I love days like this!

It's days like today that make me really grateful that I get to do what I absolutely love all of the time.
It started last night with some late night baking, and then setting up for the Finger Crochet Hat workshop this morning. Time flew as I set up the materials, printed patterns, got other workshop samples out on show, added frosting to mini cakes, prepared tea makings and got music playing. I was excited about this workshop, because although I only have a few people at sessions at the moment, this is one of my most favourite patterns that I have written and I love to share it with others. The lovely ladies arrived and before I knew it we were chatting, crocheting, eating cake and time was up already. The ladies were excellent crocheteers and I look forward to seeing them again soon.

Here is the detail at the back of Jayne's beret

I love the social aspect to workshops - I am a really chatty person and I love getting to know people and letting them get to know me. Some may find this approach too informal, but I think a friendly, informal atmosphere goes hand in hand with crafting.

Some of the yummy mini cupcakes we had today, with chocolate cream frosting

The day was rounded off with a wonderful takeaway from our favourite restaurant and I'm now enjoying a glass of wine while I crochet into the night.
Have I mentioned, I love my job! :)

Wonderfully Felty Workshops, with Tigerlily Makes

Image & design courtesy of Tigerlily Makes and subject to copyright

 
Just thought I'd let you all know about the wonderfully talented Lisa Olson, the brains behind Tigerlily Makes. Lisa is passionate about all things felty and wanted to spread her love for the craft, and so Tigerlily Makes was created. Almost a year on, her courses are receiving rave reviews and are in high demand.
Check out the list of courses currently on offer from the lovely boutique in Staffordshire and get the felting bug.

Latest Peeko Workshops and News

The new workshop programme has been announced! 

Click on the image above to be taken to the full list. 


Things have been very busy lately. The new website has been taking over a lot of my time (I have been working ridiculous hours to get it to a good state). It is definitely worth it though. The new focus and look is so much better than I could have hoped it was going to be. I have been dreaming in html code though a little. ;)
I still need to add some more content, like FAQs, more testimonials (if anyone has anything they would like to say, now is the time to do it), and a press page. Not to mention, photographing and inputting more products. Overall though, it is a working website, that I think is easy enough to navigate around (please do le me know if something doesn't work or if you have any feedback).  


It's Finger Crochet Hats tomorrow, (one of my absolute favourite workshops) so I need to start to get things organised for it.  The biggest decision is what to bake for it! ;)  I'm toying with the idea of mini cakes (like fairy cakes) some with a vanilla cream frosting and others with a chocolate cream frosting. I know, pretty predictable flavours, but you can't really go wrong with vanilla or chocolate. I have lots of lovely new chunky wool for the workshop too, and I have had to restrain myself from making things with it - it's just so  lovely! :)


I guess I should probably get back to work - it's amazing, I usually find it difficult to write blog posts, but when I have hardly no time to write, I end up wanting to write a post that trails on and on. 
Oh well!


Happy Friday! 
Denise x

Latest Peeko News

Happy New Year!

2011 already, how this last year has flown by. Peeko has grown quite a bit this year, which would not have been possible had it not been for you, lovely supporters. I am very grateful to still be able to do and share what I love. 

 

New website feedback
As it is a new year, I decided that I would work on a new website. I have been toying with the idea for a while now - I wanted the website to be more workshop orientated, so this past weekend I embarked upon changing it. I am really beginning to like the new style, but would love some feedback. It is still very much a work in progress, but the bones have been laid out, I am just filling it out with content. This will probably take me the best part of a week to complete, but I would love to know what you think and if you have any suggestions.

Shiny new products
2011 will be a year of more frequent website updates, and as such I will be shortly annoucing new crochet products on the website. Keep an eye out for crochet wire jewellery and a very special product in the run up to Valentine's day.

New crochet workshops
Further crochet workshops will be announced this week.  See the new website for details of ones that have already been announced. If there is something that you would like to learn, now is your chance to get it put on the workshop programme. Upcoming this year - Intro to Tunisian crochet; crochet wire jewellery; hair accessories; amigurumi; design your own amigurumi. Get in touch and have your say.

Many thanks again for your support through 2010, and I wish you all the best for the New Year.
Denise x

Workshop in Leamington this coming Thursday

This workshop is suitable for complete beginners and improvers wanting to learn something a little bit different. You will learn all the basics needed to complete a piece of crochet loop jewellery. The workshop will last for 3 hours, from 6.30 pm until 9.30 pm. 

All materials are included in the price, as well as tea and homemade cake. 

