A quick birthday card I’ve whipped up for my little brother’s 20th birthday on Friday.

I recently entered the Transport for London cycling competition which they held in association with the AOI. Since this I’ve become really interested in the possibilities of including crocheted elements in my work especially in a scene such as this. I based my idea around the concept of a bicycle made for two and going off and adventures together. Hopefully this has resulted in something quite playful.

These were my entries to the 2010 Frinton Press repeat pattern competition, all along a craft based theme. I have to say I am particularly fond of the bottom image showing crocheting hands. I wasn’t selected this year but the winning entries will be posted on their blog shortly.

While in Paris we stumbled across a small shop in Montmatre which specialized in restoring old perfume atomizers. I couldn’t resist taking some photos of their window display. My absolute favorites are the cat bottles. unfortunately I don’t know the address of this shop, but I can tell you it was called ‘Belle du Jour’ and it was on a road leading to the main steps of Sacre Coeur.

Sacre Coeur itself was absolutely beautiful. Although I wouldn’t consider myself to follow any formal religion, I can always appreciate the beauty and tranquility of churches and I have a particular soft spot for stained glass and murals. Sacre Coeur didn’t disappoint, although it wasn’t possible to take photos inside the church, I did pick up a postcard showing the fresco which dominates the building as you walk though the doors. Imagine seeing this as a procession of choir boys begin to walk along the central aisle of the church accompanied by a nun singing choral songs and you can begin to understand the appeal of religious ceremony for some people.

I’ve just recently returned from a lovely few days in Paris with two close friends. At the top of the Eiffel Tower we happened across a rather interesting exhibition showing some examples of the tower souvenirs which have been available to buy through time. My particular favourites are the Eiffel tower scissors. A slightly more modern note was struck by the Eiffel tower condoms and Paris thongs currently to be found in the gift shop, unfortunately I don’t have a photo of these.

(Apologies for the dodgy photos)

Dreamlike

I like to crochet.

Inspired by granny squares.

I found this in Hay-on-Wye today, sadly ‘Needlepoint News’ does not tell me how to make these dogs (only how to achieve ‘real curves on canvas’) but I love them! I think it would be amazing to have a colletion of tapestry sewn Guinea pigs…

Haha! something useful is slowly coming out of my latest obsession, check back for more!