Thursday 22 December 2011

Musings

One of the reasons I stopped updating this blog is purely because I lost the joy of creating things for other people.
After continually not even getting a thankyou for the hat/scarf/blanket I'd spent time, and money creating, I decided that I'd cut the amount of crocheted items I'd gift to people. Same with sewn, felted, painted etc etc.
I think that when you spend 30 hours+ crocheting a baby blanket, you impart a little of yourself into the item. Not literally, that would be gross. People don't understand the labour of love that is behind hand made stuff, especially when they can buy "just as good" in the local tat peddler.
Since my last update, my output has dwindled to next to nothing. I'm mainly creating things for me, and messing around with stitches and patterns, and doing a lot of reading crochet theory and patterns without actually doing any. I've also gone back to sewing felt things, something else people profess to love but will never pay for.
When I take an order from someone, I consider how much it's going to cost in yarn, then I add a little bit on top for the hours of my life I'll use making the thing, I don't add tax, VAT, duty or a huge profit on the things. Most things I make, I barely break even:- thus why I have a "proper" job where I work 36h a week, not including the almost 10h a week traveling to/fro (which, btw costs me £2016 a year).
The last commission I took, my partner in crime (mum) actually took to completion as I was too depressed by the requester's attitude to do it. My attitude became "fuck it, she's not given me any money up front, I'll tell her to suck one". The person in question wanted a baby blanket, finished in a couple of weeks, for less than £15. The baby yarn itself cost me £19. She asked me every day if it was done yet. She refused to pay an extra £5 to cover the three extra balls of yarn I had to buy. If she had, I'd have probably wrapped the thing up beautifully, as I am wont to do with my hand crochet presents. And now she's asking me what else we can make her to give as gifts, and I really don't know what to say...

So there you have it, my explanation for radio silence.

Moral of the story:- if you commission a hand made item, be aware you could have to pay a little more than you first thought, and be a bit patient! If that doesn't appeal, buy your baby sweaters in GAP.

And don't ask me to make something, slag me off, refuse to pay for it and then moan at, and about me, as being called a miserable c u next Tuesday often offends :)

Happy Yule
Merry Christmas
Happy Chanukah
Season's Greetings


... oh sod off and leave me humbug-y!

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Saturday 21 May 2011

Hello!

If anyone is still out there, I'm back! Again! I hope I'll be able to blog more regularly now that I have something that allows me to get online and actually post! I has iPad! Yay!

So stay tuned for an update, if you're still out there!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Chez Moi

Sunday 13 March 2011

So much for that resolution!

Well, so much for that. I keep promising myself and any readers I may have left that I'll be updating regularly. That has turned into an epic lie!

Well here's an update anyway!

Crochet: still going. Just finished a Berocco "Phannie" beret commission in cream 50:50 acrylic/wool mix for a colleague at work. Have two baby cardis on the go for little H, one baby hat for Lyla who will be a year in April, and two kids size beanies/skull-caps for the same colleague's daughter.
This is my second "Phannie" beret for me in Fyberspates wool yarn. This is what a finished "Phannie" looks like.



Dyeing: have just Kool-Aid dyed three hanks. In the process of balling and test swatching now.
This is they, drying.



Horses: still riding despite breaking my toe! Or should that be, having my Barney break my toe for me!
I'll be competing on Sunday 20th, so wish me and Angel luck as we do our first jumping competition. I jumped Biscuit the little dun pony today who is as stubborn as anything so I have hope!
This is me and April, Angel's best friend and stall-mate. Turns out I don't have a pic of me and Angel on my phone. Anyway, she's a strawberry roan pony with a white blaze, about the same size as April.



Work: don't ask. I don't know where I'll be this time in a month as my office will no longer be open :( we're gutted. Everyone on my team has a bête noir at the moment it seems...

My babies: all fit and well. Min's ear is fine, Cash is poopy well, Jaz is a bit fat but no real health problems. All four pigs are fine aside from some sore toes/toenails. They're so clumsy they're always hurting their feet... Just like me!
My three bunny babies: Jaz, Mr. Cash and Min :D


I'll try and blog more regularly from now, but no promises! I have a private lesson on Friday, just me, Warwick the Norge Fjord pony and my instructor. Lovely. So Friday is out!


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Sunday 20 February 2011

New Leaf Again

Ok, I am bad. Life gets on top of me sometimes :(
I'm still crocheting away, riding and working my bum off. I still live. Did break my big toe four weeks ago though, so thats fairly interesting news for you...

From this week I will attempt to make weekly posts at least. I will even set a reminder on my beloved iphone to make sure I do!

Here's a "Phannie" beret (Berocco yarns), worked in RY Cashsoft that took me a day to do. Very proud as I didn't ask anyone for help either, woo!



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Saturday 27 November 2010

Cold!

It's cold here! -1oC!
Just the right weather to buy a hand crocheted item like the popcorn stitch cowl I've just finished! :)






My commissioned baby blankie is started at least but it's slow going, and I think a friend may be requesting a hat soon... So back to the grind!

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