A rare non book post!

Today I finished writing my first ever crochet pattern. It's only for a heart with loop to hang it (or add it to a key ring). It came about because I was unsatisfied with all the heart patterns I found online and I wanted to make lots of them for #woollyheartsforyarndale2016 that actually looked like hearts.
So I got my daughter to test it and this is the heart she produced:

My latest heart for #woollyheartsforyarndale2016 -designed by my mum @ilonafenton

A photo posted by Ayla O'Donovan (@enticingthorn) on Aug 6, 2016 at 12:57pm PDT

And for anyone who wants to try to make their own here's my pattern:

Lonie’s Heart

Round 1. In a magic ring Chain 3 (does not count as stitch), 11DC, do NOT join.

Turn and pull ring close.

Alt: chain 4, slip stitch into circle and crochet Round 1 into circle and over the tail, then pull tail tight.

Round 2. SC into first stich (next to the hook), 5DC, 2HDC, HDC, SC, SC – HDC- SC, SC, HDC, 2DC 5DC, SC. Turn

Round 3. SC into first stitch (next to the hook), 2SC, SC,2SC, SC,2SC, SC in next 5 stitches SC-HDC-SC, SC in next 5 stitches ,2SC, SC, 2SC, SC, 2SC, SC slipstitch down V of heart to ring (3 or 4 slips stitches) Chain 12 slip stitch back into ring, slip stitch up second side of V of heart, fasten off and weave in ends.

The things I do for my Scion!!

Yeah, I've been asked (very nicely) to crochet a Skyrim Horned Helm for him. Well I have no objections to using my creativity and trying my hand at the endeavour. What I do object to is having to go out in the *heavy rain and gale force winds to buy the darn wool for it. Though I give him his due, he made sure he gave me the money for it. Oh and did I mention I have to create this masterpiece in just 10 days?! Wish me luck.



*Grossly exaggerated weather information for more sympathy!

Crocheting and life update

So yesterday I posted 30 green squares to The Craft Club Yarnbombers. Then I decided to work on some Christmas gifts and half half started two of them as well as got through adding more motifs to third. Hopefully I haven't left it too late to both make and post them so that they arrive in time for Christmas.

In other news after the parcel got posted I took a walk round the Cardiff Christmas Market. Lovely stalls with some really gorgeous things to buy but the weather was appalling. I am now regretting it as I have been in a lot of pain and unable to move easily today.

Tomorrow it's back to the book stuff with a Book Blast psot for Jay Northcote :D

Taking a short break from books

To tell you all about my crocheting. First look at my new gadget over on the right. Yes I was part of this. To quote The Craft Club Yarnbombers post on Facebook " Guinness World Records have today confirmed the Little Havens Yarnbomb as being the largest display of crocheted sculptures in the WORLD, totalling 13,388!" and I made some of those crochet items. I feel proud to have been a part of it.

In other crochet news I have been busy with my charity stuff and have joined The Yarnbombers in this years endeavour to make a ten foot Christmas Tree with green yarn squares that will be made into blankets after the season is finished. So far I have a dozen made in various sizes (5" - 7"). #‎merrystitchmas‬ will take you to more info on twitter.

I am still making the baby blankets for Preemies UK and have also done a few Purple newborn hats for LHSC , just click on link for more information about that one.

I'll be back to book news in my next post :D

What I've been doing lately with my reading & crocheting.

I've been doing a lot of reading of these free stories on the Goodreads M/M Romance Group. What amazed me this year is the wonderful quality and length of stories there has been. In the 152 stories I've read from the 166 currently published so far, I've only had one DNF, one 1* and seven 2* ratings.

I am also currently reading Shifting Shadows by Patricia Briggs in paperback, Perihelion by Tami Veldura on my Kobo and listening to Marque & Reprisal by Elizabeth Moon on Audible.

