Blog Award x 2

I have been slack in posting about this award ~ I have had too much other stuff to blog about!! 

I received the award from the lovely Carys and Amelia of La Ville Inconnue ~ and I was so thrilled as I did not expect another blog award!

For this award, each person who receives it must answer the question:

'What do you like best about your blog?'

The thing that I like best about my blog is the chance to share things with a community of people I would never know otherwise.  The idea of a global community is actually more than just a theory when it comes to blogging. 

The fact that I can blog with people in the US, UK, Japan, Poland ~ you name it.  We can experience so many different cultures through blogs and I love that.  It’s like I am travelling to different places everyday. 

Lovely blogs I am passing this award on to.

~ ♥  Berrysprite ♥ ~

Amazing craft ideas and cute calendar desktop downloads available for free!  Holly is very generous to her readers.

~ ♥  Casey’s Elegant Musings ♥ ~

Beautiful vintage sewing inspiration and outfits to envy ~ but I think that she deserves it all because Casey is the nicest and of the most creative bloggers you’ll ever meet.

~ ♥  Craft My Soul ♥ ~

Cool DYI inspiration, craft ideas and fun ~ what more could you want?  

~ ♥  Keiko Lynn ♥ ~

Superb outfits, stunning makeup tutorials and beautiful photographs, Keiko Lynn’s blog is full of great stuff to look at.

~ ♥  Lulu Letty ♥ ~

I try not to sound too much like an obsessed fan girl with Maria, but really, her outfits are to die for….  And she is one of the sweetest, most amazing bloggers I have ever had the pleasure to meet over the web. 

~ ♥  Only Half Dressed ♥ ~

Lovely photographs, cute puppy dog and friendly posts ~ I really like visiting this blog! 

~ ♥  Strawberry Koi ♥ ~

Amazing surreal and fantasy vintage photography and art work ~ Aya has great inspiration of beautiful things on her blog.

~ *  ♥  * ~ *  ♥  * ~ *  ♥  * ~

Also in other exciting news, I now have thirty followers!   I want to thank everyone for their support, so look out for my first giveaway coming when Depict This! hits the big five~o mark.  ^__^  ~ ♥

xox,

bonita

How to ~ Crochet your own amigurumi strawberry charm

Greetings one and all!  I hope your week has been good so far.  Mine has been good and filled to the brim with cute things.  I thought I would share one of them with you in my third tutorial.  {You can find the other two tutorials by clicking on the “tutorial” category at the bottom of this post or in the label  cloud on the left hand side of this blog}.

Note:  When writing this tutorial I actually figured out that it is pretty advanced ~ you have to be a serious crafter to tackle this one I think, because it is quite tricky.  Although the techniques are easy, the process of putting them all together maybe daunting for a beginner DYI or crocheter.

I have put in some beginner crochet tutorial videos, so that if anyone would just like to learn those methods and leave it at that ~ you can do that too.

I hope that everyone, no matter your previous knowledge, will get something out of this. 

Firstly, gather your materials ~

You will need:

~  Green felt at least 1 inch square

~  2 ply red yarn/cotton wool  or to make a large one 4 ply red yarn/cotton wool

~  1.75mm crochet hook  or  2.50mm hook

~  Black flat back pearls or safety eyes 4mm in diameter or chosen size

~  Green thread,  white thread and a needle

~  Scissors and super glue

~  Acrylic stuffing ~ a ball the size of your thumb! 

Have you guess what we are making yet?    Tada!! 

      

Cute as a button and smaller than said article strawberry amigurumi charms to hang off your phone, keys, handbag, etc.

If you do not know how to crochet, please do not worry.  I have posted some excellent instructions below on the stitch that you will need.  That’s right, ONE stitch.  And it is the most basic crochet stitch.  It does not get much simpler than this.  There are three techniques used in combination with the one stitch to make this little guy, but they are really easy to learn too.

