Showing posts with label bag. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bag. Show all posts

Monday, December 8, 2014

The Late report



Friday night I worked my needles alongside all the other FNWF participants.

First up there was some finishing: The Pink Layna socks were so close, after some mid week social knitting that most of the knitting was completed while waiting for dinner to cook.
This is a good representation of the gorgeous Cerise colour.
After dinner all that was required was the grafting of the toes. Yay, nice new socks all ready for next winter.

Next up was the finishing touches on a sewing project that has been taking more time than is necessary - I got to play in the button tins, looking for just the right ones to adorn the bags that I have been sewing.
Always fun playing with buttons - even if sometimes frustrating when all my first choices turned out to be the wrong size.

Look All Done.

These bags are a good size and quite useful for lots of things but especially -  

for toting giant balls of yarn with attached projects. 
These two bags were gifted to knitting friends Saturday.


After all that finishing there was time for a few rows on my vest which is edging towards the armhole where I get to divide off the fronts and back, when I will get a clearer picture of the design. I'm eager to see how this will look done. Need to knit faster!
Tumbleweed by Jennifer Thompson

The little green knitting is the beginning of The Fathers Christmas sock, lots of knitting to get done in the next couple of weeks, but I think I will make it this year. Oh, and its the yarn from the previous picture it really is a lovely pine green colour not this washed out grey/green.

I hope everyone had a successful Friday night and a pleasant weekend.


Monday, October 20, 2014

Swapping

I recently participated in a swap over on Ravelry for a little something handmade with yarn. Oh, and some little extras too.

I got lucky with this gorgeous cowl and hat set knit especially for me and some yarn to keep me busy for the next little while, well after I get through some of the current projects.

These are the other goodies that turned up in my box - pretty buttons, a bookmark, lip balm, hand cream and a gorgeous and practical bag.
All of it is lovely!
Of course I had fun putting together a little package too, included were the blanket you've seen here before and the finished Nessy Pecker.

I put my sewing machine to work to make a project bag from some Australiana fabric that was taking up space in the cupboard and made a matching little pouch for keeping the little things all together in there.
Two of the coasters that have been flying off my hook lately also made the trip.
All these goodies are now happily residing in their new home. 

Hope you found a little spot of sunshine today.

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Works in progress...

So I've been flitting around in and out of the craft space without achieving much at all!

The purple pecker is still a work in progress though it is nearing completion. Just a little more assembly and embroidery - maybe there will be a finish this week?

A new sock project started a week ago using leftover's from the most recent socks made for the father and a friends leftovers of the same yarn in an alternate colourway.
Yarn - Regia design line in eggplant and fog, Pattern - Eisern by General Hogbuffer
The sock itself is not a challenge but the combination of yarn and mostly working on this while out and about has presented it's own problems - dropped stitches in this yarn are difficult to retrieve. There have been many dropped stitches so far!

I've been busy in the sewing space too, now that the sun is putting in a more regular appearance.
So far it has been all about the cutting but I'm confident a whole day at home would ensure good progress on these pieces. We'll see how long it really takes.

Hope your week has been colourful.


Tuesday, July 1, 2014

In June - some things got finished

(But a whole lot more got started).

First up there was the cape that didn't quite make it to the finish line in May.
Collared cape in Cascade 220 paints - Caribbean sea
Welcomed into her new home in time for some truly wintery weather.

Three pairs of fingerless mitts made from my first published pattern.
Kallan Mitts in Vintage Patons Totem - Blue
I had two matching balls of mauve wool in the stash so I decided to play with the pattern a little and extended both the cuff and the hand for cold days.
Kallan Mitts in Vintage Cleckheaton Country - Mauve
For a friend who tried her best to appropriate my original mitts, that'll teach me for pulling them out to show off!
Kallan Mitts in Bendigo woollen mills Serenade - Platinum
 A little sewing made it over the finish line too - My new bag even got her buttons on before the end of the month - I only used it for a week before adding the buttons.
Afternoon Tea Bag design by Ann Francene Dimmer from Handmade Vol 24 No9 
I made this pattern a couple of years ago in different fabrics and use it for my work bag. Interesting how the fabric choices give it a very different feel.
The scrappy squares I was playing with became a new knitting home.
Extra large triangle pouch perfect for hiding knitting projects.
Last week I received a special request for a beanie similar to the one I made here but as the yarn has been discontinued I needed to be creative and added stripes in two colours of brown that complimented the original yarn, of which I had a little left over. 

