Tag: Fashion/Home Decor

It’s Monday…….Time to make some tough decisions… See what’s happening with Vickys Handcrafted Designs

Hi everyone hope you are all well. Its been a rollercoaster of a year some great things happened and some not so great things happened. Some happy and some very sad and devastating. Its been a year of great changes, triumphs and tragedies. Its also been a year where some tough decisions had to be made.

Part of my reason to start my crochet page was to develop a business along the way. I did do that and had many years of enjoyment running my own business, but as time went on and the pandemic hit, it became more difficult to keep going. I persevered in the hope that things will improve. They didn’t, I became more disillusioned, more unhappy, couple that with other things happening at the time and crocheting seemed more like a chore rather than something I looked forward to. Something had to be done and now!

I decided to let go of the business component, forget about marketing and selling and just enjoy the art of crochet and all the other crafts I like to do. Its been four months since I made that decision and already I can see the benefits. I am no longer tied to a clock, having to produce product by a certain time. I am free to create or not depending on what my schedule is. It has also allowed to me explore other crafts that I like such as drawing and painting and also weaving. Being your own boss is great but sometimes the business ends up being the boss, that is something I definitely wasn’t happy with.

There are also so many work in progress projects I had commenced and never got the chance to finish.

  1. coasters –
  2. handbag
  3. table runner

I had started projects 2 and 3 quite a while ago and the coaster this week using a loom weaving technique. I am planning on adding some crochet motifs to it. I am hoping to finish as many as I can and showcase them each week. I will also try and include the pattern or if I made the pattern up include that.

All in all its been a great decision and something I am glad I made! What has been your epiphany this year? What changes have you made that has helped in your daily life?

Thank you as always for reading my posts. Until next time happy crafting

Vicky

2

Work in Progress Wednesday…..more progress on the Tunisian crochet baby blanket I am making.

Tunisian crochet

When I first started to learn Tunisian crochet I really was horrible at it and thought there is no way that I am going to get the hang of this. I am glad I stuck it out and kept going until I really did get it.

There are so many more forms of crochet I would love to learn still, so far out of what I have learnt this is my favourite.

I have been working on a blanket inspired by a design from crochet designer Dijana Warrender from the book Tunisian Crochet from absolute beginner to advanced.

It’s in 100% cotton using a 4.5mm Tunisian crochet hook. I love the simplicity of this blanket and at the same time the intricate basket weave pattern.

I can’t wait to finish this and continue on this wonderful crochet journey. What is your favourite type of crochet.

Thank you as always for reading my posts. Catch up with you all soon.

Vicky

0

Brrr, it’s getting cold outside!….Warm fluffy blankets are what I am thinking about!

Can’t believe it’s nearly winter. For those who know me, it’s not my favourite season that’s for sure! The only thing I like about winter is the food and fashion and decor. It gives me a reason to take out my warm fluffy blankets, eat delicious soups and casseroles and adorn myself in scarves and fluffy sweaters.

I have been working on a gorgeous baby blanket using the front and back stitches in alternative rows. This gives the blanket a beautiful soft texture as well as making the blanket more flexible. This blanket once done will be 1 metre by approximately 1 metre or 40 inches by 40 inches for those that aren’t familiar with the metric system. This is perfect for a crib or toddler bed. Its extra wide on the side of the blanket so you can drape it over and tuck it in.

Can’t wait to show you the finished blanket. That will be in a few weeks. I am using 4 seasons Marvel 8ply for the main body of the blanket. I recently ordered some more from my local Spotlight store. I love how soft and flexible this yarn is! You can use it not only for blankets but also hats, scarves and many more items. It comes in many colours too! Spotlight has an awesome online store too!

Here are a few progress photos along the way. This blanket is also inspired from a pattern from the talented designer Catherine Crochets. You can find her patterns on Instagram.

This blanket also represents my first venture in design. I am thinking of writing up the pattern but I will see once I finish the whole blanket.

Thank you as always for reading my posts. I hope you have a wonderful week.

Vicky

ps. any links that I put are my own opinions and I am not affiliated nor do I receive any income from these links.

0

Throw back Thursday….. Looking back at some of the Art of Crochet squares I have made!

I have finally finished all the Art of Crochet squares and am now frantically sewing them together.

