Monday 30 September 2013

Clicker 6 and Dyslexia Update



Today I thought I would give you an update
on Little Red and his Dyslexia.

Things have been progressing slowly but they are progressing.
Little Red has been getting used to the Clicker 6 program.
This program is fantastic for schools & home.
You can add your own exercises as well as use the
free ones that you have access to.

At the moment we are just using the exercises from Clicker.
It has amazed me how the little things you don't think of make
such a difference.

The first exercise we looked at today was
the matching game:
 Little Red would get one picture on screen
and then a number of difference pictures would appear
and he had to choose the matching one.
 This may sound a simple game but Dyslexics have
problems with memory etc.
so it's a really useful puzzle.
 The next exercise looked at how you get ready in the morning.
First the voice would say an example:
In which picture am I getting out of bed? 
 Little Red would then choose the correct one.
Little red then looked at each of the sentences
and put the words in the correct order.
He really enjoyed this and learnt to read quite a few new words.
I was really surprised about how enthralled he became.
I thought he would find it too like a classroom 
exercise but he really enjoyed it.
He carried on well after the 15 mins were over.
 Another exercise he looked at was making a snowman
The program reads out the words to the child
as you go.
 Little Red loved the way you could add the sentences to the page
It meant that he could recognise the words himself.
If he wasn't sure once you press the . the program automatically reads it back to him.
You are able to alter the document at any point. 
He was kept enthralled and entertained for quite a while.
We'll be using it on a more regular basis now.

The start of each exercises isn't as intuitive for him as I would like
but once I set him up on the program he could run through everything himself.
I think as he gets more homework from school we will be using this more and more.

I'm going to try and set-up my own exercise next and see how easy it is.

So I'll let you know how we both get on :-)


Designer Yarns


To be honest I hadn't heard of this website till I started looking around the other day.

Is a UK based company who have brought together some of
the best international designers 
and superb collections of yarns from all over the world.

They are also part of the UK Hand Knitting Association.


Nicole from the company was kind enough to send me some patterns
to try and review:
  
                            The DYP109 - Baby Joy                    The DYP110 - Baby Joy
  
                           The DYP128 - Baby Joy                      The DYP129 - Baby Joy
Aren't they beautiful!
I love their use of colour and practicality.
I know one little one that's due that might get one of these to wear :-)

Not only do designer yarns have
Download Thumbnail - Click To Enlarge  Download Thumbnail - Click To Enlarge  Download Thumbnail - Click To Enlarge

BlueFacedLeicesterAran

Noro-Cyochin

GraceSilk&Wool
Sami
BotanyLace
Jester
They have kindly sent me some yarn to test & review:
Wow isn't this yarn fantastic!  I can't wait to see what I can make with it.
It's such good fun

 
The Baby Joy yarn is so soft to the touch!
And it comes in such a variety of colours.
I often have a problem finding brighter colours
for babies.
So keep an eye out because I'll be designing
some patterns to go along with these beautiful yarns.

I was sent the patterns and yarn
for free to review
but all opinions expressed are my own
and no monies were exchanged


Sunday 29 September 2013

Crochet for Beginners who want to Improve





Crochet for Beginners who want to Improve
by Ali Campbell

It's so true that after learning to crochet from the beginners books
you sort of just get left.
You muddle your way through and learn what you can yourself.
Well now there is an ideal book for you.
Ali uses all her knowledge to put together 10 projects
that will help you on your learning journey.
Each project has hints and tips for you to be able to use lots of different methods.

  1. Chunky Headband
  2. A "Classic" Beanie Hat
  3. Warming Chunky Socks
  4. A Classic Granny Square
  5. A Granny Square with Colour changes
  6. "Variations" Granny Triangles & Rectangles
  7. Joining Methods
  8. Personal Organiser Cover including colour changes in rows
  9. Colour Changes in rounds
  10. Tin Can Crochet Covers
Ali also includes a top tips at the end.

There are clear pictures throughout and Ali has a fantastic method of
putting information in different colours so you can easily 
see the must know information:
All tips, tricks of the trade & cheats will be in GREEN, as Green is
for GO. All abbreviations will be explained, longhand, in
AMBER when first used in a pattern as this will help you to
recognise them & WARNINGS will be in RED as Red is for
STOP, so STOP & do what it says!!

