Our little apricot tree is in blossom . . . Spring is in the air . . . and hens have been having a leisurely time of it this month. 55 eggs for March, which is a far cry from what we were collecting this time last year. But hens are one year older, so we can’t expect them to be such prolific layers now. Miranda laid 14 eggs – she’s really having a rest this month. Miss Marple laid 18 . . . and Miss Moneypenny put everyone to shame with 23 eggs.
Three more of my blogging friends celebrated their unbirthdays in March – I expect you all did, but unfortunately, I can only send a few gifts each month lol.
The three unbirthday gals this month received something hand-made, using some very elegant fabric vignette prints.
To Lilubelle, I sent this one
It has 4 wooden (curtain) rings and is a thread sorter but can also be used as a needle keep since the fabric is wadded on both sides.
To salpal and Lucy, I sent the following
Only one wooden ring (I thought this was useful to hang them up) and on the back
some plastic crochet markers and some prettier beaded knitting markers.
Since I started learning to crochet, I’m finding these little crochet markers to be invaluable, and I imagine the knitting markers come in useful too. I didn’t make the lovely beaded markers, but bought them on Etsy from Just By Mimi.
Earlier this month, I told you that I’d be starting work on a new cross stitch project, after having completed the previous one. And I pulled out this kit from my stash.
Slightly apprehensive, to begin with, as it’s on 18 count dark navy aida . . . but if I don’t tackle it now, I never will.
Anyway, with good lighting, and methodical stitching, it’s actually coming along better than I expected.
I’ve started top right, with the roof and attic window – decided that was as good a place as any to begin. I’ll be working this in sections, floor by floor, and window by window and possibly adding backstitch as I go.
I had a couple of unbirthdays this month . . . receiving two surprise packages from friends.
Avis, had had to listen to me whinge about how I broke my flexi-hoop – my fettish flexi hoop that I use when cross stitching on evenweave. I did have other hoops (wooden) in my supplies, but they’re not the same. So Avis took pity on me lol and sent me
a brand new flexi hoop, the exact same size as the one I broke . . . and she also included four 4-patches that she had assembled when making blocks for me in February, but finally didn’t use. I’ll see if I can incorporate these into my own F2F2 blocks.
And from Sandrine
a great big bundle of bookmarks!
Thank you ladies.
More lovely blocks arrived, in my colourway, from ladies participating in the F2F2 swap, organised by Kate. In fact, these are the final blocks for me, and the swap has now come to an end.
My colourway, as you’ll remember is
And here are the blocks from Moira
And blocks from Esther
Aren’t they all gorgeous?
This means I now have 24 wonderfully colourful blocks from the ladies in the F2F2 swap, plus 3 equally gorgeous blocks from Avis . . . a grand total of 27. I will now be making 3 blocks for myself so that I have 30 blocks to assemble and make a lovely sized quilt.
Way back, in December 2015, I had a purse making session, using a lovely batch of metal purse clasps I had bought. I made a whole selection of little coin purses for ladies in the family and close friends, trying to choose different fabrics to suit the tastes of the ladies these gifts were intended for. Below, is an example. Purses, left to right, gifted to: my daughter, my sister and my niece T.
Niece T is in her late 20s, and I thought this pink & purple fabric was perfect. She loved it, and put it into use immediately, as a mini-make-up bag . . . however, when aforementioned niece saw photos of the rest of the batch I had made, notably this one, I got the impression I hadn’t chosen fabrics quite so well.
Sugar skulls on red, was made and gifted to N, 2nd son’s partner lol. Anyway, my sister (mother to niece T) asked if I had any more sugar skull fabric leftover . . . and could I make a second purse for T.
Now, I did have a couple of purse clasps left over, lurking in the back of my supplies drawer, but I fancied trying something different. Spent a while on youtube, watching video tutorials on how to put in a zip properly, using that special zipper foot which came with my machine and I’d never used before. I also had a small piece of the red sugar skull fabric . . . but decided to splash out and buy a new FQ in black.
The result of a couple of hours sewing . . .
One zipper pouch, 9” x 5” (made to the size of my zip) which, I hope, will be a nice make-up bag size.
One smaller zipper pouch (approx 5” x 4”) which would be big enough just for a few make-up essentials to slip in the bottom of a handbag . . .
And another make-up bag sized zippy pouch (about 7.5” x 5”) in the original red fabric. Zips have been left open in this last photo so you can see the gorgeous contrasting turquoise lining.
