Knitted Flower Brooches

This was just a fun project to do.  All the yarns were double knit, using the same needles and number of stitches, but they all turned out differently.  I left some plain, but beads were added to some of them to add a bit of interest.

I thought something like these would be great for accessorising bags.  I will just need to find some knitted and crochet bag patterns I like and make coordinating brooches for them.

Pergamano Fan Card

Once the bigger items had been cleared from the finishing shelf, I discovered this fan I had done in pergamano.  It was waiting to be made into a card, and I had forgotten all about it.

I used purple card for the inside and stitched the parchment and card together with gold thread.  Once that was done, I  cut it to the final shape.  It was such a relief to find it stood up, just as it should.

Creative Tuesdays-Dotty

Now the bedspread is done, I have been able to join in with the Creative Tuesdays challenge again.  The theme for this time was "Dotty".  I'm not known for my drawing skills, I don't have any, so it had to be something simple, and of course, had to use fabric.

The local fabric store didn't have a great range of polka dot material and this one was my favourite of what was available.   I would have loved to have had purple polka dot fabric.

On some plain white fabric, I drew a simple flower and coloured it in using fabric crayons.  I gave the petals spots too, to keep in with the theme.  Once the colours had been fixed with the iron, I stitched the square to the polka dot fabric and then outlined it using white ricrac.

I then made it up into a cushion.  I have enough fabric leftover to do something else, so I may do another cushion with a butterfly motif, or maybe even a bag.  I can't do anything at the moment, I need to get some more white fabric.

Yellow Cardigan

Baby items are always fun to knit, especially as it usually means a quick finish.  However, this one has been in the finishing pile for a little while.  The knitting didn't take long, but  I had just started sewing it altogether when the commission for the Tudor Bedspread arrived.  This meant the cardigan has been sat on the shelf under the table waiting for the side seams to be stitched and the collar attached for almost a month.

That done, it was another week before the buttons were purchased and attached.  Now, it is completely finished.  There are only a couple of projects left and the finishing shelf will be empty.  At least, it will be as long as I don't add anything else to it.

Flower of the month-May

The May flower block is now complete with plenty of time to spare.  The white flowers don't show up that well in the photo, but they do in real life.  They will really show up once framed with fabric.  Now I need to go and find out what joys await for June.

The Tudor bed spread has been delivered to it's new home.

This is how it looks on a proper bed.  The one for which it is intended hasn't been made yet, but once it has, there are bed hangings to be made to match.  This will mean I will have to adapt from the bed cover pattern, which will be fun.  It was certainly nice to see how looks in it's proper place.

Mosaic Star

I have finally started on catching up with Amy's BOM's.  I've been looking at some of them and thinking they were beyond my capabilities.  It was certainly the way I felt about this block, and to say it was a challenge, is an understatement.

This block is by no means perfect, but taking into consideration my experience, it could have been a lot worse.  This quilt will certainly be a good record of my introduction to piecing!

I am hoping the next block will be a little easier.

More catching up

Now the bed cover is done, it is quite satisfying to catch up with some of my other projects.  Last week, I received my next four crochet magazine, but wouldn't let myself open them until I had finished the bed cover.

Finally, this week, I opened them and have another four blanket squares done.

The block on the right was the first one I did, and as you can see, it took a few rows to get the pattern correct.  It's a bit like knitting, it gets easier when you know what the pattern is supposed to look like, then it all just seems to fall into place.  I decided to leave the block as it was, as the whole point of this blanket was to record my progress in crochet, and as it will be staying with me, no one else will know.

The bobbles on the left hand square are a lot easier than doing bobbles in knitting, a lot less twisting and turning.

The other blocks were just basic stitches with embroidery added.  Cross stitch on crochet, is very easy, just like using Aida.  I thought it would be good to remember for future use, it would be a great way to add motifs on something like a bag.

I now have another few weeks to wait for the next installment, so I think it is back to embroidery.

Jelly Roll QAL

Catching up with projects seems to be going well.  Next on the list are some of the BOM's that have been stacking up.

