100 Crafty Days: Blankie Time

At Messy Church today we were making Friendship Blankets. People drew their design on squares of white fabric, and these squares were sewn together and backed with fleece. The blankets will be given to people who would love to be able to come to church but can't.

Crafting for others can be a sign of friendship and of love. It takes time to make things, and it shows the person that you want to spend your time making for them.

100 Crafty Days, quite a number of them!

I was supposed to write each day about my crafting and my thoughts on it. And, as you can see, I didn't even make it to the one week mark! This last week has been so very busy. The only time there wasn't something happening was Thursday evening.

It might be reasonable to expect that with a free evening I would be rather crafty, but no. All the other days I managed to knit a chunk of the cardigan, but on Thursday all that was accomplished were 12 stitches. Twelve whole stitches!

Yesterday was Day 10. And, for the first time, no knitting was done!

As I was walking home from work I saw some guys re-roofing a building. To one side were some hugely long pieces of wood, and to the other side, offcuts. A number of these offcuts are taller than me. I had been offered some strawberry plants and thought that the offcuts might make a good strawberry container. The guys very kindly said 'Yes' to my request for offcuts.

My crafting yesterday was cerebral. I spent time planning how the strawberry planter will be constructed, and then went to buy the supplies needed. The actual construction will be done almost by proxy. I will draw up plans, mark the wood, and where it should be screwed together. The Beloved will do the actual cutting and construction, and I will be his 'chippy's mate.

Oh, I've just realised we have some green wood stain. That would look nice on it!

100 Crafty Days: Day 6

Two very different activities today, gardening and baking.  Oh, a bit of knitting got knut.

After planting a new rhubarb plant my hands and nails were absolutely filthy!  To get those hand ready for baking I washed them, then the dishes,  and some handknitted socks, and then scrubbed them again!

A sponge cake was made, and tomorrow cream and strawberries will be added.

Oh, a bit of knitting got knut.

It was whilst the cake was being mixed I realised that I hadn't used a recipe.  I do seem to have been making a number of cakes recently.  This is one that was made earlier this month.

100 Crafty Days: Day 5

A very short post tonight.

I want a goat.  Sadly goats don't like to be alone, so I need a pair at the very least.

Today my yarny group visited a goat farm.  They had Boer goats and Angora.  Both were wonderful.  It has left me with a hankering after a goat.

And knitting on the cardigan happened.  Goat!

100 Crafty Days: 3 and 4

Two days filled with craft!  My own crafting has continued on the baby cardigan.

On Friday evening a group of crafters met up with Norwegian crafters over on the Island for a holiday.  There was coffee, cake and crafting.  It was a truly delightful evening sharing with them.

Today, Saturday has been very busy!  There was  a craft fayre in Sulby with loads of different items for sale, and some crafts being demonstrated.  I was talking with a Ken who works in willow, and he very kindly gave me some willow to make into some climbing structures for sweetpeas. The demonstrated crafts were wood craving, willow weaving, signs made by wood carving, stone painting, latched rug making, spinning, and metal striking. 

Nicola Dixon was there too, and I have decided to buy one of her prints.  Her work is beautiful.  I also loved the rug making using locks from a fleece.  

I have been inspired  to make a stone cactus decoration, and also the support structures for sweetpeas.  But this cardigan needs to be finished first.

100 Craft Days: Day 2

Being crafty doesn't always translate into being able to write about it! The work continues on the raglan baby cardigan.

My Mam is a very crafty person, as was my Grandma and Great-Grandma. When I was four I badgered them to teach me to knit, and they did. With three experts around, and also a Daddy and Grandpa who could knit, I learned quickly and there was always someone who could help.

As an adult looking back, I think of my grandparents and my Great-Grandma with great love and affection. Daily, they showed me the importance of work and spending time getting things right. They also instilled within me the idea that if you love someone you spend time on that relationship. 

First Day of Craftiness

To start things off, I am engaging in one of the crafts I am most at home with, knitting.

I grew up surrounded by knitters.  Everyone I knew could knit, Mam, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, Great-Grandma, aunts, everyone.  At the age of 4 I picked up needles and asked to be taught how to knit.  

This project is a top-down, v-neck, raglan cardigan for a baby.  The yarn was bought at Sweet Ginger and came from the £1 bin.  It  is 'Lilac Blossom' and is a beautifully soft Merino yarn from Millamia.

Notes:

The raglan section is worked by using yarn overs and the knitted increases I have used are Lifted Right Increase, and Lifted Left Increase.  Social Knit Girl has made an excellent demonstration of these increases. If you are not familiar with these increases do have a look, or feel free to substitute your preferred increases.

Using 3mm needle, cast on 38 sts.  Knit 2 rows of stocking stitch.

