Now that I have passed my due date by three days I am convinced that Baby Bear is going to hold on in there for as long as they can. Despite having a few niggles and back ache I think labour is going to be slow!

Each day is very different, some days I lack energy and others I am full of beans and have loads of motivation. On the days that are productive I have been working on some more baby makes, some for the little one and others to add to my range once I start making to sell again.

Here are a few bits I've been up to over the past few days...

Baby Bear Hat

My last count down was 11 weeks ago and I can now say with only 4 days until my due date it's been a busy old few months.

Pregnancy has been incredible, being able to feel my babies movements, knowing they're growing and developing each and every day and building up that bond only a mother can know is by far the most precious feeling ever. I have fallen head over heels in love with our little baby bear.

It's not all been plain sailing though. I have had lots of aches and pains and in random places. Who would have thought that swelling would cause wrist pain or that I'd need so much help with the simple day to day things like putting on my socks!

I have however been able to craft! I haven't managed to get everything on my baby makes to do list completed but I have done loads! The biggest job on the list was the nursery and oh boy its beautiful. My husband has been a trooper and has worked hard at creating a relaxing space any little'n would be pleased to sleep in.

What do you think?

The Nursery

My first project was the creation of our little crochet teddy bear for our Baby Bear. I had a few false starts but am happy with the finished result. A keepsake I'm sure the little one will love.

Granny Blanket

I finally got my family granny blanket finished and just in the nick of time too as I caught a cold which has knocked me off my feet. A week or more in and I'm still trying to get rid of it. My blanket is THE best comforter though, snuggly and warm and full of colour.

Cushions

We were keen to keep our single bed in the spare room but I wanted to make it into a day bed which would be comfortable and useful when feeding and playing with baby. I bought a selection of large cushion inners and bolster cushions to cover myself. I don't use my sewing machine very often but was keen to create some personal cushions which would match our theme for the nursery. Using a mix of fabrics and crochet trims I'm super pleased with what I have created.

I haven't been able to create covers for all of the cushions I bought but I think I over estimated how many I actually needed and I can always add to them as necessary.

Pictures

I was also keen to be creative with fabric and stitch and create some unique artwork for the nursery. I attended Clare's Free Machine Embroidery class in March and have absolutely fallen in love with the technique. My three finished pictures are far better than I could have imagined however they have been a pain in the bum to create. I had lots of problems with my machine jamming underneath and think it's because I used vintage threads which kept splitting and causing the threads to gather underneath. Despite this set back I am sooo free machining again soon!

Any-who lovely folks, I'm off to make a cuppa and put my feet up... make the most of it whilst I can eh! More updates coming soon. x

January is speeding by super fast and I can’t keep up. With only 11 weeks left until my due date I better pull my finger out!

We have been doing lots of DIY and spring cleaning in the Towriess household getting all those jobs we’ve been meaning to get done for ages finished before the arrival of our little one. I have been doing a little bit of crochet and a couple of days teaching but I’ve not been able to do as much as I would have liked. I'm finding it really difficult to put my feet up and relax when I’m such a proactive person – I love keeping busy but keep getting told to 'slow down', 'take it easy', 'look after yourself'. So with all of these wise words in mind I'm trying very hard to do relaxing things and luckily enough crochet is just that - perfect!

Along with some yummy crochet makes I'm going to share with you today I have an ever growing list of baby related makes I can’t wait to get my teeth into. Only trouble is – I need more time!

Crochet Granny Blanket

Back in May last year I decided to make myself a blanket. I spend so much time making samples and lovely commission pieces for others I wanted something of my own. At the time I had no big projects on the go (or baby news) so I thought I’d be able to whip something up in no time. Umm, 8 months later it’s still not finished! I possibly started a bit ambitious with my initial foundation rows measuring in at 214cm wide! This obviously means I now have to create enough length to even make it into a square.

Despite the time it’s taking me I love the colours, the granny square pattern and I can’t wait to get it finished and snuggle up inside it – only another 72cm to go.

 
 

Crochet teddy bear

Crochet baby blanket

Crochet bear hat

Crochet booties

Ok so my crochet granny square blanket may have to be put on hold now that I have actually seen my baby makes list written down, eek there is a lot to squeeze into the next 11 weeks. Better get started. Toodle-pip for now. x

 

 

With only a few hours left of 2012 I wanted to say a big thank you to everyone that has supported me throughout 2012. It's been a roller coaster of a year with an emotional start yet I can honestly say it's been brilliant. Crochet classes, the launch of Craft & Chat, featuring in a book, the birth of my nephew, my first wedding anniversary and of course the news of our very own little bundle of joy. I am super excited about 2013 and can't wait to share my journey with you.

