Chia seeds, water and vegetables

Back at the start of January I blogged some of my "New Year's Resolutions", so this is an update on my No.4 Healthy eating. I decided to do a nutrition course, it started last week and has 10 sessions over 4 weeks, its an online course where you attend live (or you can watch the recording the later if you can not attend) by Shaw Academy and is very interesting (they do good deals for their courses on Groupon)  it has people attending from all over the world. I have done other courses with them and they have been very good.
Last week the challenge was to drink 8 glasses of water a day, this was easy I am always drinking water (although I lost my water bottle and had to buy water when I was out n about :( This week's task is eating fruit and vegetable, not just eating them but to eat a rainbow of colours in fruit and veg. I am good with eating fruit and veg, but my rainbow needs more green veg so that's my own challenge this week.
Plus at last my chia seeds arrived and they were worth the wait, I am still experimenting but thought I would share my first almond milk, honey and chia seeds breakfast with banana, almond flakes and a tiny sprinkling of bee pollen. So yummy!!
Just whats needed for a day of designing and crafting.
 

Valentines Heart Pattern 2016

With Valentines coming quickly I just added a new pdf pattern "Valentines Heart 2016" to ravelry and loveknitting/ lovecrochet's sites 
To keep the love the it's currently free, very quick to make, recommended for intermediate filet crocheters (includes increasing) but beginners used to following symbol charts could easily follow charts.

Suggested thread cotton size 10
PDF - Includes basic instructions
Filet crochet chart
Symbol chart
Duel pattern uses both UK and USA terms

Use to make coasters, doily's, motifs for bags & clothes, to decorate a card, let me know what you use the pattern to make. Plus remember if you download from ravelry please give the pattern a like :)
Have a play and make not just in white but red or pink :) 
 

Birchbox

In my post yesterday I posted about my new subscription to mylittlebox. The other subscription box I ordered this month arrived yesterday. I am also very happy with this one. It's my first birchbox and lucky for me this month they teamed up with Pinterest one of my favourite websites (I spend for too much time pinning things with plans to make, buy or grow that item at a later date), so the box was decorated nicely with little photos and quotes, again this box will be reused to store something. 
The reason I ordered this brand was they have a nice looking boxes, which usually contains a small bag that the beauty samples are sent in. Normally appprox. 5+ samples (may include full sized items also) are sent to try out, so it  seems to give good value for money. The box is £10 plus £2.95 p&p. I got 50 extra points (worth £5.00) when I ordered because I went to another subscribers link, she will also get extra points. The points can be used to buy full sized items from the birchbox website and you can gain more points by reviewing the samples they send (the items in the box), doing the monthly reviews you can gain up to £5.00 in points per month. I will add my friends link here so if anyone wants to subscribe they can also get some extra points to start with (so will I).
Opening the box is like opening a present, very exciting as I did not know what it contained, firstly there were Pinterest inspirational postcards (very cute), a booklet with information on the beauty items in the box, a nice touch and useful. The items are different in each persons box, you fill out a profile and they select items from the range available that month that you get the items more suited to you, which is interesting. There are sample sizes and full sized items. The beauty items are in a small draw string bag, again this is excellent for small craft projects mine now has some knitting inside it. I will start with the bonus item for this month a mirror with #NO filter written on the back, (this is listed as £4.00 to buy, I will include the rrp as they list it in the booklet, I will also include the sample sizes) its a nice sized handbag mirror, I may make a little pouch for it so it does not get scratched in my bag. The full sized item was a Complexion Awakener pencil from Jelly Pong Pong (RRP £14.95) in the shade nude, this is a really soft pencil to be used in the corner of the eyes and along the inner rim (that's what I will use it for) it said in the information booklet the pencil can also be blended onto the cheeks or brow bones. 
Samples sized items were - Benefit's mink-brown "they're Real" tinted primer, I tried this when I got it,  I am lucky to have long lashes and putting this tinted primer on I now have really long lashes! So far no problems I would wear it without mascara as the tinted colour looks good very natural looking. It's a good sized sample 3gms (the RRP of the full size is £18.50 for 8.5gms) 
Caudalie's shower gel 30ml this is for sensitive skin, it may go in the holiday bag (or holiday wish bag I should call it) (RRP £9.00 for 200ml)
Absolution's L'Eau Soir et Matin cleaning water 30ml , this is certified organic and was something I was hoping to try it. Its a unisex product, it has natural ingredients including hazelnut oil which it said on their site will "soften and purify the skin and potassium to regulate your cells’ metabolism" here's hoping! I will try it tonight (RRP £27 for 150ml) 
And finally Parlor shampoo 30ml and a matching conditioner 12ml (have very long hair so maybe this sized conditioner will just do the ends) ( Both shampoo and conditioner are RRP £16.00 for 236ml each )
I think this months goodies were well worth the box price, again can't wait for next month. I read there is a real diamond necklace put into one box randomly next month as it's Valentine's Day. It's also my birthday next month so here's hoping :)
Note: If you want £5.00 worth of points with your first box email me (or use the contact form on the right) for a link, I currently also have a code for 50% off the first box which can be used with the link - just put the code in the promo code box before ordering.  So that's half price for the 1st box and £5.00 in points, don't forgot to review the products when you get them and that's up to another £5.00 worth of points to spend in their shop.

