Face furniture, foot furniture and a fresh new first!

Greetings lovely people!

It's been an interesting week I can tell you! Having had a few days away and come back with a cold, or whatever it was, things have been a shade slow on the creating front.

However, having promised the OH I would go for an eye test when we were back home I finally did it! (Yes, a few years late and I have had a word with myself).

I've never had an experience like I did on Tuesday before - I actually enjoyed it! I told everyone how I got freaked out by eye appointments, and eyes in general, (it was the only surgery in my nurse training that made me feel faint) and by the end of my test I was looking at pictures of my own eyes!

Plus, I had a fab time choosing my new specs and even though some (mainly my eldest brother) insist on calling me "Olive" (as in 'On The Buses') I love my new face furniture!!

Hello Sunshine!

 Well, Olive or not, I figured new face furniture meant new foot furniture and these little beauties just happen to fall in my (new and improved) eye-line and I just had to make them mine!

Olive Davis Jnr?

 On the creative front I have managed a couple of things this week and my favourite is a design of my very own, tentatively named the "Spring Meadow" infinity scarf!

The yarn was an impulse buy, just because it was pretty and I played around a bit and then boom! The idea struck me so I hit Pinterest for pics of meadows and moorland covered in blooming Heather.

The scarf came from a headband pattern which I altered, and the flowers were, again, borne out of trial and error and a bit of playing! The maverick crocheter strikes again!!

 I'm hoping that this scarf could be a little beginning for me in terms of selling.......

This is how it started......

 Hopefully you can see why the yarn inspired what it did. It's very soft and lovely to work with too!

Almost infinite!

 So, once I had an infinity scarf (or cowl as some prefer) I wanted to pretty it up with some bright pops of colour so.............

Spring-like blooms!

Having attached the blooms to the scarf I donned it, and of course my new specs, and headed out to let the people see my new creation..............it did attract attention, as did my specs!

So, here's Olive  ahem, Me, complete with both fab new items!

Until next time,,,,

Big Love, Loli B xxx

Fun and frolics = a flare-up...

Greetings my lovelies,


No new makes to report this week as I have been away for a few days!


We had fun, laughed a lot and I even did karaoke.......I'll leave that there! Anyway, three nights away have predictably left me with a bad fibromyalgia flare-up and sore everything from throat to bones to skin! Yes, my skin hurts!!


I can't say I didn't anticipate this and you may wonder why I would put myself through it? The answer is simple: I refuse to let this illness stop me from having a life! It's taken my career but it's not going to take my spirit. Also I spent four days with a really great, eclectic bunch of people and was well and truly reminded of the human kindness we rarely see these days.


It may have been a pj's and painkillers day but I have learned to rest when I need to and go from there, and anyway, those creative cogs haven't stopped whirring don't worry.......



Big Love, Loli B xxx

Glovelets, patchwork and maverick crochet!

Greetings lovely people!

In preparation for an upcoming escapade I have been hooking myself a hat and a dinky pair of wristlets, which I have re-named 'Glovelets'.

In a huge leap away from my usual red-black-purple-grey colour scheme I have gone for pink yarn. Yes pink!! Very unusual for me but I like the colour and fancied something a little different and (dare I say it?) spring-like.

As for the pattern, well I did a 'Loli Belle special'. I started with one pattern I found online, then saw another one I liked so I just kind of combined them as I went along. Maybe I should start writing these things down as I am deffo a maverick crochet gal!

The glovelets!x

Proof they do fit me!

Now, why make these tiny gloves? You may well ask. I like to wear gloves you see, but don't like having my fingers covered (unless it's freezing cold - I'm not completely crackers!) Anyway, as fibromyalgia often leaves me with cold, numb hands I have found that these do actually help and I can crochet because I have crocheted! Winner!













In other news this week I have been re-living my teens listening to Chicane - Offshore is, and forever shall be, one of my favourite tracks and it's led to a discussion with one of my brothers and a lengthy 'must get' list, from BT to Sander Kleinenberg........it's brilliant music to create things to (even just creating a mess or a little bit of havoc!)

I also finally finished this little piece below. It was some rather intricate patchwork started by my friend's Grandma (yes, the same one who gave me the yarn for said friend's hat. She's a doll!) and though my friend is a patchwork fiend she was freaked out by a shape that wasn't a square so I've framed it for her. She loves it!

Framed patchwork x

So, that's it for my little update for now - these creations won't make themselves you know!


Big Love, Loli B xxx

Thursday - Thor's Day!!

Well hello my lovelies,

THOR

I'm back again with another post, spurred on by Thor this time! I was reading about correspondences for Thursday in one of my many Ellen Dugan books last night and was particularly struck by the Norse God Thor. Maybe because he's a big, hairy, beardy giant (a very good deal like my eldest brother!) or maybe it's because he appears warrior-like but is also about beneficence.

Anyway, I was struck with a couple of fab thunderbolts of inspiration today so I'll thank Thor for those. I've been busy with the sketch pad, sharpie, cutting mat and all the rest of it - my ideas journal is going to burst at the seams at this rate!

