Blanket number 3

So this is what I'm up to for Kenner (my nephew-to-be) The colors looks so much better in this pattern...which is odd...really since they are all mixed up as they were with the other pattern I was doing. This pic isn't that great, I hope to get another outside this weekend, natural light is so much better. But I wanted to post so you all know I'm getting on. Biggest problem with this? All the crappy ends to weave!!!!! The pattern is from Zoe Mellor's "Nursery Knits". Since I'm using thinner thread it will have to be done with a few extra rows...but that will be ok.

Doll

What do you think...enough bling...NO of course not...not for a little girl. It is just the beginning of the pink and purple that this doll will be covered in. Though I will make her some cords and stuff in more neutral colors. But my niece is 3 1/2....she needs more bling!!!!
So can you tell which has more hair?? I didn't like the way the pattern only called for one layer of hair. You couldn't really do anything with it without her looking bald, so she has lots of layers of hair......(the doll on the right anyway).

I think the color of her eyes looks good. Better then the light blue I have on the other doll (see previous post). It goes with the gold of her hair better...though now that I look at the pic she looks a little uneven....but we can't all be symetrical!

Curve of Pursuit....not!

Well, there it is...the sort of disaster. The silk/cotton yarn just didn't take to the pattern that I bought at all. I decided that I could do it by crocheting it and love the pattern...I might even write it up if anyone is interested. The picture isn't very good because I have it hung from the top corner. I'll try and get a better picture outside this weekend if I get a chance. Anyway, the disaster is the colors. They aren't anything like the quilt I was basing it one...which I can't show you because I took a picture at the Internation Quilt show and I don't have permission to post it. Anyway....I have now decided to switch to another pattern that I will be able to use the same colors but it will look better. I have to buy a few more colors...and can't use all the colors I bought...so that means more yarn for my stash!!! Oh well......

Thanks Melissa!

How cute are these??? Unfortunately, it isn't avery good picture. These stitch markers were made for me by Melissa. Her son did the toast that is smiling....how cute!

She also made me this lovely knitting bag for my birthday. I love the fabric so much and she did such a good job! I can't wait to get all must stuff inside it! Got a baby blanket to get on with!

A great day....

yesterday was my birthday and I have to post a big thank you to all my friends who sent me well wishes! Thanks! I enjoyed the day. For the first time in years I actually took the day off. Rich decided to take time off too. I started out with a wonderful lie in (isn't that I nice phrase?? lie in.....). Then Rich brought me up my toast and tea with my cards. When I got out of the shower, the postman had stopped again and brought me two gifts from my mom and one from my sis-n-law in Wales! We went to lunch at my favorite tearoom and lingered over our tea. Then we went up to Whitchurch to the Silk Mill. It was really nice. You can watch them weaving and it was so interesting. They even have have a loom set up that you can have a go at. I want to weave sooooo badly. I will have to to something soon. Even if it is only tapestry.

Mom got me "The Crafters Companion" that everyone has been posting about. I was so excited to get it! It is really good...full of inspiration. Then my friend Alysha sent me "Wendy Knits". It was sweet of her and it looks like a really good read.

I'm of to Wales this weekend to see my sis-n-law and family. I'm so excited. Wales is gorgeous and it is going to be even better with the fall leaves on the ground! I've got tons to post, new independent artist and everything to talk about....but just don't have the time. Must go pack!

I will say though that I got some lovely silk cotton from Dragon Yarns. I'm going to use it to make the Curve of Pursuit pattern from Woolly Thoughts. I've been looking forward to this for awhile now. I got the color inspiration from a quilt I saw at the international Quilt show. It is really different, but I hope that it turns out ok. I'll let you in on the process...I promise!

Magknits Wristwarmers....

I've finished another project...for me!!! I'm getting very selfish. But in my defence, the yarn came from my good friend and I didn't want to give it away. This is Magknits pattern. I enjoyed the pattern so much, I'm using the cable pattern to make a scarf to match. I have enough of the yarn, so thought it would be good to make a match. I wore them today and lots of people commented on them.

London tomorrow for a shopping trip!!! YEAH!!!

Thanks Secret Pal!

I've had these on my wishlist for awhile and they are much appreciated! Thanks so much!!!!

Schwag.....

Finally able to show you all some of the schwag I got a few long weekends ago! It is hard to believe how quickly time has flown by...and still not getting many projects done! Oh well...we all know that story! Anyway, below is a picture of the most expensive buy of the day. I had 5 min before I did the Lucet workshop and I just HAD to buy these. They were actually well priced. I mean....were have you seen whole strings of real gems and not just little boxes of one or two? I just had to buy them....what I will do with them....well that is what I'll have to figure out....These are just a few things I picked up. The wooden object is the lucet. It makes a very square braid which is lovely to look at and very easy to do. I hope to get good enough to use some of the silks I bought to make some braid to use for some of the projects I make. The threads are all silk...I was trying to step up my embrodiery and see what size etc I liked. The fabric are patches of silk velvet that I want to practice emabrodiery on...The buttons are recycled off of thrifted items...well I just can't pass up recycled stuff. I also bought stuff for secret pals and friends....but won't post those so there!

This lovely ball of color is some wonderful merino wool I bought at the guild. They had Wingham Wools come down from Yorkshire and sell their lovely stuff at our guild meeting. The day is open to all, and I need to make sure I invite a few people next year. I will be felting most of this. Either into objects...or into flat felt so that I can make stuff out of it. I'm actually itching to do it tonight...but not sure I shouldn't finish a few projects first. I've got a few things promised and must fullfill my promises!

Trying to post...

but can't get Blogger to download my pictures...so here is plan B.

I have made a bit of a break through today and want to spread it around a bit. I have such wonderful people in my life. My family, husband and friends are all so loving and supportive. It is time that I honor them by loving myself. I know this sounds like boring piffle.....(good English word there)....but I mean it. I've been going through a terrible time trying to come to terms with my past. But I'm ready to move on now...I'm ready to live and love and be HAPPY! That is all I've ever wanted, to be happy. It is time I actually help myself to live that way. I hope that you all can look at yourself in the mirror and say "I love you". It is so important! Women especially find it hard to do this, because they feel they are never good enough. Trying to juggle being a mom, wife, employee, daughter etc....takes a lot out of us. It is time that we realize that women that went before us fought so that we could have choices...not so that we have a burden. It is time we start to give ourselves a break. Love ourselves for our foibles, failings, strengths....everything. They make us unique and loveable. It doesn't mean that we don't try to improve ourselves...but we do it to make ourselves happy...not to prove we can do it!

Love yourself as you love others!!!!