Did you think I wouldn't be back?

When it comes to blogging on a regular basis, it turns out I'm completely pants. My last blog post was New Years Eve. Come on Val! Time to pull the socks up! 

I actually just so happened to check the Blogger homepage tonight to see what was going on with blogs that I follow, and I spotted that I had 16 page views today! I decided that since someone (in the U.S. apparently) still enjoys reading my blog, I should keep on chugging away with it! 

As I've been away from this for so long, I've actually got lots of small bits and pieces to write about. Since the start of the year I've moved away from jewellery from time to time, and have been inspired by my friend Anneka, among others, to get my craft on.

I guess I should begin in January. I didn't have a whole lot of time off work, and Christmas was definitely hectic with my lovely sister around for our best friend's wedding! After all the excitement died down in the new year, I managed to do a few bits and pieces. 

The first thing on my agenda was to finish a pair of scarves for my friend Caitriona's two children. I used the ends of the wool from Jess and Anneka's scarves to make a really pretty woolly scarf for Saoirse, while I used nice muted stripes for Joe's scarf.

I'm really pleased with how they turned out, and Joe and Saoirse looked so cosy!

Anyone who knows me, knows all too well that I love to have a little fun when I'm painting my nails, and in the gloom of January, I decided to cheer up my nails.

The paint job is particularly messy around the edges, but I really loved having my nails like this, and it lasted a surprisingly long time.

Following these departures from my usual carry on, I decided to go back to basics and make a few trusty bracelets. Seeing as it was early January, and we still had the Christmas runner on the table and decorations around the place, I chose rich reds and sparkly golds for my pieces.

Because these gold beads are hollow, they make a lovely little metallic jingle as the bracelet moves. FUN!

As I mentioned, super-festive. That said, I love these colours regardless.

After all this excitement, I hit a bit of a slump. One day, while browsing around Aldi, desperately hoping I'd find more warm fuzzy wool, I came across a book on learning to crochet. Now, you've all read about me "crocheting" things for my friends over the years, but as far as I've been told by those in the know, what I'm doing isn't actually genuine crochet. Obviously, I invested in the book, and got to work right away!

Exciting, huh?

I didn't get a whole lot of this done in January, I just tried out the different basics. I must get back into this because there's some beautiful patterns in here, and it really isn't too tough, it just requires patience to make sure everything stays even and lovely.

Now, that brings January to a close. Onto February, a.k.a. Birthday Month! 

Okay, I'll be honest. I did very little in the way of making things in February. I must have been preoccupied with getting old! The only picture I've been able to root out of my stash from then is one of two more bracelets I made. 

Alright, not the most exciting, but still pretty and elegant in my humble opinion.

Oh, while I think of it, I may as well tell you about a project I embarked on this year. Did I ever mention my friend Jess's 365 project that she began on her 23rd birthday, and completed on her 24th? Yes? No? Maybe? This year, with the exception of one or two days which I may have forgotten, I've been taking a picture every day. I had a look through them last night, and to be honest, there's a lot of skies, candles and cats. Boring, perhaps, but I've found that I'm remembering my year so much more vividly when I look back through my photos. I've also found it's sort of great to always have a camera to hand, as you'll never know what sort of beautiful photo opportunity you're going to come across. Within the next week or so I'm going to try to update my Flickr account with my first 6 months of pictures so you guys can check out my vast array of candles. A sight to behold indeed.

Now, getting back to March. Let me see... 

Ooooh! I did lots in March! It all began with a charm Anneka got me for my birthday. I decided I needed a necklace to wear it on, and hey presto!

I vividly remember what I was watching when I made this. In fact, I believe I watched two films that day, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and Big Fish. I'd like to think some of their whimsy and colour rubbed off on this.

Myself and a few friends had a weekend away in a lovely Kerry town called Kenmare planned for March, and seeing as Anneka's birthday was coming up, I decided to get crafty. I thought about making something for her to hang bits and pieces up on. It doesn't technically have a name... I'm still not entirely sure how well this project worked out, but I like to think it was a starting point.

