Free Shipping on All Items in My Etsy Store

Hi there - this is just to let you know that there is free shipping on all items in my Etsy Store, The Enchanted Grove.  My store has a wealth of handmade and beautiful items that would make perfect gifts for Easter, Mother's Day, birthdays, or just as a treat for yourself.  Why not have a visit and see what I have on offer?

Part 2 of Preview ....

Part 2 of the Preview will be coming later today - unfortunately I discovered that Google Blogs will only allow a certain amount of space for a post, and I had written out the whole of the preview I wanted to post, but then I found it had lost over half of it  .... not good!  So please visit again later for more more news.

Preview of My New Treasures - Part 1

At long last I have been able to get out and take the photos of my new stock. Although the days are getting gradually longer and brighter here in Scotland, it is hard to get a decent photo in doors (I am longing to upgrade to a professional quality camera, but that is a big purchase which is a few months away at the moment), so I have been longing to get out in some dry weather to take them instead.  Yesterday I got my chance and managed to get my photos on the banks of the River Ness in Inverness. The River Ness flows out of Loch Ness - world renowned for it's mythical and legendary inhabitant Nessie.  The weather was very cold and frosty and my hands had gone numb by the end, but here is a sneak preview at some of the goodies that will be listed in my store in the next couple of days (you can click on all the photos to enlarge them):

One of a kind, 'Woodland Treasures' bag:

I had a lot of fun making this lovely 'Woodland Treasures' bag, that has a strap long enough for going over your head/cross-ways over your body. It features an acorn, an oak leaf and a little owl on a branch charms and matching beads on the draw closure.  A head-turner of a bag that is perfect for afternoon walks in the woods and treasure collecting.  I may make another similar one, but it will not be exactly the same, because I do not have all the same yarns left - some of the ones included in this bag, were remnants of one-of-a-kind hand spun yarns. It also has a gorgeous wool smell!

Next up is my one of a kind 'Seaside Treasures' bag, which features 2 beautiful seashell charms, a star fish and a very shy mermaid (she is made from Tibetan silver). Another stunning head-turner of a bag that is perfect for beach combing and long lazy walks along the shore-line:

Like the 'Woodland Treasures' bag, this bag also includes remnants of one of a kind, hand spun yarn, of which I have none left, so although I may make another one similar, it cannot be exactly the same.  I have other themed bags in progress, all using unique, hand spun yarn remnants and with charms.

And who is this little fellow peeking out from a little hole in this tree?

This gorgeous little 'Owl on a Branch Brooch' found a perfect hole to perch in, on this tree, right beside the river - this cute little fellow has two olive wood buttons for eyes and a silver brooch clasp on his back, so that he can be pinned to your jacket, coat, hat, scarf or bag and join you wherever you go on your adventures.  He is a friendly little character and loves to quote words of wisdom that he has learnt.  Here is something he imparted to me yesterday:

To find what you seek in the road of life,

the best proverb of all, is that which says:

"Leave no stone unturned."

~ Edward Bulwer Lytton

Which I think was probably said in response to all the stones, river glass and old pieces of pottery that my children and I collected from the little river-side beach we were on, photographing!  We quite filled our pockets and when we got home, we had a lot of fun trying to work out where all the little pieces of pottery might have come from.  Here is some that my youngest son found, such pretty and subtle colours:

Next up is this lilac, knitted scarf, which would look gorgeous, dressed up with one of the rose brooches from my son's Etsy store, The Wylde Woods, which you can visit here: http://www.etsy.com/people/TheWyldeWoods 

This gorgeous piece of river driftwood was just perfect for photographing everything against. It was very smooth and had lovely textures and colours in it and gorgeous pieces of dried river weeds dangling from it's branches.  I hope it will be there next time we go.

