My New Sponsor for April Plus Amazing Giveaway!

I feel so privileged to introduce my new sponsor for the month of April. 

I am so proud to have her here as she is a very dear friend of mine that I had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know whilst living in South Africa.

Welcome to Linda of Natural Suburbia also known for her amazing patterns as - mamma4earth

Now it is your turn to meet Linda :)

Tell us a little about yourself.

I am a homeschooling mom to four beautiful children and married to a lovely

mountain biking man called Richard. Next month we will have been married for

17 wonderful years and I love him more each day. I can honestly say that I

really love what I do. I never thought when I was younger, that I would be

spinning my own wool on a spinning wheel, knitting toy animals and designing

my own patterns! What I like most about my 'job' is that it doesn't really

feel like work at all because it gives me such joy and allows me to stay at

home and be close to my family. I can also work anywhere, if we go away on

holiday; my work is easily packed up and taken along with me.

Why do you blog?

I love to blog, it allows me to create a visual diary of our family life and
share craft and knitting projects. I have connected with so many lovely
people from all over the world through blogging and I have formed wonderful
friendships too.

How long have you been blogging?

I have been blogging since 2008.

Tell us about your shop/s and what they include.

My shop Mamma4earth has also been around since 2008. In it you will find
many knitting patterns for farm animals, African animals etc... I also sell
knitted animals and accept custom orders too.

You can Find Linda:

On her Blog: Natural Suburbia

In her Online Stores:

 

In her Ravelry Group:

And On:

  

Thank you so much Linda for being such an awesome Sponsor :)

Linda has been so kind as to offer all of you out there an AMAZING Giveaway Opportunity.

This opportunity allows for ONE of you, dear readers, to win 8 - that's right - 8 of her incredible patterns of your choice!
Feast your eyes on some of her fantastic creations:

This is open World-Wide and will run from the 1st until 8th April 2013.

Below you will find a Rafflecopter (Best seen in Google Chrome) entry form.

You will find various options listed that once completed will earn you more chances to win.

The Rafflecopter will randomly pick a winner at the end of the competition.

Don't you see the Rafflecopter?

No problem, you can earn the same amount of entries by doing the following and leaving a comment for each one you complete .

(if you tweet about the entry each day, you will need to leave a quick comment each day.)

I will then add you to the generator manually - Please be advised, I will only enter you for each of the comments I have of yours below, so be sure to leave a comment for each step you complete!

(I am away on a course from Thursday 4/4 to Friday 4/5 evening, if you leave comments for me to add, I will do so the latest on Friday Evening :))

Please Note: I cannot enter you into the Rafflecopter without an Email Address, so please make sure I have a contact mail for you. You may send this to me via Email should you prefer.

Here we go :

- Become a follower of Marigolds' Loft (Earns you 4 entries) 

- Follow @marigoldsloft on Twitter (Gains you 2 Entries)

- Like Marigolds' Loft on Facebook (Gains you 2 Entries)

- Like mamma4earth on Facebook (Gains you 2 Entries)

- Tweet about the Giveaway (This can be done daily and earns you 1 entry a day)

- Leave a comment below telling me which of mamma4earth's Patterns you would love to knit. (Gains you 2 Entries)

- Sign up for Marigolds' Loft Weekly Newsletter (Gains you 3 Entries)

- Share this Giveaway on Pinterest (Gains you 2 Entries)
Good Luck to each and every one of you!

x

If you would like to be a sponsor on Marigolds' Loft I would love to hear from you.
For more information click HERE

I am sharing this Giveaway over at:
Bloggiveaway Directory

a Rafflecopter giveaway

#marigoldsloftpotd - Easter

Welcome back to Saturday Fun on Marigolds' Loft in the form of Photo of  the Day.

Come on in and join the fun!

Every Saturday I would love to invite you to whip out you i-gadget (Whichever you prefer ;) and get clicking. 

Share your Photo Of The Day with me and others who have joined in the fun.

To join in, when adding your picture on Instagram

add #marigoldsloftpotd to the description of your photo.

I can't wait to see your images.

Todays' POTD has a Theme:

Topic is "Easter"

Anything that you think relates :)

My Photo of the Day:

Hmmmm, Chocolate Bunnies :)

If you posted your pic in a post, feel free to link it up below :)

(By linking up below you are giving me the permission to showcase your images)

All linked up posts will be featured in Next weeks' Newsletter - So have fun and Linky up :D

See you next week.

x

Stash-Busting Update - March; FOs

Seriously, I can't really believe that it is the end of yet another month already!

