Q2 Finishes - A Summary

I've been having a great few months being a crafty soul - but that has meant I've got very slack at documenting what I do, especially blogging.  So I'm going to take a little short cut and summarise my Q2 Finish Along and link up with Adrianne at 'On the Windy Side'.  I know doing it this way will mean I'm not eligible for the prizes (that's fine by me) but it does mean I know unto myself that I have completed some goals.

So here goes my summary...
1.  My Double Wedding Ring Quilt in blues for our master bed - not finished, but I have the quilt top in one piece (yay!) and have all the necessary pieces procurred to continue and finish in the next quarter!

2.  Flats' Pluses - not touched!

3.  Hoo's in the Forest - also not touched!

4.  A jersey for myself - Yay!  Finished and has been enjoyed!
I used 8ply Skeinz Vintage in 'Carmine' and knitted a Customfit 'Ayana' by Amy Herzog.  I'm really pleased to have  jersey that fits me well.  The fit is not perfect (nor is the body under it) but I've learnt heaps and already have another one over half-way done.  I loved knitting with this wool and the colour is great, but it's been pilling like mad, so I can't help but be disappointed.

I tried to take a picture of myself in the jersey, but I'm struggling with the 'selfie' pic still, and having a blemish free mirror!  And it's mid-winter here so a jersey has to be warm rather than photogenic.


5. Curtains for our Entry Way - yay!  Finished these today and they look great!
I had been given a bag of brown curtain trimmings from a friend of my sister's and then mixed it with some matching red, and added a thermal lining, I've made them into warm, stylish curtains. 

I started making them before we had our entry way re-wallpapered, and sort of forgot about both having stripes!!  Oops!  As the room isn't big and the curtains are quite thick I'll probably taken them down between seasons too.

6.  Curtains for my Sewing Room - not done yet

7.  Ironing Caddy - Finished -yippee!
I used this pattern to make myself a caddy to carry my iron to patchwork group.

The fabric is from 'Button Tree Lane' by Anni Downs (Hatched and Patched).  I used proper thermaflec heat resistant fabric which I got through fishpond.co.nz, as well as insul-brite and two layers of cotton batting.  I quilted through all layers (except the therma-flec) using a stipple and then quilted all layers on the folding lines with my walking foot.

8. Ballet bags - done!
We have a young ballerina in our house and she needed a bag for her costume and another bag for her hair 'bits'. 

I used a fat quarter of this Kokka ballerina print and matched some yellow dottie with it for her costume bag.  This was easy!

But making a hair 'bits' bag was trickier.  I used a basic - open wide pouch  design - and mixed in some other bag techniques I had learnt to make the side pockets.  This linen-mix print for this is also from Kokka.

From the initial photo (below) I used both the left and centre fabrics.

9.  Applique Dove - done!!!  Yippee!!
Earlier in the year I went to my high school reunion and it has inspired me to have a go making a mini applique using the technique and base pattern from Sarah Fielke's 'Quilting From Little Things' book.

The finished result... except I used steam-a-seam and raw-edge applique.

(Excuse the poor Instagram photo!)

10.  Quilty Mugs - Also completed!!!
I made Lori Holt's cocoa cups from 'Quilty Fun' in assorted Pam Kitty Morning fabrics.  Love the finished effect!

11. Flowering Snowball - not even started....

So I completed six out of eleven.  Not too bad, but it will certainly give me plenty more to do over the next few months!  I'll be off now to link up to the Q2 Finish Along!

Q2 Projects - Better Get Busy!

Firstly here are my goals for the Q2 Finish-a-long at 'On the Windy Side'.  I have rather a long list but need the inspiration to get things done!

1.  My Double Wedding Ring Quilt in blues for our master bed.
My goal in Q1 was to get the top pieced and I am only two (rather large) seams away from this.  It's been a HUGE task, but I'm pleased with how it is coming.

As you can see I chose a blue background (Kona 'Cadet') and it really changed the whole layout.  I'm not 100% happy, but it's too late now so hopefully I'll love it when it's quilted and finished - my Q2 challenge!

2.  Flats' Pluses
This one has been hanging around for far too long.  I need to piece the scraps into a design for the back, then quilt and bind. - Still to complete from Q1!!!

3.  Hoo's in the Forest
This one is even older!  I have the main pieced, but need to add final borders, then piece the background, quilt and bind.  I'm being optimistic here.  I do love the colours and hope I'll have some scraps left.
I made my daughter's plywood tree to match this quilt, so better get this finished before she is too old for both.