Yes, I am careful about fabric and non-fabric scissors!

I'm not going to reveal my ideas just yet as I am one who likes to ruminate on an idea (I believe writer-types call it 'composting' Heidi?) plus I am a little mischievous!!

A couple of other pics I wanted to share are of my vintage sewing basket, vintage-style embroidery scissors and a beautiful bag I was given - perfect for my current crafty reads:

So pretty!!

Right, off in search of inspiration, tea and a plastic crochet hook! (Best not to ask...)

Big Love, Loli B xxx

La Belle returns..............beware, it's a long 'un.....!!!xxx

Greetings lovely people!

After a nigh on four month blog sabbatical I am returning full of vim and vigour for the year ahead!!

Whilst being away from the keyboard I have felt pretty crap at times(thank you fibro) but I have also done a lot of sewing and found my new love.......crochet!

Now I was taught to crochet at a young age and, as a lot of people do, forgot all about it. I can't quite remember what triggered my wanting to 'hook' again but I did and it has been brilliant. I have reconnected with my crafting heart, made new friends and managed to make some decorations for Yule, as well as gifts! Whoop I say!

I'll put up some pics of some of the things I have created since September just so you can see I have been creating, if a little quietly.....

First up; a lavender pillow and butterfly for Big Nana x

In the beginning! This hat was crocheted using yarn from my late Little Nana and sparked some positive feedback.........

I also made a pair of 'wristlets' to match as I wear these a lot, especially when it's colder - numb fibro hands do make crochet difficult!x

My first commission piece which a lovely ex-colleague ordered from me having seen the one I made with Little Nana's wool. Everyone loved the original hat colours but that was made with genuinely old yarn, making it a one off piece so I checked other preferred colours thankfully the recipient was happy with her hat too! Phew!!x

                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Now this one was made for my friend for Christmas, using yarn from her own Grandmother. I liked being able to use this yarn as it made the gift that bit more personal and, luckily, it went down a storm!!

A 3d, crocheted Christmas tree?! Oh yes! It started to take a good while and I had to pause it to complete my gift-making so...........This year's the aim!!

Snowflake garlands were a fave festive make in 2014! 

Rebel snowflake! 

Ok, so for the OH's works 'do' I hooked a little clutch bag, added a vintage brooch for a touch of glam, and a pair of earrings from some sparkly beads and buttons................shame we didn't make the do in the end but the bag's had a successful outing over the festive season!x

Pretty bag!x

Little bit of upcycled Indian cotton lining? Don't mind if I do!x

So that's a little round up of my recent crafty, crochet makes. There have been other goods made but to show them all would be just too much!

Suffice it to say I've sewn, patchworked, crocheted, designed, procrastinated, planned and completely got caught up in the New Year 'shake things up' vibe. With a beautiful vintage sewing basket for Christmas, plus a crochet 'hamper', a load of funky veg seeds and new craft books to name but a few of the awesome gifts I received,  I'm feeling inspired and ready to a) make my dream of selling handmade goods a reality and b) kick fibromyalgia's backside as naturally as possible (the inner hippy never truly goes away).

Bring on the New Year!

Bring on the challenges!!

Bring on the trumpets!!! (Just for my sis Heidi-Jo Swain - she's gonna be a published author this year you know!)


See you soon for more mayhem and hookery!

Big Love, Loli B xxx

Getting back on the 'horse', a child's perspective and a birthday epiphany!

So lovely people, it's been a very long time since I last posted. I've been having it tough with the ol' fibro and then had an accident which left me feeling very bruised and battered - hence the lack of making and blogging...

I have managed a few makes which I will share in due course, and I'm currently working on some pieces for a special little lady with a birthday very soon.........

The weeks spent 'recovering' included a birthday for me which led to something of an epiphany. I suddenly woke up and realised I have been wasting energy on people/things whose sole aim is to drag me down/stop me/make me feel rubbish and it's time I put a stop to it once and for all.

I also saw two of my (four) nieces on my birthday and they were so interested in, and excited by, the various things I have made and upcycled that my enthusiasm was brought up past the pain and back to the top of my tree! Whoop indeed! (My upcycled bed linen tea towels were a hit for one thing!)

Sometimes it takes the perspective of a child, which is always honest, non-judgemental and straight to the point, to make us stop and reassess things. I was so lucky to have had this experience and have been designing, planning and sourcing ever since!

I'll post again soon with pics and more positive stuff!

Big Love, Loli B xxx

Felt, felt and flare-ups!

Howdy my lovelies, long time no see!

I have been in the grip of a big old fibro flare and have basically been an exhausted zombie for over a week now. Not how I usually roll - it's mostly pain normally but this past week I've genuinely looked as if I have narcolepsy.........and that's not a good thing.

Anyhoo, before the flare took hold I dabbled with a bit of felt earring making! Cupcakes, bats and russian dolls - I just had to try them and get them out of my system I think.

The pics below show all three efforts: (The bats will certainly be adorning my lobes come October!)

