Spice of Life Crochet Blanket

I hadn't realised that there were such things as "Crochet Along Groups" until I discovered this fairly recently.

This particular pattern, The Spice of Life was originally released in 2015 and can be found on this website Cherry Heart.  Click here for a free pattern download.

This blanket took approximately a month to make but would take longer if you had less time on your hands than I currently do.  I crocheted most evenings for a few hours, any longer and my shoulders complained!

I have some photos here of the finished item to share with you. This is the first which is laid out so you can see it in its entirety. I had something like 157 stitches.  There are two more rows needed around the border but as you can see I haven't enough yarn.  Hopefully it will come soon so I can complete it and then start my next project. 

The next ones allow you to see the work up closely.

Artist Trading Cards

I have used just about the last of my stash of Tulip elements designed and illustrated by Andrea Jayne Evans.  Some of the very small elements have been used to create Artist Trading Cards (ATC's) which is a new experience for me.  I have joined an ATC group and have made some ATC's ready to swap with others in the group. The group was set up by Jodie Johnson from Tonic after introducing some ATC dies on the Hochanda Show this month. 

Of all the various dies I have in my collection I find the Tonic ones are the best in terms of quality. I just couldn't resist owning these smaller dies which will be very useful in my crafty stash.

Artist Trading Cards are miniature pieces of art that are traded, not sold and are 2.5" x 3.5" in size so they are perfect for using up scraps and odds and ends that are so often left over after using a card kit.

Trading the ATC's is fun and a community of crafters are enjoying the swaps and making new friends.  I am also learning from the experience.  I can now upload my photos direct from my phone and share within groups I belong.  I have also found a reason to use Messenger too.  People who wish to send me a card (and vice versa) post a comment asking for whoever to contact them on Messenger with their address so it remains private to others in the group.


These are the ATC's I made using up my Tulip elements.  I have set up a page where a link to all my ATC's will be available from my Google+ photo album.

And heere are the cards I made.

        

Roses and Butterfly Card

I have created this card using a background die from Spellbinders and although there is room for a sentiment I have deliberately left it blank so that I can use it when needed.

Here it is again.

Diesire 'Create-a-Card' Metal Die - Flower Bed

I have a lot of unfinished projects (UFOs) where I have either stalled for inspiration or started one element of it such as the technique used below and made a batch of them ready to make up some cards.

The first card in my collection was such a card.  It was made using a stencil from Imagination Crafts and their glittery Sparkle Medium.  I then used one of my large dies from Crafters Companion to make the card up.  I have simply completed it now by adding a bow using my bow maker.  

Top tip:  When adding bows with silicon gel, instead of placing the blob of glue directly over the knot of the bow, place it either side and then it is invisible. 

Love this handbag design card.

These are all dies by Crafters Companion.