Textile Transfigurations

Fifty Flower Friday

2011-10-14T23:06:00.003+11:00

So I haven't partaken in the OFW that so many are, that's because I am just too unreliable, so here is fifty instead! This is a total of 350 hexies sewn together. At first I felt I had made HUGE progress, that's over half of the 80 centre flowers done! woot!... wait, I calculated how many hexies all up will be in this quilt.... over 2500. Perhaps 350 isn't impressive after all. I really cant wait to finish the last 30 though, they are all basted ready to go, then it is on to 12 around the outside in a solid colour, and then 8 white ones so they are ready to join together. after finishing a flower with 7 hexies, 20 will feel like slow going. I am hoping my motivation to slog through this will be because at this stage I will be able to lay the pieces out and begin to see my quilt !!

So I begin my hexie journey

2011-08-19T17:10:00.002+10:00

Remember HERE when I share with you all one lonesome little Hexie?
Remember when I said I wasn't sure if I would make any more??
Obviously I decided I would :)
I bought up a layer cake of Moda Summer House from Need it, Want it, Quilt (Totally recommend Them btw) and plan to make 80 flowers from it, I will surround each of those flowers with a coordinating solid, then white between them all before I assemble it and each flower has a soft yellow centre.

That said I have no intention of rushing this. This is a 'when I feel like it' project. Not being known for my love of hand stitching I don't want to push myself, and yunno.... without the pressure, I think I actually might like this hand piecing gig.... stay tuned, but not too closely, this may take a while...

Macro Mail

2011-08-19T14:09:00.003+10:00

Guess who just got a macro filter in the mail :D

Wordless Wednesday - 17-8-2011

2011-08-17T18:28:00.000+10:00

One flower, JUST one flower?

2011-07-22T19:01:00.003+10:00

So I did it, I contacted my local guild. I am going along this coming Saturday to meet them all. I am so looking forward to it. The lady I conversed with via email was super helpful and said that most ladies will bring some hand stitching or some knitting along.

With that in mind I couldn't help but notice the masses of hexie flowers around, every second blog I look at is taunting me with them, yes taunting. I have always had a love for these. I did attempt to make them years ago, but alas my accuracy back then was less than lax and they were horrible to sew and horrible to look at and I haven't tried one since... well until now. Of course hexies would make a GREAT carry along stitching project to my guild meetings. Heres the thing though, do I want to commit to it? I cut the templates from paper by hand, then the fabric and did it the old fashion way and honestly while the flower was so quick, the prep was tediously annoying , must plumb the depths of the web looking for better (read faster options)

So as I sat there with my almost finished flower I hesitated before putting that last petal on. once that petal is done I will know... am I making a hexie flower or a hexie quilt? I am pretty sure it is a quilt :D I might have to spend some time cutting out and building a stash of the papers and consider how I can make the basting go quicker (if ever you have contemplated commenting, now is it baby! HELP).

I think the key here is to not stress it. I dont plan on having it done this week or year, I am entering into this knowing it is going to be a 'when I feel like it' long term project. If I never get it done, although that isnt my aim!, I have something to hand my daughter.

So there we go, a long term hand pieced quilt commitment by me, the queen on the instant gratification and believer that EVERYTHING can be machine stitched!

In other news I have a little lap quilt that I should have finished in the next few days to share and I have a few (8) 36 patch blocks to share too.....

its 50/50 so I am joining the world of quilting (more).

2011-07-19T20:55:00.003+10:00

I have been quilting now for what what will be half my life this year, yep from here on in, in my life I have been a quilter more that I have not... I quite like that. Seems appropriate that I should do something I have not done before, so I am joining a my local guild, and participating in a quilt-a-long.

The Guild part I havent done yet, so I will talk about that when 1 have.

The quilt-a-long, I have. have a look over here at Crazy Mum Quilts this is where Amanda Jean is hosting this great quilt-a-long.

This is going to be a great project for me for several reasons; it works so well with the fabric I received from Lyn at Blue Bird quilts which I have been BUSTING to use, and it is a nice simple block and I tend to get a little to caught up in making complex things at times.

It is a 36 patch and I will be making it with a combination of a cream and other fabrics, some from the fabrics I received from Lyn, some from my stash, some from my nanna's stash (oops) and then I might have to shop for the rest (OOPS).

So I got started today, I hope to make 6-10 blocks per week, probably closer to the 6 :P and I hope to make this big enough for our Queen bed, because despite being a quilter for half my life!! I tend to make quilts for everyone but me, and my bed has never worn a quilt WOW.

So this is my start, I sew mine the full 6 fabric across. I have used three fabrics other than the cream here and will be making 2 from each colour. I hope to cross cut these strips and sew the block tomorrow... maybe :D

Quality control around these parts are very stringent, but I passed, just.....

When 2 chickens are no longer enough

2011-07-08T11:22:00.000+10:00

Well you see our 2 chickens are slowing down wit their laying, so many suggested that we "put them in the pot". Clearly we will never make it as any sort of farmer, we just couldn't do it, so we had to upscale. Our 'crappy corner', you know... that spot in the back corner of your garden that has the compost bin, the loose pavers etc... That area that is never going to grow grass or look pretty.... well ours is now a chook yard. they don't care about the compost bin, the pavers work great to 'dig proof' the bottom of the fence. So now our 2 old Isabrowns can retire there, we can bring in a couple of new younguns and keep the cycle going as apparently this yard can hold about 10 chooks if needed. No head chopping required.

Now the irony of this is, that once we put our old chooks who hadnt laid in months, into their new bigger yard, they were so happy they started laying again..... so we will just go with the chooky flow with that one.

It isnt quite finished in this pic. the timber on the right of the pic still had to go up and after the worst of winter is over we are going to plant some berries along the exposed side to screen it off a bit. Hopefully this will make it a little more attractive than it is at present.

The yard itself was quite easy, 3 sides were already there, we just had to build 1 (and a bit) and the gate, which id actually bits of our old fence, reclaimed (thanks to Dad and his welder)

so thats that we have a proper chook yard, finally! yay!

I am inspired

2011-07-07T09:29:00.003+10:00

SO... I was lucky enough to score a lovely package of fabric from Lyn over at Blue Bird Quilts. When Lyn contacted me I told her that I had plans to use the fabric to applique something pretty onto a border of an existing quilt (I haven't share it with you as yet). When I got the fabric yesterday I realised that was just not going to happen, for 2 reasons. Firstly WOW at how much Lyn sent me! (Lyn that was uber generous, and much more than I expected!) way too much for some border accents. Secondly, they are just too nice, these girls deserve a show of their own.
Ever noticed that things seem to trend on the blogs? well I follow more blogs than I want to admit too (you are all so interesting) and on the quilting blogs at the moment there is soo many people flashing their divine English paper pieced hexagons. One of those is on my long term to do list. I have also noticed some clamshell quilts popping up like here and here (there are others that I will link to when I find them). THAT is what these fabrics need to become, I have some yummy vintage cream to go with it even! BUT just like the Hexagons, my life just isn't that accommodating to the time needed for hand stitching.

So I am going to do som experimenting with this pattern and machine piecing, I will keep you updated, will be interesting to see if I can do it justice. Also if anyone knows of a free clamshell template, please feel free to tell me :D I tihkn I will buy a proper one for the real thing, but for my research, just a printable freebie will do.

Last note, just want to send a massive public thank you to Lyn for her give away, I love the spirit that I am beginning to discover exists in the quilt blog circle. I am feeling compelled to pay it forward and do a give away myself, so keep an eye out, might have to throw some homespun into the dye pot very soon ;)

Harvest is done

2011-07-04T16:29:00.004+10:00

I shared Harvest with you all here and again here and while I think the name Harvest is so fitting, it still reminds me of harvest time, it is pretty damn fitting for the winter palette too!

It was knit from A Swell Yarn Shop 'Duet' sock yarn. I just love this wool, it is lovely soft, but very durable. The colourway is just stunning, I have several other skeins from ASYS and none disappoint.

The tunic is knit on 4mm needles and I would guess is about a size 2. It is a little large for Meika, on purpose. it used a little over 200gms.

This is another of my "I can be bothered following a pattern" knits. it has a square yoke, knit in garter stitch, the arms are straight and quite wide and the body has a very gentle flair out, just to give it some shape. All knit in the round. In short very quick and very easy but with a final result that I am rather happy with.

