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Sunday, 4 May 2025

A knitted - "May the Fourth be with you" to everyone

 

For those that know - "May the Fourth be with you" Everyone
For does that don't - What does "May the Fourth be with you" mean?
Today is May 4th and many years ago it became a pun for "May the Fourth be with you", based on the Star Wars catchphrase "May the Force be with you" 
Every year Star Wars fans now celebrate this date, and have fun. Does anyone remember the dancing storm troopers  

Monday, 14 April 2025

Doll Box Trend

I uploaded an image of me to Chat GPT to try the "Doll Box Trend",  the program was very kind and created this, I don't look like this (maybe the hair). Next I am going to try and animate it. Having fun learning anyway.

Have you tried this?

How did yours come out?


Thursday, 13 March 2025

I haven't been on my blog for some time, but I think it's time to start sharing some new projects and designs I have been working on, so check back for some new free patterns with a mindfulness theme coming soon

Friday, 10 January 2020

Full Moon January 2020 Wolf Moon

The sky is clear tonight & the first moon of 2020 also called a wolf moon is very bright. Depending on where you are there's also a lunar eclipse, the moon will go a shade of red. About 2.32 to 5.10 in the UK 🌚 

Wednesday, 1 January 2020

Friday, 1 June 2018

Spring Coaster

Spring Coaster

It feels like summer already here in London, except for the crazy lightning and thunder storms (inspiration for future designs) and it will be very soon, but while its still spring here's a "Spring" coaster, This matches the previous "Gwein", "Belinda" "Beckia" and "Autumn" coasters.
I know people have emailed asking when more coasters were coming, there will be a couple more coming over the summer and hopefuly another couple after that. A few people have emailed me to let me know what they are using the charts for, quite a few are going to join the squares for a blanket, another lady is embroidering the designs and a couple of knitters have been using them to again for blankets. Hoping to add a few small knitted filet designs soon :)
The chart below could be used for other crafts - cross stitch, knitting, beading, tapestry and more. Let me know how you use it and what you make.
 


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. You can also link via instagramfacebook, twitter, I love seeing finished items and items in progress, let me know how you got on :)

Wednesday, 11 April 2018

Marketing Planner

I bought the Awesome Marketing Planner System in January, its was not just an excellent planner (with stickers! I love stickers) but has a portal with marketing videos and general business information with new ones are added each month. Plus a closed Facebook group to ask questions and share ideas. And a large A2 calender. 
I paid full price £39.95 and was happy to pay that for everything, but its now £10 +p&p Several friends have asked about it so here's the link for further information http://bit.ly/PlanDealApr
Awesome Business Members Area
Affilate link but I paid for my planner in full myself and only recommended this because I think it was excellent value for money

Wednesday, 26 July 2017

Mayfield Lavender Farm


I have taken a break from posting for a while, OK a long while!, just doing other things and needed to concentrate on them and come back fresh with pattens, crafty stuff, ideas and life to share.
So I thought I would start with a beautiful place I visited this weekend, Mayfield Lavender Farm. A very good friend sent me a message early on Sunday morning would I like to go to a lavender field, I replied "YES" start away. We went to Mayfield Lavender farm is just 15 minutes from London on the Surrey Downs. It grows different types of organic lavender and is a certified organic, very cheap to go in £1.00 per adult (parking is free around the outskirts of the field) and free for children under 16 which they use this income in the upkeep of the lavender field, hand weeding keeping it organic with no nasties sprayed on it.
You can not pick the lavender, but they have plenty of products for sell in their shop. You can wander through the large field of different types of lavender taking in the beautiful smells, watching the bees, there were loads of them, I love bees!.Just be careful where you walk, I saw quite a few bees people had stood on. Maybe a bee-ware of the bees, don't step on them sign is needed.
Its a beautiful place to visit, get there early as it was a very popular place with lots of visitors. Makes a nice change from busy London.

Friday, 6 January 2017

January SoloLearn course Ruby


Still have a cough/ cold but slowly getting better. Haven't felt like crafting to much, but I have stayed indoors for the last 5 days and today I completed a course in Ruby with #SoloLearn 💟 Its another programming language. It's really cold outside so will stay in for a few more days, starting the another programming course jQuery also with SoloLearn.
SoloLearn do online and offline courses (you can download the app for tablets and phones to) in programming languages and are creating a community of programming actives and forums and it's all free!!!