If you already know how to crochet, skip this part and the bit that has the abbreviations and go straight on.

Crochet things you will need to know:

~  Single crochet stitch

~  The magic loop/circle technique

~  Decreasing and increasing techniques

~  Crochet abbreviations

Starting with the magic loop ~ do not worry if you can not see what the instructor does at first because they play it back in slow motion.

How to do a single crochet stitch.    Abbreviation:   single crochet  =  SC

Next ~ how to increase.  The pattern will say something like 2 sc into 1 stitch.    Abbreviation:  stitch  = st

And lastly ~ how to decrease.  The instructions in the pattern for decrease will simply say decrease 1, sc 1, decrease 1, etc.   Abbreviation:  decrease  = dec. 

Crochet Abbreviations Used in this Pattern:

stitch  =  st

single crochet  =  sc

decrease  =  dec

*  =  repeat

x 3  =  three times, etc. 

♥  ~ Strawberry amigurumi pattern ~ ♥

Step 1:   Make a magic loop with four sc st.

Step 2:  sc 1, 2 sc into 1 st, sc 1, 2 sc into 1 st, sc 1, * x  3, or until you have 16 st in total

Step 3:  sc around {16 st}, * x 1   

Note:  If you have safety eyes, now is the time to put them one.  We are working from the bottom of the amigurumi to the top, so do not forget to take that into account.

Step 4:  Dec 1, sc 2,    *  until you have 12 st

Step 5:  Dec 1, sc 1, * until you have 6 st

Step 6:  Dec 1 until you have 4 st

Step 7:  Without wrapping any yarn around the crochet hook pull the first loop on your crochet hook through the second one {this is a slip stitch}.    Cut your working yarn into a long tail, thread it through the single loop and pull tight. 

Step 8:  Take the tail and thread your needle with it.  Now push the needle through the closest crochet stitch and back through the next, effectively weaving the tail around the tiny hole left.  Once you have woven it through five stitches it is time to stuff.

Step 9:  Take your stuffing and stuff your amigurumi!  You will probably need to use a thin stick to help with this ~ a bamboo skewer or the end of your crochet hook.

Step 10:  Yank that tail hard to close the hole {as small as it is we still want it closed}.  Now with the needle thread the tail through the top of the amigurumi and back through the bottom.  Leave only a tiny bit of the end to poke through the bottom as the rest will make the loop to hang your strawberry from.  Tie a knot then poke the remainder of the tail in.

Step 11:  Cut three leaves out of your green felt and attach them to the top of the strawberry around the base of the loop with your green thread.

Step 12:  Glue the eyes on.   {If you have safety eye skip this step}

Step 13:  Thread your needle with the white thread and sew little seeds all over the amigurumi by stitching a few stitches close together for each seed.

Step 14:  Enjoy your strawberry amigurumi!!!  ^w^

~ * ♥ * ~ * ♥ * ~ * ♥ * ~

I hope this tutorial was easy to understand.  If you have any question or problems please let me know.  I am thinking about doing a video, so if you do want to see that let me know and I’ll do a Crochet your own strawberry amigurumi charm Part II in video!

xox,

bonita

Feature ~ The Random Rocker

So there are four girls in out family ~ myself being the eldest, then my BFF who is number two, number three is my co~author and storytelling pal, and number four is my horse riding/photographic/drawing conspirator. 

We are all friends, and we all hang out together which is a total blast {I love my family sooo much ~ ~ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ *infinity!}.  I am amazed that as the years pass and as I watch them grow, at the same time we have become so much closer.  I also love that I can share the things that I love to do with them!

It’s great because I have a least one sister to share my one of my hobbies with so I am never without someone to talk about the latest thing I am into.

{Except they do not quite get the vintage thing yet.  They admit that it looks good on me, but still have a grand old laugh when I come home with something that looks like it belongs in my grandmother’s wardrobe.  It’s funny how much my mom does not get it ~ she absolutely cracks up because of course she remembers HER mother wearing it and being “unfashionable”.  