I started off with an old laminated chunk of chipboard that Dad found for me, and I sanded it down to make a better base for acrylic paint to take to.

Ideally, if I was doing a project like this again using acrylic paints, I'd use an unlaminated board as I think the finish could have been a lot better. However to keep the weight down, I used chipboard as opposed to solid timber, so I'd have to look into materials a lot more.

I picked up a few mismatched hooks in Homebase and screwed them into that bad boy. 

I tried to scalpel off little bits and pieces on the board to give it a weathered look without being contrived. Again, more thought would have yielded a better finish both for the board and the actual paint job.

After I'd put the board together, I stuck some bits to it... 

Pretty, right?

And I made a few bits to hang off of it...

I heart pom-poms. And I heart hearts. Obviously.

Confession time. I didn't make either of these hearts, but I did customise them, so it totally counts.

Some teeny-tiny heart cut-out bunting. It's seriously tiny. 

If I knew more about Blogger, I'd try harder to rotate this image. But it's late. I'm ever so sleepy. Forgive me?

So, all in all, it's no Sistine Chapel or Golden Gate bridge. It was an experiment. Anneka was very lovely, and didn't give me any funny looks when she pulled it out of the bag, which I probably deserved. She's too kind, especially since she's a master crafter. The woman is insanely talented, but that's for another day's story-telling.

You know what lads? It's getting pretty late, and I'm still only half-way through the year so far. What I think I'm going to do here is finish up for the night, and pick up where I left off tomorrow evening. Sound like a plan? Can y'all get on board with that? I sure hope so! 

À demain...

Crazy Christmas

Lads and ladies, how are we on this lovely New Years Eve? If you're reading this, chances are that you're bored out of your tree!

I've decided it's time to let you in on my recent little project. My dear friend Deirdre asked if I'd make her a hairband/headdress for a very special day, and of course I was only delighted to oblige! 

Back when a hairband was an option, I ended up making this...

Gold was always going to be the colour of choice, but aside from that I love this...

I just love modelling for y'all.

So, the hairband idea never transpired. Instead, a flapper, 1920's style headband was decided upon. Even though I loved the variation in bead size in the hairband, simplicity was key in my eyes for this project. 

In the process...

The finished product.

My drop dead gorgeous model!

I'm gonna keep this one short and sweet guys, just wanted to fill you in on my very special project for a very special friend. I've a few other bits and pieces in mind to write about in the new year, I'll try not to be as lazy with my blog next year as I have been this year! 

Thanks for all the kind words by the way guys, it always means a lot!

Let's not forget what this time of year is about, having fun and being with the important ones. And of course, foreign subtitles.

T'was the night after Christmas...

Well boys and girls, I'm a bit sad that this post is a little late tonight. If I'd posted it before midnight, I could have mentioned the fact that MY BLOG TURNED TWO ON CHRISTMAS DAY! Awesome right? It really doesn't feel like two whole years since that fairly boring Christmas night where I decided to start sharing some of my ramblings and some of my creations.

Speaking of creations, now that some gifts have been opened, I can tell you all a little bit about what I've made!

Remember when I made that ear-warmer thingy with that amazing turquoise wool? Well, I made something else with that wool too... A cowl for my long lost, amazing friend Jess! 

Pretty woolly and warm!

I think she likes it!!

I actually bought the wool for Jess months ago, the second I saw the colour I knew it was the one for her! I hope she feels good and toasty on many a chilly day because of it.

On that very same day, I spotted some wool that I knew my dearest Anneka would just love, so I could hardly leave it behind, so I made her a similar, but slightly looser cowl!

I'm so sad I didn't get some of this wool for myself... It was so cosy!

Look how flipping cuddly and warm it looks! She threw it on as soon as she opened it, just like Jess, which really made my efforts feel so worthwhile!

I really do love making stuff for people which I know they'll really love. My most recent project was only a half assed one for myself - a Christmas jumper!

Possibly not my finest effort, but it did the trick. I think people understood that I was vaguely excited about the festive season.

