laughing purple goldfish designs

underpants

laughingpurple@aapt.net.au (laughing purple goldfish) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 22:00:00 +0000

I have a confession to make...

one of the things that really, really, REALLY scares me...

is the size of my underpants!

I'm sorry if that's too much information for my more delicate readers out there... but it's true. Each year they've become a litte bigger... and a little bigger again... until they started to frighten me...

So I decided to face my fear of the ever-increasing undies, and do something about it.

My main problem is inactivity, and I don't think that I'm the only crafter out there who struggles with this problem. Quite frankly, I would much rather sit on my butt all afternoon and crochet, than go for a walk. Or if I was bored with crochet, I could always switch to knitting... or embroidery... or just surf the web for lots of creative ideas. It's not like I don't get any fresh air - if it's a nice day, I'll take my yarn outdoors to play.

Crafting is a very sedentary activity - and I do like to indulge in it whenever possible!

I certainly don't plan to give up on my craft. That would be insane... and far too painful. But I do need to balance it with some more demanding physical activity.

So I joined a gym!

Which I thought would be really scary, but wasn't...

The first one I checked out was perfect. Friendly and helpful staff. Clean, modern facilities. Fun atmosphere. Sensible, manageable workouts. Ongoing assessments and support.

And it is purple.

I know that seems like such a small thing compared to all those other points, but I decided to take it as a SIGN! The purple was perfect. It made me feel comfortable and at ease with the whole decision.

So today was my first workout. I overcame my reluctance to exercise in public, and I received a gold star on my name card! I love stars...

I'm so proud of myself for facing a fear, and dealing with it.

are you my friend yet?

laughingpurple@aapt.net.au (laughing purple goldfish) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 22:00:00 +0000

Are we friends over at Ravelry yet?

I know that lots of us are... and it's a really handy way of keeping in touch when I am away from Blogland. Not that I'm addicted or anything... well, not much!

Anyway, my username over there is laughingpurple (the character limit didn't allow for laughingpurplegoldfish) and if you click here it will take you to my profile. Add me as a friend, so that I can add you back... and stalk you!

I'm joking about the stalking part... but serious about the rest...

Anyway

The other day I was out shopping.

On the path outside the shops was a gorgeous little sparrow, but as I approached him he didn't move away, which seemed kind of weird. I walked right past him, and still he didn't move. In fact, I had to walk around him to avoid stepping on him... but still he seemed unperterbed. He looked well, wasn't at all distressed... but just wouldn't move...

I watched for a little while to see what would happen. Hoping he would fly away, or at the very least to get out of the way of the pedestrian traffic. Or maybe someone would stop and gently move him across to the garden bed...

Actually, I really wanted to move him myself... but I'm not really a toucher of animals. I know that sounds ridiculous, I mean I'm quite capable of patting a cat or a dog, but that's as far as I go. If I had picked up that bird and he had struggled at all, I would have totally freaked out, screamed like a six year old girl and flung him away from me (probably onto the road, or into the shop window)

I know it sounds pathetic - I'm a thirty-eight year old grown woman, for Heaven's sake! I've been through childbirth three times, and touched countless icky kid messes... Why couldn't I help a harmless little bird?

I was still really annoyed with myself later that day, when I came across this fridge magnet...

Do one thing every day that scares you - Eleanor Roosevelt

I was so inspired by it, that I had to buy it and bring it home with me.

And it really got me thinking about the things that scare me. Silly little things. Irrational fears.

One thing for sure. Next time I will be the person who stops to help the bird.

What scares you?

s.a.b.l.e.

laughingpurple@aapt.net.au (laughing purple goldfish) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 22:00:00 +0000

Are you familiar with the acronym S.A.B.L.E.?

It's one of my favourites... as it's so descriptive... and most of us can totally relate to it...

Stash
Acquisition
Beyond
Life
Expectancy

Does that sound familiar to you? Have you acquired more crafting materials than you could ever expect to use in your lifetime? Or perhaps you know someone who has?

(hello Daphne)

I was looking through my embroidery case the other day, when I came to the frightening realisation... that even if I spent an hour embroidering every day, for the rest of my life... I CAN'T IMAGINE I WILL EVER MANAGE TO FINISH ALL THE EMBROIDERY PROJECTS I HAVE STARTED!

I'm not being melodramatic about this. Anyone who has ever dabbled in cross-stitch embroidery knows that it is painstakingly slow work. Sure, the results are fabulous... it just takes forever to get there.

I worked on this piece over a period of ten years!

