Christmas is here!!

Other my knitting up a storm through my bag of odds and sods I have been hitting the christmas craft fair trail which keeps me extremely busy throughout November and December. But the light at the end of the tunnel is nigh and I finally had time to bleach, dust and purge our flat in time for our skinny christmas tree! Doesnt he look marvellous and cosy?? 

My christmas knitting has almost finished culminating in the creation of these crocheted/knitted reindeers, rather cute huh?

Finally I can move onto the granny square tea cosys amongst other things ...

Knitting Challenge - a continuation

well tis been a month since i began my knitting challenge and i am only a third of the way out the bag but i been busy making these ... 

pastel shades knitted stockings

The pattern for these super cute knitted stockings can be found  here

Also been making these ...

knitted christmas puds

The christmas puds have been a combinations of 2 different patterns but am working on a crochet version which is far faster to work up! If and when I have time i think i may write up the pattern for sale on etsy but definately a next year project for now.

Next up, i think i'll make a granny square tea cosy from these autumny colours but mind you i have been requested to knit a toddler yoda hat for crimbo (would it be cheating to add on those missed days to the other side of christmas??)

Pattern for the granny square cosy can be found in this vintage Patons knitting/crochet booklet with loads of kitschy vintage patterns. I have 3 of this booklets which i may put up onto my vintage shop whenever i get back into the filing cabinet which is now wedged in a cupboard with no room for the drawers to swing out!

This is the granny square cosy, I quite fancy those bobble egg cosys too! so cute!! but i may wait until december to make those with the remaining yarn as i can do lots of bright spring colours in time for next years easter - haha so organised!! (NOT)

knitting challenge

As an avid car booter I have amassed quite the collection of crafty type materials to the point where wool is now coming out of my ears (dont even talk to me about fabric!). However on my last car boot expedition I came across a nice lady with just as much wool as me for the princely sum of £1 a bag. I was torn ... but I have so much wool ... but it's so cheap!! my dithering lasted 3 nanoseconds before i said "yes sir yes sir three bags full" so off home I scuttled smug as anything with my bag bursting with newness (to me).

Now ive decided to set myself the challenge of finishing this bag before xmas, Ive had it for a few weeks now and knitted tons of mini-stockings but what else to do? Ive only 2 months left (ps im including the xmas break so technically ive gave myself till hogmanay - cheating slightly)

Will be updating my progress ...

scrappy wool bundle that I must knit through!!!!

A new hidden treasure

The constant packing and unpacking and loading and unloading is beginning to take its toll - I have taken to burying my head under the duvet with my knitting to escape from the cardboard city that has become my Living Room and Kitchen. 

However this weekend there was a small window of opportunity in which to escape and have a nice sunday drive as it was a super gorgeous day, the kind of autumn sunshiny day with crispy fresh air and snappy twigs under your feet. lush.

who can resist sunday retro tunes and sunshiny road conditions - perfect

Our drive took us to a new vintage treasure nestled in the scottish countryside just outside of Inverurie in Lethenty Mill. Here lies Nina's Apartment , a fresh and modern take on vintage and upcycling, the kind of shop we are seriously deprived of up here in the sticks. I just love Nina's mix of mid-century homewares and scandinavian influenced fabrics. Piles of patchwork and doily cushions are stacked with retro granny square throws. My favorite part was the outdoor cosy corner she had set up for her opening day. A mismash of recovered G-plan chairs, cosy throws and antique trunks which just works in the rural setting.

Nina's apartment is open by appointment and you can get in touch by email ninasapartment@gmail.com

vintage tins - extremely bargainous at £4 each!!

Look out for the Nina's Apartment sign

a fabric stack that makes me drool a little

cosy crochet and patchwork homewares

mismash retro outdoor seating that just works

shiny new shop!!

welcome welcome - today I am super chuffed to show you photos of the new shop which opened with a shebang on Saturday past (13th October 2012) but more about that laters. Am rather pleased with how its all came together, I was worried initially about the space and whether I would fit my piles and piles of fabrics, threads, buttons but with some clever storage solutions I think ive nailed it! what do you think?

our lovely new bright and airy new shoppy

Gift Shop Area 

Ceramics for painting

Ive also decided to make an effort to give the studio a more vintage twist so gone are the takeaway tubs for all the bits and bobs. Instead everything is in sweetie jars with brown paper typewritten labels tied on with some vintage lace - tres jolie me thinks.

We are moving!!

I cannot beleive that its almost been 2 years that I have embarked on this rollercoster journey of self-employment. But it has and that means I can finally take that enticing break on my suffocating 5 year lease on the unit. I feel there are greener pastures ahead when I move to my new home with Bead Pop (formerly bead crazy) on 19-21 St Andrew Street. Firstly its much better financially as I don't have profit crushing rent and rates to pay. Secondly its a street location with my own door and window with many a people tootling past by foot, car and bus. Well that's the theory anyway, I suppose I wont know until I am firmly in place.

Our current location was taken on with rose-tinted goggles I feel, I was so desperate to get into somewhere before christmas I rushed this transaction slightly and justified it to myself. I knew the footfall in the Galleria was pitiful but i goaded myself into thinking "oh passers-by wont paint plates on a whim" if I ramp up the external marketing people will come to me as its a "destination" but oh ho how wrong was I. I underestimated how much I needed people walking past just to see me and become curious. Even if they didn't paint that very day at least they would know my existence and that has been my major downfall.

But onwards and upwards and I am very excited about my new move so if i do become a hermit in the next month or so you shall know why!

Knitting Adventures

 People always ask me what's my favourite craft and for a couple of years now it appears that knitting continues to be an obsession. I do love toting my basket full of scrappy yarn aboot the toon so where has said basket been in recent days?? Well on one glorious sun shiny day me and basket parked up in Union Terrace Gardens and finished up some kitschy dinosaurs. Such bliss ...

a lovely rare day of sunshine in Aberdeen = outdoor knitting

I've also had an order and been manically knitting these mini-hearts for wedding favours - all 60 of them!! so glad to be done and now I can think about christmas knits!!

knitted mini-hearts in a cute mini basket was what inspired the wedding favours

60 ivory hearts for wedding favours