I'm sorry that this is a somewhat brief post, but I've to get up early tomorrow to do lots of making and do-ing for a very important event! I'll hopefully get to post a few pictures over the next week or so, fingers crossed it all goes to plan now too! 

Hoping you're all having a cuddly and warm week surrounded by those who mean the most, because, after all, isn't that what this time of year is really for?

xx

I'm stumped...

Ladies and gents (mostly ladies), lend me your ears! Or your brains rather. I'm in the process of setting up a shop on www.etsy.com, but in order to do so, I need a name for my shop! It can always be changed at a later date, and some work will have to go into all of this before it's ready to go, but I think a good name is a good first step. 

So, opinions? Suggestions? 

I'm also going to have to get my ass in gear with regard to making enough stuff so that I can start the shop off with a decent amount of stock. This is all rather exciting though! 

Some sketches I was making during the summer...

I was out shopping during my lunch break today, looking for nice card to use for labeling Christmas presents. Stationery and crafts shops always get me a little bit excited though, so as well as buying shiny card and bows, I ended up purchasing a wee crafts set, which will surely help me on my quest to make lots of awesome things for awesome people!

I'm not usually that girlie about stuff like this, but PINK ROUND END PLIERS AND TWEEZERS? Love! Plus that is quite possibly the cutest little hammer I've ever seen.

I'm keeping it brief tonight guys, but pipe up if you've any suggestions, and stay tuned for further developments!

40 more sleeps til Christmas FYI! Bam.

Long Time No See

Apparently that saying is an imitation of  pidgin English, along with "no can do" and many others. So there. I thought it was fitting since I have seriously neglected my blog this year... And it's not that I haven't been making stuff, because I really have! 

I might as well start with a disclaimer: if you don't have any interest in home made things, and dislike cat pictures, it's probably for the best if you close this tab now. Don't say you weren't warned!

Right, I don't think I even know where to start! It's been a funny sort of summer... Hang on, I keep talking like it's still summer time now. The fact that I haven't had college to go back to this year has been seriously strange. While I'm thrilled to be finished with all of that, graduation at the start of the month was seriously good craic.

I got a new camera this summer (ish) too, so you'll be seeing much less of my blurry BlackBerry photos from now on! I might as well start off by telling you that Benny had kittens back in June...

I'll have to give the credit for photo-taking here to Jess, this picture featured in part of her 365 project, really chuffed that me and one of the wee wans made the cut.

I've mostly been making bracelets, jewellery-wise, over the past few months, and in particular, I've really been feeling the plaits! Now, I haven't got very good pictures of all that I made as some were gifts and are already with their new owners...

I initially made this one for Jess (of aforementioned 365 fame) as she strikes me as a very purple person...

... But then I decided that it worked well enough to give another one to Sarah Jane as she's got a bit of a thing for purple too! Apologies for the truly awful pictures, the bracelets themselves are much nicer. 

I don't do modesty.

I've still got a bit of a thing for fragmented bracelets with some beads, some chain, so I thought this pattern worked well. I used the same general template, but I changed factors like bead and chain size.

Snazzy picture taken with a snazzy camera. Amiright? I always love red and gold together.

Personally I prefer the chunkier chain. 

I didn't just do the plaited thing on bracelets either, oh no. You'll all be delighted to hear that I branched out as far as necklaces and (wait for it...) A HAIRBAND! Crazy, right? Right.

So this is a necklace that I made back around July I think. It's quite a loose plait as I just wanted to add a little interest, and didn't like the idea of 3 stand alone strands of similar length.

This was actually intended to be a necklace. The evening I made it, I was trying it on, trying to decide if I liked it. When I was taking it off, I didn't judge the size of my head relative to the necklace correctly, and I realised it was the perfect size for a hairband that stays put on my giant head perfectly! Winner.

Before I continue, I should really tell you what else I've been doing with myself. I finally made it to Electric Picnic this year, after years of heartbreaking repeats at that time of year, and it was so worth the wait. A fantastic weekend with fantastic company. Not only did I get to see some INCREDIBLE acts, but myself and Jess also managed to fit in a small bit of jewellery making. 

