Tuesday 19 March 2013

March IHSW

I've been starting the day with a cup of tea and cross stitching. I've quite enjoyed it and find that I am more motivated/work better during morning/early afternoon. The majority of my stitching time has been spent on the smaller poppy and it's finished.
Progress 18/3/2013

Progress 15/3/2013



There's another March Goal finished and I'll work on the E-type jaguar once I've made a start on a secret stitch for a Facebook group.





I have another sewing finish, the magnetic snaps arrived on Friday and I decided to finish it on Saturday. The Phoebe Bag is a lovely free pattern.

I'm starting to plan other things I'd like to sew, sometimes picking the fabric is the hardest part...although I have found the perfect colour knit for a maxi dress and I'm itching to buy it and get started. I've got the perfect first knitting pattern for me, it's a basic pattern and the squares will be made up into a picnic blanket. I'm having difficulty picking the right yarn. Does anyone have any suggestions as a suitable alternative to ggh Colorado chunky?

Monday 11 March 2013

TUSAL and a finish.

March TUSAL
Again my little jam jar is packed well which helps me see how much I'm actually progressing.

I thought I was doing so well on Tatty Ted but I'm a column of stitches out and I can't find where it went wrong! On the other hand, I have found a photo on my photobucket of the materials I had picked for the Around the World SAL. Now I just need to figure out which DMC number was which floral colour or I may still just pick a new set of colours seen as though I've acquired more threads since first starting this project and there are more on the way.

Mystic Garden at 400 stitches
I've completed another March goal, I have reached 400 stitches on the HAED BB SAL (Mystic Garden).

Lately, I have started the smallest of the poppies and am enjoying it but I got sidetracked practising the double crochet square from Bergere de France's Knit and Stitch. There are some mistakes but I think I've got the hang of it though my mistakes are starting to cause a bit of a problem so I'm thinking of restarting.

I made my first dress! It's New Look pattern 6096.
I certainly like the style and will happily make another one. I made the bodice using size 12 and the bottom a size 14. I had noticed in several photos the bottom looked a bit large for me so next time I'd definitely go for an all over size 12. I'd like to try it in a nice viscose or other jersey fabric as I think it would be a good material for this kind of dress. *That mark on my knee may be little but it's caused a week of pain and disturbed sleep*

I would like to thank those blogs I chose to receive the Liebster award as it was such a pleasure to read your facts and the answers to the questions.


Friday 1 March 2013

I won!

Christine from Beanniequilts selected me for the Liebster award. This is an award for bloggers with less than 200 followers to help more people find them.



Apparently it calls for 11 facts about me, answering 11 questions that Christine asked and choosing 11 people to receive the award from me.

11 facts about me

  1. I don't have any pets although in the past I've had rabbits, a hamster and a dog though not at the same time!
  2. I make good bread rolls.
  3. I'm a Daddy's girl.
  4. I can be shy/anxious.
  5. I tend to take over the living room with my cross stitch stuff (yes, even after I bought storage). 
  6. I'm learning to drive.
  7. I'm trying to tone up a bit.
  8. I like to play on the xbox.
  9. I'm a bookworm.
  10. I'm self concious on how my fringe looks.
  11. I only buy threads if I need them for a project.

Christine's Questions

1.  What is/are your favorite craft book(s)? I quite enjoyed working from Bean Bag Buddies and Learn to knit, I only have a few craft books.

2. What are your favorite craft magazines? The World of Cross Stitching, Let's Get Crafting Knit and Crochet.


3. What are your favorite craft materials ( ex. what are your favorite fabrics, yarns, threads)? DMC Threads, evenweave, cotton fabric, perlé threads. 

4. Do you have a favorite gift that you made someone? What is it? At the moment it's the "Who? Me?" chart that has been framed and is on it's way.

5. Do you have a favorite handmade gift that you received? What is it? A snood knitted by Ed's mum. Speaking of which I never posted a photo of that.


6. What is your favorite room in your home and why? Living Room because it's just so homely and comfy.

7. What TV show can you not miss? I don't really have a TV Show that I can't miss.


8. Did you have a favorite toy as a child or have a favorite toy that belongs to your child? What is it? When I was little I had a very basic plush doll called Jack.


9. Which do you prefer? Mountains or the ocean? I really like both but I'm probably going to say ocean as I find it relaxing to just sit and look.


10. What is your favorite cookie? BN's


11. Where is your favorite place to shop for clothes? I don't have a favourite place to shop for clothes, I don't do much clothes shopping if I'm honest.


The 11 blogs that I've chosen to receive the award

Steph at Show and Tell.
Tiki at Tiki Stitches
Ewa at Cross Stitch and Other Musings
Katy at Just A Little Stitchin'
Ann at Stitchy Fingers
Rahenna at Crafty Rahenna
Emma at My Creative Corner
Kate at The Suddenly Kate Show
Gemma at Pretty Bobbins
MsMidge
Sarah at Sarah in Stitches

These are the questions I'd like the blogs I've chosen to answer if they are able to do so.

  1. Do you have a favourite craft? If so, what is it?
  2. What is your favourite colour?
  3. How many craft projects do you have on the go?
  4. Do you prefer a relaxing or an activity holiday?
  5. Is there a craft you haven't yet tried but would like to?
  6. Is there a piece of crafty advice that you wish you'd known when first starting out?
I know, I stopped at 6 but I really got stuck at what I'd like to ask.
Thank you Christine!

I reached 400 stitches on HAED Tiny Treasure Kitten 2 a few days ago and it's only just turned March!

HAED Kitten 2 at 400 stitches
I hope to finish January of the Songs of the Weather SAL this week but I'm put off as I can not seem to get the fabric taut on hoops and it's too close to the edge for my R&R Craft frame. I've only had this problem with 22ct Hardanger fabric from Hobbycraft. Hopefully once I get a magnetic snap I will have a bag to show you next time.