1.  K1, lri, yo, k1, yo, k2, yo, k1, yo, k26, yo, k1, yo, k2, yo, k1, yo, lli, k1

2.  Purl (and every even row)

3.  K1, lri, k2, yo, k1, yo, k4, yo, k1, yo, k28, yo, k1, yo, k4, yo, k1, yo, k2, lli, k1

5.  K1, lri, k4, yo, k1, yo, k6, yo, k1, yo, k30, yo, k1, yo, k6, yo, k1, yo, k4, lli, k1

7.  K1, lri, k4, yo, k1, yo, k6, yo, k1, yo, k30, yo, k1, yo, k6, yo, k1, yo, k4, lli, k1

Continue in this manner until the work measures X cm from the middle of the back.  

100 Crafty Days

A friend was blogging about her involvement in the 100 Days Project.  Initially I had thought it was to try 100 different things, and this rather appealed to me.  However, the idea is to repeat a simple creative task every day for 100 days and record each days effort.

At the moment I can't see myself being about to do this, so I've changed it up a bit into  "100 Crafty Days".  With this, you do something crafty each day for 100 days, and record it.  This will give me a chance to include knitting, crochet, baking, quilting and other random things.  The crafting can be a one-off item or can extend over days or even weeks.

Dry January

It was a wild success!  No fizzy drinks passed my lips in January, and this has had a knock-on effect.  My consumption of carbonate beverages has been reduced radically.

'Dry January'

It's now 18 days since my last Coke. My eyes have been trained to simply glide passed those little bottles and cans of loveliness.  The more Coke I drink, the more Coke I want to drink.  However, when I stop drinking it the desire dwindles.  

I have been wondering if the same might be true for crisps.  If I don't eat them will my desire decrease?  It seems there is some truth in it.  This month I'm concentrating on 'No Coke', but I've also had a week free from crisps.  Me thinks that next month I will make into a 'No Coke, No Crisps' month.

I've done this before, and the weight gently slid off me, little by little.  This new year feels like a good time to make one healthy change each month.

- - - - -

In other news, the first two projects of 2015 have been completed!  The first was a new small shawl for myself, and the second a hat for charity.  Last year many hats were made, and it was a great way to use up stash.  I don't know quite what happened, but my stash seems just as big this year.  Actually I do know what happened.  I bought yarn to replace it, and was given yarn as gifts.

This year is a Cold Sheep year.  I am not buying yarn.  Everything will be knitted from stash.  The only exception will be if I am commissioned to make an item.  They will need to provide me with the yarn.  

Day 6 and going strong!

My health isn't the best at the moment, and I'm very tired a great deal of the time.  However, I'm still 'dry' - no Coke has passed by lips since the turn of the year, and I managed to avoid yarn shops.

French learning has taken a bit of a back seat whilst I am unwell, but as this is a year long goal, I don't feel I have to be doing it each and every day. 

Today is the day we started taking down our Christmas tree and decorations.  It's also the day when I start putting the sitting room to rights again.  

I've tried to be sensible and tackle jobs that are achievable within my limited means to expend energy.  It's good being able to get one area done, and know there will be time (and energy) tomorrow to expand the area of 'domination'.  My  plan is to get one area into the state it should be, and each day expand a little whilst maintaining what has already been done. 

Day 2 and the Resolutions are still in place!

French has been spoken, exercise taken, no yarn bought and no Coke drunk.  This is going well.  I am fully capable of sticking to my resolutions for a day.  It might be an idea to make daily resolutions. :o)

The sweater for H was restarted last night.  This is based on a short-sleeved top she saw in a charity shop.  She loves the pattern, and most of the design.  The brief was to make one in a greeny blue that would reach almost to the knuckles, and fit nicely.  H is a crafter, designer and maker.  She understands what is possible, and what her Mammy is capable of.

To keep the shaping consistent on both sleeves I am knitting them at the same time.  The yarn is Scheepjes Stone Washed. It is a cotton and acrylic mix and feels very lovely.  The colour is Green Agate, and it was bought from Deramores.

 

Welcome to 2015

A very warm welcome to 2015.

There have been many changes in my life of late, but the great majority of them have been tiny, incremental changes.  They have lead me to a happier, healthier me, and I so want this to continue.

This year I have made a few New Year's Resolutions.  The first is to re-learn French and the second is to be healthier in 2015 than I was in 2014.  

There's also a 'cold sheep' challenge - I will not be buying any more yarn until Easter.  I wanted to say 'this year', but that seems to be far to big a challenge.  I know I can last until Easter, and then, I hope I will be able to continue it on until the summer.  There are two exceptions to the 'no new yarn' rules.  The first is that if I need more yarn to complete the sweater I am making for my daughter, I will buy it.  The second is that yarn can be bought for commissions.

The last resolution is to have a 'dry January.  This challenge was orginally not to drink any alcohol during the first month of the year.  That is no challenge to me at all as I don't drink alcohol.  However, my consumption of Coke has increased greatly over the last couple of months.  My version of 'dry' means 'No Coke'.

And with that, I'm off to do a bit of cycling. My health has improved year on year these last couple of years, and I want it to continue!

 

"Stained Glass" Windows

At church we have had the same display for a number of years.  I suggested we could have something different, and was asked "Are you willing to do it?"  People were surprised when answered in the positive.  