See those swirly silver ones? Yep, we hammered and soldered and beaded and pickled that silver until it was perfect! The gang at the ForGotten Silver stall guided us through the entire thing, while having a bit of a laugh too. Just what we needed on the Sunday morning!

As a result of EP, I've become absolutely obsessed with amazing music such as The xx, Bat For Lashes and Wild Beasts among many others! Thanks to a few of the girls I'm completely hooked on Revenge now (come on Emily, kick Victoria's skinny ass and run away with Jack!) and I'm mostly reading Kathy Reichs books. She's the lady who inspired the series Bones, and who the character is loosely based on. They're pretty easy reading, but interesting at the same time. Plus the chapters are super short, I love short chapters.

The kittens continued to be cute and grow as the summer went on...

I don't understand how people don't like cats sometimes... They start out as cute wee kittens WHO WINK AT YOU for crying out loud!

The credit for this one must once again go to Jess and her fantastic 365 project.

This was around the time we had to start deciding which kitten was most awesome and cute. One of them was too lazy to join in with the pose-off.

And it totally worked in his favour... Lads, this is Harry! Deadly name, I know.

Right, that's the cat section over and done with, for now at least. Believe it or not, I don't just arse around with beads. I also (as you will have seen in previous posts) enjoy arsing around with wool! When it came to deciding what to dress up as for Halloween, I came up completely blank. I hadn't a clue, but I knew I couldn't get away with my Princess Leia costume for a third time.

Then it hit me. What do I like other than cats? Yep, that's right... Owls. I mostly enjoy the kitschy, retro, colour-block owl images that are in all the shops at the moment, so I decided to take a few ideas and run with them. So, I crocheted "feathers". I'm pretty sure every single person I mentioned this to thought I was absolutely not well. 

This was the top in the middle of the process. Loose ends were later snipped off, and the "feathers" were ironed also. The top itself was made out of the lower portion of an old gypsy skirt. Remember gypsy skirts? Ah yeah, those were the days.

I felt the most important part of this costume would be the mask, and I was actually thrilled with the finished product...

Pretty sweet, right? I mounted the mask on a pair of frames from 3D glasses so it would sit nicely on my head when I didn't want to wear it. 

Twit twoo!! Yep, I look like an idiot.

So, moving on, I didn't just focus on plaits over the last couple of months, I also had moments of inspiration where I made some pretty cool stuff!

My take on the recent collar trend. I plan on going further with this idea, but for now this is all I've got!

Earrings. A huge departure for me... And I love them!

I've had this pendant for years, I actually made a necklace using it when I was about 17, but the chain subsequently broke, and the cross was lost for years.

Have you had enough? I told you guys I've been busy. I was crocheting again at the weekend, and with the end of one of my reams of wool I decided to make one of those headband, ear warmer thingies.

Isn't the wool just to die for? Aldi's finest!

Fancy effects with my snazzy camera.

The finished product. Ridiculously cosy.

I forgot to tell you guys about my first (unpaid) model. Well, I made a bracelet for Caoimhe B. I'd been trying to figure out what to make her for ages, cos she deserved at least one gift from me! Anyway, I knew I wanted it to be pearly, but after that, I hadn't a clue. I took pictures of the finished product before I popped it in the mail to her, but the photos were, quite honestly, rubbish. So I took more when I went to visit her and the rest of my ladies in Dublin.

Yay Caoimhe! I was well chuffed when I spotted this on her wrist at graduation too... Whoop.

While on this Dublin trip I was given a graduation gift from Anneka that I can't not mention. Bunting! Incredible! 

Badassery at its finest!

Right. As crazy as it may seem, I think I might actually be finished talking. Or typing. You catch my drift. Once again, I must apologise for the giant delay between posts, I'll try to behave a little better in future! 

Oh, and just in case you'd forgotten what Harry looks like...

Aiiiiiight señoras y señores, buenas noches.