Sunday, 11 December 2016

Autumn or is it Winter???

I have not been blogging (except for one very small post last week) for several weeks. I have been visiting blogs but sorry I have not been commenting as much as I would have liked to. I love Autumn but it also seems to come with colds and coughs, which I always seem to get. I am OK in the day but the night air makes me cough cough cough. As this is when I usually do my blogging I have been feeling too ill to even turn the computer on.
I'll post some crochet make updates soon plus I have had several very good subscription boxes.

Is it still autumn or is it winter? (I think its a few days before it's winter) here's the Autumn coaster I should have posted weeks ago.


 Matches the charts  "Beckia", "Gwein" and "Belinda"

Here is the August coaster graph and symbol chart 


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 :)
The Winter coster is coming soon

Monday, 5 December 2016

Autumn

I love Autumn, so many colours all changing each day 🍁🍂🍁🍂🍃🍁 very inspirational, but secretly just I want to kick the leaves in the air like a child!!


Tuesday, 6 September 2016

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.

Friday, 19 August 2016

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? 

Thursday, 18 August 2016

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 :)

Thursday, 11 August 2016

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

Tuesday, 12 July 2016

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!!!

Friday, 10 June 2016

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.

Wednesday, 8 June 2016

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!

Monday, 6 June 2016

Libbie Club


Libbie Club Box
My new favourite cleanser
I cancelled one of my boxes last month (My Little Box) so I was looking for something to replace it with. I was also looking to buy a replacement cleanser as my favourite every morning cleanser (Liz Earle cleanse and polish) had began to cause my skin to dry out and felt like there were bumps under my skin, not nice. I found the cleanser which I am now using Bee Good Honey & Propolis 2 in 1 cream cleanser. I also liked how the site had reviealws from real people who tried out the products. I saw you could join so thought why not and I joined the Libbie Club last month, its not like a normal subscription box you pay a one-off fee to become a member (if you just want to buy products from them you do not need to be a member), I think it was £20 but it has since gone up to join them. They send out 3 full-sized products to test and review via their site, you are encouraged to share the reviews on social media, my instagram and twitter have shares. If you review the products, share and someone buys only one item (you can even be the person to buy the item, which I did my cleanser and got a free travel sized cleanser to) you get another box the next month to review you don't pay anything else. What I liked about them is they encourage you to give real reviews which I always do and they have a good range of items to buy (items I would buy anyway), their prices are good, they also have extras with the products like the cleanser & muslin cloth I purchased had a travel cleanser and muslin cloth as a free extra.
Last months products were "Chin-up" a firming &  contouring mask for the chin and neck area "H2O Tan Mist" a tanning spray and "Girl meets Brush" make up brushes (I have reviewed them on their website).
Peel off polish
 This months box for June was excellent, Little Ondine nail polish a water based polish with no smell, very easy to paint on lasts about the same as normal nail polish, when you get bored just peel it off! I was a little sceptical about this product but it worked! and had its so strange a polish with no smell, I loved the peeling off and my nails were not dried out, now I need to buy more......
Tarte cosmetics mascara
Tarte Cosmetics - Lights,camera, lashes™ 4-in-1 mascara designed to make even the shortest lashes look lengthened. 4-in-1  meaning = lengthening, curling, volumizing,and conditioning. Tarte Costmetics products are formulated without parabens, mineral oil, phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfate, triclosan,synthetic fragrances and gluten. They are also cruelty free and vegan friendly. Again another brand and product I liked :)
Ginvera marvel gel
The last product was Ginvera's Marvel White Gel a gentle exfoliater that contains no damaging grains or strong chemicals and will banish even the most stubborn whiteheads, blackheads, dead skin and blemishes without aggravating sensitive skin. Enriched with green tea extract as an anti-oxidant, tackles free radicals and simulates the skin's metabolism making it brighter. Japanese shiso extract provides anti-inflammatory benefits, soothing redness & itchiness. Also helps lighten dark spots, pimple marks and scars. I must say this made my skin feel super clean and smooth and healthy looking, again I really liked it. I used it instead of my normal face scrub (which I only use a couple of times a week).
I have longer reviews on Libbie Clubs websites.