The projects are fun and diverse and a good mix to get you going.
Ali also explains how to read charts which is a must have skill
that quite a lot of people miss out on - including myself.

Ali choose to make most of the projects with 
a nice chunky wool & a 6mm hook.
This makes it easier to see what you are doing
and understand the stitches better. 

I also love the way Ali has the book 
in both UK Terminology and US Terminology.
This way what ever terminology you are learning by
you are covered.
This is something that quite a lot of crocheters forget - including myself.

I would say that even crocheters who have been crocheting for a while
would get something from this book.
They are interesting projects to make
and there always tips and techniques that you haven't heard of.

This book is a fantastic solutions for many crocheters
who feel they've been left in limbo after
learning the basics.

You can find Ali at:
or blog




Giveaway Sunday Week 80 & Unique P Winner!


I hope you are all having a good weekend!

The winner of the Unique P giveaway is
The Unique P Crochet Patterns
WW Crochet Pattern Giveaway



Congratulations Rosetta!


Giveaways I've Found for you:
Kindle Fire September Pick A Prize 
 My Own Darcy SALE copy


I have no affiliation with any of the giveaways I found.
These are just giveaways I've found



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or you have found.
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Saturday 28 September 2013

Guest Blogger Week 83 Stellar Dreams


I would like to say a huge welcome
to Nancy




Nancy Brown-Designer
P. O. Box 522
Belfair, WA 98528
United States


My name is Nancy Brown, and my husband and I moved to the Pacific Northwest a few years ago following retirement. Marco and I, since growing up in the greater Los Angeles area of Southern California and living there most of our lives, have adjusted well to the very different climate and way of life from which we retired. 

I have been involved in the yarn industry for many years, and truly love all aspects of yarn crafts, but particularly crochet. Having been a crocheter for years, I followed patterns from books and magazines, and then it was a natural progression to move into creating my own designs. I started publishing crochet patterns in books and magazines in the 1980’s. Since I seem to have a knack for crochet design and am fairly good at writing crochet patterns, and with the rise of the self-publishing industry, I have developed an “after retirement” niche that is self-satisfying and rewarding.







           Down Brim Cloche
                    PA-107

I particularly like designing crochet accessories. Crochet just seems to lend itself to hats, bags, scarves, shawls and wraps. Hats have been my favorite crocheted accessory, however, it seems as though we have discovered crocheted purses. They are quick and fun to make and seem to be very much in fashion at this time. 











        Pineapple Spangle Scarf
                PA-124c

  
                            Posy Patch Bag                                                          Whirligig Bag
                                  PA-207                                                                     PA-202

                                                                    Shell Stitch Bag
                                                                         PA-132a

Inspiration for designs usually comes from the yarn I am “playing with”. I have found, over the years, that a yarn will usually tell me what it thinks it should be made into. However, I can get inspired by vintage patterns. There are a myriad of vintage designs just begging to be updated. 

I opened a website on Etsy in 2009, and have been pleased with my pattern PDF sales. I find that Etsy is easy to use, user friendly, and very customer oriented. Unfortunately, I don’t seem to find the time for social links. I do have a Facebook and a Pinterest account, but I am afraid they are not utilized to their fullest advantage.

Vintage Inspired Baby Jacket
                    PB-103

Creating and designing crochet patterns have become a huge part of my life and of our business endeavors. However, I am an avid reader, and my husband and I volunteer with the Humane Society. We are very passionate when it comes to saving animals. Kitten rescue is our specialty. 

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and please visit me at www.stellardreams.etsy.com

Thank you ever so much Nancy
I love your Shell stitched bag and  baby jacket. 
I have also added a few of the patterns I love of yours as well.
I love the way you offer matching sets!
Please check out Nancy's shop as she has some amazing patterns.

Crochet Pattern PDF - Beret, Beanie and Bag - PA-126 Crochet Pattern PDF - "Flowers" Jewelry Set - PA-140
Crochet Pattern PDF -  'Basic Beret' - PA-101a