Rose tinted glasses

It's been a while, quite possibly after I claimed I would start blogging weekly, I, erm, stopped blogging, well these things happen, lets not get all pernickety and shine a flashlight on it!  

So what's spurned on this spontaneous blog.  Well If you are over on facebook then you may have noticed I started a 100 days daily doodle challenge, if not, well you know now.  Anyway it is actually todays doodle that has brought about this post. I wanted to explain a little about the rose tinted glasses that we like to wear (otherwise love/heart spotting) because that is the theme for the doodle.

I'm not quite sure when I began to notice hearts, although I'm sure if I thought about it really hard and for long enough I would remember.  What I am sure about is that it is not new and no doubt came from someone or something that inspired me, and if it was you then thank you.

I do remember in the beginning consciously looking for hearts, through a need to be reminded that love was there, all the time, even in the times that it felt like it couldn't possibly be there, it was there, just waiting.  Seeing heart shapes would remind me of that.  So for me I guess seeing a heart shape is like someone (love?) saying to me 'hey lovely, we're here'.  That's how I see them.  Now what's really cool is that my eyes just fall upon them, no more consciously looking, they're in the cereal bowl, spilt water, a puddle, a leaf, a stone, even a piece of loo roll, or rotting piece of rubbish! Their beauty and their message can be found everywhere.  And not just the good lovey dovey times either. Yes at times when I'm freaking out or losing my temper with the kids (and myself with it) I'll spin around in a blind panic or rage and there on the kitchen floor is a piece of heart shaped cabbage from the night before - Bam - it catches my eye, stops me in my tracks and gives me a bit of a reset, and then I can choose, I can continue to shout and feel rubbish or I can take a deep breath and choose another way.

What is even cooler is that my family have just naturally picked up on this habit too, and they love pointing them out so I get the pleasure of seeing the love through their eyes as well.  And cooler still, at times it is a kickstarter for conversations about kindness, love and all that jazz - which is great - especially in a society that can lean towards moaning and negativity and fear that if we don't worry then we really will end up with something to worry about!  And it's actually quite good fun.  Seriously, sometimes when one of us spots a heart its like the equivalent of stumbling across the bottom of a rainbow and having a chat with a unicorn whilst counting the gold - or just being really excited you know.

So........ it figures that I would love doodling heart shapes and crocheting hearts and filling my home with hearts too. 

So this morning whilst Luca was counting all the hearts in todays doodle I thought it might be fun to share an unpainted version in case someone out there fancied a little heart spotting, hopefully (fingers crossed) you'll be able to click on it, save it and print it if you like (if it doesn't work then be sure to let me know and we'll figure it out).  You or any kiddies in your care can count the hearts, draw in more heart or colour them in.  If you do please share, I'd love to see!

 

 

Much love,

Charlene x

Space invasion

This week has mostly been about me sharing my 'space' with my daughter as she worked day and night to complete her latest college assignment which was to pattern and create a theatre costume for an 1890's shopkeepers wife. There was no escape. It was messy. Like that kind of maniac, craziness that only comes when you are faced with a deadline and feel like you have no time to even breathe, in fact I had to remember to breathe, never mind her!  We also made the discovery that we both like very different environments to be creative in, Robyn likes constant radio background noise, lots and lots of mess and well..... I don't.  Yep it was a very interesting week and there wasn't much crochet done on my part. 

Here is Robyn in the thick of it but things are starting to take shape and just in case you were wondering - she is never, ever sewing another scallop again, EVER! That's what she said..... 

Ta Dah!!! Fast forward two days... Here I am modelling the final garment, crazily impressed! Still never going to sew scallops again Robyn?? 

I absolutely love what she has created although I have no idea how the women of that era coped with such restrictive clothing - give me comfort any day! I'm sure her tutor will love it too but she'll have to wait until assessment day. Robyn has achieved loads this week and learnt loads too. I'm not so sure I have managed quite the same but I have learnt that next time I'm moving out for a few days for both our sakes! 

