Saturday 29 June 2013

Ooooh! The Colour Possibilities......

 

 
I'm sitting in the sun writing this, yes the sun.....that big yellow round loveliness, that hangs in the sky! Little seen here this week, so at every opportunity I'm out in it!
 
Taking of opportunities, I now have the opportunity to add even more colour into my life. Learning how to crochet is opening up a new world....I'm giddy with the possibilities, the combinations I will be able to conjure up!
 
 
I can now match my crochet with my household trays....if I so wish!
 
 
I'm gleeful, I'm giddy....happy, happy, happy. There still so much to learn but I'm on my way. Think I need to 'block' this, I don't yet know about blocking, I know it involves pins and steam/water.....and I know it improves the look of your crochet, anything that improves the look sounds good to me!
 
 
I've completed some on these, I could hardly contain myself when I'd done one! Emailed out very poor photos to Bloggy people, it was dark, so photos weren't brilliant! (Sorry Bloggy people!) I went around next door to show my neighbour, it's ok, I've a reputation of being bonkers, so no one bats an eye around here!
 
 
Annie and Gillian, have been writing about colour recently, it makes great reading if you get the chance. It got me thinking about colour and what I love about colour.
 
Colour has a profound effect on me, it really does touch my soul. Colour can change my mood, lift me, calm me....make me happy or sad. I need colour in my life, it's an integral part of who I am.
 
My home is a colourful home. Like Gillian, I can't say I have a favourite colour, I slip in and out of love with particular shades. This can depend on mood, the seasons, anything really. You could say I'm fickle!
 
 
I've bought some yarn, all in the sale...£2.00 a ball, wool and cotton!
 
 
This is all Rowan, I couldn't believe it when I saw it, especially after my Yearning for Yarn lament recently! 'Thank you' to the powers that be for making sure I was in the right place at the right time. These colours will be perfect for my living room!
 
 
And so I'm sitting in my warm, sunny garden, crocheting away...
 
 
Pleased that I can follow at pattern, well almost, this Sunburst Flower square isn't quite right, but I'm ok with that, it will still go into my blanket, which I know won't be perfect......but it will be very colourful! sunburst Flower Square Blanket....I'm now ready for you!
 
 
Thanks for all your wonderful comments on my last post, you are all so supportive.
 
I hope I don't loose too many of you when Google Reader finishes tomorrow, I'm just wondering what will happen! It's a bit like when we entered the new millennium....all sorts of stuff was going to happen! Anyway I'm on Bloglovin if you still want to follow me ( and my crochet endeavours!).
 
I think that I will also stop selling my wallpapers by the metre soon too. They are incredibly expensive to send and I've been losing on postage, I will continue for the next couple of weeks, until our holiday (so excited about that one, our first 'proper holiday in a few years, just hope the sun shines a little bit!).
 
I will be back early next week, it's almost a year since I started this little blog so I'm conjuring up a very colourful giveaway....just to celebrate!
 
Bye for now,
 
Ada :) xxx
 
 
 
 

Wednesday 26 June 2013

Outstanding Achievements! (And no, I'm not talking about my crochet!).....

 
Last night, as a family we attended my daughters schools, 'Outstanding Achievements Awards Evening'. The secondary school my daughter attends is a Specialist Performing Arts College, and they hire the local theatre for the evening.
 
You can just imagine the talent displayed in these evenings, the children were fabulous, there is indeed lots of talent within the school, a very moving evening. A theatre packed with proud parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters.
 
There were the usual faces, those children I've seen through primary school, getting their awards. They should be proud, their parents should be proud. (When the 'Creative Writing' award was given, Little Bea whispered to me, "That's the one I want Mum"....you know something, I wouldn't be surprised if she did!)
 
 
So what award were we waiting for? Dance, Drama? Outstanding achievement in mathematics or science? No, none of them.
 
I'm not sure if my daughter will ever receive an award at one of these evenings. She quiet, she doesn't speak out. She hasn't learnt that smiling and chatting to your teacher gets you noticed, or that class disruption may get your needs met. No, she sits very still, very quiet. She wants no one to pay her any attention. If she draws attention to herself, if she gets noticed, people will look at her, she hates being looked at.
 
So my daughter may never get one of those awards, being so quiet, she's often overlooked. It would take a very special teacher to notice her. To realise what she's achieving, it may not be as outstanding as other children, but a huge achievement for her.
 
 
So, you may ask, why were we there?
 
 
Well, despite her difficulties, despite the fact she HATES being in public view, she sat on that stage, and played four pieces on her clarinet. She may have been part of a concert band, but she did it! Overcame her difficulties!
 
 
 
We were very, very proud parents. And guess what, the band played right at the end.....she had to 'hold her nerves' for almost two hours! I'm not sure I could have done that, are you?
 
When we collected her from the stage door she was buzzing, so proud of herself. I could hardly contain her! Later as I tucked her up in bed, she beamed at me.
 
