Saturday 21 April 2012

Crochet O'clock!

Hello gorgeous people!
WOW!!! I can't believe we have reached the 500 followers mark!!! That's really fantastic! I simply love how you all take the time to pop by and see what's happening. Isn't it amazing how we all connect through our hobbies and passions, people from all corners of the world!!!
A massive SQUEEZY HUG for the continuous support and for taking the time to come visit Dennis and I.

I've been a busy boy over the last couple of days, completely and utterly obsessed with my new project! A quick and cheery project that I hope will bring me lots of sunshine for months to come!
You may remember at the weekend I mentioned that I had bought a crafting clock from the craft store.


Its been really fun having this clock to play around with. Not making something from scratch, but building on an already existing product makes for a different perspective to crocheting.
I raided the yarn box and found our stash of 'creative cotton'. The colours are so bold and summery, I knew that they were exactly what I wanted for my clock.

My initial idea was to attempt to crochet one of the scenes from one of my 'Sunny Pictures'. 


After throwing that idea around in my head,  I soon realised that I would have to simplify the picture immensely. I decided rather than recreate one of the pictures, I would simply try and keep to the style of the pictures. I made a couple of quick sketches and decided upon something similar to this.
(Not a great drawing, but sketching out my ideas really helps me to visualise what I'm aiming for)


I got cracking with the design and started by crocheting a big circle out of two brilliant shades of blue cotton. This would act as the base colour to my clock face.


As I got further with the circle, I changed colours to add a rainbow to my blue circle.
Once the circle had the same circumference as the clock face, I added a little wavy border.
With the help of my trusty glue gun, I glued my crocheted circle to the clock:


At this stage, I was already loving the mix of rainbow colours against the blue sky background! I'm a sucker for a Rainbow!
I had reached the part that I was most excited about....decorating!!!
I had bought some inexpensive wooden numbers and painted them a shocking pink.
 
I searched the web for some crochet flower designs but settled on two designs I had previously used:
Attic 24's Teeny Tiny Flowers; They are sooooo cute, quick and easy to make.


'Mollie Makes' Crochet Flowers. These flowers are a little fiddly at first, but the step by step guide had some wonderfully clear pictures. The Mollie makes website is full of free tutorials and articles! Its really worth checking out for inspiration (if nothing else).
 
I bought this large ladybug and bee from the craft store. I thought they would go perfect with the ladybugs I already had lying around at home.




Finally I rummaged around for all of the bright buttons we had hiding aroung in our boxes. I thought they would fit this project :-)
How about I show you what I came up with?
I used shocking pink numbers as well as little ladybugs to symbolise the numbers.
 

The bigger Ladybug sat playfully on the hands of the clock. 

 

I made many gloriously bright flowers finished off with the bold buttons!


Here it is in its full glory!!!!

I'm so very very happy with it!!! Bright and cheery! Summery and simple!


Brings a touch of Spring/ Summer to the screen, don't ya think?!
Hope you're all having a FAB weekend!!!

Matt xxx


This post has moved!
You can read an updated and revised version on our new blog.

Click here to read this post in full at it's new home!

121 comments:

  1. I love it! I've never seen a crochet clock before and I think every household should have one... x

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  2. Love it! Especially the finishing touch of adding the little ladybug to the clock hands.

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  3. Wow, this is so, so, SO pretty!! Really love it! Liz

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  4. That is the sweetest thing I've ever seen, I'm besotted ;)
    Karen x

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  5. That turned out so well. I wouldn't have thought there'd be room under the hands. Congrats on a great idea and perfect execution.

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  6. You gone and done it again! Awesomely beautiful. I love love love it! :)

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  7. Wow, the clock is lovely, what a pretty idea. And your pictures are wonderful too.
    greetings, Claudia from Vienna

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  8. It's absolutely gorgeous! What a fab idea.
    Leah
    x

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  9. Fabulous! So bright and cheery :)

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  10. Wow, absolutely gorgeous! So jealous of your creative genius!!

    Just a quick one, the Lumberjack and I would love to know how you get the fantastic white background effect for your stunning pictures? Is it simply a white surface against a white wall?? All your pictures look so effective!

    Maria and the Lumberjack
    x

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    1. Hey Maria and the Lumberjack!
      I take many of my pictures on top of a white chest of drawers which is popped up against a white wall. I use the white balance feature on my camera and make sure the aperture is set quite high.
      The biggest and most most important thing for me is that the lighting needs to be good.
      I'm lucky enough to live on the top floor apartment of my building. so I have windows in the ceiling which gives me a lot of light.
      However, when the weather is not very good its still pretty tricky to get the white surfaces looking really white. So I then alter the saturation slightly on my laptop to brighten up the white and blur out any big shadows.
      I hope this helps a little?
      Any other questions just drop me a line! :-)
      Matt xx

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    2. I love the crochet clock!! It is amazing xxx

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    3. I love the crochet clock!! It is amazing xxx

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    4. Hi Matt,

      Thanks for being so helpful! We appreciate you taking the time to explain! We'll be trying out your tips! :o)

      Thanks also for such an amazing blog!