Where is time going?

Anyway, nothing to do but try to keep up with it running away :O

As it is the end of the month it is time to update my Stash-busting efforts for the month of March, and also show you my finished FOs which I missed out on last week.

First I have Jas's Socks.

These weigh in at 217g

Next I have my Fingerless Gloves for Hubby - Weighing in at 102g

These were a great, quick knit, but turned out to be rather on the big side of things. 

Hubby has not got the smallest hands but his hands don't really fit well in these :(

They are pretty loose around the wrist and need taking in on the hands themselves - no, I know what you are thinking - I won't be ripping back - no way!!

This is a bit of a bummer, as he wanted to use these to work in his workshop (which is pretty cold - even now), but on the plus side, I now have a Christmas gift knit for someone with big hands ;) 

I am busy trying to put together a pattern that will be better suited to his hands, and once it is done, I will share it with you all.

I was hoping to have Kays' Socks done for today as well, but they are not yet complete so I will count them to next months total :)

So the Tally for March's Stash-Busting is 319g

Added to February's total of 925g 

Gives me a new Stash-Busting total of 1244g!

So a recap:

1. Jassy' Jumper - Completed

2. Birthday Gift for my Sister-In-Law - Completed

3. Birthday Scarf for Kayla - Completed

4. Socks for me - Completed

5. Socks for Jas - Completed

6. Socks for Kay

7. Pullover for Hubby

8. Cleo for me

9. Scarf for me

10. Fingerless Gloves for hubby - Completed
11. Perfectly Pink Sweater

How is your stash-busting going?
I will be sharing this over at Tamis, Linda, Linda and Andrea today.
Have a super Weekend and a Happy Easter.
x

Book Review - The Woman who Went to Bed for A Year

Title: The Woman Who Went to Bed For a Year by Sue Townsend

ISBN: 9780141399645

Growing up I was a huge "Adrian Mole" Fan, so when a friend of mine lent me this book to read, I couldn't wait to get into it!

This book was an easy read and was enjoyable enough. It didn't reach the Adrian Mole status, but was a satisfactory story. 

You may ask yourself, how interesting can a book be about a woman who stayed in bed for a year, but it has some very "Real" scenarios in the book that really did make me stop and think.

She portrays how in this day-and-age people can go from doing their own thing to "SuperStar - Guru" Status through the Twitter-sphere simply because one person assumes something.

As the book progressed I felt more and more sorry for the main character Eva, who originally (in my mind) was just losing it. 

Ms. Townsend manages to add a little light-heartedness to the story and I did have to giggle in spots, but it wasn't as said on the cover "I laughed until I cried" kind of book for me at all, and I felt the serious undertone of the story was definitely more pronounced than the humorous side of it all.

I award this book:

You will find my Book Rating Scale in the Side Bar.

Tutorial Thursdays - Easter Nests

Another week gone and we are again a week closer to Easter.

How are your easter crafts growing?

Today I want to show you how to create these Yarn Easter Baskets.

They are built on the same principle as the yarn egg from two weeks ago.

For this craft you will need:

Some yarn

A balloon

Chocolate eggs to fill the basket

Fake grass for the finished baskets.

Design Freezer* (A glue that "Freezes" things how you want them to be)

First blow up the balloon to the required size:

Take the yarn and wrap it haphazardly around the balloon:

Fasten at the balloon closure.

Using the Design Freezer, drench the yarn.

Using a piece of extra yarn, make a tie at the edge of the balloon and hang over the bath until dry.

Once dry, the balloon will be very brittle.

Using Scissors, pop the balloon and remove from inside the yarn.

Now cut along the middle of the yarn balloon to create two halves:

Fill the halves with grass and eggs galore!

You can also add dyed eggs, or egg candles.

These are tutorials I created over the last two years.

And there you have a wonderful, original Easter nest made with very little effort.

This Tutorial was also posted by me on Crave Handmade

Last weeks' most visited link was:

Egg Decoration from E Strea Chikitu

And my Favourite from last week:

These adorable Paper Mache Spring Hats by Chelsey @ Buggy and Buddy

Well-done ladies and thank you for sharing your wonderful Crafts with us all.

