{Fabric Craft} Iron on Granny Square Bag

Posted on July 21, 2017 by redagapeblog

Today I have been decorating crochet kits bags using transfer paper, but i totally got distracted (read bored) and decided to make a cool granny square bag of my own instead. The Gelato Pops and Melon Pops bags were pushed to the side, which actually are pretty cool too, and i whipped up a little granny square in my fave colours. Here’s how i made my own kit bag –

You will need –

calico bag
iron on transfer paper
an iron (obviously)
a granny square made from yarn
scissors
camera
ink jet printer

Step 1 – photograph your granny square and print out the image on iron on transfer paper

Step 2 – Cut around the granny square leaving about 1/2cm of white edge – this will iron on clear

Step 3– With the print side down, press the iron in consistant circles for aound 2 min (set a timer if it helps) The instructions said around 40 secs, but with this large transfer i needed more time.

Step 4– Peel the backing paper off very carefully! If it doesn’t come off easily or the print is not transferring then you will need to use the iron for a bit longer. Be patient.

Step 5 – Ta da!! Pack your favourite yarn and tools into the bag and you are ready for crochet on the go!!

I am printing this image onto a shirt next…..i just need more transfer paper.

Mandy xx

{Crochet} Crate Crochet Review

Posted on June 14, 2017 by redagapeblog

Well, it’s finally happened! Australia has it’s own crochet subscription boxes thanks to Crate Crochet. Hooray! I was so excited when Crate Crochet invited me to review their subscription boxes. I had been wanting to try one for a while, but they sell out fast.

5 reasons to love Crate Crochet! (there’s actually more than 5, but these are my top 5)

Value for money! The RRP of the contents of these boxes is guaranteed to be higher than the cost of the box.
Try New Yarn – i love trying new yarn. This box contained to most gorgeous Australian Superfine Merino from Morris & Sons.
Great patterns – fresh new designs every month from a range of different designers.
Extras – so many extras included : this box included tea, sweet treats, a pom pom kit, stitch markers and a Clover Beanie Gauge.
Skilled Boxes – if you are a beginner there’s a box just for you! If you’re worried the Intermediate/Advanced box will be too challenging, then you have the option to sign up to the beginners box.

There’s even a shop where members get a discount. Crate Crochet are currently sold out, but subscriptions open again on the 18th of June, that’s only a few days away, so mark it on your calendar if you don’t want to miss out. I cannot wait to see what is in my next box.

* This has been a sponsored post!

#7vignettes For June 2015

Posted on June 9, 2015 by redagapeblog

. It’s a wrap – My Final Grid

I joined in the fun of #7vignettes this month. It’s an Instagram game hosted by The Interiors Addict that involves making and photographing creative vignettes. This month RetroJan were the guest judges and boy did they have a tough job. With loads of stunning and creative entries to choose from, I didn’t envy their job. There was $500 for the major winner and daily prizes of $75 to spend at RetroJan, which was a wonderful incentive to produce pretty pictures. I was thrilled to be chosen as Day 7 winner with my interpretation of Texture. Pop over to Instagram to check out all the fuss.

White on White

Bright

Minimal

Colour

Romantic

Timber

Texture

Come over and join me on Instagram

#7 Vignettes for April

Posted on April 13, 2015 by admin

I haven’t played #7 Vignettes on Instagram for a while, but i thought i’d jump on board this month and i am so glad i did! Hosted by Jen Bishop from the Interiors Addict, 7 vignettes is a fun game on Instagram, involving the creation of pretty pictures from a designated theme – one each day for seven days. Life Interiors was judging this month and i was chuffed to be chosen as the winner of Day 6 with my interpretation of the theme – Weave. I scored a $100 voucher from Life Interiors. Here are my images for the week –

7 Vignettes with the Interiors Addict – Day 1: Blush

7 Vignettes with the Interiors Addict – Day 2: Bloom

7 Vignettes with the Interiors Addict – Day 3: Light

7 Vignettes with the Interiors Addict – Day 4: Soft

7 Vignettes with the Interiors Addict – Day 5: Easter

7 Vignettes with the Interiors Addict – Day 6: Weave

7 Vignettes with the Interiors Addict – Day 7: Gold

If you’re interested you can join me on Instagram here. Happy Monday!

{Craft as Therapy} Gratitude Giveaway

Posted on February 22, 2015 by admin

I have put together a gift of thanks for one lucky crafter who posts to the #craftastherapy feed on Instagram this week. One crafter will be gifted everything you see in this image – all you need to do to participate is – 1: use the hashtag when posting your crafty images  2: start your post with “I use the #craftastherapyhashtag because….” Your reason could be a simple one such as craft being a stress relief or for more serious reasons like illness and hardship. You can enter as many times as you like. There’s no obligation to follow me as this isn’t about increasing following, but more about building a bigger community under the hashtag – and saying thank you.

