Wednesday 29 August 2012

Strawberry craft swap and my wonderful sewing box!

I have officially finished my strawberry craft swap. I need to pack it up and get it in the post and then I can reveal all. I have made three gifts all using a different technique and I have to say I will be sad to see them go but even happier that they will be putting a smile on someone's face. I thought I would run well over schedule and into october but I don't think I was accounting for the amount of stress I would encounter in this last month. It does tend to spur me into action.

I have also decided that my beautiful sewing box needed a good old sort out as it was getting hard to find anything in it. Here it is...it might not look it but it's highly organised now!

I am off for a spa day tomorrow. Well needed, earned and looked forward to.

Tuesday 28 August 2012

Birthday card

I have made yet another character card, I love giving them as they generally look really cute and I can design the face to look just like the person I am sending it to. This is for my friend Xanthe's 40th (incase you can't read the card) and it should go down a treat.

I have also finished knitting one children's arm warmer so will hopefully crack on with the second tomorrow. I have also got my long needles for knitting my tunic so I can cast that on soon, exciting!!!

The Great British Bake Off

Today is our first trip to our friends Great British Bake off night. They have it every week but we haven't been able to make it yet.

So, this weeks theme is tarts...vicars are not necessary! I was on nights last night so had to pick something nice and easy so I made good old fashioned jam tarts. Paul and Mary would not be happy though, some have soggy bottoms and there is not a very even bake at all but that's why I am not in that glorious tent!

Here are the photos that will probably publish in the wrong order!

Monday 27 August 2012

Lovely little pink hand warmers

I have started knitting some children's hand warmers for a colleagues grand daughter. They are what you might call my first "commission". I love the pink wool, it was in a bag of leftovers my Mum gave me and it's perfect! It just looks delicious and it knits up beautifully. I plan to knit a lilac bow and sequin the middle so they have a little sparkle.

I have also been thinking about projects I want to undertake and thought I would right a list. I like lists, they keep my otherwise chaotic brain in check. So...here it is.

Projects to complete

Knit a garment - have purchased the wool and pattern.
Crochet a blanket - even if only a little one
Make some free hand embroidered wall art - likely to be in a hoop
Make a knitting needle holder
Finish my Cath Kidston pencil case so I can use it for my crochet hooks and random knitting bits.

Fit any other little things around these as they are mostly quite big projects that I might need a break from.

Sunday 26 August 2012

Third time lucky!

I did it! Not only did I manage to knit correctly (not to the back of the stitch and not garter stitch) I managed to keep it to tension aswell which means that when I start knitting my tunic it should fit perfectly! I have to say I am incredibly excited but I think it is going to take me ages as the yarn is quite fine and the needles are quite small. Perhaps I should book a week off work so I can knit and job hunt and not have to do it in fits and starts.

Anyway, here is a picture of my tension square. Nothing impressive really but it is exactly the size it is meant to be. Wahoo!

Saturday 25 August 2012

I can't even knit a tension square today!

Today I started knitting the tension square for my tunic, well...

Firstly I was doing garter stitch so I had to undo my rows.

Then I got nearly all the way through my tension square which was too small but gradually growing as I loosened my tension a bit and I realised I had cast on too few stitches.

So now I have ripped out the whole lot and will start it again. I will not give up or be put off and this tunic will be worn when it ever gets knitted.

On a different note a colleague of mine brought in an Aran she is knitting for her friend. It is amazing! She is knitting the high neck cardigan on the pattern but I much prefer the v neck one. I have asked if she would like to knit me one but I suspect I will be told to do it myself so that I can't shy away from the challenge. That really is a challenge for the future as I can't see me managing it after today's failed attempts at even a tension square.

Thursday 23 August 2012

Boat bunting

2 blogs in one day, what a productive day I have had!

I have finished my boat bunting and I love love love it! I probably should have been in bed an hour ago but I was so close to finishing. These will be sent to my lovely Mummy and Daddy for their caravan in Suffolk and very soon their house in Suffolk. Loads of inspiration there. I have been asked to make a second lot for my Mum's friend so that will be a nice little job for me.

Greys anatomy, Mug of Earl Grey and Yarn

I have spent the morning making my CV top notch before joining some agencies. I also applied for a couple of jobs.

To reward my hard work I popped to my favourite little yarn shop and decided it was time to set myself a challenge. I had a flick through the patterns and decided on a nice sleeveless tunic, apparently it's easy enough although I am a little worried about whether I can hack it.

Anyway whilst talking through the pattern it has come to light that I knit the wrong way round...ooops! Time to start practising at doing it right otherwise this might not be a very successful project.

So, now I am home I am settled with a lovely cup of earl grey (I do love wittards) in a lovely new mug which unbelievably only cost 50p (I got four of them) with Greys Anatomy on the tv and I am going to teach myself to knit the right way round!

Wednesday 22 August 2012

Not a controversial bottom but a bottom nonetheless

Today after work I have made a number of boat bottoms. They are never going to be as controversial or as viewed as a certain royal bottom making the news but I think they're a little easier on the eye!