Admittedly, it was an on again/off again project... but still... I don't need to tell you that ten years is a damn long time...

Reading through your comments from my last post, I had to agree with Misha. My style is usually simple and speedy. I love items which come together quickly, so that I don't get the chance to become bored with them. It's very surprising, especially to me, that I have gone back to my embroidery. Perhaps Stances & Stitches is on the right track when she suggests that with all the stress going on, I needed to find a place of calm... and the simple, slow rhythm of embroidery provided me with the 'centring' that I was craving.

Or maybe I'm just fickle, and I got bored with my yarns...

Anyway, here's a shot of some of those projects. It's a bit hard to see much detail because of the reflection from he plastic bags. I keep them in a vintage hat box which my father bought me for my birthday a few years back. Definitely one of my favourite gifts ever...

As for my current embroidery? My aim is to finish by the end of the year. Then I will probably have it professionally framed. The other option is to make it into a cushion cover, but I worry about how grubby it might get at my place... Might just be best to put it safely behind glass.

remember me???

laughingpurple@aapt.net.au (laughing purple goldfish) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 22:00:00 +0000

Hello... remember me???

I'm not entirely sure what happened there... but man it's been a long, long time since my last post, hasn't it?

I've had so many wonderful messages from my readers - expressing both concern and encouragement - and I really, really, REALLY appreciate it. As a blogger... you sometimes wonder whether or not there is anyone out in cyberspace actually reading what you write. It totally cheered me up to hear that I was missed!

I didn't really plan to drop off the radar. It just kind of happened.

You know the way one thing snowballs into the next? And before you know it... it all turns into something huge. Well, that's pretty much what happened...

Lots of significant life changes - happening one after the next - and not leaving much time for crafting or blogging.

So, I guess it's been a good six weeks or more since we last spoke...

You would think that I would have accomplished so much craft in that time - but it's not the case. I've barely picked up my yarn at all.

Something which I have been working on, is cross stitch embroidery. Now, I have to confess that I have been working with NEW MATERIALS!!! I was given some birthday money a little while back, and I decided to purchase some embroidery kits.

I'm really loving this one: it's called ALL YOUR FRIENDS, and has been designed by DIANE ARTHURS... click here to see what the finished piece will look like.

And here is my progress so far:

Actually... I've just realised that I did do the TINIEST bit of recycling for this project! I recycled an old birthay card to use as my thread card. Just punched holes in it, sorted my threads into each hole, and then scribbled the symbol used in the graph chart for each colour.

So I wasn't completely evil!!!

lovely in green

laughingpurple@aapt.net.au (laughing purple goldfish) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 22:00:00 +0000

This square is called Lovely in Green, by Dayna Audirsch. It is a free online pattern, click here for the link.

It actually worked up quite quickly and easily. I've used a 4.5mm hook and recycled 8ply/DK yarns. For the first two rounds I used the same colour, and after that the colour was changed at the end of each round.

round 1 & 2 - cream
round 3 - brown and white fleck
round 4 - dark burgundy
round 5 - cream
round 6 - rivergum green
round 7 - petrol
round 8 - forest green
round 9 - mid blue
round 10 - natural fleck
round 11 - camel fleck

bright and cheery

laughingpurple@aapt.net.au (laughing purple goldfish) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:00:00 +0000

One of my main reasons for chosing to work on the 'block-a-month' project, was because I wanted to learn to read patterns properly. I figured that if I was working on the same squares as the rest of the group, then there would be plenty of people ready to help when I needed it.

Well, it's working... and I'm now confident enough to try any pattern... well, almost any pattern!

Another interesting thing, is that I can now see FAULTS in patterns. Instead of assuming that I am the one at fault, I can see that there are times where the pattern just does not make sense.

This is one of those patterns. All was well up until about round 7, and then I got stuck. The instructions didn't fit with the previous round... so I ignored them, and just made it up based on the photograph of the finished square.

It is a free online pattern - Bright and Cheery Square, by Dayna Audirsch... click here for the link. I've used a 4.5mm hook, and recycled 8ply yarns.

round 1 & 2 - mid blue
round 3 - navy
round 4 - beige
round 5 - cream
round 6 - rivergum green
round 7 - mid blue
round 8 - natural fleck
round 9 - dark burgundy
round 10 - peacock blue
round 11 - rivergum green

how's it looking?

laughingpurple@aapt.net.au (laughing purple goldfish) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 22:00:00 +0000

As you already know, I'm working on a block-a-month project with a group over at Ravelry. The idea is that you make one 12" square each month, and at the end of the year you join them all together to make an afghan.