I love going to the theatre and actually can't wait until the next time I do so that I can be extra thankful for all the people that help bring all the characters to life - in case any of you are reading this, and including Robyn of course - you are AMAZING!! Thank you, you fabulous creative people!! 

Charlene x

Happy New Year!

Hello!

Already it is the 9th of January and probably feels a little late with the Happy New Year title but I just really like the photo! And wanted to wish you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR and may 2015 be filled with an abundance of love, peace and happiness! 

When I was thinking what I would like more of in the year 2015, one of the things that came up was to be more proactive here, in this blog. Although it felt like a miracle to just get started last year, the frequency of posts was a tad, shall we say, infrequent?!  The reason being I think is that I never quite felt like I had anything important to write. So whilst I was pondering this, the quote 'sing like nobody's listening, dance like nobody's watching' popped into my head and I had a little aha! moment when I found myself thinking 'blog like nobody's reading' and really there's a pretty good chance that nobody actually is anyway.... So my mantra for my blog life this year is just that, blog like nobody's reading!  Well I may not share EVERYTHING but you know what I mean.  And given that my challenge is to blog weekly, I apologise now for any drivel you may endure (not that anybody is actually reading of course!) This year I'm also going to take on the following too - 

give like nobody's judging

receive like nobody's counting

sketch like nobody's looking

If you could change the above quote what would yours say for 2015? I'd love for you to share it

Much love for the year ahead and if you do happen to read this, thank you

Charlene x

Goodbye 2014

As the year 2014 is drawing to a close I have decided that instead of getting 'rid o auld years dirt' and running around like a headless chicken, I'm taking a much more gentle approach (or lazy depending how you look at it) and I am having a wee bit time to myself to reflect back on the year - it has been a belter and probably one of the most transformative yet! But before I get all gushy here is a snapshot of some of the wonderful things I had such joy in creating; 

Love! And lots of it! 

Hearts - teeny wee and lots of them!

Monsters - the cutest & friendliest!

And the wonderful elephants

Rainbows - lots of them and I discovered that I couldn't be sad and work with these colours at the same time - they lifted me EACH AND EVERY TIME!

Pretty hanging things - sweet and delicate

Playtime - just about anytime really

And... ahem... more playtime...

So here's the reflective and gushy bit but oh so real bit straight from the heart! It has been such a fun year filled with crochet that was so unexpected and just like really???!!! I'm still pinching myself when I think how much has changed not even this last year but maybe only 7 or 8 months! I cannot believe the wonderful people I have met, the stories we all have and the community that spreads far greater than just outside our own front doors. There is so much GOOD and LOVE out there! I have so many new friendships and yes they are friendships even across the miles without having ever met face to face - believe me! And the support I have felt from those already friends that have accepted and encouraged me to be me, I can't really truly put in to words how much gratitude and love I have for you. You've all had a part in the creating of the above. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! The year is almost gone and I don't know what 2015 will bring but I know I'm heading in to it with a heart opened wider than it has been for some time and my wish is that you all are too. See you next year xxx

Much love

Charlene x

The Christmas Stocking

So one of my most favourite things about Christmas is setting the table. I love to play about with ideas in my head for the weeks leading up to Christmas although mostly it's just a re-juggle of things that I have used in the past with a few slight changes and twists. It's so satisfying to put the effort, energy and love into creating a welcoming table that is a feast for the eyes. 

This year I have chosen some cotton yarn to co-ordinate with what I already have and made some name place mini Christmas stockings (mouthful I know but what else could I call them really?) 

I plan to stuff each persons stocking with a mint and a teeny little written note with 3 things that is special about them - not done that part yet but I know it's going to be just as much fun! The stockings can then be taken home and hung on the tree to be used year after year. 

