Tag: crochet

Amy – How A Felted Jumper Becomes A Handbag – E-book Tutorial

~ This E-book Tutorial (12 pages) is available as PDF downloads from this blog & on Ravelry, Etsy & Zibbet ~

Reclaim that old woollen jumper & turn it into a stylish handbag

It’s easy to become excited about this up-cycled, eco-friendly project & even easier to make. The tutorial takes you through the basics of washing machine felting, laying out pattern or template & embellishments – the step-by-step instructions are given in written form with clear photos & diagrams with some alternatives included

Requirements:

* Old woollen jumper

* Top-load washing machine

* Pure soap

* Template – 26 cm (10”) embroidery hoop or strong cardboard

* Sewing machine

* Crochet hooks of choice

* Eyelash yarn of choice

* Plain 8ply yarn of choice

* Sharp scissors

* Darning needle

* Sewing needle & strong cotton thread

* 2 buttons/beads

As a new year begins…

…. I wonder…. just where did the old one go? 2009 whizzed by but looking back I realise what full & productive a year it really was…

 

I started this website/blog with very little tech knowledge & bumbled though learning so much along the way – my aim to be informative & hopefully recruit more enthusiasts to the exciting world of Freeform can be gauged by the amount of hits, comments & emails I’ve received over the year  so I’m  certainly giving this goal the big tick of success…

‘Freeform Crochet & Beyond’, was published & wholeheartedly endorsed by those already immersed or just embarking on the Freeform journey. Many thanks for all the wonderful feedback I’ve received

Alice Springs Beanie Festival entry ~ ‘Australia in colour’ ~ won the Spirit of the Land Category  & I now have this fabulous ‘Camel Trophy’….. my best prize ever!

 

Joined Ravelry & found all the fibre, crochet & knitting nutters in one place – I’ve met some truly remarkable people & what a joy this has been….

Encouraged by family I’m now on Facebook & even have a Fan Page – good grief!!! what next?

I bit the bullet & opened an Etsy Shop… where I’ve met a great bunch of Aussie Girls in the Dust Team & would probably still be foundering about had it not been for their help & support- it’s been huge learning curve (that is still going on) but I’ve enjoyed every minute – so much in fact, that I decide to open 2 more – one on Artfire & another on Zibbet – I may have over-extended myself here but I’ll just see how things go…..[edited August 2011: what a shame… Artfire no longer supports basic accounts]

There has also been a lot of creative participation throughout the year -‘ The Four Seasons’ challenge  – National Gallery Pole knit – Sydney Hyperbolic Coral Reef Project – All great fun projects that wetted the creative juices….

Most importantly…  I’ve made some new & very special friendships (you know who you are) – thank you to all of you for your love, support & encouragement – as I look back on 2009… yep…. it’s been a fabulous year indeed….

So what’s in store for 2010?

At the moment I’m having a real fair dinkum  go at Knitting after discovering ‘Crazy Lace’ by Myra Wood – not really much of a knitter myself but this Crazy Lace has unleashed a whole new adventure – thanks Myra – I’m so enjoying it  & posting my first pics of one of many projects I’m working on…. Here’s hoping everyone has a wonderful creative 2010…..

Cotton Rainbow: Crazy Lace knit …. enjoy!

 

A very lucky day….

Hoopla & whoop-whoop…whoo hoos….. today I recieved wonderful news that I have won a Premium Zibbet Account for life – the opportunity came though a competition promoted  by The Australian Etsy Blog – Nicky has some really interesting jewelery so please, go & check it out in her new Etsy store & also her Zibbet store

Zibbet is proving to be a great venue… not many sales yet but it’s only just starting. The setting up has been a breeze & the whole look of the market is clean & crisp which shows off your items to their full advantage  – if you have been thinking about setting a a little internet shop check it out – it may be what you have been looking for…

can’t tell you how excited I am… & already playing around with the custom features – don’t how many times I’ve changed things around  & back again…… this is what I’ve done with my Zibbet shop for now….. enjoy

Sell for Free…

For anyone interested in internet selling…. here are 2 sites that might tempt those of you who have thought about it but weren’t sure about charges & the like.

A while ago I set up a ‘basic’ ARTFIRE shop – it has… No listing or final fees – the basic account  has it’s limits but I think worth giving a try. [Edited August 2011: What a shame.. Artfire no longer supports basic accounts]

2 weeks ago I also set up a ‘basic’ ZIBBET shop – it also has no listing or final fees but again, being a basic account has it’s limits.

You can upgrade these accounts at any time to take full advantage of all the benefits  they offer…. but for me, the basic is enough for the moment – I  just want to see how it goes – if you have a moment, go & have a browse you may be pleasantly surprised….

It’s Official……

‘Australia in Colour ‘ is ‘The Spirit of the Land’ – this morning the Postie delivered a parcel with the best trophy I’ve ever received – HOW COOL IS THIS?

and the winner is…….

Australia in Colour – Snood