Where do I begin?

 

I’ve been really neglecting blogging of late.

I’ve been so busy what with Diane’s Puppets  
and making all things crochet, I’ve hardly had time to think, let alone write.
But I’m not complaining, not a bit of it!

Since learning to crochet just over a year ago now I’m now have my crochet being stocked in three shops, one in my local area, Brixton in a brand new gift shop in Market Row, right next door to the best pizza place in the UK , Franca Manca’s . If you haven’t had a pizza at Franca Manca’s you’ve not eaten pizza, trust me. And it’s really reasonably priced too. (You can tell I’m hungry can’t you? ) Well while you are there, pop into the gift shop next door called 20 Storey and check out Crochet Bright and Beautiful and also some Crochet Dark and Decadent.

One of my pugs in the window at 20 Storey.

Cute crochet for cool kids .

I’ve also got stock in a lovely new boutique : Harriet Jade Boutique  in the Derbyshire town of Wirksworth. Have a look at the facebook page here .

Crochet Bright and Beautiful hits Derbyshire! My stock in Harriet Jade Boutique

Then I’ve got five of my ‘scaries’ that I’ve made over at Crochet Dark and Decadent in a lovely toyshop Heelgoed Speelgoed 

Scary collectable dollies in Amsterdam toyshop Heelgoed Speelgoed

As if that isn’t enough, I’ve been asked to make some collectable dogs and cats for a lovely tea party shop in Putney. As soon as I’m finished that order, I’ll let you know the details.
I’m busy making new stock for my Xmas Eve market stall in Brixton for Crochet Bright and Beautiful. Here is a little taster of what I’ve been making:

Baby headbands

Cute soft ear hats

 

 

The ‘fluffy ears’ range of hats

 

Boy hats

 

Super luxurious newborn baby fox hat

 

Fish hat

 

Flower power hat

Girly hat

Daisy hat

The Quick Brown Fox hat

 

 

Red Admiral hat

 

So as you can see, I’ve been busy. Got lots more ideas to come, and lots more to make.
Oh, exciting news too, Crochet Dark and Decadent will be featured in two alternative magazines in the near future… I’ll keep you posted as soon as I get news.

 
Thanks for stopping by and I’ll see you all soon(ish).
Now where’s my hook?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Extra special Baby Headbands for Extra Special Baby Girls

 

I like to make individual pieces, I’ve realised. I’m not good at replicating. Some people enjoy the repetition thing but I find that the joy for me is in the creative process. The moment when something comes together that has never existed before is  a truly special moment and that is where my satisfaction lies.
So… that means that everything that I make will be unique.
Here are the latest bunch of little bits of uniqueness.

I’ve been making baby headbands since I came across some really special velvet trimmed soft elastic , it just had to be adorned with something pretty and made into headbands. So I did.

Here’s what I’ve made thus far:

Here is the full collection of baby headbands. All different and all special. Just like baby girls.

Red Diva sparkly bow

The velvet ladybird one

 

The daisy chain one

My personal favourite: the Blue hydrangea one

The pink and sparkly butterfly one

The double daisy one

The English Rose one

The Pink Sugar Bow one

 

All these headbands are completely hand made and hand finished. Every detail is hand sewn on securely and they are all backed in felt.

These delicious little morsels will make the most perfect gift and cost just £4.50 plus £1 p+p and can be purchased via my Facebook page:

Crochet Bright and Beautiful on Facebook

Just leave a comment under the relevant photo and I’ll get back to you straight away.

 

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bright and Beautiful Cotton Crochet

I’ve not stopped crocheting. I can’t… I think I have a problem ; one that really doesn’t need fixing though!

I do have a serious yarn addiction though. I think it comes as part of the territory when you take up any form of needlework. There is always that particular shade of purple you just can’t quite find, or you stumble upon a very remarkable multicoloured/textured yarn that you really can’t not have.

My latest stash of yarn came from a fellow crochet person I have befriended on Facebook called Rachael. She runs her own business making gorgeous cushion covers and afghans from super soft and bright cotton.

http://www.clevercheshirecats.blogspot.com

She also sells cotton yarn and I’m addicted.

These are my latest creations using her lovely yarns . I’ve just run out and am waiting my next delivery.

 

I call this my rainbow Wee Willy Winky set. Would fit up to 6 months.

For those of you reading this who are wondering if I have the pattern… sorry. I just made it up as I went along. For me, this is the beauty of crochet. It would be pretty easy to work out based on any other simple infant jacket pattern, just change the colours to suit.

