Rose pincushion

Here ya go..I finally did something creative! I'm so proud. It isn't anything I've had on my list...but it was good fun anyway. I made this one with poly felt, but I will make a few with 100% wool, now that I've found a source. This is actually a rather large cushion though it could be made smaller. I used some of the ideas for this from the Carol Duvall show: Episode CDS-554. I'm going to write to the lady who was on the show and see if she minds if I make a on-line tutorial for this. I've changed a few things because she made them with silk, so I didn't need as much fabric etc. Plus I filled it with poly and sewed it on to felt. So keep an eye out for the tutorial.

Not as good a weekend as hoped for!

I managed to only get a few cards done. I like these, they are felt on card. I'm not a great card maker, not liking paper craft as much as fiber. But I like the idea of the felt. I'm investing in some 100% wool, which I've had to buy from a children's craft shop on line??? Not sure why they don't carry it elsewhere...but there ya go! These are made out of poly though. I could get that here. Then I used a glue stick to stick it down. It didn't look to be sticking very good, but once I put a book over it and let it sit a bit, they did fine! I feel that I should send homemade cards when I'm sending off swaps and thankyou's...just doesn't feel right to not have homemade cards with/for homemade stuff!


This is a bad result...almost as bad as the US did in the World Cup! I didn't complete it! But...like the US is wasn't really my fault...though I can't blame Italy. I can blame the fact that I lost two of the needles! Very important needles too! So I've had to order a new set. Problem there is these are US size 1 which can be either 2.25 or 2.5...hopefull I'll be ok with what I bought (since they don't do 2.25 where I bought them from.) The good news is, I was able to slip them on and they fit...so far!





OK...OK....I couldn't resist and went ahead and unrolled and rerolled my ball of yarn. There are all kinds of little goodies that I'll have fun playing with! You can't see the cut purse and jacket charms very well. and the pink blob in the back is beautiful pink ribbon. A couple of the little beads have US and UK flags on them. I'm torn between making a small envelope bag with the embrodiery floss or use it for the embrodery on felt I'm going to do....we shall see! Thanks again Alyshajane!

Vacation pics

I've posted my vacation pics on my other weblog...

www.roomswithbooks.blogspot.com

Have a look if you would like!

I've been working in my craft room today so I should have a couple pics of some of my playing with stuff tomorrow!

Thanks for the Magic Yarn Ball Alyshajane

I was so surprised to get a package from Australia! The fabric and the scarf she didn't want to mush up in the ball so she put those in another package. They are lovely...and you can almost see the dragon fly buttons on the blue ribbon. The little gold charms didn't come out too well in the picture; there are two ballarinas, two flowers and a set of keys. I can feel beads and see lots of embrodery floss. I'm tempted to unroll the yarn to see what else is there...or should I just wait and make the wristlets that are on the summer Knitty.com with the yarn....Hmmm....the is an idea!

I should have taken a pic of the ball I sent my pal...but I was on vacation and I had so much in the ball I could only roll half of the yarn! Hopefully my pal will get it soon and show it on her blog so that I know she got it and liked it!

I'm going to do another Swap on Swap-bot. This time it is something homemade. I think it doesn't close until sometime in Aug, so go on over to www.swap-bot.com and check out the different swaps they have!

I've got so many ideas going on in my head at the moment. I've more time at work at my desk, so I've been listening to Craftypod. Wow...I keep thinking that I would just listen to it even though I'm not that interested in what they are doing...and it gives me these great ideas!!! It is great. I've also been listening to Craftsanity...which is also very good and give you ideas! I've promised myself craft time this weekend! I will also post so more of the ideas I have that I want to make.

I hope everyone had a good 4th of July in the States! I really miss the 4th and Thanksgiving! Ah well....one year we will go home for both of them...I hope so anyway!

Thanks Secret Pal!

It was a pleasure to go back to work to see a wonderful box from States full of Sugar n' Cream. Thanks so much! I love the Yarntainer, what I wonderful little devise! For those that haven't seen one, the yarn comes through the black hole in the top so that you can knit without the ball rolling all over!

I am so enjoying doing the secret pal.

I'm back!

Finally! I can show you a few things...above is one of the only projects that I have finished. this is the washrag from the Mason Dixon Knitting book I've raved about. Since I don't have any of the thread they used, I went for some Debbie Bliss cotton. It was too thick for a dish rag, but it has made a nice wash cloth. I like the colors, I'm working on some different colors together and see what they are like. Thought washrags were a good place to try colors out. As I said I finished my blanket for Tobin also. Thankfully! Especially since I have two more baby blankets to get on with.

