"The Craft Group" plus...

When you are really busy, don't you sometimes wish you could have just one more day to do things in? Well folks, this is the day! 29th February. Happy leap year day! Do something special.

Three Dimensional Rose - Tutorial sc= single crochet dc = double crochet ·       Chain 36. (anywhere between 36 and 52 depending on how big you want your flower) ·       Dc into 6 th chain from the hook. Chain 2. Dc into same space as the last. Chain 2. (Skip 2 chains, dc, chain 2, dc, chain 2)  repeat to end.     ·       6dc in first space. (Sc in next space. 6dc in next space) repeat to end. End off.          ·       Roll into itself. Using a wool needle, anchor with a few stitches at the back.         NB: Pattern for a more intricate one can be found at http://ninuskan.blogspot.com.au/2010/11/ruusun-aika.html        (If you can read Russian) Three Dimensional Rose- a second pattern Check it out at "Pom pom emporium"

I'm not sure if I have shown you these cute toys crocheted by Nadia. Even if I have, they are worth another look!  There's a few new creations as well. See, even a clinging toddler doesn't stand in the way of Mum creating! (Although it can make it a bit tricky!) The Little fella is getting bigger now and so, here are a few more creations... Too cute! This is "Upsidaisy Doll". Nadia copied the look from a 'Daisy May' knitting pattern but turned it into a crochet pattern.  And here is Sack Boy from 'Little big planet'. I dare not give her a photo of myself... she's likely to turn me into a crocheted doll!

Before The Craft Group started again for the year, I whipped up a new sign to show people where to find us in the church building. It's not exactly a masterpiece but any excuse to put light blue on white is a good one. Plus, I have to tell you, the canvas I used for the sign was a bargain! I found it on the side of the road in someones pile for 'council clean-up' and it was still wrapped in the plastic!!! Thankyou anonymous giver for cleaning out your craft supplies you knew you'd never use!

At the start of the year we always give a gift to the ladies who come along to the Enrolment Morning of The Craft Group.  Last year we made envelopes with a few goodies inside. This year we made little teabag packs with our very own labelled tea! Jenni and I were down the coast in the pretty coastal town of Milton with some friends from work, going in and out of those gorgeous gift shops. We didn't buy much but kept saying to each other..."Ooo remember that idea for Craft!"   So you see, our weekend away with the girls was really a Research Assignment ;)  We saw some cute little bags which we committed to memory and redesigned to suit our own purposes and then, I must say, Jenni did most of the work and put these little bags together. They contained some chocolates, a welcome note, calendar, tea bags and a magnet that says:  "For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you 'Do not fear, I will help you'". ...

We have 7 different crocheted flowers to show you and a tutorial for each one! I am very excited. Jenny showed us how to make our first flower. Here it is... Basic 6 Petal flower sc= single crochet dc = double crochet ·       Chain 6. Join 6 th chain to the 1 st chain to form a circle.   ·       Sc (single crochet) into the circle 12 times. Slip stitch into the 1 st sc.  ·       Chain 5. Slip into second sc. Repeat 5 times around the circle.           ·       In spaces created by the previous rounds chains, sc,3x dc, sc.    ·       Join to the first sc with a slip stitch. End off. Thanks Jenni. Next week's flower is apparently even easier. So watch the blog and I'll post it as soon as I can. Sorry about the blurry photos. I think yo...

This is the heaviest, warmest crocheted quilt I have ever felt. Bev made it from a pattern book which uses images from the Bible to base it's patterns on. This one is called "The Rose of Sharon". Isn't it beautiful? All the ladies who are coming to the group, or watching this blog for the crocheted flower patterns will be able to move onto bigger and greater things like this! What an inspiration Bev! (added later: It is a beautiful pattern from a book from Leisure Arts.  "Afghans inspired by Scripture" designs by Tammy Kreimeyer.)

This is a great pattern for making a special card. It can be embellished as simply or as ornately as you like. These are by Pat and Elly. Keep scrolling down for some good links on how to make this type of card. Here is a link for a pattern . Here is a really good you tube video tutorial which shows step-by-step how to do the folding of the card. I like the way she decorated hers. She calls it a "Step ladder card". Happy card making! Thanks for the inspiration Elly and Pat.

Barbara made this lovely jacket. Did you see the other clever cardigan she made? Barbara just started a full time job, so can't come to The Craft Group for a while.  You'll have to knit in your lunch break Barb!

In the past, making a quilt was often a community event. Recently I was part of a project where a group of us made a quilt for a friend. It was SO nice to secretly work on it and present it to her at the end. It came together really nicely. The basic idea was that we alternate a 9 patch square with a cream coloured square. These were all shared amongst us and we could do whatever we wanted on the blank square with the theme of a 'heart'. Working out where the pieces should live was a fun group task. Those squares were moved so many times! Here are a few of the squares I made.   Then we gave it to Vivienne who is an A-MA-ZING quilter. She sits for hours and hand quilts. I think she did it in a week!!!   Ta da! The finished quilt. Seeing as I have not finished a quilt on my own for such a long time, it was very satisfying to be a part of this lovely gift.   This quilt was not for Jenni. Sorry Jen.  But I stil...

Every crafter needs to make a new bag at least once a year, don't you think? Here's some inspiration. A Japanese bag by Sharyn. It is a brilliant design for slinging over your shoulder and going for a quick errand on your bike. That's what we all do regularly, don't we?  ;) Oops, it's sideways. Anyway, nice bag Sharyn.