{Top Left – @deborah.brandon} {Top Right – @_riaparamita_}{Bottom Left – @melissablankets} and {Bottom Right – @coachhousepictures}

Old and new posters to the hashtag are welcome. I will choose a winner at 10am next Sunday the 1st of March and will base my selection on the image and/or the reason for crafting. Everyone is welcome – I will post to anywhere in the world. The package includes – 3 balls of Patons Cotton Blend, a sewing tin, 1 large and 1 small notebook, red and white bakers twine, stamp stickers, pretty envelope, Brittany crochet hook, 2 crochet flowers and 5 wooden pegs 💕💕💕Have a great week crafters

{Top Left – @daintyanddevine} {Top Right – @lilychezmoi}{Bottom Left – @oliveandpickles} and {Bottom Right – @littlemittenvintage}

{Top Left – @gigglemay} {Top Right – @byvintagedaisies}{Bottom Left – @melinda.szente} and {Bottom Right – @toni_edge}

Christmas Around My Home – the last post for 2014

Posted on December 23, 2014 by admin

What a wonderful year 2014 has been! I will be taking a blog break until the new year, but i wanted to quickly say thank you to everyone who has encouraged and supported me throughout 2014. When i look back over the past year, i can honestly say that i can not remember a time when i was happier. The fresh new start at our property, Melancholy Hill, certainly set the tone for the rest of the year. The guesthouse has been a smashing success this year and with a few bookings already for 2015, i know the next year will be the same. Messages of thanks and happiness fill my guest book at RedAgape Guesthouse and i am so pleased to be able to share the beauty of Millthorpe with others.
I have had so many new opportunities to further improve my photography, styling and writing over the last 12months. Thank you to those who have trusted me to produce good work, despite my lack of formal qualifications. The experience i have gained over the last year has been priceless.
I have so much gratitude for a year of reasonably good health….something i NEVER take for granted. I am also extremely grateful for the good health of all those i hold dear. I hope this continues in 2015.
This year i have finally been able to feel some resolution about losing my mother last year. I think of her everyday and I’m grateful for the pain because it makes me determined to fill every moment with as much happiness and joy as i can muster.
I have loved watching three very special people, my children, grow a little more into totally inspiring human beings. They are so kind, thoughtful, bright and pure. I wish Mum could see how they’ve grown. I am unbelievably proud of them and everything they do.
I have crossed paths with so many like minded people this year, who have encouraged me to follow my dreams and believe in myself a little more. It is so refreshing to be surrounded by creative and inspiring people who want me to succeed. Thank you to those people – you know who you are. xoxox
I also want to say goodbye to Ruby. Our dog of 15yrs was diagnosed with cancer on Saturday and sadly we had to put her to sleep. There were lots of tears on Saturday but we are consoled by the fact she has lived a long life and isn’t suffering anymore. The last year she spent at Melancholy Hill was probably her happiest too.
Finally, Merry Christmas and a Happy new year to my readers. I am looking forward with great anticipation to 2015 – i have so much planned!!!

My home is featured on Houzz Australia – comment to win!

Posted on October 29, 2014 by admin

The winner of this competition has now been chosen. Congrats to @justazed on winning a $50 voucher to Jumbled Online!!

I’m totally flattered and grateful to be chosen to kick off Houzz Australia‘s newest series called At Home With… It is a fabulous concept created to showcase some of Australia’s best home and lifestyle bloggers and i was selected first! Chuffed! Houzz readers get a sneak peak into bloggers homes and find out what makes them tick.

One of the great things about this new series is a fun competition element that could win readers a $50 voucher to one of my favourite stores, Jumbled in Orange. It’s a bright and colourful homewares store that I visit often, usually to buy a craft or decorating book. They also have beautiful gifts and home decor items.

Click on the “Featured on Houzz” button above and leave a comment after the interview to be in with a chance of winning. It’s easy to do and only takes two minutes. Please go and check it out. I’d really love one of my regular readers to win the voucher. thank you!!

International Crochet Day

Posted on September 12, 2014 by admin

The 12th of September is International Crochet Day! A massive thank you to @crochetgirl99 for introducing me to the joy of crochet. You can follow her on IG here. And I’m pleased to report that I’m producing granny squares that no longer look sad and wonky (see above). Happy Crochet Day!! xoxo