As well as being useful for the table they can just be made to hang on a twiggy tree, Christmas tree or garland like the rainbow one below

If you'd like to make your own mini stockings here is how I made mine;

I used Rico essentials cotton DK in Hay and Natural with 3.5mm hook for the one shown in sample below. 

Other than where stated, crochet in a continuos spiral (amigurumi). Terms used are UK terms 

Begin with a magic ring or 'sloppy slip knot'

Chain 2

Round 1: in 2nd chain from hook double crochet (dc) x 5

Round 2: dc twice in each stitch (10)

Round 3: dc twice in each stitch (20) 

Should look like photo below

Round 4-10: dc in each stitch (7 rounds)

We are now going to work back and forth to create the heal part of stocking 

Round 11: dc in next 10 stitches, turn

Round 12-15: chain 1 (does not count as stitch, dc into stitch at bottom of chain, dc in next 9 stitches (4 rows)

It should now look like this;

Fasten off and flatten work placing two edges together of the rows just worked like photo below and use yarn tail to sew outer edge of heal together

Round 16: Now we return to working in continuos rounds. Rejoin yarn at edge of one side of heal and evenly work 5 dc along. Continue to work dc into next 10 stitches from round 10 and then 5 dc evenly into other side of heal. You should now have a round of 20 dc's 

Round 17-29: dc in each stitch (13 rounds)

Round 30: chain 15, slip stitch into dc at bottom of chain and fasten off to create hanging loop. 

Now to make the top part of the stocking join contrasting yarn in stitch next to hanging loop

Round 31: chain 3 (counts as first treble), treble (tr) in next stitch and each stitch around, slip stitch into 3rd chain at beginning of round

Round 32-33:  chain 3, tr in each stitch around, slip stitch in 3rd chain from beginning 3 chain, fasten off and weave in end

Fold down the top of the stocking and decorate with whatever you like, buttons, bows, embroidery. 

Woohoo! A mini Christmas stocking is born!!! 

For the name tag I cut out a small gift tag shape from some thin brown card and added the name and some twine. 

 

And there you have it!! A place name mini Christmas stocking ta-Dah 

I hope you like them and give them a try and if you do I'd absolutely love to hear about it. 

Merry Christmas 

Love from

Charlene xx

LOVE bracelet tutorial

The following has been copied from a note on Facebook that I posted some time ago and it most probably could be improved but until such time I've decided to post it here for anyone wishing to make themselves a bracelet with a loving intention. Or indeed make some to giveaway as acts of kindness, if you do then please stop by www.fb.com/randomactsofcrochetkindness and tell us all about it!! 

Please be kind and don't copy or sell the patterns/bracelets. If sharing then please link back here. This is for personal use only. So here it is with love and gratitude...

Love & Kindness Bracelet

So here's some details of how you can begin to create your own LOVE bracelet.  When I came up with this idea initially it was purely just for me, I wanted something I could wear around my wrist as a reminder to be kind and more loving and forgiving to myself.  With this in mind the bracelet was very much tailored to what I would like to wear so I totally invite you to change and tweak as you please!  You may prefer to use a stud fastener for example, or add on a few extra rows, use a different type of yarn.  You may prefer to have the label with a different word, or centred instead of to the side.

I also have never written something for someone else, it is always just scribbles in a notebook that even I sometimes can't work out what they mean when I return to them later so apologies in advance if things aren't that clear.

For the labels I used 5mm cotton tape, the type you can buy in lengths which i just cut to size and I hand wrote the word LOVE using dylon fabric paint.  You could also stamp the letters on if you have those lovely little alphabet stamps, or maybe embroidery even. 