Since I'm after a larger afghan, I have been making two squares each month.

Well, we're half way through the year already... so here are the first twelve squares.

another haekelbeutel...

laughingpurple@aapt.net.au (laughing purple goldfish) — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 22:00:00 +0000

Okay... so I haven't actually finished making my first haekelbeutel yet... but I'm working on another one!

This time, it is part of a challenge with the Oddballs Group on Ravelry. I'm really looking forward to seeing what the others come up with... there's certainly some fascinating creations which come from that group.

As for mine, this time I'm just working it in regular granny squares... which I will join as a haekelbeutel. This one will be much smaller than my first one, which you may recall I had to felt when it turned out ginormous. Click here to stroll down memory lane.

Instead of yarn, this time I'm using plastic garden twine... and I'm planning to also incorporate some audio cassette tape!

Here's my progress so far...

rabbit stew

laughingpurple@aapt.net.au (laughing purple goldfish) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:00:00 +0000

A little while back, there was a 'Kitchen Challenge' held in the Crochet Lovers Victoria Group on Ravelry. The idea was to make something you would use in your kitchen. Rather than following a pattern, the aim was use your creativity and to crochet something new.

So... this was my entry... aptly titled RABBIT STEW...

My rabbit stew hangs from the corner of a blackboard on my kitchen wall, and has attracted many comments from visitors to our home. Some love it, others hate it... but I think it's quirky and fun.

As for the winner of the competition? Actually, there were two winners... Daphne with her Granny Square Fridge Cosy and Tess with her Toasty Warm Tea Cosy (a tea cosy, which looks like a toaster... complete with TOAST) What a fabulously creative group we have. If you're a member at Ravelry, you can click here to see photos of the fridge cosy, and here for the tea cosy. Leave a comment on the project page there, and let the girls know what you think of their creations.

charity sqare #3 - jimbo's hook

laughingpurple@aapt.net.au (laughing purple goldfish) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 22:00:00 +0000

The third and final blanket is being worked in purple, to be donated to the Peter Mac Cancer Institute

This time I have used Waldo's Puzzle pattern, again by Chris Simon. I've worked this pattern before, and loved it. The directions are very clear, and there are step-by-step photos to guide you along the way. It really makes the whole intersecting ring thing very simple and straight-forward. Click here for the free online pattern, and here to see my first version of this square.

Thanks to Daphne for supplying me with the purple scraps for this project. I think they worked together beautifully.

charity square #2 - jimbo's hook

laughingpurple@aapt.net.au (laughing purple goldfish) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 22:00:00 +0000

The second of the blankets we are working on is in blue, for a Friedreich's Ataxia charity which is close to Jimbo's heart.

You can look back at yesterday's post for the pattern details.

Thanks to Daphne and Maree, who both offered yarn for this square.

charity square #1 - jimbo's hook

laughingpurple@aapt.net.au (laughing purple goldfish) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 22:00:00 +0000

The first of the blankets we are working on is in red, for the Country Fire Authority.

I've used a pattern called Supernova, by Chris Simon. Click here for the free online pattern.

From memory, Jimbo's hook is 5.0mm. The yarn for this project needed to be machine washable wool, which I didn't have in my recycled stash. So I made a plea to the girls in my local crochet group, and Daphne came to the rescue. The yarn is Cleckheaton Country 8ply, and it took one 50g ball.

It mentions in the pattern that you shouldn't panic if the square turns out wavy, and that you can flatten it out with your hands. Well... mine turned out REALLY, REALLY wavy! I blocked it in my usual way, and it turned out perfectly. Click here for my simple tutorial on blocking.

jimbo's hook

laughingpurple@aapt.net.au (laughing purple goldfish) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 22:00:00 +0000

Have you heard about Jimbo and his hand carved hooks???

If not, you should take a moment to check out his handiwork... over at his blog: Jimbo's Front Porch

Read Jimbo's story while you are there.

Jimbo kindly sent one of his precious hooks to Crochet Lovers Victoria, so that we could use it to work on some charity rugs. The hook has been making its way around our group, with each of us using her to make three twelve inch squares.

Finally I had my turn, and I have to say... she is MAGNIFICENT!

It did take a little bit of getting used to. The hook feels a bit bottom-heavy at first, and seems awkward on the wrist. But I found that the more I used it, the easier it became... and in the end, I didn't want to let her go!

I have never worked with a hook so smooth. She is truly beautiful.

