Since my lightbulb moment a week or so ago I’m finding that whenever I have a moment or two spare, rather than reaching for my phone and going on social media, I’m picking up something crafty and doing that instead. And I’m absolutely loving it!
Not every week am I going to manage to complete a whole crafty project (and possibly not even every month!) but I do want to try to keep track of what I’m up to so here goes with the first of many My week in crafts posts.
In the last week I’ve kicked off two quite major projects. Firstly I’m crocheting again (the first since finishing my big granny square)and have set myself the challenge of making a ripple blanket, following one of Lucy from Attic24‘s patterns.
Now, I have only ever made crochet granny squares before so this was a challenge from the start. Even just having to make a foundation chain of over 200 and then crochet into that had me in a cold sweat, but I managed it, and I’m delighted to see this blanket taking shape.
Nine colours done so far (out of over 80!) and I’m finding it incredibly therapeutic to do. It’s also nice to see this grow so quickly. I’m posting regularly on Instagram showing how I’m getting on so do follow me over there.
The second project is a brilliant charity shop find that I made last year. I found an Emily Peacock butterfly tapestry kit in my local Oxfam shop for just £9.99 and at first wasn’t sure whether or not to spend quite so much on a kit, as it’s more than I normally spend on anything in a charity shop. A quick search on my phone made me realise that the same kit is actually still for sale online for £65! At that point I snapped it up and realised I’d found a complete bargain.
It’s going to take me a fair while to finish this as it measures 45cm x 45cm, but it’s a while since I’ve done any tapestry and I’m looking forward to making a cushion from it for LMC once I’m finished. The colours are also wonderful and rich making it a lovely thing to do.
There’s been one day this week where I failed to make the promised half an hour of craft time, and you know what? I felt stressed all day and went to bed early with a migraine. I think there’s a message in that somewhere.
So, what have you been making this week? Please do share your crafting.
Amanda says
I leant to crochet two winters ago, and have a granny square project on the go. I got so frustrated with joining the squares I gave up 🙁 Must give it anouther go as I do remember making them so relaxing!
Jennifer says
I’ve been loving watching all your crafting progress! I’d love to make one of those ripple blankets, unfortunately me and crochet don’t get on although I may give it another go in the future! The tapestry looks good too and such a bargain, I loved making some tapestry Christmas stockings once but the kits were so expensive it’s hard to justify as a regular thing. Great idea to reach for the phone instead of social media and something that I definitely need to try. Trouble is with some crafts like knitting I need a block of time to concentrate otherwise I forget where I’m up to, but it would work well with something like cross stitch.
Boo Roo and Tigger Too says
Its ages since I last did any tapestry too, I used to love cross stitch the best – really must dig out a kit and start again
becky says
ah we have been crafting egg baskets then dropping eggs out of windows and seeing if they survive
Ruth says
How lovely to have so many wee projects on the go Penny – finishing things like that must give you such a sense of satisfaction compared to just messing around on social media!
Michelle Twin Mum says
Ohh nice buy at the charity shop. I have one just like ti sat beside my seat in the lounge that I’m hoping to start tonight,I paid £32.50 in the John Lewis half-price sale and I thought that was a good buy, you did super well. Mich x
otilia says
I LOVE your granny square! So would love to make one!
Cass@frugalfamily says
I would love to learn to crochet – I just can’t seem to get away with it. Maybe I should try again as I’d love to make a blanket like the ripple one you’re making x x