When pumpkins are on special

2011-06-25T23:17:00.004+10:00

When pumpkins are just 99c a kilo, its only 5degrees outside at lunchtime and its overcast and sleeting, when the kids are snuggled up in front of the heater watching a movie, and ask for something super yummy for dessert that night... Seriously how could a mummy not go and cook up a storm! Pumpkin pie and pumpkin scones. The good were received with nods of approval all round whilst they ate. They even knew about the pumpkin in it... go figure!

Autumn shrug

2011-06-25T22:40:00.004+10:00

This is another "I'm a slack blogger' catch up post. The name kind of gives away just how long aro this should have been posted. It is knit from my own design, made up as I go along! The wool is Knittery Merino, dyed by the lovely Kris over at MonsterKnits.

Lemongrass, another FO

2011-06-14T09:22:00.002+10:00

This is my latest offering :D, it isn't even a back dated one! the last sock came of the needles last night while the recipient; my Sister in Law, waited patiently for them, and was then kind enough to pose for me for some pictures!

These socks are my own pattern, made up as I go, as I so often do! My SIL is a great person to knit socks for. See I have teeny feet, so after knitting for me, knitting for someone with a size 9 foot is horribly epic. SIL however, has tiny and considerate feet, thanks hon! The other advantage is that it is super easy to get the right size.... when it is my size too.

They are knit from Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock Heavyweight in colourway 'Lemongrass'.

Hungry Caterpillars

2011-06-13T13:33:00.005+10:00

This is a post about an old FO but one I haven't shared before, there will be a few of those, such is the life of a slacko blogger!

Like so many others I fell in LOVE with the Hungry Caterpillar print range. Like so many others I had to have some.

This quilt was super quick to make, with the top done and quilted in about 2 hours!! Helped by the fact that mostly, I machine stipple my quilts (without a frame) and this one is stitched-in-the-ditch. I had forgetten how fast that is. Sometimes we just need that fast gratification, and this certainly did it!

It was made for Anameika, and so is cot sized, which I don't making, because even though they use them on cots for such a short period of time, they are used as kid sized lap quilts for years after. In this house it will see a good 3 years use on the cot though, as it is also used as a toddler bed.

Harvest

2011-04-18T19:15:00.001+10:00

Harvest, because the colours remind me of the wheat crops and pale blue skies at harvest. Needless to say, I am loving the colours.

2011-04-15T13:33:00.002+10:00

There are few things sweeter than a bunch of freshly picked flowers. Except maybe when that bunch of flowers are painstakingly cut, trimmed, and forced into submission, I mean delicately arranged, and handed to me by a sweet 5 year old boy. It mgiht be my parental bias coming through here, but they are the most beautiful vase (ok Vegemite Jar) of flowers (well wild daisy's) ever.

It was 26 degrees on Friday

2011-04-12T20:05:00.004+10:00

It is 16 today, and certainly less than that now!

I love the idea of winter, of cracking wood fires, comfy lounges and many hours spent under a blanket knitting away. Sadly that doesn't happen here. No wood fire here, we have forgone the beautiful flicker, the ambiance and that warm that seems to travel to the bone like no other form of heating, for the convenient and cheap natural gas heater, and my knitting is not done on a big comfy arm chair, heck I don't think we would even fit one in, instead it happens on a office chair made from a converted Monza rally chair while I read long and laborious chapters of textbooks.

Somehow, I still love that coziness of winter. It seems that when the heater comes out, so too does the knitting. I cast on a little something today. I am free-styling this baby so it may never see completion, but I am feeling positive.

Oh and this wool is just DEE-vine. I just love garter stitch when it is knit with a lovely wool like this one,

There are 2 little people in this house

2011-04-06T17:27:00.002+10:00

And they just got one hell of a frowning for THIS.... there are 5 separate balls of wool, 3 socks and what I would expect will be hours of untangling in this mess.

little projects.

2011-04-05T19:05:00.002+10:00

Just a quick visit today, HEY, better than no visit at all, which seems to be the norm!

I have knitted a shrug for Moo. It was such a quick knit, very quick, I got change from 100gms. I must try to make the most of this while she is little enough for there to be such thing as quick knits. It is finished now and just waiting for me to run the ends in and I will share some photos. Until then, here is a quick peek at the divine colour...

Also this is something I am working on for my sister in law. Best get cracking! these mornings are starting to get a little crisp and they will be needed soon ..

Be back soon... ...ish

The Academic's Munchie Buster

2011-01-17T20:51:00.002+11:00

There are only so many websites a girl can look at in an attempt to avoid study before she gets bored and needs a snack.... Enter "The Academic's Munchie Buster", a super dooper moist and rich, chocolate self-saucing pudding. It is made as a single serve, in a big coffee mug or any container you want. It is quick to make... but once it is cooked, the rule is you have to study while you eat it! Deal? deal? DEAL!

Ingredients
2 squares of chocolate (crumbled or chopped up)
1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
1 egg
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons of cocoa
2 tablespoons of self raising Flour
100mls hot water (from the tap is fine)

Method
Place the chocolate and oil in the cup or bowl you wish to cook the pudding in, and microwave for 30 seconds on high.

Give it a quick stir to blend, if there are sections that are not totally melted it doesn't matter.

Add egg and mix well (the choc/oil mix should only be warm, not so hot to cook your egg, but it is best to check..)

Add the flour, 2 (1tbsp reserved for sauce) tablespoons of the sugar and 2 (1tbsp reserved for sauce) tablespoons of the cocoa, mix well.

Pour the warm water on top and sprinkle over the remaining sugar and cocoa and give a gentle swirl to mix it.

Microwave on High for 2 minutes.

It will rise quite a bit and bubble as the sauce settles to the bottom so you really do want a big cup.

When it is done, top with some cream and HIDE to eat it...

Enjoy, and get back to your studies.

No bullet points this year.

2011-01-12T14:07:00.005+11:00

There seems to be so dang many people posting new years resolutions. I don't want to. Sure I have tried to set new years resolutions in the past, both you and I know I didn't keep them. By the end of January I cling to them as they become painful chores. February sees them become twinges of guilt. June.... What new years resolutions??

I do see the appeal though. I am honestly finding it hard not to say to myself in my head "this year I will..." and it is probably best I restrain because honestly when I think of it, all my declarations really only bring forth an image of me being some demented reincarnation of the perfect 50s house wife.. making more clothes, baking more, meals from scratch, my perfectly renovated 50s house and sure I want to do all those things but public announcements made in bullet point format are not going to get me that.

So it has been a while since my last post. I do have some Xmas wears to share with you, some baking, and I am sure a few other things.. they will come later. For now I just want to share my op shop purchase... a whole whopping fifty cents worth
To be honest though, I cant see myself using any patterns really soon except for maybe the sun hat, it is divine. I hope to attempt one for Moo very soon :D Otherwise, some of the designs will make great starting points for a few of my on ideas.... hmm.... Talk soon guys

OHHH yeah!!!

2010-11-12T13:50:00.002+11:00

I have not knit a stitch in months... untill last night... ohh those needles felt good in my hand and I forgot how much my heart sings when I see that project grow...

So Last night I picked up Ginny. She has been left in a incomplete state for some time, during which Uni has ruled all my non family time... I need to make room for my textiles too... for my mental health you know!
so here is Ginny. JUST shy of 50%

here comes another commitment

2010-11-10T11:51:00.002+11:00

In 2002 I trained in acrylic nail application. I worked in a salon and then from home, but eventually with a little one under foot it became too much and I finished up. I don't think I have done a set of nails in, ohhhhhh, 3 or 4 years! until my brother's girlfriend insisted I do a set for her. Boy'o'boy I forgot just how much I enjoyed it. So with some prompting from those around me, and with quite a bit of interest from people about becoming a client, I am starting up again.

Sooo.... here goes again, from next week I will be working from home as a Nail Tech. I am quite excited about it. I really enjoy doing it. Times will be flexible and heaven knows the money won't go astray....

"Threaded Gems"

2010-10-03T13:39:00.005+11:00

Friday was mum's 50th birthday (Happy birthday mum!) and so being that all birthdays with a zero are pretty cool I thought it was quilt time. (this is the quilt mentioned in my previous post).
The last quilt I made mum was for her 40th if I remember correctly. That quilt was made as a bed topper and so while well loved does not get the "drag around" use I like to see my quilts get. This quilt is made as a lappy quilt. I like my quilts to be used continually, under them in winter and on top of them in summer. If this quilt is but a scruffy rag by the time mum's next zero birthday comes around I will be more then happy. Quilts should be used and loved and if some trashing happens in the process, such is life.

