Lots On The Go

 Hello and a happy Sunday morning to you all, as always a huge thank you for all the lovely comments on my last post.

I have unearthed something which I bought several years ago (although it just seems like yesterday) I had quite forgotten all about it until I decided to sew some seed beads in the centre of my embroidered flower and it stirred the memory..

I have brought it out from under the settee where it was residing and I will work on it now and then, the top part is finished so now on to the sea of poppies. I'm hoping that I have enough of the beads to finish it as the company I bought it from has gone out of business, that will tell you how long ago it is since I bought it. 

I seem to have quite a few sewing works in progress at the moment...

My lovely heart and flowers embroidery is coming along nicely I think the hardest part is trying to decide which colours to choose...

Then of course The Year of Doodles stitchery and as you can see I'm well into the month of March

I have also started a cross stitch this little gnome here...

you can find the pattern here, I'm finding it hard counting all the little squares it's certainly not good for my eyes. I've only managed a few stitches so it's going to take me forever but there's no hurry is there?

As for the Marina creatures a big thank you to my lovely friend Babs who has added these cuties to the family...

At the moment I am busy crocheting a banner to advertise our u3a, it's going to be two meters wide and I'm finding the crochet letters quite a challenge, this is what I've managed so far..

The crochet alphabet is a free pattern and can be found here

So I have lots to be getting on with, I hope you all have a peaceful Sunday and a great week ahead.😘😘

 Linking with the ladies at

Slow Stitching Sunday

Little Things

 It's reassuring when something so simple gives you a warm feeling and thankfully so many little things have the power to do that for me.

My lovely friend Babs always passes on her Woman's Weekly magazines once she has finished reading them and look what I have found in the 30th May issue....

I know I said that I wouldn't be doing anymore cross stitch after completing the the Twelve Days Of Christmas Sampler as I found it a huge strain on my eyes but as always never say never because when I saw this my heart gave a little lurch and I just knew that I would have to make it. No pressure or time scale, I'll work on it when I can, I can't wait to create my own little Summer Seaside Paradise.

Another thing I love about the Woman's Weekly is the Book Club page, they write some great book reviews and I nearly always find at least one that I fancy, I like light hearted easy reads something to escape the doom and gloom and awful things that are happening right now, I'm looking at Summer Fever by Kate Riordan. I will go to the online library for my area and reserve it if it's available, it may take a few weeks to get to my local branch but that doesn't matter at all. I like the fact that it always introduces you to new authors and if I enjoy the book I usually go on to read more of what they have written.

Another thing that made my heart lurch this week was this free cardigan pattern from Underground Crafter here

A little bit different and very cute don't you think. As I mentioned before NHAP are asking for colourful cardigans age one to teens so this will definitely fit the bill but I won't start it until I've finished the one I'm working on. I have just the sleeves to finish and then I will reveal. 🙂

Flora's Fauna blanket is coming along slowly, the snails are done and the hedgehogs are emerging, the next part of the the pattern is out but it will be a while before I get there there's no rush.

Trying to finish those hedgehogs will be my priority today.

The garden is beautiful at this time of the year but still the weather disappoints, I have been wanting to paint my decking since last year and I started this week, I got just less than half done and it has rained on and off since, showers weren't predicted today but we have just had one anyway, I'm glad I didn't put my washing out. 

The Lily's are in full bloom right now aren't they beautiful...

I hope that the little things are putting a smile on your face this weekend, take care until next time. 😘😘

Linking with Kathy's Slow Stitching Sunday

The Last Stitch!

 I did it! the last stitch of the Twelve Days of Christmas Sampler was placed late on Christmas Eve, and yes I did do a little dance to celebrate. I am so pleased that I managed to get it finished but it was touch and go as there was so much to plan and organise because of Christmas.  Now it needs framing and then it will go away until next Christmas.

This is how it all began way back in September 2020 when Jo invited us to sew along with her, I challenged myself to sew a day a month, it didn't quite happen but at least it was sewn in time for Christmas.

 I am pleased to say that this project cost me absolutely nothing I had all the materials that were needed in my stash.

Many years ago a work colleague brought her collection of cross stitch magazines and quite a few cross stitch kits into work and asked if anyone wanted any as she was finished with them, of course I pounced on them at the time and kept the magazines and made quite a few of the projects in them, when I moved house I passed the magazines on but kept what was in the kits the Aida fabric and the silks. 

Go back even further to 1975 - 1995 when I was living in Syria I often frequented  Sūq al-Ḥamīdīyah in Damascus it was like paradise for a craft lover like me.  While I was there I purchased dozens of embroidery silks and I still have lots left.  For the Twelve days of Christmas Sampler all the threads came from that particular stash, I was afraid that I would run out of the red but as luck would have it I had just enough as if it had been waiting for this particular project. 