Over the next few weeks I will be taking part in two fantastic fundraising events. The first is the launch party for the fabulous book '20 Crafty Make' in aid of the Stroke Association and the second will be with the lovely ladies from the Craft Studio for a 'Festive Fundraising Event' at Stonebridge City Farm to raise money for a dedicated Cystic Fibrosis Unit at Nottingham City Hospital.

'20 Crafty makes'

I was approached by the lovely ladies from the '20 Crafty Makes' team to submit a crochet project to appear in the book. I of course jumped at the chance to take part. Not only is a great project to be a part of and sit alongside other talented folk the reasons behind the book are dear to my heart.

I have seen the effects of stroke first hand. My husband's grandmother 'Mamma' passed away a couple of years ago after her battle with the condition.

Follow '20 Crafty Makes' on Facebook, click here.
Purchase you're very own '20 Crafty Makes' book for only £5 from Folksy, click here.

Festive Fundraiser

As a tutor at the Craft Studio I just couldn't miss out on this worthy event. Organised by Clare Alderson from the Craft Studio the original aim was to hold a fundraising event at the studio itself but with talks with friends and a bit of reorganising this brilliant event will now be held at Stonebridge City Farm making it a great day out for all the family.

With mini Christmas themed craft workshops, a wonderful array of handmade goodies and refreshments as well as lots the animals on the farm this is definitely an event to add to your diary. Pop over to the Facebook events page here.

Join in the fun on Saturday 17th November 11am - 3pm.

I hate starting my blog with an apology about being quiet in blog land but it’s been awhile since I last posted and I wanted to explain why.

Not only have I been busy teaching, hosting our monthly Craft & Chat and making lots of crochet loveliness I have been doing a bit of baking. However, I have not been using flour, eggs or any other tradition cooking ingredients I have been baking with oodles of love. I am pleased to share with you all I’m going to be a mummy!

We had a little trouble getting here with an emotional journey and a very sad failed pregnancy at the beginner of the year but now, in my second trimester, things are starting to look up. Yesterday we got to see our little baby bear for the first time on screen at our dating scan. Baby Towriess is due in April next year and we just can’t wait!

For the past three months my emotions have been all over the place and I have felt dreadful thanks to the constant morning sickness, oh joy! Just when I’m starting to feel healthier and getting ‘that healthy glow’ I now have lots of questions swirling around in my head.

I absolutely love crochet and I love teaching it even more so now I really have to sit down and see how it’s all going to fit in. Pregnancy, birth, baby, crochet and teaching.

I have worked incredibly hard over the past year or so making a name for myself with one main aim, to become ‘Nottingham’s premier crocheter’ a name a lovely friend of mind has given me and I like it. I have had tremendous support from those close to me but most of all from Clare at the studio, without her encouragement I would not have met so many amazing creative people and taught as regularly as I have. The Craft Studio is a fantastic creative space and I now have to figure out how to continue to offer crochet lessons as well as look after myself and this precious little one inside of me. I hope you'll all stick around and share this exciting journey with me.

Despite being quiet online I haven't been sitting around doing nothing. Here are a few bits and pieces I’ve been making over the past few months...

Crochet Cardigan

I was inspired by a lady at work who had just recently learnt to crochet and decided to start on an epic project. Five weeks of solid crocheting she had managed to create a lovely long ladies cardigan with braided front for her mother’s birthday. For someone who has crocheted for years I was ashamed as I had never made a garment before. Toys, blankets, cushion, accessories everything but a garment!

I started on a much smaller scale and created this lovely little baby cardigan, ideal for a boy or a girl wouldn’t you say?

A lovely fun filled day at the studio again last Saturday with my Introduction to Crochet workshop. A full room of ladies all eager to learn to crochet...

This week has been a very busy week for socialising. Saturday saw me teaching crochet toys at the studio, followed by a busy Craft & Chat on Wednesday where we eat cake, talked music, craft, cake and there was even talk of Gayness with our lovely Sarah acting as a steward at the Gay Pride event in Nottingham this weekend, all good stuff!



 

With an ever increasing to do list I am inspired! My home is probably the opposite to Dawn and Steven’s with neatly positioned ornaments laid out symmetrically and in coordinating colours however, saying that, as the days and years go by my husband and I have been adding more and more bits to our home to reflect our personality. Visiting such a colourful and charming home makes me even more excited about adding further touches of ‘Towriess-ness’ to our pad. (For those that don’t know me my surname is Towriess). From cushions, pictures and ornaments to gadgets, plants and lamps, you name it I'm filling those shelves, cupboards and chairs with all kinds of loveliness.