My Little Wish Box

 

So I have been decluttering and not buying any new yarn (so far I have been sticking to this) and missing my little packages arriving with new yarn. I really like the idea of subscription beauty boxes and had one many years ago, I had decided at the start of the year I would like to subscribe to one or two plus the money I am saving from decluttering and using up my old yarn stock would cover some of the costs. I have been looking and making a list of the ones I wanted to try, watching unboxings on YouTube (I hope I am not the only one who does this!) so decided to try out 2 this month. (The boxes have monthly subscriptions and can be cancelled at any time)
This is the first one to arrive it's from a French company their subscription boxes are called my little box and each month has a theme which really appealed to me. It also comes in a sturdy pretty box, good for storage (yes places to hide yarn). Each month usually has an inspirations card, a little bag, some beauty items and another item non-beauty.
This month box is called "My Little Wish Box" It contained a really nice 2016 diary, not to big not to small, it has inspirational quotes throughout it, I will be using this daily. A little cotton bag (good as a project bag) with a good sample sized Klorane oat milk hair shampoo 100ml, matching conditioner 50mls and a make a wish lip balm with "Make a wish" on it, that smells so nice, I always a little afraid I will have a reaction but that's why I like these boxes trying out new things, so I will update when I have used this. There was also  a small simple bracelet with a macrame closing and ribbons with messages - "Say yes to new adventures", ""it's now or never", "Day dreamer" and "Wish you were here". They can be worn on the wrist or i think I may add them to my diary. Plus a little magazine to read later. It's my first box and I really like it, can't wait for the next. 
My other box is a birchbox hoping it comes soon (update review here)

A relaxing break

I am really trying to sort the pattern writing out and get a routine that means not over doing it also!
OK this is a short break, with a much needed coffee (I think coffee is the one thing I would find very hard to give up), a mini cake, I even crochet while I relax from writing about crochet.  
My lovely named candle holder with scented candle was a surprise present earlier in the week (Thank You Mary, I love it!).

New Years Resolutions

New Year's Resolutions - I have decided to write them down and post them here, maybe i will keep to them better this year. Some are not going to plan just yet!

1. Finish and write up outstanding patterns
2. Finish outstanding fabric designs
3. Blog more regularly
4. Healthy eating - I do eat good food, no red meat, lots of fish, fresh fruit and veg, not much sugar OK too much salt! But decided to make sure I ate breakfast each morning so ordered my oats and chia seeds. With plans to blog some of my overnight breakfast recipes.
5. Get Organised - find and put all paperwork in the correct
6. Declutter or Life Laundry I think it's called so give away, recycle or throw out the things I don't need or use.
7. Sort out main website, much needed
8. Finish my final tests from the Shaw Academy diploma courses I did (l did finish one)
9. Finish any ongoing knit, crochet or jewellery project (about 20+ at last count!

So yes started no 5 and 6 

But nos 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8 are on hold, as this is my laptop

Screen cracked in the middle.

So maybe no.10 is now replace laptop screen

As for no.4 My oats and seeds are somewhere with Royal Mail. 

What resolutions have you made this year?

Will you keep to them?

Will you declare them online?

Happy New Year 2016

A Very Happy New Year 2016

More free Christmas Charts

Here are seven more mix 'n' match Christmas charts from my main website, they match the link I posted in yesterday post


The Celtic Knotwork Christmas Chart e-book (this one uses UK crochet terms) has now been added to loveknitting.com it should be available in the next 24 hours. 

