mini knitted hearts

As Valentines day is almost upon us I thought I'd share a favourite knitting project of mine - these knitted hearts make perfect gifts for loved ones on Valentines Day, or any day!

It's also a super quick knit - I made one yesterday using some of my hand dyed yarn and it was done within the hour.

I've shared the pattern below if you'd like to try one out.

Knitted hearts

Yarn and needles 

I recommend DK wool and side 8 (4mm) needles as a starting point, but you can experiment different weights and sizes if you want a larger or smaller heart.

Instructions

Cast on 2 stitches.

For the bottom of the heart:

Row 1: purl

Row 2: kfb in both stitches (4sts)

Row 3: p

Row 4: kfb, k to last st, kfb

Repeat rows 3 & 4 until you have 20sts

Purl 1 row

For the top of the heart:

Row 1: k10, then turn

Row 2: p2tog, p6, p2tog

Row 3: k

Row 4: p2tog, p4, p2tog

Row 5: cast off

Repeat the above 5 rows for the remaining 10 sts on needle.

Finishing up

Weave in loose ends.

Sew up and stuff.

Now leave them on pillows, hide them around the house or tuck them in coat pockets - they'll be a nice little surprise for whoever you choose to make one for.

Add caption

pimp my fridge

I gave our fridge a little makeover this weekend.

We had this tub of coloured letter magnets which we were debating whether to add to the charity shop bag, but I spotted some gold spray paint on a trip to the local DIY shop so thought I'd give them a little uplift...







I gave them a couple of coats, and that seemed to do it. I really liked the shapes left behind on the cardboard after spraying.





Not too shabby!

making on a small scale

I'm not sure what's changed but I've been having trouble finding time to make and draw recently.

Luckily, at the weekend I had a few hours to spare so I made some beaded necklaces, and had a play with the watercolours.

I must do this more often.

What You Sow

Recently I was asked by the very lovely Lyndsey to help design a banner for her new venture What You Sow - an online shop which sells lovely gardening things for the creative gardener. Although if you are not 100% green-fingered (like me) then there are also a whole host of nice treats to be found (and some great stocking fillers for christmas!)

It was really sweet of Lynsdey to think of me for this piece and I had a lot of fun working on it - drawing plants and vegetables is a particular favourite of mine. The site is so full of lovely objects and ideas so I'd recommend you all have a look!

You should also check out the What You Sow blog as there lots of amazing crafty tutorials and inspirational ideas (as well as selling nice things, Lyndsey also makes a whole load of amazing items). I also did a little interview about my illustration work.

Now I need to work on my balcony garden...

more pumpkins

A selection of other pumpkins from our pumpkin carving evening:


Good skills!

art junky

On sunday a few of us from our MA course took part in the 3rd Art Junky indoor market at the Phoenix Gallery, Brighton. The day was a great success and we had a lot of fun. There were even more stalls than last year with some beautiful work (some of which I couldn't resist buying), and lots of tea and cake.

I sold quite a lot of bits (incuding some pigeons!) and am planning to add some of my leftover stock to my etsy shop over the coming weeks.

Here are some pictures from the day (courtesy of yumi):




And some links to my fellow stallholders' websites:

yumi



audrey



naomi



fiona



If any of you folks know of any other similar events coming up in the uk/local area then do let me know and I'll make sure to post up some pictures of my purchases soon!
x

let's make a sock puppet

Yesterday Yumi hosted a puppet making session in her garden:


I won't show you my finished puppet as I set a sock puppet brief for miss stacey's summer school and the deadline isn't for another week and a half. I can tell you his name is Humphrey though.
x

my week

Here are some bits & pieces to report from my week:


On Saturday my friend eleanor hosted a clothes swap party where we each took along some unwanted items of clothing and then had a rummage in the BIG pile that accumulated for some new bits. As you can see I came home with a few lovely pieces. I especially like the green/blue top & conveniently matching belt.

On Monday I sat down to watch a film and managed to cobble together this little fella:


The pattern is courtesy of Annalisa and as you can see my attempt doesn't look all that much like her example. I think he'll do though (and Derek mentioned that he reminds him of a certain someone mentioned in my previous post).

I went home to visit my family this week and my mum gave me this wonderful picnic basket:


I especially like the lining!

Oh, and last Friday I went round to Yumi's house for a mobile making evening. We had cookies & tea & smoothies and I even had a quick bounce on her TRAMPOLINE! so much fun.
I didn't get around to making a full mobile in the end but I did make a selection of origami birds & this paper ship:




Next week we are going to make sock puppets!!! I can hardly wait.
x

pay it forward

earlier this week i received the most wonderful package in the post from sooziebee as part of her pay it forward idea (pictures to follow shortly).

so now it's my turn to return pass on the favour. here's how it works:

“I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this pay it forward exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, which is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.”

so there we go, that's it. I'm awaiting your comments!

x