New Year, New Ideas.

I'm working on items for my Etsy shop. I've given the blog a bit of a new look and hope to put many socks, sock kits, other knits and sews in my shop. A new venture for me, let's see how it goes. These cushions will appear in the shop before very long, pretty eh!

Snow Day!

Not sure I'm happy about being snowed in on a Sunday in school holiday time, but the walk this morning was just beautiful. We walked up to the water tower, took some lovely photos and came back with very pink cheeks.

Zippy Pouch

My first zippy pouch going solo. No Karen or Manda to help me. Almost got too scared when my zipper foot was very different to the one I used on Saturday. Also I had to make a small one as I only had an eight inch zip. Still this one will do as a make up bag or a camera pouch, it fits perfectly!

Christmas Spirit

I am a little frustrated with the blogging at the moment as I have made a number of things I'm really pleased with. Sadly I'm unable to put them on my blog incase the recipients see them before Christmas. So to ease my frustration I'll put a picture of my heart tree decoration. These take about twenty minutes to make. All by hand as I think I get a better shape if I hand sew the heart. Some people will be getting these as little gifts as will my tree.

What a Great Way To Spend a Day

Here is a picture of the lovely items I made at Grey Circle Winter Workshop Myself, Justine and Chrissy spent the day in the company of Manda and Karen learning how to make a simple Christmas stocking and a zipped pouch. Having been scared to use the one zip I had in my sewing box, this was really helpful. Everything I make now iwll have a zip whether it needs it or not.
We had a lovely lunch of homemade soup, bread, cheese and cake, other refreshments were served all day, but best of all the company was great, just being able to play with fabric with other people playing with fabric was a treat. So a huge thanks to Karen for opening her home to three total strangers and to Manda and Karen for the tuition and the good time.

I Love a Quick Project!

This turned out really well and will be added to my homemade Christmas present stash for some lucky person. I used the tutorial on Cluck Cluck Sew blog as a starting point. I have seen this cushion made by different people and each one looks slightly different. That's the beauy of home made.

At Last!

After months of stuffing my sewing bits into any cupboard with a bit of space, I have a lovely bench with storage and a lid. I've just spent a happy hour going through my stash sorting, folding and putting away neatly for when the table arrives. So although I didn't want my new conservatory to be a sewing room, it is, but hidden. Fab! The bench is from Ikea.

John's Socks

I've just finished these socks to go inside my husband's new hiking boots, the yarn is Zauberball Crazy. I haven't used this yarn before but I have to say I loved it, both to knit and to feel once knitted. It's lovely. I 'm really pleased with the way these have turned out.

Kirsty's Cushion

I used the make Kirsty Allsopp did on her programme last Tuesday to make my own little cushion. I didn't have bran or scented oil so mine is simply a small cushion. This is all stitched by hand as my machine is all tucked away until I can get the new conservatory furnished to use a sewing space. I have been very busy knitting socks for people for Christmas which take just over a week per pair and yet have done this in an afternoon. Think I'll make more of these.

Butterfly World

Lovely day, school trip to Butterfly World, it was cold but very bright and sunny, we saw some beautiful caterpillars and butterflies. One large green caterpillar decided to poo on my hand!

Bunting Tea Cosy

I made this lovely tea cosy from Sue Stratford from the Knitting Hut's pattern. I love it, I thought it would look nice photographed next to a freshly baked loaf - smells gorgeous. This tea cosy is going into my handmade christmas present stash. The bunting was a bit of a fiddle but tea cosy itself was a doddle, I'm just wondering how else I can deorate a tea cosy. Any sugestions?

Alexandra Palace

My annual trip to the Knitting and Stitching Show was as always a treat. So much to see and so much to buy. Actually I didn't go as mad as I usually do, the only thing not in the picture is a knitted bag kit. I also had a great time making a Morsbag . No charge as it's a charity, I joined a row of ladies at sewing machines and made a bag to take my goodies home in. It was so simple and the evident delight of some of the ladies who had never made anything before, just reinforced by belief that creating something gives you a great feeling, no matter how simple it is. Such a sense of achievement and pride. Heyho I'd better get back to my sock knitting.