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Christmas Crochet

10 days to Christmas wow that was quick!
I have been ill for what seems like weeks and weeks with bronchitis. I have not felt like doing anything, my poor blog has not had any updates for ages :( but I am much better now so have managed to complete the Celtic Knotwork Christmas Charts E-book at last. It has been added to my Ravelry store today, this version of the e-book uses American crochet terms (All 3 charts are also available individually).

I will be adding a version of the e-book using UK crochet terms tomorrow to the LoveKnitting.com site as this is a UK based site (my other patterns on their are currently using American crochet terms but I will be updating themearly next year).

I wanted to remind everyone there are lots of free Christmas charts on my main website, here are a few mix and match Happy Christmas Charts in Spanish, France, German, Irish, Portuguese, and Italian. I'll post more free matching chart links tomorrow :)

Total Lunar Eclipse of a Super Full Moon

I stayed up last night (morning really) to see the rare total lunar eclipse (also called a blood moon) of a super full moon and it was worth it. About 3am the moon went dark and turned a deep red. Somewhere nearby I could hear someone blowing a trumpet (the same note for over an hour!), another person even nearer was chanting. I was in my garden so could not see anyone!, that with the strange noises of the local foxes gave the eclipse lots of atmosphere.
It was also a Harvest Moon - that's a full moon closest to the autumnal equinox, so Autumns on its way, Its my favourite season, I love how all the colours of the leaves change from green to orange and yellow.
If you missed last nights total lunar eclipse and super full moon combo mark your dairy as the next ones in 33 years time!

Spoonflower - Free Shipping Day

Hip hip hooray! the nice people at Spoonflower.com are doing another free swatch day, this one is for their new Poly Crepe de Chine. A sheer lightweight 100% polyester crepe fabric I think I would use this for scarves, it looks soft. I ordered my swatch earlier (one of my flower bird designs) looking forward to receiving it :)
You can choose to order your own design or pick any of the 1000's available and p&p is free to.

Filet Crochet Chart Survey

I was editing some new charts when I thought, lets do a survey on charts to see which would be best to use.
So I made a very short survey, only one question.
Which chart would you prefer to work from. Thank you in advance to everyone who takes the time to do the survey.
http://goo.gl/forms/QycbHU5CL9

Floral Border Print

I received a sample of Spoonflower's new fabric last week its called sport lycra. Its a soft and stretchy lycra that take's colour really well. It has a 4-way stretch and is a mix of 88% polyester and 12% Lycra®.
I used my floral border design for the print. I wanted to see how the colour and detail would come out on the lycra. I was very happy with the results.

Now what do I need made from lycra?
Maybe some stretchy bags or pockets...

Glastonbury Springs

From the caverns under Glastonbury Tor two natural springs flow a few feet from each other. One is the White Spring named because of the calcium carbonate dissolved in it as it flows through the underlying limestone. This makes for white calcite deposits. The other is the Red Spring (also known as the Chalice Well) because it contains dissolved ferrous oxide (iron). You can see in the photos the Red

Spring water stains the wall red. The Chalice Well is managed by the Chalice Well Trust and is surrounded by beautiful gardens, when I go back to Glastonbury again I hope to visit the gardens. You can get the red spring water outside the gardens, there is a pipe emerging through the garden wall with flowing water, it is opposite the white spring water pipe, both are free to use. I was very happy I brought a bottle with me after doing the Tor earlier in the day, beautiful cold water. It is said it is best to mix 50% white with 50% red. many people say the waters have health properties.

The Tor Glastonbury

Some photos from last weeks trip to Glastonbury.
This is a good uphill walk (lots of steps) and it was worth it for the excellent views at the top. It was a really hot day and it would have been a good idea to bring a bottle of water! I brought an empty one so I could fill it up with the spring water near the base of the Tor (on the other side) I post those photos later in the week.


This is The Tor a hill topped by the roofless St Michael's Tower which dates to the 14th century. The slopes of the hill are terraced, but the method in which they were formed remains unexplained. Items have been found, dating back to the Iron Age.

The Tor is mentioned in Celtic mythology and is often in myths linked to King Arthur.


The whole site is managed by the National Trust.

