FNWF- I was there were you?

In keeping with yesterdays theme I started something new last night as well as adding some rows to the in progress projects.

You can see the finished hat on the left, the new cast on is the red on the right, another scarf/cowl idea, next up all the colours will be a hat for a little person and they're all sitting on top of the blanket in progress which is growing more slowly now.

I'll be around later to see what everyone else was stitching up.

Thanks Cheryll for hosting this fun event.

A long weekend here so I'm looking forward to more uninterrupted creating time.

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.

FNWF The late report..

I spent my Friday night working on these two projects.

Diagonal rib socks and Maybelle flower blocks

Added another six flower blocks to the stack.

This is the second of the socks, the one that got delayed due to a lost needle and while I have another set in this size I decided to pop into the oppy where I purchased them this week. Sure enough there were a couple more hiding in the bottom of the container, not a whole set but a couple of spares for the grand sum of 50c. Yay.

Thanks Cheryll for hosting, now I'm off to see what everyone else got up to.

Hope you have enjoyed some sunshine and flowers this weekend.

A project for every occasion...

Lots of variety here at the moment.

I'm done knitting the socks - just need to weave in some ends and they will be finished.
The rib turned out to be perfect for knitting in company and there was lots of that this week.

The weather has been perfect this week for a little sitting at the beach with knitting in hand so I started another hat with some silvery purple yarn from the stash.

I have progressed from here but don't have a new picture, I'll need to add another colour to finish this one.

The Pastel blanket has all the squares joined - it just needs a small border to finish it off.

I joined the blocks for the centre row with a plain pastel blue colour and then joined the row in with a plain lemon, borrowed from another unfinished blanket - guess it will be a while before I start a new crocheted blanket.

 This weekend is going to be all about finishing these.

Currently trying to decide whose socks to cast on next, I have the patterns picked out.

The stash busting is going well so far, even encouraging some finishing of ageing projects.

Have a wonderful weekend. Stay cool.

Playing Hooky

One of the best things about not working full time is that I get to hang out at the local Community Centre on Tuesdays with a lot of other like minded creative people.

After all the starting on the weekend I decided I should work on some of the projects which have been resting - like these spot blocks that I hooked up back in February and even laid out then too, but didn't get around to putting together.

So Tuesday I sewed them all together and then Wednesday at NCB I worked on the crocheted top that finishes this off.

In between enjoying delicious morsels of course.

Then I ran out of yarn - only on me at the time, I have plenty of the blue to finish this off.

I am about half done with the handles.

It will be another Banjo bag from Interweave crochet magazine, Summer 2011 issue.

I had a little sewing project with me as well and even put a few stitches in that too.

My Angel found a comfy spot to rest before flying off to her new home.

Hope your week is full of creative company and angels of course.

Productive FNSI

Making the fabric choices was the most difficult part of the night... Oops that really was day.

I took the preparation part seriously as I had no commitments during the day.

These were the fabrics I chose to work with.

Lots of cutting and ironing.

Layout one,

and layout two.

Two blocks all sewn up.

To be finished into Cushion covers before next Saturday night.

There was even a little time for some knitting. 

The blue sock is now up to the heel and the red sock is lucky to be still on the needles after some unravelling!

I'll be around to check what other participants achieved on their Friday Night.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Making a mess

(Or contemplating patchwork??)

While my brain was refusing to calculate the number of little bits of fabric required for my latest dumb idea, I decided I could start cutting anyway. It will be a scrappy deal.

When this container was overflowing - I thought that would be enough,

and I set about some sewing to see whether this idea may actually work.

Ooh - look the first finished blocks - Yep, they look good with the blocks I made last week.

It appears now I just need to cut another gazillion little pieces of  fabric so I'll have enough for all the blocks!

Only half the blocks are done and this is all that is left.

(Now I remember why I don't do patchwork - a little too late!)

Just in case anyone is interested there has been some progress on the Colour Affection shawl - not very much longer!

Hope your space has been warm and dry and a lot colourful.

Sewing progress...

In no particular order - 

there was a little sewing on the weekend.

A set of coasters - a gift for someone who no longer lives in Melbourne.

Found the fork and spoon fabric piece in the stash and could not resist using it for the back - making them fully reversible.

Some blocks made from Aussie fabrics and scraps.

A little fabric purchased on Saturday, there is a plan.

And the mess that was Sunday afternoon - using left overs from previous projects always leads to much disorganisation in my sewing space. More planning and sewing required for this project to gain some semblance of order. There was a little more sewing action but there is no evidence of that here.

