Crochet inspiration from {little golden nook}

I'm racing to finish a blanket for our youngest whose birthday is next week and sometimes looking back through past projects helps to motivate me to keep going (I started this blanket a year ago!)

So I thought I'd share some of the finished work in my home with you. A fellow school mum stumbled across my feed on Instagram earlier this week and kindly messaged me to say how inspiring my crochet was (thankyou Deb), so here is some of it, plus a little peek at my home which is truly, honestly far from perfect looking in real life........

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Autumn crocheting :: Fingerless gloves

I get so cold so easily in winter. But I don't like having the central heating blasting like the husband does, it makes me feel more tired and uncomfortable.  So I tend to wear scarves and fingerless gloves around the house throughout the 'cosy' months.  In the past I have LOVED and still covet these cuties from a favourite local store run by our friends Joel, Rach and Jane.  But after the big reno we are still paying Tom, Dick and Harry for various unexpected necessities (blinds, painting etc) SO I decided to get to making my own!

I tentatively used this pattern and was very happy with the result! They are different from my F&D faves but short of quickly re-learning to knit or asking my mum to knit me some this was my best option.

 As usual I got myself a bit addicted and am about to start my 5th pair.  I was worried that they wouldn't be very warm with the gaps in the pattern but I've been wearing them heaps and they are super warm and perfect for all day wear (although mine smell faintly of onion after cooking dinner with them on tonight).

AND

I think I might sell them for some extra cash :) Thats if I get beyond making them for gifts first!

Next project: A warm and snuggly crocheted scarf.....

xoxo

A special gift for a winning friend

Its 'Star-bombing'-winner-announcing time!!

We spent today bombing strangers' homes to send a little unexpected cheer which was so fun.

But only my gorgeous friends got a little number for the prize draw tonight.  Before I announce the winner I'll show you the prize. To keep the handmade theme I've decided to give the winner the choice of three of my regular creations......

1) Three Photo Blocks with your choice of photos (8cm x 8cm each)

OR,  2) Set of 6 crochet coasters (your choice of colour), see also the pile below (though I can do any colour)....

Or,  3) Two crocheted jar cosies (with jars), perfect for tea lights or any candle

either Solomon's knot style......

.......Or Shell Stitch style

AND

I can't help myself, I HAVE to draw TWO winners instead one because one out of 21 just isn't enough! And because I have two daughters who will argue if they don't both get to draw one.

SO....

Winner #1 is:

 7

and

winner #2 is:

19


I do have most(I forgot a few!) of the names written down next to each number but I'll wait for the winners to find out on here (I'm unsure who 19 is...oops). Leave a comment telling me which gift you'd like my lovelies! 

xoxo

Project 'Star-Bomb Geelong'

Its been an extra starry Christmas this season! The girls and I have been busy making salt dough stars, german paper stars, stars from iceypole sticks and twigs from trees, four different patterns of crochet stars, gingerbread stars.......

I got myself a bit addicted to this beautiful crochet star pattern and all of a sudden I'd created a lovely pile of them, and was hatching a silly season plan....

I thought it'd be fun to share my stars with everyone. I could use them as gift tags, but I hadn't planned or budgeted to buy gifts for that many people. So I decided they'd make lovely little decorations just as they were and I could drop them off as a little surprise for my friends, a little bit of starry, handmade love for their homes. 

So the Project Star-Bomb Geelong idea was born in my over-active mind and here's what happened.....

Jo's house 

Sarah's home with her very retro up cycled tie wreath I helped her make last year

...And on her branch

Tanya's lovely home

Adele's front door

 At Neesha's house x 

I got sprung by Heidi and kids while trying to bomb her with what I thought was stealth 

At Kellie's home I heard her teenage boys yelling and play-fighting inside while she was at work. It sounded a bit like a party Kel.... :)

These stars are off to Cairns for some very special people

The bombing continues....... 

I'll be back soon with more, and a handmade prize for a lucky winner

xoxo

A handmade Christmas

I love love love November!! The weather is warming up (yes, even in Victoria), the roses are blooming, the end-of-year Christmas parties have begun, and the end of the year is in sight!

My two favourite FAVE-ourite things about November are:

1. We start thinking about Christmas and Jesus' birth, the birth of a perfect King 2012 (approx) years ago. At our church we have a big 'Jesus birthday party' on christmas eve with a giant cake and lots of fun involved.  But in November we begin to teach the historical story of His birth both at school and in church to the kids, and at home we explore it with our own children.  If you are privileged enough to be one of these teachers or to be a parent, its in November that we start to get excited and to want to share your excitement with everyone....

2. And because of all of the above, my creative juices go bananas and I go slightly crazy with wool and paper and sticks and twine. The girls join in and we set about making our christmas a handmade one.

This November I jumped on board with Stacey from the gorgeous pilgrim styling to post a #creationaday on Instagram for the month. I knew I'd be making things almost daily anyway! Pop over to her amazing blog for some inspiration. Here are some of my makes...

My Crochet Star Frame tutorial/pattern is here.

And my 7 and 4 yr old girls have been having fun too..

I've written a full tutorial for this crochet star frame here.

I've missed a few days but not due to lack of creativity, more lack of time to finish and post a picture.  One day I made a yummy pizza, the next an advent calendar, then a giant star made from old fence pailings....

November is not over yet.... 

I hope I've inspired you even just a little :)