The name for the quilt came to me while I was quilting it. The very simple rows of stitching through the coloured squares looked (to me at least) like a string of beads.

This quilt was ubber fast to make. I think I have forgotten just how fast a quilt can go together when it is a simple strip peiced design and simple quilting. It also helps that this one is a smaller size, my quilts tend to grow and end up massive. As I mentioned before, mum's birthday was on friday, and on the Monday prior, I had not started, but that evening when kidlets were in bed I put rotary cutter and ruler to fabric and it was done by friday evening :D I am happy with it.

Vital Stats.
Name
-"Threaded Gems"
Finished Size
-156 X 180 cms
Pattern Name
-"Sunshine and Shadow" - I think!
Top Fabrics
-all 100% cotton
-13 X 20cm prints
-2m cream
Batting
-100% wool
-Upcycled wool felt blanket
-This blanket actually used to belong to my mums
grandmother (my great gandmother) - very fitting re use.
Backing
-100% cotton sheeting
-2m
Binding
-Remainder of backing
-Quilting
-Line quilted by machine

Perfect Points.

2010-09-29T15:31:00.007+10:00

Perfect points really are the (dare I say it?) single most important element in a 'good' quilt.

I was working on a quilt today. Now this quilt is by no means my normal 'style'. It is very reminiscent of the 1930's quilting era. In fact the design is very similar to the "Shadow and Sunshine" design that was so loved in the '30's. The colours are not really my 'thing' either, they are not '30's repros but they do have that '30's feel to them. They are small prints, floral an the like... very '30's. So while I worked on this quilt who's design and fabric palette was not appealing to me... it made me smile. why? because perfect points give me inner peace!

Thinking about why I was so happy every time I opened out another freshly sewn seam, it was obvious. A quilt isn't made wonderful by using hideously expensive designer fabric, a beautiful piece of fabric is one that makes your heart sing and when you know it just has to come home and live with you. It doesn't matter who's name is on the selvage, we cut that bit off! A quilt isn't made wonderful by the expensive pattern, or by the intricate pattern. It wont matter if your quilt has thousands of minuscule pieces, not if they don't have perfect points! the simplest designs when pieced with perfection will outshine an uber expensive, million piece quilt if it is poorly pieced.

So this is why I smile when I open seams on this quilt. Not because of the expensive fabrics, because they aren't. They are run-of-the-mill, Spotlight quilt section cottons, but the person receiving this quilt will love them. I don't smile because I am working on a piece that is a triumph of patience... but because the simple, humble quilt I am making, I am making well.

Now I don't claim to be a master quilter.... not by a long shot.... But I am very particular about precision in quilting because this can make or break them. Some may call me OCD about this, and they are probably right, I don't care.. When I say perfect, I like perfect. I accept that there will be the odd seam that may be a few threads of the fabric out. I will allow these to exist, but with hesitance and annoyance. anything beyond that, and I am talking about a full stitch of your machine, so say 2mms out, and it is time to find the seam ripper. So, over 6 square metres in a queen size quilt, and I am going to stress about 2mms... YES. Yes I am. It all contributes to the final effect, and that 2mms here.. there... it adds up. It adds up to a sloppy and haphazard looking quilt, certainly not what your hours of work aims to achieve.

In short if you are going to do it people, do it well. It will make you smile. It will be your inner peace, and then you will realise that perfect points are chicken soup for the quilters soul.

ahhh nice....

Hmmm... not so nice..... Seam ripper, Stat!

Fancy dress.

2010-09-28T13:34:00.002+10:00

This Saturday just gone we had a fancy dress party to attend. Brynach asked to go as the joker, which, at first, seemed way too much work and tried to talk him out of it, but alas, he was determined... The Joker it had to be!

So with some thought, I set to work. I had some green fabric and whipped out a litte (rough!) tie. I had some purple fabric, so a little pair of elastic waisted pants, pressed down the centre to give the look suit pants and a simple collared shirt, made with long sleeves but no cuff and lengthened at the back and cut to shape to make a set of tails, split and all....

Add to that a white shirt from the cupboard, some green hair spray and face paint, oh and a $5 silly string gun and Taa daa!

I think he really looked the part and somehow took on the evil persona quite well after some part food consumption..

...

2010-09-17T22:03:00.001+10:00

I have been creating..... .....Just not blogging... must begin my catch up mission

hmmm whats she up to now?

2010-07-28T09:32:00.003+10:00

hmmm.. yes just what a person needs at the assessment end of the uni term... a distraction.....
This is just a first rough draft idea for my next project, which will enable an potential new hobby.

Who knows what it is?

Woolly update

2010-07-23T16:37:00.004+10:00

So how is my Harry Potter blanket coming along?6!!!! squares are done. I am quite happy with how they are coming along... still contemplating how to border these... In black for sure, but not quite sure on the logistics :D

and I am about 40% into suare number 7
Hoping to get to 60% soon!

and I am having a go with some crochet...

I actually have 6 squares done now. It looks good IMO. Will give better photos soon. I think I have enough yarn (Cleckheaton, Vintage Hues) to do 12 squares, but hope to track down more to make it a little bigger then that. I might have to scour Rav for someone selling some, I don't think it is in production any more...

in other news, I am hoping to have a new obsession soon.... pictures to come

hmmm..... who has a sweet tooth?

2010-05-17T14:03:00.003+10:00

Firstly, please excuse my dodgy iPhone photo.... it is really not doing these little bundles of yumminess justice....

What you are looking at there is my Tiramisu and Cherry Delight fudge....

Just thought I would share :D

Sometimes...

2010-05-11T12:14:00.002+10:00

... counting sheep really is the only way....

The Dubbo Show 2010

2010-05-09T20:43:00.005+10:00

This weekend was show weekend. As a child show weekend came second only to Christmas. Naturally I have been quite excited myself about enjoying this event through the eyes of a child. We didn't stay long, only 3 hours and $100..
This year was a bit of a family event, my parents came with us and so did my brother and his girlfriend, who made excellent ride chaperons, for my thrill seeking boy.
I will let the pictures tell the story...

They say you can't make omelettes...

2010-02-15T20:42:00.002+11:00

Without braking some Eggs...

Well here is my broken egg of a hallway...

The floor sander man, a family friend, comes on friday to polish the floors, which Despite their appearance here, are actually in fantastic condition and should come up great!

its been ages..

2010-02-14T15:32:00.001+11:00

I am a bad blogger, ok, post a day till I am caught up... this is todays...

The Quilt Top

2009-11-24T13:16:00.003+11:00

Here is the quilt top for Bryn's bed, complete and ready for quilting.... I am still not Entirely happy with it... But Bryn loves it. so that is the main thing.

harry has friends....

2009-11-21T12:09:00.002+11:00

Vivi victory....

2009-11-03T11:56:00.002+11:00

well I did it. My vivian is done, you would think that I would show you pics to prove it. but I can't. As it happens, I suck SUCK at putting zippers in, so it has been shipped off to nanna for the zipper addition, pictures when it returns... for now I have huge to do list... will list it soon..... when I am in a braver mood ;d

This is a public announcement...

2009-10-30T17:16:00.002+11:00

.... That I currently have no knitting project on the needles so this is the time to finish my Vivian... so..

" I solemnly swear that (who are the nerds who finished this sentence with "I am up to no good"?) that I will not knit a single stitch on any project besides my Vivian until it is complete and finished to the point of wearing"

this is a big call for me... I will dig vivi out tonight... and share where I am up to... I cant actually remember....

40 blocks..

2009-10-29T19:02:00.004+11:00

... all done and dusted...

I made 40 cos thats how many diferent prints came in the charm pack and jelly roll...

the quilt will only need 20 something...

here is a random 16

I will put black sashing between each block with coloured corner stones... the border is still under mental creation....

Hooray for Harry..

2009-10-28T14:02:00.003+11:00

My test harry square is complete.....

I am relatively happy with it and enjoyed it enough to do a complete blanket...

I leanrt alot of things doing this... and glad I took the time to do a test square to make some mistakes on..

Needles - 4.5mm

Yarn - assortment to get correct shadings

Yardage - not sure .. about 150-180gms

finished size - 38cm square

I am not sure what I will do with this.. It wont make the cut for the blanket and I am not into cushions or framing it...

A fun knit all the same, anyone who hasnt tried colour work...WHY? its actually quite easy and fun

My Creative Space..