These pouches are quite light weight. I ironed on interfacing to the outer fabric, to give it a little more body, but that’s all. I learned quite a lot during this sewing project. Was really surprised at how easy it is to put in a zip when you use the correct foot lol. In the past, I’ve just used the normal sewing foot. However, there are a few areas I need to improve on for next time. I also discovered (to my expense) that even just a few hours sewing was probably more than I should have done and I paid for it the next day. So, mental note to self: keep sewing sessions to under one hour for the time-being.
I’m feeling more comfortable with my crochet hook, and keeping busy. I’m finding it a nice portable craft – so easy to pick up my bits and take myself out in the garden for some fresh air and vitamin D.
As you can see, I was busy with yellow yarn . . . following a pattern in one of the books I treated myself to.
Yep, I bought myself “My First Crochet Book” which is for kids, but just perfect for a novice hooker like myself. And here’s amigurumi number 4.
He doesn’t look quite as egg-shaped as the bird in the book, but I think that’s a question of stuffing. I am confident I followed the pattern correctly this time and even managed the invisible decrease. He stands 2” tall. I followed an example found on Moji-Moji Designs in the links with her free pattern of micro-chicks, and have sewn a 30mm orange button to act as a base, so he can stand up and I added a few tufts on the top of his head so he’s not completely bald.
I’m having a happy dance with a lovely bright piece of stitching. “Live simply” a Dimensions kit that I snapped up on the sewandso January sale for just over £2. I can never resist a bright project, and at that price, well . . .
This piece has been stitched with a small patchwork project in mind . . . more on that when I get round to it.
In the meantime, a finish means I was allowed to rummage in my stash drawer in search of a new start. I’ve gone for something completely different.
Another Dimensions kit: “Victorian Charm”. This kit was a gift from N and 2nd second son, for Christmas 2015, so it’s been sitting my in stash drawer a while. I’m a little apprehensive about it. I have more than 20 years of cross stitching under my belt, so I’m not worried about the details, heaps of colour changes, blending of threads and backstitch . . . it’s the fabric I’m apprehensive about. Kit comes with 18 count dark navy aida and my eyes aren’t as good as they used to be. Then again, if I don’t tackle it now, then it’ll sit in the drawer for even longer! I did contemplate swapping for a lighter aida, but then the night sky won’t be as effective. So, nevermind about the dark navy . . . I’ll just have to be methodical, and take things slowly. By my estimation, this could keep me busy probably all through the Spring and the Summer!
An update on the previous photo which looked like this
Lighting for top photo isn’t brilliant, but you get the general idea. This is how “Cirque des Triangles” looks for this SAL update. Fabric is still forest green and thread is a lot more orange & vivid than it looks. This design is by Tracey Horner for Ink Circles.
Don’t forget to stop by and admire progress of other SAL members. Avis, is working on the same CdesT design, but in totally different colours. Other ladies are all working on a wonderful variety of projects: Gun, Carole, LucyAnn, Kate, Jess, Sue, Constanze, Debbierose, Christina, SusanP, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Helen, Steph, Wendy, Linda, Catherine and we’ve just been joined by Mary Margaret.
And stop by, if you can, on April 2nd for our next update.
Okay everyone, this is the last time you’ll have to admire one of these owlets, I promise.
Pattern by A Morning Cup of Jo, and downloadable on Ravelry. This is my third attempt and this time, I feel I really have nailed it. My owlet’s eyes are smaller and I’m still not an expert beak embroiderer, but those are minor details It’s the crochet I was concentrating on. I’ve got the shape right, and the correct number of stitches & rows. Successfully followed the pattern without having to unravel all the time.
Here are my 3 owlets. Attempts one, two and three. I crocheted a little loop for them all using DMC Perle cotton, the idea being, to hang them in a tree in the orchard for photos. Unfortunately it was too breezey so I had to make do with laying them on a few logs.
My parliament of owls stands at three with this particular pattern therefore. That’s not to say I won’t be crocheting more owls in the future. In fact I will. But they will be following different patterns.
Weather has been gorgeous these past few days. Gibbs has been enjoying lots of fresh air and play time. And here is a photo I managed to snap, after one very energetic play session.
Okay, I know I’m his “Mum”, so I’m biaised . . . but I do think he’s a good-looking lad lol.
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