Shoulder Bags

Elated by having sold my first handmade item on Ebay, the pin cushion and needle case, I thought I'd have another go. I've put the orange bag on today, I love this Amy Butler fabric. The bag is based on a pattern in the Cath Kidston 'Sew' book with my adaptions, it's the third one I have made, I have finally got the strap how I want it to look. Let's see if this one sells too.

Disappearing NIne-Patch

These colours are lovely, I'm just not sure how to lay them out, random or more organised? Do I add sashing to make parts of it stand out? Also not sure what I'm going to do with this one when its done, I was thinking of it going to project night night (see Quilted Cupcake's blg for details) So much to decide, but having fun putting it together.

Ebay Selling on iPhone

Having had bids and lots of watchers on the things I've put on this app, I thought I'd have a go at putting something I had made on it. I put it on and by the time I had made toast and tea I had one watcher, all of 10 minutes. Hurray. This might be the only interest I have mind you.

Jacob's Ladder

This is the Jacob's Ladder block I made for the Underground Railroad BOM on Popular Patchwork. The photo doesn't do the colours justice. Easy to put together, let's hope the rest of the blocks are as easy.

The Pile Grows and Grows

Don't they look lovely all in a pile. I love knitting socks and I love knitted socks. Just as well really.

Pot Holders

It took me all of two hours to make these pot holders for my mother in law's birthday. I liked the rick rack best but only had enough to make one, hence the lace. I think they are very pretty.

The Next Pair!

The crocosmia inspired me, so I took a picture of the current socks on the needles with this yarn. Also King Cole ZigZag.

Lavender Socks not Bags.

I did originally buy this yarn to make lavender bags for Christmas presents. Changed my mind though and made this lovely pair of socks. The yarn is King Cole Zig Zag and knits up into a nice soft knit. On washing I'm sure they will get even softer. I couldn't resist using the garden as a background to the picture and these crocosmia fitted the bill perfectly. Have I said before how much I love handknitted socks?

Goldfinches

After weeks and weeks of hanging a niger seed feeder out to attract goldfinches they eventually found it. We have had to buy a bigger feeder with more ports to keep the six or seven we frequently now get happy. This picture shows only 3, they are so hard to photograph as they are really twitchy and fly off at the slightest thing. I'll keep trying to get a full feeder photographed. These are lovely little birds, they don't squabble over the feeder, they don't bother other birds and their song is soft and warbling, you need to listen carefully to hear it. I'm glad they visit us.

Buttercup Bag

Lovely easy pattern, great for gifts. I might make a slightly bigger one for myself as it is quite small. Fabrics are both from Ikea, the lining fabric was only £1.99 a metre so a real bargain. I love the freshness of the look of this bag.

I said I was on a roll!

Little lavender bag made with left over Drops Fabel yarn that I used for the socks. I put a musling liner in the bag so that the lavender doesn't creep out.

Busy Saturday

Another post for today! I'm on a roll!
Here is a little fabric basket (see Pink Penguin) and a tissue holder and lavender bag I made today for a gift. Don't they look lovely and so easy. I'd love this if it was given to me. I used left over Hunky Dory Fabric from the Daisy Chain Quilt. I did set aside today to do some sewing butwasn't ready to get on with some of my purchases from the NEC Exhibition. I have some decisions to make first.

Red Fabel Socks

Yet another pair of socks. I used the basic sock pattern, no frills or textures but no need as the yarn does it all. I love self patterning yarn and this one by Drops is a reasonable price with lovely patterning. Another item to add to my stash of xmas presents.
I love knitted socks!

Daisy Chain Finished!

Very happy with this. I backed it with fleece so it is really soft and snuggly. There was a problem with the fleece stretching so there are a couple of horrid puckers on the back which I'm happy to live with as it is so soft. Next time I back with fleece I will tack the backing on with large stitches rather than just pinning it. That should give me a better result. You live and you learn.

Festival of Quilts NEC

Wow! I was overwhelmed by the quality, variety and colour of the quilts on display. They were absolutey wonderful. The amount of work that must have gone into creating these pieces of art was amazing.
My friend and I had a great day out and had to drag ourselves away at the end of the day because we felt we still hadn't seen it all. It was nice to see some of the faces behind the websites and also to chat to complete strangers over tea or a quilt. I did of course spend far too much and ended up with 3 bag kits, not sure how. I also got some fat quarters and a load of ideas for projects. I can't wait until next year for the next one.

