Tuesday 4 June 2013

Cockerel, Squares, and Pretty Town




Hello blogging friends! Well I don't know where the past week has gone - but gone it has and it won't be back! I know by some of the recent posts I've caught up with that there has been a general busy-ness among you with lots of lovely results showing from your activities, and so now it's time to show you what I've been up to!

First off I'm showing you a cockerel that I appliquéd a while back - and in fact it may be as far back as five years ago! You see, I went to a day workshop and 'produced' this bird - finishing it off at home cause there wasn't enough time to bring it to completion in the class - but since then it's been folded up in a drawer as I couldn't decide what to do with it! Well it wasn't that I didn't like it - I really did - but making it into a cushion would have been a bit risky because when it finally needed to be washed, as it surely would sometime, I thought the little bird might disintegrate.

So there it's been hiding, quite forgotten for a while, until I needed to appliqué a little thing onto the front of 'Annie's' apron (see previous post), and needed to re-check on how to do it! Well, like I said, it was a while ago! Then on one of Sue's posts sweetpeafamilyblog.blogspot,com I spotted a lovely chook on a card so that was another prompt for me to do something about my poor little cockerel. Anyway, to cut a long story short, as soon as my little bird hopped out of the drawer J said we should have him framed and hang him up, so that is the next job planned when we make the next trip into Albany.

Do have a look at him before he goes behind glass!

Do you think he's worth the expense of framing?

So what have I actually been doing this past week! Well, for starters I have rested my ripple blanket because I needed some calming colours, just for a change. You may remember me mentioning a while back that, apart from the rainbow colours for the ripple blanket, I had quite a few more muted shades in the Stylecraft Special DK with which I would probably do another blanket? Yes, well, that's what I've been doing, using two blocks from Jan Eaton's '200 Crochet Blocks' book, namely Number 35, Tricolour Square, and Number 55 Centred Square.

I did run into a slight, but easily fixable, problem which unfortunately I didn't realise until joining time: the stitch count on the final round of the No. 35 squares was a bit less than those on the Number 55, and the size was slightly smaller too, so I then had to work another round and increase a little on the corners. It worked out fine but was a bit of a nuisance 'cause I really wanted to get those squares joined up. You know the feeling I'm sure, you've come to this stage and longing to see it all together but have to be patient a bit longer! That's all! But another lesson learned and I will be more particular another time and maybe just follow Jan's suggestions regarding her mix-and-match blocks, for after all, there were plenty others I could have used!

I chose blues:

And pinks and mauves;


Then I laid them out, working towards a nice balance, and at the same time pairing the colours up as best as I could:


And here we have them joined and waiting for the next step: will it be more blocks or will it be a wide stripey granny border, or what? I haven't decided but I do know there won't be any more of no. 35 or no. 55 because I need a bit of variety again! Well, that's just me isn't it! Do you need variety, or can you carry on with the same thing over and over again? I suppose it depends on the situation eh!





Now it just remains for me to show you some pics of our lovely river. This is prompted by me seeing a particular pic on Sharron's last blog  ('Annie's Place' - hookandbake.blogspot.co,) which really resembled, to me, this part of the river area in our little town. Perhaps if I saw the two photos together, side by side, I may say no, they're not all that similar, but the resemblance was enough to get me busy with the camera anyway:


And so my friends that's it for this time! I'm off to feed a hungry husband - and myself probably - then back into working on that blanket to see what creative notion takes me - I kinda think it's beginning to feel like lots of coloured stripes - we'll see - watch this space!

Thank you all again for your lovely comments on my previous posts - I do so enjoy reading and replying to them, as well as following your lovely blogs. This blogging has become quite exciting for me and it's all due to you lovely folks out there who take the time and care enough to connect with me. Thank you!

Be good to yourselves and each other and I wish you happy crafting times.

Joy xx


32 comments:

  1. He is definetly worth framing.You done a very neat job.love the colours and pattern choice.You should do more applique,if you can fit it in between your blanket your doing x

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    1. Hello Joy, and thank you so much for your lovely input - I'm glad you like him! Joy x

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  2. Oh Joy....your blanket is G O R G E O U S! I love the mixture of different squares and can relate to matching the squares the exact size. Can't wait to see it when complete....have fun!
    xx Shari

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    1. Hi Shari - I feel very flattered that you admire my blanket - I get blown away by the beauty of yours, such a wonderful job you do of each and every one! Thank you so much! Joy xx

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  3. He is so lovely, definitely worth framing! Your blanket is wonderful, so pretty xoxo