2009-10-27T18:46:00.004+11:00

I have been meaning to do this for a while... so here goes a tour of my creative space... Note, Its not pretty, or spacious, but i love it all the same. It looks cramped and as though there is way too much stuff in there.... thats correct :D

If you take a quick little walk along the garden path, past the herb garden, this side of the the fish pond, you come across a little door at the back of the shed..... look inside..

and you have my sewing room. so working my way aound clcokwise...

The heating and cooling lol, obviously and not very exciting,

the 3 tubs are all my wool..

and my "for me" sewing area.

I keep a seperate area for sewing for myself and for money. I find that important.

The shelves are stacked with my quilt books, embroidery cottons and projects on the go or in waiting

I keep my domestic Overlocker, sewing machine and embroidery machine here.

the Drawers stock all my notions

the tub you see there is my quilts on the go.. (4 of them eeek.. me bad) and the blankets for them next to it..

My storage cupboard, this is actually the old pantry that we took out when we renovated the kitchen

Inside is (line per shelf)

Stationary and machines, inc my knitting machine

fabric, cottons, some small random craft items

nappy fabrics and my airbrush setup

Quilt fabric

Other random fabrics and patterns

Acrylic nail stuff and old text books

This is my 'for money' sewing area. what you see is my Rimoldi overlocker and sadly atm I am forced to use my domestic sewing machine on this same table till I collect my industrial sewer

This is my snapping table and cutting area,
underneithis my scrapbooking stuff...
the black cabnet hold snaps and other stuff
the crap you see in the corner is, well, crap, DHs that I am waiting on him clean it all out, thats where my sewing machine needs to go :D

so thats it... my humble little sewing room, studio, whatever you wanna call it...

Birthday Outfit

2009-10-26T11:55:00.004+11:00

Here is the final birthday outfit.....

I am suprised... he chose the planes...

Nanna made the shirt.. she can whip them up in minutes.. I will get my but in gear one day and get the pattern off her so I can make my own... I did make the shorts though ..

Front

Back

A task for tonight

2009-10-23T08:40:00.004+11:00

Picking fabric for little boy outfits is tricky. 2 outfits, twice as tricky, but with some luck after I have made the 2 party outfits tonight, Bryn will be able to pick 1 to wear to his party tomorrow, I am putting my bets on the 'pirate' one... but we will see

Birthday Boy!!!!

2009-10-22T16:19:00.003+11:00

The big 0 4 today for my georgous boy Bryn...

There has been alot of impatience surrounding today for a certain 3 year old who has been ready to be four for months..

we have had a quiet day, pressies this morning and lunch at the Pastoral, following that was the spectacular crash and burn you see here. I am sure the warm weather helped too though.

The Big Par-tay is on Saturday - will bring you some AWAKE pictures from there....

Harry Potter Blanket Squares

2009-10-19T11:47:00.020+11:00

These charts were made by myself using PMstitch creator 2.0,

The inspiration for this project came from Totallee's amazing works.

Click on each chart to enlarge, print, or save it etc.

I personally do not plan to make all these blocks myself. However I thought I would include as many characters as possible so people can pick and chose as the feel fit :D

There is not a 'guage' so to speak for these blocks, they can be knit (or crocketed for that matter) in and gauge yarn so long as you have

5 stitches across = 7 rows up

All the blocks are 80 stitches across by 111 rows, these figures include a single stitch/row all the way around as a selvedge stitch, shown in black.

The blocks require 5 colours

Background colour of your choice
White
Light grey
Medium grey
Black

Quantities will vary depending on your yar weight and if you are knitting or chocheting

This pattern is listed on Ravelry HERE

I will most likely continue to add to these blocks.. so If you think of a charactor that I have missed, I would love you to tell me, I might add them in...

to be continued...

Lemons and Lady bugs..

2009-10-18T13:07:00.002+11:00

I made this little outfit up last night for a birthday present for a special little girl in Bryns life. His Best friend, she tuns four 2 days before Bryn.

I was planning on doing a top in this style, the came across this fabric at spotlight, alread Shirred, clearly it was ment to be :D

The outfit came together quite quickly and I am really happy with the result, I hope it is like by the recipients. The birthday girls mum know very much what she does and doesnt like :D

well hello Harry

2009-10-17T21:57:00.005+11:00

Just a quickie tonight. I just want to share this picture with you of a current project. Inspiration hit at a most fortuate time.... I had just cast off the last strip of my Lizard ridge (pictures soon)

I am loving this...

And I best show you what it will be....

can you see it forming yet?

Soaker September..

2009-10-13T21:47:00.001+11:00

So a bit delayed here, but september was a bit of a soaker marathon for me.....

My "something for Mum" swap

2009-08-26T09:42:00.003+10:00

This is what I received for my end of the Nappycino 'something for mum' swap.

I love it.

Its a 'sock box'. A little project bag, the perfect size for a sock project, or any project that only takes 100gms I would pressume (inc nb woolies :D)

The colour anf fabric is totally me!! and I dont have a small preject bag, even though I tend to take a small project with me where ever I go :D

Thank you swapper !!!

Some things heading out today.....

2009-08-26T09:21:00.002+10:00

I will share mrore once the recipents have these :D

Middle Out Woolies - the pattern

2009-08-12T10:28:00.005+10:00

NOTE: This pattern is a free pattern for personal use but is not to be sold or used to produce any item for monetry exchange!

Can be found on Ravelry here

So about the pattern.
This pattern is knit from the middle out, firstly we knit from the crotch up then from the legs down.

The sizes are
Small - 30cm waist and rise
medium - 40cm waist and rise
large - 50cm waist and rise
extra large - 60cm waist and rise

The pattern is avaliable with the following variations..
Waist - elastic, and rib
Legs / style - soaker, shorties and longies

Needs
4.5mm circs in 40cm and 30cm
4mm circs in 40cm and 30cm (needed only for ribbed waist and soaker)
Tapestry needle
Stitch holders, stitch holders and stitch markers
Crochet hook

100-200 grams of wool dependent on size and style chosen
non roll or button hole elastic for elastic waists
also a set of digital kitchen scales to weigh wool used would be great

Skills
knit
purl
seed/garter stitch where applicable
decreasing
increasing
short rows
kitchener stitch
crochet provisional cast on

Gauge
20 stitches and 26 rows to 4 inches/10cms

abbreviations:
PMY: place marker on yarn:
there will be four of these placed. they serve to marke the 4 sections when you recapture the stitches from the provisional cast on and split it for the legs and crotch.
Place a removable stitch marker OR piece of scrap yarn onto your working yarn and then continue as instructed keeping marker between the 2 stitches
PMN: place standard stitch marker on needle

CAST ON AND CROTCH
Using contrasting scrap yarn, and the crochet provisional cast on [92-112-132-152] stitches.

Ensuring no twists in the cast on, changing to main colour, begin working in round, in stockingette stitch unless otherwise stated.

ROW1: k1, PMY, PMN, k12, PMY, PMN, k[34-44-54-64], PMY, PMN, k12, PMY, PMN, k[17-22-27-32], PMN. This becomes the start and finish of the rows, there will remain [16-21-27-31] stitches not knit for this round, that is correct.

ROW2 (all even rows): knit till end, slipping all markers on needles.

ROW3: k[17-22-27-32] slip marker, k2tog, k8, sl1, k1, psso, slip marker, k[34-44-54-64], slip marker, k2tog, k8, sl1, k1, psso, slip marker, k[17-22-27-32]

ROW5: k[17-22-27-32] slip marker, k2tog, k6 sl1, k1, psso, slip marker, k[34-44-54-64], slip marker, k2tog, k6 sl1, k1, psso, slip marker, k[17-22-27-32]

ROW7: k[17-22-27-32] slip marker, k2tog, k4 sl1, k1, psso, slip marker, k[34-44-54-64], slip marker, k2tog, k4 sl1, k1, psso, slip marker, k[17-22-27-32]

ROW9: k[17-22-27-32] slip marker, k2tog, k2 sl1, k1, psso, slip marker, k[34-44-54-64], slip marker, k2tog, k2 sl1, k1, psso, slip marker, k[17-22-27-32]

ROW11: k[17-22-27-32] remove marker, k2tog, place marker(centre front), sl1, k1, psso, remove marker, k[34-44-54-64], remove marker, k2tog, place marker(centre back), sl1, k1, psso, remove marker, k[17-22-27-32] leave the marker inplace that has indicated the start and finish of rows, this will continue to be same for the entire body.

leaving [72-92-112-132] stitches.

