Spam

I've been getting increasing amounts of spam in the comments on the Blog - Blogger does seem to be catching some of it but some is creeping through. It is usually just very bland "your site is great etc - please click on my (dodgy) Link" but I got some pornograpic spam yesterday, which was published on the site - don't worry all been deleted now.

Because of this I have now changed the comments settings, so that all comments have to be moderated, its a bit of a pain, but the alternative is to put a captcha on, and I like most people hate them with avengence !

What do you do about spam on your Blog ? What works well for other people ? (Moderated !) comments below !

Crochet

I have always wanted to learn how to crochet - I have my Grandma's old crochet hooks, I have even made a lovely roll to hold them, even though I couldn't use them !


 

I have always looked at the classes at French Knots Studio and wanted to do a few of them, but they have never seemed to fit with a date I could do, however I meet up regularly with a group of mums from school, and there seemed to be few of us wanting to learn crochet. I spoke to Jo and she was happy to come to the house and do a Crochet evening for us. We all started slowly learning how to do a granny square, but we soon got going and even opened the wine while we crocheted ! We all got on really well with the Crochet and Jo was a very patient teacher.



I have now got the hang of doing granny squares, and Baby Annabel has a new pram blanket !





Of Course I had to make a small case to keep my scissors and a couple of hooks in - I have found that I get cramp in my hand with a normal hook, so have been trying a few different ones, so far I think the knit-pro comfort ones are my favourite.

I bought the Nicki Trench Cute and Easy Crochet book from Amazon, and decided to tackle the Springtime throw.




The one in the book uses over 400 squares, so I think I may make mine a little smaller, as I have only made a few so far !

I am still trying to Crochet flowers, as I would to attach them to some bags. I have done a couple but none good enough to share ! - I may have to go back to see Jo at French Knots and join in one of her flower crochet classes !
I am defiantly hooked on Crochet, and it is great to have a craft which is a little more portable than a sewing machine.

Stall display

Most people who have ever had a stall at crafts fairs will tell you that it is always changing in terms of designs, every time you go to a fair you compare notes with other stall holders about how to improve the look of the stall - I have a whole Pinterest board about stall ideas.

I thought I would share how my display has developed over the last year.





My first stalls - I used a tablecloth which we already had, along with baskets we already had, the stall looked quite cluttered and nothing matched !

I then managed to pick up a bag holder  second hand on ebay

This meant the stall looked less cluttered, I was still trying different holders for cases etc but there was still a bit of a mixture.

I then got a proper table cloth and matching runner, I also made an applique sign to look like my logo (think I need to make a bigger one)

 

I also managed to a couple of vintage suitcases, which I lined in coordinating fabric, finished with ribbon and vintage style cotton lace, along with signs using the logo. I also added a jug of silk flowers.

I decided to make everything a bit Christmassy, for November and December - I added an Ivy garland, red fairy lights and bows to the top of the hanging rail.

 

I also added some lanterns, with battery operated tea lights, and wooden reindeer - the reindeer were very popular and lots of people tried to buy them ! (They were bought from Sainsbury's !)

 

 

This was my stall at the latest fair - I have added a wooden shelf, covered in matching fabric which gives the stall some height and is also useful to keep paper bags etc in while the fair is in progress.

I would love to hear your thoughts on the stall now, maybe you could share pictures of how your stall looks.