4.  A jersey for myself
I'm using 8ply Skeinz Vintage in 'Carmine' and knitting a Customfit 'Ayana' by Amy Herzog.  I'm super excited about having a jersey that fits me well, but just a bit nervous about how careful I was with the measuring. I just have some finishing, more blocking, then neckline and seaming!
This has been sitting in the 'almost finished/partly blocked phase for a couple of weeks, so once I get my head around the last tricky bit, it should be my first Q2 finish!

5. Curtains for our Entry Way
These are very close to being finished.... I have to just to hem one, the other needs lined.  But as winter is very close they need done ASAP!!

6.  Curtains for my Sewing Room
I'm using a plain white fabric as a base, then will applique a variety of clothes on to it in the style of Kasja Wikman.  It will then be thermal backed and turned into a roman blind.
Needs done soon!

7.  Ironing Caddy
I'll use this pattern to make myself a caddy that can be unbuttoned to make an ironing board - just right to take to classes.

8. Ballet bags
We have a young ballerina in our house and she needs a bag for her costume and another bag for her hair 'bits'.  For the former I'll go with one like this and for the later I might try and adapt a 'Sew Together bag'.

9.  Applique Dove
Recently I went to my high school reunion and it has inspired me to have a go making a mini applique using the technique and base pattern from Sarah Fielke's 'Quilting From Little Things' book.

10.  Quilty Mugs
I'm looking forward to Lori Holt's new 'Farm Girl Vintage' but in the meantime I want to make these cocoa cups from 'Quilty Fun' in some assorted Pam Kitty Morning fabric.

11. Flowering Snowball
I love 'Mimosa' by Windham Fabrics and want to use it with some Kona 'Coal' to make a Flowering Snowball quilt.  I'm keen to try another type of curved piecing.

I'm linking this up to Adrienne's blog for the 'Finish-Along' - and just in the nick of time too!!

Two Cardigans

I LOVE Georgie Hallam (Tikki)'s patterns and have slowly been knitting up many of them.  I enjoy how each one has extended my knitting skills and produced a range of beautiful garments - all of which have been for either my daughter or one of her dolls!  (See here and here and of course a Milo or two).  Here are two more...

Last spring I knitted up a 'Girls Best Cardigan' in some gorgeous Shepherd merino 8ply in the most delicious pink.  A divine wool to knit with, and a jersey that the kiddo really loves!

These photos taken December 2014

The dress that K is wearing is Oliver + S's 'Family Reunion' dress in a gorgeous floral from the 'Good Life' range by Deena Rutter for Riley Blake.  This has been her go-to 'party' dress and has been well admired, with K automatically replying that 'mum made it'.

And some photos from today...

Over summer I made an 'Elizabeth' cardigan in some Moda Vera 'Sombre' organic cotton that I think was about 5ply (sport) weight.  After adjusting the needle size it made an awesome light cardigan that my girl has just started wearing!

This blue cardigan was on my 'Q1 Finish-Along' list as well... so a second finish... yippee!

Oh yes... I have a 10ply 'Bloom' that only needs blocking and tidying, as well as a series of dolls' clothes... will share those soon!

I'm linking up again to Crazy Mom Quilts for 'Finish It Up Friday'.

To finish!

Although it's been ages since I've blogged I have been busy sewing and crafting.  Christmas and birthday gifts have kept me busy - as well as a garden that is needing a LOT of attention. 

So I thought I'd better share some of my current projects and while I'm at it link them up to a goal setting group.

Firstly here are my goals for the Q1 Finish-a-long at 'On the Windy Side'.  I haven't done this before, so I'm being cautiously optimistic about how much will be completed:

1.  My Double Wedding Ring Quilt in blues for our master bed.
I've made 100 of the arcs, but think I'll need 168.  I have foundation paper pieced them but am using the Creative Grids template to help with the cutting.  I still haven't made a decision about the background fabric but am tending towards 'pure' kona white (top centre) as our duvet is the same white (see in background).  I would have liked it to match the pillow (here) seen right at the top - but I don't really fancy working with that much linen.  There are four other alternatives across the bottom - as well as the Kona 'snow' at the top right.  What do you think?
My goal is to get the top pieced in Q1 - I'm not sure whether I'll quilt it myself, so will leave that to later in the year.

Across bottom: Kona tan; Bella linen; Quilter's Linen; Essex linen in flax

2.  Scrumptious Layer Cake quilt.
Just two seams on the top, then I need to sew the backing together (purchased) and then quilt and bind.  I think I'll do a floral FMQ design using a template I'm keen to try.

3.  Flats' Pluses
This one has been hanging around for far too long!  I need to piece the scraps into a design for the back, then quilt and bind.

4.  Hoo's in the Forest
This one is even older!  I have the main pieced, but need to add final borders, then piece the background, quilt and bind.  I'm being optimistic here.  I do love the colours and hope I'll have some scraps left.
I made my daughter's plywood tree to match this quilt, so better get this finished before she is too old for both.

