Join me in a Val-along

Ahh, it's the season of love. Valentines Day is once again upon us but hey, why let other dictate what you can or can't do, why relay on others for your happiness?
Take control and love yourself this Valentines Day and do something or make something or buy something just for you. Come and join me for my sixth Valalong #2019VALalong.

This year, I've decided to clear out some of my clutter and destash my WIPs (unfinished works in progress) - you know the ones in the back of the cupboard, the ones that I set aside but never picked up again.

It's freeing, giving myself permission to acknowledge that they won't be finished or that I just don't like them anymore. Can I change them into something else? Can I use the yarn/fabric for a different more satisfying project? I can just sit there and darn in a few ends and voila, a finished project?

I'm setting myself free and if you want to see how it progresses then follow this hashtag #2019VALalong on Facebook, Instagram or even over on Ravelry.

Are you doing something for yourself this Valentines Day?

   

I utilise affiliate links throughout my blog as a way to help me keep crafting. If you click on an aff link, I receive a very small amount from it at NO cost to you. So please help me to keep CraftyRie up and running by clicking on my aff links! Many thanks, Rie

   

Making for me: #VALalong2018

Ahh, it's time to think about a Val, a Valentine-along where you make/do/buy something just.for.you.

This is the fifth year that I've been doing the Val and I enjoy it every time!   I started back here & have made over the years: 
2014 - a knitted wrap & I now use it all the time, all year round!
2015 - a small shawl ...and to be honest, I still haven't used it yet.... oops!
2016  - my first bag and I use it all the freakin' time, I LOVE it!
2017 -  Double Zip Gear Bag and I use it every night as it holds my current crochet project
2018 -- hmm, what shall I make this year? I actually bought myself this online class & I can't wait to get started filling my shelves with all these (hopefully) gorgeous lovelies! 

Why did I start the VAL?  Well, I often got frustrated that the day (Valentines Day) meant more to me than to my hubby, even after 21 years together! So I learnt not to depend on someone else for Valentines Day spoils, instead gave myself this one day a year to do something for me. Remember in life we often do things for other people or we have expectations for them that they might not adhere too, so here is a chance to be your own Valentine!

Will you join in and do a VAL for yourself too?  
Yes??  Awesome!!
What are the rules? How do I join in?
Rules? There are no rules, well, not really mainly just suggestions
... you must make something for yourself (not for your Valentine but for you)...
... you must make something that you will love or something that you have coveted
... and you must start it on Valentines Day or at least do some of it on Valentines Day!

See, not many rules and heck, I don't care if you start this now ...just make something for yourself!

Do you like the knitted heart? 
I knitted it from this pattern, using this soft squishy yarn.

I utilise affiliate links throughout my blog as a way to help me keep crafting. If you click on an aff link, I receive a very small amount from it at NO cost to you. So please help me to keep CraftyRie up and running by clicking on my aff links! Many thanks, Marie

Double Zip Gear Bag

A very proud show & tell for you because I'm super chuffed with this bag that I just finished!
Would you believe that it was so easy to make? Yes, it looks hard but the pattern was so well written that I breezed through making it!

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The pattern was actually a paper pattern, I've gotten so used to buying pdf patterns nowadays that it was refreshing to work with something that I didn't have to wrestle with our printer first!

I love the colour of the zips, I think they worked super well with the fabrics.

The bag easily fits my current crochet project (this one) and I'm thinking I need to make another bag for knitting projects!

I think I need to make more as this fits perfectly in the car!

If you want to buy the pattern for the Double Zip Gear Bag, you can get it here or here. You'll also be needing some super long wide zips and mesh fabric too.

I've also popped a clip up on YouTube showcasing the bag because I love it so much!  Check it out here: 


So, have you made the bag or are you thinking of making one now?

Making for me #2017VAL

Yes, it's that time of year again where I think about making something just for me as it's almost time for the #2017Val.
What is a VAL?  It's a Valentine-Along where you make/buy/do something just for you!

Catching my breath & saying Hi!

 
Hey there!  Another week has started and with me being a school Mum now, I'm starting to develop a little routine. Tomorrow is my very first 'Mum's help' at school which basically means that I go in & play with the kids! Joe's teacher is ace as she has said that I can take baby Laney along into the classroom with us.  Oh & speaking of baby Laney, she's not such a baby anymore, I mean check out that top piccie and the one below - she's a little girl now!

Knitty news, nice stuff & a winner!

This is the yarn for my VAL, do you like it? It's soft & squishy and I'm having fun playing with it.  Maybe you would like to see what it knits up like?  Hmm??

Ready, set....... VAL!

Hello and Happy Valentines day to you!   Are you starting the VAL today?  Are you getting any 'love' today? (erk, please don't go into too many details!!) I thought I'd share some love with you & some goodness.

How about a VAL?

Do you love yourself? Huh, I hear you ask, what a stoooopid question.  Well, the reason I'm asking is that Valentines Day is coming up and sometimes we don't feel loved on the day of love and I want to fix that.