Here she is with my 'one-eyed, one-horned, flying purple people eater'

sissy pooh

laughingpurple@aapt.net.au (laughing purple goldfish) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 22:00:00 +0000

pattern used -

The Sissy Pooh by Lisa Gentry
pattern available for sale - click here for details

yarn used -

8 ply/DK recycled wool

hook size -

4.5mm bamboo hook

comments -

the pattern is designed to make a summery cotton dress... but since we are in the thick of winter here... I made a much warmer version, using wool... which can be worn over a long-sleeved top and pants
I made the largest size, but it is should probably have made the next size down
would love to make a summer version, too
made a huge mistake with this dress... I MADE IT BLUE!!!!!
Little Miss Five has been refusing to wear it... because I really don't prefer that colour mummy... I only like pink!
I've added a felted heart, to show her it really IS a girl's dress, despite the fact that it is blue!
she is still not convinced... check out the sulking in the photo
the bandana she is wearing, is this one here

little miss sunshine

laughingpurple@aapt.net.au (laughing purple goldfish) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 22:00:00 +0000

A very precious little girl turned one recently, and we were invited to celebrate her birthday. The invitation featured Little Miss Sunshine, and I knew that there would be a Little Miss Sunshine birthday cake... but I had no idea what I was going to make for her.

It got to the day before the party, and I still hadn't made a decision. I'm such a shocker for leaving things to the last minute, and then putting myself under unnecessary pressure - I seem to do it all the time - and never learn from the experience! Sad but true...

Anyway, as I mentioned... it was the day before the party, and I was surfing Ravelry for pattern ideas. Little Miss Five (yes! she's five now) was watching me, and of course she had to know what I was doing. When I told her I was looking for a gift to make, but I didn't know what... she said... MAKE HER A LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE

What a fabulous idea!

So I did...

Of course, I didn't have a pattern... so I had to just make it up as I went along!

I've used a 4.0mm hook, and two strands of yarn worked together. Her hair is made from lengths of chain stitches, which I then braided together. The hands are flexible, so that they can sit in front of her mouth (as you would usually see her illustrated) or out to the side. I didn't measure her, but her diameter would be about that of a bread and butter plate.

Isn't she cute?

(but not as cute as the birthday girl, of course!)

frilly flower

laughingpurple@aapt.net.au (laughing purple goldfish) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 22:00:00 +0000

pattern used -

Frilly Flower by Dayna Audirsch
click here for free pattern

yarn used -

reclaimed 8ply/DK yarns
round 1 - maroon
round 2 - deep burgundy
round 3 & 4 - cream
round 5 - mid blue
round 6 - rivergum green
round 7 - natural fleck
round 8 - mid blue
round 9 - deep burgundy
round 10 - camel
round 11 - mid blue

hook used -

4.0mm bamboo hook

comments -

I love the way that this square has worked up
to add some depth to the flower, I embroidered around the centre
if you are a member at Ravelry... you can click here to see all the projects worked from this pattern

bold squares

laughingpurple@aapt.net.au (laughing purple goldfish) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 22:00:00 +0000

Would you believe that I have now completed the THIRTY DAYS project???

Admittedly, it did take me more than 30 days... but I got there in the end!

Of course, I was working on a few other projects in between... I just can't remain monogamous when it comes to my crafting. I'm not a one-project-at-a-time kind of gal... I crave variety!

Which begs the question... What else have I been working on?

Well here is my June Craftster Square for the block-of-the-month challenge:

pattern used -

Bold Squares by Dayna Audirsch
click here for free pattern

yarn used -

reclaimed 8ply/DK yarns
round 1 - peacock blue
round 2 - cream
round 3 - maroon
round 4 - peacock blue
round 5 - navy
round 6 - camel fleck
round 7 - peacock blue
round 8 - rivergum green
round 9 - natural fleck
round 10 - peacock blue
round 11 - forest green
round 12 - navy
round 13 - cream
round 14 - brown and white fleck

hook used -

4.0mm bamboo hook

comments -

this square actually looks quite striking when worked in a single colour
if you are a member at Ravelry... you can click here to see all the projects worked from this pattern
see the pattern which emerges from the texture of the stitches? unfortunately the subtlety of it gets lost in amongst all my colours changes
because I was working with a smaller hook size than the pattern called for, I had to add an additional round of sc and then a round of dc

project #30b - dare to be square

laughingpurple@aapt.net.au (laughing purple goldfish) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 22:00:00 +0000