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    1. Elisabeth, thank you so much for saying so - I very much appreciate your kind comments! Joy xx

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  4. You have been busy! The appliqué is lovely, yes definitely have it framed!
    M x

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  5. Hello again M, and a huge thank you to you. Looks like its a big yes for Mr Cockerel, and now comes the tricky part of choosing a suitable frame! Joy x

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  6. Hello Joy.
    Hope your well. Well I think YES it's well worth framing and looks brilliant, your very neat aren't you. That blue your using looks very calming and a wonderful shade.
    Loving the Granny squares they look brilliant...maybe a bit complicated for me just yet, maybe one day.
    Did you read the comment on my blog that a lady named Jen left? she said how she always enjoys reading your comments to me. I thought it was a lovely comment she left have a gander if your passing.
    Well it looks like you've had a busy bee week, getting lots done putting me to shame still haven't finished my cushion naughty me xx

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  7. Hello again FB,
    Lovely to see you here again and yes, I am well, thank you !
    I'm so glad you like Mr Cockerel, thank you, and it's been decided: he is definitely having a frame around him as soon as I can organise it.
    I haven't yet seen Jen's comment but will check this morning. How sweet of her to say so! Isn't it wonderful, the amount of lovely people we meet whilst blogging - I am soooo enjoying it all and I can tell you are too!
    You know FB, 'there's a time and a place' and you will finish your cushion in due course - just be happy doing whatever you're doing meantime - go with the flow! I'll enjoy seeing it when the time is right, as will many others, no doubt!
    Thank you again for your sweet and lovely comments. Joy xx

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    1. Good advice Joy I think I will go with the flow and not put as much pressure on myself. Yes I am enjoying this blogging lark and it is lovely meeting lovely bloggy people like yourself xx

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  8. Joy, the cockerel is something else - of course you should put it in a frame it is really beautiful. I also like the blanket colours and I think a deep dc border would bring it all together. You did well to get the different sized squares joined so evenly. Looking forward the final show of that one. Thanks as ever for your joyful comments you leave on my blog. Jo x

    http://joeveryday19.blogspot.co.uk/

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  9. Oh Jo, it's so good to hear from you again and thanks so much, as always, for your lovely messages!
    I started in on the border last night and am doing very similar to what you suggest - with the odd treble round added in here and there. I'm loving it! So relaxing after all the concentration required, especially for No. 35!
    Yeah, Mr Cockerel is off to the framers later this week - I'm so glad you like him - he has been well received overall!
    Have a great 'rest of the week'!
    Joy x

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  10. Hi Joy, looking at your amazing blanket the lovely squares its made up, I can see that saying that (me) using cheap wool is not the best is proving right. Because looking at your squares, the wool and squares seem to even lie differently with the lovely yarn that your using. They look chunky and feel right compared to the flimsy yarn that I've been using.Lovely shots of what I think may be denmark?

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    1. So nice to have you here again, and thank you so much - I am really loving this blanket more as it progresses!
      I need to add to the comment I left you regarding yarn because there are exceptions and this Stylecraft is definitely one of those! It's actually acrylic, which I never ever would use in the past - that is until it came so highly recommended by both Sharron (Annie's Place) and Lucy (Attic 24) plus many others since then. I sent to the UK for it - wonderful range of colours, so soft, light and easy to work with, doesn't feel at all like acrylic, and is very reasonably priced at around $2.60 Australian for 100 gms.. Postage is only @7.50 or, if you spend over $100 it's free and it was dispatched on day of order and arrived in two weeks. Deramores is the site!
      (I am not being paid for this advert ha ha )!!!
      Yes, the pics are of beautiful Denmark - the river with the hotel in the background there.
      Happy crafting,
      Joy x

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  11. Wow, Joy, these colours are wonderful - do you have a list of the colours you used? I would love to creatively borrow your colour scheme. I am incredibly lucky to have a friend who runs a yarn shipping business and has a huge stock of style craft in her garage, 5 minuets from my house. I may have to go and see her!
    (Thank you for visiting www.blackberryandcrumble.blogspot.co.uk, I thought I'd pop over and say hi here)
    Emily x

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  12. So nice to see you here Emily and I'm so pleased you are taken with my colour choices! It's Stylecraft Special DK and here they are:

    White, Parchment, Mocha and Silver
    Pale Rose, Raspberry
    Cloud Blue, Denim
    Wisteria, Grape.