Below is a book I picked up on our last day, when I told my hubby I wouldn't buy any more BOOKS...HA and he had believed me! Anyway, this is the Coolest book with more wonderful motifs inside. It talks about the cut paper method of design, which I liked very much. Winsome Douglass the author says that it is often easier to cut paper into a shape instead of drawing one. I'm going to try that out, because I know that I was able to make much better snowflakes cut from paper then I can actually draw! Anyway, hopefully I will be able to show you some of my designs soon. I think some felt embrodery is in my future.















This is my craft box I took with me on the trip. It was filled on the way home with great craft supplies I bought. I found a great place for cotton fabric, another for sari fabric, and yarn! I also got lots of wonderful plastic bags that are in wonderful colors with no printing on them. They will be good for the bags I want to make.

Anyway, it is hot, hot, hot here. It wasn't that bad while we were on vacation, but it is really hot now...well it is July isn't it. But I'm not looking forward to heading in to work tomorrow in the heat! Oh well...more pictures as I start unpacking the crafts stuff!

Day 7.....

We have hit the motherload of crafting in Hunstanton. It is a great little seaside town with lots of amusement parks for kids and stuff, but under the surface lurks the heart of crafting! I wanted to come here because I had found through some research that there was a quilting store here. As I'm so jealous of all the gorgeous fabric I've been seeing on all the weblogs I had to have some! I've actually found that there are two really nice fabric stores here and a craft store where I bought some great beads! I can't wait to get to work on them. It is the only pain really of not going home at the end of the day...I don't have everything I need to get on with some crafts I get the ideas from. I'm writing everything down though! We shall see how it goes!

Day five of vacation....

doing well. We have had 2 days of doing NOTHING! Which has been great. Rich has rested, I've kept the cold sort of at bay, and I've managed to get a book read and a project done! So I feel pretty good. We are in Norwich at the Beautiful Library here. There are actually books!!! It is gorgeous...glass etc but done in such a way the books are protected...which is important to me!

Anyway, done with my blanket for Tobin...even have the ends woven in. It turned out that I had stitched the one side wrong, so I didn't have to re knit any of it...but I did have to restitch it 4 times before I finally made it work! It looks fine, and truefully he will never use it because they live where it is way to hot for a wool blanket. Hopefully he will enjoy it a bit anyway.

I've started doing a gauge swatch for my socks so that I can figure out what that is. I had read the the best way to do that with double pointed needles, was to carry the yarn across the back and knit only in one direction, since that is how you work the stockingette in the round. So I didn't that. It wasn't as easy as it sounded, but I think it was ok. I've rinsed it out with water and I'll block it and see what the count comes out to be....we shall see!

I also plied my yarn that I was doing and it has turned out ok. I started spinning again last night, but I got fed up because there was a storm coming and the wind was making my headache.

Anyway, tomorrow is Rich's b-day and we are going to go see seals on Blakeny Island and probably Shire horses in the morning. He is really looking forward to that. Today we shopped some and we went to the yarn shop where I'm having the workshop on Sat. Didn't have TONS of yarn...but all was top quality. I will photo and tell all when I'm at home.

Vacation

I will be on vacation from the 27 of June through July 2nd. I will probably still post, but not as often. We are having a quiet trip to Norfolk where I plan on doing lots of crafting, birding, and reading! I've already scoped out the libraries that have internet and we are taking our laptop (well I had to have something to put all my podcasts on....), but I'm not sure how many WiFi places we will come upon!

I hope to have lots of pictures of finished or close to finished projects when I get back!

Check every now and again, I'll post how my vacation is going....especially the crafts!

Interesting Websites....

I've been doing some research on recycling textiles and on craft websites...here are a few thta I've put on my Watch list.....

A communal weblog that has some of the best ideas for crafts that I've come across is:
http://whipup.net/
I found a lot of really cool things under recycling! Actually most of the following I found there!

She has a tutorial for bags that is fab!
www.tinyhappy.typepad.com

This is one of the best recycling textiles sites! It again is communal!
http://wardroberefashion.blogspot.com/

These shows how to recycle yarn from old sweaters...
http://community.livejournal.com/recycledyarn/
http://www.squidoo.com/recycled_yarn/

Lots of great ideas for sewing at her blog...where do they get all the great fabric!
http://cheekybeaks.blogspot.com/

She posts cute stuff!
http://sweet.typepad.com/sweet/

Combination of great stuff!
http://housewife.splinder.com/

German gal that does great kids stuff especially....she writes in english.
http://mangetsu.blogspot.com/

There, that should keep you all busy for a bit!!!!