Still clicking away on the knitting and enjoying the couch time under my mohair blankie.

Hope your week is off to a crafty start.

Sewing, stitching and shopping

Taking advantage of the extra day off last week - I put Nomee to work and made two more triangle pouches.

I completed the Blue polka dot squares at NCB last Wednesday and they are still waiting for another turn at the action. That is another Biscornu pincushion there - just because I could.

The weekend saw me stitch the little Christmas Tree which was already traced - thanks June. It is Gail Pan's free Tree from 2010.

Saturday I took myself to the Eastern suburbs to participate in Fabric Frolic - I added just a few new pieces to the stash.

And today because I organised a long weekend I sewed the fabric I collected last week on my bonus day off.

Presenting Summer Tote a project designed by Jody Anderson which appeared in Handmade Vol28No4.

Some fabrics just work together!

Hope your Monday has been perfect.

Spots won

I know I said I was going to complete my top for FNSI but I got distracted by the spots. After two days of commuter craft, which was assisted tremendously by a late train and computer down time at the office, I had almost enough spots by the time I got home on Friday night, so I started doing the brown borders and didn't stop until they were all done.

A very successful FNSI.

Now it is Saturday afternoon and I have two projects ready for sewing together - so that is what I will be doing just as soon as I get off here.

It is possible I may have a finish or two by the end of the weekend unless I get sidetracked again.

Hope your Saturday is a pleasant one.

More squares

and a little white hat?

After the success of the last batch of polka dot squares I started playing with some different colour combinations - Very cheerful indeed. Making my daily commute a happy occurence.

At NCB tonight I started a new project because I could - that would be the white one.

I am making progress on the book 'Refuse to Choose' and it makes perfect sense. Lots of useful information and exercises to keep those of us who like to do lots of different things busy doing what we love most in the current. My favourite quote so far has to be 'Boredom makes my brain hurt.' Probably why I spend half my day at my current paid employment plotting and planning new projects, oh and writing my Christmas lists.

Joining in at the yarn along mostly because I like to see what everyone else is working on.

Wishing you smooth stitches in your space this week.

New projects

I finished the leftover yarn with a final tally of eight little booties - four pairs.

Just the right amount, in case some get lost in transit.

Moving right along to some new projects...

Miniature polka dot squares,

and a Christmas decoration.

Both of these are progressing nicely and may even be finished before their respective deadlines.

Wishing you a bright and stitchy weekend wherever you are.

Purple squares

This past week I have been getting in the usual 2x30 minutes crochet sessions on the work commute. I started making purple polka dot squares, I guess the real colours are mauve and violet - just purple to me!

They sure are happy colours to work with.

The squares are small at 3" and come together quickly.

Lined up they look like this.

I have started joining them together instead of waiting until I have the total done.

Should be finished with these this week - a nice quick project, if I don't get distracted by something else? Always a possibility especially when I have more new yarn waiting patiently.

Spent this afternoon with J's mum checking out the NOTY quilt show - I was particularly inspired by the pin cushions which the memebers made for their challenge - lots of creativity there. Sorry no photo's but they will probably have some over on their blog.

Hope you had a fun weekend.

Flowering...

(or what I do when the universe conspires to make me a responsible citizen of the world!)

So I started a full time contract this week which requires that I attend a workplace every week day for the next four months.

Fortunately this requires me to take a 30 minute train ride twice daily - read two half hour crochet session everyday - Guaranteed. Perfect really.

So this week apart from finishing the blocks for the blankie,

I have made lots of red flowers,

and started a new blue number.

I did do a little crochet at home too, joining some of the blankie squares.

And as I will be required to spend time with my hook and yarn I treated myself to some inspiration.

Lots of cool projects in here to keep me busy in the coming months.

Hope your week included some crafty inspiration too.

More Hooking

Playing with leftovers - working on Cozy toes.

Needs a little refining but overall very cozy.

Another vest this time in Chocolate brown Alice, requested by a member of my craft group.

In the past week I completed more blocks for the blanket. The tally has passed 40 so just a few more to go and then I can join them up. I really am optimistic that this can happen this week.

Saturday for something different, some members of my craft group took an excursion across town and to check out the Embroiderers Guild exhibition.

A most worthwhile excursion and there were lots of interesting pieces both large and small to admire. No photography was allowed, so I can't share the amazing work which incorporated a good variety of embroidery and other needle arts within the exhibition theme.

This exhibition runs until September 25th so there is plenty of time to go for a look if you are in Melbourne.

Hope your weekend has been an inspiring one.