Baby cotton flower beanies

I shall be making more of these in different colours and sizes. The Pistachio green one is newborn to 3 months, the Primrose yellow one is 3-6 months.

Rainbow cotton beanie ( fits up to small adult)

Looks fabulous on and is so soft and comfortable too.

I decided to make a matching set for Baby and parent.

So here is L’l Pirate and Big Pirate.

L’l and Big Pirate hat set.

Made from pure cotton in white and navy stripes, this lovely set is bound to put a smile on everyone’s face. L’l and Big Pirate hand embroidered in red and offset with silver coloured skull and crossbones charm.

Big Pirate hat is big enough to fit even Papa Bear.

 

So those are the latest cotton creations. Which one is your favourite? What would you like to see me make next?

 

 

 

 

Newborn Matinee Jacket and Hat sets

I’ve been hooked back into crochet. I’ve tried distracting myself with a bit of bead work but the good old hook has got me again.

I’ve branched out a little and started making my first garment. Here is my first little matinee jacket and matching hat set for newborn baby girls.

A precious little set for a precious little angel.

Detail of the hat decoration

Jacket detail

This little jacket and hat set would fit newborn babies and features crocheted flowers with pink pearl detailing ( crocheted in beads for extra security) and a pretty butterfly wooden button fastening. It is made in really soft raspberry ripple double knit yarn . Both hat and jacket have a frilly picot edging. The set costs just £20 plus p+p .

 

I’ve also made little boots that would match (£12 a pair)

Cute little boots for tiny little feet. ( Fit up to 3 months)

or for larger feet I’ve made these very popular t bar shoes that would fit up to 6months of age. (£8 a pair)Both boots and shoes come packaged in their own very cute dinky white box.

These and more are available to purchase on my facebook page , if you aren’t a fan of my page yet, please click the like button!

If you’re not a Facebook person, I do have a shop on Folksy:

Crochet Bright and Beautiful on Folksy

so do pop over and have a browse.

Right, I’m off. The hook is calling me again…

I know. I’ve got it bad.

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Busy Making, Selling and Growing the Brand

Wow, how busy I’ve been .

In the last few weeks since I last posted ( yep, sorry for that, time just flies past) I’ve made lots, sold lots and made some more. I’ve sold at a market stall, a local event and a NCT Nearly New Sale and through my facebook page.

Here’s my stall at Brixton Makers Market,  through the heady smoke of Jerk Chicken that flavours that particular part of the world ( I’m a local lass, so I love it).

The stall grows in size every time

I met loads of great local people and seriously felt the love. I sold a few bits too!

Then there was the Croydon St Georges Day event . That was a splendid day, held in Croydon Old Town to bring back a more positive vibe to the area after the horrid riots . It was a wonderful affair, with the Pearly King and Queen and two rather smart gentlemen called Felix and Felix  who rode around on their penny farthings what what what.

Me and my darling granddaughter

My granddaughter did a sterling job of modelling my tiger hat. She was rewarded by keeping it . ( Well, I tried to take it back… )She loves being a ” Rarrr” as you can see.

Granny can growl with the best of them!

The day after the Croydon event  I held a stall at the local NCT Nearly New Sale.

Crochet Bright and Beautiful hits Vauxhall

It was an interesting affair, I’m not sure that putting hand made crafts in the middle of what is intrinsically a jumble sale ( albeit good quality jumble) is terribly good business sense. But it was worth a try, and to be fair, I did get lots of admirers, gave out loads of cards and sold a few bits. So it wasn’t a waste of time. ( My granddaughter did fairly well out of it too, I came back with more stuff than I went with… )

So my next plan of action is Spitalfields Market. I hope to trade there soonish.

In the meantime I’ve been making some more stuff:

Vintage style cherry brooch

Ladybird necklace

Granny square scarf

Crochet rings

My persian cat

Lulu collectible fairy

Coral pink mohair boots

Magic wishing necklace

Poppy Pug number 2. She's found a new owner already.

Super funky furry shaggy hot pink boots ( with bows)

Pitbull number 3, she's gone to her new owner.

So, I’m off to , you’ve guessed it, crochet!

 

 

 

 

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Meet Diane This Weekend!

Crochet Bright and Beautiful hits Lambeth!

There are two chances to come and see my crochet in the flesh this weekend:

First, tomorrow, Saturday 21st April, brave the elements, ignore the stormy weather and come and join in Croydon’s St George’s Day event held in the Piazza, Old Town Croydon ( near Surrey Street) from 11-4pm.

