20 Monday May 2013
As I was looking through photos from April, I realised I hadn’t shared these little beauties!
Some friends recently had a baby girl, so I crocheted up a pair of booties as a little gift.
The pattern is from Simply Crochet magazine, and I used a 5mm hook and some super soft acrylic.
The soles are double thickness which was a nice touch, I used grey for a nice contrast.
It’s always nice to have an excuse to crochet a pair of itty bitty booties!
17 Friday May 2013
The nights are getting cooler, perfect for sitting on the couch with some knitting! We lit our first fire this past week, the perfect accompaniment to some knitting.
Here are 5 knitting projects that are currently on my ‘wish to make’ list:
There are a few patterns around with these ‘cable’ owls, but these beanies are too cute! I think Izzy would love one of these. Pattern can be purchased through Ravelry here.
I know this ‘ripple’ blanket would be much quicker to crochet, but I really love this knitted version from The Purl Bee. Free pattern can be found here.
You can never have too many knitted scarves, right? I have made this Honey Cowl before, but it ended up being a little short for my liking, so I think a long version will be in order this winter. Free pattern can be downloaded here.
We love throw cushions in this house, this clever Union Jack Cushion can be found on the Knit Rowan site (you need to register for free patterns).
And lastly, a pattern for a hot water bottle! We are planning a camping trip up north in July – unpowered, so there will be some cold nights! I think I’ll be packing a few old fashioned hot water bottles – with cosy covers of course 
I hope you stay cosy and warm this weekend, next Friday I hope to share 5 crochet projects for winter.
16 Thursday May 2013
Posted in Knitting, WIP Wednesday
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I know, it’s Thursday already! But I did take these photos yesterday, I just didn’t get a chance to upload them
Here is my latest work-in-progress:
chunky needles:
plus chunky yarn:
equals chunky cables!
Having a lot of fun with the huge circular needles, this is destined to be a throw of some sort. Shouldn’t take long with needles and yarn of that size!
14 Tuesday May 2013
Posted in Cushion, Decor, Liberty of London, Patchwork, Sewing
Last week, I had rather a delightful time sewing up this cushion cover for Mum – for Mother’s Day.
I had a few leftover Liberty of London squares that I couldn’t use in my sewing machine cover/mat – all in shades of purple. Purple is Mum’s favourite colour!
I combined the squares with linen in a patchwork arrangement, and then hand stitched ‘quilting’ lines on the diagonal using DMC floss.
I fused the pieced front to some iron-on pellon. This meant it was perfectly basted, and therefore a breeze to hand stitch. If only it was affordable enough to use for larger quilts
A small border was necessary for it to fit the cushion insert I already had. Then it was just a matter of sewing it together, with a zipper on the top edge.
Linen is probably not the usual choice for a cushion due to it’s crumply (not sure if that’s even a word!) nature, but I think that it will add to its charm.
I absolutely loved how it turned out – and gave it to Mum on the Friday before Mother’s Day already, otherwise I would’ve been tempted to keep it for myself – even though it was purple!
10 Friday May 2013
Posted in Decor, Five Friday Finds, Inspiration
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Now that I’ve made a new sewing machine cover and mat, I’ve been on the lookout for other ideas to neaten and pretty-up my sewing space.
Here are 5 little ideas I’ve come across:
I pinned this image a while back on Pinterest, unfortunately it’s a ‘broken’ link so I’m not sure where it came from – there is a reference to Anthropologie so perhaps it was part of their display? Either way, I really love the scissors wall art using old pattern pieces!
No craft/sewing space is complete without a pincushion, or 5! I love this crocheted one from Cherry Heart. You can find the pattern/tutorial here (gorgeous blog too).
I have been meaning to sew some fabric boxes for my bookshelf, this free-motion embroidery one is so clever. From Handmade by Amber via Etsy.
Another thing I’ve been meaning to sew is a cushion for my sewing chair. These three from R H Baby & Child are simple but cute – and they’re on sale! Too bad they don’t ship to Australia….
A lastly – who wouldn’t want a beautiful gift wrapping station such as this? Recently I’ve sorted all mine into a box – but this is so much more organised.
My ‘Craft/Sewing Room’ board on Pinterest has been a little neglected lately, but with a room to plan for the new house, I’m sure that will be rectified.
Hope you all have a lovely weekend!
