an update and a win.....

Apologies - life just gets in the way of posting, but I'm over the moon at present.  I was having one of those weeks where nothing would go right and then Jenny of Elefantz (http://www.elefantz.com/) had a giveaway after reaching 1500 followers.  I love her work and she has inspired me to draw some of my own favourite things ready for stitching, then I was picked as the Australian winner - I still can't quite believe it.  Anyway a big thank you and thank you to Katherine for alerting me to the win as well - I'm not on here that often on weekends.

Butterfly on 28 count from Awaard Winning Designs in Hardanger 2010

I've finally finished the Hardanger - was quite a nice design and now it's ready for our local show.  Done on 28 count jobelin in no8 & 12 blue & white thread.

Completed blanket from 63 Sampler Squares to Crochet

The blanket is also finally finished.  I should have tidied up each square before I joined them together - don't know what I was thinking (I obviously wasn't) and it's taken most of the weekend to end the threads off, but it's done.  It's also extremely heavy as it's all pure wool (now I know why I also do these rugs in acrylic lol). 

so what to do now....?  I'm one of these peiople who doesn't have 2 many projects on the go - I'm not a fan of UFO's or PHD's (Projects half done), although I can hear the stumpwork calling me again....(lovely design but I'm just not keen on working in silk thread that's thinner than human hair)...maybe I'll get it back out......

Anyway wherever you are - have a happy week and thanks for reading....

~ Karen ~

back again.......

Just a quick post today and then I want to get to my favourite blogs in the next day or so.

49 of the 63 Sampler squares

The rug above is complete as far as the squares go....I'm only doing 49 of the squares as there were a few I couldn't get to work & some I wasn't all that keen on.  This project has been a great way to use up some of this wool from my stash, which has been around close to 25 years, as well as a good one for the car (obviously not when I'm driving lol).  So now, to do a row of cream around each square, join together & then do the edge.  This picture actually shows the rug from the side.  If you come across this book - it's well worth a look - I posted about it when I started the squares a couple of posts ago.

3 weeks to our local show, so I will post before with my entries (assuming I get one of them finished).

Hope all is well in your week....

~ Karen ~

I've not been back on here because I've been busy........

Warning: - picture heavy

Sorry for the long title, but I have been quite productive.....




The runner in white & beige above is for a Christmas gift.  I tea dyed some lace butterflies and used some ecru lace. It's backed in white cotton fabric & the panels are done in 60 degree triangles (I found these in a strip quilt design & used the concept here).  The edging was done from a simple quilt stencil I'd bought - making this one fun quilting over paper.



Red & Yellow runner



 This runner is also a Christmas gift (that's 2 done) - based on a simple design I saw that used embroidery, where I've used some of my fabric stash at the ends instead.   

Hexagons

The hexagon quilt is ready for quilting.  I've never done one of these before either, so I'm doing this my way.  The hexagons have been appliqued to the backing fabric in white.  I'm still deciding on how I will quilt this, which is why I've started on the panel quilt below. 



panel cot quilt

The quilt above is a purchased cot panel, that I've started quilting.  I've never tried one of these before so here it is....It's quite good fun but just need to be careful to stay on the lines....

what I'm crocheting at the moment....

 This book came in a set of 3 from the "Fox Collection", so I'm using some of the wool stash.  Since I took this photo, I've finished 12 squares - 4 in each colour.  I'm trying to use pure wool oddments to make this a special blanket.  The designs are written in the US crochet terms (which can be a pain), but on the whole it's enjoyable.  I thought if I got cracking, I could get 3 done a night, meaning it would be completed in 3 weeks - however, I've decided against this plan as I have some other UFO's to do.....

Lately, I've been reading on some blogs about pictures of finished stitched items being copied & then the item created. I love a free pattern as much as anyone else & if I really like the design I'll buy it.  There's enough free stuff about to not have to 'borrow' someone elses work without asking.....just ask.

Well, that's my rave for now....waiting for my fruit trees to get some leaves, then I'll add another photo.....

Have a wonderful week.....

~Karen~

and what about the trees.........

