Still counting and lots to go

Hi

I am still stocktaking and trying to tidy up at the same time.

My wool rep. is calling tomorrow to see me so I think, hmmm, no I know I will be tempted to buy more. I stock Stylecraft Special Double Knitting yarn and have most colours, please contact me if you want any it is £1.70 a ball at the moment but I am afraid that the postage is £3.30 per bag.

I have been busy trying to design a craft bag,  here it is so far. I love working textures this mock up version is using up some oddments I am hoping to work it in cotton DK when I have written the pattern out on the computer.

I've had a fairly busy week this week watching my grandson getting his new belt in judo

and taking him for some new shoes, as well as still unpacking all the stock from the show at the NEC. I am almost done I think that there is only one large bag to go.

Today my friend is coming round for a crochet day and chat, I don't know which we do more of crocheting or chatting.

Don't forget that the next instalment of the Mystery CAL will be available on Friday

Good luck everyone

Ali xxx

Lots of goodies and broken tooth

Good morning,

It was lovely to meet everyone at the weekend, we had a great time, hello to all our new customers and welcome back all the lovely ladies and gentlemen we have met before.

Arrived home from the NEC yesterday feeling very tired.

We were all packed up and back to our hotel on Sunday night before 7pm Sunday which is not bad.

Sunday is a long day the show started at 9.30am and does not finish until 5pm, and then we need to dismantle the stall and try to get it all back into the car the same way that it went in, that of course never happens!!!!

That may be because lots of goodies seemed to find their way into my shopping bag.

We also went the the Photography show which proved very expensive I don't think I should have let Phil go by himself 3 times on Saturday and Sunday and with me on the Monday 

~oops~

He did say that he had saved lots of money on what he bought, so I have ordered a new sewing machine with the money he saved.

 My old one was my Mothers and has done lots of miles, I think it might be classed as vintage.

Today I am starting the stocktaking before everything is put back into the cupboards and wardrobes. I better get going I broke a tooth and need to get to the dentists as well.

Don't forget that the next instalment for the 2016 crochet along will be available on the 1st April 2016

Happy Hooking
Alison xxx

Sewing for Pleasure show at the NEC

Hi
I am really excited now ready for the Sewing for Pleasure show at the NEC.  The hardest part is over, I have everything packed into the car ready for the journey in the morning, approx 4 hours.  Then at least 5 or 6 more hours to unpack the car and set up the stand depending on how tired we get.

I can't wait to meet everyone again and to meet new people as well.  If you are coming please drop by to say hello. We are on stand D24 next to Spellbound beads.

I need to tidy up now just look at the depleted shelves of yarn in my workroom.

I will have some new patterns and show specials available at the show 

Effie is a new little elephant

She is worked in double knitting yarn for the biggest one and 

number 10 crochet cotton for the tiny one

Hope to see you soon

Ali xxx

Don't panic

Oh dear panic is setting in, my workroom is a nightmare and I hate working in a mess, the printer is going continuously because I need most of my patterns printed folded bagged and priced, then squeezed into the small space that is left in the boxes, all ready for NEC in March.

I always panic about this time trying to get patterns updated and new ones finished, typed up and tested.

I hope the ink does not run out today

New carrier bags have just arrived and lots of puppets cotton.

DONT FORGET NEXT WEEK IS FREE FLOWER DAY AND THE CROCHET ALONG STARTS AS WELL PHEW

I hope to have the instructions up by 11am GMT ( English time)

I need to take a breather I have been up since 7.00am and it is now 10.30am I have not had breakfast yet.

Just been outside to the bin and found

snowdrops and daffodils out in the garden it does make it feel like Spring is here 

Lots to do, places to go and people to see.... 

Have a lovely day

Ali xxx

Bags of Hooks

Good Morning

I thought that I would show you today one of my bags of WIP or UFOs ( works in progress or unfinished objects) from the cupboard under the stairs it seems to breed more and more bags each time I look in there. I have been pretty good this week and almost finished 5 projects from other bags:-

I have lined the bag and stuffed the toys now they only need some eyes.....

