Handcrafting Happiness

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Well my friends, March disappeared in a puff of smoke, snap, just like that and the first week of April has also hiked through pretty quickly.

I crocheted with my beautiful Corriedale Yarns  and formed the first Persian Tile after a couple of false starts just getting the colour relationships right

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With one down fifteen to go, I decided to streamline things and am now forming four tiles at a time

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If you read last weeks post you might remember I mentioned the colour of the pink yarn wasn’t showing properly – it looked red, here you see it actual shade – isn’t it stunning set alongside those blues!

I’ve been playing with my coloured pencils, my alcohol ink pens, distress inks and various other bits and pieces and making more cards.  Having a stash of cards to meet all possible festive occasions, or just to send little notes to friends, is never a bad thing.

I worked on some I had started earlier and felt needed a bit more work – it’s important they look as finished as possible.  These three are made using embossing folders and inks to achieve deeply textured, yet simple card fronts.  I need to make more that are suitable for giving to the male of the species.

These next two are the same idea, just bigger.  The textured background is inked and  silhouettes made from die cuts added.  A bit of bling and I have two A5 cards ready to go

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Using my Spectrum Noir colour pencils and Gamsol – which is a brand of odourless spirits – two more cards were produced.  The Gamsol acts as a blending agent with the colours and also can be used to blur the lines slightly, softening the effect, though I’m not that sure that I like it personally

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And this one, which like the last card above, was photographed in its cellophane jacket, hence the slightly blurred and muted aspect – sorry about that.

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Then I moved on to produce a couple of A6 size cards made with alcohol ink pens on Distress inked backgrounds

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Again a Distress Ink background with a die cut house.  The girl is stamped  and fussy cut and attached with foam dots slightly off-set from the background.  IMG_20180405_094442.jpg

I’m enjoying the vibrancy of the alcohol ink pens and plan on doing more cards with them.  Though really, I can’t say why I’m making all these cutesie girly cards – maybe I’m pining for my lost youth  🙂  (Where did I put him?)   All I can say is it’s a good way to bring myself back into using these different mediums and finding my feet again so to speak.   I’m hoping I’ll be feeling ready to make originals again soon.

If you have a favourite, I’d love to know.

And of course, we celebrated Siddy’s fourth birthday on the 4th day of the 4th month – most assuredly an auspicious occasion!

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Thanks for coming by today, I love that you did!

 

102 thoughts on “Handcrafting Happiness”

  1. Hello, New here 🙂 I’m about to purchase the Persian Tiles pattern and am still deciding which colours to use, so I went to google and tapped in Persian Tiles, and among many colours I found one of yours, and then I started reading some of your messages and saw your photo’s and found out you live in New Zealand too! And you like blue a lot too! Anyway I hope to see more of your blanket, I’m in a FB group about this blanket too, so when (and I know it’s only a matter of when) I need help I can pop in there! Nice to meet you. Hannah.

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    • Hi Hannah, lovely to meet you too! I’m working away on my Persian tiles right now, l looked up from completing one more tile and saw your message in my box 🙂 How amazing you stumbled onto my only post so far about the blanket! It’s a great pattern, really well written and pretty easy to get your head around, so don’t be too daunted. I took a while to sort out the colours I wanted to use and then in which order to use them, but once I had it right I just love what I am making. Do you blog too? I’d love to see what you make as you go along. It’s great to have another kiwi who loves blue and who crochets too following along. All the best with your yarn choices, Pauline

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      • Hello Pauline.
        I first have to continue learning how to crochet the different stitches of and then finish my Delft blanket , also by Jane 🙂 Guess what: it’s Blue and white 😉
        When I finish that one I will probably start the Persian Tiles one. I love lots of colours but as soon as I started looking at the pattern and then the images of others I found the blue versions attract me again.
        I don’t have a blog about crochet, just a family blog in Dutch for my family back there. After living here for a dozen years they have seen a lot and now the blog has slowly gone into retirement.
        I’ll try and peek in here as often as I can, just wanted to let you know how I found you!
        Till next time, Hannah.

