Sunday 28 February 2010
Chocolate Fudge Pudding
Saturday 27 February 2010
Parcel of Kindness
Thank you very much Twiggy for thinking of me and remembering that I collect these items which link to our social history. For wrapping it and packing it, and taking out of your day to take it to the Post office . I have social networks pages and they are surprised that we send items to each other like this. Maybe this is what makes blogger and blogs so different to other online networks. What do you think?
Off to do some baking and make up some more items for next Saturdays Craft Fayre.
Take care all
xx
P.S It is actually sunny here in Cornwall today.
Tuesday 23 February 2010
Hi Little Birdie...
Saturday 20 February 2010
Bag Lady....
I found the pattern in "Let's Knit" magazine issue 13. I did have several false starts and I came to the conclusion that the number of cast on stitches was wrong. The pattern asked for 39 yet to get the basket weave pattern to work with the rest of the rows I used 37 instead. I wanted to use what I had already rather than buying new, so I used a super chunky and I had the two sides knitted up in two evenings. Quite good for me.
I decided to line the bag with some cotton that I bought when I visited Craft4crafters in Exeter earlier in the month. I hand stitched the knitted sides together and carefully made a box base. It worked well despite the thickness of the wool. I made the lining to match. The handles I bought years ago. The loop attachment unscrews so that you can slides things onto it. I have had these wooden beads for years, left overs from my degree days, and they fitted perfectly. I also had the right number! I then made two fabric loops which I stitched to the lining before adding the lining to the knitted bag.
The magazine used bamboo handles which I actually find quite difficult to find a decent size. The wooden beads were a good alternative and enabled me to use up some of my stash.
Thursday 18 February 2010
Do you ever get the feeling......
It took ages to wipe and dry each piece and Sophie made several trips to the play house it bring it all in-doors.
I think that if it is not in this colourful pile then it has not yet been invented!
It did make a very colourful display. Some odd bits have been thrown away and it was all put back on or in the cooker. The play house is now ready for use! Job done.
xx
Wednesday 17 February 2010
Knitting Triumph!!.....
Here it is being modeled by Sophie but it is the adult pattern. Due to its lacy stitch it stretches for me but still fits Sophie! Now here is the good bit....I not only followed the pattern first time without any hitches , but I also made this hat in about an hour!!
The hat needed a little extra and it actually took me longer to crochet the flower than it did to knit the hat or maybe it was because I was too busy watching Pirates of the Caribbean! I have attached it with a brooch back for now but I may stitch it on.
So for now I shall add the instructions:
Needles: US 11 / UK 8
I used a super chunky wool. Anything of that thickness really.
Cast on 42 sts.
Row 1: Yarn over, k2tog. Start each row by taking the yarn over the needle to maintain the 42 stitches.
Repeat for 19 rows or until you get the length/fit you want.
Next row: k2tog this row then knit the last stitch.
Next Row: k2tog this row.
Next row: k2tog until the last stitch and knit this.
Cast off as normal but then cut the wool and weave the cast off wool back through the stitches and pull to gather the top together. Thread this wool through a wool needle and stitch up the side of the hat.
You can crochet an edging around the hat, but I decided to just leave this as it was. I did then make the crochet flower. I have several since completing the hat so that I can change then around.
I shall certainly be making some more of these once I have been to the wool shop.
I now have a lacy scarf in my sights. May be 2010 will be my knitting year!
xx
Tuesday 16 February 2010
Recycled Duvet -OPAM 2010 - February Finishes
I managed to find a duvet with an all over pattern last October when I went to visit my sister in law.
They fit well over the bottom and I did have to take the legs up quite a bit but as the legs are pretty straight that did not cause a problem when getting it to lie flat for sewing. I over-locked the hem edge first then just turned them up 1.5cm.
I would definitely make more of these and next time I think some cotton fabric to make some casual trousers for the summer. I do not like and I am too old for hipster trousers so these will do me just fine.
Since finishing these I have found yet another nice duvet cover and pillow cases. I think that I shall think of another use for those. This really has been a very good pattern and the long wrap around skirt may well feature later in the year.
Any final interest in the ATC swap ladies? Tomorrow is the sign up deadline and I am two short still to make it go ahead.
Take care all.
Will post my knitting project tomorrow as I have yet to upload the pictures. I am secretly really pleased with it and my hubby was quite impressed too.
xx
Monday 15 February 2010
Cath Kidston - Spring time bag
The strap can be adjusted by sliding the strap through the ring and re-positioning the knot. So it can be used across the body or as a shorter shoulder bag or a handbag. I like to be able to adjust the strap and make a feature of the fact too. Lovely Cath Kidston fabric and linen look cotton were used to make this......................
I also like having external pockets for finding things quickly such as my keys, mobile etc. This pocket goes the full length and width of the bag too.
I have made several of these bags and no two are the same. My rebellion against mass production and I do not think that I am alone in thinking that one of a kind handmade is better, especially when it comes to presents. Well, off to do some sewing with Sophie.
I have a knitting tale to post tomorrow.
See you then.
xx
Sunday 14 February 2010
Happy Valentine's Day...