pattern used -

Dare To Be Square by Lisa Gentry
found in Hooked For 30 Days e-book

yarn used -

mostly 8ply recycled yarns

hook used -

4.0mm bamboo hook

comments -

I need ten of these squares, which will be joined together to make a jacket
working each round in a different colour, to create a totally random effect
my plan is that each time I use a yarn for a different project, I will stop and add another round to one of these squares
so it will be an ongoing project
if it doesn't look any good as a jacket... I'll make a throw or a wrap instead

project # 30a - floral neck warmer

laughingpurple@aapt.net.au (laughing purple goldfish) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 22:00:00 +0000

pattern used -

Beadiful Accent by Lisa Gentry
found in Hooked For 30 Days e-book

yarn used -

5ply/sports weight recycled wool

hook used -

4.0mm bamboo hook

comments -

I made five of the motif flowers, joined in the last round of each, according to the pattern
the pattern calls for the last flower to be beaded with about 60 small pearl beads... but I quite like it without the beads
I also left off the buttons, and used my Grandmother's old brooch to pin the scarf

project #29c - needle guard

laughingpurple@aapt.net.au (laughing purple goldfish) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:00:00 +0000

pattern used -

Needle Guard by Lisa Gentry
found in Hooked For 30 Days e-book

yarn used -

8ply/DK recycled wools

hook used -

3.5mm aluminium

comments -

these pansies are actually very cute and very simple
also finding it very handy for storing my wool and tapestry needles when not in use... they're usually too blunt and too thick to push into a regular pin cushion... so this needle guard works perfectly

project #29b - kitty's keychain

laughingpurple@aapt.net.au (laughing purple goldfish) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 22:00:00 +0000

pattern used -

Key Chain Little Kitty by Lisa Gentry
found in Hooked For 30 Days e-book

yarn used -

8ply/DK cotton

hook used -

3.5mm aluminium hook

comments -

super quick and easy to make
this pattern comes with instructions to turn the kitty into a key chain... but my daughter loves it just the way it is
if you made a few, they would be just the right size for a cute mobile... or pram rattle... each cat could be done in a different colour, and embellished differently
I'll keep the mobile/pram rattle idea in mind for future gifts

project #29a - kitty's treasure

laughingpurple@aapt.net.au (laughing purple goldfish) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 22:00:00 +0000

pattern used -

Kitty's Treasure by Lisa Gentry
found in Hooked For 30 Days e-book

yarn used -

8ply/DK acrylic

hook used -

3.5mm aluminium hook

comments -

this is a really easy pattern... and very simple to embellish
my daughter ADORES it, even though she is not a huge fan of 'Hello Kitty'
I pretty much stuck with the pattern as written... although I did use a larger hook for the flower, and added the button at the centre
around the opening of the bag, I used a contrast colour for the sc... but that was only because I had misplaced the white yarn, and was too lazy to look for it!

project #28b - hidden delights - wine bottle bag

laughingpurple@aapt.net.au (laughing purple goldfish) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:00:00 +0000

pattern used -

Hidden Delights by Lisa Gentry
found in Hooked For 30 Days e-book

yarn used -

burgundy reclaimed cotton, 5ply/sport weight

hook used -

4.0mm bamboo hook

comments -

I love the combination of ribs and shells in this piece
pattern is simple and easy to follow
I didn't make the cord in the pattern, just used some kitchen string to tie around the neck... and added some beads to each end
this would be the perfect 'wrapping' for a gifted bottle of wine

project #28a - warm 'n cozy hooks

laughingpurple@aapt.net.au (laughing purple goldfish) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:00:00 +0000

pattern used -

Warm 'n Cozy Hooks by Lisa Gentry
found in Hooked For 30 Days e-book

yarn used -

12 ply grey reclaimed wool
8 ply tweed reclaimed wool

hook used -

4.0mm bamboo hook

comments -

there are two size options in this pattern... I made the cozy for the thin hooks
the shell edging was a bit too 'frilly' for me, so I worked a simple sc edging instead
worked all in the one colour... then I added an extra sc edging, including buttonhole loop, in the tweed yarn
omitted the ties
the button I used was taken from one of Mum's tops... so it gives the case great sentimental value to me
I love the ribbed effect on the outside of the case

project #27 - glitz & glamour desert gems

laughingpurple@aapt.net.au (laughing purple goldfish) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:00:00 +0000

pattern used -

Glitz & Glamour Desert Gems by Lisa Gentry
found in Hooked For 30 Days e-book

yarn used -

size 3 cotton

hook used -

2.1mm steel hook

comments -

there is also a pattern included for matching earrings, but I didn't make them
I was amazed at how quick and easy this project was to make... it would certainly be a good beginners piece for someone just learning the art of beaded crochet