In the crochet department I have anther few baby blankets finished and am actually wering my Flights of Fancy shawl at the moment. It's both warm and cheerful and I love it :D


I finished my crohook blanket too and am pleased with how it turned out for my first attempt. My current WIP is from yet another CAL, this time it's the Christmas Crochet Along on Crochet Playground with a new pattern for each week to make Christmas gifts from. Not sure how many I'll actually make but the scarf for week #1 is a pretty design. oh yeah, I am also making a second Flight of Fancy in cotton yarn and have got to round 45 on my single coloured Sophie's Universe blanket (third time so I get one too). Naturally I have a couple of baby blankets on the go too (so that I have something to do on the bus when I go to sign on :D)

I haven't done much reading

But I have been busy cutting hedges, shopping etc. and I read a dozen or so stories from Love is an Open Road

I have also been rather busy with my crocheting and teaching myself how to Croknit (Crohook). It's been an interesting experience and so far I am loving the look and texture of the article and think it's going to be ideal for small blankets for PreemiesUK as I can use two colours and it becomes reversible :D.

Below are photos of all the stuff I've finished ( the baby blankets top and bottom) or am in the process of making (all the rest). :D

A quiet week bookwise

I've not read a lot as I've been busy with my crocheting and listening to music or audiobooks. I finished all the lapghans for my girls and this is what they look like


I also managed to reach the end of part 7 on both Sophie's Universe blankets



On the book side of things this is a list of what I've read

Foolish Encounters : A Rainbow Gold Anthology by Amy Lane, Angel Martinez, Tali Spencer, Tinnean, Elin Gregory, J C Wallacem and Freddy MacKay 5*

FairySmacked (Blood-Hound Book 1) by Declan Sands 4*

Love Comes Around (Senses, #4) by Andrew Grey 4*

Soldier Mine (Thresl Chronicles, #1) by Amber Kell 4*

A Tiny Matchmaker for Two Star-Crossed Mates (Lone Wolf Pack, #6.1)by Anya Byrne 3*

Taking Inventory, a Hammer story by Sean Michael 2*

I also finished listening to Alpha Trine by Lexi Ander Narrated by Michael Steillman 5* and Pony (Guards of Folsom, #3) by S.J.D. Peterson Narrated by Rusty Topsfield 5*

I've been a little busy. . .

. . and have therefore not updated on all the books I've read or listened to since the 12th. My sincere apologies and I'll try not to leave it so long next time.

I've been doing a lot of crocheting as well as reading so I'll post some pics of the stuff I've made under my list of books.

e-books I've read:
Always Masked by Megan Derr 4*
Behind the Mask by Megan Derr 4*
Dead Heat (Alpha & Omega, #4) by Patricia Briggs 5*
Cinder and Char: Silver Slipper Collection by Angelique Voisen 2*
Backwoods Beast by Claire Cray 2*
Finder Tolan by Megan 4*
Ink and Paper by Megan Derr 4*
Wizard's Moon by Josh Lanyon 2*
Axel's Pup (Werewolves & Dragons, #1) by Kim Dare 4*
A Suitable Replacement(Deceived, #5) Megan Derr 4*
An Intrepid Trip to Love (A Little Bite of Love #1) Charlie Cochet 5*
The Fire of a Lone Wolf's Heart(Lone Wolf Pack Ripples, #3) by Anya Byrne 3*
The Perfect Valentine's Day by Charlie Cochet 4*
His to Rescue (Alateeka Protection Services, #3) by Alice Cain 3*
Velvet Diamonds by Sean Michael 3*
How to Howl at the Moon (Howl At The Moon, #1)by Eli Easton 4*
Quinn's Gambit (AURA, #1) by Angel Martinez 4*

Audio books I've listened to:
Going Grey by Karen Traviss Narrated by Euan Morton 5*
Upside Down (Bronco's Boys #2)by Andrew Grey Narrated by John Solo 4*
Mind Magic (Triad Book 1) by Poppy Dennison Narrated by Robert G. Davis 4*
Body Magic (Triad Book 2 by by Poppy Dennison Narrated by Robert G. Davis 4*

My Crochet Projects



The two on the top are my Sophie's Universe blankets the pattern of which can be found here and the one underneath is the first of five various coloured lapghans I am making for my girls (my daughter and the four partners to my sons).

I also made this for #100womenproject.