Bec
08 Wednesday May 2013
Posted in Crochet, WIP Wednesday
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A few hours were spent in the car over the weekend, so a little take-a-long crochet project was required.
I dug into my box of yarn leftovers (Moda Vera 100% wool) and started on some granny squares, using the pattern from my lampshade.
Instead of bordering in white, this time I chose a beautiful charcoal colour – I love how it makes the colours pop, just like the white.
I don’t have any definite plans for the squares. I considered a granny square scarf – not sure I could pull if off, but then again if it’s good for the fashionista Mary-Kate Olsen it can’t be that daggy?
Pic from here
Or maybe it was ‘soooo 2010….!’
Perhaps I’ll settle on a cushion, it would look nice on our charcoal couch
07 Tuesday May 2013
Posted in Misc, Tea with Me
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Hello, and welcome to another ‘tea with me’! Linking up with Em over at Teacups Too.
We are into another week, school started again yesterday so it’s probably lucky you are coming for tea this week and not last. I thoroughly enjoyed our two weeks at home though, as crazy as they were because I still managed to get a lot done
Hopefully I won’t need to apologise for the mess, most of that was taken care of yesterday once the kids headed out of the door for school (well 2 out of the 3 of them anyway). The little one is not nudey-rudey this time because we have had toilet training success! He will, however, still be in his flannelette pyjama pants – one: they are warm, two: they are easier to pull on and off and three: now that there is no extra padding from a nappy none of his pants fit comfortably!
I will take you through the sunroom, although the sun is taking a little while to shine today. The days are getting darker – and more damp. It took three days last week just to dry a load of washing. I might ask what your favourite time of the year is? I do love winter, but ours is never too long so that probably makes it more bearable. Can you believe it’s May already?!
I will have some morning tea treats to share today with our cuppa, thanks to some over catering at Scott’s work yesterday for Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea. There are only lamingtons left, there was also 2 slices of chilli chocolate mudcake but they didn’t last long – not a fan I must say. I don’t mind a little spice from chilli in a meal, but there is something odd about eating spicy chocolate!
We will swap stories about whatever is happening in our lives presently. I will be a little over excited about our building plans – we have bank approval, so now to wait a few weeks for settlement and we will have our own patch of land again. Our house plans also include a small sewing room just for me, so I am thrilled about that!
Soon it will be time to part ways again, until next time. The only thing better then a cup of tea is one shared with friends or family
06 Monday May 2013
Posted in Liberty of London, Sewing
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Last week I managed to finish the matching mat for my sewing machine. They make a pretty pair on my sewing table. It has handy pockets for storing scissors etc., and I’m sure the measuring tape trim will come in handy from time to time!
I had just enough Liberty fabric to make the mat, so I left off the thread catcher and pin cushion that was also included in the pattern.
You can find details of the pattern in my earlier post here.
02 Thursday May 2013
Posted in Crochet, My Creative Space
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I finished Lucas’ blanket this past week! And he’s not even in a big bed yet.
Once I had started on the last repeat, I was very motivated to get it done – probably because that means I have an excuse to find an new crochet project. And it didn’t need a border or a blocking – so only 100 ends to sew in and then it was done.
The cooler nights have helped me to finish it too, the blanket helped keep me warm while I crocheted!
The pattern is free from Lion Brand: Modern Alchemy Afghan (you need to register to access their free patterns). I used a standard 8ply acrylic so it’s nice and easy to care for.
It is a very interesting stitch pattern, but quite time consuming. I do like how it turned out though.
For now it can hang over the back of his cot, until it’s time to set up the big bed and drag out the Thomas the Tank Engine quilt cover. I think the colours will match perfectly.
Joining in with other creative people here!
30 Tuesday Apr 2013
Posted in Sewing
Remember the work-in-progress I shared last week? It’s finished! I know, I surprised myself. I think it helped that it was an enjoyable (albeit a little challenging) project to sew.
My sewing machine has never been happier, now to finish the matching mat so I can get rid of those scraps of felt underneath the machine for good!
I love how it turned out, nice and bright and cheery. Linen is such a good match for the pretty Liberty fabrics.
I did have to add a little bit of extra length to the bottom because of the height of my machine (should’ve measured it first) but I managed to do this by using the inside lining – which is why it doesn’t quite match with the piping.
The back is just as pretty!
I have just enough of my Liberty squares to complete the mat so I’m looking forward to getting started on it shortly.
