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      And so it begins...2016

      January 8th

      Instagram post from Crafternoontreats
      It's a new year and everyone is either reviewing 2015 or talking about what's to come in 2016.  I admit, I jumped on the band wagon too and have posts on both, but today I want to share with you five great things to hopefully stir your creative juices for this year, be it by joining in or by giving inspiration.  Isn't that what blogging is all about?

      Blogging, love it and I think about it a lot.   Someone who blogs exceptionally well is Phil over at The Twisted Yarn  She has a unique voice and is quirky and funny AND extremely talented.  Her first love when it comes to crafting is knitting and she is a pure pro.  But in the last year or so I have watched her branch out in crochet, designing the most unique patterns.  Which brings me onto why I am mentioning her again on this blog...  In case you are not aware, she designed and crocheted a  cute quintessentially English bag , the like that I have not seen anywhere before.  She offers the pattern free on her blog and over at Ravelry and now the equally formidable Karen from Crafternoon Treats is hosting a BAGALONG using Phil's pattern... Bagalong  Pop along and maybe join in with the fun, thought you all might be interested...



      Instagram post from Noeysmum



      Another worthwhile make for January is the Wear Red Kal Cal, hosted on Instagram by NoeysMum who herself has a heart condition and decided it would be great to bring awareness to heart conditions in women.  February 5th is National Wear Red Day in the UK and she is hosting a make something red to wear and share it with others, makes can be from cardigans and shawls to brooches and mittens or indeed anything that can be red and worn. It can be knitted, crocheted, sewn or whatever takes your fancy.  I'm off to have a little think what I can do...

       
       





      Here are some of the projects that have just begun...

      Make and wear red on February 5th


      Another friend on instagram gifted me some lovely warm wrist warmers this week crocheted in a shell stitch pattern.  Being red they would fit in beautifully for the National Wear it Red Day too!  A very similar pattern, can be found here Shell stitch wristwarmers.  I will try and track down the actual pattern for you and edit this post accordingly.
       
      My beautiful mitts gifted to me by the talented Deanydesigns
      Reading your blogs has made me realise that mine needs an overhaul and you have all inspired me to challenge myself this year in tidying up the blog. As I said this is what blogging is all about giving and receiving inspiration and communication.  Some beady eyed amongst you may have noticed I now have a drop down menu at the top of the blog.  It is a work in progress and I will continue to tweak here and there.  So much needs to be modified and changed and if I am honest being somewhat of a technophobe this is not easy for me and I worry at every hit of the keyboard that I may loose the lot...eek  I have added a new page to all about me and why I began blogging.  You can use the drop down menu or else the link is here:  All About Me

      Lastly I share with you for inspiration a book I nearly purchased before Christmas but thought better of it in case I received it as a present, I had left huge hints, but alas it was not to be.  so being the naughty person I am I have tried to acquire said book but to find it is out of stock everywhere.  It appears everyone else received one for Christmas.  Were you one of the lucky ones or am I introducing you to crochet heaven in the form of wall hanging animal heads...

      
      One day this book will be mine!


      I hope along the way I may have inspired you today, I am joining in with  Amy  sharing my five.  Pop over and see what everyone else is blogging about. 
       
      ♥  We all could do with inspiration now and then  ♥


       
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      55 comments:

      1. Coastal Ripples8 January 2016 at 08:13

        I love the sound of the bagalong. Lots of inspiring ideas for the start of a new year. I know what you mean about blog design..that press of a button is always scary! Barbara X

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        1. eclectichomelife8 January 2016 at 10:53

          Glad you like them Barbara and that I'm not alone with pressing that button!

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      2. Jo@awholeplotoflove8 January 2016 at 08:20

        The bag along sounds good I shall look into it & yes I did receive the animal head book for Christmas. I hope you get one soon x x

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        1. eclectichomelife8 January 2016 at 09:47

          Ok now Jo you are just trying to make me jealous! Hehehe

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      3. Crimson Kettle8 January 2016 at 08:55

        Fabulous ideas and things to look at. I'm looking forward to seeing the big project from the Twisted Yarn, I don't know how she is able to knit walking about. Impressive. I like the sound of the animal heads too. x

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        1. eclectichomelife8 January 2016 at 09:46

          I admit I have seen the big project although not for a few weeks in real life!!! It's going to be GREAT

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      4. Jo8 January 2016 at 12:18

        I find so much inspiration from blogs, so many things I want to try or have a go at, if only there were more hours in the day. Hope you track down a copy of the book, I haven't got it either.

