That’s all right – all is forgiven as I’ve chopped it out and popped it on here for everyone to see!

One of my great, great friends had a baby a few weeks ago called Thom………….well how could I resist making a turtle for Thom?! Actually truth be told I’d started hooking away on this long before Thom was due and before indeed I even knew he was to be called Thom……..the fact Thom therefore was called Thom (it’s all about the T’s see”!!) was the icing on the cake

He’s quite a photographic little fellow isn’t he? And was a joy to make…………..I found the pattern on here http://www.naturallycaron.com/index.html (he’s called “Turtle toy” if you’re interested).  I’ve done my usual though and changed things about a bit…………I’m absolutely no good at sticking to patterns!!  I invented his bulging eyes and geeky smile and because his shell comes off I decided for fun to make his little turtle body more colourful - well if he’s going to be going about ‘sans shell’ he might as well look good at the same time! 

Anyway couldn’t resist posting these pics as I’m rather pleased with how he turned out!

Recently I was given a magazine subscription as a present – love presents like that, don’t you?! I didn’t realise at the time but with each new subscription came all these lovely bottles! I wasted no time and gave them each a go and was delighted by how fantastic they are. Extra brownie points from me for not only being good to the environment by containing no parabens, SLS or phthalates but smelling totally wonderful to boot.   Does it get better than that!?

I’ve never really shouted out products before but felt this really deserved a mention…….. check it out for yourself and treat yourself to something lovely – go on!!

 http://www.jasonnaturalcare.co.uk 

http://hannaniven.co.uk/blog/?p=2713&preview=true&preview_id=2713&preview_nonce=6bdb1f92d2

Yes? No?  Well either way I can tell you all about it now………………. it was a commission for a customer that I made back in Feburary but we decided to keep it under wraps until she gave the gift to her friend and their new baby.  After All once packaged and posted from here it was no longer officially mine to share………..now however the little baby was born and the gift has been given………….so now I can show it off in its full glory- yeay :)

We’d discussed ideas of what to do and I came up with this spotty revelation after seeing the idea on Attic24 http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/2012/01/2011-year-end-review-crochet.html  If you’ve never heard of Lucy and her wonderful blog then you must check it out……….it’s just wonderful.

It was great fun choosing which colours to work with and how to arrange the, together. I came up with the plan early on to join the squares together as I went along, this took a bit of working out but once sorted the blanket was really nice and quick to create. The orange/yellow border was one of the criteria of the commission and I think it really makes the blanket go POW!! As you can see I blocked it all before hooking the border, though time consuming it’s something I hugely recommend you should do if you take on a project such as this, it makes such a difference to the finished look of the blanket.

And then voila!!

Here’s is a snap shot of the blanket in all its spotty glory living in its new home!  Happy story, happy ending – love seeing pics like this!!

I’ve been spending quite a few evenings this week up at the village hall.  You see we’ve had some rather lovely guests, indeed we still do until tomorrow evening! 

A number of artists located in the surrounding villages also opened their doors, welcoming visitors in from far and wide to pop in and have a look at their work…..

I’d intended to take some pictures of the actual exhibition – logical really don’t you think – but as normal I arrive at events such as this and am at one totally engrossed in looking at the artwork and chatting to the artists that it’s not until an hour after I’ve returned home that I think - pictures Hanna, you forgot to take pictures again!  I’ve got pictures of outside however and you’ll have to check out the websites of the artists (see below) to have a look at all their wonderful work.

I popped along to two great evenings with talks from ceramicist Penny Varley and abstract artist Claire Reika Wright, sipped a glass of vino as they talked about their life, work processes and stunning creations.  A number of BA Craft Design students from Oxfordshire School of Creative Arts were also exhibiting samples of their work.  These guys are literally just about to finish their degrees and will be exhibiting all of their work at the college in the next few weeks.  I remember those days and am pretty sure I looked a LOT more stressed than they!  Good luck guys.

Lovely website links to have a look at:

1. www.artweeks.org
2. www.seen.uk.net
3. www.pennyvarleyceramics.co.uk
4. www.claireika.com
5. www.martin-damen.co.uk
6. www.sarahbsmith.com
7. www.stevegold.co.uk

Two of the students exhibiting were Textile artists – Claire Blackburn and Judith Hammond.  Their work was absolutely fantastic and I really loved hearing the stories behind their creations.

Hey world…………

I’m back from one of the best holidays I’ve had in a long time and could write an absolutely epic post about all our ‘goings-ons.’  I think however the pictures speak pretty well for themselves. My inspiration pot is full to the brim – indeed it’s literally overflowing and I look forward to showing you in time my thoughts both visual and verbal.

Family time is so SO special - ever more so when you’re all grown up and live far apart from one another (I have three brothers, 2 of which live abroad – hence the trip to SA)……..Any ‘baggage’ was left at the door and off we went reminiscing over old stories, laughing till our cheeks hurt, running with the sand between our toes, jumping high into the blue, blue sky, climbing up and down the mountains and rocks (promise it wasn’t over 6″ Joo!), watching more wild animals than I ever dreamed possible, riding open air in the back of the truck, wind whipping our cheeks pink as the world passed by, testing out the local vineyards and most definitely eating the local cuisine!  

Thus passed 2 utterly fantastic weeks.

Back to work I go xx 

I’m rather liking April – number of reasons really, the highest of which is (and the reason why I’ve written AWOL in the title – tho I only really used it because it began with an A) being that I’m off to South Africa TODAY for two weeks!!!  Hubby and I plus 2 of my brothers are going to bunk down with my 3rd brother in Cape Town for the best part of a week and a half and then we’re going ‘safari-ing.’  Officially very excited though still not quite believing we’re actually going yet.

Guipeas have been ‘rehoused’ for the interim (thank you joo!!) and packing is still yet to be done (I’m a last minute girl – what can I say!) Garden being looked after by a neighbour and grass has been ’weeded and feeded’ so I will come home to something resembling a tennis lawn – I wish!!   

Sweetpeas are beginning to grow and as you can see it’s been a month for making baby boots!! Is great having friends and family with kids and baby stuff is SO much quicker to make than adults!!  Loved making the boots and so pleased with how they’ve turned out.  Anyone want baby boots? Any excuse to make more! Managed to visit Hobbycraft – heaven!! and actually left with only ONE thing in my hand……..

Been doing lots of other arty stuff but can’t post it on here yet………….will show you as soon as I can – promise!

Think I should probably go and pack now but thought I’d just say hi before I fly up into the clouds and off to the lands where the lions prowl

ta ta xx