Saturday, February 25, 2023

ANNIE'S KIT CLUBS - MANDALA AFGHAN "FLORAL PARADISE"

 

I'm just loving this crochet kit from Annie's Kit Clubs. I'm motoring along. Here's my little review so far. Above is kit 1 and most of kit 2 finished! Loooove the colours. The pattern has many new cute stitches like the shell stitch, the bean stitch and the star stitch. It's just so fun. And the 100% acrylic yarn, which is anti-pilling, is great to crochet with. Smooth but not slippery. So great. The pattern goes from using a 5mm hook to a 5.5mm hook. 
The start of kit 3 is flowers! As the pattern says, I've attach them to each other as I go. The pattern and video instructions do a 4 chain to start, but I'm just using a magic ring. Also, I am absolutely stitching in the ends as I go, not weaving them in after each flower, as they suggest. I'd say the pattern is intermediate.
The flower chain is separate until I'm finished all 36 of them. Then, with the white (linen colour) you attach the chain to your mandala. Even then, I'm only 1/3 of the way! It was an X-mas gift to myself so, I'm actually happy with how fast it's going. 
p.s.
The pattern calls for me to crochet into the BACK BARS a lot, so I'm not weaving in my row ends right away. That way, the back bars are easier to find. 

Tuesday, February 21, 2023

Scrappy Fellas

 

$120
Original Watercolour Painting on 3/4"deep panel

Troublemakers, but cute!

Monday, February 20, 2023

Holiday Monday

 

$140
6x8" original watercolour on 3/4" panel with sides painted to match.

This determined racehorse is charging into the week after a relaxing Holiday Monday. : )

Tuesday, February 14, 2023

ANNIE'S KIT CLUBS - MANDALA "Floral Paradise" AFGHAN

 

Crocheting in the round and loving it! I love learning all of these new stitches. Look at the cool turquoise star stitches. #cuuuuuute 

Finished rows 1-18! Love the shell stitches. And the little cream coloured beans. I'm sewing the ends in every second row since the pattern calls for you to crochet into back bars often. Those ends can get in the way.
And look what's just arrived. Kit 2! With two new colours. #woohoo  I'll keep you updated on my review of the kit.
#yummy

Wednesday, February 08, 2023

ANNIE'S KIT CLUBS - MANDALA AFGHAN

I treated myself to the awesome crochet kit from Annie's Kit Club. I chose the Floral Paradise Mandala Afghan. It's so colourful and beautiful.
It arrived in a distinctive padded envelope, so I'll know to look out for a patterned package. It arrives every few weeks, which is great because then I don't have a whole load of yarn kicking around. It included instructions and the Annie's Kit Clubs site has awesome step by step videos.

My biggest concern was the yarn. But it's great! It's 100%Acrylic but it's smooth, without being slippery. It's Anit-Pilling. I find it very easy to crochet with. The pattern calls for both 5mm and 5.5mm crochet hooks (not included).
Here's a closeup. Soooo fun!
I've finished about 8 rows. Kit 1 is 18 rows. There are so many different and fun stitches. Better get at it so that I'm done by the time the next shipment arrives. That's the other good thing... it keeps me working at a good pace.
Thanks for looking. I'll keep you posted on how I do! Hope you enjoyed the review. 

Sunday, February 05, 2023

BREWED ICED TEA

 

$100 - 6x6" original oil painting on 1/4" cradled panel.

The first thing I did, before painting this, was brew some hot tea. And, due to the steamy looking night in this piece, I decided that was a good title. #heehee

OIL - original 6x6" oil painting on 1/4" cradled panel. Sides painted. 

Toronto - curbside pickup - Canadian $ - Bloor/Spadina area