More Rolls

These rolls were made just using interfacing, rather than batting.  This means they are not so bulky.

I had enough of the red fabric to do a small crochet hook holder, without a flap.  As there wasn't enough to do a larger one to match, I did another pen holder instead.

I was hoping to get some more done, but I ran out of black fabric for the binding and ribbon.  I have all the fabric all prepared and pinned waiting for the binding, but it will  have to wait until Wednesday when I can get back to the fabric shop for some more.

I realised once I had put the machine away, I had some cushion covers to make, so I guess that will be my project for the weekend.

Europe Artfire Guild Giveaway

Several of the Europe Artfire Guild have got together to provide items for a giveaway.  Go over and leave a comment to be in a chance of winning some amazing things.

There should be plenty of time for delivery before Christmas and we are posting worldwide.

"The Sea"

This arrived from Barbara as part of an exchange on Stitchin Fingers.  Barbara has called it t"The Sea".  I love the colours in this, I find them so relaxing.  It was a lovely start to the day.

I did make another postcard for the Autumn swap, but I wasn't happy with it at all.  That will be consigned to experience and the thinking cap is back on for some more.  I have a couple of busy days with the boys, so I think it will be the end of the week before I can concentrate on getting them done.  It would be so good to get them all done and ready to post by the end of the month.

Autumn Postcard Number 5

For this card I used sycamore seeds.  I love the veins in the wings  and thought these would be perfect for doing rubbings. 

Once I had fixed the crayon, I used DMC 433 in two strands for the stitching.  I outlined the seed and the upper edge with split stitch, then filled the seed with satin stitch.

The girls from across the road were here when this was completed, and the youngest said, "oh, that's just like those things we throw up in the air and watch as they twist down!".  Nice to know they are recognisable.

That's now five down, five to go. 

New home needed

If you remember, this is a sampler I stitched earlier in the year.  I have only used the chard once and there are still some threads left over.  There are a couple of colours that will need replacing, but as they are DMC threads, they are easy to get.

If you would like to have the chart, please let me know.  I would rather send this to someone that would like to use it than recycle it.  I am happy to send it worldwide.

Now we have two

I decided the old sewing machine had to come down and show the new one how to cooperate!  It all went without a hitch and very soon,  I had a small crochet hook holder to match the large one.

I would have loved to make some more, but I didn't have enough iron on interfacing.  I did try to get some in the week, but the shop had run out.  I am hoping I can get some more when we go shopping on Wednesday so I can get some more made up later this week.

Geta is has a lovely giveaway this month.  Hop over and have a look.

A finish

I have eventually finished this cardigan for my friend's little girl.  I did her a similar one earlier in the year with short sleeves, which she loved.  As the weather is more suitable for long sleeves now, I'll get a button this week and get it sent on.  If Royal Mail continues with their strike later in the week, I;m not sure how long it will take to get there.

The sewing machine didn't want to play with me yesterday, so I gave up and did some more of  J's jumper.  I am going to try again and hope that with a new day, the sewing machine and I can be friends.

Our clocks went back last night, so it's goodbye to the summer, hello to the winter.  Let's hope it will be kind to everyone.

I'm back

Thank you to all those that have emailed wondering where I have been.  I have been using my creative talents in other areas.  I have seen how much you can get into a box room and still have it usable as a bedroom!  On top of this, we have been out everyday with activities for the children. Now D's bedroom is organised, we have to go and reorganise J's.  Some of the sorting out has been done, but furniture moving will be done next week.

I have had the odd moment to spend doing some knitting, but nothing to show just yet, but I have managed to make a crochet hook roll.  Someone has asked for two, one for 20 hooks, and another to use on the move that holds 6.

This is inside and has been made very much like the crayon rolls, but with enough to have a fold down flap.

Hopefully, this should stop any needles from sliding out.

Here it is all rolled up and secured with a ribbon.  I have a smaller one to complete using the same fabric which I hope to do this weekend.  I am hoping to do a few of these as they could also be used to hold tatting hooks and parchment craft tools.

Montana Tunic Finished

Tha montana tunic for the KAL is complete.  It got DS2's seal of approval.  As soon as it came off the needles, he had it on and didn't take it off until he went to bed.  I have now reclaimed it for myself.

I knitted it using Wendy Pampas Super chunky yarn which is an acylic (70%), wool (30%) mix.  Being super chunky, it was very quick to knit.  Another plus, there was no sewing up to do at the end as it was done on circular needles.

It was a bit of a shock to the system to go from super chunky to knitting with double knit yarn.  It seemed so fine and it definitely doesn't grow so quickly.  Never mind, perseverance is the key.

Thank you , Rudee, for organising the KAL

Acorns 2

This time I just did the outlines of the leaves and acorns.  Again I used two strands of DMC and blended the colours on all but the stems.  The stems were done in stem stitch, the other outlines were done in split stitch. 

Once the embroidery was complete, the embroidered band was machine stitched to the leaf fabric and then made into the card.  According to DS2, this one isn't finished because it wasn't filled in! 