I think I like the second beanie better. I duplicate stitched the kangaroos, which makes them stand out more.
Hopefully the recipient will be pleased with their new beanie.

Thanks to Peg and Kris for hosting OPAM again this year, there are always lots of lovelies to see around blogland at the end of the month.

Happy July. 

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Yay, I sewed

After all the preparation it only took a couple of hours
To whip up a new skirt
With a fun lining, (because apparently the original lining fabric got tired of waiting and left town)
Oh look, matches my new fluffy top perfectly.
Sure I brought snacks to share. Thanks to Cheryl for having us round. Hope your Friday night was productive.

Sunday, December 1, 2013

November made

Well finished at least. 
The knitting has been assisted by the cooler than normal weather around here lately, so more socks it is.


Little bonbons design by Revi in Purple vintage Patons Beehive fingering 4 ply.

Queen Elizabeth I socks design by Qianer in Regia 4 Ply colour yarn.

Great Wall IV socks design by Qianer in Wendy Happy Bamboo/Nylon yarn.

Then there was a little sewing frenzy before my trip and my bag was made just in time.
The front and the back.

Sleepover design by Melly and Me in Ink and Spindle fabrics.

Thanks to Peg and Kris for hosting OPAM again this year, it sure is inspiring seeing all the lovely things that are made each month.

Happy December wishes to all.


Monday, November 18, 2013

Celebrating

Last week I flew away to a hot place,
Sure there was blue sky up there.
for a special family celebration.
Ms17 is now officially done with school (and very happy about that).
I took my new bag filled with essentials,
The front

 I changed a couple of things - some intentionally and some unintentionally - like when I cut the main bag piece just a little too short and didn't have enough fabric to start over. 
This bag is very roomy, I'm guessing Melly designed it with stitching retreats in mind as there is lots of space for supplies as well as clothes and other necessities.
The back
Sleepover bag by Melly and Me in Ink and Spindle fabrics with buttons from the button tin.

Some souvenir purchases followed me home.
coffee from my favourite coffee place, new yarn and a new needle for more sock knitting.
Back to reality and the sun is shining.
Hope your week is off to a sunny start.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Reading right?

My little helper was keeping an eye on my progress in the sewing room.
I needed all the help I could get with these instructions - look how many there are and not even many pictures!
Wow, that's a big zipper.
What are you doing with those windows?
Cutting my Ink and Spindle fabrics
Oh, that bit goes there?
Sleepover bag design by Melly & Me
I have enjoyed uninterrupted sewing time this weekend and have made good progress on the bag, still wondering if it will be done in time. 
While there are plenty of detailed written instructions they are not necessarily logical, like why are there instructions to cut a short piece off a length sew it in half then cut it into smaller pieces on one page and then do the same instruction two pages later?
Lots of multiple handling of fabric, cutting one shape and then cutting it again a different way.
I have to say I gave up reading and did it my way which may not have been the quickest, but at least I wasn't looking for the next direction for the piece I was working with. 
Hope your weekend has been spent in your creative space.

Friday, November 1, 2013

October's finished!


And all I have to show for it is more woollies which is probably just as well as so far this spring has been short on heat around here.

Twisted drops socks in purple vintage Patons Beehive fingering, design by Irene Birk.
Grey checkered cowl in grey Sean Sheep wool/soy protein mix and Cleckheaton Candy boucle wool/acrylic/nylon mix, which has a lovely sheen, design by BillS.
The Blue Spot bag is crocheted from Bendigo woollen mills classic and lined with cotton flowers, design by Sharon Ballsmith found in 'Interweave Crochet Summer 2011 edition'.
Burgundy socks finally finished and gifted to the Father, knit in vintage Patons Beehive fingering 3 ply from a suitably vintage pattern requesting this yarn.