"I'm bouncing with confidence Mum" she said. This is something that rarely happens to her, it's a new feeling. "I'm going to do it again!" Confidence is a good, good feeling isn't it?!
 
 
And so Mr Bea and I have our own 'Outstanding Achievement Award' to present, to our Daughter. For Bravery and Overcoming Difficulties. It's a pity those awards aren't actually ever given out!
 
My confidence is growing too, getting to grips with these crochet pattern, slowly improving! New cushion, you can never have too many of those!
Welcome to those who've just found me, thanks to those who leave your thoughts, who join in with the conversation! Right need to dash, housework to be done, then another concert to attend, Little Bea and a Ukulele. Love it!
Bye for now!
Ada Bea, Very Proud Mum! :) xxx

Monday 24 June 2013

Doing the DC......

 

 
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you my Lovelies, for all your advice on yesterday's post!
 
 
This is my first attempt at doing a DC (double crochet for those unfamiliar to crochet terms....gosh sound like I know what I'm doing....I don't by the way!) around the edge of a tiny granny square!
 
 
I was thinking of making this beautiful throw from Nicki Trench's book 'Cute and Easy (easy??!) Crochet! Has anyone else made it, are the squares meant to be that tiny?.....I'll be an old woman before I've finished!
 
If I get to grips with the DC, then that's 5 stitches I can do!!! And this ones in the chain, not in the space ( I like in the space, soooooo much easier!).
 
 
Anyway, thank you so much for your advice! I've looked at the links you gave me and I've decided to go with the Stylecraft DK for now, or another cheaper blend, just whilst I'm learning!
 
If my confidence grows, and skills of course, then perhaps Santa can bring me some of the more expensive, looooovely yarn at Christmas, or my birthday. I really don't want to stop now but can only continue, if I use the cheaper yarn!
 
Hopefully I will be back later in the week, with a better example of the DC, but don't hold your breath.......I don't do Perfect!
 
Thanks again!
 
Ada :) xxx
 
 
 
 

Sunday 23 June 2013

Yearning For Yarn.....

 
I know, sounds very dramatic, but it's how I'm feeling! I just thought 'I want to learn to crochet', I saw all the beautiful, colourful things people were making and I thought, I want to do that!
 
I want to create loveliness like that. What I hadn't really thought of, was how EXPENSIVE it would be! That hadn't even entered my head! I didn't realise how I would be drawn to the most expensive, beautiful, smooth, delicious yarn!!! Silly Girl!
 
 
I've got a bit left, enough to make a couple of cushions, if I get one or two balls of another colour....but this week I FELL IN LOVE, with the most gorgeous cotton yarn from Rowan. Some was in the sale, I was sooooo tempted, but even in the sale it's out of my budget! Anyway, most of the colours I loved weren't even in the sale! Isn't that always the way!
 
I've dreamt about it, my thoughts have wandered to it, far too many times this week.....it's crazy isn't it, how it gets under your skin! I wanted to rush to the shopmtoday to buy it, I did the ironing instead!!! I could just imagine myself wrapped up in a blanket made of those beautiful colours!
 
So my Lovelies....any tips? I only wanted to use wool or cotton yarn, but that's unrealistic, unless of course I win the lottery (note to self, you have to buy a ticket first!). Any alternatives to these, lovely but expensive yarns? I really do want to continue to crochet, but it's got to be more cost effective!
 
HELP!
 
 
But on a happier note.....my little cup has returned, to be with the other little cups....Hooray! Look at them, sat all together, happy again! Look at that brilliant little tray, loving flamingos at the moment!
 
 
And I'm loooooooving this too! My latest wallpaper, just YUMMY!
 
 
It's been yucky here today....so I've made up some Sunshine Vintage Wallpaper packs up, they are soooo 1970's! Bright and cheerful!
 
 
14 pieces of sunshine in each pack! Lovely, brighten anyone's day...you could cover shelves, little cupboards, suitcases.....I could go on, and on!
 
 
 
And these are my new blooms, a little soggy but still beautiful!
 
Thank you all so much for our wonderful chat over the garden fence, your comments, as usual, are always very much appreciated! Welcome to those who have just found Vintage Sheet Addict, and thank you for stopping by and saying "Hi"
 
Sassy thought it was my Blog Birthday, well not just yet Sweetheart, but soon! So I'm thinking another little giveaway to celebrate! So watch this space!
 
I'm told blog reader is finishing at the end of this month, I'm still none the wiser to what this means! You can if you so wish, follow this blog on Bloglovin!
 
I've a very busy week ahead, nothing exciting but my time will be tied up, but I'll pop over to see you when I can and I will pop back here when I can too! You never know, I might have got the winning ticket and you will see a photo of me sat on a huge pile of delicious yarn!!!
 
Bye for now, yearning for yarn, Ada Bea :) xxx
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Friday 21 June 2013

Life's Too Short For Perfection....

