My stand in Warwick Tower

Warwick Tower is a vintage emporium in Carlisle.  Up until now it was situated in a "tower" at the top of Warwick Road in the City, above the Aga shop.

I wrote a blog post about the opening, way back in April 2013 when I was invited to the launch party.

Well, now they have moved to a bigger premises.   The venue is an old, unused, church called St George's, which is just down the road, still on Warwick Road, beside the Courts, if you are familiar with that area.

In the main part of the church, where the red door leads, they have sectioned off "units" for people to rent to sell their goodies in.   It doesn't need to be staffed as there is a central till point, so it was ideal for me to pop some bits and bobs in.

I recycled this shelving display that was destined for the tip, it makes rather a good Craft Kit holder, don't you think?  I placed it there in the corner, then decided against it as it was not being used to it's full potential placed like that  :)

I needed a sideboard, I decided, and as it happened, I had this one in the spare bedroom at home, so "borrowed" it for a while.  On top there are pots of bead mixes, some melted glass bottles which can be used as cheese boards or spoon rests.

The draw stays open to reveal some colourful children's buttons.

The white display boxes are full of Hubster's beautiful Marbles.

Then I have popped hooks into the panelling and hung some fused glass pendants from it.

Standing back, this is my stand.  I will be popping more stuff in as the days go by, in fact I have put a display of glass beads in there since.

Do pop down and have a look, there are some wonderful pieces in there, especially if vintage is your thing.

For loads more photos (or other people's stands) please click on WARWICK TOWER and go have a browse  :)

Ribbon Rag Wreath

I have been working on this raggy ribbon wreath this week.   Made from strips of Christmas print fabric, there is no sewing or glueing, just cutting and knotting.

Just looks a bit 'different' don't you think?  I wasn't sure when I only have a few strips on, but as it grew I liked it more and more.

Of course you can use any fabric, but I think the Christmas print one just adds to the Christmassy feel.

I have put these together in a kit form, which includes a polystyrene wreath form, 5 different prints of Christmas theme fabrics and a sparkly red ribbon to finish it off.  If you can tie a knot, you can make this wreath :)

You can find the kit HERE - limited supplies as I bought the last of the fabric in Hobbycraft  ;)

Crochet Tree Angel

I know it's not Christmas yet, or even anywhere near in my book.  (Mid December is when I start preparing) but some folk like to get under-way with their planning a long time before the event.

I made this little tree angel last year, and gave it away on my Facebook page.  But before I did I scribbled down the pattern in my usual haphazard way which means I could make it again and offer it up as a kit  :)

She has got lovely pure white fluffy wings and even a little brass halo.

I think she is rather cute, even if I do say so myself.

Now I need to try and re-make her from my garbled, jotted down instructions.

Broomstick Crochet wristwarmer gloves

Following on from my previous post on the Broomstick Crochet scarf, here are some wristwarmers   :)

Easy to make with no shaping, just the technique of the broomstick crochet to get - which is quite easy really, it's only two lines of pattern, one of them being a Double Crochet row.

If you fancy having a go you can find a free tutorial for Broomstick crochet HERE.

Or you can find the pattern for the wristwarmers HERE.

Or you can buy a kit for the wristwarmers HERE and the scarf HERE.   :)

Whooooo, that was a lot of "HERES"   :)

Infinite Drop-Stitch Scarf/Snood

A little while ago I finished this infinite scarf, but just got round to photographing it, coz I am bad like that  :)

Made from a glorious yarn in a treasury of jewelley colours with a golden sparkle to add a bit of glamour.

So, you can fling it over your neck and wear it in a long loop.

Or you can double it up and wear it as a tighter, cosier neck-warmer type snood.

It worked up very quickly as it is a drop stitch pattern.

I might make it into a kit  :)

Crochet Crazy Chick

This is the new design I was working on last week.

I have a list of stuff I want to create for my kits, but this was not on them at all,  NO IDEA where she came from, she just popped herself right into my head and wouldn't go away.

So, grab it and run, I thought, and the "Crazy Chick" range was born.  I am sure more will be added in time, but for now, meet....

Glenda

She is designed to sit on the edge of a shelf, or bookcase, swinging her legs casually (whilst she silently whistles a happy tune - but you can't hear that as you are human).