So as you can see this item has quite a history already. I intend writing a little note and will put it inside of the frame at the back for future generations to find explaining how it all came about. They will also have the fun of finding the mistake in each of the twelve days too, because not one of them is perfect and the mistakes weren't made on purpose either haha.

Although I really enjoyed making this I have come to the conclusion that cross stitch is just a bit too taxing for my eyes now.  To make this I had to wear magnifying lenses and make sure I was sat in good light and even after doing that, at the end of the session my eyes were aching and sore.  I'm not saying I won't ever do a cross stitch design again but I think for my next project I'm looking for something that is easier to see and won't strain my eyes as much. With this in mind I have been browsing and searching for something to sew.

I love embroidery although it has to be said I'm no expert, I did purchase a few Embroidery magazines last Summer and there are some lovely templates that came free with the magazine and I would like to make some of those.

I have also found this website Stitchdoodles  which I'm sure many of you will be familiar with but is new to me.  I love it as there is so much inspiration and a lot of information about embroidery techniques.  They are hosting  the SAL Winter Splender which is due to start  on the 12th January. Are any of you sewers joining in with this? I'm not going to take part just now but I will be watching the Facebook page to see everyone's creations. 

I like the idea of completing something small each month and I like the look of the Birth Month Flowers, the templates are available for free on the website along with instructions on how to sew them, I have already downloaded the January birth flower snowdrops and I'm hoping that I have the threads to sew it in my stash, I'm sure I will have (see above haha)

As for crochet, I have so many crochet projects buzzing in my head but I must finish the throw that I'm making to match the cushions and new rug, I'm starting on the border now so it shouldn't be long.

I am going to try and post more often this year but I always say this and then life gets in the way but my intentions are good, the biggest problem I find is, and I've said this before several times there just isn't enough hours in the day! 😄

Take care until next time. 😘😘

This And That

This week has gone so fast I have to think back to try and remember what I have done each day, nothing of great interest it has to be said. 

The u3a website was down for a few days and it was literally a nightmare to try and get it up and running again, it involved trying to get in touch with the person who had set the website up in the beginning in order to get access to the account area so that I could update a payment card, I needed the card details from the treasurer a simple thing you would think but no, the people involved were on holiday, there were a lot of emails going back and forth before it was sorted.

 The weather wasn't that great on Wednesday which is my long walk day, the solution was to go and visit the MetroCentre, my friend Baz has never been there before which I find amazing really the place was opened in 1986 and it's not that far away. 

I wasn't going to shop I'm not really a great shopper if I need something then I will go search for it but I won't shop just for the sake of it, dare I say it ...it bores me! I went there purely for the exercise because that place is huge, I lie because I was also going for coffee and lunch any excursion is only worth embarking upon if there is coffee and maybe food in the offing. 

All objectives were achieved, coffee was drank, lunch was eaten AND we walked over 10,000 steps without getting wet, Baz saw the place for the first time I asked him what he thought his reply....it's huge!! I don't think he will be bothered about going again. Having to wear a mask all day wasn't great either but we were indoors and they are the rules.

Last weeks walk was in Herrington Country Park which is just a 10 minute drive away from me and The Penshaw Monument is just over the road.

It's hard to believe this park sits on what was previously Herrington coal mine which closed in 1985, work on the park began in 1996.

The park itself is lovely to walk around and is skirted by plentiful wooded area's to get lost in should the mood take. 

We came upon this beautiful cemetery, some of the gravestones date back to 1854.

We eventually crossed over the road but not to walk up to the monument, I have done so in the past and it's a very steep climb I'm not sure this much older body would manage it now but I will try it sometime maybe at the start of the walk when I have more energy.

It was to sit in the café garden and have that much deserved coffee, you can just see the monument in the background as you sit there

 

I can't believe it's July already my favourite month of the year is June and it's gone,  I'm always sad when June has ended because it's the start of fresh new summer growth and the promise of  warm summer days, all things seem possible, by the time July arrives half of the year is over already.

Last month for the first time in too many years to count I didn't pick up a hook or a knitting needle, it felt so strange not to have some project to work on but I'm not in the mood, my mojo has gone right out of the window nothing seems to be inspiring me. We will see what July will bring.

I have however kept up with my personal challenge of completing a month of my cross-stitch 12 days of Christmas each month, only three more months to go!

Have a great week.

It Took Me Eight Months! and a CAL in Mosaic

 Yes eight months to finish this blanket...

it has been pushed to one side more times than I care to mention but now at last it can take it's bow, today is the day when it can take to the stage and say....

Look how beautiful I am! before starting it's life as a Spring/Summer cover for my bed.

I really love this blanket and am so happy with the finish, it was interesting to make and it's an interesting blanket to gaze upon too, it's a happy sunshiny blanket, look at those lovely hearts, the beautiful butterflies and the cute little fish.

As always it's so frustrating trying to get the prefect photo, no photo will ever do it justice such a blanket needs to be exhibited in a gallery for the fibre arts.