5.  A jersey for myself
I'm using 8ply Skeinz Vintage in 'Carmine' (not available in that colour any more) and knitting a Customfit 'Ayana' by Amy Herzog.  I'm super excited about having a jersey that fits me well but just a bit nervous about how careful I was with the measuring. I just have some finishing, blocking, then neckline and seaming!  It's high summer here so this won't be a priority.
It's been very quick to knit and I'm keen to try another one for myself when this is finished.

6. An 'Elizabeth' cardigan for my girl.
I'm using up some moda vera cotton and knitting a Tikki pattern.  A fun knit - but VERY lacy so may take longer than I originally had thought.  At least I should have plenty of yarn as I have 5 balls and had only used one at the point I took this photo.

Then just to show you that I do finish things....

A 'Mini Spools' quilt by Camille Roskelley (Thimbleblossoms) using some 'Color Theory' fabric by Vanessa Christenson.

I quilted this quite intensively - it was the first time I have used pebbles - which definitely take time!  A great pattern - I can't wait to make some more of Camille's minis.  :-)

But here's a super-quick project...

I had this plate from my late nana's collection and it had a hole in the centre as the handle was missing - you know those plates that are used for high tea with a central handle to hold them by?  I used the hole (it was the perfect size) to put a clock mechanism through, and viola!  I had a new clock!  The mechanism has a hook on the back and a tight screw, so the clock can hang by itself, perfectly safely.

I'm linking this up to Adrienne's blog for the 'Finish-Along' and will also link up to Crazy Mom Quilts because I have actually finished something!

I'd better get back to the garden ...

Knitting along

While reading Crazy Mom Quilt's post on her avocado socks I was reminded of two woollen items that I could share.  These had both been completed over a month ago, but I have neglected to complete my Ravelry pages or post about them here.

First up, a jersey for my daughter.

K is five now, and wears a uniform for school.  I am sad that she can no longer wear handknits daily and the motherly desire to keep your child warm and comfortable is certainly not solaced by polyester.  Luckily this 'Olinda' by Georgie Hallam (Tikki) has been a popular garment at weekends.

The beauty of 'Olinda' is in the lace pattern  being completely reversible.  This is a great feature for children's clothing - for many reasons!  The only tricky part is sewing on two buttons for each button hole, and I am really happy with the buttons I found at my local drapery.

The pants K is wearing are my favourite Oliver + S 'After School Pants' in a light weight denim.  A great sew!  I have made these pants before (here and here) and I have also been counting our O+S garments - this is number 86!

This jersey can be also seen at my Ravelry page here.

I also (finally) made a Queen Anne's Lace crochet scarf, using some multi-coloured wool.

 

I made this using the tutorial I found on Mrs Micawber's blog, where the starting scallop was improved upon.  Great tutorial - thank you for the pictures and awesome instructions - I highly recommend them!

My scarf, and information on the yarn used, can be seen on my Ravelry page here.

See you at Finish it up Friday!

Quoits

Last night I finished my first knitting project for winter 2014.

It all started with the yarn - a gorgeous 4ply 100% merino dyed by Doe Arnot and purchased last spring at the Oamaru Textile Emporium.  I didn't spy the yarn on my first browse through the shop and it wasn't until I had a better look that I found it.

I love the green and how it contrasts with various shades of grey. 

I chose the pattern 'Quoits' by Vintage Purls.  It was great fun to knit and I would love to make another one sometimes.  My cowl did end up longer than I had hoped so next time I would cast on a lot less stitches and plan to knit more repeats of the pattern.  It is not as snug around the neck as I would prefer.

Not quite the coldest weather for modelling a woolly cowl - but at least I'll be prepared for winter!  My next plan is to knit a swatch to make myself a cardigan - the first time in several years that I have attempted such a large project for myself.

Details of 'Quoits' on my Ravelry project page.

Upside Down Monkeys

Last year (so long ago I can't remember exactly) I had my first go at dying wool using food colouring.  I planned to make a dark green so the resulting colour made me feel quite accomplished.
The yarn was originally undyed sock yarn from Vintage Purls.

I used the yarn to knit a pair of toe-up socks in with the 'Monkey' pattern by Cookie A.  I followed the 'no purl' adaption of Craftypancakes.

It was a fun knit as there were many straight knit rows and the pattern was easy to remember - which was good as I took this up and put it down over a few months.

I have been wanting to make a duct-tape model of myself to fit clothes on, so making a foot one was a good start!  It turned out well - but the front part of my foot is fatter on the mannequin model than it is for real - the joy of getting over-eager with stuffing.

Read more about this project on Ravelry.