Our favourite blogger: Samantha Roberts

Tell us about your life...
I live in Bedfordshire with my husband and four children. We have a very busy, noisy, messy, crazy home!

What inspired you to start blogging?
My friend suggested I should start as a way of recording all my makes and, hardly putting any thought into it whatsoever, I created my blogspot!
Little did I know what a wonderful, positive addition to my craft life it would become. I love being able to take photos and write about the things I have created, and keep them safe in my little space online. Sharing tips, patterns and inspiration with other like-minded souls is so rewarding and I do feel I have made some lovely online friends.

What do you love about crochet?
Everything! The gorgeous yarn that can be used with all the colours and textures. The infinite patterns that can be made with different stitches and techniques. The way it is interesting, exciting, calming and relaxing all at the same time.

What is your biggest source of inspiration?
Mostly other bloggers. There are so many talented, creative souls out there that happily share what they make, it’s so inspiring!
Who are your favourite other bloggers or designers? My first crochet crush was Nicki Trench. I love her colour work and pretty designs. I adore the Japanese crochet books that you can buy online as I enjoy working from crochet charts. There are so many bloggers that I’m a fan of and I enjoy different ones for different reasons, depending on what mood I am in. There is Vanessa at CocoRose Textiles (www..cocorosetextiles.blogspot.co.uk) for her stunning photography, of course lovely Lucy at Attic 24 (www.attic24.typepad.com) for her colour inspiration, Sandra at Cherry Heart (www.sandracherryheart.blogspot.co.uk) has some excellent patterns and she can take a good pic too. Talking of photos I love the pictures Alicia of Posy Gets Cosy (www.rosylittlethings.typepad.com) takes of her little girl and I also am a big fan of Dottie Angel (www.dottieangel.blogspot.co.uk) for her unique and beautiful styling. And then there is By Haafner (www.byhaafner.blogspot.co.uk) – oh my goodness I could go on and on...
Is there anything else you’ve been up to lately? I have just opened up an Etsy shop to sell a few handmade items of mine. It’s very small beans and I will see how things go over the Christmas period and then decide whether to carry it on or not, but it’s very exciting to be a shopkeeper! You can visit it at www.betsymakes.etsy.com.