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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