Please don't think that I'm blowing my own trumpet here, I'm really not, anyone who can crochet could make this, my praise is for the clever designer who thought this through, all I did was follow a pattern.

I'm in total awe of all those designers out there who give us the tools to create a work of art like this.

Stats

This is the Hooked and Locked Blanket which was originally designed in the hooked and locked technique, one that I have yet to master (but I will) and then thankfully the designer produced a mosaic version which enabled me to make it. 

The designer is The Craftsteacher and you can find the introduction and link to the pattern here.

I used 

This is a beautiful yarn to work with and has a 50% cotton and 50% acrylic content. I used shades 500 cherrypop and 501 whitesands. I needed 9 balls of cherrypop and 8 of whitesands.

The finished blanket measures 6ft 4ins x 4ft 6ins.

The Craftsteacher is actually hosting a CAL as we speak but it's in the hooked and locked technique so I can't follow it, the pattern is free until the end of the CAL and is worth saving for later because you never know you may get the urge to to make it in the future.  

The introduction is here.

ANOTHER CAL!

You know I can't resist, this is a great one for those who want to try mosaic crochet because it's made in squares, 12 inch blocks to be precise so you could just make a small blanket if you wanted, it's also a great stashbusting opportunity.  

It's called the Patchwork CAL and it's starts on the 7th May information here 

Click here for more information on Mosaic Crochet. 

Now I'm going to have a look amongst my stash to see if I can find enough yarn to make a baby blanket or lap rug.  If you are worrying about ends, there is a video tutorial on how to deal with those and there's a double border to encase the ends on the outside edge of the blanket. 

So apart from rooting amongst my stash this weekend I plan on doing some work on this...

It's the Thomas Kinkade cross stitch I mentioned back here.  As you can see I have started and have put a few stitches in there and hope to finish that bit of the sky and start on another area and... 

The rock painting continues....

Have a great week 😊

Click here to see the parties I will be linking to this week.

Bed Runners Are In!

 Who would have thought it, well certainly not me that's for sure.  As far as I was concerned a bed runner was something you encountered in a hotel.  So what is a bed runner and what is their purpose ?

A bed runner is a long narrow piece of fabric, and it's used to enhance the appearance of an otherwise plain bed or to enhance the décor of the room.  

In a hotel setting it's also there to protect the bed as visitor may lie on top of the bed without removing their footwear. ( I would never do that!)

The first time I made one of these was in this post, it was used to enable people with dementia to  recognise their own bed, probably in a care home setting.

When my daughter in law mentioned that she had bought new curtains and would like a bed runner to go with them my mind started racing,  her birthday was coming up so I thought that this would be the ideal thing to make for it. 

I asked my son to send me a photo of the curtains without her knowing and then picked out a colour from them, I was a little nervous because choosing colours from a photo is tricky.  I knew that the bed cover was white so whatever I chose would go with the bed but getting the shading right to match the curtains was a different matter.

I didn't have a lot of time to make this and I had to wait for the yarn to be delivered  so it had to be an easy pattern, something that wasn't too complicated and I could work up quickly. 

Because the curtains had a lot of detail I decided to make it in one colour, if  I'd had more time to think I may have done differently. 

Once I'd finished making it, I enlisted my daughters advice about the border and made quite a few samples for her to see.  She thought that the grey edging made a nice contrast and picked up another colour in the curtains.

Stats

I worked this C2C using a 5mm hook and 850 grams Stylecraft Special Aran in shade Camel

For the border I worked one round in trebles (dc US) and I worked crab stitch or reverse dc for the final round with a 4.5mm hook and I used Stylecraft Special Dk in grey. 

It measured 60cm x 240cm

It was lovely to make because it was just mindless crochet, I do love working C2C because it's so quick and you can get the exact size you want effortlessly.

My DIL had painted a picture to hang in the bedroom to go with the curtains too 

I decided to paint a little rock to go with it

She sent me a photo of her bed with the bed runner in situ and I'm pleased to say she was delighted with it phew! 😊

I'm now thinking that bed runners are a good idea, they certainly enhance a plain bed.  I have some yarn left over and I'm thinking of  making a couple of cushions to match to put on the bed if she would like me to of course. 

I hope you all had a lovely Easter, I'm pleased to report that little Mikey enjoyed looking for Easter eggs in my garden, here he is carrying a basket to put them into, we had a two hour window of lovely warm sunshine just enough time for him to enjoy the egg hunt 

and for us to have something to eat. I ate far too much chocolate but hey it was Easter.😋

In the meantime day seven from the twelve days of Christmas sampler is underway 

and I'm working on the border for my hooked and locked blanket so hopefully I will have it finished for next week

What are you all up to? I'm still waiting for some decent Spring weather it's freezing here at the moment.

Have a great week!

Click here to see what great parties I will be linking to this week.