BODY
This section will knit to the where we start the waist.

All sizes have 5 rows where the shaping is worked. decreases across the front and short rows across the back, I have not written any detail regarding shortrow methods but instead will allow you to just do your own.
The centre front/back markers are not essential but handy when doing shaping to check where you are up to, back more so.

ok lets go..

work [1-2-3-4] rounds

First shaping round:
k[6-9-12-15], k2tog, k[20-24-28-32] sl1,k1, psso, k[29-39-48-58], turn p[10-14-16-20], turn, k to end

work [3-5-7-9] rounds

Second shaping round:
k[6-9-12-15], k2tog, k[18-22-26-30] sl1,k1, psso, k[34-45-56-68], turn p[20-26-32-40], turn, k to end

work [3-5-7-9] rounds

Third shaping round:
k[6-9-12-15], k2tog, k[16-20-24-28] sl1,k1, psso, k[39-52-65-78], turn p[30-40-50-60], turn, k to end

work [3-5-7-9] rounds

Forth shaping round:
k[6-9-12-15], k2tog, k[14-18-22-26] sl1,k1, psso, k[34-45-56-68], turn p[20-26-32-40], turn, k to end

work [3-5-7-9] rounds

Fifth shaping round:
k[6-9-12-15], k2tog, k[12-16-20-24] sl1,k1, psso, k[29-39-48-58], turn p[10-14-16-20], turn, k to end

work [2-3-4-5] rounds

WAIST BAND

ELASTIC WAIST

knit 8 rows
purl 1 row
knit 8 rows

Bind off loosly and whip stitch the band closed, leaving a 1 inch section open for insterting elastic of your choosing.

Alternativily, and my prefered method. when completing the last row, stop 4 stitches prior to the end of the row, cast off 8 stitches, kitchener stitch the lives stitches of the waist band to the inside of the body, This gives a much stetchier finish.

RIB WAIST

for sizes medium and Extra large only
k2tog,k[39-59], k2tog, k to end

change down needle size to 4.0mm or appropriate size

for all sizes.
row 1: *k2,p2* repeat to end

repeat row 1, 4 times

row 9: *k2, yfwd, k2tog* repeat to end

Repeat row 1, 5 more times.

bind off in your prefered stretchy method, double yarn or sewn bind off work well

using your prefered method, create a cord [60-70-80-90] cm long and weave through the waist band

FINISHING THE CROTCH

looking between the start and finish of the provisional cast on, you will see the end of your yarn (not the waste yarn) is looped through the first stitch, pull it out.

the stitches need to captured in 4 different lots, so recapture the stitches grouping them as such

place The 13 stitches between and including the yarn marked stitches(markers were placed in the first row) which are at the centre back of the body on a stitch holder, the 13 at the front on working needles. (both these lots will become gusset stitches)

place the remaining [33-43-53-63] stitches either side (these will become the leg stitches later) on seperate holders (placing them on waste yarn works best).

Working with the 13 stitches (front gusset stitches) on the working needles, join yarn and work 5 rows in stockingette stitch, begining and ending with purl rows

taking the 13 stithces from the back gusset, using kitchener stitch, join these together, end yarn.

LEGS

SOAKER

Place the held stitches from one side onto a 30cm circular or DPNs in size 4mm. pick up 5 stitches along the side of the gusset, placing a stitch marker after the first 3, this will become the start and finish of your rounds.

work 1 row in stocking stitch.

row 2: k2,p2 to end

repeat row 2 another 11 times

cast off loosly

repeat for second leg.

SHORTIES

Place the held stitches from one side onto a 30cm circular or DPNs in size. pick up 6 stitches along the side of the gusset, placing a stitch marker after the first 3, this will become the start and finish of your rounds.

work in stocking stitch continue till the work measures [5-8-11-14]cm (or personal deisred length of shorties less aprox 3cm)

Begin cuff.

cuff row 1 - k1 *p1, k1* to end
cuff row 2 - *p1, k1* to end

repeat rows 1 and 2, 4 times

cast of loosely.

LONGIES

Place the held stitches from one side onto a 30cm circular or DPNs in size. pick up 6 stitches along the side of the gusset, placing a stitch marker after the first 3, this will become the start and finish of your rounds.

work in stocking stitch continue till the work measures [15-20-25-30]cm (or personal desired length of shorties less aprox 3cm)

Begin cuff.

cuff row 1 - k1 *p1, k1* to end
cuff row 2 - *p1, k1* to end

repeat rows 1 and 2, 4 times

cast of loosely.

FINISHING

run in all threads, add elasstic and cording where needed and wash,block and lanolise.

the sorting of the stash....

2009-08-06T14:24:00.003+10:00

Just so happens to be more then just an afternoons sorting, This has been a 2week ongoing project, and I am about half way there... this is what I ahve sorted so far...

This is the poor little shelves holding my nb/small stash... so shelf by shelf I have...

NEWBORN STUFF

first 2 rows, front and back. All lotus AIOs, some normal PUL some minkee and some poly print AIOs

Third row back is home made fitteds

Third row front, is XS bubblebubs

fourth row back, is snappiable fitteds

fourth row front, is lotus fitteds

Fifth row back, is all swaddlebees fitteds

fifth row front, is mostly Kissaluvs with some cuddlebuns on the bottom

There are about 15 -20 more fitteds to be sorted through and about another 20-30 aios to be done aswell

Ok this middle shelf is a mix

Left is mixed small prefolds, and some fitteds

middle is small covers

Right is nb covers

I am sure I have another Doz or so dyed flats to dig out and some more small PUL and wool covers too...

on the very bottom of the right is a few woolies that went astray, I havent actually gotten to the small woolies box yet.

SMALLS

First row, front and back is Bubblebubs

second row back and front, is just assorted AIOS, mostly minkee

the rest, assorted fitteds

I still have a good 30 odd nappies missing here from memory lol

MEDIUMS

This is all I have come aross so far for the mediums... All my nappies are still in several removal cartons, being there is only a handful of smalls and NBs left to account for, the rest are mediums. So I could barely hazzrd a guess how many are in there, DOZENS of lotus aios I know lol, a few Fuzzibuns, some ittis.... oh god it will be like Xmas time again... as for larges.... there are none, Bryn never got into larges

I broke my cardinal rule.

2009-07-24T10:07:00.004+10:00

Through all my crafting years I have always kept multiple projects.... 3-4 sewing, 2-3 knitting etc...

BUT.. always only 1 quilt ALWAYS, I have always stuck to this rule, for 12 years of quilting, untill now...

Firstly is my 'Tropical Cycone' quilt which is sitting shamefully in the cupboard. I am not sharing another pic of that till its done!

Secondly.. I have always wanted to do a Desden plate quilt, very much not my usual style, I am definately not a traditional quilter, so I felt doing such an old, mature pattern, required 'older', more sophisticated fabrics then I would usually use. Ihave collected these fabrics over the last few months.

I am working slowly on this, its more the secondry project atm, something for me to refresh myself with when i get bored with the bold, yet chucky simplicity of the next preject.

This quilt will go on our bed, I have NEVER had a quilt for my own bed before, hmmmm....

Thirdly.. Bryns quilt for his 'big boy' bed going in his 'big boy' room. I really want to get this finished asap, cos we are starting his new room in the upcoming weeks, and I want this quilt ready to go straight onto it.

its made with a charm pack and jelly roll, from matching collections, and will also have bright contrasting hand dyes,

above is the pic (albeit sideways, how do you fix that in blogger) of some of the prints matched with thier hand dyes.

and above is the first few blocks, these are big block they will be 12iches square finished, I am not used to working with such large blocks...

I am thinking I will use thinnish (1 inch maybe) black sashing between the blocks with corner stones from the left over hand dyed,

there will be 40 blocks all up, so as long as i am happy with them all, I will probably make the quilt with 6 X 6 blocks in the body, then a black border and a block in each corner of the border as a corner stone there.... and i would love to do something diferent for the binding this time too.. thinking maybe some lil triangles all the way around, then i can get a theme going and make some bunting to go on the curtains or something..... ohh I will make it up as I go.. tis my way...

This one is for you Mel...

2009-07-15T15:38:00.001+10:00

Firstly
omg 2 food posts... whats the go...

Pics for mel who asked about lunch sandwich ideas and reminded me of my brushetta addiction, now I have been eating it almost daily....

Last nights Dinner...