What trees you may ask - well I've been planting fruit trees - pears x 3, apples x 2 to add to my expanding 'orchard'.  I really was going to add some photos of the fruit trees, but guess next time - sorry :(

Instead, I've been working on a hardanger entry for our local show.....It's a bit hard to see the blue flowers on the needleweaving - and they took me a bit to work out.  No instructions, so with the aid of a magnifying glass I worked it out.  I'm pretty happy so far - just have to get all the cutting done without cutting a major thread.....so good so far...:)... at least everything meets up.  This is done on a 28 count Jobelin fabric...very nice to work on & seems crushproof too, so would use this fabric again for this or even cross-stitching.

Speaking of cross stitching, the family tree chart is slowly coming along, and I will get back to it....

Latest effort in Hardanger from the Award Winning Designs 2010 by Nordic Needle

 This doily has been done in a no 10 DMC ecru cotton.  I thought it would make another local show entry.  I might even do another couple for the daughters for Christmas......Quite a good pattern to follow although it is written in the US crochet language.


Doily in no 10 cotton from the book 'Old Fashioned Doilies" by Annies Attic

44 sleeps to spring - I can't wait - more light in the evening & morning, hopefully some warmer days.

Enough of the ramblings - have a wonderful week...

~Karen~

latest finishes.......

2 posts in the one week.....amazing or what.....but I'm showing my finished cardigan & 4th scarf.

'Celeste' 8ply Bendigo wool

4th scarf

The cardigan is from Interweave Crochet Spring 2011 edition and the design is by Edie Eckmann.  The wool is Celeste from Bendigo Woollen Mills in Almond.  Again, I made the cardigan longer & the sleeves slightly longer too.  The scarf is what was left from the 3rd 200g ball - I still have 1 untouched 200g ball to go, but thankfully won't need it.  I hate running out of wool then the next order is probably going to be a different dye lot, so might be noticeable.

No further progress on the hexagons, but time permitting this weekend, some pictures should be up here next week (fingers crossed).

Only a few days left to the shortest winter day - I find the early nights & dark mornings become overwhelming after a while, so will be looking forward to getting some daylight back.

Do leave me a comment - it's nice to read your thoughts.  Hope you have a great few days.......

~Karen~

Would you believe it.........

In my last post I was preparing for the dentist.  That appointment was post poned because the dentist didn't get here until after my appointment, so I'm off to see him today.  (I know this because the flight has just gone over).

I was hoping to post pictures of my craft stand AND my wool - said wool has still not arrived & I get really anxious waiting for things in the post (I thought it should have been here last Friday).

So, at least I can show you the craft stand.....

I've attached the clip on magnifier (and the white thing is it's cover - just in case the sun gets on it).  Works very well & I've resumed working on the Family Tree cross stitch.  The stand was fun to put together - probably should have videod it - haha. 

Queen Anne's Lace

The little scarf above is Queen Annes Lace - I spotted this on A Spoonful of Sugar (http://www.aspoonfulofsugardesigns.com/2011/05/queen-annes-lace.html) and just had to get the instructions.  I've done another one since - just nice little neck warmers without looking like the Michelin Man (or should that be woman) with a big clunky scarf.   This Scarf was done in Bendigo wool Rustic 8ply with a 4mm hook - matches my recent cardigan.  I think when I do my next cardigan, I'll do one of these to match - be a nice touch - that is when my wool gets here.

Wish me luck for today at the dentist..........

Enjoy your week.....

~Karen~



yet more crochet.........

Multi colour 3 ply

Little red riding hood - in 3 ply

8 ply blanket

Have to admit it, I've been enjoying creating these little jackets & boots.  The jacket & hat pattern is from book 3 called Layettes, by Ruth Layfon Blythe & the boots from a Craft Moods publication, available from crochet Australia.  All are done in 3 ply.  Now the hat is a hybrid of the book pattern, because I thought that some shaping in the back would look better & hopefully fit better.  The rug is in 8 ply acrylic & modified from a design in Crochet! mazagine.  The red wool has been around since the 1980's and finally crocheted up and was in the inherited baby yarn.

I've been wanting to buy a floor frame for a while now, so finally took the plunge, and from the Fox Collection ordered a frame to put my larger cross stitch frames into.  Can't wait for it to get here & then I may get back to the Family tree cross stitch.

