I've started......

 WIP, love them or hate them, we all have some.....

Last stitched in 2014, this is a stunning project, the colours are beautiful, but it is stitched in the American style of 1 over 2, which I struggled with, so it got packed away, I keep promising I will finish it one day, I have everything I need, it was a very expensive design and kit, it is storing well. 

Again I've had this over 10 years, a birthday gift from hubby, I did make this harder by stitching all the white sections, it's on a bigger count, so hopefully I will get it done eventually. I'm not ready to give up on this yet. 

I started knitting this last May, it's an old pattern from the 80's, I have done more than shown in this photo, I enjoy knitting, but this one got put down, it's alot of knitting after knitting shawls and socks, which are quick easy finishes, I hope to have this done for this summer. I still love the yarns. 

I have loads of knitted and crochet squares, these are made from left over yarn and small skeins, I make them when I'm in the mood, or I have nothing else to do, it's a long term project. The thinner yarn being used for crochet, and the thicker yarn for knitting, both are 4ply, but not all 4ply are the same thickness. 

I have plenty of fabrics to make a few of these, I made two for Molly for Christmas 2021, and wanted to make more, but whilst I have cut these out in a quality felt, I would like to make some with a stronger fabric, it's a case of getting myself going. 

I have a good stash of fabrics, and would like to make with my sewing machine, but my back problems stopped me using my sewing machine last year, I have decided not to get my machine out this month, rest my back, and hopefully in February, I can get creative again. 

I have loads of stash for my cross stitch, I don't purchase many kits, I prefer to have my own array of silk colours, stored in my work box, show here, there are fabrics in the huge bottom drawer, they are bigger DPI than I use at this moment, most of them gifted to me, but with eyes not a great as they were, at some point I will use them. 

I have less yarn in my stash, most of it 4ply, which I prefer to use, I have a big stock of sock yarn, I do love to knit socks, I have 2 couple of thicker yarns for cardigans for me, it's a case of finding a pattern and starting. 

I do love to be able to look at my various stash's when I am in a creative mood and have what I need to make things, nothing worse than finding you don't have what you need, (it does happen on occasions). I have other crafts and a couple new crafts I would like to try, I have everything to start needle felting, I've just been too busy to make any real start. I have learnt from glass fusion, sometimes it's better to do a couple of courses and come away with something beautiful, rather than purchase everything for use at home and not get to the standard I wanted. 

I have thrown away or passed on started projects which for many reasons, I know I will never finish, I don't believe a craft should be difficult, if I am not enjoying it, then why keep going, I always try and be honest with myself and admit defeat when it's staring me in the face. I do like to have only one project in any craft at a time, I'm not a fan of switching designs, my cross stitch project can only be stitched in daylight, so it's an afternoon project, so I have time for different things in the evening. 

Last year I finished, 5 pairs of socks, 1 knitted shawl, 1 small crochet blanket, 1 medium cross stich design, 1 set of Christmas Advent bags, 1 hexagon sewing machine cover and a cot set and cushions for Molly. 

Crafty plans

This year I am focusing on WIP's, with cross stitch, knitting, crochet and sewing, I have in each craft a few things which has lingered longer than they should, it would be nice to finish a few, the joy of finishing my Christmas cross stitch is still with me. 

I also have a good stash of cross stitch, sewing fabrics and yarn, enough to keep me crafting most of the year, it would be nice to use more of these items, my taste does not change so I don't have anything I find unusable, my smallest stash is yarn. 

I do have a couple big projects which I now know I will never complete, and at some point I will try and sell these on, I won't get my money back, but it will be good to see them used by someone else, if I can't sell, I will pass them to our local school for them to use in any way they want. 

My first task is with hexagons, I have made loads and always planned to make a sewing machine cover, this is a mixture of hand and machine sewing, I have pulled out my hexagons and plan to sew loads together to form a long strip, which will wrap around my sewing machine, I will back it with a plain cotton to give it strength.

I have 2 scrappy blankets, one knitted and one crochet, I would like to make more squares on each, I won't start sewing together until I have enough squares. My gift from Jo has added to my stash for these squares. 

I have supplies to try finger tatting and needle felt, I hope to be able to make a start on each this year, just starting simple and creating small projects. I also want to find a crochet design and follow a pattern, I know the stitches, I just need to learn how to follow a pattern.

SIL loved his colourful socks and have asked could he have more, so I've sort more courful yarns and needles to make a start, I really can't make him wait until next Christmas. 

I've finished my 1st book this year, it was a good one, I got it on kindle, safer reading this way. 

I managed to sort the decorations and pack them all away, a few clever changes and it was done in one day, Saturday was long but pleasing, what I thought was going to be hard, turned into a much easier task. I don't feel the house is bare this time, everywhere looks clean and tidy, I am burning candles each evening, keeping the house cosy. 

I feel the next couple of months are going to be stay at home, so I should have plenty of time to craft, something to do on the dark winter days ahead. 

Finish and WIP

12 days of Christmas is done

Stitched on DMC, Monaco, 28 cwt, using 1 strand of DMC silks. 