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          • Thanks! Where do you normally buy your yarns? For this blanket I bought the pattern digital, and the yarn at the Woolwarehouse. But if you have any tips I would be grateful 🙂

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            • I used to have a little local yarn store which supplied most of my needs but it closed down at the end of last year and now there are only the chain suppliers so I have been looking around online. My yarn for the Persian was a gift from a friend in Wales and she (clever girl) found and introduced me to The Wool Company and their Corriedale yarn. I love this yarn the colours are deep and uniform and the ply is just the right tension, its a real pleasure to work with. I’ll be purchasing from them in the future too. Google the name and you will find them. They have a proper shop or online depending where you are. There are loads of little boutique yarn suppliers around the country too, see if there are any close by you and pay a visit. Most are competitive with the mass produced yarns and better quality.

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  2. Wow, I am the 95th comment!
    What a following you have, Pauline. Everyone loves to visit and see what your talented hands are up to. The cards are wonderful, and I do plan to frame the one of the wine and women. Love it!
    I just looked at the post after this one, too. You are working on such a variety of things! Crochet, beads, cards …
    My mom always enjoys her quilting during the colder months. Its a lovely way to stay warm while creating. ❤

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    • Hello, hello darling! Lovely to have you drop by, thank you for staying to chat – I know you don’t have a lot of time to spare here! While you change the world, I’m kicking back and enjoying the chance to play 🙂 Love you!

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  3. Oh Pauline, how I love your cards. What a variety you have here, too. My favorites are the brick backgrounds with the different silhouettes. The kitty on the wall is my favorite, perhaps stating the obvious here, but I love the woman in silhouette too. I’m also partial to your owl and especially the background. You make it all look so easy, yet I know the hours that go into making your cards. Your tiles are stunning! The placement of fuchsia really make them pop and creates a nice compliment to your favorite colors.

    Happy birthday to Siddy who’s looking all clean and sparkly from his day at the spa. Here comes a virtual hug for both of you. (((Pauline/Siddy)))

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    • I must have answered your lovely comment in my head Alys and not actually put fingers to keyboard….. Sigh! Thank you for leaving all your thoughts. I love to hear what everyone thinks as I tend to work in a vacuum and only have my likes and dislikes to go by. It’s nice to have so many thoughts! xoxo

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      • Pauline, I do that so often. Or I sit down to comment, get distracted, and then think I’ve left a comment when as you say, it’s remained in my head. It’s wonderful getting input from your fans and friends. xo

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  6. Oh, the drinking ladies is my favourite – it’s brilliant! Well, they all are, and I also love the silhouetted lady with the dogs under the lampposts. Beautiful! The Persian tiles are stunning and the pink and blue bounce so well off each other. I’ll enjoy seeing this come together, that’s for sure.

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    • The dames are very popular 🙂 And I love making up the silhouetted cards too, I’ve several more styles to finish working on. I’m excited about the blanket and I’m working on it every chance I get. Ha-ha on the ‘Soddy’.

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  7. Pingback: When Did You First Feel Different? Multiple Answer Version | Writer Site

  8. Beautiful work, Pauline! I haven’t seen much crocheting i so many years. My grandmother made me vests in high school–a different one for almost every day of the month. So I had my jeans, my little turtlenecks, and her crocheted vests made it all look new everyday! Happy birthday to gorgeous Siddy!

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    • I dressed my toddler girls similarly in the 70’s Luanne – they were very trendy then but it’s all kind of retro now 🙂 I keep looking at this pattern and thinking what a cool jacket it would make……

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      • They were so trendy! Little pull over vests that came to the waist or so, nothing long! A very cool jacket! That would be taking something that is retro and upgrading it to the height of fashion!

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  10. The birthday boy looks so precious! you have certainly been busy and your cards are adorable. I really like What you have accomplished. Of course I’m always impressed with people who can crochet or knit in such intricate designs. You make me itch to get into my craft room and do some sewing which I have not done for a while. I do have a birthday coming up and need to get busy on a particular project. Thanks for the inspiration!

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    • Hello Jan! I’m most happy to be inspiring you into that sewing room 🙂 do hope you have lots of fun making the project for the birthday. I get a bit twitchy if I go too long without a project of some kind – my hands seem to like being busy 🙂 Lovely to see you’ve been by xo

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  12. Lovely work, Pauline, and that picture of Siddy is the best. Glad you are back in full swing. My creativity is always at the peak when I can pop in nearly every day and play. If I have been too busy & come back to it, it always takes a while to warm up. I think that’s why writers often say they must write every day.

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    • That is so true Jodie – we have to practise whatever our craft is daily. I hadn’t made any cards for a couple of years before starting on this latest kick and I’m still working my way back in!