Sari Bag

Finally got my biased sari bag done. It was a pattern off of Knitty.com. I really enjoyed making. I've had it done for about a month but I hadn't managed to get the lining done. I decided to recycle some muslin that we get our mill worms in. Yes, I did wash the bag! It worked perfect, being just the right size and everything. Just a bit of cutting and sewing and the bag is ready to be taken on our vacation. The only problem is...the handle is too long. That is really strange because I did measure it...but these things happen!

The reason I was able to sew in the lining is....Rich got rid of those stupid computers off of my table in MY craft room...and I can now use my sewing machine and leave out my projects!! I almost wish we were staying home for vacation!

Hot hot hot....here! My hubby has come down with a cold on top of his bad allergies, so he is doing a lot of vegging in front of the telly watching footie....(there I go begin British again!)

First spinning lesson....

So there it is! The first product of my drop spindle! Not half bad. I enjoyed it, liked feeling the wool between my fingers and couldn't stop myself playing with it a bit. Can't remember what wool I used for the grey...but on the spindle....
is Blue Faced Leicester (BFL). (Isn't that cute???) I actually had some more help with the BFL because I was wearing out...and didn't realize it. I was enjoying it so much, I didn't realize we had been going at it for a couple of hours. They just flew. My right hand, which gives me more problems then the other, hurts tonight. I will have another go though, and more tomorrow...and more...well you get the idea.

Thanks so much Julia for all your kindness and help. I really enjoyed my day and will continue to spin my way through the wool you kindly gave me!

I started packing my crafts for the vacation (no clothes yet....not even books yet!) I've got a clear box that is quite large and everything is going in there. If I can't fit it in...it ain't going...to bad sewing machine!! I've contacted a yarn shop in Norwich though that does some workshops and I will have a go there.

Well, it has officially started...I came home to find my hubby sitting watching without even picking up the mail! At least he opened the windows since it is so blasted hot!

What is it about shoes??? I thought I would buy a few pairs of cropped pants for my vacation. So I found three really nice ones, one cheap the others expensive...but it is difficult to get any that fit me so I was happy. Thought I would just take a peek in Shoon a shoe store in Winchester....and what did I do...bought Two pairs. I was saving my money for the vacation...but I couldn't resist. I got a pair of Think that are so comfortable..I hope...I have a pair for winter that I just love....but this pair has lots of straps across the top...and my feet are soooo wimpy!!! I hope I don't end up with blood feet! The others are espidrills(sp) and I love them...but they usually don't go around my ankles! But this pair do! So I had to buy...didn't I???

Anyway, go USA...and England...and Wales...and Scotland...and Ireland...etc etc etc etc..........Actually! Go Knitting World Cup Participants!!!!

Knitting World Cup

Tried to post this last night, but Blogger was not work!

So I've decided that I'm tired of socks that are too big...and too small....(mostly too small....) so I'm going to make me a pair that actually fit for the World Cup. I'm going to use the book I bought "Cool Socks Warm Feet". It has good directions. I've not started the math or anything, I figured that was part of the process. I've got some Opal self striping yarn that I bought at the Quilt show that I will use. If I make a pair that I like, I'll then use the nice pink yarn my secret pal sent me to make another pair. We shall see......I don't like math....but it will be a good experience for me, and will encourage me to work on my knitting math! Stay tuned!

Another finished item...

As promised here is the finished present from my friend Karen's b-day, that is her coffee maker. She really seemed to enjoy it and it matched her kitchen pretty well. The sun bleached out the picture a bit. We had a lovely BBQ at their house on Sat and enjoyed their wonderful backyard. We didn't go in until 9:30 or so. I couldn't believe it was so late! Thanks Karen and Rich for another wonderful evening at yours!

On another note, I've now have another weblog. I decided it would be good to keep this as more of a fiber art/craft blog and so I've made a book blog. I hope that you visit me there if you would like sometime! I hope to include what I'm reading, mystery series information, etc.....well I am a Librarian in training after all! The blog is at www.roomswithbooks.blogspot.com

Thanks Secret Pal!

They are absolutely beautiful! Thanks so much!

Finished and sort of finished projects...

Just in case you think from my last post that I have to many projects to get any of them done?? Well, this should show you that I do manage a few. Above is the washrag from Melanie Falick's book "Weekend Knitting". This will be a gift for my secret pal. I've got a few more of these to make. I'm going to use a smaller needle for the next one, because that is actually HUGE!

I also finished another present that I'm giving today...so there will be a pick of it on my next post!