It is a bit hard to explain when I spent the first half of my teenage life trying to show my mom the difference between ‘daggy’ and ‘cool’ then in my early twenties, turn around and proclaim the clothes she would have deemed ‘daggy’ back then as ‘cool’!!  Of course, vintage is not actually cool, for me it’s timeless elegance from the past.  But not everyone understands that.  I do not mind, they’ll get it one of these days.  ^__^}

*phew*  Side track’d.  So sorry about that.  But any who, back to my sisters.  I am constantly in awe of their talents ~ Two can cook pies {pasty, filling and all} from scratch and from a recipe made up in her head {!!} as well as having multiple talents in card making, organizing the best parties and decorating random stuff. {All the best cooking genes went to her, then to the other two.  I got nadda….  >o<}

Four is chasing me down in the photography/drawing skills and Three…. 

Well, let me introduce you to Three.  Otherwise known as The Random Rocker. 

~ Art Appreciation ~

by The Random Rocker

And my personal favourite ~ 

~ The Emo and The Eyeliner ~

by The Random Rocker

She has two other videos up so check out her channel, but I think that these two are the best she’s done so far.  Yay for Random!

She also has a drabble blog ~ short stories written about pictures that she likes. 

Find it here:  A thousand words…. 

It is really cool, but only just started, so please do not be too disappointed if there is still only one story up.  {There was only one last time I looked}

So that is my summary of Three and her creative stuff.  I hope you enjoyed this feature. 

xox,

bonita

A skirt full of flowers ~ Outfit Seventeen

I know that I have worn this dress before, in fact in might just be my most used outfit item ~ no wait, that would be a pair of shoes or that skirt I wear under everything to make it knee length…  >.>’

I think that soon I will almost have enough photos of this to do it a as remix post!!  Apparently I love this dress.  Oh, and interesting bit of gossip,  Teika of Selective Potential has it too.  Check out how she styles it here:  Teika of Selective Potential Styles this Dress!

  

   

 

 

Accessories  ~  Pirate earrings {some random shop in the UK}    Necklace {by b dot depictions}

Ribbon Bow Ring {by b dot depictions}   Small bow ring {Diva, many years ago}

Dress  {SES}  Black singlet {Best&Less}  Under skirt {Tightrope}  

Knee High Socks {New Look, UK}  Shoes {Thrifted} 

Yay, it’s the return of the photo spam…  Spam’d!!  {Yes, I have been recently converted to the guildside.  And for those who do not have the foggiest idea what I am on about ~ check out The Guild  on YouTube.  It’s a really amusing YouTube series about role playing gamers in the real world: IRL as they call it.} 

Speaking of YouTube, I am planning to feature some of my little sister’s videos later this week.  She has a very wacky and awesome sense of humour, so I hope that you will enjoy them as much as I do.

I also have a haul post to do {yay shopping!!} and I want to put up some scans of my Sketchbook Project.  The book has arrived and I have finished three pages already.  It is a lot of fun!!

And a big thank you out to the lovely Charlotte of  Tuppence Ha'penny ~ my free vintage postcards that I posted about a while ago arrived and they are super cool!! 

So lots of exciting stuff coming up this week, including another tutorial, I do hope you enjoy it all.

xox,

bonita

P.S. ~ This outfit is from when I went shopping with my very bestest BFF ~ my sister ~ on Friday. 

bonita answers

So a while ago I blogged about this idea of sharing a bunch of questions on different topics with a group of bloggers every week, and I called it the “Circle of Confessions”.  Now I do not know if the idea has a bad name, or bloggers have enough to blog about themselves and do not need any extra ideas, but so far no one has signed up to be a Confession Gal….   -__-’

Still, I am not giving up hope.  I decided to go ahead with the Circle at it’s current membership of one.  Me!! 

So here is the first “confession”.

♥  ~ Topic:  Blogger Introductions  ~  ♥

1.  ~   How/why did you start your blog?


I started my blog to keep track of the stuff that was going on in my life back in 2005.  It metamorphosed some time in July this year to more of a blog where I could share stuff from my life with other readers.  I was inspired by Rebecca of The Clothes Horse and other amazing style blogs out there.

2.  ~   What inspires you to keep blogging?

I am inspired constantly by all the awesome blogs I read!  So many cool ideas, DIYs, tutorials, fashions and the list goes on and on!!  Being a part of such an amazing blogging community really inspires you to keep going with your own blog.

3.  ~  What is your favourite thing to blog about?

So far my favourite thing to blog about is fashion and the things that I make.  I love being creative with my outfits and with my hands and sharing that with other people just seems to make it even more special.  ^ w ^

4.  ~  If you could hypnotise one person into being obsessed with your blog, who would it be?

Umm…  I wrote this question, but I do not have an answer!!  *thinks*  I think I would love it if Michael Scott Lee liked my blog for the photography.  He does stunning photos of the Australian bush, and I really admire his work.

5.  How often do you blog?

I try to blog Monday to Friday daily with the weekends off to run around like a crazy chicken!  But sometimes I will post on the weekend to make up for missing a post during the week. > o <

6.  ~  Eggs and bacon or cereal?   And why?

Eggs and bacon ~ but not the eggs because I do not like them.  So just bacon.   And just bacon because I do not like most cereals, and I prefer something substantial for breakfast or nothing at all.  Just a cup of tea with often do me.  Although sometimes I do get such a craving for Nutrigrain.  Which is strange, but eh.  What can you do!  -__-

~ * ♥ * ~ * ♥ * ~ * ♥ * ~  

I hope you all found the confessions interesting.  I am planning on doing another set of questions next Friday and the topic with be on “Cute Stuff”.

If you are looking for more information on the Circle, please go to the “Confessions” tab at the top of the page.  ^__^

Now I promised amigurumi on my last post so here are my latest ones ~

              

~ Snails that will be going for sale on my Etsy shop ~    ~ Mr. Bat who currently lives on my handbag ~

     And a sneak peak at the next tutorial I am planning! 

I hope you have  a good week end, I have a lot of things planned including birthday picnics, horse outings, thrift shopping and movies!!  *phew*  A big weekend, but lots of fun.  I shall see you all next week.
  

xox,

bonita

Lost in Austin ~ Outfit Sixteen

If you have not seen the mini series “Lost in Austin” and you are a “Pride and Prejudice” fan, I seriously recommend that you see it as soon as possible.

^w^  I loved it{♥ ♥ ♥}, it was a lot of fun to watch.  And it inspired this outfit ~  a modern take on the Regency style.

   

      

Accessories  ~  Hair bows {Diva}   Necklace  {Gift from DH for our first Christmas together..  ^3^ ~ ♥

Top  ~  SES        Maxi Dress  ~  Best&Less       Shoes  ~  Best&Less

 

Wow, I did not realize how simple this outfit is until I was writing out the outfit details….  Huh.  I guess that it is a good thing though ~ you do not always need a multitude of coordinates to pull together an effective outfit. 

My next post is going to be featuring these cute amigurumi I have been working on ~ ideas ahoy!  I love that I am starting to be able to wing my own patterns now ~ it is a lot of fun.  >__<

xox,

bonita

Giveaway ~ Melludee's GOODIES Giveaway!

This giveaway is too cute not to enter ~ I have not yet managed to win any giveaways, so I have my fingers crossed for this one.  x (^3^) x

Love that rose bracelet and the Hello Kitty necklace!  >w< 

As normal, please go to the link I have provided below and enter there.  Entry comments to giveaways that are not hosted by me will NOT count if they are posted on Depict This!. 

I am only providing the details of what the giveaway is and where to find it. 

~* ♥ *~* ♥ *~* ♥ *~

I have finally decided to hold my long awaited Giveaway to my wonderful readers for sticking with me through the past few months of this blog! ♥ To celebrate reaching 50 followers and just because I love you all (and also because this is the 100th post on this blog!) here is what you can win!

Included: Plushie Phone holder, Bow Hairclip, Rose Bracelet, Hello Kitty Necklace and Two MIKI Nail polishes! ♥

Although all these items are mainly aimed at the female population, males can still enter and if they win, they will receive a different prize (unless they want this one) which will be a COMPLETE surprise!

How to Enter!
This Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY and open to new readers too! :)
Winner will be chosen by random!
Required: You MUST be a public follower of http://melludee.com via Google Friend Connect.
And you MUST comment on this blog post with the following information:
Name:
Email:
Country:
How you found my blog:
Optional: Although doing the above is sufficient enough for you to enter this competition, there are also other methods for you to gain more entries (and hence, a higher probability) to win this giveaway! ♥ And, if you do have more than one entry, I will add extra "surprise" goodies in to the package :) ♥

~* ♥ *~* ♥ *~* ♥ *~

The link to this giveaway:  Melludee’s GOODIES Giveaway!

I will also be putting up a link in my side bar…  Yes, it is slightly pathetic but I do so want to win…  >o<  Good luck to everyone! 

xox,

bonita

How to ~ Lacy Shoe Clip Tutorial

Here it is ~ the long promised and awaited Shoe Clip Tutorial.  Strap on your seatbelts ladies and gents, for we are off on a ride.

Firstly, gather your materials. 

You will need:

~  Two strips of lace or ribbon in any colour you like; each strip approximately 21 cm long or 8 1/4 inches.  I chose black lace that was 2 cms wide.

~  Two centre decorations.  Again you can use anything you like, but it must be large enough to cover the centre of the lace flower.  You could use a large bead, a bow or fake flower.  I have chosen to use a resin daffodil for the centre decoration this time.

~  Two bobby pins or other clips to attach the finished pieces to.

~  A pair of scissors, pliers and a needle and thread.

~  Super glue and hot glue.

     

To start off, thread the needle through the bottom edge of your lace.

  

Once it is all the way through, pull on the end of the thread {making sure it does not slip through the lace} and gather the lace to create a flower shape.

   

Tie the ends of the thread together at the desired tightness.  Do not cut the tail of the thread off because we will be using it later.

Get your centre decoration {the resin daffodil in my case} and apply super glue to the back of it.

Place the decoration in the desired position in the centre of the lace ~ covering the thread and the gathering in the middle.  Now for the clips!

    

I used bobby pins because I did not have anything else suitable, but if you can find some better clips go ahead and use them instead.  You can probably use the same method of attachment.  

Because I did not want the top of the bobby pin to show I cut it shorter with the pliers.  So cut your bobby pin in the middle of the third bump from the open end.  IMPORTANT:  Leave the back piece of metal alone.  This helps to hold the bobby pin in place on your shoe. 

Bend the cut end up a bit a more so that it sticks out.  You do this to make it easier to slip the bobby pin onto your shoe. 

   

Now take your lace flower with its decoration and use the thread tail {with the needle still attached} to sew the bobby pin to the flower.  Sew the cut side {the top of the bobby pin} to the back of the flower so that the long side will slip in between your foot and the shoe.

Hot glue the end of the bobby pin in place for extra security.  Allow to dry, then rinse and repeat for a matching pair!

    

And you are finished!! *does a dance*  Yays!!   >U<  ~ ♥   Pretty shoe clips for you.

I have yet to try it out with ribbon and other styles, but I am keen to do some more of these.  It is a great way to change your shoe look and help to co~ordinate that perfect outfit with just a touch more effect.

If you do decide to give these a go, send me your photos ~ I would love to see them.  

xox,

bonita  

P.S.  ~ If you do use bobby pins you can wear these in your hair as well for extra style!