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        1. eclectichomelife8 January 2016 at 16:22

          I often wish Jo there were more hours in the day. And those moments I wish would flash past drag on forever... Now why is that?

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      5. mamasmercantile8 January 2016 at 13:36

        I love the sound of the bagalong but have such a lot of projects that need to be done already. I wouldn't know where to start organizing my blog or changing its layout, my daughter set it all up for me.

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        1. eclectichomelife8 January 2016 at 16:24

          Ooh you have a daughter to help, lucky you. It's actually more nerve wrecking than I realised trying to change it. It's all the fear of loosing it all I think

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      6. Lilly's Mom8 January 2016 at 13:49

        The crocheted bag and other ideas you shared today all look like fun projects and for a worthy cause, too. But, I think your blog inspires a lot of people! Selma, your creative postings leading up to Christmas were amazing. And, I always learn something when I visit here. Have a wonderful weekend and don't crochet too much :) Hugs, Pat

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        1. eclectichomelife8 January 2016 at 16:25

          Pat, you just know how to make me happy. Thank you so very very much x

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      7. sweetbriardreams8 January 2016 at 14:53

        I love that you have shared some bloggers who I may not have come across. There is so much creative talent out to be found. Have a wonderful weekend.

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        1. eclectichomelife8 January 2016 at 16:26

          So glad I could share some new inspiration for you. You inspire so many so glad to be of service Chel. Have a good weekend too

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      8. Rosie8 January 2016 at 15:06

        Such lovely creative things to think about, love the wrist warmers:)

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        1. eclectichomelife8 January 2016 at 16:23

          Thanks Rosie. I just love blog land for inspiration wrist warmers are lush indeed

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      9. Jules8 January 2016 at 15:09

        The bag looks wonderful but way out of my league. I love the red wrist warmers. They look so cosy. I might just be able to manage those. I'll be sure to make a note about the wear red day. X

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        1. eclectichomelife8 January 2016 at 16:21

          I bet it's not Jules. Phil's instructions are clear. Try it. Go slowly and have it as a side project that will take a while. It's a show stopper of a bag. You can do it

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      10. Mac n' Janet8 January 2016 at 15:29

        The animal heads are awesome.

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        1. eclectichomelife8 January 2016 at 16:20

          Aren't they just. Cannot wait to get my hands in that book and have a go. Sure my husband d will have a fit, but why not, eh

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      11. Tammy@T's Daily Treasures8 January 2016 at 15:31

        I follow those same accounts on Instagram. I'm inspired by so many bloggers and IG accounts but have a hard time keeping up my creative stamina at times. Trying to get better at that. Have a lovely weekend.

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        1. eclectichomelife8 January 2016 at 16:19

          Tam my you really are not the only one. I wonder how some people manage and they produce such professional unique items. But we must remember and I keep telling myself this. No one lives a charmed life and all these photos and blogs we see and share only show snippets of life...

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      12. faith768 January 2016 at 17:03

        Thank you for sharing, shall have a nosey. I have not heard of that book but sounds interesting xxx Leah

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        1. eclectichomelife10 January 2016 at 21:52

          Glad I could find something for you to look at Leah x

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      13. Amy at love made my home8 January 2016 at 17:19

        Great inspirations! The red mitts are fabulous aren't they, hope that you can find a copy of the book. Thank you for joining Five On Friday again this year! Happy weekend! xx

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        1. eclectichomelife10 January 2016 at 21:53

          I hope so too Amy. These mitts match a red hat u was gifted for Christmas from my children perfectly. So I'm doubly happy x

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      14. linda8 January 2016 at 17:38

        I love that bag I must check it out and the mitts are lovely. Have a great weekend. :)

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        1. eclectichomelife10 January 2016 at 21:54

          You will love Phil's blog Linda. She is wonderful

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      15. Linda P8 January 2016 at 20:54

        Some good ideas here to think about. I don't crochet but I might get some yarn and knit a red scarf. I didn't know about the Wear Red Day which I imagine is to make people aware of the British Heart Foundation.