      Take care and happy crafting!

      Maria and the Lumberjack!
      xx

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  11. What a cool creation! I don't know where you come up with these ideas but they're fab :-)

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  12. Wow - fantastic! You have such great ideas!

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  13. What a marvellous thing! It's a really Happy Clock! Thank you for giving such pieces of colorful joy :)

    Pixie from Ukraine

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  14. Fab idea; gorgeous colours; skillfully worked - great job, well done.
    Karen
    xx

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  15. Crochet with Raymond21 April 2012 at 21:36

    amazingly colourful, crochet happiness!
    XXX

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  16. Woweee! That is quite something... maybe if I had one of those my daughter would finally find the motivation to learn to tell the time!!

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  17. That has got to be the most bEAUtiful clock I have ever seen!! Just stUnning and very inspiring! :)

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  18. L..O..V..E it! Especially the rainbow :-)

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  19. It is absolutely fabulous!!! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!!!!! Well done!!!!!

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  20. OMG! That clock is just amazing! I´m not at all surprised that you´ve reached the 500. :)

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  21. O.k. So this is totally cool!!!!! You are a clock rock star!!

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  22. I absolutely love the clock you have created!!! I have no other words but stunningly beautiful.

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  23. What a perfect summery project! Beautiful and useful!

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  24. Oh my, that is totally a-maz-ing!!! :)

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  25. What can I say - your clock is absolutely 'STUNNING'! Absolutely fabulous work!

    Well Done You!!

    Love Sonya (Aberdeen)

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  26. I LOVE THIS!!! The colours are fantastic and I love how the little ladybugs stand for the missing numbers. So cute. Sam xx

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  27. Great work, you clever thing!! So cheerful and happy, I love how you just get on with your ideas and the next thing there it is - a finished project! Gorgeous! :) Jules

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  28. this is wonderful. you are fabulously creative. Happy Weekend :-)

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  29. That is just stunningly gorgeous and so very creative! I am jealous! :)

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  30. OMG That's simply delightful! I love it! So bright and cheery and just delightful!!!! Flowers and little bugs are the best!!!

    loulouandlillybean

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  31. WOW! That is fabulous! You have a such a wonderful eye for colour, and the details are adorable.

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  32. What may I say? It's simply gorguous!! the design, the vibrant colours and all it's details....I imagine the fun in making it!!!
    Happy w-end to you, too! xxx Alessandra

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  33. Awesome! You are so creative, I love to see all the things you make, such great inspiration!

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  34. Oooohhh I LOVE your clock. Very clever and so colourful. Fantastic work !!

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  35. This is absolutely adorable and wonderful. I love your obsession with cheerful color.

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  36. That is amazing! I so want to make one of these myself!

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  37. Ohh so cheerful and bright and happy! Wonderful job! :-) xxxx

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  38. WOW!!!! I feel i will have to steal your idea & make a version of this for myself!!!!

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  39. WOW!!!! I feel i will have to steal your idea & make a version of this for myself!!!!

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  40. That is something you cannot help but love. It iswonderful.

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  41. c'est superbe!!!

    regarder ça tous les jours vous met d'office de bonne humeur.

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  42. Wow, I think this might be just the cutest thing I've ever seen. So original too, you really do have a beautiful, creative mind!!

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  43. To the person who called your clock 'so Lucy' on Ravelry. NO IT IS NOT!!!!! For goodness sake everything does not revolve around her. Please give people the benefit of creativity and talent of their own. There is more ORIGINAL talent here, so please recognise it. I am tired of the cult following, it kills off creativity.

    I have said it here as free speech is not allowed on Ravelry and I would be banned for criticising. This site and also Crafty Valley do not get the full credit they deserve. This is where real talent comes from. Colours do not belong to one person and I am getting tired of things being called 'Lucy' when they came about by the hard work of others. It is really annoying and untrue. Hearing colours which so many people choose to use being called ‘Lucy colours’ bugs me no end.

    Your talent is amazing and your clock brilliant. Your whole blog is a fantastic achievement and shows what can be done if we stop copying other people and go with our own creative spark - admittedly your spark is pretty fired up. Anyway, I LOVE your clock and think the stuff you make is fantastic. Definitely more creative and more talented than most. Thanks for sharing.