These are blocks five and six of the jelly roll QAL, and apparently we are half way through.  It will certainly be interesting to see how it all comes together in a few weeks time.

I was going to catch up on some of Amy's BOM's, but the children came home and took over the computer and the table I use for the sewing machine.  Now I shall wait for another quiet day to get them out again.

Flower of the month-April

As you can see, I'm still playing catch up.  April is finally stitched, and the pleasure was even greater as we finally had some sunny weather to go with it.

I used three strands of DMC thread throughout.  Stitches used this time were:stem stitch, straight stitch, lazy daisy, and french knots.

I think I have five more months to stitch before this is ready to make up into a quilt.  I may actually get May completed before the end of the month.  I have made a start, and there is still over a week to go.

Friday Night Sew In

Another month has passed and it is once again time for Friday Night Sew In.  I got myself properly prepared, poured a glass of wine and chose my project.

I decided embroidery was the best option.  It was a relaxing way to end the day, especially as it had been a long one.  Waking up at four in the morning means that the brain won't do anything too complicated in the evening.

The chosen project was May's flower of the month block. It's not finished yet, but there is not much more left to do.

Thank you everyone for your company.  I really look forward to the Friday Night Sew In

Nursery Bag

The teddy bear embroidery has found it's place too, on a nursery bag.  I stitched this on fine calico, so used that for the lining too.  It makes for a bag that is made with all natural fibres and is washable.

There was a first for me on this bag.  It was the first time I'd done boxed corners.  I couldn't believe how easy they were to do, and how effective.  I think there may be some more of these to come in the future.

Heart Pillow

It's been lovely catching up with the finishing of some of my embroidered pieces.  The next one to get the finishing treatment was the silk cushion.

I machine stitched the pillow together using two rows of stitching for security and stuffed it using polyester toy stuffing.  I managed not to over stuff it this time, so it is still nice and soft.  I attached the lace by hand once it was all completed.  All in all, it's turned out quite well.

Hardanger Card

I didn't want the piece of hardanger that I did at class to languish doing nothing, so I've put it into a card.

I've used some lavender voile to place under the stitching to show through the cut outs.  It's also padded with wadding to give it a bit of depth.

Now I need to get the second piece finished, but I think there are a few other projects ahead of it in the queue

Offcuts

There is a shelf under my cutting table where projects get put, waiting for finishing.  Offcuts from previous projects tend to get put there too, waiting for inspiration.  I've finally got some of them out of the way.

The first one I made into a mobile phone holder, or else it could be used for a MP3 player.  I just needed to fold it up to form the pocket and add the binding.  I then used a popper, (press stud) for the fastening.

The next off cut was too long to do a phone holder

So I formed pockets at both ends and added binding to the side.  I then machine stitched the channels to make a pen case. 

Both these projects were simple and quick.  Just what I like, especially when it helps to clear the shelf.  Unfortunately, it's still not empty.  A little more work is required.

Catnip pouches and recycled stuffing

Sorting through my fabric oddments, I found I still had some of the cat motif fabric.  There were only six left, so just enough to make up three catnip pouches. 

Inside there is a separate cotton pouch filled with catnip, and a bell to add a little jingle.  They are then stuffed and stitched up.

The stuffing I used this time was from my TUSAL jar.  The one on the left was stuffed so full of orts, I couldn't get any more in. In fact, they would spill out when the lid was opened.  Even after stuffing these three, the jar isn't empty.

Great way to recycle all the thread remnants, and cheap too.

And Finally...

Light mornings and bird song tend to make my early mornings earlier, so I was up by five yesterday which gives me plenty of time to get things done.  After the general tidying up, the first item on the agenda was to get the bed cover finished.                                                                                                                       

It got a gentle rinse and  a gentle iron between two towels and was ready for the backing to be attached.  I've used a really fine calico, as it's 100% natural and the colour goes well with the bed cover.  I left an       opening along the piece at the foot of the bed to turn it through, and then hand stitched it closed.  By eight    o'clock it was all done.                                                                                                                             

It looks completely different now in it's made up form, it's size is now more readily apparent, especially when it when you see how it will eventually look on the bed.                                                                                  

I used a couple of the boys' games controllers to go underneath to get some idea of how it would look.  It is going to it's new home next week, so I will try and get a photo on a doll's house four poster bed.                 