The design for day 11, 

11 pipers piping, I have changed, I am pleased with the way it looks now, 11 notes look good and I had space for my name and the date. 

This is my next project, I love this design, it came as a kit, but the fabric shown here is loose weave, so I am using a finer tighter weave, which means it will be smaller. I have never decided if I was going to stitch the banner in the designers form or change the wordings. 

This is where I left it, almost half the length, but not half way through, as the lower branches are bigger and more stitches.

I left the needle in the fabric, so I have rust marks, will have to decide once this section is done, how to hide them, I have a flying bird in the design, so I could stitch another to hide these marks. I might just get away with doing nothing, and the rust marks being outside of design area, I normally always remove needles from my work, but this was left on the frame, with the intention to stitch it to the finish. This is again on 28cwt, DMC evenweave, with 1 strand of DMC silks.

 Firstly a huge shout out to Jo, she suggest we all stitch along together this design, I picked it up with the thoughts, I had everything I need, give it a go, nothing to lose. But it's just what I need, so much time at home, stitching eats up time, I do find it's easier to stitch for gifts, as I still own loads of finished stitching, each rolled in my work basket, not used. The Christmas tree is for me and I will use it every year, I think I may make a big cushion, but that might change, I do like framed Christmas stitching, but not sure if I can get it done this year.

The joy of finding cross stitch again, in these strange times is immense,  I happily sit and stitch for hours, watching a design appear on the fabric.

I own loads of fabric and enough silks (Floss) for me to make almost anything. I have purchased designs, my tasted does not change, so I can stitch away for a few years, hubby many years ago purchased this sewing chest, which is full of colourful joy. I do feel confident this stitching can be finished this year. 

Who loves a list, with things crossed off

I got my sock yarn out and started another pair of Christmas socks, these are ladies size, so a quicker knit, it's good to have something simple in my hands.

 This simple stripe works on many levels, below is the change over side, and almost every time it works smoothly, carrying the yarn over each row keeps it neat and hardly any ends to sew in. 

My crochet blanket is growing, 

I am loving the mixed colours squares, more photo's soon. 

Back at the end of March I made a list of things I wanted to do, I have crossed 3 big task off the list, and worked on 2, my book and BSL course. I have started another pair of socks for a Christmas gift. 

I have added a couple more task to my list, it feels good to be looking at my WIP and bringing them out to see them grow and hopefully get finished. 

These list will be never ending, but it's good to focus my mind, the recent few wet days have been wonderful, the garden water buts are full again, and gives me crafting time inside. I do feel sorry for anyone without outside space, living in a flat at these times must be hard, and with children even harder, Daughter Su is forever explaining to Will why they can't do things, they do have a garden so he can play outside.
I'm having problems with my shoulder and back, both ache, both stop me doing things, I now realise with my shoulder, it's not about lifting things, I can't stretch and do things, often that chore is just within reach, and I have to now stop reaching. My back I twisted when lifting a pot in the garden and now the low back aches if I stand or sit for too long. Nothing can be done with my shoulder and left side, it's issues leftover from so many operations in 2010 & 2012, I do have tablets to take away the nerve pains I get, but they make me sleepy, so I only use them at night. The back will mend it's self, until I twist it again. I'm not feeling sorry for myself, just frustrated and annoyed, I do so much without thinking, and then I suffer.
So with the wet weather and my aches it's craft time, other than sewing machine and loom, both not good for my back, so knitting and crochet time, I did look at my hexagons I have loads ready for stitching together, I will hang my head in shame, the linked post was from 2016, hummm, just maybe another for my list.

Yarn enhancement

I've been online shopping, my daughter asked if I would make blankets for the new baby George (due in December), as I had made some for Will, one seen here. He has this blanket on his bed every night. 

 These are for a ripple blanket for the new baby, again I had made one for Will, seen here, which is used in the car. I ordered from 2 sites as I could not get the cotton brand from my normal site. I love Patons Baby Smiles 4ply. There are a few more balls than I require, I don't need full balls to make the size I require and I love have a stash of colours. 

I am going to knit myself another shawl, with matching gloves, I am using baby merino wool, this has the least allergies, I am hoping it will be alright for me as I can't wear wool because of the lanolin. I have to find a pattern, any suggestions. 

We popped to Hobbycraft for a buckle and poppers for my home made bag, I could not find anything, so I am going to have to rethink, but these 4ply balls of 150grm yarn was £7 a ball, on offer buy 2 get 1 free, a really good price, so I picked up 3, not sure if I will knit with them or use them on my loom, the colours are very me. 

I have plenty to do over the next few weeks, I will make the ripple blanket first, as it will be needed for car journeys.  I also have the following to finish.

1. 2 pair of socks for Christmas presents - I have started both
2. Crochet toy dog, it's tiny, but I do want to finish it
3. Making my bag - I still have to find the buckle or change my plans
4. Finish a cross stitch Christmas design - not stitched since 2016
5. Finish my scarf on my loom
6. Work on my 2018 blog book - it is all uploaded, I am now checking and rechecking before sending it for print. 

