing a marvel themed lounge - so a superhero themed one for in there would be amazing.

In addition, I would love a HP one of these for the spare bedroom. Need to start collecting...

7. Floor poufe/cushion.

I originally found this pin about a year ago. I've since sketched out a floor cushion interpretation of this. So with denim on one side and patchwork from scrap curtain fabric on the other.

Ideal for sitting on or using against a hard wall.

I've been saving old jeans/denim for the last year. So will get started on this once the sewing patchwork is done.

So what do you think of these ideas? Any thoughts on what I should get started on first? Any suggestions welcome! :)

Hope you're all having a lovely weekend :)

Yarn Addict Signing off

MrsKirstyHoll

x

How to get inspired for 2015

As many of you may be aware I am a social media marketer by trade. I find Pinterest a great way of bookmarking all of my social media related pins.






If you're interested check out the entire board here:

Follow Kirsty's board Social Media on Pinterest

For the last few weeks this pin with has been repinned about 5 times a day. It's one of my most popular pins on the board. With this is mind, I thought I would put together some of the best advice I've found from around the internet for staying inspired!

For starters you need to start spending some time each day to stop and reflect and what you want to achieve. When you get up in the morning spend 20 minutes doing some exercise (5,7) with all your social media turned off (6). This will get the blood flowing in your brain and your heart pumping.

This doesn't have to involve leaving the warmth of your house if it's cold and wet outside. I have a number of dance games on my Xbox/Kinect in my living room which I'm going to start using. Doing this inside your house means you can also combine it with your morning beverage of choice (6). Caffeine can be a great source of inspiration.

Coffee is a drink of the Gods
http://justincasedeck.com/

While you're relaxing post exercise use this time to start working out and planning your long term goals (2). What do you actually want to succeed in? You are way more likely to succeed if you feel strongly excited or happy about it (2). This will help you draw motivational energy that will keep you focused and on track. Do not pick more than 1 or 2 main goals as this will stretch you to thinly (3).

Now you know where you want to be, you have to work out how you're going to get there. What things (think small steps) do you need to succeed in to get to where you need to be (9)? Planning a journey with goals will allow you to feel more confident that you are making progress. 

Once you've decided on your goals you need to find ways of keeping yourself motivated. Getting additional input from other sources can help re-boost your inspirational reserves. Try reading some new authors, try out some new music and read blogs about your goals (2, 3). It's also worth spending some time trying to find speakers online that inspire you (4,5). This can be a really good way of putting yourself back on track if you're wavering. 

I'm not claiming that doing any of this will make your life easier. However, I hope that by finding your goal and setting yourself on the path will make you life more enriched.

Did this help? It would be great to here your goals below!

Do you have any tips to feeling inspired? Post below!





REFERENCES
1)https://twitter.com/CompellingCVs/status/476719932382912512/photo/1
2)http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Inspired
4) http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/communication-success/201402/how-unleash-your-creativity-and-find-inspiration-today
5)http://www.robinsharma.com/blog/04/49-ways-to-get-inspired/
6) http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/230064
7)http://lifehacker.com/the-science-of-inspiration-and-how-to-make-it-work-for-1467413542
8) http://fizzle.co/sparkline/motivation
9) http://www.inc.com/laura-garnett/how-to-get-and-stay-inspired.html