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  44. This is an amazing clock Matt!!!!!! I wish I had your creativity!
    <3 Jenn

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  45. Absolutely fantastic, love it and might even have a go at my own ;) Your following is fantastic, but you truley deserve it x
    I've been blogging almost a year and have only 19 followers, woe is me!! Pop over if you have a mo' in between all of your fantastic creating. Much love to you both x
    Esther @ http://handmadewithlove-esther.blogspot.com/

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  46. Super lovely! I hope you hang it where everyone can see it upon entering your home!

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  47. Your clock is so pretty! I've been making crochet clocks for a year now and sell them, and the pattern, on Etsy. my shop is called crocheTime

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  48. JUST TOTALLY GORGEOUS! I feel sooooo inspired now! Amazing work!x

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  49. Lovely Matt! Esp the ladybird in the middle. Also have a look at Natasja's clocks at CrocheTime blog.

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  50. I love this!!! LOVE! Looking around the house, now, to see where I could put one of my own. Wonderful, colorful, cheerful, inspiring. Thank you. :)

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  51. What an incredible idea. Your clock is really lovely - it'll be a nice surprise for Dennis when he gets back. I thought you may have had trouble with the thickness of the crochet when positioning the hands. Its so pretty. Lily. xxx

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  52. love the clock. think i need one for my crochet room but now the hard ????since i have no imagination. how did you hang it on the wall? and when you got the time piece how did you know what the dial range would be. see the hard ???? but love the clock, i am posting it on my pinterest, thanks for should a good idea. gert PS just found your blog, loving it.

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    1. Hi Gert. I've been making crochet clocks for a year and sell the clocks, and a pattern, on Etsy. Just do a search in Etsy for crochetime, to find my shop.

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  53. Amazing it's beautiful what a great idea :)

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  54. Oh my goodness!!! I love it SOOO much!! I want one!!! You are fantastic - such lovely ideas <3
    love Karen x x x

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  55. This is completely amazing! You must be so pleased with it, truly lovely.
    Claire

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  56. Amazing!!! You are soooo talented. I want/need that clock. Yes Wow! Happy hooking from Alabama USA.

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  57. Wow I LOVE it! Your blog is such an inspiration!
    Thats fantastic you have 500 followers! (I only have 10...) Gotta start somewhere!
    http://wherethelionsroar.blogspot.co.nz/

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  58. WOW Matt!!! THis is simply amazing!!!!

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  59. How could you ever be sad with a clock like that on the wall? :)

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  60. Hi Matt (and Dennis!),

    LOVE the spring-is-in-the-air-clock!!!! LOVE it!!!
    The butterfly is beautiful but really the chrochet,...WOW!
    I would absolutly LOVE a piece of art like that on my wall!!!

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  61. Hello Matt!
    This is absolutely stunning and marvelous!! Love the lady bug.
    I had made an attempt at decorating a simple clock, tho i did not do the insides but i made sorta jacket for my clock. Here's the pic of the same:

    http://diapermum.blogspot.in/2012/02/spring-time.html

    Love visiting your blog. Very colorful and full of life :)

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  62. wow.....tat was indeed a super duper clock ;D
    happnd to surf ur blog now....n found tat it was soooo full of new n innovative ideas...lovely...
    n esp vry vry informative for a 'not an expert' crocheter lik me ..
    do visit my blog too wen u get time....ur valuable suggestions are most welcome

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  63. Very impressed with the way you incorporated the rainbow!! Ths insects and buttons are such a nice finishing touch.

    B x

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  64. Pati from london23 April 2012 at 12:51

    GORGEOUS with capital G!!!!!!!!! luuuurrrvvv it! x Pati

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  65. Fantastic!!!!

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  66. OMG what fun. Love it so much!! Very creative.

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  67. Great idea:) I like it very much. One day I repeat this beautiful clock:)

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  68. Beautiful clock Matt, you are amazing with what you do!!!

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  69. Amazing! I'm from Brazil, and I loved your blog!
    Congratulations for your wonderful work!

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  70. I´m from Germany and I like your Blog, wonderful!!!

    Greets Heike

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  71. Wonderful ! Congratulations.

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  72. Oh my! This is fantastic! You have a new follower now!
    Looking forward to going through the rest of your blog =)

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  73. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  74. Não entendo uma só palavra em seu idioma, e também não sei inglês...

    Só sei Português e Español!!!!

    Mas mesmo assim faço questão de registrar que ficou lindo!!! Esplêndido!!!!!

    Obrigada por compartilhar ótimas ideias!!!!

