Leaving on a Jet Plane…..

But now I’m all back home again

 

This past weekend I was lucky enough to spend the weekend with the darling Sweetp and her family in Christchurch.

We had a fantastic weekend - knitting, nattering, shopping, nattering, yarn dyeing and nattering . It was a fantastic break to revive the mind and soul (well on my part anyway).  It was my first weekend away from my girls so I was a wee bit nervous (ok a lot bit nervous) but lucky for me Gabe’s gorgeous girls made me feel at home and loved

I was also lucky enough to meet a few of the other ladies in CHC who frequent the same forum. Lots of laughter and eating and a bit more nattering

 

I hate turning up to places empty handed - and I had to thank Gabes for her hospitality so I thought I’d make the Queen of Knitting somewhere to hold her current Project (yes I know, who only ever has 1 project on the go) I got my spy to do some work for me (though she did a bit too good of a job and Gabe’s posted this) and I put together a plan

Anyway… Here is the WIP (work in Progress)  Bag.

 

I used a large Ziploc bag as a guide (well it’s where I keep my projects) so it’s around that size. The bottom is flat and has a piece of heavy interfacing to give it a sturdy base. The sides have a fusible batting in them to help the bag stand by itself and also to help prevent the needles poking through. If I had of been brave enough I would have tried quilting it - but alas - that was far toooooo scary.

 

Oh and can you see my favourite part???? The wee row counter on the drawstring Yes I’m a geek.

 

I added a few accessories to help make project wrangling easier.

A wee zippered notion pouch - made using this tutorial. This was my first ever zipper and I’m very proud of it.

 

And a “Yarn Bra” to hold a centre pull ball of yarn to help it from tangling. (for the ladies I met at the knitting night - I’ll have a tutorial up ASAP - though I think you all took enough notes lol) I got this idea from my Aunty who made a few of these in smaller sizes for christmas presents one year.

 

Both pouches have a clip so they can be clipped to the D-ring inside the bag for easy retrieval.

 

Personalised with a Name tag

 

Inside I added some gorgeous Purple Merino et Soie Yarn, a bar of Dairy Free Fair trade Chocolate and a copy of the Yarn Harlots book.

 

ooooooh and Gabes gave me a huge spool of white yarn to dye from this stash.

 

Thank you Gabes and girls for showing me a fantastic time and having me to stay.

 

The Photo was taken by Gabe’s 6yo DD - isn’t she clever ( oh and that’s me all bundled up in my big woolly jacket - spot the Aucklander )

Woolly Winter Warmers

I know - a bit late in the season, but I had a visit planned to the Arctic Christchurch to visit the Gorgeous Gabes . Lucky I did get them completed as when I flew in on Saturday it was 1 degree brrrrrrrrrrr.

I had been admiring this pattern for a neckwarmer for ages. So I had to knit it. It was actually to wear to DH’s work function where I got lots of lovely comments (where did I buy it?? I love being able to reply - I made it *warm fuzzies*)

 

And for the other exposed part  - my hands. The wristwarmers using the fetching pattern. The only mods I made were to do an extra repeat on the cable pattern and do a normal bind off instead of a picot bind off

 

 

I used my most favourite stashed yarn - Merino Fine by Naturally Yarns in a fuschia pink. Sadly this yarn is no longer available - so I’m glad I now have something to remember it by lol

 

I love the set sooo much - I’ve been wearing them everyday. It’s so nice to have something pretty for myself. It’s not often that happens

Crafty Genes. A tribute of sorts

Ok, I never write thoughtful posts, mostly because I can’t get my thoughts in order, but this is something I’ve been thinking about for a while. My apologies for it’s muddleness but I just need to write.

I love my family, I love their crafty ways. I love that I’ve been brought up around crafts of all sorts. I love that inspiration surrounds me and I love that I have people that I aspire to be like.

I regret that I didn’t learn what they had to teach me sooner.

Last year my mum taught me to knit. My mum is a brilliant knitter. She’s knitted christening shawls for both my girls - treasures to be passed down for generation (I hope). I’m sure she thinks that it is fantastic that I now knit, it takes pressure off her hehe. Thank you mum, for it is you that has lead me down this path which is so obviously meant for me.

My mum and my aunties (I’ll tell you about them later) learnt their skills from my Grandmum. My Grandmum is an amazing woman, I really think this post is geared towards her. She’s a seamstress, pattern drafter, knitter, tatter, crocheter, woodworker, potter, toymaker, lacemaker, weaver, spinner and macrami maker, you name it my Grandmum could do it.

It is now that I am older and my love for crafts grow that I really wish I’d taken the time to learn what my grandmother had to teach. If I could have but a percentage of her talent then I would consider myself blessed.