2009-07-12T17:32:00.002+10:00

... was so devine I had share...

Thai beef salad of our own design, Craig (aka DH) made the dressing, I did the rest.

There is a tonne of dressing left and it will keep indefinately so I can see this dish coming up often... mega quick cheat dish..

The 15/15 Mei Tai - The tutorial

2009-07-02T11:26:00.010+10:00

This is a very simple Mei Tai.

You should be able to purchase all you need for this for $15 or under and takes no more then 15minutes to sew up.

Here is the Mei Tai.. no action shots atm as my newborn is still in the making ;)

You will need

* usual sewing supplies.

* 1 fabric placemat, of average size (around 30X40 cm give or take), make sure the placemat is a sturdier one, a heavily woven one with secure edges or a fabric one consisting of 2 layers works well.. and there are ohh so many awesome designs around - the one used in this Tut was bought at Big W for $2-98. the other green and brown one was bought for $4 at spotlight.

* co-ordernating fabric. I use drill fo its sturdiness and strength, buy in a co-ordernating colour and purchase 1.5 - 2 metres of fabrics, best to by the full 2 metres if you arent sure what length you like your straps. This amount of fabric is actually enough for 2, so may aswell buy another placemat :D. I purchased the Drill for $5 pm from spotlight.

*prewash both the fabric and the placemat to save disappointment from a warped carrier after the first wash..

Lets get started.

CUTTING

*Cut from the full 2mt length of drill, 3 17cmX2mt strips. I used my rotary cutter. Dont worry if you dont own one. Scissors work fine, just takes a little longer

*Remove any tags from the placemat

MAKING THE STRAPS

*Taking 2 of the lengths of drill(these will make the shoulder straps), fold them longways ( making a rectangle 8cm by 2mtrs long)

*Sew along the length of the strip, then turning and sewing one of the short ends closed, be sure to leave the other open. I have used about a 1cm seam allowance, this isnt vital though.

*Do this with both strips, to create 2 shoulders straps

* Taking the the remaining strip, fold it, with both short sides together to find the middle point along the 2mtr length. Lay the placemat, folded in half longways over the top, lining up the folded edges.

*Mark where the placemat comes to on the strip, on both top and bottom side of the layers of the strip.

* Taking the strip, now folding it the same as you had for the shoulder straps. sew around the strip, sewing both short ends and along the long side, leaving the section between the marks you made, un sewn. This strip will be the waist strap.

* Take all 3 strips and turn them in the right way. Best way to do this I found, was over a broom handle

*Iron all 3 straps.

*For the shoulder straps, once ironed flat, take the open ends, tuck the raw edges in aboout 1 inch and iron these down.

*When ironing the waist strap the raw edges of the open section in to create a continual line with the rest of the seam and iron flat as well.

ATTACHING THE STRAPS

*taking the 2 shoulder straps slide the opened end over 2 of the corners of the placemat on a 45 Deg angle. pin Ensuring the edge between the 2 straps is a shorter edge, and this will be the top of your carrier so ensure if there is a direction to your design, you get it the right way around.

*Sew across the edges of open strap, sewing through both top and bottom layers of the strap and the placemat that is sandwiched in the middle, continue to sew over this 3 layered area criss crossing to reinforce the strap attchement, If you enlarge the photo above you can see how I have done so,

*For the waist strap, take the remaining short side of the placemat slotting it down into the section you left unsewn in the waist strap, Being sure to place it all the way down, so that the edge of the placemat sits right down in the fold. Pin in place.

*As with the shoulder straps, sew right along the open edge, through all three layers to close the waist strap. criss crossing back over the whole area to reinforce the strap. This reinforcing stitching may be better seen in the green and brown carrier at the top. Though feel free to stitch in what ever pattern you desire.

Snip threads and wear, it really is that quick.

Where I say where??

2009-07-01T08:57:00.004+10:00

did I put my blasted camera after taking some Mei Tei sewing pics..??

not only do I haveother photos to take.. but the photos that are on the camera too... I took step by step picsof making a 15/15mei tei with intentions of writing a tut... well we shall call today... hunting day....

Tthe 15/15 Mei Tai

2009-06-25T14:33:00.004+10:00

WHY 15/15 ??

Because it cost me $15 and took 15 minutes to make.... yep.... easiest ever!

excuse that the threads arent snipped in the picture... I am absolutely stoked with how this came out... I plan to make another tonight...

Ohh and i forgot to take a pic of the other side... but its double sided :D

Febuary Lady Socks

2009-06-24T15:34:00.003+10:00

made these ages ago but playing blog catch up... they are from Bohemian Magic on FBF merino, dyed by Katanya of Baabums.

Remember me?

2009-06-24T15:09:00.002+10:00

Hey

Yes it is I, coming back to my yet again, abandoned blog, with yet another excuse... RAM, I needed more, I couldnt upload any pics!!! and we all know a blog without pics is like a shop with out craft stuf.... just not worth looking at. :D

So now my crappy lappy is all RAMed up.... lets see if I can blog....

And my naughty textile purchases continue....

2009-03-30T14:16:00.003+11:00

.. today it was wool

Left to right

1. Blue moon fibre, Socks that rock, 100% superwash merino, heavyweight. Olivetree

2. Blue moon fibre, Socks that rock, 100% superwash merino, heavyweight. LemonGrass

3. A Swell Yarn Store, Duel sock, original.

4. A Swell Yarn Store, Duel sock, original.

5. A Swell Yarn Store, Duel sock, XXL.

6. A Swell Yarn Store, Duel sock, XXL.

7. A Swell Yarn Store, Duel sock, XXL.

must go hunting for some yummy DK/8ply and sports/5ply sock patterns

I went to spotlight,

2009-03-24T11:57:00.002+11:00

without child or partner,

need I say more?

Ravelry has kidnapped me,

2009-03-17T09:48:00.001+11:00

but i will try to escape and come this way, I have a partly finished cardi that is devine that i must share...

7 fish..

2009-02-16T10:25:00.004+11:00

....now have this lovely new home in my back yard.

Hubby made me this devine water feature with working pump, the pictures dont show the water flowing, but it does, please ignore the unpainted wall behind, we are yet to paint the outside of our house.

Up on eBay now.. my first ever Fabric for sale.

2009-02-01T20:08:00.001+11:00

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=130284464150

our house - before..

2008-12-07T13:50:00.006+11:00

Well after chatting with people on NC about renovating and being that my renos have picked up again, I thoguht i should begin blogging about it, so first i should show you some before photos...

of the lounge/dine

the kitchen

and the back room some how didnt get any pics taken..... but will show a mid reno pic soon which should give some indication of the horid colours....

so that is how these rooms started... a bit feral.

Crochet from long ago - well not THAT long

2008-11-23T13:07:00.003+11:00

Just thought I would take some time to show you a piece LOVELY crochet, this was given to me when I was a baby. Its just devine.. I love the little rub stutches, shame its made of acrylic :(

February lady SOCK - Pattern

2008-11-10T10:40:00.004+11:00

This is the pattern for the sock/s I have made from the lace pattern used here.

please note, I am most defiantely NOT a pattern writter, just doing my best here :S

Supplies

4mm DPNs
4mm 30cm circulars

Darning needle

stitch markers

Yarn

I have used Knittery 8ply superwash

Gauge

22 stitches by 30 rows

Pattern

Using your prefered stretchy cast on, co 42 stitches onto the DPNs, place stitch marker.

Rib

working in circular,work either a k1,p1, or k2,p1 rib (which ever you prefer) for 4-5cm, or what ever length you like. change to 30cm circluars

Lace pattern
round 1: k1, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k1. Repeat around.
rounds 2 & 4: knit
round 3: k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk. Repeat around.

Work lace pattern for 6 inches, or what ever length you wish the ankle of your sock to be finishing at the end of round 4

Heel flap

working over 21 stitches(3 pattern repeats) knit the following..

1. (s1, k1) 10 times, k1, turn

2. s1, p20 turn

repeat these rows 10@ (11 times in total)

Heel short rows

1. s1, k12, ssk, k1, turn

2. s1 purlwise, p6, p2tog, p1, turn

3. s1, k7, ssk, k1, turn

4. s1 purlwise, p8, p2tog, p1, turn

5. s1, k9, ssk, k1, turn

6. s1 purlwise, p10, p2tog, p1, turn

7. s1, k13

picking up heel stitches.