Card frames were made, and a sheet of clear cellophane placed on it.  Then the children from Junior Church added squares of coloured cellophane on top.  They were attached with a re-positional spray adhesive.  Another layer of clear cellophane was added to keep it all in place.  Then the black paper silhouettes were added.  

Many people have made favourable comments.  One of the members of the congregation has expressed an interest in doing a silk painting for next year. 

A tidier, non-exploded house

Whilst I haven't been blogging about the mini-challenges, I have been continuing to do them.  Slowly, bit by bit the house is getting tidier and de-cluttered.  

Recently we had a gas leak and needed to empty the under stair cupboard.  This cupboard had not been fully emptied by the previous owners, or the one before them!  They had left 'useful' things like tiles (3 sorts), laminate flooring, cork matting, random bits of wood, and lots of emulsion. We have had a massive clear out from that cupboard, the hall and the front porch.  Lots of things have found new homes and some things have gone to be recycled. 

After this huge endeavour, it's back to the dining room and bringing that room into good shape.

When I think of house was just before Easter, I am amazed at the changes.  It feels so good to have so many good spaces, and that we are able to maintain them to a reasonable standard. 

Crazy Knitting Lady?

Last week, my joints were in serious 'whinge-mode' due to the bad weather.  A beautiful purple lace scarf was draped around my neck and shoulders, fingerless gloves in 'blue jeans' kept my wrists warm, and rainbow socks resulted in toasty ankles.  Sadly, it mad me look like 'crazy knitting lady'.   One person suggested that I had been 'yarn bombed'.
 

This winter might be just the time to make some wrist warmers/fingerless gloves and socks in neutral colours. Then I wouldn't look like I had dressed in the dark.  The plan starts with fingerless gloves in black.  When they are finished, I'll make some matching socks.

Monthly Goals - October

I didn't meet many goals for September, although I did manage to accomplish a number of other things.  Some of these things included keeping up with the Mini-Challenges, re-starting at choir, going to the Embroiders' Guild, starting the renovation of the dining room, significant tidy up of daughter's room and a general improvement in my health and stamina.

This month, my goals are going to be kept to a minimum, and there will be a 'It would be nice to do'.  

Craft:

• finish the knitted jacket
• finish the sunflower quilt
• paint the duvet cover
• make progress in the dining room
• keep going out and meeting people

That's my list of things I want to achieve this month.

It would be nice to:

• knit some hats from stash
• start a Christmas quilt
• empty the laundry basket
• keep up with a daily exercise program - at the moment it is 10 minute on the bike, 10 weighted lifts whilst lying down, 10 standing lifts and a daily incrementing number of full squats.  

It was lovely last Sunday when an older friend saw me sink to my knees to pick up something, and then just rise again.  Straight down, straight up.  She was amazed by it.  

Monthly Goals - September

Last month I set some goals for myself:

Knitting:

• finish the current project, a knitted jacket
• finish Christmas socks for Mam
• make a fish hat for Daughter #2

Craft:

• transform old kitchen stool into toadstool
• use fabric paint to make a Christmas present
• to finish chicken pin cushion (1st Sept)

Quilting:

• learn applique (2nd Sept started work on it)
• learn quilt-as-you-go technique
• use the technique to start a quilt 

Home:

• keep a tidy kitchen (managed mostly)
• maintain an almost empty laundry basket

And, I have managed to do two things!  I have been doing other things as well, but, I'm sad I only achieved two of my goals.  The kitchen has mostly been kept tidy, but the laundry basket overflows!  

Poppies for a friend and colleague

A friend and colleague is about to leave our little island home.  She loves poppies.  With this in mind, I made this card for her.

The Growth of a Sunflower

So far, I have made three quilts. The first was a incredibly simple - squares and strips. The second was made from denim and fleece and was a single bed quilt. The latest completed quilt was a quilted table runner for my parents' golden wedding. With each project I have learned mover about quilting and techniques.

For September, I decided to set myself some goals and learn some more skills. On my list are appliqué, hand quilting and free motion quilting. My first attempt at appliqué was on the pumpkin peg bag, and I learned a great deal. After watching tutorials by Jenny of the Missouri Start Quilt Co onYouTube I was inspired to have a go at a Dresden plate block

But, instead of using lots of different fabrics, I wanted to use the design to make a sunflower.

You can buy Dresden rulers in shops and on-line, but I wanted to make it NOW. By using the 30° line on my quilting ruler, I was able to make a Dresden sunflower. Normally, the Dresden pattern calls for 20 'petals'. Using a 30° angle has reduced this to 12 petals on my sunflower.

The yellow petals are made and sewn, and I'm just about to start work on the brown centre of the flower. All of the bits were laid out on the backing fabric, and that is when I realised the background is too dark and too fussy.

The colour balance on this photograph is off. The yellow is a lovely, vibrant yellow, and the greens for leaves and stem are good mid-greens. However, this photograph does make it easy to see that the blue background is too close in saturation to the greens. Something softer and more background-y is required.