I have pinned your crafts on the PinBoard and added them to the Tutorial Thursday Album on my Facebook Page :)

You will also be featured in this weeks Newsletter

(If you have a Facebook Page or account, I would very much appreciate a share :))

Don't forget to grab your button if you haven't done so already :)

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Please feel free to link up your crafts below.

They do not have to be tutorials, I would love to see any crafts.

I understand that the point of linking at a party is to gain exposure and share your goodies, but please stay a while and visit some of the other links available. 

I love hosting the Linky Party, but it would be so much more fun for everyone, if all of you, would take a couple of minutes to visit at least 2 other links below. 

We all appreciate visitors and comments, so please be so kind and do so.

Rules for the Linky Party:

• Be a Follower of Marigolds' Loft, this is not a MUST, but I would appreciate it :)
• Grab my button below and showcase it somewhere on your blog OR create a visible link.
• Do not Link if you are selling something. 
• Be sure to only link the relevant Blogpost and not your whole blog.
• Please be so kind and visit at least 2 other posts linked below, it is always nice to receive visitors, this is a linky party after all! :)
• In linking below you are giving me the permission to use of your image if it is being featured the following week. If I am unable to use your image I can unfortunately not feature you.
• Please do not link up stuff you have already linked up before!
• Please note: I will remove content that does not abide by the rules mentioned above. 

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I wish you all a Happy Easter!
See you next week.
x

Craftsy Classes - Handknit Garments

I recently signed up for a paid class on Craftsy: Learn to Design Handknit Garments!

I don't know how you feel about Craftsy courses, but I think they are fantastic!

The videos that are included in the courses are well made, self-explanatory and you get well set out Classroom Materials (Workbooks etc.)

Have any of you visited and/or finished this course? 

I would love to hear your thoughts.

I am planning to take many new courses in the future.

My Future Craftsy Wish List looks like this: 

1. Adventures in Double Knitting

2. Entrelac Knitting Class

3. Sewing Studio

What would be on your Craftsy Wish list?

To find out all about other great Craftsy Classes click here.


Become a Craftsy Affiliate

Work-In-Progress

Rather late than never I guess!

Sorry this post is so late today, this flu has knocked me for six, I haven't been this drained by a bug before. Even though it has been a week today, I am not feeling great, not at all like my usual well self! 

I manage a couple of hours out of bed, but by lunch time I feel the bed calling my name and find my way back to my room coughing and spluttering!

I am hoping that things will start to look up from now on in, and as I am on holiday this week (obviously - am never sick when at work :( ), I am giving myself the time to recuperate and trying not to force myself forward in any way but I am getting a little frustrated by the length of it all!

Okay enough whining from me!......

Anyway, let me tell you a little about my WIP for this week.

I finished Hubbys' Fingerless gloves - more about them on Friday and am now busy with the pair of socks for Kay. I am hoping I will be done with this pair for Friday, will see if I manage.

Reading Wise: Reading "The Book Thief" and am enjoying this read so far.

How is your week been?

x

I will be sharing over at Tami and Ginny

Guest Post: Should You Charge People for Your Beaded Creations?

Today I am honoured to have a guest-blogger on Marigolds' Loft.

Welcome to Adrienne who is a craft blogger with a point.

She will be giving you tips on:

 Should You Charge People for Your Beaded Creations?

If you've been indulging your passion for making beaded necklaces, bracelets and other jewelry for very long, you've surely gotten a lot of compliments, and this request from friends and family usually isn't too far behind: “Can you make me one of those?” 

The problem is, making jewelry can be an expensive and time-consuming process, especially if you’re making it to someone else’s specifications. You’re arguably better off selling your own designs to strangers, but is that a step you want to take? Here’s a quick primer on when and whether it’s wise to sell your beautiful beaded works of art to other people.

You Have to Recoup Your Costs

Many people don’t even consider the cost that goes into making jewelry when they request a memento of their own. They think they’re complimenting you by requesting something lovely that you've made. 

And while it is very nice to see the popularity of your creations, the reality is that if your aunt Nancy has now asked for a matching set including a necklace, bracelet and earrings, you’re probably losing out on some serious dough. 

Tally how much you've spent from your own pocket making jewelry for others. If the cost is starting to get too high, don’t be shy about asking your friends and family to at least pay for parts, if not the actual labor.

Is This a Hobby or a Vocation? 

Like chic tops or falling snowflakes, your creations are unique. You probably enjoy sharing them with the world. But you have to ask yourself, is this a hobby or do you see it as an income-producing job?