Tuesday 21 August 2012

Seaside inspiration

I have had a beautiful few days in Aldeburgh. It was carnival weekend so the whole town came alive with crafts stalls, lovely food and general amazingness. I had a little paddle and felt my stresses wash away in the waves, lovely. The lantern procession on Monday was as always incredibly pretty although we didn't make it in time to join the end, we met the front. When everyone settled on the beach I could see nothing but twinkling paper lanterns glowing and lighting up the entire length of the beach. The 100's of floating Chinese lanterns looked beautiful over the sea. Then the fireworks were let off, wow! I couldn't help but smile the entire time, I felt like stress free five year old again and that is a wonderful feeling.

Anyway, I am now back in Nottingham and feeling as though I need to keep some of the seaside with me so instead of not washing the sand from between my toes I have decided to crochet some boat bunting. I have made boat number 1. It might be slightly adapted before I compile the final piece but it will look good however I make it.

I have uploaded a few photos of the best bits. Please excuse my sunburnt red nose.

Saturday 18 August 2012

Herman got cooked

Herman the German is yummy, I have nearly eaten him all which is not good for my waistline.

Wedding Card

I am off to a colleagues wedding reception this evening so of course I dug out my creativity and made a card. I can put it in here now as I don't think she will be checking Facebook on her wedding day! I designed the faces to look like the lovely bride and groom and despite having a very long surname managed to fit it on aswell. I love it and I am sure he newlyweds will aswell.

Thursday 16 August 2012

Plenty of secrets

I have been busy with a few things that I cannot currently show on here due to them being gifts. I was flicking through my Cath Kidston make book earlier and just loved this sewing box. The box itself it's not what I love it's the wonderful things in it. So pretty!

Friday 10 August 2012

The lovely spoon

I can't claim to have done much with regards to this wonderful item other than put it together. The spoon was ordered from folksy and here is a little story. Whenever I ask Tom if he would like anything from the kitchen his usual response is "you", ahhh I can hear you say. One day I was looking for a stamped silver bracelet on folksy and when putting in stamped silver it brought a whole selection of beautiful stamped cutlery. Then I saw one stamped with coffee, tea or me in a shop called Goozeberry Hill. How could I possibly ignore it so for the bargain price of £6.50 it was mine. When it arrived there was even better news, it was not just any old spoon it was a Mappin and Webb, fair enough it's not one of their most special pieces but I have always wanted some so it will do for now.

The next challenge was to find a frame. I found a shop on eBay who advertised custom made frames. I sent them an e-mail and received the best service ever! I will definitely use them again.

I did buy little hearts, coffee pots and tea pots to put in the frame aswell but it looked far too busy.

All in all I am over the moon with it all. It looks fantastic! Just need to find somewhere to hang it.

Wednesday 8 August 2012

Herman the German.

Herman needed feeding today, he was getting a bit peckish. I gave him what he needed and he has now doubled in size and is still bubbling away going sour. It sounds gross but I have been assured that he will be very tasty.

Tuesday 7 August 2012

Project number one done.

I really can't give much away which us very frustrating as I am so proud of my creation but here is a teeny close up. I am almost upset to have to part with project number one of the strawberry swap but if it makes the receiver smile then that is an accomplishment! I have another couple of little ideas tip my sleeve and at this rate I will be finished soon! Love it.

Monday 6 August 2012

Strawberry knitting and Herman the German sour dough cake

I have successfully finished one part of my strawberry craft swap and the picture is a nice little close up so as not to give too much away. It's pretty cool, I would be happy to receive it so I hope it is well received.

Also I was given some dough for a Herman cake. It's a lovely thing whereby you look after your mix for 10days and after those ten days you give 3 parts to friends and make yours into a cake. Looking forward to nursing it into cakey goodness!

Sunday 5 August 2012

Fail!

My first attempt for my strawberry craft swap was a bit of a fail but I have turned it into a very successful something else so all is not lost!

Such a cryptic message I know but I can give nothing away!

Saturday 4 August 2012

Strawberry wool

I got my green wool today from the wonderful shop Knit Nottingham so I now have my lovely strawberry wool ensemble. I am loving this strawberry stuff. I might even see if we have a pick your own nearby, I haven't done that in a long time.

Friday 3 August 2012

Crafting away

I can't give too much away as the strawberry craft swap surprise will be nothing of the sort.

I have got supplies in the form of felt on their way and I am off to the wonderful knit Nottingham tomorrow morning for some wool. It's making me reunite myself with my passion which has slipped a little recently due to other stress factors.

Yippee!!

Wednesday 1 August 2012

The big strawberry swap

I have signed up to take part in a craft swap with popular crafts magazine. It is what it says on the tin really. I make a crafty gift or two or three and post them along with an inexpensive gift to my allocated swap partner. The theme this time around it Strawberries so my thinking hat has been on and I have already cast on gift number one...I hope it's appropriate as I haven't been allocated my partner yet! I can't give too much away so just a little picture.