 

Basic knowledge of following stitches required: chain(ch), double crochet (single crochet US terms)

With a 4mm hook and aran weight cotton

 

create a slip knot leaving a long tail, chain 26 to form foundation row

 

first row - *skip one chain, 1dc, 1ch* repeat from * to * until you reach end. You should now have 25 stitches

**for the next row you are going to be working in the spaces created by the chains from first row**

 

second row - turn work, *1dc, 1ch* in each chain space created in first row, repeat from * to * finish with a slip stitch into first dc from first row, fasten off with a long tail of yarn left

to finish sew in ends and knot through, check both 'tails' are of even length and trim if necessary.  Tie a knot near the end of each tail to stop the yarn from fraying.  Now all you need to do is stitch on your LOVE label.  I just used a basic whipstitch on two sides of the label as I quite like the 'rustic' look and it's held really well.  You may prefer other ways of attaching, and as long as it stays put then it's all good!

So how did it go?  I'd love your feedback and I'd also love to see your creations.  If you find any mistakes then please let me know

Happy LOVE bracelet making

Charlene xx

Sensitive and Proud

Isn't it funny how the smallest little things can trigger strong reactions, followed by a little bit of crochet to settle the mind and clear a few things up. This morning a friend shared a copy of her school report card in which it read that they were a little sensitive AND hopefully time will sort this out...... and I had a reaction - I felt angry, angry she had been portrayed as having something wrong and that well, if it wasn't sorted out soon then she'd be doomed (my words of course - good time to mention I'm sensitive). But what was really happening was this little voice inside of me was saying 'hey you know this and it still hurts' My school reports often told me that I was too quiet, over-sensitive and... wait for it..... I had an over active imagination - so I thought those all must be negative attributes because the were said in a negative manner, something was wrong that needed fixing, I was weak and maybe, yeh probably a bit pathetic. Wow what a load of negativity to deal with and don't forget, I am sensitive so just amplify it all by 100%

The thing is, there are all different types of people and we actually need all these different types for our survival - we really do - it is not a case of one type being more valuable to our society than the other, we are all important, and we are all needed to be as authentic to our true selves as can be. And we need to know that. It is important.  You just need to look at a classroom to see the diversity of characters - why on earth would we want them all to be the same, how boring for a start!! But more importantly to function as a community we need these different types to help us grow and evolve. 

For years I was ashamed of my sensitivity  I remember speaking to a doctor at a time when I suffered panic attacks and she asked me to write down 10 things I disliked about myself and guess what! Over sensitive was top of the list, followed by weak & pathetic.  As I grew older I became more aware of the usefulness of being sensitive, I was patient, a good listener, a good empathiser but I still didn't value it, it was more of a 'ugh it's too hard to change so try to look on the bright side' kind of thing. 

In the book Waking The Tiger by Peter Levine, he talks about studies of animal behaviour in herds and reminds us too that we are animals! He mentions in his book that whilst studying a group of animals grazing who are being approached by a predator they notice there are a couple of animals in that herd who sense the danger long before some of the more stronger leaders do, the couple stop feeding, they straighten up, their ears twitch, they are alert and they start to move, all of this alerts the rest of the herd who right up until this point are unaware and they all run for it!! Escaping the danger. So in this moment the sensitive one has become the leader in the community. Now I'm pretty sure when the chase is over they don't all sit around and say hey you need to stop being so sensitive  - NO - they would say hey, thank you for being sensitive, your sensitivity saved our lives, we value you just the way you are. 

I love that story, it was a huge turning point for me to think in these terms and accept that I'm as valuable as the one who is out there pushing forward, leading in a different way, a way that is unique and natural to them and valuable, it's just that it's different to my way. 

And really what it all comes down to is love, if you love yourself, you value yourself. It's about loving all of you, even those parts that feel difficult. Congratulate yourself on being such a valued member of our tribe! 

And if you have sensitive children around you, let them be sensitive and give them a hug, take them to open spaces, the seaside, the forest, the fields, whenever you can.  And if you've got any sensitive grown-ups around you then give them a hug too (seriously.... They give GREAT hugs) 

Just a wee footnote, I'm no expert I'm just talking and I'm still learning. There are some wonderful people out there and wonderful books who have dedicated years to their studies of subjects like this, if any of this resonates with you, know that you're wonderful and you're valued <3 

Charlene xx