Thread 'Bears'

 Here are a few pix of the Thread Bears, cats etc I've made recently. I'm still quite poorly, and on the weak side so not been able to get round to see many of your blogs, I will do as and when I'm able - to enjoy some inspiration ....I seem to be totally out of it when it comes to making cards at present. The patterns for all these are kindle downloads from Amazon, I've added a direct link to each pattern with my photos. You don't need to own a Kindle, Amazon provide a free download for your p.c.

This is my first cat, made for my daughter 

All the following are jointed, as the pattern instructs, I find it the hardest part.

A cat for a friend..I must sent it to her !!

A polar bear, already sent and received, for another friend

A rather big eared rabbit,for my daughter

All in the Pink For Dawn's BCA Challenge

The Breast Cancer Awareness Challenge at Dawn's Crafting runs until 29th Sept, so you've still plenty of time to make an entry for a chance to win one of the prizes, Sponsors listed below. You can read all about why she is hosting this challenge, I'm sure you'll agree it's a very worthwhile cause, and it's very personal to her. You'll find Dawn's post showing her having her head shaved, and more GDT projects here, and her most recent update, with stunning inspiration here. She has a Just Giving Page if you'd like to donote. 

The Challenge is Breast Cancer Awareness, or Think Pink, and there is a sister challenge with the same theme over at The Crafty Pad....with a whole different list of sponsors. 

And now the Sponsors for Dawn's Challenge. I have added this cute mini crocheted pink hand bag charm...my very first Thread-bear, to the box of crocheted lace and fimo embellishments. As you can see she is dressed up for a day out. My hooky thingy is from Bead's Direct, as is the heart Hand Made By charm. My yarn is from Purple Linda, and the ribbon is stash. 

Made using pattern download from Amazon, many cute thread-bears to chose from. The one here is a bear called Bombon. I used ticket #20 Crochet yarn and 1.25mm hook. 3mm black beads for eyes and embroidery floss for details. 

To find out exactly what each is offering, and a chance to win, go to Dawn's Crafting . 

I'd Like to enter my Thread-bear in the 

 Anything But a Card Challenge - Texture ends 28th Sept

Another LUFP

Just wanted to share a project I'm very proud to be involved in, to make a crocheted patchwork blanket. It's for the daughter of a friend, she was diagnosed just a few months after her baby daughter was born. She's undergoing chemo at the moment. A group of us are each making squares and my friend will be putting them all together and making the quilt. Her favourite colour is purple and I have a few other squares in purple with a pink flower on it. All the squares will be joined together with purple yarn. 

Amber's Crafts & Stuff #10 Cats & Dogs.

This week Amber has asked us to make something with our Furry Friends in mind. I crocheted this fish toy  for my daughters cat. She hasn't been well enough to have him in her room for a cuddle for quite some time and they miss each other. If he finds an item of her clothing in the laundry (if I leave it unguarded after sorting to wash lol) he will drag it out and lie on it. Before we gave this to him, she cuddled it to get her scent on it for him. 

It's originally an idea I had for a soap saver for my grandson - I left this one open too so I can stuff it with cat nip (when it arrives through the post). At the moment it has a little bag of wadding inside a lovely noisy scrunchie celophane bag - another thing he delights in. 

Here's a few pix of him 'delighting' in his new toy. Taken with my phone so not good....as usual lol.

So the idea is to make anything you like with your furbaby in mind...scrapbook page, toy, or whatever you like with a dog or cat image on it somewhere, then pop over to join in the challenge here. You'll find more inspiration from the rest of this weeks design team. 

Some challenges I hope will accept me. ..

Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT Challenge -  Use Orange Somewhere in Project

DDH Challenges - Anything but a card

Creative Cowgirls - Anything Goes

Scrappy Frogs - Anything goes

A Round Tuit #2

This isn't a round tuit that's been hanging around for years, it's a baby one of only about 4mths old. Oh by the way, it's a bag for my glasses. I'm having to wear two pair  again (both bi-focals, don't ask), my new pair I can do my really close work, but I need the old pair in order to read anything on the laptop. I keep shoving the 'pair in waiting' down the front of my tee-shirt, and then when I bend down the glasses drop on the floor..hence a bag to keep them safe...besides its so much easier then having to go back round the garden looking for the pair I dropped while out cutting flowers for my daughters sickroom. 

It's quite fine crochet yarn...I'm using a 2mm hook...not sure what that would be in American terms..but it's very tiny. It's the same as I've been using for my flowers. 

