Teacher's Xmas gift (part 2)

Today, I'm going to show the second of my teacher's gifts.

Another lavender filled Christmas decoration.  This one was inspired by the Belle & Boo snowflake cross stitch I did a few weeks ago.  I loved stitching on all those tiny frosted beads to represent the snow, and thought they'd be great to create a snowflake pattern with.

This snowflake pattern is also taken from my Made in France book.  I just added some fancy lettering to it.

As we all know, each snowflake is unique, so you could have loads of fun designing your own. The pattern possibilities are endless. 

 This little project came together very quickly, and I really enjoyed making it.  I only wish that I'd had more time to make a lot more of them. 

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Pattern: From a selection of Christmas Decorations taken from the book, Made in France.

Fabric: 28 count Cashel Linen, in Ice Blue

Beads: Mill Hill, in Frosted White. From Sewandso.co.uk

Thread: DMC

Lavender: From Daisygift.co.uk

Teacher's Xmas gift (part 1)

Phew!!!!

I've finally managed to find some spare time to sew together a couple of gifts for Violet's teacher, and class assistant.

Here's the first one.

I found the Santa design in a lovely embroidery book I own, called Made in France - Cross Stitch and Embroidery in Red, White and Blue.

For those of you who've been following my blog for some time, you've probably already guessed what I've filled this Christmas decoration with. That's right.  They're full of dried Lavender. So, they not only look delightful, but smell delightful too.

I know that I said only very recently that I wouldn't use anything higher than a 28 count linen again, due to my ever failing eyesight.  However, I stitched this on 32 count Belgian Linen. It was in my stash, and I didn't want it going to waste, but boy was it a b*#@*! to work on.  My poor eyes!

Pattern: From a selection of Christmas decorations, taken from Made In France.

Fabric: 32 count Belgian Linen.

Thread: DMC

Lavender: From Daisygifts.co.uk

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Trying to be industrious

I'm beavering away.

Trying to finish off a couple of homemade gifts for Violet's teachers.

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I'm getting into Christmas mode.

Apologies for my absence over the past week.  I've been extremely busy helping out at Violet's school, including assisting in the organisation and running of the school Christmas Fair.  It was a lot of hard work, but a huge success. Though I have to say that I was glad to climb into my bed on Friday night. Phew!!!!

Saturday saw us travelling over to my birth town of Nottingham to see this years Panto at The Playhouse.

I love a good panto.  

If you don't know Nottingham at all, the above photo is of the Council House in slab square.  Doesn't it look great?  Very Christmassey.  

I'm totally in Christmas mode now.

Ding dong!  Look what the postie's just delivered.  It's  my latest order of  beautiful Madelinetosh tosh merino dk, in the gorgeous colour called Celadon.  Aint it pretty?

It's destined to become a new slouchy hat for my Sister in Law - watch this space.

Right then, I'm off to write some Christmas cards and wrap some presents.

Fa la la la la, la la la la................

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Christmas giveaway winner.

 

It's time to pick a winner for my Christmas giveaway.

 

 

Well done Jennifer of thistlebear.

 

Congratulations.

 

Please email your address so that I can post your prize off to you.

 

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Xmas giveaway

Happy Friday.

Today, I'm hosting a little giveaway.
 

The prize will include a fat quarter of the pretty fabric above, called Tree Farm, the lovely slate Christmas Tree ornament, as well as a few other surprises with a Christmassey theme.

I hope you'll all enter.

You have until Sunday 30th November to leave me a comment on this post, telling me what you'll be asking Santa for this year.

 

Good luck.

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Snow is falling

Not here, but in my latest cross stitch, which is entitled 'Snow is Falling' by Belle & Boo.

It's not very often that I buy Cross Stitcher magazine, but when I spotted the front cover whilst browsing in WH Smith's one day, I knew that I had to purchase a copy of their October 2013 issue.

I've used slightly different colours to the ones listed in the design, not by much, but I just knew that if this little girl had been Violet, she'd be wearing her Yellow wellies.

I also used frosted white beads to represent my falling snow, instead of using white thread.

The whole project is stitched on a 28 count Cashel Linen in Ice Blue.

Apologies to Vivienne for teasing her with my sneaky peak bunny image earlier in the week.  I hope the wait was worth it.

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Santa's Wish List

My first craft love, was for cross stitch.  I absolutely loved it, and would sit happily for hours stitching away.   I even used to take it to work with me, and sit quietly at my desk of a lunch time, beavering away at my latest project.  

I often wonder just how many hours I've spent creating presents for new babies, weddings, christenings, new homes, anniversaries, birthdays, christmas gifts, teacher's gifts, etc.  My brain would probably explode if I actually sat down and calculated it all. 

Since Violet's birth I've still done the odd one here and there, but after discovering my love for knitting, and more recently, sewing, I don't seem to find the time for my old hobby as much as I'd like.  

Another reason why I don't do so much of it, is probably due to the fact that my eyesight in my 40's isn't as good as it used to be in my teens, and in my 20's.  No more 32 count Linen for me I'm afraid, which is a shame because I loved the delicate detail I used to get from working smaller stitches.

For me, the light also has to be right for stitching.  I find it extremely difficult to stitch with artificial light, so my cross stitch tends to fall to the bottom of my project box when the nights start to draw in.

I am going to share a finished Cross Stitch with you today folks.