Cupcakes!x

Russian Dolls x

Batty earrings!x

So, there are the felt earrings and while we're on the subject of felt; does anyone watch 'Kirstie's fill your house for free'? I'm a devotee and artist Charis Williams is a girl after my own heart - last week she said she keep everything and even has a collection of jam jars. I thought I was the only one!!

Charis also had an awesome hair adornment  - a cute little bone! Now as I love anything kitsch, kooky, quirky, or any other term you prefer, I had to make one. I made it from white felt, toy stuffing and a hair clip, tweeted a pic of it to Charis and she loved it! (Have to say I do too!)

In other news I have signed up to the "Stall and Craft Collective" and will be selling from my online stall once the flare has passed and I have a selection of items to stock! Can't wait to get going but in the meantime I've been commissioned by my Mum to make her a bespoke make-up bag for her birthday which is well under way and had a lightening strike of an idea brought about by going to sleep!

More of those next time, until then lovely people.........

Be happy!

Big Love, Loli B xxx

Designing, doodling and doing!

Howdy, it's time for another update on my crafting journey (even if it is later than planned - thank you fibromyalgia)

So, I've been trying out a few old things and a few new this week - felt brooch (new), oilcloth key ring (new) and jewellery (old).

A few weeks ago I got a copy of Craftseller magazine with a free kit attached to make a travel card wallet from some lovely red and white polka dot oilcloth fabric. Sadly, not all of the parts were inside so I sent a little tweet to the magazine and they said they'd send me a replacement kit with their apologies. (I must add here that it is an utterly brilliant mag and website - www.craft-seller.com please check it out for tons of ideas and info).

True enough the next day I received a new kit, with all the right bits, and was ready to crack on and make the wallet. But hang on a second! There was a completed card wallet inside along with the kit!

Having customised my wallet (of course) I figured I could make a couple of key rings with some of the oilcloth. They're dinky and, to be fair, not incredibly sturdy but they are pretty! Here's one of them:

Oilcloth key ring x

Having given one to my friend (which was immediately hung up in her car) I thought I'd do a little jewellery making - an old friend of mine!

The handy thing about this was that even though I've been feeling devoid of all energy I could do this from the comfort of an armchair.

First up; the heart key ring friend loves anything pink and/or sparkly so I made her a little pair of earrings......

Sparkly earrings x 

Next I made myself a pair with 'bone', semi-precious stone and 'shell' pieces - the bone isn't real of course and I'm afraid I can't tell you what the semi-precious stone is as the beads came from a big bag of mixed stone beads!  

Anyhoo, I wanted something pretty but laid back and here they are:

Turquoise and neutral earrings x

As you can see for some reason I just could not get my camera to focus on these - must figure that out before I launch my shop!!!

Finally, I had to do something else with fabric - I can't go a day without the feel of it in my hands........

Lo and behold; Billy bluebird was created - a dinky bird brooch made from felt and stuffed with a little stuffing to make him puff out his chest! Here he is on my first Glasto bag (I now have three) which was wonderfully lined and customised by my fabulous Mum with a selection of buttons old and new!!

Billy bluebird

Since these makes I've been busy designing more earrings and brooches so my next post will hopefully show you these..........

'Till next time, be happy and enjoy the sunshine!!

Big Love, Loli B xxx

There's a cornucopia of information out there........insomnia...........and 'Hoot' the owl.........

Hello again!

Having posted earlier I have spent a while going through my 'resource' file and the good old t'internet searching out all kinds of info - legal shizzle, where to sell, who charges what to sell on your behalf and all that jazz.

Phew! I had to take a little break and have a cuppa in the garden after information overload and wouldn't you know it? The OH rings me and suggests I have been sunning myself while he's been working all day. If only. I'd probably have less of a headache if I had been in the sun too long!

The upshot of my afternoon's research is that I have a (long) list of websites to check out, blogs to read, and decisions to make.......oh and pattern pieces to cut ready for assembly. (I mean putting together - not taking to school in the morning!)

In other news I was unfaithful to my blog this week - I posted a pic of a little creation on Facebook before I posted it here. Please forgive me dear blog! *grovels on knees, does puppy dog eyes etc etc

Anyhoo, here's what I should have posted!

The OH is having trouble sleeping so I made him a little felt owl, whom I promptly named 'Hoot', and filled it with lavender from the garden. (I doodled many 'owl' shapes and searched out many pictures and eventually came up with a relatively simple shape I was happy with).

Here he is:

'Hoot'

Having handed him over to the OH I stated that he was fiddly to make and was deffo a one-off, but within a few mins of the photo of the owl being on Facebook a friend asked if she could order some! Typical yet marvellous!!!

To be fair, having made my templates (from template plastic) cut the felt pieces and chosen the buttons for the eyes the 'making' part wasn't tricky at all. I think I'm trying to convince myself that if I blast through the preparation I can handle making more; plus it's cute and smells lovely so I'm becoming rather keen!

Off to soothe my overloaded brain with laid back tunes and sunshine for a little longer before I get back to it!

Big Love, Loli B xxx

P.s. It's a good job the owl is aesthetically pleasing as it didn't help with the sleep problem at all! Are men-folk immune to Lavender??