A bit of alsorts

I can't believe it's been 10 days again since I last updated the blog! We had our first trip to the bootsales last weekend and a trip to the charity shops yesterday so I've had quite a few bargains. There's been some old cotton reels and some wool (I'm not even going to try apologising for those ;o) ), some clothes, some plant pot holders, the old candle holder (20p!!!) - all bargains really. I do love a bargain.

There was also the monthly trip to the farmers market which culminated in me nearly peeing my pants as I spotted a new stall containing hand-spun wool, handmade items made from said wool, sheepskins and a lady plying wool right there. The downside was I didn't have any time to stop and talk (other than to ask whether they would be there next month) or any spare cash to actually purchase anything. I'm counting down the days ;o).

Here's what I have on the go at the minute - this will be made into a bag for my sister-in-law for her birthday in June. And then this will be a scarf for my mother-in-law in November. The scarf is very tedious after doing the blanket where I didn't really have to think of what I was doing. I think that's why I needed to start on the bag. This will be lined with cotton, with a handle added.

There have been no more new people at the Knitter Natter group. I'm feeling very disheartened by it all to be perfectly honest (yes I know I'm being impatient) but it/I feel like it's just not enough. I'll give it a few more weeks then re-think things. I have heard of one in a town quite local to me that has just started. It's being run by the owner of a new wool shop so I may have to give that a go.

Hope everyone else is having a good time and the sun is shining wherever you are.

Busy weekend

Well I've spent a very busy weekend trying to juggle children and re-arranging/incorporating all my craft stuff with my Mum's craft stuff. I've had to take out the material from my drawers and buy a box (plus one for the wool) because I just couldn't fit it all in the drawers. I've now got my cardmaking/scrapbooking stuff in the drawers (and a few bits left at the side of the bed) and the new boxes. Sorted through the kids stuff as well - blimey they do make a mess of it all :-) - looks tidier for 5 mins at least. I've had no chance to do any knitting or anything so I'm making myself sit down tonight to do some.

I would also like to have a go at making some pyjamas with the material I got from Lucie on the GP forum.

Preparing for tomorrow's birthday

As we have a birthday in the house tomorrow, I've got the bunting and happy birthday sign that I made. The bunting is pieces of fabric cut to shape with pinking shears. I then tacked them inside a cotton strip and then hand-sewed them altogether. It's about 14ft in total.

I made this sign a few years ago. We used to hang one of those plastic 'throw-away' happy birthday signs. This was made using the word processor for the letters, which were cut out and then I laminated them (4 laminates in total). Much longer lasting and much nicer to look at.

I've been terribly grumpy the last few days and needed to 'make' something yesterday so I sat and knitted 3 leaves (one has mysteriously vanished) - not very exciting but, hey, something I'd not done before, and they only took about 10 mins each. I've also started some mini monsters to go in the Christmas stockings - managed to get 1 body, 2 arms and 1/2 a leg done - still 6 days to go so should be plenty of time, right ;-).

I also succummed to a 15% discount that ebay were offering me and bought some cocoa butter - not organic but something to get me started. Might just make some vanilla ones first as I have some vanilla extract in the cupboard - hope that works the same.

Craftiness

I was thinking about where I get my craftiness from the other day. I always remember my Mum knitting or sewing (she had a sewing pile in the corner of the room where she would put all the clothes that needed repairing). She used to knit jumpers and cardigans, and she also used to knit the scarecrows that Jean Greenhowe made. We all have our scarecrows still.

She made my wedding dress for me and the bouquet that I carried. Later on she discovered cardmaking and parchment work - she was fantastic at parchment work. Such wonderful, delicate pieces. Oh, and there was the cross-stitching that she did. She had her work framed and displayed in the house. She always used to say if she didn't spend her money on crafting bits she'd be rich :-). I think she was richer for spending the money on the crafts she enjoyed so much.

She also made fabric christmas stockings and advent calendars for the grandchildren. In fact, she was so good at the stockings she used to make them every year for other people who ordered them from her. Such special things, even more so now.

My Nan is also very crafty. She has bad arthritis in her hands so she can't knit, but she certainly makes up for it with her sewing. She makes the most gorgeous pictures that are sewn, quilted, crewelled, beaded. Absolutely amazing things. In the bedroom, I have a picture that she made for my Mum. Wonderful.

I have such love, respect and admiration for these 2 ladies - one who is watching from afar xx

Wool

The wool used for the hat in the last post is freedom spirit 100% wool by Twilleys of Stamford. Its absolutely gorgeous to use - not quite the right weight for the pattern - but the hat fits my 2 year old perfectly. I have made the hat in a chunky denim wool as well (above) which fits my nearly 11 year old perfectly.

Some of my work

This is my Autumn bag that I made. I got the fabric off Ebay as I just loved it. I didn't use a pattern for this bag.

The next picture is the first piece of crochet I have managed to do all by myself, as my Mum used to start it off for me and then I would take it from there. It's the first time I've done any in years. The next two pictures are cushion covers that I made

The green hat is the first time I have cast on stitches properly (my Mum did this for me too and then when I did learn to cast on myself I never did it properly). It has been a sad week with regards the knitting and crocheting but also a week where I should be proud of myself. I wish she could have been here to see that I have done these things myself . The book I used to help me with the casting on was Usbourne book of How to Knit, and the crotcheting book I used was hooked on Crochet by Candi Jensen.