Recently, my grandmother has been clearing out her home. Passing on stuff that she has collected throughout the years. I am fortunate enough to have been gifted all her vintage knitting, crochet, sewing patterns, books, magazines and cutouts. She did keep everything. While going through the piles of paper I’ve found things that I remember her making. A quilt with holly hobby (does anyone remember Holly Hobby??), soft toys. Stuff I wish I had kept (why oh why was I not the hoarder then that I am now hehe).

Of everything that she has passed on to me - the one thing that I will cherish and treasure more than anything is her Spinning Wheel. I have fond memories of the spinning wheel. It lived in her bedroom next to the fireplace. Us kids were never allowed to touch it. I do remember having the odd press of the pedal and feel the exhilaration that it gave me. Maybe it was just the act of doing something forbidden hehe.

Now that I have been enlightened, I’m going to take up any offer to enhance my skills if people wish to teach me. First up, my Aunty Carol, she is just like my Grandmum (though I’m not sure if she’d like to be thought of that way) but I mean it in the best way possible. She is probably the most crafty, fascinating, hippy woman. She is the one that is most like me. Anyway she is an amazing quilter. If I can find pics I’ll show you what I mean. She has agreed to teach me her art of quilting I do hope she’s patient. I’ll put progress pics as I learn. And maybe share some of her wisdom (if she doesn’t mind).

Oh and while I’m talking about how fantastically crafty my family is - look at this site - this is my cousin Lara. She has the eye for photography and a way with paper. Her albums are droolworthy and I love nothing more than sitting down and seeing what she’s done to enhance her photos, and tell her story.

I’m hoping to start my girls young on the road to craftiness, I don’t want them to realise what a gift it is when it’s too late. Izzy already is asking for a sewing machine and often sits on my knee while I’m sewing to “help”. Emily is the one who has a thing for yarn, I feel the knitting gene is strong in that one.

Anyway - thanks for reading my ramble. If you got this far you have done well.

MidWinter Secret Santa

A couple of months ago a few members of the forum TNN joined in on a Mid Winter Secret Santa. It is now time that the presents are due to be received

I played with lots of ideas for my Santee but I felt bad about the amateurish stuff. I finally settled on an idea and got to work.

For the baby (she is due to make an appearance shortly) I made the cutest teenciest wee booties using this pattern. Are newborns feet really that small?? surely not. Both booties fit into the palm of my hand . They are knitted in Cleckheaton Coccoon - an absolutely beautiful soft yarn. I really enjoyed knitting it. I like that the pink isn’t a baby pink, a bit more melony, which gave me the idea to add the limey green - there you go, Watermelon booties.

And a girl always needs to match. So for the top, this cute wee hat. It reminds me very much of a 1920’s style hat.

The wee flower was knitted using this pattern and 4ply on 3.25mm needles

Mama also requested some cloth wipes so I made a few of those up to

For Miss 2 and a bit - I really wanted to make her a hat, but I’m not the fastest knitter so I thought I would attempt to sew an outfit for her. I haven’t sewn outfits for anyone else apart from my girls (apart from tutus but that is just very basic sewing) so it was a bit daunting. I know that miss 2’s mum is a great sewer so I hope the outfit is up to standard.

A raglan hoodie - size 3 with length added. I did this on purpose so that she could get lots of wear out of it (hopefully next year) I love the pink and yellow combo. And I’ve seen a picture of the recipient wearing it and I think the colour really suits her.

The pants are meant to be tights - but I made them larger - size 3-4 so that once again she could grow into them. They are loose - like a trackpant, at the moment, but as she grows they should still look ok

(can you tell I’m the mum of 2 girls, I always try to make stuff that both girls can wear and get lots of use out of )

I am pleased to say that everything for this outfit came from my stash woohoo stash reduction. The top is microfleece and the bottoms are a cotton knit pumpkin patch fabric which I scored from a fabric outlet shop

My Izzy decided she wanted to make a present too, so we got out her beads (she’s very into patterns atm) and we put together a wee bracelet. I helped with the letters and the knots and she put the beads in sequence. It was lovely working together as a team. I used the bracelet as the nametag for the gift.

Miss Em also got to choose something to put in so I took her to the shop and let her chose a gift. She chose a blues clues book. I’m sure she thought it was for her as she walked around the shop shouting “DOG” “BIG DOG” (oh btw did I tell you??? EM CAN TALK yay finally - after having absolutely no speech at 19mths she’s actually talking - I’m so proud of her)

For Mama - I knitted a hat, it’s the better bucket hat knitted using mods by solaris on ravelry - which gives a flarier (is that a word - I think not) brim. I chose this pattern as it also sort of reminded me of a 1920’s style hat and I wanted the present to match in with bubba. I made a larger version of the knitted flower. The wool I’ve used is Naturally yarns - Merino et Soie (merino and silk) in a gorgeous jewel-like purple colour, the flower is Merino Fine by the same company and sadly is no longer available which is a shame as I have to say it is one of the most beautiful yarns you could knit. Soft and springy and gorgeous.