Stonehenge

Last week I got to see Stonehenge. I have wanted to see it for a very long time and it has been on my most see list since I was a child. There's something about standing stones, how they were moved and why they were placed the way they were that's fascinating.
Here are some of my photos :)

Spoonflower - Free Shipping Day

Spoonflower are having a free Shipping Day from Monday 9am Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) to Tuesday 9am (EDT) it's free shipping worldwide. So I am off to order some fabric :)

Backing Up

I keep saying I must back up my blogs, so today that's what I have been doing. If you have a blogger / blogspot account it's very easy, just go into your dashboard - choose Settings - then choose Other - finally click Export blog and save. That's it done. The file should save to your My Documents - Download File on your computer.

It's useful to also save your blogs template/ design. Again go to the dashboard - click the Template tab and click backup/ restore - Download Full Template. That's it just

repeat every month or so :)

Linen Moth Part 2

If you have made your flower from yesterdays symbol chart post, now you are ready to transform it into a moth.

You have make some yarn friendly moths. Add them to bags, hats, make into brooches or necklaces have fun and let me know how you use your moths :)

Linen Moths Part 1

This year I have been trying to encourage more crocheters to read symbol charts. They are easy to follow once you know what the symbols are and tend to have less mistakes. Spring also sees the return of moths, I have been busy making little lavender bags (to put in with my yarn) when I got the idea to make some moths. I do like moths but outdoors and nowhere near my yarn. This is a moth/ or flower pattern I designed a few years ago for a crochet class.
This moth pattern uses 3 stitches

Slip Stitch 



Chain Stitch



Treble Crochet (UK)/ Double Crochet (USA)



I used 2 ply 100% linen yarn from Namolio for the moths. The linen comes in tons of colours all stunning, its one of the nicest linens I have tried. But the pattern works well in most yarns (make sure you use the correct size hook to match the yarn/ thread/ wire you choose) I have even tried 0.2mm wire (it took  approx. 11 metres of wire).

Leave a 10cm/ 4inch tail of yarn (for one of the antenna) Follow the chart and you will end up with this pretty flower, you are now ready to make your moth. I will post Part 2 tomorrow. Update: Click Here's for part 2

Bees

Spoonflower's latest design contest is called Bees. I had to enter this one. I love bees and could watch them buzzing around flowers all day the noise is so relaxing. They are so important pollinating over 80% of all fruit, vegetable and seed crops, without bees the cost of pollinating food would be so expensive many of our favourites may no longer be produced like broccoli, cucumbers, pumpkins, blueberries, watermelons, apples, cranberries, and cherries, almonds. Plus they make both honey and beeswax. Bees are decreasing so plant a few flowers for them in your garden.
The brief for this weeks contest was "Create a bee-inspired design to be previewed at the fat quarter size (21" x 18"). Deadline for entry is Tuesday, April 21st. Voting will open on Thursday, April 23rd" Here's my design called Bees Together, it matches my filet crochet chart on my website (its a free chart) called Here Come The Bees.
To see this weeks entries and vote for the designs you like the link is below. There is no need to sign in and you can vote for as many as you choose.
http://www.spoonflower.com/contest_voters_temp/new?contest_id=300
I am looking forward to seeing all the other entries.

Variegated tulip

The sun has returned, not sure for how long and this beautiful tulip seems to have appeared in the garden overnight, it has stunning red and yellow stripy petals. We got it from a variety pack of tulip bulbs that are all different, so far only this variegated one has grown, but there are more blubs starting to appear so hopefully there will be more :)

Glass Beads

 

Recently I went to the Spring Knitting and Show at Olympia, it was costly to get in (£16.00 at the door) and I think this put me off buying yarn (shock! horror! I only bought a few skeins of pure silk that were a super bargain @ £1.00 each) plus my credit card malfunctioned and the pin don't work (mmmmm...... the universe also sending me a message no more yarn buying you need to use what you have!..) So my budget was much smaller, but that was good.

I did find a very good bargain at beadtime's stand, they had nice glass beads and metal charm packs. I wish I had bought more at this stand, I only got one pink and one green glass bead pack and a couple of metal charm packs. It was only when I returned home and opened the packs I discovered how nice the glass beads were. I decided to make a necklace with the pink and some of the green glass beads. I used a pink copper 0.8mm wire I already had (bought from jewellerymaker ages ago on a large reel, it took several metres of wire to make but there's loads still left) and decided to use my one step big wire looping pliers (made by beadsmith) instead for a change. I don't know why I don't use these more, it makes looping so easy. I added a little photo how to above on using them :) I think the pink wire compliments the glass beads and am happy with the results.