Happy Easter!

Happy Easter weekend!

Pattern Review - Mary Jane Slippers

Pattern Review - Mary Jane Slippers

I learned to crochet in January 2011.  I picked up the basics fairly quickly but quickly got bored with practicing on the dishcloth I started. Of course, once I finished it, that was one lop-sided dishcloth! But I finished it and it was almost square and I gave it to a lovely lady in Punta Cana and she loved it.

Then I wanted to try another project but had no idea where to start.

Until my daughter sent me an email with a photo of a pair of slippers she wanted.

They were for Mary Jane Slippers.

And they were crochet, not knit.

It turns out, she had no idea they were crochet, she just liked them.  And since I'd just learned to crochet, I thought I'd give them a try.

This pattern is AMAZING! 

Such an easy pattern to follow!

And I made that first pair and was pleased with the result - all the mistakes were so well hidden - well, to an amateur like me, or to my daughter who couldn't tell if it was crochet or knit!  :)

I then went on to make many more of these slippers - at least 11 pair, if not more!  I love the pattern!  The recipients love the slippers!

Here is the link to Mary Jane Slippers on ravelry.

So, whether you are new to crochet, or an expert, I'd recommend this pattern!

I love it!

Happy St Patricks Day!

Above print available at LilyandVal on etsy.

Pattern Review - All Wrapped Up -- Bow Headband

Pattern Review - All Wrapped Up -- Bow Headband

I was asked to knit a headband in January.  I looked on ravelry.com for a free pattern and found the All Wrapped Up Bow Headband among others.

I love it.

It is a great pattern. 

Well written and simple.

And I made 11 in less than 2 months!

They are just so popular!

Modifications:

1.  The first headband I made, I used a slightly smaller yarn and once complete, I just didn't think it was suitable. So I held the yarn double and re-knit it and was thrilled with the results.

2.  I didn't read the instructions for the bow very well because I didn't do the first few in stockinette stitch.  :)  They still look good, but oops.

3.  One recipient requested a flower instead of a bow, so I used this flower pattern (crochet, not knit).

All in all, its a great pattern, well received by my friends and family, and a quick knit. 

Thanks Beth of North ThirtyFourth for a great pattern!

DIY on Etsy

Today's "Etsy Finds" email had a great focus on DIY patterns and products available on Etsy.

And my PatternsAndSuch Etsy shop has lots of those for you to choose from!

March - Lion or Lamb?

Now, will March come in like a lion? or a lamb?

Featured Shop!

How cool is this?

My VintageAndSuch shop on Etsy is featured on this blog as one of the best vintage Etsy shops in Canada!

Cool Stuff on Etsy

Got my "Etsy Finds" email today and there is some really cool stuff here!

Click the image to see:

Christmas Memories

Do you have a favourite Christmas memory?

This post may not be about my favourite Christmas. Or even my most memorable Christmas.

But it's a Christmas that I remember.

I was still in elementary school, and my sister and I had asked Santa for new games for Christmas.  We were a farming family without loads of money so a major form of entertainment was board games and such.

I asked for Don't Break The Ice. I have no idea what my sister asked for - I should ask her some day.

Christmas morning came and we eagerly opened our gifts from Santa.  As luck would have it, I was kneeling beside my sister when we grabbed the boxes from under the tree with our name on it.  I quickly ripped mine open, and so did she.

Then we both kind of froze.

Just looking at our gifts.

My mom, who had been watching from the doorway, asked what was wrong.

I looked at my sister's gift and said "that's the one  I wanted", and my sister looked at mine and said "and that's the one I wanted".

My mom quickly stepped in and grabbed the games from both of us, giving mine to my sister and hers to me, and said "Santa made a mistake".

LOL

I guess it happens from time to time.

So yes, I got Don't Break the Ice.  And yes, I loved that game!!

SALE! Crochet Club of London

The Crochet Club of London

Hand-made items for sale!

Masonville Mall:

 

Friday, December 14

and

Saturday, December 15

 

 

Turkeys Incognito

Happy Thanksgiving to all in the US celebrating today.

Thanks to Lion Brand for the funny!

Sale! The Crochet Club of London

The Crochet Club of London

Hand-made items for sale!

Masonville Mall:

Wednesday, November 14 and Thursday, November 15

and

Friday, December 14 and Saturday, December 15

Remember . . .

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Time to Turn Back the Clock!

Time to Turn Back the Clock!

This weekend! 

Turn your clocks back an hour!

Girl Guide Scarves for Guiders

Here are a few of the Girl Guide scarves for Guiders (leaders) in Canada.

This first one is the International scarf, worn when travelling outside Canada, though I think we should wear it much more often because it really is a nice scarf.

I like to tie it so that its folded diagonally to make a strip, then make a knot at the centre of the scarf that will be front and centre, and then the ends are tied behind the neck.  Some day I'll get a photo of that.

I also have this one - I bought it off ebay and I love the maple leaves and the Trefoil.

I love this one and I think I'll wear it with my uniform!

I have no idea when it was created or worn - or by which members of Girl Guides of Canada.  I'd like to know though. I did see a similar one on ebay once - and even grabbed the photo (I'd give credit to whoever was selling it but that was many years ago). I've never seen another one like these.

There is a new Girl Guide scarf for leaders in Canada this year - a tad on the pricey side, but since the quantity they'll sell is miniscule compared to the number of girls' scarves sold, I can see that producing them probably cost more.

It is quite similar to the one I bought on ebay and I think I like my ebay one better - with the Trefoils throughout the scarf.

What are your thoughts? Do you have a scarf for Guiders that isn't here? Leave a comment.
Maybe you know about those maple leaf and Trefoil scarves! I'd love to hear from you.