You can buy her in kit form HERE, or if you fancy just the pattern then you can buy that HERE.

Squiddly Diddly Crochet Squid

I have been working on a new kit - a kid's comforter kit, in the shape of a squid.

Don't ask me why a squid, just the name "Squiddly Diddly" popped into my head and refused to leave.

I started making it when sitting at the Carlisle Art Fair last month.  Didn't bother writing down any instructions, but I think I can remember.  Will need to make another one anyway for the step-by-step photos.

The yarn I used is "Cotton On" by James C Brett.  It's a cotton/acrylic mix, but so soft to the touch, and not stretchy so it holds it shape well.

I used a plain shade for the head and tentacles, and a colour change one for the blanket part.

Aww, someone likes Squiddly.

So, little people can hug Squiddly, they can throw him about, they can carry him by his head, and when they are tired they can snuggle into his soft cottony texture to sleep.  But even better than that, they are able to have a new one made if Squiddly should ever get lost!  :)

Kits will be available in green (as shown), beige, lilacs and blue.  I am working on the blue one now, but here is the beige.

If you fancy having a go, you can find them HERE.

Craft Fair in Carlisle Town Hall

Last weekend (or was it the one before?) I did my first craft fair as Sooz In The Shed.

I was very lucky and got given two tables as the person next to me had not turned up, so I could really spread my stuff about - actually, I think I might have to book two in the future!!

It was held at Carlisle Town Hall, above Costa Coffee, the entrance being through the Visitor Information centre.

It was a right miserable day, the whole day was peppered with downpours of heavy rain, hail and just generally yukky weather, so there was not many people about.

Having said that, we did ok, made our table money, our lunch money and a bit more beside.  I talked to a lot of people, gave out a lot of cards and attracted lots of comments as I sat with some French Knitting - everyone remembers knitting with a French Dolly Bobbin apparently.

I am going to book onto one in Penrith next, on the 16th August at the George Hotel.  Maybe I will see you there?   :)

Buttony Wristwarmers

If you are new to knitting and are a little scared of shaping, decreasing, increasing etc.... then these are the gloves for you.

Made in a simple rectangle then sewn up, all you need to know is the Knit and Purl stitches.

Available in three colour-ways.

Lucky Ladybugs.

Crazy Carrots.

Dizzy Daisies.

They come in kit form which include all materials, knitting needles, sewing up needles and full step-by-step instructions.

You can find them HERE   :)

If you don't know how to knit you can find a free download with step-by-step colour instructions HERE which you can download and keep to your own library so you can refer to it at any time  :)

Would love to see photos if you make any   :)

Sample strip for Cushion Cardi's

A few days ago I blogged about a new kit going on sale - cushion cardi's.

I decided, rather than lugging a load of bulky cushions to shows and fairs, I would take one and a sample piece of colour choices.

Six panels, one of each colour.  Five with button holes in - one without.... but why?

Well, if you flip it over you will find that that section has the button options sewn on it.

Would you choose cream or brown for this colour?

And what you can do is fold the sample over and button those buttons into the button-holes to show what the different coloured buttons look like with each shade of yarn.

I was a bit too chuffed with my idea - in fact, if I knew how to play a trumpet, I would blow it rather hard right now.

Makes a nice scarf too  :)...........   oooooooh, now there's an idea forming.....

Cushion Cardi's

One of my new kits - available now  :)

Cushion Cardi's.  A rustic mega-chunky acrylic/wool blend yarn which knits up very quickly on large needles.  Finished off with some chunky wooden buttons to fasten, so no fiddling with fitting zips etc..

I have written this pattern up with step-by-step photo instructions, so it is suitable for an absolute beginner to knitting.  There is no shaping to to, just some button-holes to incorporate  (also shown in step-by-step photos)

It will be available in a variety of colours, along with two sizes.  One with 4 buttons to fit an 18" cushion pad, and one with 3 buttons to fit a 16" cushion pad.  (Cushion pads can also be provided if needed.)

Don't you just want to bury your face into one of these when watching a scary movie?  ;)  (I hate scary movies by the way)

You can find the kit HERE, if you wish to have a go and make one for yourself.