My First Crochet Pillowcase

Hello Creatives!

On the 2nd of July it was my 22nd birthday so George and I decided to jump on a plane to Spain to spend it with my family! I really wanted to bring a gift along with me, but had been so busy that I hadn’t been able to pick anything up, so naturally I decided to crochet something! 

I started the night before we flew off, and realised I wouldn’t be able to finish my project before we had to leave, so I decided to bring it with me!

I decided to crochet a pillowcase that matched the houses ‘theme’. 

Here was my view whilst I crocheted away on the plane:

They loved it! I’ve found that I’m not the best at joining squares together. It seems to be even whilst I do it, then once I’ve joined it all together I just don’t think it looks right!

Above is my pillow case on the sofa in our Spanish home!

Any improvements I could make? I should have taken a photo of the back, but the pillow is fully removable so that the case can be washed if needed!

Love lana xxx 

How I organise my yarn!

Hello creatives! 

So up until a week ago, my yarns were A MESS. I kept getting new baskets to put it al in, but because I’m not organised enough they’d get all tangled and I’d forget half of the stuff I owned because I couldn’t see it! I’m sure you’ve all been there…

But after managing to kill my Aloe Vera plant (mum replanted it when she visited and it DID NOT agree with its new soil) and wanting to replace it, my boyfriend and I made a little trip to IKEA – my favourite place!

We left without the aloe vera plant (whoops), with some new sofa throws, a table runner, some tongs, AND MY NEW CREATION STATION! 

I wasn’t even looking for a new way to stash my yarn, however – you can fight me about this – thanks to the BEST BOYFRIEND IN THE WORLD, I was treated (without any prompting, and he was the one that suggested it) to my wonderful new storage: 

It’s still a little messy, some colours have now been used and I’ve added few more additions to the stash (he was kind enough to point out that I was missing a ‘proper’ orange 😂) but I am ECSTATIC about it. 

The rail which normal people would use for clothes was £6.50 with each column of pockets at £4 each! – just incase there’s any of you who like it as much as I do and live in a place that’s tight for space… (but we’re moving soon, woohoo!).

I couldn’t not share this, it brings me so much joy! And I’m so glad the other half is so supportive of my messy hobby, he’s even agreed to let me have a crafts room in the new place – A WHOLE ROOM FOR CRAFTS! 

I’m currently working on a granny square blanket in different tones of grey after a bit of inspiration from Pinterest, which I will definitely be sharing with you once it looks more like a blanket and less like a hankercheif 😂

Lana xxx 

Project Updates – 3rd Feb 2017

Hello, creatives! 

I told you I’d keep you updated on projects, and that’s exactly what I’m doing, woo!

Current projects:

Bunny Soft Toy: 

I finally finished her! She’s got all her limbs now and is currently sat in my yarn basket waiting for her dress to be made! 

I absolutely love her and all her little imperfections. I can’t wait to develop on my soft toy technique (especially attaching/sewing everything together) and develop some patterns for you all! I need to work on the ears a little bit before anything can be finalised! 

Double Crochet Chunky Blanket: 

I absolutely love sitting on the sofa watching telly and endlessly double crocheting (US terms) away at this chunky blanket. I recently finished my last ball of yarn and have recently purchased another, I love the change in colours! 

It’s going to be a while before this is finished, but I’m okay with that!

Granny Square Blanket:

These poor squares have been neglected. Some of them have had a white/cream edge added to them ready to be sewn together, but I’m pretty sure I’ve only completed 9 out of about 40 squares! 

No photos of these!

Wooly Hat: 

Oops, mummy’s going to be angry! I still haven’t started it! I keep telling myself that it’s going to take such a small amount of time that I can put it off a little longer… 

Surprise gift for a best friend:

I’m half way through this now, it’s a little amigurumi animal (keeping the rest a secret however..) and it just needs patching together and some eyes before it goes in the post to her! Photos will be uploaded once she’s received it!

Added projects:

I know I already have too many on the go as it is (with a masters degree on top!) but I couldn’t help myself.

When I purchased the new ball of yarn for my chunky blanket, I also picked up some super soft chunky yarn fit for some baby bits! My eldest cousin being pregnant is one of the most exciting things for myself, my other 12 cousins and the rest of the family, and living on the other side of the world to them makes me want to crochet endless bits and bobs to post over!! 

I haven’t started anything yet, however I’ll be sure to update you when I do!

I’d love you opinions on my current projects as well as some suggested ideas for new ones!

Next update coming soon!

Crocheted with love, Lana xxx

Plantastic IKEA Haul

Aloe there!

After recently moving into our furnished apartment, George and I felt like there were a few things missing that we didn’t have, such as side plates, a bookcase, and wine glasses among others, so we decided to take a trip to IKEA! You’re probably expecting me to go on about these items, however the majority of what we came home with were PLANTS!

Having previously lived in shared student housing, purchasing decorative items for any room other than my bedroom, nice kitchen appliances or plants were just a massive no no! Everything would get lost, broken whilst drunk or die. So for the FIRST time, I was able to enjoy shopping for home items, for my own home.

Currently (and im honestly not sure how long they’ve had these or how long they will still have these) IKEA has been offering a set of three different potted baby cacti. They come in green, lime green, baby pink and white. I personally didnt select them on the pot colour but the specific cacti within the set. Some gave me goosebumps and were all hairy, others looked cobwebby, and the ones i seleced were perfect.

CACTACEAE £4.50 for 3

CACTACEAE £4.50 for 3

CACTACEAE £4.50 for 3

CACTACEAE £4.50 for 3 different cacti. Pot colours can beseen in the image above.

My colllection!

They just seem to make such a difference to the room, and i think they’re to blame for the the rest of the haul. It’s an addiction.

After walking around IKEA and collecting all the other items we needed we continued to the tills. Right before the store room was the plant section… 3 steps in and I had my sights set onto a shelf of baby aloe vera plants! You may or may not know that aloe vera plants are relatively expensive and have many usages, from beauty to lifestyle.

 

ALOE VERA £2.50

ALOE VERA £2.50

SOCKER 12cm £1.25

ALOE VERA £2.50, SOCKER 12cm £1.25. I placed my ALOE VERA into the SOCKER  tin to give it a nicer finish for the house. The SOCKER tin is also galvanised to protect against erosion.

Aloe Vera has many benefits, i know it has soothed me through a few burns!
Ive done a little bit of research so you don’t have to and have listed some of these benefits below.

So, according to Marie Claire, aloe vera juice is:

1. Detoxifying
2. Supportive of the immune system
3. Able to lower cholesterol & blood sugar levels
4. Excellent for digestion (and constipation)
5. And easy way to boost your vitamin and mineral intake
6. Good for burns, acne and hydrating your skin!

Read the article HERE

According to Prevention.com it can be used as:

1. A make up remover when used in the form of pure aloe vera gel
2. A shaving cream
3. A soothing ice cube
4. A face wash
5. and many more!

Read more from Prevention.com HERE

And finally, according to Healthline.com, aloe vera can be useful for:

1. Heartburn – Consume 1-3 ounces of pure aloe gel. As aloe vera has a very low toxicity level, it is very safe.
2. Keeping ruit nd vegetables for longer – by cating them in aloe gel, it keeps bacteria away making your fruit and veg freshers for longer!
3. Use as an alternative mouthwash – I will block plaque and also provide pain relief for sore gums. It also contains vitamin C.

And to read more interesting facts about aloe vera, just click HERE

There are so many websites that will advise you on the uses of aloe vera, as well as suppliers of aloe vera houseplants and gels, so go have a look and make use of its wonderful properties! I know i will!

Lana xxx