Half a Dozen Roses

Spoonflower had a buy one "fat quarter sized fabric" (approx 21" X 18") get one free offer recently, so I got some fabrics for a few projects I have been planning, also to test out colours are correct they are now printing European orders through their new German based company. USA and Canadian orders will be sent through their USA based printing company. This was printed on 100% cotton fabric
This is is my "1/2 a Dozen Roses" design. The six roses fit on one fat quarter of fabric I will post some of the other finished projects as I complete them :) and I yes am very happy with the colours and print quality

The roses can be used as brooches (just sew or glue on a brooch back) or to decorate clothing, bags, hats, cushions, on curtain tie backs anywhere you want to add a splash of colour and shape. I have more 1/2 roses fat quarters and the works with different fabric prints (had lots of requests for  steampunk prints with cogs and gears as roses) 

This design is also available at Woven Monkey a UK based printing company.

Rhubarb Harvest

This summer has been very good for our rhubarb plant, lots of big strong tasty sticks, plus its organic we know what goes on it (nothing). So I used the first of it for a rhubarb cake and it had to have custard. Still trying to keep healthy I added a couple of tablespoons of a Flaxseed, Almonds, Brazil Nuts & Q10 blend (Linwoods brand) to the cake mix, very tasty.
What to make next? 

Libbie Club August Box

This is Augusts Libbie Club box with three full sized items (and a few small samples, nice extra) I have tried and tested them all out.










Mizon Placenta Ampoule Cream - is a double functioning cream that improves skin tone and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Highly enriched plant placenta extract supplies rich nutrients to cells
What is Plant Placenta - Plant placenta is produced in the heart of young buds. It is used to nourish the fruit during its growth. Plant Placenta is rich in amino acids, peptides, minerals and trace elements.
Tested results - After researching found out this was a plant placenta and not animal parts I was happy to try this. It is made by Mizon a Korean brand they are know for the unusual products like the snail cream (from snail slime not snails, although snail slime......), which a small sample was sent in the box to try (not used yet). I Loved this cream, the smell is a mild lavender and it has a rich smooth texture that sinks quickly into the skin. It make my skin feel hydrated and smooth I think it was my favourite product and I would repurchase this I think it will be a very good cream for weather when my skin gets sensitive and dry.

Nizz Cosmetics Lustre Lipstick - this is a Vegetarian, Hypo-allergenic and Paraben-Free lipstick. Made with a blend of fair trade butter, oils and waxes, for an ultra smooth application and the creamy finish.
Tested results - I like that this is a veggie lipstick and paraben-free I am trying to buy more veggie and vegan brands. The lipstick has a highly pigmented colour, we were given nude shades, mine was a a couple of shades lighter than my natural lip colour so very retro looking. I found it super soft and it did go on very smoothly, I was surprised it had a nice matte finish. Again I think this will be good in winter as it keep my lips hydrated.

Indeed Labs Nanoblur Instant Skin Finisher - optical prism technology gives your skin a naturally airbrushed effect. Using light diffusing ingredients.
Gives a smooth and mattified appearance to the skin
Diffuses the appearance of enlarged pores and shine
Softens appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Works in seconds
Can be applied to multiple areas, including face and neck
Covers and reduces the appearance of redness and broken capillaries.
Tested : I found this product really good on top of sunscreen, sunscreen makes me shiny looking (not a great look) and dabbing some Nanoblur on top gave my skin a matte look so no shiny head.

How Libbie Club works - You pay a one off fee and they send 3 full sized produces to test and review via their site you get a boutique area (Libbie Shop link above), you are encouraged to share the reviews on social media, my instagram and twitter to help them promote the products (I love testing the products and trying out new things). If you review the products, share and someone buys only one item (you can even be the person to buy the item, which I already have this month some more Girl meets brushes they have 20% off and are really good makeup brushes, so I will be getting next months box) you get another box the next month to review you don't pay anything else.
They encourage you to give real reviews which is what I am going to write anyway.  There are longer reviews on my Libbie Boutique and all the current discounts on products :)

Beckia coaster

This is the third summer coaster  June's "Gwein" and July's "Belinda"

Here is the August coaster graph and symbol chart 

This is the third of a trio of coasters, or squares they could be used for something else.
This coaster is called "Beckia"
 
The chart below could be also worked for other crafts - cross stitch, knitting, beading.

 
INSTRUCTIONS: 
Note: Where the pattern states Treble crochet UK/ Double crochetUSA if you follow UK crochet instructions do a treble, if you follow USA instructions do a double crochet DO NOT do both!

Starting at bottom of chart/ graph chain 82 and another 3 chains to turn (this will count as the first treble crochet UK/ double crochet USA) of first  the row. 

Treble crochet UK/ Double crochet USA into the 5th chain from hook. Double crochet in next 2 chains to complete bottom right solid square of row 1.

Continue following pattern for first row reading chart/ graph right to left. After completing first row, chain 3 to turn to start next row.

Continue following chart/graph until all rows are complete. At end of row 27 fasten off.

MATERIALS :

(Crochet cotton size 10) About 76 metres/ 83 yds, hook size 1.5mm/ US size 7 steel crochet hook or SIZE FOR GAUGE.

APPROXIMATE FINISHED SIZES:

Using Crochet cotton size 10: width = 40.1 cm/ 6.2 inches, height = 43.5 cm/ 6.8 inches

GAUGE:

Using Crochet cotton size 10: 10 squares = 14.8 cm/ 2.3 inches, 10 rows = 16.1 cm/ 2.5 inches

HOW TO READ PATTERN:

Each solid square is equal to 4 Treble crochets UK/ 4 Double crochets USA. Each open square is equal to 1 Treble crochet UK/ 1 Double crochet USA, followed by 2 chains, followed by 1 Treble crochet UK/ 1 Double crochet USA. The Treble crochet UK/ Double crochet USA at the end of each square also counts as the first Treble crochet UK/ Double crochet USA of the next square. For example, a solid square followed by an open square is 4 double crochets,

2 chains, 1 Treble crochet UK/ 1 Double crochet USA.