Along the edge of the heel flap pick up 11 stitches, place stitch marker (marker 1).

knit the next 21 stitches in the lace pattern starting at round 1, (oringal marker, should be here, this will become marker2). you will continue to knit these 21 stitches in the lace pattern.

pick up another 11 stitches along the 2 side of the heel flap. and knit to marker 1.

stitches should now be,

21 stitches across the top of the foot (lace pattern)

37 across sole and heel.

heel gusset

1. work lace pattern to marker2, k2, k2tog, k to 4 stitches before marker1, ssk, k2.

2. work lace pattern to marker2, k to marker1

repeat these rounds untill 40 stitches remain in total, 21 on the top of the foot and 19 on the sole.

foot

continue working in the lace pattern on top and stocking stitch on the sole until the length is 2 inches shorter then that of your foot, finishing on row 4 of the lace pattern

toe.

change stitches from 30cm circs back onto DPNs, with stitch markers still inplace at each end of the lace pattern begin toe decreases, starting from marker 1 (end of lace pattern)

1. k1, k2tog, k to 3 stitches before marker2, ssk, k1, slip marker, k2tog, k to 2 stitches before marker1, ssk.

2. k all stitches.

repeat these rows untill there are only 8 stitches between markers (16 total)

Finish

Using darning needle close toe usin kitchener stitch, run all threads in and block... repeat if not too distracted by other patterns :D

please lmk if there are any errors

so following my previous post...

2008-11-09T22:43:00.004+11:00

.. I began the dress last night

winged it and it turned out ok so far..

the bust is together but just pinned to the skirt and without lining. I think i will bone it as it is a little droopy in the bust, boning should fixed that.

I may need to wear a sucker inner-er for the bulge factor.. lol

Also not sure if I want the skirt to be pleated or gathered.

ok so here it is

full length

close up with ribbon

close up without

and full length shots with and without... I am leaning toward having it.. think it finishes it nicely

My wedding outfit

2008-11-09T18:15:00.003+11:00

WE have a wedding to go to this coming weekend, I have no pattern or any idea what i actually want. But this is the fabricc, shoes and cincher i have to use... stay tuned, will see what I can come up with

My new camera

2008-11-08T14:20:00.002+11:00

I got my new camera today. no one is home to take pics of!! but heres some photos i have taken with it, just playing around, it does lovely close ups

A Fujifilm J150w

A silkworm a thomas toy :D

lol Bryns left over lunch!!!

The stormy sky outside

In the Dye pot today

2008-11-04T21:11:00.002+11:00

Just a quick 12 step colourwheel to test what the quilters cotton availbale here locally is like, turns out its crap, doesnt absorb the colour good enough for my likings... will order some online tomorrow

I am not the Devil.... lol

2008-10-23T14:49:00.008+11:00

this is for all those who thought me the Devil Woman for forbidding DH to buy another Thomas item for Bryn for his birthday.. THIS is why.... believe me now??

Top row...
suddery swing bridge, water tower, mountain overpass, 2 arch bridges, spook hill (back), and rock tunnel

Middle row...
signs, buildings, trees and people. then all the rest is assorted thomas engines (now remember theres are $10-20 each... THATs why i a have put a stop to it...

bottom row...
oil depot, assorted generic engines, tenders for larger engines above, rest is assorted carrages, etcc...

on the table...
special engine shed, Maron tunnel, crossing station, stop and go station, carg odrop station, double engine shed

underneith...
all the track plus 2 turn tables, and the take-a-long case.

ohh and the table lol...

Jealous much??

2008-10-23T14:15:00.002+11:00

This is what arrived on my door step this morning...

I was still in bed...

What a way to be woken....

30 balls.. all Noro.... off to roll....

more wormies

2008-10-20T20:34:00.006+11:00

and we are thriving.. they are being very slow to hatch this year.. i blame the on off cold hot... crazy weather..

as always Bryn is positivily taken with them

here they are anyhow

Click on the image to make it big enough to see the tiny blighters.

Socks...

2008-10-15T10:03:00.004+11:00

Well I have been sock knitting again..

I am allowing myself 2 pair at a time so that I can take breaks between each. Hoping this will help protect my fickle knitting mojo...

So,,, I thought I would try a sock pattern out of my one of my old vintage knitting books.... well this is what I knitted...

Is this not the ugliest sock EVER!?

suprisingly though.. it looks fine on! and fits great!! go figure.. should have taken a photo of it on as proof, as it really does look like the proverbial sitting there like that lol.

This is the other sock I am working on... I think I am only a repeat or 2 off starting the heel...

its a FLS(ock)

I attempted a February lady sweater but tbh.... my heart just wasnt in it. I did, however fall in love with the lace pattern, so i have started socks from it.

If anyone is interested I am happy to write out the pattern for what i have done...

... provided it turns out half decent

Experimentations with chanelle

2008-10-10T21:07:00.003+11:00

Is that how you spell it?? probably not.

Anyhow I came across this Technique and really liked it... so thought i would give it a go

I did a little sample today that sewed up in under 15mins and I love it

I used lots of colours to get a feel for how the different colours work together.

I am inlove iwth it now its done

Its sitting over the back of my dining chair and I pat it every time I walk past.. so being that it gets the tick of "irresistable patability" then I must make a full sized one.

It is alot lighter then i thought it would be when i was sewing 5 layers of cotton and one of wool together.. even Hubby spent 10 minutes with it on his lap patting it... so that says alot lol

so one chanel quilt quilt to add to the to do list

This trial is the perfect dolly quilt size.. anyone have a little girl with a cold dolly?

Birth!

2008-10-07T16:26:00.000+11:00

we have hada birthi n the house.. sort of.

We had our first silk worm emerge this morning, so teeny tiny.

will do piccies when there is more then one to show you lol...

Yarn and Fibre

2008-10-06T17:53:00.002+11:00

Well yarnandfiber.com are having a sale on Noro..

I was blissfully unaware of this till Lis (AKA "The Enabler") PMed me to advise me!

Well I visited, and in one of the most horific shelf stacking catastrophies of this month, dozens of balls of noro fell into my cart :O

Well as any selfrespecting wooly lover can understand, there was nothing i could do but take them through the checkout process...

It is just lucky that ALL the balls that fell into my cart are ones I would have picked myself and there is the perfect amount of balls (30) to make that full size noro Lizard ridge.... one day...

I will share pics when the parcel (ohh imagine that this parcel will be like!!) arrives!

February lady sweater.

2008-10-03T04:06:00.001+10:00

I am quite enjoying this... details to come when i am NOT realing from a 22 hour day!

aand bad pics again... or is it my eyes that are blurry?

FO: mini lizzy

2008-10-02T02:57:00.000+10:00

well i finished this a while ago.

I am so very completely happy with it that i plan to do a big noro buy up and do a full size noro one. after i finish my Vintage one that is

Sorry for the bad Mobi pic. will do a proper one on the camera soon..

Blogtober..

2008-10-01T09:14:00.002+10:00

Wow over a month..

I feel soo ashamed! I dont know what happened I have so much to blog about of late, I think I have just been plain lazy.. the thoguht of uploading photos... typing WITH punctuation!!

ohh all just too much.. well I am trying to be better, Thus this month is Blogtober! I will attempt to post EVERY day for the month of Blogtober, in an effort to renew blog enthusiasum.

I dont think i have shared my Mini lizzy with... must do that tomorrow! :D

Aarons Debut

2008-08-28T16:16:00.004+10:00

What sort of a big sis would I be if I let my Little brother debut in the ring, looking any less then then a pro, ok even if it is just amateur (is that how its spelt?).

Hes been training on and off for years but only now that hes had lazer surgery on his eyes and can actually see across the ring is he finally getting the chance to fight, he fights this weekend at the Central Coast.

It was a great opportunity for me to master my embroidery machine, which untill now I hadn't really touched .. shame on me... so this is what he will be wearing, Looks very proffesional if I do say so myself, and he is stoked, however I beleive there is now another 5-6 guys that he trains with hoping to get a custom made pair each...

please excuse the fact they arent pressed, actually they are half wet there, from where i had to dunk them to get the blue lines off used to line up the embroidery

Tropical Cyclone F.Ugly

2008-08-15T14:14:00.005+10:00

aptly named By Dh and DBro.... hmmmm
Well its done... the patchwork centre of it atlest.. I am off to spotlight to look at border colours this arvo.. I am thinking a nice deep coral colour....
anyhow this is it... very FULL ON and maybe not my thing and i wouldnt do another but I had to give it a go.

Holiday Knits..