World Aids Day

Today the daughter and I did our bit to promote World Aids Day by yarn bombing a miner statue in Cardiff City centre :D

if you look carefully you cna see his little red ribbon on his tophat and the tag hanging down with the information on it :D


So on to other book related stuff. I have not been reviewing since Friday but I have read a lot of books and am doing exceptionally well on my Goodreads Reading Challenge I have also listened to a fair few audio books.

Audio Book: Creature Feature by: Mary Calmes and Poppy Dennison Narrated by: Jeff Gelder Narration: 4* Story 1: 5* Story 2: 4*
Audio Book: Dark Desire: Dark Series, Book 2 by: Christine Feehan Narrated by: Abby Craden Narration: 5* Story: 5*
Audio Book: Sinnerman by: Mary Calmes Narrated by: Andrew Schwartz Narration:5* Story: 5*
Audio Book: Nexus by: Mary Calmes Narrated by: Andrew Schwartz Narration:5* Story: 5*
Audio Book: Cherish Your Name by: Mary Calmes Narrated by: Andrew Schwartz Narration:5* Story: 5*

Quick update

I've been busy rereading, new reading and listening whilst crocheting but nothing has moved me to want to write a proper review on it.

I have had some success in the crocheting department and managed to get the head of the Christmas Pterodactyl Tree Topper made but have frogged the body about six times so far :(

I've switched back to the CAL and have almost finished the week 6 squares and just have the week 7 ones to go. oh yeah I also have some of the ribbing done on a chunky knit sweater too.

ebooks:
Puzzle Me This by Eli Easton 3* (reread)
The Lord's Pet Wolf (Medieval Werewolf #3) by Charlotte Mistry 2*
James (Shibari Auction House #5) by Sean Michael4* (reread)
The Elf and Shoemaker by M.L. Rhodes 3*
Captivated by Keegan Kennedy 3*
The Case Of The Cupid Curse (End Street Detective Agency #1) by Amber Kell & R.J. Scott 3*
The Fifth Son by Blaine D. Arden 4* (reread)
Duck Duck Ghost (Hellsinger, #2) by Rhys Ford 4*

Audio Books:
Magic's Price The Last Herald Mage, Book 3 by Mercedes Lackey Narrated by: Gregory Nassiff St. John Narration : 5 Story: 5
Running From The Diety Pip & Flinx, Book 10 by Alan Dean Foster Narrated by Stefan Rudnicki Narration 5* Story 5*
Bloodhype Pip & Flinx, Book 11 by Alan Dean Foster Narrated by Stefan Rudnicki Narration 5* Story 5*
Trouble Magnet: Pip & Flinx, Book 12 by Alan Dean Foster Narrated by Stefan Rudnicki Narration 5* Story 5*

Since the last update

I've read a lot of shorts and listened to another old favourite by Linnea Sinclair. I have lso finished a few more Christmas gifts and almost finished a Tunisian crochet baby blanket. I have also decided to do a CAL (crochet a long) with the end product beign a mystery blanket for a single person. Should be fun and it will be done in time for Christmas too. Starts on October 3rd so plenty of time yet to fit in a few baby hats and jackets maybe :D

Ratings for the stuff I've read recently are below.

Love's Landscapes stories read:
Bromance to Romance by Elizabeth Daniels 3*
Accidental Karma by Katies Crewman 4*
Randy's Ghost by William Tate 5*
Only To You by Gabrielle Bhlack 3*
Before You Go by Vicktor Alexander 3*
Mad Passion by Naaju Rorrete 4*

Other short books read:
Sold to the Man in the Purple Fur by Anya Byrne 4*
I Want to Bite on Your Ears by Marcy Jacks 4*
Foxy-Eared Devil (I Want to Bite on Your Ears #2) by Marcy Jacks 4*
Hedgehog's Delight (Wolf Creek, #3) by Jade Buchanan 4*
Gay Erotica: A Sea of Possibilities: by Tesgura 2*

So far behind on reading

I am so far behind on reading the Love's Landscape stories - read the following but still have about 20 or so to read (even though there is a hiatus on the postings until the 24th).