Now for a Friday night in relaxing before a weekend of teaching, visiting the littl‘ens at my sister-in-laws, shopping, swimming, and household chores. The list of jobs never end but I wouldn't change it for the world, I'd be lost without my lists!

Saturday saw the sunshine high in the sky and the creative juices flowing. Whilst you were all eating ice creams, playing in the park or day dreaming the day away in the garden I was teaching crochet at the studio. Despite being inside it was a truly lovely day, the sun was beaming through the large windows and the warmth was wonderful.

This week it was Amigurumi toys, my first intermediate class.

I was impressed with the amount of cuteness created on the day. Its my first intermediate class and the first time I've taught students to make toys and suprisingly I got my timings perfect. Everyone went home with a completed little birdie and the skills to make more.

Lovingly named 'Freddie' by the lovely Leigh-Anne!

It's been a little while since I last blogged. I've been busy updating my workshop list, creating new samples, updating my website, teaching, baking and so much more.

My next workshop will be Amigurumi toys and we'll be making these cute little birdies. Crochet toys are a wonderful gift for little people and even for not so little people and they're great fun to make too.

Bunnies are brown, Bunnies are white
Bunnies are always, An Easter delight.

Bunnies are cuddly, The large and the small.
But I like chocolate ones, The best of them all.

Easter, Springtime, New life, Bird song and... Chocolate!

Last year I made a hand full of these little guys, they went down so well this Easter I went on crochet overload and made tones more bunnies and chicks stuffed with yummy caramel and creme eggs.They didn't last long! I sold out within a few days with only a couple left for my friends and family. Too cute!

I forgot about these little fellas. Some more cheeky childrens TV characters crocheted with love for Christmas pressies.

As a Christmas treat my husband and I visited the big smoke last weekend for a fun filled few days of site seeing, shopping and festive hustle and bustle.

As it was Sean's first ever trip to London I really wanted to show him everything London had to offer from the busy, cramped underground to the spectacular architecture and historic landmarks, we even popped by the palace and visited the queen and the crown jewels.

We shared our weekend with my parents and as always there are plenty of piccies to show you. This time it was Sean in charge of the camera. He's done a super job wouldn't you agree?

DAY 1 - Friday 2nd December 2011

London Bridge
I just love the blue details.

Tower of London
So much to see.

Animals in the Tower
We were amazed by the incredible artwork at the Tower by Kendra Haste.

The night drew in quickly and we found ourselves in a brightly lit city with so many roads to take. We visited Trafalgar Square, then Leicester Square then our bellies took us to China Town for some yummy Chinese food.

A stroll down Oxford Street
Shopping wasn't supposed to be on our agenda whilst in London but I was in need of some 1920s inspired accessories for my works Christmas do the following Thursday so seen as though the shops were open late we thought 'why not!' We must have walked the whole length of Oxford Street, looking more at the pretty Christmas lights than inside the shops themselves. Our walk ended with a look around Marble Arch.

This Saturday I taught my young cousin, Megan to crochet.

Megan is a couple of weeks away from turning 12 and she wanted to do something a little different to celebrate. She had recently learnt to knit but after seeing my crocheted flowers at my wedding earlier this year she turned to me to teach her to crochet so she could make some of her own.

I was really surprised by how well Megan did. She picked up the stitches easily and was able to leave the session with her very own crocheted mobile phone cover. Next lesson... crochet flowers.

Bulwell’s Remembrance Sunday parade started from the car park of the Oakleigh Lodge Social Club on Highbury Road at 10.30 am. The procession marched to St Mary’s Church where poppy wreaths were laid before a service inside the church.

Sean is the designated chef in our household, I am very much a bung it in the oven or microwave kind of girl. I know tut tut, not very good to say I have only recently become a wife. I would normally much prefer to clean a toilet than slave away in the kitchen however it was actually fun. Now I'm not going to become the main cook in the house but I can say I enjoyed it; I enjoyed the planning, creating and presenting of it all, I even enjoyed the messiness and utter chaos I created for myself and most of all I enjoyed looking after my husband and treating him to some well cooked, tasty food for a change.

We had homemade tomato soup to start, then stuffed Italian chicken with crispy salad and fries followed by chocolate mousse and honey comb for dessert. All a success taste wise however my mousse was more like thick chocolate sauce than light foamy mousse but this did not matter as we’re both massive chocolate fans and it tasted gooooood!

Anyway you never know I may cook again and for friends.... a dinner party I hear say??? Ummm maybe!