Unfortunately the recipient says it’s slightly too big - whoops - I used my head as measurements so maybe my head is larger than I thought It is actually meant to be slightly larger - the brim falls to eye level and the back slopes down.

Now this is where I confess my slowness - I had intended to knit a matching scarf, neckwarmer (which I might still do since the hat doesn’t fit) but I ran out of time. Gifts had to be sent by last week. Actually I might start on it after I post this. I am slow so might take me a month hehe.

Mama is also a knitter so I made a couple of stitchmarkers for her knitting.

I really do hope they enjoy their presents. I apologise that it’s not really what you asked for but I got carried away with so many ideas.

Happy Birthday Juju

My gorgeous lil blister turned 20 today.  So being the procrastinator I am of course I only started her present today.

I hope you are happy Juju as I cut into my gorgeous Michael Miller fabric for you (though that means nothing to you really does it hehe)

 

A day of busyness……..

Pattern Used: Amy Butler Frenchy Handbag

Fabric Used: Michael Miller Daisy Dreams - and a contrasty seaspray bluey green from the bottom of my fabric stash

Time to make - all day - well ok not really, I made it when I could grab a few moments of time away from the kidlets.

Getting prepared

The exterior :

Exterior

 

The lining

Woohoo Finished

 

 

I love the wee little pleats on the front - they don’t show up well in the picture but they really are sweet Overall a reasonably easy pattern - everything is explained for you. Now I’ve done one of Amy Butlers patterns I’m almost ready to tackle the weekender bag

GRAND OPENING

Yay a place especially for those that appreciate the love and thought of a handmade gift. Months of hard work has been put into getting this ready so big CONGRATULATIONS to Jayce and her team.

Everyone go check it out  CRAFT FETISH

It’s a crafters paradise, check out other crafters wares (oooh shopping) and make some new crafty friends in the forum. It’s like an online mall for all things handmade. FANTASTIC

 

 

Quicky update

I thought I’d do a quick post with some of the stuff I’ve made recently but have been too slack to pop up - there are more to come but the pics are still stuck in the camera (hehe)

First up we have……

Another Dreamswatch headband for Jax - Stella bamboo in turquoise - 6 pattern repeats instead of 4 and I done the ends in stocking stitch as the wrapping and unwrapping and twisting got a bit tiresome after a while. I love the colour - it’s gorgeous (though I am partial to a bit of blue )

A couple of Raglan Sleeved Hoodies for my girlies - this pattern is so quick and easy - I think both were made in under an hour - I even attempted my first bit of applique

A hat for my brother which ended up being too short so he wants me to pick up stitches and make a foldover big like a beanie. I think NZ men just must have big heads

K’s Longies

I’m doing a swap with a friend - she’s making me some bling and in return I’ve knitted a pair of Longies for her boy This was a learning curve as I don’t do boys hehe so my first few attempts really were too girly and not right. I’m hoping these ones will be manly enough for a wee boy hehe.

Pattern of choice - Pimp My Longies

And I’ve learnt how to do a bit of pimping of my pics hehe - a new door has opened - watch this space for more pic inventions teehee

Darn Winter bugs…

Well the bug season seems to be well and truely underway in our house. Em seems to catch every wee thing going around {{SIGH}} I think with Izzy being a big kindy girl now she brings extra germies home with her.

Anyway after a bad night and a few bed changes Em McSpewy was without her safety sleep - she won’t sleep in the big bed without it -So I had to quickly do some sewing - and make something that would help.

So here is Em’s safety wrap - I made it out of clearance unlined curtain fabric (100% cotton) at $2/m = 3m used in total. It’s a bit thicker than my dress fabrics but still soft enough for a bed.

I made it quite wide so if she was sick again I could just change the wrap and not the sheets and everything too.

If anyone wants instructions - just ask and I’ll type them up - I’m actually going to make another one as DH loves them more than the safety sleep as he doesn’t like velcro (and this snaps close).

QUICK INSTRUCTIONS :

Measure the mattress width and height and multiply x 2 (my mattress is 90cm wide and 20cm deep)

Add 25cm for seam allowance etc and fold over - I think I added 30 because I miscounted - it’s not an exact science so don’t worry hehe

I just used the selvedge to selvedge as the width I wanted it so about 112cm - I didn’t bother hemming as I needed it quickly but it’s completely up to you

Fold over 2cm at each end and press then fold over again 5cm so the 2cm piece is inside the hem.

