Crochet - yes please!

I know crochet has a fairly granny reputation.  But not in my book!  I love it.  I like that its a traditional craft and I like its lacy appearance.  I also like the fact that in crochet, its acceptable to use all the colours of the rainbow in one piece. 

I have an old crochet book which was published in 1972.  I love the old photos and can't help but have a giggle over the fashion of the day.  Some of its still cool today, but some, (ahem!) should probably stay back there in 1972.  Here's a selection...

 I think this little Miss would rather not be wearing the crochet jumpsuit...

 So cute...

 Mmmm.... I'd probably give it a go (wearing it, not making it!)...

 This one should stay in 1972!

 If we ever get a canal boat, I'm making this for Mr Tara... (good grief!)

Smart business attire...!  I also deem this one should stay in 1972... along with all other "business attire", but that's another story...

 These would look great in my house...

 For those just starting out, a handy crash course!

 No. 39.  My favourite - how serene and lovely she looks...

I just had to include this one.... did they really wear this back then?  Too many holes for my liking... I'm leaving it back there in 1972.

I still have some things which I made when I was a child (in the 1970's).  I made this bag around 1978 (when I was 8).  I now use it to store all my wool and crochet hooks (and knitting needles which I never really got the hang of)...

A granny square which I have displayed on a round table (also crocheted around 1978 - I was probably practising for the bag)...

 That table sits in this room, which I thought you might like to see...

My current crochet project - a blanket for our bed done in rows from a "how to" I found on the internet...  I have once again lost the crochet hook down the side of the sofa so currently work on this has stopped.  I'll dig it out some time this afternoon...

  A nice warm gigantic afghan square blanket which I love (made by my Auntie in NZ)...

Another piece I own - I can't imagine having the patience to ever achieve this kind of crochet status!!..

And just to bring you back to 2012... Mr Tara bought me this new ipad cover today - in lolly pink!  Thank you, I love it!!

I hope you are all enjoying this fine weekend...

Tara

Henna painting on friends...

Lately I've had a few friends pop by for henna tattoos.  This weekend we had friends visiting from the homeland (New Zealand) and so I got the Temptu paint out and Debbie rolled up her sleeve...

(work in progress photos courtesy of Stuart...)

Painting the design on with the tiniest of brushes...

 Then body glue and glitter is added

 Maybe I should have taken Debbie's watch off before I showered it in glitter...

 Me (on the left) and Debbie on the right... we've been friends since I was 10 years old!

 Debbie's finished tattoo

 Mine the next day outside with the grapefruit tree

And here is some I did the week before, for our friends' daughter.  She's only 5 but sat still for about an hour to get these two done.  I think the promise of all that glitter had her hooked!!

 what a sweetie...

The Temptu is proving to be very popular but I still like the traditional henna paste applied with a cone for that tribal feel.  Here's one I did in Bali in April - I seem to like being in foliage...

I can't wait for summer.... to sport hennaed feet and not cover up with cardigans...

Tara

A winter walk in my neighbourhood...

I realise for you northern hemishphere folk, that this post will not look like a winter wonderland.  However, it is quite chilly here in Melbourne today (around 14 degrees C).  That's chilly by Aussie standards and I headed out to photograph winter flowers all wrapped up in my fleece coat and my woolly fingerless gloves (made by my Mum who is quite natty with the knitting needles).

I don't have many flowers in my garden at the moment... but our neighbours do!

Daisies in my front yard

 The tree outside our house - such papery bark - its squishy if you poke it

 More papery bark...

 Now for the neighbourhood blooms...

 A Kiwi looking fern pokes out amongst green and gold (Aussie) leaves... a bit like me really...

These berries look like each is a different flavour... NOT edible if there are any kiddies reading this...!

Not bad for winter...

By the way, I also fixed the time clock on my blog, so now I can say things like "Happy Wednesday"... on a Wednesday.  Which is nice.  My blog was formerly residing on something called Pacific Time.... now its on Melbourne Time.  Much better.

Happy Wednesday everybody!

See you tomorrow for a little peek at some recent henna tattoos...

Tara

Shop update...

Vintage and tribal jewels have now hit the shelves of my little Etsy store which you can find here

Belly dancing choker necklace...

  Afghani pieces...

  Afghani and Uzbek pendant...

 Indian earrings and vintage silver bangle...

  Uzbek turquoise pendant and book lovers sterling silver pendant...

Afghani lapis lazuli...

  Indian silver covered wax beads...

Indian tribal pendant with turquoise stone...

While poking around the local thrift store with friends at the weekend, I found these flower patches and there were 8 of them (4 brown and 4 orange).  So, I channelled my inner hippie (not hard, as those who know me will agree...) and came up with this retro market tote with 1970's sheeting. It's extra large for all the goodies you need to cart around with padded handles too...

I've put it in the Etsy store and if no one buys it, I will give it a home as its right up my street.  If it does sell, then all is not lost, I can re-create it with one of my spare 7 patches!

Tara