Time now to go and catch up on some of the other projects that have been calling out to me over the last       three weeks.                                                                                                                                               

Tudor Bedspread-6

The end is very definitely in sight!  The borders are complete and now the final stage is about to begin.

I did think of taking it off the frame last night to make up, but thought it would be better to come to it with fresh eyes and brain today.  A mistake at this stage would be a bit much.  It's taken about three weeks of almost constant stitching to get here, and I  hope it all turns out as expected.

Tudor Bedspread-5

I have now completed the sections that will go down either side of the bed and the finishing border has been started.  I am so close to a finish now, everything else will be ignored until it's done.  Well, I think I'd better feed the boys, but you know what I mean.

After working on this yesterday evening, there is only one more element to do, to complete the bottom border.  I then have to repeat it at the top, and then a narrow border along the left side.  I am hoping it can be done today so it can be made up tomorrow.

See you all when it's finished

PIF-Received

This was what I received yesterday in a lovely parcel from Serena.  I was one of the lucky recipients for her Pass It Forward gifts.  As you can imagine, the chocolate biscuits were a hit with the boys and they didn't last long.

I love the painting.  D and I spent quite a lot of time looking at the delicate colouring of the petals.  Serena decided to do a closeup of an anenome as these were my mum's favourite flowers.

Thank you so much Serena.  I will find somewhere to hang the picture as soon as I have finished enjoying the close up view.  It will go perfectly in my front room and it will give me pleasure for many years.

Now, I need some more volunteers to receive something from me.

Here are the rules of the game - I’ll be sending a  package of a handmade gift to each of five recipients and they, in turn, will pay it forward by sending  packages to five others under the same rules, thereby continuing to spread the love.  The gifts may be very small and need not be expensive at all. There are no deadlines and no need to hurry.....in fact no pressure at all. After being chosen, you can opt to post about the Pay It Forward challenge straight away on your own blog and get the ball rolling or, you can wait until you receive your Pay It Forward gift package from me.

If you would like to participate, please leave a comment or email me.

Tudor Bedspread-4

After the distractions of the hardanger class, I am back to the Tudor bedspread.  I really wanted to get it finished this week, but had forgotten that three days were not going to be very productive, due to travelling(taking and picking up the boys) and the workshop.  Never mind, I shall just stitch as much as I can and see where it takes me.

The section on the right, across the three middle panels, tucks down the foot of the mattress.  I am now working on the first of the pieces that goes down the side of the bed.  I shall be spending the whole day filling in the background.  If I can get that finished today, I will be delighted.

Hardanger Class

Even before having the boys, I'd wanted to do hardanger.  I've seen the instructions in magazines, and decided I'd rather be shown how to do it, than muddle along on my own.  Cutting the fabric seemed such a frightening prospect.  I was delighted when there was a workshop planned for when the boys would be away so I could attend.

This piece, star-flake, was the first. 

Having completed the first piece before lunch, there was time to start a second.  This one is called Craftastic tile. 

I have a bit more stitching to do on this before I do the cutting, so hopefully it won't be too long before I get it finished.  After this class, I wish I had taken the plunge years ago.  Now I can make up for lost time.

Tudor Bedspread-3

I'm beginning to feel as if I am making progress on this now.  This will be the top of the bedspread.  I am hoping to have this part completed tomorrow.

I treated myself to a magnifier.  It has made the stitching a lot easier and faster, though it did have one drawback.  I found lots of missed stitches in the middle section, but they have now all been filled.  Now I can see all the holes clearly and any missed stitches are quickly spotted.  I am aiming for a finish in another week, my fingers are itching to do something different.