So, not looking forward to today - off to the dentist for some more work on the teeth (yuk).

Have a great week

~ Karen ~

Another finish.........

Before I go any further, I didn't watch 'the wedding'.  Not because I dislike royalty, romance or anything else, but I objected to having very little option by the television channels of what I could watch on a Friday night.  Having said that, I do wish them well & hope the press now leave them alone to get on with it.

So, instead of watching TV on Friday night, I made up my new crochet hook holder.  I bought a set in a vinyl case in the 1970's & have bought other odd hooks since & the case was looking very sad.  I do have another full set I inherited form my mother, but that case is in much better shape.   At Christmas I got a new fat quarter of Kermit (I love frogs & the Muppets), so here it is......

Crochet hook holder-outside

Crochet hook holder-inside

I made the openings for the smaller hooks a bit narrower and depending on how many hooks of each size I currently have made the openings for the larger hooks wider.  I have seen some similar rolls for pencils & the like & you can buy crochet hook holders (but I think they only hold one of each hook), but this is my version to suit my needs.  If your interested in the measurements etc, leave me a comment & I'll create some notes on how it was done.

Have a great week..........

~ Karen ~

more crochet........



3 Ply white jacket with green variegated border.  From the 'Array of Layettes' book




3 ply variegated jacket with white edging - from 1980's Cleckheaton baby book



4 ply mittens - from a Sirdar leaflet

As you can see I've been doing some more crochet.  One pattern I tried was so hard, I undid it in favour of the white jacket at the top.  Besides, I'm thinking now simple does look better (and it's less irritating when the pattern doesn't work).  I much prefer jackets for babies on a yoke - no seams and because they don't really have shoulders, a yoke seems to sit nicer.  The mittens were a special request (first time I've tried this pattern) so these will go of in the post today.

Not a lot else is happening - just getting ready for Easter - a chance to have a few days off & a rest (11 sleeps - not that I'm counting though).

Have a good week!!

~ Karen~

Feeling good.......

Why am I feeling good.......well, the quilts arrived safely (Australia Post has delivered) and the owners are thrilled.  This is particularly important for me, as the green one was the 4th complete quilt I've made and the other was an assembly.

Secondly, Katherine from http://katherinescreations.blogspot.com/   has listed me as one of her 7 blogs, so a big thank you :). Now to pass the mantle on, (and some of these Katherine has listed, but here are my favourite 7 and in no particular order) and most of these blogs I read without being a follower.

1. http://katherinescreations.blogspot.com/ 
2. http://californiastitching.blogspot.com/
3. http://www.gumtree-designers.com/
4. http://jillian-alwaysstitching.blogspot.com/
5. http://countrycrafting.blogspot.com/
6. http://sarah-redgingham.blogspot.com/
7. http://margaretmyblog.blogspot.com/

 The 3 cross stitches above were done some years ago for my late mother in law.  I decided not to hang them in their frames (3 holes in the wall), but opted to put them into a quilted panel & hang from the curtain rail on my sewing room wall (no holes required in the wall).  (I've had a curtain rail put on the wall to hang small projects such as this, with a pocket at the back of them & then I can change them easily if I want to.  I borrowed this idea from someone else, so cannot take credit for it).

3 ply baby jacket-Sirdar leaflet 3178 (leaflet cost $1 in a 2nd hand shop)

  

Another little baby jacket  - this time I quite like this little pattern and would probably do it again (and no I didn't read it beforehand again either lol).  I did add some colour to the ends of the cuffs, bottom & neck as it was so very stark.  Another one for the stockpile.

And finally, I got back to the family tree cross stitch.  Not worth a photo yet, but next post I will include one.  I seem to have found the enthusiasm to pick it up again & continue.

To finish off, Vale Elizabeth Taylor.  A huge screen presence & campaigner, who I'm sure will be missed.

Have a great week where ever you are......:)

`Karen `

It's Hump Day again........

Ah, it's Wednesday again.  Must be the short week we had here due to our Holiday on Monday for a horse race.  Anyway, the extra day has given me a chance to finish some more things off.........



