Lovejoy

You may remember this beautiful skein of loveliness...

It was a skein of Madelinetosh Tosh DK Merino in a gorgeous colourway called Celadon.

It was destined to become a hat for my Sister In Law as a Christmas present.

I didn't get time to blog about it before Christmas, so thought you'd like to see it today.

The pattern is called Lovejoy Slouchy, designed by Thao Nguyen and you can find it on Ravelry here.

It's a beautiful pattern.  The only thing I would say about knitting this is, that I learned the hard way about putting a life line in my knitting. I'd nearly finished making it, then I lost a stitch, and because it was a lace pattern, I couldn't for the life of me pick it up.  It was a disaster and I felt like crying.  There was nothing left to do but rip it all back and start from scratch, which is what I did.  

Lesson learned.

This is one of the nicest things I think I've ever knit. Sister In Law seemed to like it too, which is good.

I showed it to my aunt, and now she wants one for her birthday.

And, the yarn - utter bliss to knit with.  Don't tell anyone, but it's become my favourite yarn.

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New beginnings

Firstly, let me wish you all a very happy new year.  May it be full of new hopes, new friendships, new opportunites, and new beginnings.

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I've been going through all the photographs I'd taken in 2013, trying to select the ones that would tell the story of our family's year.  The reason being, I always have a photo book printed of each year - A year in pictures.  Whilst looking through them all I thought it would be a nice idea to post a picture collage of everything I'd made throughout the year. I didn't think there'd actually be that many things, because if you'd asked me to make a list from memory, I bet I wouldn't have been able to name 15 things.  Needless to say, I was quite impressed with myself. 

  14 knitting projects - not too shabby!

I seem to have knit more accessories last year than actual garments.  Perhaps I can improve on this in 2014.

18 sewing projects - Wow!  

Who'd have thought it.  I've really enjoyed my new friendship with my sewing machine.  I wonder what I'll be making in 2014.  More clothing perhaps????

  I won't deny that I was a little disappointed with how much cross stitching, and other craft projects, I managed to achieve in 2013.

2014 has already seen me casting on a couple of small projects, and there'll be a new baby in the family come March time, so that should keep my needles busy. (My cousin is expecting her first baby, it's all very exciting).  Though after March, I'm not sure how much time I'll have to make things, or even blog for that matter.  I'm due back to work at the beginning of March, so we'll just have to wait and see. I'm not relishing the thought of starting back to work, after a 6 year break.  It has started to play on my mind a little.  No doubt March will come round soon enough, but I've still got January and February to look forward to haven't I? 

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Every day is a fresh beginning.

Listen my soul to the glad refrain.

And, spite of old sorrows

And older sinning,

Troubles forecasted

And possible pain,

Take heart with the day and begin again.

By Susan Coolidge

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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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