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  13. You are so talented and in so many different ways! The crocheted tiles are beautiful, so vibrant, and I do like that hot pink on the blues, Pauline. And you’re cards are just great. My favorite is the three ladies drinking wine and looking like they’re having loads of fun – what a beautiful tribute to friendship in a woman’s life. That one spoke to me. Keep creating! ❤

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  14. Those persian squares are just gorgeous! I love the colours, they just pop out of the page don’t they. My favourite card is the one with the ladies having a good laugh and I really like the last one with the little holly hobbie girl on it. Very clever x

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    • Hi Kym – I see you have been busy visiting – you’ve not been shifting again I hope. I agree on those colours, they are just gorgeous dyes! As to the cards, the fat ladies are popular – I’m very fond of them too and I also like the one you call holly hobbie – I’ll have to google that to find out who that is. I wondered if different people would like different cards and it appears they do. Thanks for weighing in with your thoughts.

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  15. They are all lovely, Pauline. I’m partial to owls, so that’s my favorite. The colors of your Persian tiles are so vibrant. I am really loving that azalea (wasn’t that the name?) with the blue! I can’t wait to see the finished product. Happy happy joyful birthday to Siddy! ❤️

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  16. Oh those tiles are so lovely and of course those blues say Pauline! They remind me of things my grandmother crocheted, especially fancy potholders and hot pads–so much detail and love for something so utilitarian–something we are missing now. Not that your tiles are for hot pads or pot holders. And the cards! I like those three ladies with the wine, the butterflies, the bricks behind the cat, the extravagant dog walker and the owl with its lovely starry background. So, then there’s Siddy the wonderful, whose expression says what a loved pooch he is. Hugs to you, Pauline (and to Siddy).

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    • Sometimes I wonder if it is possible for me to purchase anything that is not blue 🙂 But I do love how these shades work together and compliment each other. 🙂 I made a couple of trial tiles using the colours in different combinations that didn’t do it for me and those are destined to become hot pads and pot holders – how did you know! ‘Siddy the Wonderful’ I like that! 🙂 How’s things with you Lisa, when are we catching up?

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  19. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SIDDY! Very auspicious date. 🙂 He is so very handsome. I am just delighted with all your artwork! Picking a favorite? They are all just too wonderful. You have such a wonderful eye that I would probably buy one of each to have for every occasion. The butterfly will always be my first choice of course and then the fat ladies with their wine look like they are having the best time ever. There will come a day, maybe that I can get into card making again. But mine will never look so nice. I did many on the computer since I’m no artist. Beautiful, every single one.

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    • Well thank you Marlene – you leave such fullsome compliments 🙂 I have some more butterfly cards in the works and I’m going to try my hand at my own fat ladies as I really like them – stay tuned, but don’t hold your breath! For me card making is just sitting and playing with supplies, putting things together and seeing what happens. I mostly enjoy the colouring aspect, however it is applied. And of course it is lovely to have a supply that I can send out into the world with a brief note a appropriate or a letter 🙂

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      • I have several cards that are hand made by others that I cherish. As soon as the son’s shirt is complete, I will give a go to some other projects I’ve been wanting to try.I’d like to try the water colors and other outlets but fear another hobby taking root. 🙂 You have such an artist’s eye and I have the eye of a borrower of ideas. 🙂 I guess we need both in the world. Your cards always make me smile. Have a lovely weekend. It’s storming here.

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        • I know how you feel – I have a ton of different ideas whirling about in my head and so many notes on things to try I’ll never achieve them all if I crafted every hour of the day for the rest of my life! At some stage you just have to settle into something and stick with it……. Ha-ha!! We are told the coming week will be cold and icy and the snow will be falling in the high country. We’ve had a lovely long protracted Indian Summer, so can’t complain.

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          • Oh, I’m like you, Pauline. My brilliant-ideas-that-I-simply-MUST-get-to-immediately always outweigh any time I have to bring them to life. I HAVE learned to put notes on my supplies, so if I buy something for a particular brilliant idea, but life intercedes, at least I remember WHY I bought it. (Still wondering what on earth I was thinking when I bought 2 yards of bright purple felt. . .)

