Wednesday 11 June 2014

Off the hook.....






These weren't actually what I had in mind when I said I had made something that I love. 







I mean......I do love these.

They are not finished....well....I don't think they are.




I cannot decide whether I want to leave them like that, or spray paint the hoops, or add embellishments (they were intended to be a dream catchers).

I adapted the doily from one found online on a free pattern site. I only liked the first bit.The small one was straight forward. The blue one was more fiddly, as I then had to make up a new bit after the flower and fan as I didn't want to do the rest. I quite liked the blue one being more stringy, but it was fiddly to say the least.

I like little projects that are quick and satisfying.

It makes a change from blanket making. I have a blanket on the go though. It's a motif one, but i'm not enamoured with the colour choices thus far. It's a multi coloured one, but the first 4 colours I have used are all similar and they just are like nails on a chalk board when I look at them. I know once I introduce other different colours it will take on a whole new look, but for now I can't look at them. Funny how colour mixes can make or break a project. I've also seen another blanket stitch that has caught my eye....and I have to say......i'm really fighting the temptation to just put the current blanket to one side and start some thing different. I don't like doing that though. I feel once I start that, then it's a slippery slope, and i'll start doing it with everything. For big blankets, I have to be very regimented. I set myself a goal of a certain amount per day to achieve, and I have to reach it no matter what. There's a sense of achievement then each day, and that spurs me on.






I have such a long list of things on currently on my hook and my project list is tremendous. I quite fancy ticking some bits off the list.....trouble is......I tick off one thing then add another 3 more. It's crazy.




I was sitting outside sipping a cup of tea (enjoying the bit of sunshine we are having) and the lightbulb went on for a couple more projects i'd like to tackle. One is knitted. Eeeek. I haven't picked up any needles for a while now, I'm really quite rusty again. poop. I'll definitely have to do a bit of planning for that. I might have to trawl ravelry to see if there is a pattern available for anything similar to give me some guidelines. It's a bit ridiculous to do something in the knitting vein without a pattern, especially as i'm a pants knitter, but my idea is simple.....really simple, so maybe I can wing it like I always seem to do.

Well, we'll see. I feel like crafting again and getting my teeth into something quite lovely.




xxx




26 comments:

  1. I think they are gorgious just as they are!

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  2. Sweet idea, to use a crocheted doily and transform it in a dreamcatcher !
    Ps I'm familiar with the problem of the ever growing to-do list... 1 item off the list, 2 new ones put on... Can get frustrating... But better to have a long to-do list, than an empty one !

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  3. Oh, as always I adore your projects and pictures... The doilies are amazing - I find the pastel-with-bobbles-one in the first pic especially breathtaking!
    (Recognisable story btw: At the moment I'm just adding projects ad hoc all the time and hardly finishing one... Aaargh!)
    Thanks for sharing all this loveliness! Happy day! xhaafner

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  4. Très joli et original. J'aime particulièrement le petit bleu. Le cerceau de bois donne une petite touche "sucrée". so cute and original.
    Bonne journée!

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  5. Wunderschoen.
    ★★★Tolle Idee.

    Liebe Gruesse
    Birgit


    Birgit

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  6. I love the crochet in hoops, it's lovely! It's very simple and understated as it is. I don't know if lace or other extras would work. They are gorgeous, I must have a go soon, Heather x

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  7. Very pretty! I was reading on another blog today about a lady who leaves her embroidered pictures in the frame to display them. Your crocheted doilies could go straight onto a wall for display :)
    www.thequietstitcher.com

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  8. What a lovely idea V, they're so pretty. Unlike the general consensus, I rather like the idea of your turning them into dreamcatchers.

    You're a lot more disciplined than me with your big projects. I'm too irritatingly weak-willed which tends to lead to a hefty pile of unfinished projects. The temptation to start something new is always too much to resist. Aaargh!

    I'm intrigued about your knitting project and look forward to seeing it. I've given up trying to teach myself and have just signed up for beginners lessons. (Excited face!) I'm pushing aside any worries that I might actually be unteachable though - it still feels so blooming unnatural!