There will be a stage with live entertainment, food stalls and face painting and stuff for all the family including…

Crochet Bright and Beautiful ( aka me! ) will be there at a very pretty stall, something like this :

At Brixton Makers Market recently

Let’s bring the fun back to Croydon and banish the horrid memories of the recent riots.

Then as if that weren’t enough fun, I shall be holding a stall at the Riverside branch of the NCT’s Nearly New Sale on Sunday 22nd April, from 9.30 -12pm. Here are the details:

Come and see me!

Expect an array of cute baby stuff like this:All items are unique, and hand made by my own fair hands .

So, if you are looking for hand made stuff that is made with love, at a fair price and you are a South London person, what are you waiting for? Come on down this weekend !

Newborn baby Gift sets

A perfect gift for a brand new little person

There are those times when friends and family announce that they’re going to have a baby. What a joyful occasion!

Such a special time merits a very special gift.

You can’t get more special than a hand made crocheted bootie and hat set, all presented in it’s own cute white shoebox.

Ladybird newborn boxed set.

Kitty cat newborn boxed set

The idea behind these boxed sets is to provide a gender neutral gift that can be given to prospective parents even before they announce whether the stork brought them a fairy or a pixie.

Worked up in colours other than pink or blue, these boxed sets consist of a cute   beanie hat to fit newborn and matching t-bar booties.

Ladybird beanie and booties

Kitty cat set complete with ears and whiskers!

All sets feature unique designs and carefully painted wooden buttons on the booties and matching crocheted appliques on the hats.

Look at the cute kitten faces

Matching cat face on the beanie

Ladybird buttons with matching 3d ladybirds on the hat.

The sets cost just £15 +p&p which I think represents incredible value for a hand crafted unique gift. ( I also try and infuse them all with oodles of love).

 

UPDate: Brand new sets hot off the hook

Ladybird baby set with super cute antennae

So cute!

Beautiful rainbow shoes with matching rainbow beanie

Definitely bright and beautiful.

Still to come:

Teddy bear

Bumblebee

Apple

Snail

Star

Available to purchase through my facebook page at the minute.

I shall be listing them in my folksy shop as soon as I have made enough.

Right, off I go.

Toodlepip!

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Baby Moccasins: Crochet Cuteness

Another brand new range from Crochet Bright and Beautiful

The more I make, the more I realise I have to make. After making my Fresh as a Daisy range and my Daisy Roots boots range, I had to come back to focusing on cute stuff for boys again.

I had nothing in stock for ages 9-12 months so I decided to make this cute range of crochet moccasins, all with their own unique design/ colour-way.

So here they are, I’ll let the pictures do the talking.

So cute with the 3d bees.

They're the bees knees!

Just quackers! Little ducklings on royal purple slippers.

Would be cute for boys or girls.

Yo ho ho and a whole lot of pirate shoes.

Smile! You've got the cutest shoes on the block!

Car moccasins , check out the details!

Introducing Daisy Roots boots

Inspired by the popularity of my ‘Fresh as a Daisy’ mary jane style baby slippers range, I’ve started on a range of tiny  crochet

boots for babies : Daisy Roots .

The name is cockney rhyming slang for boots, which is very useful! Plus I’m very

likely to continue adorning these adorable baby booties with crochet daisies.

Here are the first two in the range: Daisy Roots sugar pink  and Daisy Roots Primrose Yellow.

Pretty pink with daisies, butterflies and roses.

Prettily packaged in a sweet white box

Pretty pink feminine boots

Butterfly close up

Primrose yellow , soft and summery

Pretty fresh boots for dainty baby feet

Primrose yellow with contrasting mustard soles

All the boots in the range fit from newborn up to around 6months ( they are fairly stretchy) and cost £12 +p &p.

Available either from my Crochet Facebook page 

or will soon be listed in my Folksy shop

Packed in a cute white shoe box with tissue insert, they would make a perfect gift for any new baby.

( Boy range to follow)

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Daisies, rainbows and the cutest baby girl shoes ever.

So I’ve finished my very first range of baby shoes:

Fresh as a Daisy

Here they are:

Too cute!

Which colour do you prefer?

Who says blue is for boys?

Aqua, lime and buttercup yellow, so fresh and so pretty.

Will be making headbands and hairclips to match.

A rainbow of baby shoes. Magical.

All the shoes are available to purchase, either through my folksy shop 

or my facebook page Crochet Bright and Beautiful ( just leave a message under the relevant photo and I’ll get back to you. Payment is via Paypal ( you don’t need a Paypal account either, details on my page)

The shoes cost £8 a pair + p&p or come and visit me on  Saturday April 14th from 10am at Brixton Station Road Makers Market and save on postage!

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