A Round Up of Yearly Makes.......

I have been looking through my photos of all my makes made this past year.

I think day to day, you don't really realise what you can achieve. Through all my 'wobbles' on whether I was going to stay or go in blogland, blogging once again reminded me of why I love this little space here....to record what I have done.......and to remind myself that I have achieved more than I thought I could.

I've had to think long and hard about what direction I've wanted my blog to go in this past year. For a while I guess I wasn't happy with it, hence distancing myself from it. I felt it was becoming more than I wanted it to be. I'm not in it for followers, or to promote myself, lifestyle or any business, and I felt it was sort of going in this direction and I just didn't feel comfortable with that. All in all, I just wanted to record snippets of my life, just for myself......to look back at in years to come....and remember. I'm so much happier making it a little blog just for myself again.

Day to day i'm a mother. Sometimes I feel all I do is rush around being a taxi service, a cook, a washer upper, a laundry maid and anything else I need to be. Sometimes I feel like i've lost myself in the role as 'mum'. Of course, I do LOVE being 'mum', but it's nice to remember what it's like to be 'Vanessa' too at times.

But here......this space.....this post.......it reminds me that I DO actually get to be me. I just sometimes need to come up for air and be shown it.

This last year has been a whirlwind of a year. A lot has happened. I'd really forgotten how much....until I took a few minutes out....and just went through my months of this year slowly in my head. I knew that I had had a crochet hook in my hand for much of the year, but you soon forget what it is you've made.

It's been lovely to have a post where I can just capture it all.....and give myself a little pat on the back. I love to craft. I never really wanted to craft to sell, or make patterns......I just wanted to make some things for myself and my house and be pleased that I could actually do it.

Nothing more.

To record it here in my own little space was just a little something for me......but it's lovely that so many like minded souls want to read what I write and see what I photograph. Thank you so much for having taken the time to visit here and comment. Four years on, and I still feel quite amazed that anyone really wants to pop on over to my little space. I'm scatty and disorganised, shy and always the one standing by the side, but it's always a nice place here to just be me and put down my thoughts and make note of my crafty accomplishments.

I wish my repertoire of crafting skills were more varied. Time simply does not allow. I have yet to feel that crochet can take a back seat in favour of learning and perfecting a new crafty skill. Hopefully one day soon it will.

But for now.....I am happy.....happy to know that this year I have been creative and have introduced some happy pieces into my life and the lives of others......

My quickly whipped up Granny Scarf

My patchwork motif scarf

 I adored making this scarf. The yarn was just the most beautiful yarn ever.

A doily for a blogging chum

A Pot holder for a blogging  chum

And a half finished doily for me!

I learnt to knit and made a simple cabled scarf. I really enjoyed making this, although i'm still a terrible knitter!

The pink was just the perfect pink for me and I was so pleased with how it turned out.

To try and carry on with my knitting skills I made some wrist warmers. I ADORED the Rowan Yarn, just a shame it was discontinued. I would have made a whole lot more in it if I could have.

I put my non existant embroidery skills to the test. I had wanted to make this for SOOOOOO long with Alicia Paulson's Alphabet design. I COULD NOT put this down. It was totally addictive and I have plans for quite a few more!

This brooch made me smile and graces a nice jacket to keep me cheerful.

I loved making this wrap. So simple and I loved the colour.

Again, another make for a friend. I loved making this, although the stitching on it was a bum to do! I'd love to make a few for myself for the prettier garments I have.

This was the possible start of a blanket but I much preferred it as a granny scarf!

My cupboard make over. I loved this design I had on a tea towel, so it was transferred to my pink cabinet. After a bit of bashing about, it looks lived in now!

 My Apple Blossom tea cosy. Made on a whim with no pattern, I was rather pleased with how it turned out.

 A blanket that seemed to take FOREVER to make. It's HUGE, but i'm pleased with it.

I love doilies and these were addictive. They make great placemats.

 This blanket took a while. I struggled with my choice of colours. One minute I liked it, the next not so much. I persevered, and only when I had finished it and put on the pom pom edging I stood back and realised I loved it.

It really is a spirit lifter. Definitely a kaleidoscope of colours.