    How fortunate that you have a supply so handy to home - I hope you get the ones you want - all the best with it!
    Joy x

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  13. Brilliant, thank you. Not my 'usual' colours, but really lovely x

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  14. Hi Joy another beautiful post your cockerel is lovely and should be on view and not in a drawer. I love your blanket and the colours are perfect.
    Thank you so much for your kind comments they are greatly appreciated
    Have a good weekend
    Sue x

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    1. Hi Sue, so nice to hear from you again, and thank you for your lovely message!
      Mr Cockerel is being taken on a drive today to get 'measured up' and then 'locked in'! And THEN, we're going to hang him - poor chook!!!
      I am so glad to know you love my blanket - I too love these colours, and in fact, I'm enjoying them so much I think I'll just keep going on the border - they are my colours!
      Joy x

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  15. I've so enjoyed catching up on all your exploits Joy, what lovely applique work you've produced. Can't wait to see it framed, as it should be! Your Jan Eaton blocks are wonderful together, and I have to agree I'm with you when it comes to needing some variety. As you know I'm forever flitting between projects! Hope your weekend is full of fun x

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    1. P.S. Those river shots are gorgeous, and yes, they sure do resemble the embankment near me! x

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    2. Wonderful to have you pop in again dear Sharron - thank you so much for the lovely things you always say to encourage and lift me!
      Mr Cockerel has gone to 'get fixed up' and now I have to wait for 10 whole days to get him back: funny that, I've hardly looked at him for five years and am now impatient to see him in his 'finished' state!
      I really appreciate your vote of approval on the blocks, thank you, and I'm loving this project more and more as it progresses.
      Wishing you a fun weekend too!
      Joy x

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  16. Hi Joy
    A big thank you from the other side of the world for your lovely comment on my blog today. I've just had a quick mosey through your recent posts and I see you are a sucker for colour just like me, and all the things you make look fabulous. I'll try visit again soon. Thanks again ♥
    Karen
    xx

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    1. Hi Karen - I'm very happy you made the time to pop over and I really appreciate your visit and lovely comments, thank you.
      I didn't mention before but you are living in my 'born and brought up' area of Bonnie Scotland - such beauty to behold I'm sure you agree!
      Please feel welcome to visit again soon Karen, thank you!
      Joy xx

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  17. Hi Joy, your colour blocks are lovely they will make a great blanket. I still haven't tried anything like this. And your advice about stylecraft is actually quite interesting! perhaps i should try this yarn afterall. Thank you also for your lovely comments over on my blog, much appreciated, Heather X

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    1. Hi Heather, and a big welcome back! Thank you once again for your lovely message!
      I'm sure you would love the satisfaction of working up a few of these blocks - they allow the imagination to run riot with regard to the finished product.
      I have found the Stylecraft to be quite wonderful to work with Heather and the colour range huge - over forty of them - do give it a go when you get opportunity; I still love my wools and cottons too but haven't found any to match these colours yet!
      I do wish you a wonder-filled weekend with lots of peaceful 'me' time!
      Joy x

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  18. Hello Joy, Your crochet blocks are truly colorful and beautiful. The river photos are all lovely. I love your rooster creations.. I am working on a rooster too. I am your newest follower.. Have a lovely week. Hugs Judy

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    1. Hello and welcome Judy - I'm very happy you found your way here! Thank you so much for your lovely comments and I'll be watching out for your rooster making his grand appearance!
      I hope your week is lovely too, thank you!
      Hugs to you too,
      Joy x

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  19. Oh Joy, what a lovely post this is! Your cockerel is quite the handsome fellow...far too handsome to be tucked away in a drawer. You absolutely NEED to frame him! Your stitching is just lovely! :)...And, your crochet is stunning!!! All those beautiful colors and interesting squares. I love all of your choices for this blanket. ... Lastly, the photos of the river that runs through your town are just so pretty. It looks like the perfect place to sit and enjoy a lazy summer day! xo

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  20. Hello - your beautiful comments are so uplifting, thank you!
    Mr Cockerel is away 'being tended to' and I hope to have him back in about ten days time - so no doubt he will be standing up and crowing then!!!
    I'm so happy you like my crochet and colour choices - I feel very encouraged by your enthusiasm, thank you!
    That area down by the river is such a beautiful restful place - very popular - we are very thankful to call this pretty little town our home!
    Joy xo

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  21. Hello and welcome to my little space - I'm so glad you like it here, thank you! I have just had a quick visit to your place and joined as a follower so I will be enjoying more of your lovely recipes in the future, thank you!
    Joy x

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