The Art of Crochet Throw https://instagram.com/vickys_handcrafted_designs

This blanket is a departure from my usual muted earthy tones. To be honest bright colours scare me! This blanket though changed all of that! I love all of these colours and how they all interact and mingle together.

This is series 2 of the art of crochet series! I hope they do a series 3!

Vicky

0

2022 hear I am! It’s been a challenging few years for everyone – How to stay Positive

Well here we are the start of a new year and many a new resolution. Already the year has started with disparaging news as Covid runs rapid.

This year is a significant year for me. I will be 50. I have spent the last 49 years in a somewhat negative and only slightly positive mindset. Turning 50 has made me realise that life waits for no one and that we are the master of our own destiny. So I will be adopting a glass half full attitude from now on.

Unfortunately in life we will encounter many sad and devastating situations. Things that will definitely break us. It’s important to keep going and remain strong. By doing this you will find that you will achieve so much more and conquer many of life’s tribulations.

These holidays I have been busy working on my Art of Crochet throw. Crocheting helps me keep focused and given me confidence to handle any situation. I have now finished all the squares and am joining them together. Can’t wait to show you all the finished throw.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CYPcjNcheUU/?utm_medium=copy_link

Thank you as always for reading my posts. It means the world to me. I wish you all a wonderful year ahead and sending out hugs and prayers to all those who are going through hard times.

2022 I am keeping positive.

Vicky

0

Throw back Thursday……back to the beginning

I can’t believe in March next year it will be 10 years since I started crocheting. It seems like yesterday!

My mum attempted to teach me when I was a teenager but for me it was way beyond my comprehension. Fast forward 20 years later and I was looking for something I can do from hone to earn an income. I remembered my mum trying to teach me crochet and I thought why not give it another go!

I found the Art of Crochet series at a local news agency and I thought why not! I will give it another go! And to my surprise I actually was learning and making granny squares! Fast forward to today and hundreds of granny squares later I am so glad I gave this beautiful craft another go.

In this world full of hustle and bustle. Rushing around and never having time to even think. Crochet helps me relax and settles my mind. I forget whatever is happening and lose myself in the world of colour and yarn. I have learnt so much and made some amazing friends along the way! Looking forward to what the next 10 years will bring! Thank you for joining me on this journey and I look forward to many more years!

https://instagram.com/vickys_handcrafted_designs

Thank you for reading my post and I hope you all have a wonderful week ahead!

Vicky

0

Work in Progress Wednesday…take a look at the latest squares I have crocheted for the Art of Crochet Throw!

The Art of Crochet series is one of my favourite subscription series. That’s how I learnt to crochet. Each week a new pattern would arrive for me to make. Along with the pattern I also received the corresponding colours needed to make the square.

The series I am making at the moment is series 2. it’s very different to series 1 which featured plum, mustard, teal and ruby coloured squares. Series 2 is far more adventurous in colour and variety of squares.

Below are some progress photos of the current squares I have made in this project.

The Art of Crochet Squares

Thank you as always for read my posts. Hope you all have a wonderful day.

Vicky

0

Work in Progress Wednesday……November edition!

Crochet basket https://www.instagram.com/vickys_handcrafted_designs

Can’t believe it’s already nearly the end of the month! December is only 7 days away! You know what that means! Christmas is just around the corner!

Every year I tell myself the same thing I will start early with my Christmas shopping get it done well before Christmas Eve. Then I laugh really because who am I kidding as if that will ever happen!

This year I am kind of ahead of myself. I have started making cute little crochet baskets to put gifts in. My friends and family can reuse the baskets for any purpose and hopefully there will be less paper waste!

This pattern I love as it’s a contrast in colour and you can make the basket any size. Just change the hook size or add or minus rows.

I have a gorgeous fabric I am lining the basket with too!

Can’t wait to show you all the finished product!

Hope you are all having a wonderful day! Thank you for reading my posts!

Vicky

0

Wednesday work in progress…..

I am working on this gorgeous design by Catherine Crochets. It’s a beautiful design which brings you back to your childhood days of sitting on the floor and cutting out paper dolls out of paper. The pattern will be out soon.

Paper Doll blanket

I will put more photos up as I complete the pattern.

Take a look at my Instagram page for details and I will have links on their to Catherine’s page if you are interested in any of her patterns.

http://www.instagram.com/vickys_handcrafted_designs

Thank you so much for reading my post!

Vicky

0

Powered by WordPress.com.

Up ↑

%d bloggers like this: