New in the shop - 'Gladys' Necklace

The next piece in the 'Sentimental' Collection has been released and is in the shop now. The Gladys necklace features five sterling silver scalloped pieces on a cable link chain. Inspired by crochet and doily bunting, the Gladys is a beautiful everyday or special occasion piece. It would look perfectly peachy with a vintage dress, or a floral t-shirt and cardigan. 

Each item in this collection is unique to Christina Lowry Designs. Crafted by hand, each component has then been professionally moulded and cast, and then hand finished by myself. These pieces are customisable and are also available in 9ct and 18ct Yellow or Rose Gold. 

Please email me with any queries you may have: christina-lowry@hotmail.com

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Still looking for a Valentine's gift? Express postage available on all pieces in stock, just email me to arrange.

Sponsor Spotlight - Alexandra MackeNZie + Giveaway CLOSED

I thought a few fun questions would be a lovely way to get to know the people behind the blogs and shops that sponsor my blog (thus enabling my knitting and handmade addiction). My next guest in the 'Sponsor Spotlight' chair is Ellen from Alexandra Mackenzie blog and shop. I first discovered this talented New Zealand based crocheter through a crochet-along of her beautiful round cushion cover. You may remember that I made one each for Cohen and Emerson, which they both love and sleep with each night. I'm so pleased to be able to share some of Ellen's beautiful work with you today and point you to her easy to understand patterns. So, please welcome Ellen, and do pop over to her facebook page for a visit and a little chat.

Where did the name Alexandra MackeNZie  come from... Alexandra Mackenzie are my middle names, both are family names and I always thought they sounded a wee bit fancy. So when choosing I name for my little empire I didn't want to use my name, but didn't want something completely random either so Alexandra Mackenzie fit perfectly and the hidden NZ in Mackenzie was an added bonus.

My Shop Is... Something I am really proud of, know that people from all over the world are browsing buying and now making my items gives me a huge kick, there are hottie bottles all over the world keeping toes warm with my covers on them.

I now have two shops, one full of ready-made and custom made home wares and accessories and a brand spanking new one for my patterns.

Seeing people create with my patterns... Is fab and a little freaky, still quite new to me as I haven't been selling the patterns for long. I love seeing other peoples colour combos, like Christina's cushions, love them particularly the green one, I could take that one home with me!!

I learnt to crochet... From Youtube, just a couple of quick granny square tutorials and I was away, I had tried to learn from books but had failed miserably. I didn't learn to follow patterns, rather just try and make my own ideas a reality.

Some of my favourite things I have made are... Quite often the last thing I made, tend to fall in love with things pretty easily but have to tell myself I cant keep everything.

Lately its the hexi potholders, I am making one with hearts at the moment which I suspect might knock the Hexis off their perch. The hottie bottle is always a favourite and the most popular thing in the store too.

The Giveaway!

Ellen has been besotted by the adorable crochet hearts below of late, and who could blame her? This sweet rainbow heart bunting has been crocheted by Ellen's clever hands and would be especially perfect in a nursery or craft room. Ellen has generously offered it to be given away to one lucky reader. 

To enter, 'like' the Alexandra Mackenzie facebook book page and leave a comment below. While you're at it, I'd love to know - what's your most loved crocheted or knitted item you own? 

Is it something you made? Something from your childhood? Something from a special occasion?

The giveaway is open Internationally an will be drawn on the 13th September.

Many thanks to Ellen for supporting my blog this month!

If you are interested in being featured in a 'Sponsor Spotlight', please check out my Sponsor Info page or email me - christina-lowry@hotmail.com
Advertising spaces range from  $10 - $20 for 30 days and begin any day of the month.

(I've had to put the price up a little recently, as Passionfruit Ads, who I run my ads through, have changed their structure and are now costing me more. Given the time and energy I put in to supporting my sponsors though, I think the prices are fair. Thanks for understanding.)

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And the winner, thanks to Random.org, is comment 1!

Congratulations Amy!

Thanks to everyone else who entered. :)

Loved

There was a parcel in my letter box yesterday. The fist part of my 1000 Homes of Happiness giveaway win. Inside, wrapped beautifully, was a lovely crochet necklace made by the talented Mel at Loved Handmade. There were also little extra gifts, for Emerson and Cohen. Isn't Mel a bit naughty? Given that the little miss Emerson already has some beautiful bunting in her room, (and as she spends most nights in our bed) I've stolen borrowed this sweet vintage fabric bunting. It's like a big smile above our bed. Cohen loves his gift, which features a plane on one side and a helicopter on the other. He is such a boy that one. Planes, trucks, dinosaurs. He loves them all. And his favourite colour is blue. It's hanging on his bedroom door now and he keeps admiring it.

Feeling loved indeed.

Thanks so much Mel and Kellie!

Eventually

I once discovered a bag of crochet squares while op-shopping. (My blog informs this was in 2009. Surely not!) They were sweet and colourful, all made of wool, and it seemed sad to leave them there. I couldn't help but wonder about the maker and her plans for them. I decided to give them a new life, though I had no idea what that new life might look like. Over the years I have laid them out and rearranged them, trying to think of a use for them - scarf? dolls blanket? - before being reminded that each one varies slightly in size and many don't sit flat. Still at a loss as to what to do, they would go back in to the bag.

Funny how things come together. Kate's month of motifs reminded me of that little bag and Kylie's gifted bunting decided their fate. With only the ends to weave in now, I believe they do make the most charming bunting. And I'm sure they won't mind being put away again until a certain little girl turns one. First birthday's come so quickly after all.

I'm so pleased to have given these lost squares a new life. Eventually.

Admiring

- the special-ness of handmade baby items
- the sweet hand knitted booties made by Nell
- (chubby baby legs)
- cute hand crocheted slippers, gifted to Emerson from Tammi
- darling hand crocheted bunting, gifted to Emerson from Kylie
- the generosity of bloggers.

Many thanks indeed.

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The bunting is finished. So simple, quick and fun. I started and finished it while Cohen napped and I baked a cheesecake too. I used navy bias binding and spaced them 7cm apart.

Blu tacked in place while I continue to wonder about its proper place in the house.

Look what arrived in the post! Yardage design bunting panel. Isn't it fantastic?!

I think I might have to put the granny squares on hold for a bit and find some bias in my sewing box collection. I can't wait to hang this up once it's done. The most difficult decision will be where to hang it. Cohen's room, my craft room, above my jewellery bench or above the new deck?