Dear Annabels, you will remember part one of my progress with the Harmony crochet bag here. Guess what! Kathryn herself, the designer from Crafternoon Treats has commented on my post! It’s marvellous to have my version of her beautiful creation noted by the lady herself. Well, having been heartened by this, I got back to work on the bag, which, I must confess, had been put on the backburner due to my fear of the horrific job of finding and selecting lace for the next stage. I am afraid of trying to find lace in my craft room (known as “Wuthering Heights” because (cue…
Continue Reading →At the Thrift Shop Bar. Image courtesy of Natasha Buccella
If you do not know that ‘Dita’ is both a burlesque artist and a cardigan; if you do not believe in cleavage, and if you think that leopard-print is old-fashioned, read no further. This post is for Annabels who say “yes!” to black satin pencil skirts and plunging necklines, who want a mermaid tattoo and love faux fur. Wheels and Dollbaby is an Australian women’s clothing brand with an instantly recognisable, sexy and sleek look, a retro vibe, a rockabilly hint. The brand’s creator Mel and her muse (the Dita von Teese) know their audience and do the same thing season after season with panache. I had only two Wheels items –…
Continue Reading →"Where to begin?" (photo by Martineznotte)
Today I shall share my tips on how to edge a stripey crochet blanket in four simple steps:- 1) Be inspired by the marvellous blanket crocheted by Julie of Little Woollie. 2) Whip up a blanket of your own. That’s the first few rows of my second stripey blanket to the left, and part of the first one on the right, under the bits and pieces of a wreath in progress. I have used 8-ply or DK yarn and a 4mm hook. Notice the beautiful red, pink and aqua flower next to the crochet hook? That was a little extra sent to me by Julie when I ordered some wool from her (overall excellent service…
Continue Reading →According to those who know these things, Friday’s colour is green which is surprising. I was sure it would be black. Green and I have a troubled relationship. When I was a child I learned that it is bad luck to wear green, or at least too much green, because the fairies consider it to be their colour. No-one wants to upset the fairies. Oh. No. You do NOT want to upset the fairies. So I don’t wear green (olive doesn’t count). You think I go to far? Consider – one of the regular customers of the pharmacy in which I worked while at…
Continue Reading →Hello again and thank you for joining me for this fourth edition of Lesley’s blog, “Annabel Lee”. The powers that be have declared that the colour of Thursday is blue. Accordingly I shall show you a blue beaded, appliqued and embroidered wristlet which I am working on. I am deliberating on how to do the actual lacy cuff bit. A detail of the wristlet-so-far is shown here with some beaded teapot & cup ornaments. I just cannot decide what to use for the actual lacy cuff bit of the wristlet. My sewing assistant and I have hauled out the masses of…
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