First Crocheted Project: Beatrix's Bunting

I crocheted an actual thing! Instead of spending my evenings frowning over the basic stitches and sticking to nice, safe practise rows, this week I finally bit the bullet and made something.

I decided to have a bash at this 'my name is' bunting from Granny Chic by Tif Fussell and Rachelle Blondel, as I must admit to a certain fondness for Tif's best friend, Little Olive. She very much reminds me of Bea in the way she helps Tif with her crafting, and one of the things I love most about living with a dog is when Bea snuggles up in her bed after a walk and has a good snore, while I sit with a cup of tea and watch her and smile to myself. For me this picture says it all:

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Since I moved house late last year Bea's bed has just been placed in the spare room out of the way. She sleeps in there quite happily every night, but knowing how important it is for a pooch to feel they have a space to call their own, I thought this make would be a nice way cordon off a little area just for her, where she can arrange her favourite tennis balls and blanket just how she pleases, and dream of adventure.

I think she likes it. After such a gratifying first crochet make there's no stopping me. It's onto a snood next (say it with me... SNOOOOOD!), and then it's onto Ali Campbell's Crochet for Beginners Who Want to Improve for my next challenge. But first, I have a knitted scarf, two large embroidery projects and a mixed media piece to finish! 

Wish me luck!

Quick Project: Beatrix's Button Collar

It's Beatrix who has a crafty make to show you today...

While every girl likes to change her look, Bea isn't a fan of fripperies and unnecessary clothing, so we try and keep things simple. She has a few handmade bandannas, and a fair few collars, which are all nylon so she can be a proper dog and get muddy, and I can be a relaxed doggy parent who whips them off her and throws them in the washing machine without any fuss.

It did however occur to me lately that it's odd that the face of Miss Beatrix doesn't have any sort of buttons of her own. So I dug out an old collar, which I've never liked, and she never chooses when I open the vintage tin of collary-goodness, and decided to jazz it up for her. 

I spread some buttons out on my craft table and she nosed at the ones she liked, (obligatory safety notice about making sure your pet doesn't choke on such things - luckily Bea learned long ago that eating buttons is one thing we will fall out over!) and I set to work. 

Various Beatrix Potter buttons and a bee one had to feature, of course!

I used a thicker thread than usual and spent extra time sewing the buttons on securely, before making sure she couldn't reach the collar when wearing it. She's been happily trotting around the house in it, tail wagging, and went to show it off to my next door neighbour yesterday. She might be a tomboy, but this girl still loves compliments.

Impatience was kicking in at this point, as Bea spotted a pigeon.

A nice quick Sunday afternoon project, and now my girl has another collar for her collection!

A Guest Post by Beatrix

Hello! Beatrix here. Anna is rushed off her feet this week (easily done as she only has two), as she's opening an Etsy shop on Thursday as well as going to work (which pays for my food) so I thought that seeing as this blog is named after me and everything, I'd volunteer to hold the fort here today while she gets on with it.

I know you're dying to know what I've been up to over the weekend, so I'll tell you.

Anna has been making doggie bandannas from vintage fabric, and here I am trying one on. 

I went on a lovely Autumn walk. There were lots of interesting smells and I snuffled and rolled around in the leaves. This is only my second Autumn and I can't really remember the last one, so it's very exciting for me. 

I wore my hand-knitted jumper, as it was quite chilly. As you can see from this picture I am on a lead, which I often wear on walks to stop Anna getting lost. She often wanders off so it's my job to look after her. 

While on this walk we met this. I think it's some sort of water-bound dog, but can't be sure. Apparently his name is Thomas, and he and his wife make a nest on this canal every year. 

I know some of you like vintage, so here's a photo Anna showed me of her great great Grandpa Salter from 1933, and his prize-winning dog, Kiss. I've got a kiss on the end of my name, but I think this is our only similarity. I like sitting on benches too, because then I can see the world as humans do. Apparently this dog won so many prizes that all the trophies were melted down and made into a silver tea service, which Anna's grandmother still has on display today. I won 'cutest pup' at a dog show last year for sitting nicely and making my ears look extra specially big. 

After all that I was worn out, so settled down for a good old snooze...

...Well, until Anna rudely woke me up...

I'll be back on Wednesday with my special recipe for dog biscuits - perfect if you're making all your Christmas presents like Anna is this year. Because we all know which present is the most important, don't we?

Love,

Bea. x