It's one I've been working on (on and off, more off) for quite a few years.

Every time I've taken out of my project box, I've always had very good intentions of actually finishing it, but other projects, and present making, have always come between us.  

On Santa's list, I included as many family and friend's names I possibly could to make this project more personal to us.

It's turned out beautifully.  I just wish that I'd finished it years a go.

  I just need to find myself a decent framer, who's not going to charge me a kings ransom to frame it.

The pattern is called Santa's Wish List, and it's by Janlynn (#09-67).  I purchased this years ago, so it may no longer be available.

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A bit of this and that

 A very good morning to you all.  

It's all been a bit mad around here over the past few days.  There's been the baking of cupcakes to sell at Violet's school in aid of Children in Need.  Can you spot the cake that Violet picked out for herself???? She decorated it in yellow Smarties so that she'd be able to identify it when she got to school.

The little lady was feeling a little under the weather over the weekend, and she remained at home with me yesterday.  

I like having my little assistant with me. She helped me make our Advent Calendar.

Isn't it lovely?

I bought the advent panel a couple of weeks a go, for £12.

This is the backing fabric I chose - it's called Father Christmas's clothes.

All we had to do was cut out all the pieces, and sew them together - a  piece of cake!

There's a piece of wadding sandwiched between the front and back, just to give it some body - it's like a mini Xmas quilt.

Love all the little pockets waiting for chocolates to be popped inside.

All I need to do now, is buy a length of dowelling and some picture rail hooks.

As I'm sure you can imagine, Violet can't wait, and immediate thought it was Christmas the next day.  And yes, she's asked me to put the tree up.

I've got a few sneak peaks for you.

I'll show you more later in the week.

Also, I'll be hosting another giveaway in the next few days.

Wishing you all a wonderful Tuesday.  

Stay warm.

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Advent Calendar details:

Advent panel - £12 from John Lewis.

60cm Father Christmas's clothes - £9.60.

60cm of wadding - £2.40

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Rivington Cowl

Apologies for my absence.  I've been busy helping out at Violet's school, and haven't really had sufficient time for my little blog.

Today, I've got my latest FO knitting project to show you.

The pattern is called Rivington Cowl designed by Kirsten Kapur.

The pattern is really well written, and I found the stripe repeat very easy to remember.  

I raced through the main body of the cowl, which was lovely to knit. However, I came to a complete stop when I reached the edging section.  Mainly due to the fact that I am no fan of lace knitting.

I started the lace edging three times, and three times I fell out with it, swore, frogged it, and hid it at the bottom of my project basket.

Finally, I thought that enough was enough, and decided that I'd have to come up with an alternative.

My 'alternative' edging consists of about two inches of moss stitch.

For my bind off row, I cast on 2 stitches to my left hand needle, using the cable method, then cast off 4 stitches.  I'm not sure whether this bind off/cast off method already exists, or whether I've just made it up, but it made a lovely pointy finish to the project, which I'm really pleased with.

On Ravelry I rated this pattern as of medium difficulty due to the lace element.  However, The body of the cowl is a piece of cake.  If you're good with lace patterns, no doubt you'd breeze through this without experiencing any difficulties.

What I've concluded from trying to knit this:

Firstly, I hate lace knitting.  

Secondly, it's very hard to concentrate on lace knitting when there's a five year old constantly asking questions and seeking answers!!

That's one Christmas present off my list. 

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Antler Mittens

A very happy Monday to you all.  Hope you all enjoyed a lovely weekend. 

I've spent the past two or three evenings knitting myself a wonderfully cosy pair of mittens.

The pattern is called Antler Mittens, designed by Alexa Ludeman. You can find the pattern here.

I used a yarn I've never knit with before called Radiance Aran, hand-dyed by Babylonglegs.  The colourway is Fan Girl.  Isn't it pretty?

The 'antler' design is a little hard to distinguish in my photos, but you might just be able to make it out.

These mittens definitely get a thumbs up from me.

The Babylonglegs yarn is really soft, the pattern was very easy to follow, and because they're knit using a chunky weight yarn, they're super quick to make.

I also love the fact that the cuff is designed to cover part of your forearm, and doesn't just end at the wrist. 

I absolutely love them.

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Wedding pics

Today, I have some wedding photos to show you.

Happy Friday.

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A little trip to the theatre

 

I took Violet to see Dinosaur Zoo, at Birmingham Town Hall earlier today.

 

It was very well done, and there was plenty of child participation. If you know a small person, who loves dinos, I'm sure they'd thoroughly enjoy this show.

 

When the show had finished, I thought I'd done really well, sneakily manoeuvring Violet passed the merchandise stand, only to bump into a balloon seller outside.  Darn it!!!!

 

 

It's nearly as big as she is.

 

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Oh, and by the way, did you check out the pretty Hello Kitty blouse Violet's wearing?  Made by my own fair hand, don't ya know!

 

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Family outing to Warwick Castle

On Saturday we spent a fabulous time with friends visiting Warwick Castle.  It's only 30 minutes away from where we live, but we don't visit very often as it's quite expensive.

Violet had a go at archery for the first time.  Out of the six arrows she shot, she managed to hit the target three times.  Seems like we've got a little Robin Hood in the family.

My favourite part of the day was watching the bird of prey demonstrations.  It was absolutely fascinating learning all about some fabulous birds.

There was even a headless horseman.

What did you get up to?

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