Here is the work bag that I have been using lately

I have a little light on the outside and these were in the outside pockets, its no wonder we can't find a pen in the house, there were 8 in this bag !!! and 3 tape measures ohhh no... The little wooden box just fits nicely into one of the pockets and it contains all my needles, stitch markers and ribbon threaders these are ideal for putting the stuffing in small pieces of work. The box is handy to move from bag to bag as needed.

Inside was no better

A bag inside a bag containing sets of hooks none of which had a full set, I always keep the hook with the work because I can never remember which hook size or make I used ( and hook sizes vary from make to make ) there was also assorted patterns and 2 pairs of scissors.

And last but not least 3 project bags I love to put each project on a zip lock bag (Ikea have super ones in different sizes,) a pen, pencil and another hook, and a bag with new wool inside what a jumble...

News Flash For March

I am thinking of doing a CAL crochet along starting on Tuesday 1st March working in Granny type squares, if anyone is interested please let me know via my website www.alicraftsdesigns.co.uk there will be a series of 12 squares, I am hoping to release one a month.

In other news

Don't forget the Sewing for Pleasure Show at the NEC Birmingham
on the 17th to 20th March we will be on stand D24

Oh dear here is the Tesco order arriving, I must go and refill the fridge, now we will have some vegetables tonight.

Hope you all have a good week

Alison xxx

Preparing kits for NEC

Hi,

I have just spent all morning turning my room into a workroom.

I am making kits for the Hobbycrafts show in Birmingham next month.

It's a very long job I am almost done. :-(

Alison x

Sewing for Pleasure Show 2015

Hello,

We have had a fantastic weekend at the Sewing For Pleasure show at the Birmingham NEC. I love having a stand at this show but it takes a lot of preparation and organisation. I always forget to pack something...this year it was my step stool.

It was lovely to see so many returning costumers from previous years shows and hearing about their completed projects from my patterns.  If you have made any of my patterns I would love to see a photo and if you don't mind put up on my pinterest site.  

Getting unpacked....

Stand D22, I was pleased with how colourful the stand was this year....

Wool kits were a very big seller this year.

Thank you,
Alison x

Spring walk

Hi,

Spring was in the air over the weekend. Yesterday I went on a lovely walk around Hardwick Park.  The snowdrops were coming through but the lake was still very frozen.

We managed to take lots of photographs of the park and even called for some lunch.

At the moment I am working on a new scarf design which I am currently making in three different yarns. 

Also still printing patterns for the show at the NEC in March...

As we are getting closer to spring, here is a link to last years daffodil crochet pattern.

Alison x

Hobbycraft Show at Birmingham NEC

Hello,

My husband and I have had a fantastic weekend at the Hobbycraft show at Birmingham NEC. Thank you for all the wonderful comments about our products and patterns.  We never expected to be quite so busy.

I really enjoy meeting new customers and having a chat about crochet although we had a few laughs about 'no knitting here' comments from my husband.

Thank you to all the returning ladies we love to have your feedback about our designs.

This was our stand once we had just set up...

The most popular patterns over the weekend seem to be Princess Blueberry and George..

Princess Blueberry

George on Etsy

Really looking forward to the next big show in March, Sewing for Pleasure.

Alison x

Free flower pattern

I have had a very busy weekend at the Sewing for Pleasure show at the Birmingham NEC.  Lots of pattern sales with Belinda doll still my most popular doll pattern.

The stall was looking very busy and I love having time to chat to people about my patterns and crocheting.

Free Flower Pattern - Here is a free pattern for a simple flower. We were handing them out at the show but ran out.

Double knitting yarn and 4.00 hook

(3metres colour 1, 24metres colour 2)

1.      Ch.2, 8dc. into 2nd ch. from hook, ss. to join in back loop of 1st st.

2.      Working in back loop for this round ch.1, 2dc. in same space, 2dc. in each st. to end, ss. to join in 1st dc. Fasten off colour 1

3.     Join 2nd colour to back loop of any st. work *10ch., 1dc. in 2nd ch. from hook, 1dc. in each of next 8ch., ss. in back loop of next st. on round 2, rep. from * all round, ss. to join in front loop of 1st st. on round 2.

4.      8ch., 1dc. in 2nd ch. from hook, 1dc. in next ch., 1 dc. in  next 6ch., ss. in front loop of next st. rep. all round ss. to join.   Fasten off.

Hope you enjoy the pattern, let me know if you make it.