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        1. eclectichomelife10 January 2016 at 21:58

          It is indeed to make awareness for the heart foundation Linda. Knitting a red scarf would be perfect x

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      16. Stephanie 139a8 January 2016 at 21:41

        The bagathon sounds fun - and will be interesting to see the results. It's natural isn't it to look back and look forward at this time of year - wishing you a happy - and crafty - new year x

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        1. eclectichomelife10 January 2016 at 21:54

          It is Stephanie, you are so right. Thank you for your wishes too x

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      17. collettakay8 January 2016 at 22:07

        I love to crochet and have only dabbled a tiny bit in knitting. I'll have to check out Phil's blog :)

        I hope you can stop by:

        http://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2016/01/tea-time-reading-and-crocheting-1816.html

        Colletta

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        1. eclectichomelife10 January 2016 at 21:55

          Thank you for popping over and commenting Colletta. I will make sure to visit. You will love Phil's blog x

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      18. Linda aka Crafty Gardener8 January 2016 at 23:00

        I'm a bag lady too. So I'm going to pop over to the sites you recommend and find that lovely pattern and check out the bagalong.

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        1. eclectichomelife10 January 2016 at 21:56

          Ooh Lunda so glad I could direct you to them. Can't wait to see what you think and make. Let me know

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      19. Mascha9 January 2016 at 07:04

        Famous ideas! By the way: I celebrate the wear red day too, here in Germany, inspired by other bloggers, not from Germany. I will make a red post on this day.
        With technical things its the same with me... sigh!
        I haven't this book about animal heads, but I find, it's a great idea made tropy heads from plush or crochet.
        Have a nice weekend

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        1. eclectichomelife10 January 2016 at 21:57

          So glad you will write a red post Mascha. Great idea. X

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      20. Meredith9 January 2016 at 13:36

        Wonderful and inspiring ideas.
        Hugs and Happy 2016!
        Meredith

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        1. eclectichomelife10 January 2016 at 21:59

          A wonderful new year to you Meredith. Hope it brings you all you wish for Sending hugs right back xxxx

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      21. Alison9 January 2016 at 16:59

        Wow, that bag is fabulous, a bit beyond my capabilities, I think! Thanks for sharing, Selma, an inspiring five things :-) xx

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        1. eclectichomelife10 January 2016 at 21:59

          I think the bag taken slowly would be ok to make. So glad you liked all these ideas Alison x

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      22. Unknown10 January 2016 at 00:13

        Happy New Year! That "cottage bag" looks absolutely adorable. I can't wait to see how it works up. Good luck with all the blog tidying. I always find it takes much longer than I EVER plan!! :)

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        1. eclectichomelife10 January 2016 at 21:51

          Bronwyn you are so right these things take much longer than expected. But I'll plug away tentatively and slowly...

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      23. Mrs Tiggywinkle11 January 2016 at 09:28

        You are inspiring, you know. And thank you for letting us know about 5th February, I've put the date in my diary and my thinking cap on. Hope you had a good weekend. x

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        1. eclectichomelife11 January 2016 at 20:50

          You are so kind to say that you are inspired by the post. Thank you. Glad you've noted the date in the diary. Just hope I don't forget!!!

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      24. handmade by amalia11 January 2016 at 14:30

        I hope you find the book, it looks wonderful. Happy 2016.
        Amalia
        xo

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      25. Jean | DelightfulRepast.com11 January 2016 at 15:47

        Perhaps this should be the year I finally have one of my talented friends teach me how to crochet! Those red wristwarmers are tempting me!

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        1. eclectichomelife11 January 2016 at 18:03

          This comment has been removed by the author.

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        2. eclectichomelife11 January 2016 at 20:10

          Oh yes Jean. You really should. I don't think you will regret it x

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      26. Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie12 January 2016 at 03:09

        There is so much creativity in blog-land and I am always inspired! Thank you for sharing some interesting bloggers and projects and that book is amazing. Hope you find a copy for yourself. Take care xo Karen

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        1. eclectichomelife14 January 2016 at 21:38

          Thank you Karen. I hope I do too. Couldn't agree more blog land is a very inspiring place to be in and visit x

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      27. Lisa from @intotheglade15 January 2016 at 21:37

        Those mitts are gorgeous! Good luck in your quest to find the book xx

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      I will always read all comments and will try to reply but it may take me a couple of days, do please pop back and lets get a conversation going...

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