A blanket made for a Nephew. I loved making this and really loved the palette of colours.

Another blanket made for a new nephew. I LOVED making this blanket and really want to make an adults version in similar colours. 

I fell in love with this shade. A shawl it was to become.

Having an addiction for shawls, this was made. In the softest yarn, it's completely beautiful to snuggle up in. I love this, and OH......MY.......WORD has this been put into GREAT use in the cold weather. The minute you wrap it round you, you feel its warmth and snugness. I've even caught Baby Bear sat on the sofa with it around him (looking very pleased with himself I might add!). I am ever so glad I made this. 

 I loved the 'Portobello' wavy blanket I made for my nephew so much, that I made a start on an adult one for the autumn. It's really lovely to work on. A slow project that I can pick up and work on whilst other whims of projects take my fancy. Hopefully it will be complete for NEXT Autumn!

Another blanket. Using some left over yarn from my ochre shawl I made this based on a design blanket of Dottie Angels.

I enjoyed playing around with this piece. I loved the flower row.

 My Ochre Shawl. Big and beautiful to wrap yourself into. Great for nippy Autumnal walks.

My contribution to Innocent Smoothie Big Knits campaign.

 More Pot Holders. Love making these little gems.

 A really rather rubbish picture but I finally made something with the turquoise yarn. After a HUGE amount of faffing about with what kind of pattern I should use, I actually settled for something completely and utterly simple. A straight forward basic knitted scarf. It occurred to me that perhaps I was actually over thinking it all. Something simple and long to wrap around my neck on a cold day. The colour was so bright and cheery that I didn't want to take away from it. Now I know that I may have made something so much better, but I am really happy and it's completely toasty.

A Scarf in the Making. This was fun, although you can hardly call it a scarf!

My Tam o' Shanter and wrist warmer set. I had a lot of fun making this set and it gets a lot of wear.

I do so love red and pink together.

My pin cushion teacup put a big smile on my face.

I fell head over heels in love with this sparkly yarn for the festive season.

My spur of the moment blanket. I was so happy with my colour choices. I have been working on this during the Christmas week. I have really enjoyed spending time on this project. I like the muted tones. It's soft and inviting. As much as I love vibrance and colour, I do love soft and muted. My family laugh at me as I tend to put anything in life into two categories, hard and scratchy and soft and round. This blanket is soft and round and it pleases me. I hope for it all to be finished by the start of the New Year.

Yvonne's stocking tutorial came at the best time as I was doubting my decision to go with a pink Christmas tree. I thought it would look out of place but these stockings tied it all in perfectly.

I really do love pastels.

 

I loved this colour SOOOOOOOO much 

 

...and I loved the pink pom pom SOOOOOOOOO much!

 

I actually REALLY loved this set, and have been making a lot of use out of it and my 'herb' hat trio.In fact, I loved it so much, that I made myself a scarf and a pair of gloves too. Ooooooooh I cannot tell you how much I love these!

Wow, I really have achieved a fair amount make wise. It feels good. There are still makes started and on the go that haven't been recorded here, so I'm starting the New Year off well! My 'To Do' list is still as long as ever. As I tick one off, another 3 have been added, but it's fun. I like the challenge of something new. Maybe less blanket making in 2014 and a few smaller projects to be tackled. We shall see.....but you know me, always starting on a whim. Plans never go the way I write them down!

I feel happy....and content.

I like what I have made. It makes the corners of my mouth curl up. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. To have made little bits and pieces that I can wear, snuggle up in, and that can be of practical use in my house...what more could I ask for?

 I like that they are not perfect, that each have had a story whilst being made. That I will always remember those stories. Isn't that what hand makes are all about? I like that my Bears will have memories of mum's home made stuff and snuggles under blankets with all the family. I am hoping their memories of childhood will be filled with warmth and colour.

That feeling is priceless. I couldn't ask for anything more.

Yes.......I feel happy.

Standing back and reflecting, I reckon I have done an okay job this year. Plenty more to do, as always......but i'm kinda happy......yes......i'm doing okay.


HAPPY NEW YEAR

Let's hope 2014 is a good one with many more crafting projects to come!

xxx