A couple of years ago i learnt how to do chair caning from a DIY pack from Badgers sett http://http//www.evolvingsolutions.co.uk/badgers01.htm and really enjoyed it. Its surprisingly simple once you get going. Last month I was given a lovely but neglected old chair needing some TLC and a new cane seat - Perfect!!!

So, I contected my Badger friend again and here's what happened.

First I took off all the canvas strapping that had been nailed to the seat by the previous owner.

I then had to work out how to arrange the vertical lines of

the cane - there are different numbers of holes on the

front and back and also the sides.

I found this very tricky as i'm not very good at maths and

all the lines had to be parallel

Anyhow i worked it out with a little help from Jan and started the first of the six steps in the pattern.

I wont bore you with all the steps - basically its across twice in vertical and horizontal directions then diagonal in each direction weaving as you go.

And here's the finished product!! i'm very careful when i sit down - not sure yet whether to trust my work yet.

Busy spring

Well, i have finally got around to writing my second blog!! Its quite exciting as i have done lots of things in the past few weeks.

Here is cosmic pig on the right and cosmic pig two on the left. I made cosmic pig for fun as i got Debbie bliss knitted toys book for christmas. A friend of mine then saw him and asked for one for himself. Its a shame they had to be seperated as they got on so well.

Here is Mr Bunny. He was knitted for my ward at work for their Easter raffle which they were doing to raise money for a commode. Yes the NHS is getting to a desperate state!!

By the time he was finished i had fallen in love with him and i really hope the student nurse that won him takes good care of him.

He was also a Debbie Bliss pattern, i left him naked as the suggested jumper looked far too hot for spring.

Here are some bootiees i knitted for my friend Nina. She is a nurse at the hospital and has just become a God-Mother to a pair of twins. They are for the babies to wear obviously. I've never met them but i hope they find the boots very comfy.

Hello!!


I'm Maria i work full time as a hospital pharmacist but have lots of crafts hobbies which i love and hopefully one day i can give up work to dedicate my time to. (with my friend Kyoko who has similar ideas to me!) I really hope my boss isn't reading this.



I have two pets: a budgie called max who is 10 this year!!! and Nellie, a beautiful rescue pigeon who cannot fly. Now i know this is not a normal house pet but then we are a slightly abnormal family so it doesnt really matter. She is currently sitting on the sofa with my dad watching telly.

I think my main aim for blogging (this is necessary as i have been programmed to write aims and objectives for everything through work) is to be able document my fun experiences and crafty hobbies. I get very excited about learning new crafts and like to share them with all who i know (and some strangers too if they're interested).

I have many craft projects on-the-go at the moment as i find it impossible to stick to doing one thing at a time, i'm knitting, spinning, restoring various chairs and intending on doing several paintings for friends but havent got around to them yet. I also have lots of course work to do for my clinical diploma but that can wait for a bit.

This is me with my parents on graduation day - nearly 3 years ago now!

My passion for spinning and knitting has lead to future plans for keeping sheep, goats and alpacas (also chickens and ducks but they don't really fit in with the wool theme). I feel myself turning vegetarian quite soon.

Here is a photo of me (centre) with my boyfriend Jan and his sister Rima (and mozi the cat). Rima is a fantastic artist by profession, Jan is also very artistic and very good at inventing and making things.

I think this is enough information for now, i'm tired and have lots to knit so will do another blog soon. I think this blogging thing will be lots of fun!!