2008-08-14T14:35:00.003+10:00

Well while I was MIA and on holidays I got Lots of knitting done, all Lizzy stuff.. so my Lizzy from noro...well it got a change of plans, i finished it up at 12 blocks, its sewn together and I am edging it atm... will post with pics onces thats done (getting excited). Once done it will go away and be added to Brynachs parcel for his birthday in october... pics on that should be tomorrow maybe...
Meanwhile i am planing on ordering up and laybying 30 balls of noro ready for another blanket once the Vintage one is done,
So.. the vintage lizzy.. I am 2.5 strips down... here are the 2 that are sewn together so far

Frog a Friend

2008-08-13T14:51:00.003+10:00

Well I got FAFed on woolaholics here by the lovely jemsmum...

so frog or orginise?

well i have nothing to frog.. serious... only have on thing on the needles... My vontage Lizzy... so I gathered and packed my stash.. its only a small stash and was spread through out the house.. so i gathered and rolled.... here it is..

excuse my unvacuumed carpet :S

and all packed into a tub..

MIA

2008-08-13T14:49:00.002+10:00

Yes. I have been MIA for week.. party laziness but mostly i have been on holidays, but I really want to be better, I want to try post daily..... lets see how i go

WIP: Gotta love perfect points

2008-07-22T12:52:00.003+10:00

not that many of these are but still.... gotta love them.
This project was flying along but stalled atm.. it will pick up again soon... heres how its coming along

Shrug for Alyra

2008-07-17T10:37:00.002+10:00

This shrug was made from the confection Baby shrug pattern, using Cleckheaton Country 8ply and hand dyed by myself.

It knitted up using less then 100gms of wool and in an evening... very happy..

It is destined to become part of a waredrobe for a friends bub due in sept.
Its knitted in the 6month size, but with longer sleeves then the pattern says

Me thinks this needs to go to its new home asap, as I think it is causing me to sprout Feathers *cluck cluck*

Just Hangin' Out

2008-07-16T15:14:00.003+10:00

Just us ... at home.. with the Camera... I know I am Bias but I think he is the most beautiful boy around.. just dont let him hear me say it..!!

FO: Thujas For mum

2008-07-14T22:39:00.003+10:00

These are the socks I knitted for my mum

I have knitted this pattern twice already for myself...

I hope shes liking them

... And in other news tonight..

2008-07-11T16:16:00.004+10:00

... 9 balls of delicious Noro Kureyon Wool was discovered on the doorstep of a textile addicts residence today, it is expected that the Wool will not leave the house again in its original form... But from reports from those who are familiar with the household, it issaid the wool will be a transformed in to some form of afgan known as a Lizard ridge,

ok ok so i am no journalist!!

anyhow my 3 lonely LR blocks that have been sitting here waiting for friend will get just that.

I originally bought jjust 3 balls of noro to see if i like it and the pattern.. well i do!!!

i have since begun knitting a LR blanket from Cleckheaton vintage hues between the block i knit from Noro.

I will ( as ahrd as this will be) pop these balls aside and keep them to take with me to knit while on holidays in Brisbane for 2 weeks :D

WIP: OBW quilt

2008-07-10T17:09:00.004+10:00

Well I have my One Block one isnpired quilt underway..

Well underway...

I started with this fabric..

Its not ideally what I was after, but... it was $14.95 a metre, on a throw out table at spotlight for $5.99 and i went there on their quilters market night, so got it at 1/2 that price. $2.99pm, then when i got to the counter and said i would take the full roll (there looked to only be 5-8mtrs left on it) the lady said there was an additional 35% off any quilt fabric when you empty the roll.. so that was just under $2 p/m, so i took the 7mts for $14, not bad when the original price was more than that a metre.

So thats why that fabric will do thank you... lol

So I cut it at the pattern repeat (basically just at the exact same place in the pattern) to get six idenctical panels.

I stacked them on top of each other lining the pattern up prefectly, I acheived it by using a pin through the same spot on all layers to line it up, then fastening it with another pin... I did this all over, it took maybe 20 mins but was worth it.. get this bit wrong and the rest of the quilt just wont work

from there i took my perfectly stacked panel, cut a strip from it, i think i did around 13cms, then cut the strip into equalltateral triangles, i did this to the whole lot.

I got 55 sets of triangles

from here just sew the triangles into hexagons, every block turns out different

actually i have only sewn the hexagons into halves. this way i can peice them into strips and then together, eliminating y seams.

I have finished all 55 block and just need to iron the last 10 or 15 and i will get to start laying them out properly.. will share that when its done,

I have enough of the fabric left over(3-4mtrs) to use to border it, I just have to get a nice contrast colour (thinking a nice rich coral red) to use for backing, binding and a frame..

Lizard ridge, one strip down

2008-07-09T16:16:00.004+10:00

yay one strip done on my lizard ridge!! 4 to go

I am having a little break to get rid of a few small projects that have been haunting me before i caston the next one... but here it is .. finished

I feel like running the threads in and wearing it as a scarf... I keep walking about the house with it around my neck, patting it... yes I have never claimed to be normal

FO: Shoyoen.

2008-07-09T15:30:00.007+10:00

oops

I forgot that I said I would come in here and update..

So I sort of finished Shoyoen (and finished other projects, will blog about those later...)

So heres is shoyoen, Quilted and edges overlocked.
It needs its threads cut and binding, but that can be done later... its usable atm and thas good enough for now.. so its finished -ish..

so many projects.. so little time

2008-06-24T12:31:00.002+10:00

Well I have 2 projects I wan itching to take on.

First is a One Block Wonder quilt and the second is I want to knit me a cardi from some lovely Montana targhee I have here.....

but first I need to get 3 of my four WIPS out of the way..
hope to get the majority of it out of the road today

WIP1 - My Shoyoen Quilt - this is the one I am most wanting finsihed.. it needs to be done by thursday... so my aim for today is this... Finish quilting it.. really there is only about 1-2 hours of quilting left (but then there will be almost the same again in thread hidding and snipping after the horrible quilting experience), then overlock the edges and get it into the wash, then thats it. i will take it around to nannas tomorrow and use her binding machine to complete

WIP2 - Thuja KAL socks - i am about half way along the leg in my second sock.. want to atlest get into a good portion of the foot today/tonight, finishing it no later then tomorrow..

WIP3 - rainbow anklet socks -(I havent blogged about these yet but will when they are done)I have finished one but then put it aside to do thuja. I am not too stressed about fnishing this but would like to, I wont cast on a cardi till i do, but it shouldnt delay my quilting ... right??

WIP4 - Lizard Ridge - this is my 'doesnt count' wip cos its a rather long term one.

so i will update as i go on how i am going ... send me productivity vibes..

CALers - thank you

2008-06-23T22:41:00.002+10:00

well our little online (msn) Craft-a-long went great! I was kept motivated and calm... and completed the quilting with that horrid horrid HORRID thread.. so now i am just doing the 'pebbles' aka border and that is just using normal thread, so good news.. I might actually be ready by Thursday, fingers crossed..

sooo I am also hoping to get fabric this week to start on my next quilt projects, a One block wonder quilt. will be sure to share when I do

woolaholics KAL - Thuja

2008-06-22T21:51:00.000+10:00

so the ladies of woolaholics decided to do a Thuja KAL... well have already knit 2 pair of these and have no need for another, but who can pass up a good Knit-a-long, so I joined, i am making these ones for mum.. she likes purple...

So.... that quilt...

2008-06-22T17:55:00.004+10:00

.... shoyoen.. hows it going??? its not... My lizard ridge is...

I have come to a bit of a stalemate with the Quilting, all those breaking thread, Its like I go from happy and creative to a forehead vane pulsing monster.. serious. But i need to keep going, its ment to be finished for a display this thursday (yes its sunday night..) so tonight i put the lizard ridge down and quilt, I have orginized a Craft-a-long for tonight to help me combat my Finish fatigue on this... on a more positive note, LR is looking great.. heres a pic

Gimme Strength!

2008-06-17T15:34:00.002+10:00

well I have been quilting my Shoyoen Quilt, and OMG do I hate glittzy threads!!!!

I have that many stops and starts that the top of my quilt is resembling a shag pile rug...

Anyhow, I am close to finishing the sections using this thread (THANKGOD!!) and never again, actually I probably will.

Hoping to finish quilting it totally this week

FO: Stripy!

2008-06-17T15:28:00.002+10:00

these where mega fun to dye and knit, and lovely to wear. verdict, HAPPY