    Um abraço, Rita De Carli


    http://desejosdemulher-byritadecarli.blogspot.com.br

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  75. Hello , i'm french, and i recently discovered your blog. Your crochet o'clock is amazing i love it ♥

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  76. Absolutely wonderful....I'm blown away by your clock!
    A fantastic idea with superb colours.
    Well done.

    Fleur xx

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  77. Oh my gosh, your clock is stunning, the colours are just gorgeous. You are a great inspiration and very talented, can't wait for more of your wonderful projects. Deb xxxx

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  78. Love it. The colors you use are gorgeous.
    My question is though does it work?

    -Janet

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  79. Love, love, love the clock. It looks so bright and happy!

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  80. Well, this clock made my foggy and grey day brighter and happier! Have a wonderful day! from Camilla in Sweden.

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  81. What an amazing and fun clock. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. I think my craft room might just need a little ray of sunshine like this too.

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  82. Lindo!!!
    Adorei o relógio.
    Aproveito para parabenizá-los pelo blog. É sempre uma alegria visitá-los.

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  83. Love it, really beautiful x

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  84. Im fairly new to crochet and have just mastered my first afghan! i know you have made this pattern up but would it be possible for you to jot down the pattern for me pretty please???? xxxx

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    1. Hey there!! I'm in the process of writing up the pattern, It should be finished sometime next week and then I'll be able to share it with you all! I hope you can wait until then :-)
      Matt xxx

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  85. Oh my you are soooo talented. YOu are wonderful I love love love this clock. Might be something I HAVE to tackle. LOL Thanks so much for the wonderful colors of spring... will be bookmarking your site. Have a wonderful day..

    Dianna

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  86. I never once thought about making a clock from crochet. This is gorgeous and amazing and now I must try! Gonna go for some day/night action (although that rainbow you worked in is to die for). New favorite blog! :D

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  87. Came across your blog through About Crochet, and I love what I see so far. Count me as your 500+ follower. Congratulations. Love your clock and the use of colors, materials and objects makes it one of a kind. Fantastic!! It's a perfect project for gift giving, especially to those who live in nursing homes and hospitals. This clock pattern brightens anybody's day.
    Ida Torres from Puerto Rico

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  88. Could I ask Matt a quick question - I would like to try this - where did you buy your clock from - I've searched the net and can't find one anywhere..
    thanks Matt..

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  89. Your clock is simply....amazing!
    I love your blog!
    I'm your follower now!
    Have a nice day!
    Mopo

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  90. Love Love Love Love Love!!!!!!!

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  91. Crochet?
    Clock?
    GENIUS!!!!!!
    I love that creative cotton, too- I've just made an ami monkey with a skein- can't beat those bright colours, can you?
    Great blog too- I'll definitely be back to see you again.
    Have a superdooper weekend.
    Xx

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  92. Would love the pattern if u have made one up! I'm inlove with this clock and can't wait to make one for my house!!! X

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  93. how absolutely superb! really beautiful!

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  94. Wow, that's really cool! I never would have thought to do something like that. And your 'sketch' is excellent...

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  95. Fabulous so bright and cheery

    Susan

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  96. Dearest Matt, I came across your blog about a month ago and have really enjoyed it. You and Dennis are very talented. I really loved the clock, I showed it to my hubby and he really liked it. I have been teaching him to crochet for few year and he still has fits with it, he wants to do it to relax. Personally I think it stresses him out. Have any good advice for him? Thank for the lovely blog keep up the great work.
    Blessings,
    Misty and Pets

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  97. Meninos
    Como vão são talentosos!
    Lindo trabalho!
    Quero ver mais!
    =)

    Abraços e Beijos do Brasil

    Ale Cerqueira

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  98. Clocks and watches are such a vital part of our life that many of us cannot get through a single day without looking for the time. That is why when choosing a clock for your home, you need to make sure that it will suite the color scheme and decor of the room as you will be looking at the clock many times per day, and for years to come.

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  99. That's amazing Matt! Did you do them yourself? It's rare to have a talent like that. Giving more value to the clocks we have at home.

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  100. I am impressed. I don't think Ive met anyone who knows as much about this subject as you do. You are truly well informed and very intelligent. You wrote something that people could understand and made the subject intriguing for everyone. Really, great blog.

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  101. Stunning and Simple

    Susan

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  102. What a great idea! ♥:)

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  103. My husband and I were just talking and decided that instead of hot gluing the piece I would make pockets at the top and bottom of it so it could slip on and off. Then make one for each season/holiday. Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, Harvest/Halloween, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's day, Fourth of July. That seems like a lot but if you only made them as the holidays came around it would only take one year to make them all and then you'd have them forever! If you didn't want to make as many of them you could just make for: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall! Would be such a great gift too! Thanks for sharing this!

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