Category: Modern art

Pinkyknits is the new and exciting way to create your very own fashion accessory.

In minutes you can make a ‘knitted noodle’ – with only your fingers! – there is no need for needles!
Create scarves, bags, belts, hats, mufflers, cushions, snoods and more … The only limit is your imagination!

Pinkyknits is designed and manufactured entirely in the UK by Laxtons Specialist Yarns, using 100% Wool, in collaboration with Erika Knight.

Pinkyknits supports The Campaign For Wool, whose Patron HRH The Prince Of Wales is putting wool at the forefront of fashion, interiors and accessories.

Pinkyknits is an ideal source of education for children, learning new skills and using wool, and will give a sense of achievement for all.

With Easter just around the corner I thought you might like these for patterns for ‘egg cosies’ and chics be them small for the boiled egg at home or for the gift for the grandchildren.

There are lots to choose from with some selling ‘egg cosy kits’, so there is no excuse to say that you cannot possibly make one.

My choice starts with Poppy Treffy Handmade in England, who makes handmade textiles for your home, you can either buy their kits or buy one ready made for a normal size egg.

Another one is a an owl egg cosy tutorial from Lucy Kate Crafts – http://lucykatecrafts.blogspot.co.uk/

Or you could go for this easy cute chick egg cosy pattern from ebay seller – see picture above http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/200588520619?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&adtype=pla

Another company Home, Home, Home http://www.homehomehome.co.uk do some lovely kits which contain all you need to make four pretty pastel coloured pompom chicks that can be hung around the home or put on the dining table for Easter.

And from Lululoves a crochet egg cosy for the crochet lovers http://www.lululoves.co.uk/index.php/item/crochet-egg-cosy-pattern

If you fancy a creative challenge then The Shabby Tea Room Challenges are just for you.

They are created to inspire your creativity and share with others.

Each week you can submit any type of project to their site, unless the challenge calls for something specific.

You can enter as many times as you like, then link it to your blog and win publicity, or just enjoy the inspiration and creativity in the virtual tea room.

It’s well worth a visit to the site to just see what others have made, http://theshabbytearoom.blogspot.co.uk/

I bet you didn’t know that The British Library has thousands of vintage and modern knitting patterns in its collections from hair accessories from the 30’s to woollen hot pants from the 70’s.

The British Library held a Spring Festival last week with overt 5 days of creativity, fashion and design at the Library, where over 1,500 people took part, and highlighted a pop up market and exhibition of digital graffiti and vintage knitting.

You can watch the video on the knitting enthusiasts day at http://vimeo.com/37891522 from Buzz Films. Knitting fans met some of the curators and saw some of the period patterns from the Library’s collections and they also made some of their own creations.

While spending a couple of days in Banbury, Oxfordshire, we came across this beautiful shop.

Jeanine, (the ownner) had my favourite CD (Lana Del Ray)playing when we entered this bijo mix with vintage and modern shop full of wonderful gifts and home décor.

Her collection includes an elegant selection of sterling silver jewellery, Danish décor collections, aromatic candles and lots and lots of home decorations and accessories.

There was so much I wanted to buy that we decided it would be better to return on our way back to the Hotel for another look around it all.

I bought these beautiful vintage inspired glasses case and this pretty sign for my downstairs loo.

Have a browse on her website or if your in the area you must pop in to see her extensive range of gifts, http://www.fancythatfinegifts.com/index.html

National Embroidery month is from February 16th – 22nd.

According to ‘wikipedia’ embroidery is the art or handicraft of decorating fabric or other materials with a needle and thread or yarn.

It can also incorporate other materials like pearls, beads, quills and sequins.

Different stitches are used in embroidery from chain stitch, buttonhole, blanket stitch, running stitch, satin stitch and cross stitch.

Although the origin of embroidery is unknown, some examples survived from Egypt, Iron Age and the Dynasty China around 5th – 3rd Century BC.

Different materials can be used in embroidery from wool, linen and silk.

A very popular magazine available throughout the world is ‘Embroidery and Stitch Magazine’, which has free designs and templates on the internet.

‘Embroiderer’s Guild’ is the UK’s leading crafts association with 10,000 members http://www.embroidersguild.com

The last time I embroidered was about 13 years ago when I was recovering in hospital after developing an infection after my last spinal surgery. Due to all the medication I was on I found it difficult to concentrate to read and with one arm attached to a drip, I really only had one hand free. So, a friend suggested doing some embroidery with my free hand and a picture was born. I’ve still got it but not framed it as the memories of making it are not something I want to remember.

Have you done embroidery recently, it’s like knitting, it’s become very fashionable again. I really fancy doing some on some hankies for my friends.