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            • That is a particularly good idea Jodie, I make note on random scraps of paper and then forget which supply they pertain to….. Bright purple felt eh? One day it will turn out to be just the very thing needed to finish ………. 🙂

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          • I think now is when I’d want to be there. I love winter so I can stay snuggled inside and just dabble. Yes, too many ideas and too little time. Were you the person that recommended the book “The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend”? I just finished it and loved it. I’m sure it was you. 🙂

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  20. The croceted persian tile is lovely. Do you iron it into shape or does the symmetry just happen as you crochet? Whenever I’ve tried this sort of crochet it ends up pretty misshapen!

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  21. Happy Birthday Siddy! You are such a precious little boy! The crochet is coming along beautifully. It very much has a tile effect. The cards are beyond wonderful. I love them all.

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  22. Happy Birthday Siddy! Hope Mom gave you special treats on your special day.

    Pauline, you simply have too much talent. Such beauty! I greatly appreciate your drawings, especially the ones with the brick. So well done!!! Thanks for sharing.

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    • Thank you Gallivanta, Siddy had a lovely day, as every day seems to be auspicious for him 🙂 And early birthday greetings for Jack. Eleven is a good age, he will be nice and mature now – an elder statesman! ❤

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      • Teehee, an elder statesman who cried like a puppy till I gave in and let him sleep in the bedroom the other night. Fortunately last night he was happy to go back to his own space. I guess we all feel in need of extra comfort sometimes.

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  24. I was thinking, like Susanne, how human and intelligent Siddy looks! He’s so handsome. The crochet is coming along beautifully–the complementary colors really just create a glow in the tiles! Will they all be edged in white?–I think that’s an inspired touch!

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    • He is a handsome wee chap Kerry, but then I’m completely biased 🙂 I love the colour relationships in the tiles, I’m pleased you noticed that – but then you work with colour too so would. Yes, the white edging will be round every one. The ‘X’ adds texture and drama to it too and is the perfect finish I think. It is a beautifully designed project actually – I’m so enjoying it!

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  25. Far and away my favourite is the three women drinking wine together and laughing. They look to be older and more amply endowed than the curvaceous beauty walking her wee pooches. Were they perhaps inspired by your recent gathering of friends? I’d buy a whole package of that card, Pauline. Can I?

    Birthday hugs to Siddy who really looks quite human in this photo. And brava to you on your crocheting! Magnifico!

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    • I quite like the curvaceous beauty – she has a bit of sass and style I think and she’s easy to make being a black die cut 🙂 But, like you I really rather love the ample ladies, they are more aligned to reality. Well, mine anyway. I make each card individually and so each one is different – I’d happily make you half a dozen if you really want. You can even choose particular colour themes if you wish. It’s a great photo of Siddy isn’t it – he’s a pretty intelligent wee chap on the whole.

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  27. Your Persian tiles are beautiful Pauline and the owl card is my favourite. I used t help Ju occasionally when she was carding and anything with a bit of humour got my vote.
    xxx Massive Hugs and belated Birthday pats to Siddy xxx

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  28. Pauline, your work is so beautiful. I can’t choose a single favourite but I do love the owl and also the little girl and her penguin. Your Persian Tile is wonderful. Will you do all the tiles in the same colours?

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  30. Wow – how have you found the time? I really love the card with the ladies and the wine – such happiness and fun represented in it.
    Those Persian jewels colours are wonderful – what a fine creation that is going to be. I understand the temptation of buying a kit with all the colours selected by someone else, but I much prefer to see the creativity of individuals. I’ve been looking at various Sophies on the internet and love seeing all the different moods captured by personal colour choices.

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    • I have been looking at the Sophies too Jan – there are as many interpretations as there are people creating them I suspect. It might well be something I aspire to in the future 🙂 I am so glad you made me this gift though. It would have stayed forever in the ‘wouldn’t it be nice’ feeling. It delights me every evening when I pick it up to start work. And finding this particular yarn supplier was inspired! The yarn is a delight to work with!

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  34. Well the Owl card natch! I love those puns you get ‘ewe’s my favourite’ ‘ be-cows I love ewe ‘ . Keep up the good work, sergeant!

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  35. Gosh! You have been busy – what a wonderful array of creativity Pauline! Those Persian Tiles are looking fabulous! Such a pretty design. I love the ‘women and wine’ card – reminds me of your wonderful trip with your blogging buddies.

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    • I’m just a little bit in love with those tiles Sandra – they have turned out even better than I imagined they would – and such a good size too! If not for Jan I never would have started this pattern – it is wonderful! And yes, the women and wine stamp was purchased especially for my friends and our reunion – it’s fun isn’t it!

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