That isn't the whole width of the river if you were wondering - at the place where we were, there are a small group of islands in the middle, known as Ness Islands, where there are beautiful trees and rhodedendrons growing, gorgeous paths for walking, little bridges between the islands, where mini rapids and waterfalls flow beneath.  It is a very popular spot for dog walkers too and even has a tiny dog cemetery in one corner, where those who once enjoyed this beautiful spot for 'walkies', remain lovingly for always.

Coming Soon in The Enchanted Grove

I have been working very hard at making lots of new items for my Etsy shop over the last month and I will be gradually listing these in the next few weeks - I have crocheted bracers and wrist cuffs (perfect for Rennaisance Faires, re-enactors or Elves and Fairy Folk), new chokers, gorgeous OOAK themed arty bags, merfolk art dolls and some very special pieces of mixed media collage, plus I have plans for lots of new things in the coming months (more art, art dolls, and mermaid themed crochet wear and Waldorf inspired animals). Please keep an eye out. If you would like to join my new mailing list and be the first to find out about my latest work, then please send me a 'convo' with your email address and I will add you.

My eldest son has now also got his own Etsy shop called 'The Wylde Woods', which I supervise for him. He currently has some beautiful rose brooches and is gradually going to add needle felted toys and art dolls.
Please take a look at his store here: www.etsy.com/people/TheWyldeWoods

Happy New Year 2011

I just wanted to wish all my customers and readers a very Happy New Year for 2011.

Winter Sale on in My Etsy Store

I hope you are all keeping warm - we have had a lot of snow and very cold temperatures here in the UK and in this part of Scotland, though thankfully the paths and roads are being kept accessible and the postal service does not seem too badly affected.

I hope you are all looking forward to celebrating the season - my family and I had a lovely day yesterday, celebrating the Winter Solstice and ate rather too much, but it was a good day and the first sunny one for a while.

I would like to take the opportunity to wish all my customers and visitors, Season's Greetings and all the very best wishes for the coming year.

To celebrate, I am currently offering a 15% discount to all customers, on all my items at my Etsy Store. Just enter the code: WINTERSALE2010 at the checkout  http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheEnchantedGrove

Girly Waterfall Waistcoat in Inside Crochet Magazine issue 12

Well at last I have got to see a pattern of my own creation in a magazine and I was very excited to see the wonderful pictures from the photoshoot. Inside Crochet 12 Preview

The magazine can be bought in Tesco, WH Smiths and various retail and craft outlets, as well as by subscription and also a digital subscription.

Please look out for my pattern and I hope you will have fun making it.

Crocheting To Beat The Chill!

It has been decidedly chilly and frosty the last few weeks, here in the Highlands, with the local mountains already capped with the first snowfalls of winter, so I have been inspired to make more neck warmers and wrist warmers for my Etsy Store. The new neck warmers are a wrap-around style and fasten with a pretty crocheted flower button and they can be worn in a couple of different styles. They are quite wide, so they can be pulled up to cover the mouth and help keep out those biting winter winds, of which we get plenty here, being near the sea.

The neck warmers would make a perfect gift for a loved one, or as a treat for yourself and are reasonably priced too.  Here are a couple to wet your appetite:

The Enchanted Grove's Craft Book Emporium

I  just wanted to let you know about my new Amazon craft book store, which has a wide range of craft books available, from knitting and crocheting, sewing, beading and jewellery making, crafting with children, spinning and weaving.  There is sure to be something to inspire and delight you and some lovely books there, that would make the perfect gift for the coming festive season.  Please take a look here or follow the side bar link on the right.

Auntie Burrows - A Crocheted Rabbit

Auntie Burrows started out in life as a pencil sketch from my imagination. She then burrowed around in my mind for a while and I eventually made her up into a little crocheted figure. It was whilst her clothes were being made for her, that I started to develop a personality for Auntie Burrows and started to jot down some stories about her.

