For Christmas this year, I recieved a couple of Hazel Rose Looms, a 7 inch and a 3 1/2 inch square loom. Oh the joy I have had in the past week, though actually I never knew that 'over and under' could be so complicated!

The looms are beautifully made, mine are made in maple wood, though there are lots of different woods to choose from. The pegs/nails are painted alternate colours, which really does make a difference and so much easier than if they were just all black.

Now maybe its just me, but I really enjoyed seeing the weave come out, it was quite magical. The yarn I have used was just an acrylic - to practise with - but it was a varigated purple, blue, green mix. Although I have only shown you my first sample in purple, and its not a brilliant photograph, it looks amazingly tweedy, like you could have a very expensive skirt made from it if it was real tweed made from fabulous wool.

At the moment I am just faffing with it, trying different weaves out, using different yarn, but oh such fun!

Talking of wool, here is my little sheep, made from Gottland for his face and ears - which do not look very sheep like at all. And his fleece which is English sheep.

To be honest this doesn't look much like a sheep at all, the expression is very much like my Rufus dog...

Today is of course New Year's Eve and I would like to wish all my blogging friends and their families a very happy and prosperous 2010.

Thank you for all your interest in my general faffing with various crafts and all your lovely comments.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Elvis is watching...

When I was a little girl, this time of year was very special, just like it is for most little girls these days. We had a lovely time at school rehearsing for the Christmas concert, making decorations, and making presents for parents. And then on the last day we had the party! In those days we took our own food to share, my mum always made a jelly, and this was carried to school very carefully in a glass dish with my name sellotaped to it.

At home my grandma bought me an Advent calendar, I remember it was a picture of the Nativity. I pinned it to my bedroom wall right next to my bed so that I could open it first thing in the morning. I loved that calendar, it had glitter on it, and it sparkled in the moonlight. The little pictures behind the doors were lovely Christmassy things, parcels, puddings, crackers, various toys. I used it year after year always closing the doors firmly and putting it away very carefully.

Also this is the time when Norman is out and about and watching all the children, taking notes on who is being good....or not. I think Norman the gnome was my dad's invention for my older brother, and of 'course it got passed down. All through December we would hear "Norman's watching, he'll be peeking through the windows and listening at the door."

I suppose these days if you said that to a child you would be told you are scaring them! But don't let me get on to that topic..

Anyway I have reason to believe that Norman has retired and his protoge is Elvis, has taken over. So here he is, ready to be needle punched.

This is my Cameo Ultra punch, a really great needle. I am going to do Elvis with the smallest needle and on gauge number 1.



And here are his boots, partly done in emerald green and they will have red tips with silver bells on them.

Watch out for more Elvis in the next post.

Oh the other night I was asking Daniel to make sure his room was tidy as the boiler men were coming the next day and would need to get into his room. He just said "yeah yeah I know"
obviously not taking a blind bit of interest in what I had said. And somewhere in the recess of my mind I came out with "Norman's watching" Oh you should have seen his face, for just a second there was recognition that he should be good. And then my 6'2" 15 yr old burst in to laughter.
But for just a second it was really good!

PS, you can click on the pics to make them bigger.