Crafty in the Med

I am here to enjoy meeting other bloggers and to share my love of craft ,mostly crochet, my thoughts and my daily happenings here in Alicante,Spain, my adopted country. I belong to a local choir because singing and music makes me happy. Flea markets and book shops are two of my favourite places to be. I read lots......sci´fi/fantasy,buried treasure, and off world adventures. I have a passion for history! I walk and walk and walk for about 10 months per year during the hot months I swim.

Monday 16 February 2015

Dressing up!!

 
It's that time of the year again!!

Carnivals are taking place all over Spain;parade after parade!
Where ever you go in the city you can see fairies,hobbits ,witches, pink policemen,fruits and a variety of animals as they dance and chatter happily off down to the city centre to parade and show off their fancy dress.
 I continue to be amazed at the vast imagination that some people have to create their own fancy dresses....awesome!!!

It is a happy time!!You can practically feel the enthusiasm in the city;for many,many people a release momentarily from stress and social restrictions over a few days full of music and fun!



A WIN!!!!    I have been very lucky this month and for the very first time I have won a giveaway on facebook!!!

 The prize ......YARN ,a clover pom pom maker,some markers and a crochet hook.  Wonderful for a crochet addict like me!  All these lovelies were part of the generous giveaway from Jenny on The Woolly Hook  .    Jenny is very talented! I adore the combination of colours that she uses.
She makes and sells some really gorgeous and varied crochet baby clothing from her Facebook page.

Look Drops Merino yarn!   It is soooo soft!!!





I have never used a pom pom maker before. I think I'll have a pom pom making session with my grand-daughter soon.  I'm sure she'll work out how it works in a jiffy!!!


Here you have one of my latest makes which is for my niece's next baby, due in May. It is my own pattern using a very popular stitch that made it easy and quick  to make. The Hooded blanket is 30 x 30cm in size.The rosebuds at the top of the hood are made using NΒΊ 5 perle cotton and the rest of the blanket is in Aran yarn using a 5.00 hook. I am pleased to say it is a total stash buster using up odds of Aran yarn I had left over from other makes.
I think Pooh Bear approves...he is smiling!!












These photographs were taken during our Sunday morning walk yesterday. It was still very windy there but the icy cold had gone and it was quite warm in the sun.
Looking towards the Albufereta beach (Benidorm is that-away ....about 40 minutes by car!!!)



Looking towards Alicante City



Keep well!

Amanda :-)




Sunday 1 February 2015

blowin in the wind

“The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind, The answer is blowin' in the wind”
(Bob Dylan ...of course)


and it is all about the weather this weekend because it is blowing a gale out there!!! Practically all of Spain has been hit by Gale winds some areas like Galicia heavy snow. Snow!!! Never here sometimes up on the mountains.   This Alicante....tch!!! It is beautiful outside sunny and blue skies but that wind is sooo cold!!!

Just to give you an idea just how gusty it is out there these snapshots are from the local newspaper.
Two lorries blown over yesterday on the Carresqueta motorway in the mountains near Alcoy,Alicante province.
Along the Carresqueta motorway in the mountains on the way to Alcoy 


 and we won't be going for a walk along the beach today either.

Early this morning. 

The weather is gloomy but lets go on to nicer things. 
My Grand-daughter Cookie has been complaining that her feet get so cold during the hours she has to sit and do her homework!!!   I do tell her that every so often she should get up and move about because I think part of the problem is circulation. I thought that a small hot water bottle under her feet would help. Would you believe it but it is no easy matter buying a hot water bottle here!! There is just no demand for them. Nevertheless her YiYo (that's Grandpa in Spanish) finally found one! A nice small one just right for under or between her feet and which I've already tried out and found it stayed warm for about 2 hours...not bad I thought.  However as I it was a bit dull looking I decided to crochet a bright hottie cover.  

 I think I can say this is my own pattern although I have been inspired by many crocheter's Hottie covers that I saw on Pinterest and Raverly. They gave me some orientation.  The heart pattern is not my own but from Bella_dia  the edging is mine.  The letter R pattern I found on the Moogly blog ; a free download of all the alphabet.The ring idea is mine! :-) 

I used Katia Planet variegated yarn and a 4.00 hook and some leftover pink yarn.

I'm off now to brave the elements and blow the cobwebs away!!

Keep well

Amanda