    Enjoy the sunshine my love.

    Hxx

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  9. Your doily/dreamcatchers are lovely, especially as you made your own pattern! I am very impressed. xx

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  10. What a lovely idea! Love your pretty doily collection too! I have a long list too, I am trying to get ahead of myself, so I've bought gorgeous yarn to make handmade gifts for later in the year (I don't want to use the C word yet) ;)

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  11. Such pretty makes Vanessa - just that little bit different, which I like a lot !
    And yay to starting a knitting project, I have so enjoyed dipping bank into knitting again lately and now happily switch between that and crochet depending on how the mood takes me.
    Have a good end of week,
    Kate xx

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  12. I make up knitting patterns - not in a professional way but I like how my 'shawlettes' have turned out. They're a combination of knitting and crochet and like you, when I make one and like it, I make more! I'm on my third one atm. That's in addition to the umpteen quilts and cushions that I'm working on. The memory quilts are on the last lap - final binding being added to the fourth quilt so hopefully that will be finished in the sunshine tomorrow afternoon. Love your photos - I have so many to upload, it's crazy. So much to do, make, bake, quilt, knit, crochet - so little time! So much fun to be had. Happy Summer Days. Enjoy the rest of your week.

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  13. Those hoops are so beautiful! I am loving all the hoop art at the moment. Shame I have no spare walls for hanging them! I too set myself a daily deadline when I'm crocheting something large. It can easily feel like a chore so like you I pick up little 'whim' projects do that I feel as if I am achieving something! And like you I've started a blanket and totally changed my mind about it. Its not quite right without cream in it! I'm desperate took start something totally new! Found a beautiful knitting pattern on ravelry yesterday, its the perfect cardigan pattern but I'm not sure my skills are up to it! Good luck with your knitty invention!

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  14. What a brilliant idea :) I might have to have a go at something similar for a wall decoration

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  15. Wonderfully charming doilies in hoops. I can imagine groups of them on walls. Enjoy the sunshine. Philippa xx

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  16. The doilies in hoops are lovely and probably slightly addictive to make! I know what you mean about having lots of projects on the go and a growing list of things to make. One of the blankets I'm making now also has me wondering what on earth possessed me to buy some of the colours. Hopefully it will look alright when it is finished.

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  17. Lovely doilies, and I'm intrigued as to what you're going to be knitting. Also to see the blanket colours. I love your idea of doing a set amount each day, it's the kind of thing that motivates me as well.

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  18. I love your new makes Vanessa and I think they would make wonderful dream catchers. I'm afraid I'm not at all very self-controlled with projects, I have a substantial WIP pile and just added something else - going to have to set myself some goals I think! Enjoy the rest of your week.
    Jane x

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  19. Oh I love these sweet makes, Vanessa! They look very beautiful and I like them just as they are. Your photos are a real treat too.
    Wishing you a happy weekend.
    Helen xox

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  20. Hello dear. Dream catchers... The best there could be. Lovely just the way they are. Perfection. I wonder where you got this idea from? I think it is genius!
    Xxx
    Annette

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  21. So nice to know others struggle with the same "too many projects, add some, take one away, add some more, trawling revelry, etc." Love your dream catchers! Just beautiful!!!

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  22. oh my... I just found your pinterest and now your blog. It is gordiouss I just love your colors and your work. And your pinboards are fabulous.
    xxx
    Stína Sæm

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  23. I love your dreamcatchers, they kind of have a washed out vintage feel about them, like driftwood. I feel like I am achieving nothing right now. Too many huge WIPS and not enough little ones. I need the little ones to feel that I have accomplished something. Also, I am making things for other people, like commissions I guess, so I am working with yarn and colours I don't especially love. I miss my usual Debbie Bliss cashmerino! xx

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  24. Love it! I did something similar (see here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/CaketinDoes?section_id=15032595&ref=shopsection_leftnav_1) and crocheted around the whole hoop. Yours look lacier though, I like that :)

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