SAL update – “Getting Ready” #1

As SAL members and regular readers know, Avis and I had a happy dance for the last SAL update with our “Cirque des Triangles”. A lovely monochrome design which we both made totally our own through choice of fabric and thread colours.  Way before we came to the end of that project, we had already been discussing what our next SAL project would be. 

It just so happens that the two of us did a little spending in the Christmas sales on sewandso, last year, among other things, both buying the following kit.

“Getting Ready”, a kit by Design Works, adapted from the artwork of South African artist, Ronald West.  We both fell in love with the very quirky style, not to mention that the price, in the sales, was simply too good to miss. 

Anyway . . . this is what we’ll both be working on over the coming months.  However, while we are going to try and pace ourselves, so we keep up roughly the same stitching speed, we are going to tackle it each in our own way.

My way is rather erratic.  I’ve decided to start top left, so my first stage looks like this.

You’ll have to hop over to Avis blog to see where she began stitching.

And don’t forget, if you have the time, to do some blog-hopping to see what other members are up to.  Here is a list of links to visit the rest of our stitching group.  Avis,  Gun, Carole, LucyAnn, Kate, Jess, Sue, Constanze, Debbierose, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Helen, Steph, Linda, Catherine, Mary Margaret, Timothy ,  Heidi , Connie and Jackie.

Next update will be on 29th October.  Hope to see you then!

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SAL update – Cirque des Triangles #11

Avis and I are having a happy dance with this update.  Our “Cirque des Triangles”, by Tracey Horner, of Ink Circles, is finished – yay!

I stitched, over two, on a Lugana “Forest Green” 25 count evenweave, using Threadworx “Wild Poppies”.  Now I need to do some framing, as I plan on framing this piece, along with the matching “Cirque des Cercles” to have them both hanging in my sewing room.

Avis and I have already chosen our project to continue the SAL.  But we’re going to keep it a surprise until next time lol.

Don’t forget to stop by and admire progress of other SAL members.  Avis,  Gun, Carole, LucyAnn, Kate, Jess, Sue, Constanze, Debbierose, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Helen, Steph, Linda, Catherine, Mary Margaret, Timothy ,  Heidi , Connie and Jackie.

Next update on 8th October.

feathers & sugar skulls

Photo of my latest tunic, which will be going straight in the wardrobe, and won’t be worn until next year.

Made using NewLook 6086 (again) because I needed a pattern with the front piece cut on the fold, so I didn’t have to worry about pattern matching.  A very simple tunic, with slits up both sides.  Only 3 pattern pieces and then binding for neck and armholes.  I’ve still got loads of feather fabric left . . . but never fear, it won’t go to waste!

And, just so my cross stitching followers don’t think I’ve given up on cross stitch of late . . .

This is the small project I’m currently working on.  “Sugar Skull” a Design Works Craft Inc kit.  It came with 14 count aida, but I’m stitching on 20 count, still in 2 threads, to keep colours very vibrant and have the design stitch up a lot smaller.  On 20 count, skull is going to measure 3.5” x 4.5” (as opposed to 5” x 7”). I’m not really sure what I’m going to do with it when it’s finished . . . I just like the design, which is why I bought it!

some monkey business and horsing around

Sorry, couldn’t resist the title to accompany a couple of update crochet photos of amigurumi.  More specifically, of zoomigurumi, since both projects are from the first Zoomigurumi book.

Johnny the monkey, who is now a pile of body parts, waiting to be assembled.  I think I over-stuffed the body and head somewhat as stuffing is visible through the dark brown yarn, despite having used a 3mm hook (which is a couple of sizes smaller than recommended for this yarn).  However, I’m hoping to wangle things so that this lower body part is less noticeable when assembled.  Anyway in photo there is 1 head, 1 body, 2 arms, 2 legs, 1 tail, 1 face piece and 2 ears.

I’ve also been working on Leila the pony

So far she looks a little freaky.  I have made and stuffed the body, head and white eye pieces.  And head is already attached to the body.  I still need to crochet up four legs which will have grey hooves.  She also needs ears and a facial expression.   Those 2 bright yarns in the box are two 50g balls of scheepjes “piccolo”  that I snapped up in our local Noz the other week.  One or the other will be used for Leila’s mane and tail.  Haven’t decided which one yet but I’m leaning slightly towards the purple.  Problem is . . . I’m planning on giving Leila to a certain 7 year old neighbour, and we all know what her favourite colour is lol.  Maybe I’ll give Leila pink & purple streaks?

