Time flies, again, when you're making a menagarie!

So I've been pretty rubbish at regular posting.  But that's not because I've had no time to do anything - it's because I've been busy making so many things!  It has helped that my daughter has been going through a growth spurt (meaning lots of naps!) and my husband had two weeks off work (meaning someone else could chase my daughter round).


To make sure I keep writing new posts, I'm now going to schedule in "blog time" every two weeks, to ensure I keep this blog going as I really do enjoy it!  Though I've also just started up on instagram so you can see what I've been up to between posts. 


Now onto what I've been up to...  Firstly, I made a wonderful little sewing pouch.  In it I keep everything I might need for crafting - scissors, a variety of needles, assorted crochet hooks, sewing thread, there's some felt, a couple of stitch markers and a whole lot of other random bits and pieces.  It's been really useful, especially when we went to Cornwall a few weeks ago.  Here's a picture:

It's a really handy pouch, and has been used so much!  It was part of April's Craft Club Box (link here) which included this kit and a whole lot of other bits and pieces (some of which I've not yet decided what I'm doing with, but I'm sure they'll come in useful!).  It's also fully lined and I had fun making it - I've never done top stitching before so it was also a good opportunity to practice new techniques.  Pretty sure I'm going to use it lots - and I'm even thinking of making another, slightly larger, one as a more quirky project bag.  I'm currently using drawstring totes mostly, and my 11 month old daughter can empty those a bit too easily...


Next to what has kept me very busy over the month of May.  You may remember the elephant and polar bear I crocheted - well now I've added a significant number of animals to my menagerie.  In May alone, I managed to create seven animals - including my first bird.  Here's a picture:

The sheep was a bit of a pain to do with the fleece (though it would have helped if I'd followed the instructions and not done it into every stitch!) - other than that they were all rather straightforward.  My favourite has to be the hippo, with her tutu!  I really love these animals from Edward's menagerie, created by Kerry Lord at Toft.  They're so simple, and rather addictive!!  I have another six currently in progress, so expect more of these!!  My daughter is loving them too - the tiger got taken when he only had three legs and I had to steal it back to finish.  He's the firm favourite so far!


For anyone that looks at them and thinks "I can't make those, they look so complicated" or "I can't crochet, but I'd love to make one" then I would advise they are easier than you think. I'd suggest if you want to give them a go then start with something simple like the elephant or bunny, a light yarn so you can see the stitches easily and a good quality crochet hook (I like the Knit Pro waves range - a good hook makes it so much more enjoyable) plus the book with it's lovely clear instructions then you'll be making your own collection in no time!


I have a lot (and I mean a lot!) in the pipeline at the moment - sewing wise, crochet wise, knitting wise and generally craft wise (my daughter's first birthday party is less than two weeks away...) so hopefully there will be some interesting makes in the near future.  For instance I've nearly finished my first dress - which has been a great learning experience.  I'll share that with you soon - for now my daughter is up and wants lunch, so I better go!