 

 
Hello There.....hope you are all Fine and Dandy!
 
Now the title of this post is a positive one!
 
 
All summed up perfectly in how I feel about my crocheted cushion! (Well you all know how bonkers I am!) I have spent most of my life striving for perfection, being the perfect daughter, student, employee, employer, wife, mother, friend....Phew, NOONE can sustain that amount of perfection!
 
 
It took me quite a few years, but finally the penny dropped, I'm not perfect, I cannot be perfect....and you know something....ALL IS OK, NOT BEING PERFECT, IS PERFECTLY OK!
 
 
I'm not sure where the need for perfection came from.
Now I'm not totally against perfection. Perfectionism is a great quality in Olympic athletes and we all want the surgeon, who has our life in their hands, to be perfect. But maintaining a perfect life is an in my opinion, an impossibility!
 
 
My Dad always said to me "Just try your best" they never expected great things from me, my parents were too busy working hard, putting a roof over our heads, to put too much pressure on us anyway!
 
So I always 'try my best' never get anything perfect, but it's fine. My cushion is lovely but not perfect, I'm perfectly fine with this. It may have taken me a long, long time to reach this conclusion but I got there in the end!
 
 
Here's the back.....
 
 
And here it is on my settee (yes this is MY settee, it's ok my family know this...it's just the cat that keeps forgetting!)
 
Another thought! I always try my best, but sometimes that is hard too, what would happen if I only put 90% into something, or perhaps even 80%? We all have 80% days don't we?
 
My world won't collapse will it, if somedays I only put in 80%!!!!! I will give it a go and let you know!
 
Well while my life isn't perfect, I do have absolutely perfect moments....
 

 
Crocheting in the evening sun, listening to the birds, being glad I've found this lovely Bloggy world, that shares wonderful things! I love Perfect Moments.
 

 
It might not be perfect, but it's a great back support!
 
Thank you once again for stopping by and having a chat with me. I will ALWAYS think of this little blog of mine as a chat over the garden fence with a few friends. I looked at the blog stats the other day, it freaked my out a bit to be honest, lots of people stop by each day. At first I got a bit of 'blog fright' like stage fright, obviously without the stage!
 
However, I realised most of the people who stop by probably work in one of those spam call centres, they don't even read what I right but just use my blog address to send out spam comments!!! ( I find some of these comments hilarious, but they won't ever get on my blog as I delete them!)
 
So I shall just be glad I've got just a few Bloggy friends to chat with, you know over the garden fence, sharing a cuppa....or something a little stronger, depending on the time of day!
 
Wishing you many Perfect Moments.....have a lovely weekend!
 
Bye for now, Ada Bea- who has an amazing crochet cushion that supports her back PERFECTLY! :) xxx
 
 
 
p.s. don't forget there's 15% off in my Etsy shop until the end of June. Just type JUNE15 at checkout.
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

Wednesday 19 June 2013

Happy Snaps.....

 

 
Making me happy, right now, this moment!
 
Lovely, lovely gift from a overy special friend! (One little cup missing in action, on a courier van- hope it finds me quickly!) I love this coffee set....and my friend didn't even know I was looking for one! Look at those colours!
 
 
Top tray of my Vintage Wallpaper Trolley....swoon! Always swooning!
 
 
 
Vintage Sheets, always making me happy!
 
 
My bag of crochet, left on the table after last nights Crafty Club! We were freewheeling last night, some stitching, some needle felting, little bit of crochet.....lots of chatting, laughing and sipping of refreshments!
 
 
On top of Clarice, my sewing machine! Just waiting to be stitched!
 

 
Smiling at colourful bobbins.....
 

 
Just a few of my lovely books....I've got far too many! (That's not a complaint by the way!)
 
 
Betty Blue......we love you! Big Grin every time I look at her!
 
 
Only a few FQ left in my little cupboard....must make some more!
 
 
 
 
Gifts from Very Talented Ladies.....more Big Grins!
 
 
Vintage wallpaper in my bedroom....
 
 
Pretty perfume bottles.....
 
 
Cosy pillows.....
 
 
Special cards from lovely blog friends....
 
 
The promise of delicious strawberries!
 
 
Sat chilling....listening to my fab radio....always making me smile!
 
I love the '52 Weeks of Happy' many of you do with Jen. Unfortunately I'm not organised enough to take part each week, so this is my little contribution today! I'm never sad for long.....too many lovely things surrounding me, making me grin like a Cheshire Cat!
 
Looks like the sun is trying to peek out from behind the clouds so off to crochet in the sun! And perhaps a little blog reading!
 
Bye for now!
 
Ada :) xxx
 
Etsy News!!!
 
15% off in my Etsy shop for the rest of June! Just type JUNE15 at checkout! I've been wanting to put some more fabric bundles in but want to lighten the shelves a little first!
 
 
So go on......grab yourself a little Vintage Loveliness!