Other creations this month

I was a bit late with my Journal Quilt this month.  It was done within September but for the past few years I have been ahead of myself so I felt quite guilty that it wasn't done until the middle of the month.

This month I reached the "blue" month so decided to have something linked to the sea for the gelli printing.   I've made my own print blocks with polystyrene in the past so used this method to create some texture on the plate inspired by waves and using fabric paints, printed some of my dyed blue fabric.  I used two or three different shades of blue fabric paint but once again I found that you don't get the same definition as you do when using acrylic paint.  The results were good though for the task in hand.

For the Log Cabin part of the quilt, I've again used the Courthouse Steps as the basis of the design with a bit of a twist.   For three of the sides I used different shades of my own dyed blue fabric and then the gelli printed fabric for the fourth side and the binding.

For the quilting I used a stitch on my machine which gives the appearance of waves going up and down.

It's time for a change of season so my thoughts turned to ideas for an Autumn hoop for my mantelpiece display.   I love the colours of Autumn - I always think it is because I was an Autumn baby!- so I knew it had to be something to reflect the colours.

My choice was a simple maple leaf (another favourite, particularly at Autumn) and luckily I found just the pattern I needed on the internet.  I've gone back to cross stitch after many years absence and as I enjoyed it so much, I think there will be more.  So therapeutic!

The display in coming together but I want to add some sort of foliage in a vase so am still thinking about that.   The other hoop and owls are from a Craftpod box I did last year when I began my seasonal project.

The garland of Autumn leaves is another pattern from Attic24 which I made using the ends of yarn left over from her Woodland Blanket which I made earlier this year.

Crochet Catch Up

I can't believe how long it is since my last post!  I have felt recently that life has been a bit lethargic and that I haven't had much to do in my creative world but looking back at what I've done since my last post, I have still managed to create quite a range of things.

I can always rely on my monthly Little Box of Crochet to give me something to do, sometimes not always something that I would have chosen myself but even that is a challenge in itself.  It's just over a year since I signed up and there has only been one month that still sits on my shelf unopened!

The July Box brought this "Sweet Summer Clutch Bag" designed by Sweet Sharna which was quite a quick make and one that I might well take on our next holiday.  Not sure I got the pattern 100% correct but it turned out okay and I'm happy with it.

In August the box had a lovely project book to keep a record of all my crochet makes which was lovely in itself, but there was also a pattern for a colourful cover to fit the book.   It was designed by Lucy of Attic24 - one of my favourite designers and one of the most generous designers I've come across.  I know I've mentioned her blog before - Attic24 - so if you haven't checked it out already, do so!

Now I've mentioned many times that my crochet tension is not what it should be which is the main reason I stick to shawls, scarves and anything that has to fit something, so I was a little worried that my book cover might not be the right size when I finished it.  But as you can see, it fitted perfectly.  This didn't stop my daughter commenting 'did you have to buy an A4 ring binder for it?' when I posted it on Instagram.

The postcard was also in the box which each month comes with several little extras!


One skein on wool that I've had since March, given to me on Mother's Day, has finally been created into a scarf.   The wool was from Fleabubsbylala -she hand dyes yarn and makes some wonderful crochet hooks and it is well worth checking out.

The wool was called Disco 2000 which is no doubt why my Pulp loving daughter bought it for me.  It was a riot of colour and as someone who has dyed fabric and threads many times I'd love to know how she got the colour change so often as it was no more than about 2" or 4" for each colour.

I also chose one of her own patterns as it only seemed right - it is called Harp Angel. 

Roll on the cold weather so I can wear it!

Spring!

After snow in March followed by incessant rain I felt the need to inspire Spring to arrive so I put together a few crafty items for further encouragement.

The crochet daffodils were from patterns by Coastal Crochet - the larger ones at the front - and Attic24 - the smaller ones at the back.  Both easy patterns with great results so I can see I will be using these for years to come and add to them each year.   The use of sea glass in the bottom of the jar was inspired by Coastal Crochet who, like me, is an avid collector.

The Spring embroidery was inspired by a Sew Along (SAL) hosted by Chrissie Crafts on Instagram.

Doing this stitching has really made me realise just how much I love embroidery and how much more I want to do.   Several ideas swimming around my head and I just how to plan them all in to the long list of other things to do!

Woodland Blanket

My journey through the woodland has finished and I'm now wondering if I should have taken longer so I could enjoy it more.

Having missed two weeks while I was on holiday, I worked hard to catch up, setting myself a goal each day and once again working to goals worked for me and I was ready for the final instalment, the edging.   This I completed and the blanket finished.

   

It really was difficult finding the right way to photograph it and if the weather had been better I think it would have been easier to take it outside somewhere but hopefully you can get an idea of the way the colours merge from the wood floor to the sky.

Don't forget to look at Attic 24 for the full story of the blanket - you may be tempted like I was.

Woodland Blanket update

I'm having to work hard on my Woodland Blanket to make up for lost time while we were away!  I try to get four stripes done each day and if I keep it up I should catch up by the end of the month.

This is a photo I took a few days ago so it has grown even more since then and I've got to the start of the blue sky rows.

It's looking fab! 

Woodland Blanket

I have long been a fan of Lucy from Attic24 and if you enjoy crochet, if you have not already found her, do check out her blog which is full of hints, tips and ideas about all things crochet.

Back in November she announced a new CAL (Crochet Along) starting in January and as I planned to finish my Temperature Blanket early in the new year, I decided I would take part.   Added to that, the colours that were going to be used were just up my street, so it was rude not to!   I duly ordered my pack of yarn from Wool Warehouse (along with another pack as a Christmas present for daughter No.2) and sat back with eager anticipation, occasionally squishing the balls of wool when I passed them in my workroom.

This photo of the wool being used doesn't do it justice as the colours are much richer in real life.

January 5th arrived and I was ready to dive in with Part 1.  I've really enjoyed this pattern and although I have made one or two mistakes, I have learnt from them and got on fine.  

I've got a couple of weeks when I know I'm not going to be able to get on with it so I will have a lot of catching up to do.