This time it's not Granny Squares....it's my Grandad Sid!

Today I have no crafty project or work in progress to share with you, instead I thought I would just come have a natter.

I do hope you are all doing fine and your having a tremendous week?

My week is off to a lovely start. I've been having a truly fabulous and fun time reading all of the AMAZING entries for our Y.A.R.N competition. You guys are so magically talented its just unreal!!!
If you haven't already entered the competition, then don't panic!!! You still have until the end of the week, just follow the link and give it a go!!!
I really am so excited to pick a winner, although I'm just not sure how? They are all so so good!

Yesterday I had a very quiet Easter Monday at home. I watched movies and read and only stepped out of my pajamas when the rain stopped for a brief hour or so.
I had waited all morning for the rain to stop. I had been a little desperate to go outside and play around with my camera. I made the most of the tiny spot of sunshine by running across the road to our local park, camera at hand. 
I wanted to play around with some of the different features and try out a my lenses. I wanted to get to know my camera a little better. :-)
Now I know that I wont be winning any photo awards, but I did really enjoy taking these pictures. It was so nice to be out in the fresh air with the brief appearance of the sun shining over me.

I really loved walking around the park. It gave me a quiet and clear moment to myself. I thought about so many things....about the blog, Dennis, learning German, work and my Grandad Sid.

Now this is not meant to be down or depressing in anyway. So I really hope I don't come across that way.
I had been thinking about my Grandad Sid, as today it has been nine years since he passed away.
As the blog is such an important part of my life and Grandad was also. I thought I would honor my Grandad by remembering him and sharing with you all how much of a brilliant man he was.

My Grandad was my buddy, he was the kindest and most generous person in the world. Grandad was clever and creative, he encouraged me and supported everything I did.
It was Grandad that paid for my early dance classes, he never knew that I got into a dance school and never saw me dance professionally. I really wish he could have seen me.
I hope he knows how much I loved him and miss him. Most of all I really hope I can make him as proud as he made me.

My Grandad was really special. I do hope you don't mind me sharing him with you.

Matt xxx

Make it the best week!!!!! :-)

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Peg Perfection

As hoped, on Tuesday evening I finally got around to finishing off my little peg project. 

I'm not quite sure where my sudden urge for pegs came from? Nonetheless, when I have an idea I simply have to see where it will end up!

As you probably remember.....Last month I bought a selection of tradition wooden pegs, as I wanted a fun and crafty project that would not consume too much time. I though these pegs seemed like the perfect choice.

I had some gorgeous shades of acrylic paint, so I started by making my pegs bright and stripey. I love the effect!
The colours remind me of the seaside. Maybe a stripey parasol or the wood of the rent per-day deck chairs, not sure what it is?

 

Once I had finished painting my pegs all kinds of stripey, I had intended on adding some little ribbons or possibly flowers.
Like many ideas I have, the reality doesn't always match my vision.
Adding flowers and ribbons just didn't seem to do it for me and I really wasn't happy with how they were turning out.
My solution.......I decided just to leave them plain, bright and stripey!

I like how simple and summery they look. Sometimes keeping it simple just seems to work best!

Once I had finished making stripey pegs, I noticed that I still had some pegs leftover.
I decided that I couldn't have these old fashioned pegs and not give making a couple of peg dolls a try.
I had no idea I was going to have so much fun creating these little characters and seeing a little town of peg people gradually grow.

So far I have made nine of these super cute little people, I just love how each of them seems to have a personality of their own.

Would you like to see what I came up with?:

 First we have the "Castle Guards".

 A little "Baywatch Babe"! Dennis made her, isn't she sexy!!

 The "Aristocrats" (they're very posh, look at her gorgeous crocheted gown!):

 

"His Royal Highness":

And  the "Prima Ballerinas".

I had so much fun making these!! Aren't they hilarious!!! I used acrylic paints for each of them and added any extra detail with a permanent marker pen. 

Just to make sure they would stay standing up. I made little stands out of air-dry clay and painted them a very regal gold.

This is definitely a project I will revisit. The possibilities for different characters are endless.

I'm thinking next time I'd like to try making a clown, a 70's disco dude and definitely a Queen to keep my King company :-)

My final attempt at peg perfection came in the form of these little mini pegs.


As these pegs are very tiny (2cm long), I decided that they needed to remain simple.
Along with my assortment of colourful embroidery floss.....

...and my mini crochet hook (size 1.25) in hand, I and made some teeny flowers. I made a little accent to the middle of each flower by using a contrasting colour of floss.
Finally I stuck the flowers to the pegs using a hot glue gun.
Here's how they turned out:

I'm so very pleased with the outcome!
I think they look so cute and dainty. I hope to make a notice bored in the near future so that these pretty pegs can hold notes and post cards. Until then, I have them on display in my beautiful little milk jugs. I simply clipped them onto some pieces of dowel and popped them into the jugs.

They have a definite Spring blossom feel, perfect for this time of year! That truly is "Peg Perfection"!

I'm wishing you all a very lovely Easter Weekend!!
Much love,
Matt xxx

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