The pattern for Auntie Burrows is the second of my patterns to be accepted for publication by the UK's Inside Crochet magazine, which will be published in their Spring issue, number 15.  Auntie Burrows is just over 13 inches tall and is fully jointed and can sit and stand unaided. She comes with a complete outfit (as pictured below) and also comes with a little bag that matches her hat and shoes, which is just big enough to fit in a few mini eggs or a hen's sized chocolate egg, to make a wonderful Easter or Springtime gift.

I am very excited to have her pattern accepted and this very week, she will be going off to their offices ready for her photo shoot. She will be away for a while, so I hope she has a safe journey.

Auntie Burrows now has her own blog, which you can see here: The Journal of Auntie Burrows  It is very new at the moment, but keep an eye out for stories, pictures and crafts coming on there, which will be gradually added.  Some of them will be suitable to do with young children, whilst others will be more for an adult to make for children.

I hope you like her and will look out for her pattern in Inside Crochet in the spring.

My First Published Pattern

It seems ages since I last posted here, but I have been extremely busy with crafting and with my family.  I was lucky enough to have one of my newest crochet patterns accepted by the UK's Inside Crochet magazine. You can find out about the magazine here.  My pattern is for a Girl's Waterfall Waistcoat and it will appear in issue 12, which will be out in November. The magazine is available by subscription and also from high street newsagents and major supermarkets.

I am also happy to take custom orders for the waistcoat to be made up and you can find details on my Etsy store. For sizes newborn through to 24 months, see here and for sizes 2 to 6 years, please see here.  The waistcoat is made up using 100% merino yarn, which is a very soft, non-itchy wool.  I have pledged to donate 10% of the sale of any of these waistcoats to The Motse Project which helps support rural communities and orphaned children in Botswana. Please take a look at their website for more details: www.motse-project.org

Here are a few photos of the waistcoat for you to see:

I hope you like the waistcoat and will look out for the pattern in Inside Crochet next month.

Gorgeous New Girly Slippers and more....

I have been very busy the last few weeks, designing and creating patterns for new girly slippers and bootees, suitable for babies and up to 5 years of age or so. They have cute appliques of animals, flowers, stars, hearts and fruit. I have begun listing them on my Etsy store. I have also been making up more of my wrist warmers, again using my own pattern, which is proving popular.  Here are some photos of recent makes.  I hope you enjoy them and please feel free to leave comments.

Delicious and Scrummy Treats Abound in My New Etsy Store!

Just take a look at my tasty new cat blankets, now available in my Etsy Store. These two have a blend of colours inspired by my favourite chocolates and ice creams ...

... first up, we have the Strawberry Chocolate Cream Cat or Small Dog Blanket in luscious shades of white, pinks, and dark reds, mixed with milk chocolate














... and then to whet your appetite further, there's the Chocolate Fudge Sundae Cat or Small Dog Blanket, a delicious blend of vanilla, caramel, toffee, milk and dark chocolates and chocolate flakes. Yum!















These are one of a kind blankets - I don't have any of these yarns remaining, so will be unable to make another exactly like this. They measures approximately 17" (43 cm) diameter.

These very lovely blankets would make a cosy bed for the cat or small dog in your life. You could also use them as a seat pad, or a topper for a cushion, or even as a decorative mat to set off a bowl or other piece of art.

I am planning on adding to this confectionary range of blankets, so watch this space for more details.

Hello and Welcome to The Enchanted Grove

I am based in the Highlands of Scotland, UK, not far from farmland, woodland and the sea.


I have been an avid crafter ever since I was a small child, and learnt to knit and crochet over 30 years ago. You can find out more about me here and can view my Etsy Store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheEnchantedGrove, where you can find my crochet pattern designs, as well as my own crochet creations, from bags, scarves, hats, wrist warmers, cat blankets to baby shoes.


I am a self taught artist and love watercolours and acrylics, as well as sketching. I love painting imaginative landscapes in watercolour, as well as portraits of teddy bears in acrylics, so if you would like something custom created, then I am happy to discuss your requirements.