That's four cards done.  As I have maybe six more to do, I need to get my thinking cap on for some more.

Acorns

As in previous years, the Yahoo Hand Embroidery Group has put up some patterns for an autumn challenge.  One of them is an acorn scroll type pattern.  I have divided the pattern in half and will make two fabric postcards.

This is the first, and I really enjoyed stitching it.

I have done these as fresh acorns, thus the greens.  I used two threads throughout, though most of the colours have been blended.  It was stitched as follows:

Acorns-padded satin stitch, outlined in split stitch using DMC 472 and 471 (my favourite part)
Cups    -chain stitch, outlined in split stitch using DMC 471 and 3346
Leaves-long and short stitch using DMC 3346 and 3345
Stems  -stem stitch using DMC 3345

I am thinking of choosing a warm autumn colour to do the next one.  That's the joy of embroidery, it doesn't always have to be realistic.

Another Autumn Postcard

On this one, I have left the leaf rubbing untouched and added the stitching around it.  In the lower half, I have done random lazy daisy stitches in two autumn colours.  Above the leaf, I have done a few lines of running stitch to follow the contours of the leaf then added the season and year.

The next two postcards are going to be completely different, unless  I find some more leaves I like.

I did get the front of the montana tunic finished and the shoulders are joined.  I had time to start the neck but I needed to find a different needle.  As  Rumple Teaser was sat on my feet.  I decided the safer option was  to sit still.  Claws in toes are not very comfortable.  I will find the needle before I sit down this evening, and make a start on it tonight.  There are 17 inches of neck to knit!

Leaf Rubbing Autumn Postcard

Over the next month or so, I have about 8 or 9 fabric postcards to send out, all with a autumn theme.

This is the first one complete. I've always loved doing rubbings, whether it was leaves, stone, bark, or plaques.  I thought I would try and use some in these postcards and maybe some wallhangings. 

First, I did the leaf rubbing using crayon, which I then fixed with the iron and some kitchen paper.  I added the border using fabric from my stash and used some recycled felt for the middle.  The buttons were then stitched on, and using the same colour thread, I used small running stitches to highlight the veins.

One down, eight more to go!

I have also been working on the montana tunic for the KAL.  This has actually had to be done twice, due to a silly mistake, but I am getting there, eventually!

 It won't be this shape , but the front is on a stitch holder.  Hopefully, the front will get completed tonight, and we can see the proper shape.

Autumn Exchange Received

I received this lovely pillow yesterday.  It was for the Autumn Exchange on Exchange Heaven.  The colours are so warm that by lamplight, it is almost as if it glows.  It was a real pleasure looking at it and I am having a difficult job trying to stop DS2 pinching it for himself.

Unfortunately, I don't know who it was from, but whoever you are, thank you.

Honeysuckle Cushion Update

This is the central panel of the honeysuckle cushion complete.  It is certainly cheerful to look at on a grey day like we have today.  I now have a border to do.  It might be done before the honeysuckle outside comes back into flower.

The Montana Tunic for the KAL is growing.  I have about four more inches to knit to get to the armhole shaping.  I am doing about a ball an evening, so  I should get to the armholes tonight.

Finally, J gets his drawstring pouch

J has been asking for a little drawstring pouch for months, so as my brain is finally beginning to work again, I got around to making him one.  I had to get the sewing machine out anyway, as he had a pair of trousers that needed sewing up, so it was a matter of killing two birds with one stone.

I made the pouch using some black cotton polyester and used black cord for the drawstring.  I have made it, but to prolong the agony, it has been put away as a surprise for him.

I've finally made a start on the KAL tunic.  The rib I ended up doing  twice.  I started this just as I was getting ill and things  weren't going right.

I cast on, joined the circle, and knit the rib.  I then looked at the pattern to see what I had to do next and read, "do not join".   "Oh bother!", I thought, and pulled the knitting off the needles and started again.  As I again read the pattern to cast on, I saw the page of the magazine had flipped over and I had done it right in the first place!

I didn't trust myself to get the pattern and side markers in the correct places so this went away until this weekend when I thought I might be able to comprehend the pattern.

I have successfully set the patterns and need to keep knitting until this reaches 19".  It is really strange for me, to be knitting in the round.  It seems to be taking a long time to grow, but I suppose it will be quicker in the long run, as there will be less sewing up to do.  I just need to keep an eye on how much yarn I am using, I would hate to run out.

Did you miss me?

I have had a really heavy cold, complete with high temperatures, sore throat, bad chest and earache.  I had two days when I wasn't able to do anything at all.  The boys were fantastic, supplying lots of drinks and cooking or helping with cooking.  If I hadn't felt so rotten, it would be worth doing it again!

It meant that the round robin I should have completed last weekend didn't get finished until the end of this week.

Here is the calf I did for Lynne.  It is from an ornament kit by Janlynn.  I will send the ornament to Lynne too as she likes cows so much.  This should be in the post this week and that is all the round robin's complete.

Hopefully, now  the germs are subsiding, I can catch up on some of the other projects that need to be done.