Selfish Winter Crochet!

Since Christmas, I have been busily partaking in a little selfish crochet! I have been desperatly searching for a pattern for a slouchy hat for some time now and, as I was browsing the web, I stumbled upon the perfect pattern on a great website - Gleeful Things. 


Gleeful Things is written by Julie who lives near Los Angeles in California and is her place to share the things that make her happy, her gleeful things!  Her website features her blog, free crochet patterns, crafty tutorials and a link to her shop.  It is beautiful and well worth taking a look at.  

I have made two of the free hat patterns on her website, Gumdrop Slouchy Hat and Waffle Cone Slouchy Hat.  The patterns where extremley well written and really easy to follow and crocheted up really quickly - I crocheted the Gumdrop hat on the way to Bath!

Waffle Cone Slouchy Hat modelled by Fred the Head

Gumdrop Slouchy Hat modelled by Fred the Head!



I have also been having a go at a little mini designing of my own in the crochet world!  I had a fair amount of cream coloured yarn (different brands) in my stash and have turned it into a little set for myself!  I made a ribbed hairband, mesh stitch snood and some mitts.  To join them all together, and to add a splash of colour, I crocheted pink flowers for them all. 

A vision in cream!

Crafty Bath!

Last week saw the anniversary of 4 years of wedded bliss to Mr Bunny.  We chose to celebrate this momentous occasion with a few days away in a city we have been desperate to visit for quite some time.  Bath. 
Bath is famous for it's impressive Georgian architecture, Roman Baths and as home to Jane Austen.  We were not disappointed with our visit and spent hours wandering around admiring The Crescent visiting the Abbey and admiring the art work in The Victoria Art Gallery.  There was even time for a sneakily large piece of cake and a pot of Breakfast tea! 

The Crescent

However, behind the tourist attractions of Bath you will find an array of craft, wool, art and vintage shops awaiting us crafty types.  Being very organised, I had already made a comprehensive list of places I wished to visit so that I didn't miss out! 

First stop was The Makery, a cute little sewing shop nestled down an alley in the middle of the city.  I first became aware of The Makery through Mollie Makes magazine and, as well as the shop, they also have a separte premises where the majority of their workshops are held.  Although small, the shop sells a good selection of fabric and other bits 'n' bats including stamps and thread.  I purchased 2 fat quarters of fabric, a hair slide ready to be decorated (I think I'm going to use buttons), a magnetic bag clasp and a wooden bobbin purely because I liked it. 

The Makery

Wool is, as the name suggests, a yarn shop.  It is situated in the middle of the city and stocks a wide range of yarns in all weights.  I spotted popular brands such as Rowan and Debbie Bliss as well as some less well known ones.  They also stock needles, hooks and some very pretty stitch markers.  There was a good selection of patterns and books with a comfy couch (which was wearing a rather pretty granny square throw) on which to sit and peruse these.  Although I didn't buy anything from here, I was getting rather tired by this point in the day, the lady in the shop was really friendly and helpful and was assissting some of the locals.

Wool

The final crafty attraction, which was also my favourite, was my trip to Great British Yarns (GBY).  GBY can be found on a little industrial estate just off the A4 as you head towards Bristol.  It's location means that parking is really easy and, as I did, men can be left in the car safely as long as you leave the window open for them!  GBY is mainly an internet based yarn store however, a trip to the showroom is a must if you are ever in the area!  The properitor of the shop (who I think is called Sharon but don't quote me on that!) is exceptionally friendly and explained really clearly how the showroom works - basically she has one of each yarn in each colour on display and then you just ask for the quantities and she goes and gets it for you!  They stock a great range of yarn - Rowan, Debbie Bliss, Jamieson Shetland, some King Cole and Knit Picks.  I had gone for the Knit Picks, which is amazing! Everything is organised really well with clear prices.  They also stock a good selection of patterns and books and KnitPro hooks and needles (yes I did buy a new hook).  I had a lovely natter whilst I was paying and shopping at GBY was such a great experience.  It is well worth checking out the online shop if you can't get to the showroom.


My stash from Great British Yarns

Bath is a beautiful and amazing city to visit both for it's traditional tourist attractions as well as it's crafty ones!  It is definitley a city I will be visiting again. 

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012!

Photo courtesy of Ludie Cochrane via Flickr

It's that time of the year again when we reflect on what the past year has brought us and think about what we hope the New Year will bring. 

2011 has been a fantastic year for the Gingerbread Bunny.  It was the year that I launched my blog and my (very small) business.  I have enjoyed blogging much more than I initially thought I would and have shared my crafty work and connected with so many wonderful like minded people.  It has been amazing.

2011 was the year I taught myself some new crafty skills.  I learnt how to knit and crochet and I am truly a yarn addict.  (My current work in progress is a jumper!  I never thought I would be crocheting a jumper by the end of the year!)

2011 was also the year I taught my first ever crafty workshops and I loved it.  The feedback was great and I am really looking forward to teaching more in the future.

I hope that 2012 will see The Gingerbread Bunny continue to grow as a blog and as a business.  I am also looking forward to teaching more workshops and sharing my love of crafting with others. 

I have set myself 2 crafty resolutions;

To learn how to do Tunisian crochet.  I saw Holly (who has started a crafty blog - check it out) doing some Tunisian crochet and the final effect is gorgeous.  

I  also what to attend more workshops next year.  I have already enroled on the next Textiles course at night school for this term and am really looking forward to it.  I really want to go on a dressmaking course and definitley need to get myself booked onto another art journaling workshop at Art from the Heart in Harrogate!

Since Mr Bunny is working a night shift,  I will be seeing in the New Year on my own with my art journal and a glass of rose.  I will complete the final page in my 2011 art journal, reflecting on what the year has given me, and will begin my 2012 art journal, thinking about my own personal goals for this year. 
All that leaves me to do is to wish you all a Happy New Year.  See you in 2012!

Christmas Makes!

So it is over for another year: Christmas has been and gone in the blink of an eye and, if I'm being completley honest, I haven't fully recovered yet!  I love Christmas and was lucky enough to spend it with the people I love and care about most.  Plenty was eaten on Christmas day, lots has been drunk (and still is being) and presents have been given and received.

As you may remember, I was making quite a few of my gifts this year and now that they have been given, I can share pictures of them with you.

Some of the items I made!

I crocheted many pairs of fingerless mitts, hats and cowls, made a rag wreath heart for my aunty, a batik 'Socks in progress' bag for my friend (which I forgot to photograph) and of course there was the scarf of doom I knitted. 

Rag Wreath Heart

I also put together some crafty gifts, mainly some gorgeous hand spun and dyed sock yarn to go with the sock bag and I bought my mum some beautiful sparkly yarn to crochet with.

The Christmas cards I made have been admired and commented on by the lucky people who received them (check them out here).

I to received some lovely crafty Christmas gifts including some homemade blackberry vodka, homemade fudge and Kirsties' new craft book.