There was more knitting, still socks and I am currently working on the second sock of two pairs one of which is close to done but didn't make it into the October finishes due to a ridiculous amount of time spent on some administrative stuff in the past week!

I've stroked fabric and planned and plotted projects but I need to clear a space to allow for some serious cutting before the sewing can begin or maybe I could just sew these 'pre-cuts'.

Shapes cut from scraps some other time! stored neatly on the bottom.

Those apple core shapes on the left are even sewn into pairs. Wonder where they were headed??
Tonight is the first Friday so there's fun to be had with Friends, you can sign up over at Cheryll's.

Happy new month wishes to you.

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Spots and flowers

It didn't take a whole week to finish the project I was working on last time I was here. I even got the photo within a couple of days, as I had gifted it without taking a pic. (That's what happens when I do things at the last minute.)
Pretty fabric for bag lining
So the little splash of blue crochet on the edge of the photo last time was the clue. Around two years ago I made a similar craft bag for myself in purples, which led to a lot of crochet spots being made, including these blue ones. It helped that I was commuting on public transport daily and these little spots were very portable. I sewed the spots together and completed the bag a little while ago.
Another long term project completed but there are more where that one was hiding, as well as some others that I found while searching for the fabric, (that I may or may not have neglected to remember) - no chance of running out for quite some time. On the positive side some of these old projects are almost done so there may be a few quick finishes or not?
A pretty rose that grows right next to the railway line to brighten the day of all who pass. Needed a little brightening up today as the sky has been dark and gloomy.
Hope there's sun in your creative space this week.

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

A quick look at July


I do enjoy looking at all I've finished each month, even when there are several still on the needles
Purple granny beanie based on Granny Square beanie designed by Lisa Gentry in 'Donna Kooler's encyclopedia of crochet'. Pocket bag made using Linda's fabulous tutorial. Red Poppy socks designed by Anna Zilboorg from 'Knitting Socks from around the world'. Pink Tee was a test knit for a new pattern Farmer's Daughter by Lisa Kereliuk. Coloured free socks using Butterflies are free pattern designed by Rose Hiver. Mauve Miette designed by Andi Satterlund. Grey and Navy ripple beanie because the yarn was rolling around in my bag, no pattern required.



Lots of stash busting going on here, or at least not allowing yarn to build up. I only purchased the light coloured yarn (cheap at the Spotlight sale!) for the Purple granny beanie, though some of the other yarn used was gifted to me. The dark purple yarn was leftover from my textured vest I finished back in 2011.
 An oldie but a goodie.
How was July for you? Lots of starting or lots of finishing? Lots of stashing or stash busting?


Have colourful Tuesday afternoon.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Granny goodness

Indulging the hook this week for a little last minute gift.
Purple leftovers from a past project, pink thread from a huge cone no label
Purple squares for a granny hat like this one and pink string for making one of these just like my gran used for her daily shop.
There has been less reading this week while I complete some knitting projects, but I have finished an entertaining little novel 'Still Life with Husband' by Lauren Fox. Written from the perspective of a 30ish female it explores the issues of life and family with plenty of good humour. I'm sure I recognised some of the characters.
Off to visit the other's joining in Yarning Along.
Have a sunny Thursday.

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Sewing Knitting and Hooking...

all got a look in at my place.
After finishing the knitting on the back of the pink tunic I sewed the shoulders together and finished the neck opening - too easy.
There was some work on the second Free sock - almost there, just the toe to complete,
and sewing the toe of the first sock.
At craft night this week there was a bag of yarn needing a new home - no I didn't resist even though it is mostly this very thick chenille yarn which I am not good at knitting, but there's always a possibility of a little hooking. I couldn't resist the temptation last night and got a ball out for a bit of a play. So far so good. While there are lots of balls of this yarn they're not long so it should be used up real soon.
Hope your Friday night was productive.