All or Nothing by C.J. Anthony 4*

Tutti Fruitti Rudi by S.M. Franklin 5*

Dogwatch by Kiernan Kelly 3*

Elevation by Jenna Jones 3*

Exposed by Bette Browne 3*

The Arroyo by M. Caspian 2*

Blaze of Glory by Jeff Erno 4*

Love the Little Guys by M.E. Sanford 4*

Tidewater by Les Joseph 3*

Oh and I have also listened to another audio book whilst crocheting more baby blankets.

Audiobook:Trade Secrets: Liaden Universe Books of Before, Book 4 by Sharon Lee & Steve Miller Narrated by: Kevin T. Collins Narration 5 Story 5

Little Haven Hospice and tattoos

I sent off the stuff for the yarn bomb at Little Haven's Hospice. It's being done August Bank Holiday and if you want to help out here's the link for participation info. I've also gone to Raging Swan Studio and had a tattoo done in memory of my late husband Tony.
(looks a lot less red now of course as photo was taken at the studio when the tattoo was first finished.)


On the book front has been the following reading and listening done:

Wheels by Vic Winter 4*
BLURB: Gordy is a walking disaster, or so he thinks. Clumsy, socially inept, and a lot tongue-tied around cute guys, he just doesn't get out much. Meeting people on the Internet is much easier, especially when it's someone like "Wheels," who's really fun to talk to. Meeting Brian, aka Wheels, in person is a lot more intimidating at first, but Gordy soon sees past the wheelchair Brian is bound to and finds the most wonderful match, someone who really likes him, insecurities and all. With a good dose of heat and a lot of heartwarming fun, Gordy finds out through Brian that maybe he's not such a disaster after all. At least not when it comes to love.
My Review: I picked this because of the opening line in the blurb. Gordy was so like me, the walking disaster zone! I finished it thinking, what a wonderful story and what great people the main characters were. For such a short story there is a lot of depth.

Recent Love's Landscape reads:

He Didn't Have To Be by Tracey Michael 4*

That Day in Spring by B.J. Sheppard 3*

From the Ashes by Leah Miranda 3*

More Than He Can See by Nicole Forcine 4*

His Heart Belongs to Daddy by Harry H Malone 4*

A Chance to Fight by Lila Leigh Hunter 4*

Dance of Memory by R.L. Robinson 2*

Faire Play by Chris Cox 4*

Yarulf's Duty by Vicktor Alexander 4*


Audiobook: Reunion: Pip & Flinx, Book 7 by Alan Dean Foster Narrated by Stefan Rudnicki Narration 5* Story 5*

Been doing a lot of crocheting and listening again.

So I have joined in with the ladies of The Craft Club to make crochet items for the Little Havens Hospice. The theme is Enid Blyton's The Faraway Tree and they are trying to break the record of over 4000 pieces. So to keep things short I have been busy making said items and listening to lots of audio books (when not reading Goodreads m/m group Love's Landscape stories).


Audiobook: Mission Of Honor: Honor Harrington, Book 12 by David Weber Narrated by Allyson Johnson Narration 5 Story 5

Audiobook: A Riing Thunder: Honor Harrington, Book 13 by David Weber Narrated by Allyson Johnson Narration 5 Story 5

Audiobook: Timing by Mary Calmes Narrated by Sean Crisden Narration 5 Story 4

Audiobook: Magic's Pawn: The Last Herald Mage, Book 1 by Mercedes Lackey Narrated by Gregory Nassif St. John Narration 5 Story 5

Audiobook: For The Love Of Mother Not: Pip and Flinx, Book 1 by Alan Dean Foster Narrated by Stefan Rudnicki Narration 5 Story 5

Audiobook: The Tar-Aiym Krang: Pip and Flinx, Book 2 by Alan Dean Foster Narrated by Stefan Rudnicki Narration 5 Story 5

And for those who are interested I have made:

1 hedgehog (eating a worm)
1 Butterfly scene (butterfly on treestump with grass underneath and flowers on grass)
1 Woodland fairy/elf
1 cat/squirrel
1 vase with a dozen carnations
1 basket with a trio of apples and a pair of acorns

WIP a rainbow wreath with hanging nest and bird with butterflies and flowers around it.

pics of the first three can be seen here: Bespokecrochet4u