The lacey straps

 I chain stitched a little swirly decoration below the flower,

 you may have to click the picture to see it properly. 

 I'm quite pleased with my double layered flower, I've a few more of those made,

 as you can see I added little lemon pearls to it. 

 Some scalloped lace edging and pearls along the top.

A couple of Challenges I'd Like to Try For....

Anything Goes Challenge - Pearls

Lexi's Creations - Anything But A Card

Amber's Crafts & Stuffs #4 Challenge. A New Technique.

I love trying new techniques, it what the challenges are all about afterall....learning and stretching ourselves. I've learnt so much in my few short months in blogland. I've wanted to give this Spotlighting Technique a try for a while so with our new challenge over at Amber's Crafts and Stuff being to Try A New Technique...I couldn't hold back any longer could I.  I really love the look it gives to a card.

It was my very first time using a crop-e-dile too, which is why you see the little ribbon embellishment next to my eyelet....it's to disguise the hole I cut in wrong place : D!!!

 I've used the adorable little Housemouse stamps again, and coloured my second layer in slightly darker colours to make the 'spotlight's' pop a little more...I also outlined them in red promaker. My images are coloured in pencils crayons though...just for a change.

As you can see I've used another of  my crochet roses, and gave it some crocheted leaves and a couple of tendrils too. 

Below is the sketch I used.  I've got this labeled as Lynns Sketch, it's by Quirky Crafts Challenge, and ran a few weeks ago. 

Now I'm sure you all  have a technique or two you've been itching to have a go at.....so go ahead and join us in the challenge here 

My Receipe -

Image ...House Mouse Designs

DP's and Sticker Sentiment - Craft Creations

Colourant - WH Smith Blendable Pencils

promarker to outline.

Ribbon & eyelets - Stash 

Sketch - Quirky Crafts

Crochet flower - Handmade.

A few Challenges I've entered...

Claudia & Co - Monochromatic

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes with optional  Something New (technique, Papers, Cop-e-dile)

The Stamping Boutique - Handmade Flowers 

Catch The Bug Challenge - Anything Goes 

Craft Your Days Away - Spots and Stripes

Marks Finest Papers - Spotlight an Animal on Your Card

One Stop Craft Challenge - Spots and Dots 

I Got A Round Tuit #1

Jill over at Creating My Way To Success is challenging us to Get A Round Tuit ...see badge in my sidebar. My first project has been to finish this panda I was making for my grandson....all it needed was his ears - just his ears, and then of course, sewing and stuffing etc. 

The most troublesome part of this had been his head, seriously, and without exaggeration, this is his 19th head. I just could not get it right. My grandson would come and ask if his panda was finish and I'd have to say no, and tell him how many head's he had got up to lol. Then finally I got his head on - came to a complete stop.....and Jack has long since stopped asking for him. 

Now I know he's a little long in the snout for a panda...but I didn't know that till he was stuffed, and I don't care, and neither will Jack. I didn't intentionally make him a panda cub either, but that's how he turned out and I think he's cute. 

By the way, if panda's don't have tails....please don't tell me lol.  

Crocheted toys

Here are some of the crocheted toys I've made, mostly for my grandson Jack. You'll be relieved to know that sometimes he goes home with the toy before I take a pic, so you are spared the full inventory.

I mostly make them up as I go along, I like to have a picture of what I'm supposed to be making. I don't turn patterns, I've tried writing it as I make, but it slows me down, and I like to crochet with my brain in neutral (it's happiest state).

 Jack likes dino's, and aliens, and stuff from the tv progs he watches. He's recently started asking for dino's that I can't even pronounce. I put him off (wicked Nana) by saying, just bring me a picture and I'll make it. He finally said, well can you just make me a Panda.....you don't need a picture for that do you. He had his usual sweet smile but I'm sure there was a trace of sarcasm in his voice lol.

An Alien, he'd like all his toys this size, but his Mom said she'd need another house for them.

dinos from ice age 3

Another alien, falling out of his bed lol.

From ice age 3.

Turtle from Nemo

I'd started this for my daughter, she'd reminded me I never got her the pony she'd wanted as a child lol. I nearly finished and I just didn't like it.....Jack did, so of course.....The bits of loose yarn is where he had a try at sewing.

Some of you may recognise these from Shaun the Sheep. I think this is the mommy.

Shaun and a needle felted Timmy

A few of his toddler toys 

A soap Saver I made for him.

That's all folks, well done if you managed not to fall asleep.