Get in touch if you would like to book a place. :)


I have listed Crochet Loop Jewellery on ooh.com

Beginner's Crochet at C.O.W

Just a reminder that I will be leading a beginner's crochet workshop at C.O.W in Birmingham on Saturday 17 July, from 1-4pm.

You will learn basic stitches and how to read a crochet pattern. Suitable for complete beginners or improvers that would like to learn some more techniques.
 

Ring/loop bracelet - crocheting basic stitches over rings that will then be sewn together to make a stylish bracelet.
Finger crochet flower - using our fingers and basic crochet we will create a big flower that can be worn as a brooch or in your hair... etc.
Bow - we will learn how to crochet bows that can embellish any number of things. Basic crochet stitches but working on a flat piece.

There will also be a few more flower patterns if you fly through all of the above and would like to expand your crochet stitch knowledge. :)

Email Francine to book your place. 

Hope to see you there,

Denise x

Sunshine crochet

I'm all for crochet on the go at any time and it being summer and hot has not put me off crocheting by any means - who says you need to crochet warm clothing?!  I make the most of the summery weather by bringing my crochet projects with me wherever I go - on the train, to the park, to the pub. Nothing beats sitting in the shade in the park or outside the pub with some nice light weight yarn, hook in hand, making stitch after stitch. Time is relaxed and breezy on afternoons like this.


Summertime is the perfect time to concentrate on crochet accessories and smaller projects. I'm currently making jewellery - earrings and a necklace.

It is also the perfect time to crochet flowers.  Crochet flowers are perfect for embellishing all manner of items, as well as sewing them together to make bracelets and necklaces.  At the moment, I am also crocheting my sister's wedding bouquet! (pics to follow).
Summer is also the ideal time to make amigurumi. I just love Cute Design's Amigurumi Black Penguin on MyEhive - what better way to cool down in summer than making a chilled little penguin.  There are so many cute little amigurumis that you could make, you should have no problem keeping busy all summer long. :)

 

So you see it's easy to continue to crochet during the sunshiny days - just choose something light weight (no-one wants to be buried under a half-made afghan in the heat of summer) and keep on crocheting.
If after reading this, you're thinking - 'I wish I could crochet' or 'I wish I could crochet more flowers or amigurumi', why not come to a workshop and learn how! Get in touch for more information.

Enjoy the weather (while it lasts) and get those crochet hooks back out of hiding.
Denise x

Happy coincidence

I've taken a little deviation from crochet today to make a special father's day card for my dad.  It took me ages to think of something interesting to put on the card - shifting from a drawing to random scraps of paper making a patchwork-like picture on the front.  Eventually I decided that because I am so far away from him, that I would take a photo of me holding a sign that said 'Happy Father's Day" and stick it on a card with some embellishments. 

I have some very masculine looking paper stock, so armed with a pencil and my craft knife I set to work.  I drew out all of the letters first, then started to cut them out. Seven letters later, I was beginning to arrange them on my white paper sign and this is what I saw:

 

I love that this is when I noticed! Being Irish, I don't call my father dad or daddy, I call him da. :)  This little happy coincidence has made me smile so much that I'm tempted to send the card with it saying "Happy Da". Although maybe I'll just send da here to see the post instead. :)
I'm delighted that I didn't give in and buy a pre-made card that would fail to capture the correct sentiment. Handmade is always much better and I would not be so smiley now if I hadn't spent this time making for my da. 
I hope there are lots of happy da's about this weekend. :)

A little reminder of good things to come :)

Handmade is this coming Saturday 10 April, from 11-5.

We're hoping for sun shine and lots of visitors.
There will be some very talented sun-shiny artists at the Creative Open Workshops indoor market.
If you will be in Birmingham, do pop in and support local designer-makers. The Custard Factory is only a 5 minute walk from the Bullring.

Check out the COWblog for details of stallholders and directions.
Hope to see you there :)

Oh, and of course there will be cake. Check in during the week to find out what will be up my culinary sleeves for Saturday! :)

Lady Snail

Introducing Lady Snail..

She is really cute and you could make one of your very own tomorrow at COW HQ in the custard factory. 
I was really pleased with how she turned out.  I have changed my amigurumi snail pattern quite a bit since Monsieur Slow last summer, but I am delighted with the results. 


We will also be making cute little ladybirds. 


I may even get time to do some baking... (but don't hold me to that!)
Places still available too, contact us for details
CreativeOpenWorkshops@gmail.com
077 0781 4140


Looking forward to tomorrow! :)