I also like using square cards, they seem to work better proportionally.
I gave hubby the dark blue one on left. Next on the cards (sorry no pun intended, but it worked didn't it?) are some Mother's Day cards. I skipped this last year and then was asked had I made any, typical, so this year I will make a few and take them in. I have also cut out some Easter items for this year which I shall be listing in my Folksy shop. I was very busy with these items last year and there will also be a couple of new designs to add to the range. More on that nearer the time.
I hope you all have a great day what you have planned.
Many thanks again for the lovely comments that are still being added to my Kitchen post. The highest number of responses that I have had since I started my blog. My hubby is really chuffed by what you have all said.
I now only need 4 more people to join in the ATC swap. remember, you only need one idea and make it 6 times and it can be on any theme. I need to know by Wednesday at the latest. Otherwise, I may have to call it off as I do not how to get around the numbers bit. Let me know. here is a link where you can see the type of thing you could make or though they could be much simpler. Mine will be.
Go on, be brave.
Take care and have a great day.
xx
Thursday 11 February 2010
ATC Swap...
Tuesday 9 February 2010
Kitchen Update - The final instalment...
As usual the picture maybe does not do them justice, but we found them in B&Q for about £6.99 each. Better value than the alternative in a specialist tile shop and perhaps not as nice. I am not a floral person when it comes to walls but it is a feature and it does seems to work. The other tiles by the sink etc will be plain white, so this is our feature wall.
Our old kitchen had this awful corner carousel thing and it was a pain to keep clean, would not rotate properly and it went so far back that I was convinced that whilst reaching in for a saucepan I would one day find myself in Narnia! So the above IKEA version was a must have and it went together sooooo easily. Light-weight but strong, it pulls out so I can reach everything and the way it is made makes it much easier to keep clean. A winner with us.
We decided to swap cupboards for their extra deep drawers ans it is actually easier to see everything and helps you to keep them tidier. So three of them were fitted in this section of the kitchen. Again, very easy to put together. No messy glue, dowels etc.
The corner area under the sink is always a tricky area so this time we bought some of IKEA's recycling buckets, which are quite tall but slender to pop round to the right but can be easily got to for things that are needed but not used every day. Then directly in the cupboard we decided on their black recycling bucket and two level grey one for every day items and the cat food etc on the second level. So far this has worked very well and stops things increasing and getting out of hand. I had to be quite ruthless when putting the kitchen back together and during the building session it is surprising just how little you do actually need to get by each day. A friend of mine has just bought her own house and we are passing any good unwanted items onto her.
Before - central
Central - after.
Before - left-
After - left.
Before - right
After- right.
Just the white titling and switches to do in the next couple of weeks then it will have taken about 6 months to transform our kitchen
Hubby was the sole builder of this kitchen, what do you think?
xx
Monday 8 February 2010
Sunshine Award for you.
put on this post. (It did not help when I lost the bit of paper that I had written them on). I would like to thank Twiggypeasticks for passing it on to me. it is a very lovely and bright button and would look very good on any blog.
However, after the chilly nip that was in the air today I am notso sure that spring is quite here yet, and the possibility of snow at the end of the week?
I am meant to pass the award on so here is the list. I have included some of my new found followers and blog friends here too:
Julia B: Marmaladekiss
Maria: Wonderwomen
Angela: Fenland Textiles
Molly: Crocheting my Worsted
Barbara: Moore whimsies
Tatyana: Mouse House
Julia: Primrose Corner
Please accept the above eye-catching button with my good wishes and all the best to all of my visitors, both those who comment and those who pass through.
Take care all
xx
Sunday 7 February 2010
Blog Refurbishment 2
Saturday 6 February 2010
Blog Refurbishment
Friday 5 February 2010
Blue WOW Bag
Making an organza corsage with a brooch back added to the fun and I think finished of the design. It is attached using a brooch pin so it can be removed and put on a coat if you wish.
I do not like Nylon lining, even for clothes, I much prefer cotton. So this bag is lined with dark blue cotton. The bag is very spacious inside and the lining will support the contents so that the knitted fabric will not be stretched and mis-shapened.
May be one of the draw backs with this wool was that it was quite expensive at the time but certainly well worth it and it is such as lovely texture to work with.
It has just been added to my Etsy shop and if you live in the UK it could just get to you by Valentines Day, special occasion or a treat for yourself.. Why am I am not keeping it? Well, the aim part for me is the fun in making something to my own design and my hubby would say have I have enough bags already, bless him. In fact I have already started another one! Cream this time.
Hope you have a great weekend. As for me I intend to try and get some sleep and hope that my developing cold like symptoms are just my imagination! Here's hoping anyway.
Take care all xx
PS Many thanks for your comments on the last post. Lovely to read and some new followers too. On my way to gaining a 100 fancy that.
x
Thursday 4 February 2010
Felt Birthday Book
I like to add a bit of interest inside the cover as well so here I added some green leaves and more hand embroidery. Blanket stitch is also a favourite and it also adds some strength to the edges.
I do have several of these already cut out so this has given me the push to finish them. I shall put them on my Folksy shop ready for Easter.
Bye for now.