#CraftBlogClub June Challenge ~ You Complete Me

This months challenge set by Emma over at Frugally Peachy is 'You Complete Me'. Basically to complete a project that has been on your to-do list for a while!
I have decided to finish off my Son's patchwork blanket which I started over a year ago!

If you read my last post on crochet, you will know I am a little obsessed with Attic 24's blog. So, when I saw this post of her granny square blanket with a gorgeous border I decided to add a border to my sons blanket.
Lucy (Attic 24) showed a picture of the before and after blankets side by side to show the difference a border can make to a blanket:

Image from Attic 24

I can't believe how much better it looks with a border, it really finishes it off.

I don't have a before picture showing the whole blanket lay out, but here it is and you can see the edge with no border:

Here it is hanging on the washing line with its first row of white finished:

 

I was so nervous about putting it in the washing machine , convinced it would fall apart but it was fine and looks lovely and fresh now!

 

Here it is now with two rows of white and a row of baby blue:

 

 

 

 

I think it is finished, just trying to decide if it needs a row of royal blue too? What do you think?

 

Really happy to have finished this project and am now inspired to add a wider border to my Daughters blanket too! Remember to check out what other projects have been completed over on Emma's blog.

  

 

Thank you for reading xx

#CraftBlogClub ~ Spring Clean Gift Swap

The latest #CraftBlogClub challenge was named 'Spring Clean Gift Swap' ~ The challenge was to make a gift using only materials you already owned. I was paired up with Caro from Twinkles Diaries.

The challenges are set by #CraftBlogClub host Emma who blogs over at Frugally Peachy. The last challenge was to re-love a piece of furniture, you can see mine here. #CraftBlogClub takes place every Tuesday 7-8.30 over on Twitter, maybe I will see you there! :)

Anyway, my parcel arrived this morning. It couldn't have come at a better time, both Children are poorly and I have spent the last two days in a whirlwind of washing, cleaning and cuddling so this really brightened up my day! The parcel was wrapped beautifully so knew inside was going to be special:

On the package was this beautiful card, its so beautiful I think I may frame it!! The cards are available to order here.

And here is my gift:

The pictures don't do it justice but it really is beautiful, I love it! This is only the 2nd papercut that Caro has done and she apologised for it not been perfect - I have to disagree, it is completely perfect! Caro has done this from a freehand drawing and then cut by hand - I think it is very clever! I love the frame too - Thank you Caro :) xx

Looking forward to taking part in the next #CraftBlogClub challenge!

Thank you for reading xx


For Caro' s tutorial on making this piece and a look at what I sent to her, then please visit this link.

Before and After ~ Chairs and Stools

I can't resist a challenge so when it was a challenge which involved re-loving a piece of furniture I was very excited! Any excuse to get my paintbrushes out!

The challenge was set by Emma at Frugally Peachy, see more details here.

We were recently given two dining chairs and two stools which had belonged to Jonny's Grandma. I had painted the chairs and re-covered the seats but hadn't got round to doing the stools so this challenge was my chance. The stools come in really handy around the house: opening the loft ladder, changing light bulbs, hanging curtains, extra seating etc etc. But they are just not to our taste so a lick of paint means they will still be useful but look good too!

Here are the stools before:

After, transformed with a coat of Annie Sloan 'Old White', two coats of Farrow & Ball 'Dove Tale' and the seat pad re-covered with spotty oilcloth.