Above is the  matching cushion for the green quilt.  All the quilts were posted yesterday, so fingers crossed Australia Post doesn't let me down.....



3 Ply wool baby jacket....

The baby jacket above is another one for the stockpile.  Must say it's a pattern I'm not overly fond of...it starts at the bottom & then all pieces get joined for the yoke.  I don't think I'll make it again, but it looks OK now it's done - it looked really wierd during the making process as I wondered how we were going to reduce all the stitches down.  (who ever reads patterns in advance, but this may teach me to in future lol).  Now to do some matching bootees with the left over blue wool.  I really do enjoy crochet with wool, especially for clothing, but acrylic is OK for rugs.



What about this grasshopper.  I couldn't get close enough with a ruler without the grasshopper flying away or me falling off something, so you'll just have to take my word for it, that it's about 8 to 10 cm long (nearly 4 inches in the old scale).  Beautiful markings though.....

Now for the coming week.....must get back to the cross stitch of the family tree - it won't stitch itself, then I think some hand sewing maybe on the hexagons - they're portable to be able to take with me.

Final note.....while I've been enjoying an extra day off, Japan has been suffering - I think it's going to take a long time for those left behind to get back on their feet.  Watching the news is becoming such a sad time of day.

Thoughts with those in the world cleaning up & finding loved ones......

~Karen~

Hump Day........some finishes

I always seem to do this on a Wednesday lately...not sure why, anyway that's why today's is called Hump Day.

I must admit I'm feeling kind of pleased with myself.  I got myself organised & have finished the blue quilt & binding is machine sewn on, green quilt too has it's binding on, finished quilting around the Lion (but I'm not sure what I want for the binding - keep changing my mind). 

Lion is now quilted

Latest cardigan

On top of that my cardigan is now finished too.  I haven't been able to find a shawl pin, so will have to make my own.  (Have some ideas already, so watch out for that one).

I've been reading the gumtree-designers blog & sent a 'New Beginnings' kit after the Queensland Floods.  I've never tried a stitchery in a quilt block, so thought I'd give this one a go.  I've just finished block 2, but haven't put the fabric around either block as yet.  I did buy 4 beautiful blue fat quarters with this project in mind plus some blue homespun for the back (I love blue).  The BOM is called 'Things we love' - check it out.

Block 1 - A Happy Home

Block 2 - Friends

4 fat quarters

In the next week 2 bindings to be sewn down & decide what to do about the Lion....then back to the Family Tree Cross Stitch & maybe some more baby crochet in between....have to see where the week takes me.....

Have a great week......

~ Karen ~

Hexagons.....

Bella Baby 'Sugar' 4 ply

 Here's the jacket I did after finishing the 7th pair of bootees.  I bought the wool (and it is wool) on sale at Spotlight, and have a small amount of the 3 50g balls left over.  Another item to put aside......I've now moved onto making a new winter cardi for me.  However, it isn't going to look a lot like the picture as I've already altered it.

I love these hexagons (boy have I gone a bit loopy), so I bought the blue bear fabric to add to these hexagons and try & make a cot quilt or something from the completed panels.  I've cut 24 blue shapes, so there will be 9 panels in all, so 3 x 3 with a bit of a border should make something useful.  The blank stack of carboard shapes is just half of the total, so at least that bit is done.  When my current lot of sewing is done, I'll probably start on sewing these things together & see what I can make.

We had so much rain last week, that the ground is still soft.  Not that I'm complaining, asit's watered my trees & shrubs in nicely & I can see grass slowly coming up (and probably the weeds too).  Such wierd weather we seem to be having.......

Enjoy your week....

`Karen`

Another week.......

It's amazing how tidying away anothers life has an impact on your own.  We're clearing late MIL's unit and I found some more fabric yesterday.  I've never really wanted to try hand patchwork, but I've found so many hexagons, that I will finish them off.  I've also resolved to be very tidy & keep like stuff together.

Final count in 3 ply - top row in wool, bottom row in nylon/acrylic

Not much sewing happened here, but some gardening instead.  I have to get back to the quilts - so they can go to their rightful owners.  And I've finished another pair of 3 ply bootees - in red & white.  There's enough red to do a jacket, so while I'm on a roll, I think I'll keep going.

