Crafty Drought

Afternoon all, it's been a while.  

With one thing and another, mainly being unwell and rather exhausted I've not been making or creating much at all for weeks now.

I have kept my hand in with the crochet and knitting squares for the swap and I am quite pleased with my progress so far with these.  Once I have a few more ready I'll start posting them out.  I also received my first two squares on Friday from the Snail Garden and they were delightful, many thanks!

I am on the mend now though and I am planning on a couple of things in the near future one of which is this delightful cross stitch cushion cover.

This month's Cross Stitcher Magazine have published this Emma Bridgewater pattern and I know it's proving popular.  I know my friend Lynda is planning to make this too.

Look how well it goes with my new EB cup, a gift from a wonderful friend!

Before I start anything else I do need to get this into my sewing machine.  I couldn't resist it, on sale in Monsoon for £6 reduced from £38 originally.  

The zip is broken but to us crafty folk that's just not a problem and with a zip from my stash I should have me a new bag in about half an hour.  

To be honest I need another handbag like I need a hole in the head, but for £6 I couldn't leave it.

  

 would you?

In other news I have booked myself a session early next month at Just Quilting for a Free Motion Quilting Day, which I am really looking forward to. I think FMQ is something that will require a bit of expert tuition (well for me anyhow) and that will come from Lucie the Happy Quilter, who's quilting exploits I follow religiously.

The Crafts House blogged recently about the first class here and it looks like a good day is in store!

I will keep you updated on my progress...

Back Soon (promise) 

I'm feeling a bit wooly

Sorry it's been a while girls. 

I've had such a busy couple of weeks. I'm back to work and with my bad back still very much in attendance the days are feeling longer than they actually are.  

Anyway ... that's enough self pity, on to my makes.

To be honest there's not much to show for these last couple of weeks, I have been hookin' when I feel up to it in my spare time, and I am trying to get ahead on the blanket squares swap.  

I am rather slow at crochet but I do enjoy it and I have got myself a small pile of lovely squares on the go.

I think it's a lovely idea and can't wait to see what squares everyone makes and swaps, won't it be nice to snuggle up with the laptop and a cuppa under a real blogger blanket once they are all sewn together.

Working with the wool again I have been itching to make something substantial.  I am a keen amateur knitter and it has been years (23, eek!!) since I knitted an actual garment, it was a 'stunning' white batwing mohair jumper with a large rose pattern on one side, it took me forever and my Mam shrunk it after it's first outing!

I am a fan of Simply Knitting Magazine and this month's issue had a jumper on the cover that I thought I could fancy having a go at, so before I could talk myself out of it I ordered the yarn and have the knitting needles on standby. 

I went for the grey yarn and can't wait to get started with it, maybe it will be ready for next winter, I'll keep you posted.

Work In Progress.. help

Well day 6 of back pain and I'm bored of it now.  The only time I get relief is when I'm sat still, this however lends itself to copious quantities of movies and hand crafts.

I made a start on my cushion tapestry just after Christmas and in these last few days I've completed it!  

I must have spent about 50 hours on it so far but it's done!  I have not been able to use my new sewing machine as it requires lots of moving about and leg movements (which hurt) so it's not yet a cushion, but I will be sure to show it when it is.

Once I completed that I scoured the room for other things I could do from my sofa and my crochet jumped up and waved at me.  I really feel I should keep pecking away at this.  

I love this tin!

These are little squares to make up the Springtime Throw from the Cute & Easy Crochet book.

 Image of the throw from the book.

Poor thing; I've neglected these little squares for a while.  I dedicated today to it and got a few more made up.

I'm now in a bit of a dilemma.

I'm so impatient, I started these last Summer whilst on holiday and to date I have 96 little squares.  As you can see from my photo 96 squares do not add up to much size wise, I've shown them against an average sized cushion.  

The instructions call for 432 squares in total, so I'm not even a quarter of the way there!

I've kept all the ends too!

So what do I do?  Do I plod on for another two years or do I give up and make a cushion?  I'm thinking if I make some larger squares I can mix them up and get there a bit quicker.  I would love to see this at the bottom of my bed.

What do you think should I plod on and make the throw, or cave in and make a cushion?

 I'd be interested in your opinions?

~ ♥ Back Soon ♥ ~ 

Advent Swap and Crochet

Well I have been a busy bee, but as Christmas is coming and December is full of Birthdays, Anniversaries and Celebrations I have been making gifts none of which I can show yet.

I have just spent several hours sorting and wrapping my gifts for the lovely Hookin' With LaaLaa my Advent Swap Partner, it has totally got me in the Christmas mood. 

I obviously can't show my makes but here is a sneaky peek at my parcels for Lynda, brown paper packages tied up with string (a.k.a.bakers twine), 

I hope these contain a few of her favourite things.

In between making gifts I have been pottering on with my little crochet squares, I started making these little crochet squares when I was on holiday back in August.  I adore these and I have my heart set on making the springtime throw from the Cute & Easy Crochet book (Nicki Trench).  

 It's going to be slow progress but well worth it I think.

Right back to the Chrismas Makes, I'm off to get my elf hat on...

~ ♥ Back Soon ♥ ~