Other bright colours in my life at the moment

On my feet . . . I treated myself to a couple of new pairs of plastic “clogs” (which I realise are commonly called crocs these days, but these are not genuine “crocs”.  They’re genuine “hipps” – designed in France). I literally wear these all the time, and find them so comfortable.  I reassure you, I don’t go around with odd clogs, I do have matching feet!  This first one to show you two of the pretty pairs I bought

And I also bought a pair of plain turquoise too.

Not only are my feet colourful . . . tonight’s dinner started off full of colour too.

A harvest of chards from the veggie patch where we seem to have several varieties growing.  Sadly the leaves were all full of holes or really dry, so I wasn’t able to use them like I usually do.  And a second sadly, once cooked, for some reason, all the pretty pinks and oranges seem to disappear, so all veggies look the same colour.  Still, they look pretty growing in the veggie patch!

SAL update – Cirque des Triangles #10

Avis and I are now so close to a finish on this design:  “Cirque des Triangles” by Tracey Horner of Ink Circles. 

Only a couple of blank spaces to fill in for next time, and we’ll be having a happy dance! 

I wonder what other SAL members have been up to?  You can find out, by clicking on the following links.  Avis, is working on the same CdesT design, but in totally different colours.  Other members are all working on a wonderful variety of projects:  Gun, Carole, LucyAnn, Kate, Jess, Sue, Constanze, Debbierose, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Helen, Steph, Linda, Catherine, Mary Margaret, Timothy and our two newest members Heidi and Connie.

And come back to check out more progress in 3 weeks time, on 17th September. .

lead us not into temptation (yeah, right!)

The other day I showed you a photo of my growing collection of crochet books.  More specifically, my growing collection of amigurumi pattern books. With promises of a peek inside and eventual drooling.

I’ve already shown you several of the patterns from book number one.

Book which I bought before I could even crochet, and which I have already followed several times, making up

“Roary the tiger” in May.

“Wasabi the rabbit”.  And book which I am currently using for 2 more projects (no progress made recently) of “Johnny the monkey” and “Leila the pony”.

Once I finish them, there’s still another pattern in this book which sorely tempts me.  And that’s “Sartù the lemur”, but I’m a bit apprehensive about crocheting his hands and feet.  He has fingers and toes!!!!

In book 2

The patterns I am most likely to want to make are “Otto the turtle”, from the cover and “Vladimir the fox”.  Don’t you just love those feet?

In book 3, the patterns which call to me the loudest are

“Rusty the red panda”

and “Nanook the husky”.

And, finally,  in book 6.  Another red panda “Rudy the red panda”.

“Oswald the owl”.

“Bo the panda”.

And last, but by no means least, “Kimi the kitten”.

cat ‘n mouse

Can you see the mouse?  Nope, neither can I and neither can Abby.  She did have one in her mouth, when she came into the veranda from the garden.  A live one.  Which she then dropped, and has since been searching inside shoes.  I’ve lost count of the number of live mice Abby and Ducky bring home.  I do wish they’d just stay outside with them!

Meanwhile, indoors . . . my current small cross stitch project has evolved, very slowly from this

to this

I could have worked on it a bit more, but I chose to keep busy last month with patchworking, mainly.

Postie brought me some surprise mail from Lilubelle

a lovely selection of bookmarks with a nature theme.

And postie also delivered another fabric order.  I know, I know, I have drawers full of the stuff, I don’t need more but . . .

It was so pretty, I couldn’t resist, especially the second one.  My first thoughts, when I ordered, were that it would be lovely as backing fabric for a quilt (it’s 160cm wide off the bolt) but now it’s here, I’m wondering whether I’d dare wear a summer tunic in one or the other.  What do you think?  Would it be a too much?  A bit too “Dances with Wolves”?

And back to cats . . . slightly worried here, because Ducky has been missing since Sunday.  We’ve been calling him, and I’ve already put an “alert” on a dedicated site for lost & found pets.  Fingers crossed that he comes sauntering home soon.