I do have other things to make, two Christmas cakes need to be baked later this month, but my garden is now taking very little of my time, we very rarely put on day time TV, we don't go out often, so I should have plenty of time to get things done.
I am also begining to form the design for my Christmas cards, I have everything I need already to make the cards, it's just a case of doing a trail run to see if it all looks right once cut out. 

The above list is just the things I want to focus on for now, I do have other things in a half finished state. 

I am home alone, hubby is on his way home today, having been away since Friday, I have got loads of knitting done, had another go at glass fusion, it's very hard to get the timing right on the microwave, but I'm not giving up.

Friday a friend who I worked with many years ago, came over, we walked to the village for lunch and caught up with all the gossip, later I had a lazy evening in front of the TV.

Saturday was a day at home, I did not even walk to the village, another lazy evening, I am feeling very relaxed at the moment. I have not read for a couple of days, preferring to be busy crafting. 

I also ensured I now know my sign language play and the song which we will preform infront of a local elderly club next month, I have been practising most of the week. 

WIP cross stitching

This is on one set of hoops

I want to finish it for Christmas

I last stitched here 

 Another WIP on hoops 

I last stitched this here

 This is my current stitching, not done much to it

I last stitched it here 

 Winter Watergarden

I love this design, but it is stitched one over two, which I have never done before and I was struggling with. So I packed it away.

 It is stunningly beautiful

it's on my radar to get finished. 

The sparkly threads and beads bring this stitching to life. 

My tea towels purchased for the fabric.

I have some heavy duty pale green cotton fabric, 

I can use for lining and handles. 

I have had a busy time so far this week, but I can't list what I have been doing, the days have run away with us, we have spent time with friends, babysat Will, and I have had a stash sort out. So basically enjoying the time to myself this week.
How quickly I have slowed down on clock watching, knowing I have tomorrow to finish things and if not, next week will do.
We are planning a BBQ on Saturday, my family and loads of our friends coming, just keeping everything crossed the weather is dry. We have been to Lidl's for extra food, we were both very good and only put food into our trolley, it is so easy to add other items and bump the cost up.
My back I thought was improving, I had a good night's sleep and woke up without pain, but having Will here today, playing with him on the floor, where he loves to be, I am in pain again. If by next week it has not improved I have promised hubby I will seek help.

Stitching again

I saw this and thought how true

I have stitched on Joyful World, my aim is to finish it and frame it, not sure where I will hang it when finished, only after this is finished can I think of anything new to start.

I am also looking at cotton material, I want to make a patchwork cot quilt of our new baby due in a few weeks, I am thinking I will use a log cabin design.
I have ordered a couple of books to read, so with my wool order I am expecting a couple of nice parcels to arrive.
Today my first day back at work went well, we were busy but not as busy as expected, it was quiet easy to slot back into work. It was also nice as driving to work in the morning, it was not as dark as it has been, makes me think of spring and the new growing season.
This year instead of inflicting my will on hubby, I asked him what he would like to focus on, 1st we agreed to save more, our spending habits are now reaping us spare cash each month. 2nd he wants us to walk more, with the view to being able to cycle in the better weather, so these will be our focus for 2017, but done without slipping away from all we have already achieved.
We also looked at our saving jar, it has just over £90 in, but as we need nothing, the coins all went back in and we will keep adding until the jar is full, which should be summertime and will give us funds for a nice day out.

Happy New Year

Finishes in 2014

Failed - Winter Watergarden, one day

Finally I am looking at threads and deciding what to stitch.

I have been very naughty and popped to Hobbycraft and purchased cutters for my Xpress machine, I managed to get a couple Christmas ones, these will enhance my card making. Plus the embossing for the whole card. 

On the plus side, I did look at all the half price Christmas decorations in the garden center next door and decided we did not require anything. I can not find anywhere with simple white tree lights on sale, oh well I will have to get them in December. 

I have recorded my weight this morning, 

not sure how I'm going to  lose and keep off the excess.

Friday morning updates

I have been off work all this week and because of limited use of my left arm, I have been resting, but not doing nothing. Below is the start of the cushion for my spare bed, it is worked over 32hpi, and going to be alot more work than I intended.

The red gingham squares will tumble across the middle of the cushion, I will need ten rows of ten square's per row to make the correct size. each square can take an evening to make. The design is for me to use all shades of red, I did think I would make a second cushion in yellow but that is now unlikely. Below is just a couple weeks work.

Below I thought I would follow Milly's example and show my unfinished work.

These cats are wonderful but takes alot of work, I have had this a couple of years, and every now and then I have another go at it.

This project was for a little girl who is now three years old, no reason for finishing it.

This only needs the back stitch to be finished, that's the part I hate the most.

I have loads of projects never started, but as my taste does not change I know they are in my stash for when I am ready to get going with them.

We are hoping to get some more decorating done in the dining room this week, but the weather forecast is good so the garden will win out, providing Kev will be willing to do the big stuff I can't do at the mo.