This second picture is of Tobin's baby blanket...and if you notice that the inside is TO BIG for the border...so the border that I so painstakingly saved a few blogs ago...now has to be resaved! I'm finishing up the other side of sewing first and then see what happens....UGH!

Oh well...hubby is watching the football so it is time to put on the podcast and start doing some felting I think......

Oh...I also bought my drop spindle today. Carole from Webbs Green Farm Wool was so nice on the phone. She suggested that I started with an Ashford but that I will soon want to go see her and buy something a bit nicer. Looking forward to my lesson next weekend!

Trying to prioritize

Hmmm.....lets see. I've got a cabillion things I want to do....so lets see what they are...

*Learn to spin on spindle.....(buy spindle...buy fleece....) Done...now just more practice!
*Finish blanket for Tobin....trouble there...stupid middle is to big for the border....UGH!!!!
*Work on presents for two people (washcloths that should be quick...but still) Done, just need to send one off!
*Make 2 bags out of fabric I've bought
*Work on blanket for Wesley (a nephew who has arrived yet..Aug...must be done by Aug.)
*Learn how to needle felt Done, more practice workshop in October
*Figure out what I'm going to make for Knitting World Cup....probably going to use book I have to make a pair of socks that ACTUALLY fit Have deicded on the socks
*Work on toothbrush rug I'm making with hubby...need more fabric
*Work on knitted Art project
*Do embroidery art project
*make tote bag out of recycled plastic bags....I find myself eyeing colorful bags now...I picked up two bright pink ones left to float around outside!
*do free form vest
*do free form motifs for my pink bag from last year!

Gosh I'm sure there is more!!!! I'm just so jazzed to do things at the moment. I know I should probably calm down and do one thing till finished....but it is very creative to keep the ideas coming. That is what the embrodery project is...it is off the website Inspire me Thursday.

http://www.inspiremethursday.com/

It is basically art, but I think that there ideas are so good and they give you a week to do them. You can't always produce something that quick...but if you check on Sunday or Monday they set the challenge for the Thursday. I'm working on getting myself to be more arty and not rely so much on others patterns. I'm not really a sweater maker anyway. So I will continue to try and have fun.

Another good website that I love look at is www.whipup.net They have lots of inspiring craft ideas and I'm doing some research through their recycled section. I'm still really interested...as I always have been...in useing old clothes etc to make new cool products! So we shall see how it goes.

Summer Reading Challenge...

I've finally decided on the books that I will read for the Summer reading challenge. I try to make sure that my reading is well balanced, because I tend to just want to read mysteries...and then I just want to read non-fiction. The problem is I then get bored with it, so I like to switch things around so here is my list:

Martin Davies - The Conjuror's bird
Tim Brookes - A Hell of a place to lose a cow
Dana Stabenow - A Taint in the blood
Jasper Fforde - The eyre affair
Josie Dew - A ride in the neon sun
Martha Grimes - The Winds of Change
Barbara Pym - An Unsuitable Attacment
Gillian Tindall - The house by the thames
Jeanne M. Dams - Silence is golden
Julian Barnes - Arthur and George

These are all books I've had in my reading box that need to be read. A couple of them I've been holding on to for awhile, not really for any reason. So I'll be glad if I get to Aug and I've read all of these!

Can't believe it is almost clean!

By this weekend I should have a clean craft room! I just have to figure what to do with Rich's computer! I went through my yarn, and designated some of it for charity knitting. I have to admit, I DON'T have as much as I thought...but I do have more there that I didn't remember buying......But that is from 6 years or so ago before I got married and moved here. It is good to get the stuff out and feel that I'm a bit more organized! Getting there anyway.

I've joined to challenges for this summer. The first one is a summer reading challenge. Read about it here: http://ttbookjunkie.blogspot.com/ I have to get my book list figured out. I need to get back to doing some reading because I've become very knit oriented...plus I have to admit we now have a TV in the bedroom.....shock horror! But very handy when it gets so cold in the winter (or now actually!)

The second challenge is the Knitting World Cup. Read about it here: http://yarn-monkey.blogspot.com/2006/05/knitting-world-cup-announced.html
I think I'm going to work on my blanket. I found a good pattern I think in the new book I got today. I wasn't sure about this book, because I've not really ready more then one review of it. But I should have known it would be good when I found out the author is Melanie Falick who wrote American Knitting, my favorite book af all time! Anyway, there are some flower washcloths in here that I manage to find the yarn for....Yeah!!! These will make great gifts. Also, the blanket I could use my Colinette kit I bought at the Knitting and Stich show last year. If I don't watch it, I might actually get all the kits done I bought there.....