Daisy Chain Blues!

I am feeling very frustrated today as I had intended to start quilting my Daisy Chain quilt. I've pinned the top to the fleece backing and rolled it ready to go into the machine. Now my husband has decided to go into the kitchen to make curry. Oh for a sewing space! I can't set the machine up because my quilt will smell of curry! Oh well I shall just have to knit the second sock of my red 'Fabel' socks.

Finished, Blocked and Fringed.

This scarf feels absolutely lovely, it's soft and squishy. Sadly I have no idea what the yarn is as I bought it without a label. However I was assured by the lady in the shop that it was italian and was made up of mohair and merino wool. It has a slub in it and was a little difficult to knit up at times but I love the scarf. It's going into my stash of homemade Christmas gifts.

Blueberry Muffins!

So easy and very tasty. I'm glad I decided to bake today.

North Ronaldsay Wool

This wool comes from the hardy little sheep that live on the beach in the Orkneys and eat seaweed. I actually had some of the mutton at a lovely restaurant in Kirkwall and it was delicious. So not only lovely yarn, this is a 4ply weight, but yummy too. I did also buy some double knitting and aran weight to play with as well. It comes in a range of natural colours from off white to black. This is dyed from an off white one. I am using the scarf pattern that came free with the wool. Its called cats paw lace. Very easy but looks hard.

Saturday, Must be Make a Bag Day

Finally got round to making the bag on the cover of Cath Kidston book. It was very easy and I added a lining to give it more body. I sewed the buttons on through the strap and bag because I have never done button holes on my sewing machine. I took one look at the button hole foot and thought I would leave it for another time. Anyway as I have given myself the challenge of making all my Christmas presents this year, this bag will go to someone worthy. I have a pair of socks on my knitting needles, a scarf to block and add the fringe to and chutney made. So well on the way.

Flowers

I got a bit happy with the super macro on my camera. I bet I looked a bit silly as I hovered on my knees over wild flowers of Orkney. The wild flowers were lovely but sadly the sea pinks or thrift had just finished. A month ago the cliffs would have been covered in pink.

Fulmar Chick

Spotted this fluffy ball of grey feathers on Papa Westray. How cute is he!

Holidays!

I have been on a lovely holiday in the Orkney Islands. Beautiful, quiet, peaceful. I have taken lots of photos and had a good play with my new camera. So not much sewing, I did knit a scarf in a lacy design that came free with 100g of North Ronaldsay wool. I used an italian yarn I bought in a craft shop in St Margarets Hope on South Ronaldsay. I need to track down exactly what it is. The scarf has turned out beautifully. Photo soon.
There is so much to share so I shall post bits and pieces of my holiday over the next few days.

Gifts

Made these little items for people at work to thank them for their help. The pocket tissue holders were very straightforward and took only minutes. In the mugs there are ingredients to make 'molten chocolate cake' cute eh!

Tweety Pie 2

A better picture of the Tweety Pie Quilt.

Lovely Veg!

My sister and I spent a lovely weekend in the Midlands, we visited Upton House and Gardens. The house was interesting especially the kitchen where a nice lady in a red and white checked apron was making scones in the aga, we had to try them, delicious. The garden was beautiful, from the house you cannot see the garden, but on walking to the end of the lawn over edge there is this stunning vegetable garden with herbaceous borders at the sides. The beauty of the vegetable garden was its order.

Tweety Pie

It's finished and I love it. The way the yellow border lifts the whole thing is fab! So here are the details ;- Fabric is Moda Tweet tweet with plain yellow border and back. The pattern is courtesy of Pie and Quilt, see my link in the previous post. I learnt quite a lot with this one especially about sewing strips together. Also I know I need to work on my corners. I'm just waiting now for the baby to arrive so I can embroider the name and date on it.

Another Fun Friday

I've been working on the baby quilt I started a while ago. Baby is due next week so I thought I had better get on with it. So today I put the edging on and have begun to quilt it. I decided to machine stitch in straight lines, I'm just not brave enough to free quilt. Anyway it's looking lovely. I'm very pleased with it and hope to finish it this weekend. I used a tutorial from 'Piece and Quilt' Very easy and very pretty. I'll post a picture when I've finished.