If it’s a hobby, then it’s probably not worth charging people for your beaded jewelry, no matter how gorgeous and intricate. Hobbies are meant to help us relax and unwind. You don’t want to be stressing about whether you received a payment from this or that friend. 

Your Life’s Work

If, on the other hand, you view jewelry making as a potential job, it’s time to change the way you see your onetime hobby. You have to get organized.

I like to keep tally of my expenditures in an Excel document. I track how much of each material I've purchased and used, and I also keep track of how long each piece takes me – it’s important to know if that intricate bracelet is going to take six hours longer to make than that lovely pendant necklace someone asked about. Through trial and error you are certain to find a system that works for you.

Don’t rule out giving away some of your jewelry as a marketing device. The more people see your creations, the more will want to buy them; however, be judicious in who gets the goods. Give them to friends who you know will generously steer business your way, not those who will give a blank stare when someone asks where they got their exquisite necklace. If they’re particularly enterprising, give them a small stash of business cards to keep on hand for doling out to admirers.

With the right promotion, your hobby could start earning you money. Just be sure that’s the direction you want to take, because you’ll need to find a new hobby to unwind from the stress of your old one!

Adrienne is a crafty blogger who enjoys beading and binding handmade books. You can read more of her work by following her on Twitter.

Thank you so much for visiting, Adrienne, it has been a pleasure :)

If you would like to be a future Guest-Blogger on Marigolds' Loft I would love to hear from you. Go HERE to find out more.

Sick :(

Hello my lovelies,

I must apologize, all normal running posts (and the weekly Newsletter) are placed on hold due to me being stuck in my bed with a nasty bout of flu. I hope everything will return to normal by Monday.

Have a great weekend.

x

Tutorial Thursdays

Hi all,

I must apologize, today I am a little under the weather and haven't been able to get anything ready for you.

Here are some of my tutorials from the last couple of years that may be helpful or interesting to you.

Make Egg Candles

Colouring Eggs Naturally or with Egg Colours

I would like to thank all of you who joined in last week.

I haven't had a chance to get around to visiting all of your links unfortunately, but I would like to applaud all of your hard work. The links look fantastic and I will visit all of last weeks links as soon as I am back to my usual self :)

Here are the stats from last week:

The most visited links from last week were:

DIY Heart Wall Art by Joanne @Creative Mess

Bassinet/Dresser Combination Redo by Crystelle @Crystelle Boutique

Well-done ladies and thank you for sharing these amazing Crafts.

I have pinned your crafts on the PinBoard and added them to the Tutorial Thursday Album on my Facebook Page :)

You will also be featured in this weeks Newsletter

(If you have a Facebook Page or account, I would very much appreciate a share :))

Don't forget to grab your button if you haven't done so already :)

<center> <a href=”http://www.marigoldsloft.blogspot.com“><img border=”0″ src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvLHnjNwxzO-Oz8iodWmWD1PbLI4yQOGjS0Opnp8wfq3Y2lTBb9hBuWcXUKa6MnZZVQwJhl36SNl8IyVo8PeU4XhWZw13DShLJ_DqotxIlBsBsM9r-Fzoq83nTL1DiY2sc2fUUnNsKgt4c/s1600/featured.2.jpg"  /></a></center>

Please feel free to link up your crafts below.

They do not have to be tutorials, I would love to see any crafts.

I understand that the point of linking at a party is to gain exposure and share your goodies, but please stay a while and visit some of the other links available. 

I love hosting the Linky Party, but it would be so much more fun for everyone, if all of you, would take a couple of minutes to visit at least 2 other links below. 

We all appreciate visitors and comments, so please be so kind and do so.

Rules for the Linky Party:

• Be a Follower of Marigolds' Loft, this is not a MUST, but I would appreciate it :)
• Grab my button below and showcase it somewhere on your blog OR create a visible link.
• Do not Link if you are selling something. 
• Be sure to only link the relevant Blogpost and not your whole blog.
• Please be so kind and visit at least 2 other posts linked below, it is always nice to receive visitors, this is a linky party after all! :)
• In linking below you are giving me the permission to use of your image if it is being featured the following week. If I am unable to use your image I can unfortunately not feature you.
• Please do not link up stuff you have already linked up before!
• Please note: I will remove content that does not abide by the rules mentioned above. 

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