Glorious sunset

 We've had a couple of these lately as the sun is setting - the photo never does justice, but I like the way the tree fits in.

I'm looking forward to a great week, hope you are too!

~Karen~

3 Ply.....

I've had a painful few days - tooth needing a root canal, but nothing compared to the floods, fires, blizzards etc around the world - just feeling sorry for me.

8ply cotton jacket (cotton from Bendigo Woollen Mills)

 Finally finished this jacket.  It's not for me, but a friend (hope she enjoys wearing it).  Was fun to crochet, but I always like to see things go to their new home.

Baby bootees in 3ply

I ended up with the baby yarn from my late mother in law.  This lot is in 3 ply, as there's mainly just odd balls, probably enough for 1 to 2 pairs of bootees, then I'll need to do colour matching.  I did try to get some more 3 ply in Spotlight, but noticed they had almost none, (lots of 4 ply), so I grabbed some.

Why am I making bootees?  Am starting a bit of a stash for daughters & their friends - thought it would save some time when I get asked again & then I have assorted colours depending on gender etc.  The top row is in wool and the bototm row is in Nylon - I much prefer the wool - so soft & really nice to work with - & should wash well too.

The big quilt I'm working on keeps running low on sewing cotton & I have to wait for more to come in - so pictures will be a week or so (at least) away.

That's it for now - thoughts to those in any part of the world affected by crazy weather.

Bye for Now

` Karen `

Finished........and WIP....

I've finally finished a couple of things that have been clogging up my lounge.


Humbug front



Humbug Bottom

Humbug back



This little Humbug design was a freebie from  http://www.victoriasampler.com/ from their freebie pattern collection.  I did make a mistake in the chart when doing the Algerian Eyelets, but as they are at the back, it's not that obvious (unless you look at the chart).

It was an enjoyable stitch, and next time I'll follow the chart lol. 

This rug was another freebie design, but was started so long ago, I have no idea where I found the pattern.  However, I did make it bigger and use some oddments of acrylic yarn I had.  We were away from home, so I wanted something that I could do without the need to concentrate.  I think it looks quite good across the back of the lounge.

Now to the Lion....



The lion is progressing quite well.  My aim is to finish it completely well before Christmas (only 32 sleeps - can you believe it) and I'm confident I'll make it.   I want to start a family tree cross stitch before then, so I must get this finished.  Some people think it looks way too neat, but once it's finished I'll add some scars & stray hairs etc, so watch this space.........

Thanks for stopping by....

Karen

More show results......

 Our second local show gave the above piece a first prize, plus my first ever blue ribbon. It's called Wrens & Grevillea by Semco.

 I entered this piece in the second show as the jacket from the first show had gone to it's new home.

So, overall for this one was a first and a second.  The A3 quilt challenge got the second prize in this show as well.  Not bad for my own creation.

Christmas is now just over 5 weeks away.  I'm pleased to say my shopping is almost done (I don't like leaving things to the last minute), so I can sit back and relax a bit & finish the Lion off, re-arrange my sewing room and plan my next major stitch.

Thanks for stopping by....

Karen

Back.......

It's almost 2 weeks since I last posted.  A sad time for the family with the passing of a close family member.  However, the house is returning to normal now everyone has gone home.

During the 2 weeks, I completed Shaun the Sheep (from the free pattern from PurpleLindaCrafts), as there were times when I needed to occupy myself with something, when we weren't reminiscing or baking for afternnon tea for after the service.  Mind you I don't cook, but if I'd had a video camera.....well.
Anyway, I like Shaun.  The Lion hasn't had much done, but as we return to just the 2 of us at home, I will continue on working on him.
During the 2 weeks, we had our local show too.  My quilt challenge did well, placing with a second and the Borinia & Fringed Violets placed first, but the Willow pattern was unplaced.  The candlewicked cushion placed second as well, along with a first for a fine crocheted doily & a cross stitch on linen.  I had 4 pieces unplaced, but I was over the moon and it did brighten up a sad few days.....
Thanks for stopping by......
Karen