Sew down the hem

Place snaps at about a 10cm interval along the hem - if you get it where there is an extra layer you shouldn’t have to reinforce

for the wrap around the tummy part - measure from armpit of child to hip (if this is how wide you want it to be) then double - this is the width.

For the length of the wrap  make it about twice as wide as the childs chest measurement (keep in mind mine was made for a toddler not sure if it will work for a younger bubba)

Cut fabric - fold in half right sides facing (oh this is for the width) and sew down.  Turn in right way and hem the ends.

Find the centre of the bed wrap and pin the top wrap to the bottom wrap (have I lost you yet hehe)

Sew down securely - I made a box with a cross in on mine - box was about 10cm wide by the width of the top wrap.

Snap the top wrap where you like so it fits snuggly around your bubba- or use velcro

Once again this is quick but as soon as I get all my real measurements I’ll put them up.

Hopefully this will do in the meantime - any questions just ask

Princess Pyjama Party

So as a start of my complete one project a week I’ve finally gotten around to sewing Izzy’s Pj’s - these were meant to be finished in January (whoooooops) but they are done now and I’m happy with them.

 

Pattern: Kwik Sew 3216

Fabric: Disney Princess Flannel - $2/m clearance from Spotty

Notions: Snapped closure instead of buttons (too hard lol)

 

 

Fabric Addiction

A couple of nights ago I posted a thread on TNN about fabric addiction, How much fabric is too much??

After counting out what fabric is due to arrive to me from various places in the next month or so I got a total of somewhere over 70yds -eeeeek what went wrong.

Here is my post from TNN

What is your level of addiction?? Can you pass a fabric store without taking a quick peak?? or do the words SALE make you buy bolts of fabric lol??Did you buy you fabric with plans or just because you like it??

ok….. I’ll start….

I have what I consider a serious fabric addiction - I have been sewing for just over a year

I’ve just done a total of the fabrics that I have due to arrive and off the top of my head it is over 70yds somehow this is to fit in with the maybe 60 yds of quilting fabs I already have.

I buy all my fabrics with projects in mind….. but then I start something else and I feel like I’m just not going to do the fabric justice - it is far too pretty and perfect to be sewn by a novice like me - so it goes back on display so I can just look and touch.

I don’t put my fabrics in a box as it is a visual and tactile thing for me - I love the looks, the feel and the smell of the fabric.

How do you hide 70yds of fabric from your husband??

at least some of the fabric on order can be easily converted (hopefully) into projects as they are for furnishings (curtains, quilts, duvets, cushions, chair covers) for the girls room.

My next question?? How do you stay motivated?? Everyone churns out masses of beautiful stuff - while I still sit here and procrastinate about the perfect project. Maybe I need to give up one hobby and concentrate on the one that is taking the most space (so give up the wool and concentrate on the fabric)

I need a plan of attack to get my stash sewn up - my past attempts at stash reduction has failed miserably (and actually I own almost 3x the amount i started off with).

Please help me

Signed

Hopeless Hoarder

Luckily for me - TNN is a place where I never feel like an outcast lol and I’ve had lots of support - we have started a wee challenge to complete a project each week, not in the trying to reduce our stash but more as a motivational journey - hopefully over time the stash depletion will come naturally

Frou Frou Tutu Recipe

I’ve written up a tute for my Frou Frou Tutu - so if you’ve been wanting a pattern or instructions look here

 

I hope you enjoy

Jelly Tip

All the best things are named after food and thanks Margo for the name

Sock yarn (5ply sports weight) dyed in raspberry, chocolate and vanilla colours mmmmmmmmmmmm - my entry into a Mothers day raffle (you send a gift as your entry then it’s all pooled together to make a prize)

ooooh Mail

EXCITING

Today I received my bag from the bag swap. It’s soooooo cool - absolutely perfect for what I need

Enough room for some knitting, a nappy, some wipes a pattern, my wallet, keys and cellphone

It is made of a denim fabric with a retro fuschia lined fabric on the inside and what I think is Hand Beaded flowers - absolutely Gorgeous. I tried getting perfect photos but the light isn’t good today and I’m just too excited to wait before I share lol

Beading

INSIDE

Thank you bag swap fairy - I love it

Mmmmmmmmm Woooooooool

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

really not much else to say

except maybe - I love wool

My newest acquisitions - Wool company yarn - tropicana, flamingo and sunflower

I might keep the tropicana in my too precious to use stash as I think it’s no longer made - and it’s funny - I never liked yellow prior to this wool (it’s the same stuff used to knit the longies below so this one is ok for stashing )

The flamingo and Sunflower were going to be another pinwheel but I might do something different now - will have to spend a few hours on ravelry to decide (what a shame