Groovin 60's

Some projects I had been working on back in February were Birthday cards for family and friends using the stamps and stencils Groovin 60's range by Sheena Douglass.    There are 8 stencils in the set and 6 sets of stamps. 

I was particularly keen to get hold of some of these stencils and stamps as the images would make great cards in particular the RPM stamp set with a record player and records.

I tried various techniques of making the stamped images of the records look as realistic as possible and decided the best way for me was to use my black Sparkle Pen.  I did try Glossy Accents but it is quite difficult to cover a large surface area without it looking too much.  First off I brushed it on but it left brush marks which I didn't like.

Anyway, here is the end result.

And this one.  I also made a third but forgot I hadn't taken a photograph of it before I sent it off.

Crochet Teddy Bears

Say hello to my crocheted bears I have recently made.  The patterns are designed by Kristi Tullis and are available to purchase on Etsy on the following link.

This first bear is a classic amigurumi teddy bear. It took a little more work due to having moving joints but it is nice that they move and this is why the bear can stand up unsupported.  I used plastic doll joints available on Ebay which enable the joints to move.  

My little bear took me two days to crochet, but I am sure the next time I follow this particular pattern, I will be more confident and I should be able to make it in less time.

And here is my newest crochet bear.  As you can see I have made a little girl this time.  I used a 2.75 crochet hook for the 4ply yarn which made up the hoodie.  It crocheted well with this size hook.  The white yard was a double knit so I went down to a size 1.9 hook. The joints came out a little smaller so instead of using the plastic doll joints I switched to trying the button technique.  It was much more fiddly to do and to get a tight enough joint so the limbs were not floppy.  I would like to try this pattern again sticking to 4ply all round.

Here is a picture of the hoodie from the side.  The hair accessory was my own creation.

Tulip by Andrea Jayne

I am easing myself back into card making with some really easy cards that are illustrated by by Andrea Jayne in a range called Tulip.  I adore the soft pastel colours and the cutesy images and it has been really easy to put these cards together.

This first one just needs a sentiment "Just For You" which I will add once I am more mobile and can find my sentiment dies!  The shade of green is so beautiful, it makes my heart sing.

I have used some cardstock that I had previously cut with a butterfly die from Crafters Companion that was waiting for a purpose.  I may add some more wording here too.

This stepper type card came with some papers and toppers.  I just need to add some flexible edging peeloffs to frame these images then I will be happy with this card.

Another card using the same type of card.

And again!

And this one.

The last of my cards have now been added below.


I created little port holes behind the tags on this card.

Here we have the front of the card followed by the inside of the card.

Here we see the front and then the inside of the card.

These final cards were made using an Edgeable die by Crafters Companion.

Maybelle Crochet Square

I am sharing with you a crocheted lap blanket I have been working on over the last 5 weeks whilst I have been recuperating from surgery at home to fix my broken hip.

It has taken me 5 weeks to complete this, working an average of 2 hours a day.  Joining all the loose ends took me two long evenings.  I had a very large eyed needle which really helped.

The pattern was found in Pinterest from this website address: My Rose Valley .  I struggled a bit with the instructions when it came to putting the off-white colour around each flower but I did get there in the end.

Here is the end result:

And here are some close ups!

Living with Osteogenises Imperfecta

I think most of my readers probably know me and are aware that I had a fall a month ago resulting in a broken hip and the need for a hip replacement.  For those of you used to checking in on my blog and wondering why I haven't been posting as frequently as I do, this is the reason why.  

I was born with a rare disease called Osteogenises Imperfecta - a disease that causes weak bones that break easily.  It has also caused problems with me having hyper-mobility in my joints, brittle teeth and hearing loss. 

It happened early Saturday on the 26th February.  I hadn't been long up and we had decided on going out.  I had literally just got out of my wheelchair and was heading to the front door on my walking sticks.  A few steps later and I was down on the floor.  My legs had given way on me and that was it. 

At first I hadn't realised that I had caused so much damage so I stayed at home for a few days before getting it checked out.  After all I had managed to get myself up and down the stairs shuffling on my bottom and assisted by my husband.  

It wasn't until I felt the bone moving a few days later that I realised things may be more serious than I first thought so I rang the NHS 111 service.  Out of concern and my prior history, they sent an ambulance to me.   I was quite surprised to learn following an X-Ray in the A&E that I had actually broken the neck of the femur and was going to be kept in hospital.

At first I was told the operation needed looked tricky and was offered the opportunity to be sent home and not have anything done and see how this went!  It was up to me to decide.

My husband managed to pass word to an orthopedic surgeon that had operated on me before that I had broken my hip and without hesitation he took over my care.   

Six days after the fall I was in surgery having a partial hip replacement.  My surgeon visited the next day and showed me an image of the new hip telling me all went well.

This was four weeks ago now and I am incarcerated at home until six weeks have gone by and things have time to heal.  I am somewhat limited in what I can do at the moment and this includes driving or travelling as a passenger as getting in and out of the car can risk straining the hip and stretching the healing tissues.

I have a list of dos and don'ts to abide by as follows:

The Don'ts

• Don't cross your legs at the knees for at least 6 to 8 weeks.
• Don't bring your knee up higher than your hip.
• Don't lean forward while sitting or as you sit down.
• Don't try to pick up something on the floor while you are sitting.
• Don't turn your feet excessively inward or outward when you bend down.
• Don't reach down to pull up blankets when lying in bed.
• Don't bend at the waist beyond 90 degrees.

The Dos

• Do keep the leg facing forward.
• Do keep the affected leg in front as you sit or stand.
• Do use a high kitchen or barstool in the kitchen.
• Do kneel on the knee on the operated leg (the bad side).
• Do use ice to reduce pain and swelling, but remember that ice will diminish sensation. Don't apply ice directly to the skin; use an ice pack or wrap it in a damp towel.
• Do apply heat before exercising to assist with range of motion. Use a heating pad or hot, damp towel for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Do cut back on your exercises if your muscles begin to ache, but don't stop doing them!

    All these are to prevent hip dislocation from occurring which would be very unpleasant.

I have two weeks remaining before I am free to travel in the car and the first thing I want to do is go swimming at Seale Hayne.  They have a lovely hydrotherapy pool there heated to a comfortable 32 degrees.  It will be so nice to take the weight of my "der·ri·ère" and do some gentle walking exercises in the pool.  I haven't walked since the fall, just carried out the exercises provided.  

Progress seems slow but I will get there given the self determination I have.