First time effort.

A visit to our daughter in Queensland always includes a trip to Mt. Tamborine to a craft market. Quite apart from the beauty of the area, I love the market for its relaxed atmosphere. I can always be sure to find something to bring back to Melbourne. I fell in love with these little beaded angels and bought a kit for two. Although I admire the work when its done by others, and I love the bling that beading creates, beading is not my thing - but I just had to have a go at these. "Not difficult," said the stall holder, "You just thread the beads on to the safety pins..." and she went on to describe the method. "Yeah. I can do that," I thought. So, when I got home, I sat down with pliers and a soup plate to hold the contents of the little plastic bag containing the necessassary directions, beads and gold wire. Huh!! That was when I discovered that I had developed a few extra thumbs and several extra fingers. I did manage to get my little angels made up and I only said one bad word when the wire sprang from my fingers and flung beads in every direction. Just as well the kit contained a few spares. Pat at Bead Knitting & Crochet, I salute you.
I still have the directions and maybe I'll have another go at more angels at a later date. In the meantime I'll get back to my crochet hook and my knitting needles. Aaah. That's better.
Bye for now until next time.

A different hat

I thought you might like to see one of the tiny treasure's I found in Mercy's basket. It's a little needle case worked in double crochet. (American single crochet). I thought it such a cute idea that I decided to make one like it. The crown of the hat holds a thimble and the base takes the pins and needles. It was really easy to make. I used a fine crochet hook that is labelled 2 and a half, which, I think is American No. 1 and English 12. The wool is baby weight which we in Oz call 3 ply. I used wool because Mum always said that it protects needles from rusting. I added a flower for good measure because it was a little plain without. A little gift for someone who sews, perhaps, or something to put on a Mother's Day stall. I love the really simply edging and think I'll use it on my next blanket as I'm getting a bit bored with picot. It's just one double crochet and two treble in every second stitch. In American terms I think that's one single crochet and two double crochet. You may have guessed that my crochet talents don't run to very ambitious projects. Granny squares are pretty much my limit, but I'm pleased with this little thing. Thanks Mercy.
The sun is shining and I'm off to pull some weeds from the garden. After 3 days of being hampered by heavy rain I'm suffering from 'shut-in-itis'
I hope you're having a nice weekend. Bye for now until next time.