For those that prefer to follow a symbol chart I have included one for you

If you do make the coaster, don't forget to link via ravelry, or let me know how you got on :)
Should I design a matching trio of squares for Autumn?
I have planned some marching specials

Summer Coaster Trio - July

Summer Coaster Trio

 

 

Following on from last months coaster "Gwein", can you believe how fast June went! Here is July's coaster graph and symbol chart 

Filet Crochet Coaster "Belinda"

This is the second of a trio of coasters, or squares they could be used for something else.
This coaster is called "Belinda"
The chart below could be also worked for other crafts - cross stitch, knitting, beading.


 
INSTRUCTIONS: 
Note: Where the pattern states Treble crochet UK/ Double crochetUSA if you follow UK crochet instructions do a treble, if you follow USA instructions do a double crochet DO NOT do both!

Starting at bottom of chart/ graph chain 82 and another 3 chains to turn (this will count as the first treble crochet UK/ double crochet USA) of first  the row. 

Treble crochet UK/ Double crochet USA into the 5th chain from hook. Double crochet in next 2 chains to complete bottom right solid square of row 1.

Continue following pattern for first row reading chart/ graph right to left. After completing first row, chain 3 to turn to start next row.

Continue following chart/graph until all rows are complete. At end of row 27 fasten off.

MATERIALS :

(Crochet cotton size 10) About 76 metres/ 83 yds, hook size 1.5mm/ US size 7 steel crochet hook or SIZE FOR GAUGE.

APPROXIMATE FINISHED SIZES:

Using Crochet cotton size 10: width = 40.1 cm/ 6.2 inches, height = 43.5 cm/ 6.8 inches

GAUGE:

Using Crochet cotton size 10: 10 squares = 14.8 cm/ 2.3 inches, 10 rows = 16.1 cm/ 2.5 inches

HOW TO READ PATTERN:

Each solid square is equal to 4 Treble crochets UK/ 4 Double crochets USA. Each open square is equal to 1 Treble crochet UK/ 1 Double crochet USA, followed by 2 chains, followed by 1 Treble crochet UK/ 1 Double crochet USA. The Treble crochet UK/ Double crochet USA at the end of each square also counts as the first Treble crochet UK/ Double crochet USA of the next square. For example, a solid square followed by an open square is 4 double crochets,

2 chains, 1 Treble crochet UK/ 1 Double crochet USA.

For those that prefer to follow a symbol chart I have included one for you

 

 If you do make the coaster, don't forget to link via ravelry, or let me know how you got on :) Check out my Instagram account to see what happened to the coaster!!!

So Susan June 2016

This months "So Susan" subscription arrived it is the "I Love Hugs" Bag with a quote by Ann Hood "I have learned that there is more power in a good strong hug than in a thousand meaningful words."

All products are 100% Cruelty-Free (they do not test products or ingredients on animals) and contain no mineral oils, no phthalates, no parabens, gluten free, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and fragrance-free 


The Bag Contained (all full sized products) :

Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/annhood540821.html

I have learned that there is more power in a good strong hug than in a thousand meaningful words.
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/annhood540821.html

I have learned that there is more power in a good strong hug than in a thousand meaningful words.
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/annhood540821.html

Bag Contains : 

• Eco-Chic Canvas Makeup Bag (worth $12 / £12) - Cute linen bag very colourful, although my print was not as good as other bags I have received and it has started to peel
• Candied Apple by Trifle (worth $18.95 / £15.95) -  A duel product for a gentle tint for lips or cheeks formulated with water-resistant, high-lustre mica for a natural-looking blush. Easily to use and natural looking, does not really have a smell which is good.
• Primal Instinct by So Susan (worth $23.95 / £20.95) - A lightweight gel goes on easily to "blur out large pores, facial imperfections and instantly helps to improve skintone and mattify unwanted shine" Comes in a small tube but you only use a few dots so should last for a while, very lightweight and I tested it on a hot day and it did stop me having a shiny nose.
• Raspberry Ripple by Trifle (worth $17.95 / £14.95) - A trio of light-enhancing blush shades in a portable palette to be used for contouring, "Brush the left and middle shades (both with Radiance Glow ™ pigments) onto apples of your cheeks when you need color & illumination. Use the last shade on the right (with pure Resveratrol) to help give color, moisture & reduce hyperpigmentation." I used as eye shadows, really liked the colour combination they had strong pigments and blends well.
• BONUS ITEM : Blush&Contour by Jelly Pong Pong (worth $17.95 / £13.95) - Another blush "Add additional warmth to your skin with a touch of Blush+Contour that comes in a soft blusher shade & a shadow enhancer. The apricot and blossom-pink colours are just one notch up from natural. For a flattering high cheek bone, softly dust the brown-toned enhancer shade just below your cheekbones." Again I used as eye shadows, very strong pigments and blends well, I liked these colours!

Bag Value : $90.80 / £77.80

A good bag, I was surprised it had 3 cheek products but really to me it was a lip tint and two shadows and you can never have to many eye shadows!!.

Bag Value : $83.80 / £70.85 (subscription is $20.95 free shipping monthly worldwide, they are a London/ UK based company) I paid for a 3 month subscription as its works out a little cheaper, a 6 month subscription is also available.

Fabric Flowers

Yesterday I was teaching a short taster class (2 hours) - Fabric Flowers in Harlesden Library as part of the Festival of Learning
Here's some pics of the students work, they all did really well!