Long absence....

Sorry for all the quiet here-I've been a bit down recently and have found it a little too much to post anything.  I've got a few projects on the go-a couple of blankets and I'm hoping to make a Mandela for the lovely Attic24 and Yarndale.

Myf and I had a lovely May Day bank holiday weekend visiting my beautiful sister Mummycat, my lovely brother in law and my gorgeous nieces as eldest niece was taking her First Communion.  Myf and I spent ages trying to find suitable outfits-she was trying on loads of dresses that weren't quite right and we ended up in a charity shop that sold bridal and bridesmaid dresses.  She tried on one that she really, really loved and looked so gorgeous in but it had some kind of staining along the bottom right...nothing too bad but it would show up!

I spent ages taking up the hem and underskirt (Oh, the joys of not having a sewing machine!) and then devising some way to cover up those marks.
I naturally turned to a favourite book, Crochet Bouquet, and made some little flat flowers in various sizes in similar shades of embroidery silk.  Those got stitched over the worst of the marks and then I stitched a line circling the flowers over some of the last bits.  Added a few tiny crystal beads and done!

Myf very kindly modelled it for me

We had a WONDERFUL time with the family

I'm making a lovely ripple blanket (first time!) for my sister's neighbour's daughter-it looks so pretty already :-D

Hello 2014!

Myf's been away with her Dad this week so I've taken some creative time.  I'm always saying to myself when I finish a project intended for someone else that 'I'll make one for me' but somehow I never quite get round to it.  Well, just before Christmas, I was making 'Nanny Bags' for my nieces and I really wanted to make one for myself (the original one is kept safely tucked away as I don't think it would survive much use) so this week I thought why not?  I'm planning another blanket, this time for me (I'm being so greedy!) but that'll take some time to figure out and I wanted something quick to do...

Now, be warned, I'm EXTREMELY excited about this.  I started making the pentagons on New Years Eve

I wanted a chunkier feel than the ones I previously made and as I don't have stockpiles of chunky yarn, I had two strands of DK yarn on the hook.  It's fun working with two balls at once ;-)

After those were made, I started thinking about lining for the bag.  Now I'll just stop here and explain that I've never tried to make a lining before.  I cut up an old dark blue pillowcase and spent a while stitching it-I had to unpick it a few times until I was happy with it (I don't have a sewing machine so this involved quite a few pricked fingers).  Then I stitched it onto one of the pentagon pieces.

I forgot to turn it right side out first so I had to unpick it and start over :-(

But eventually, I got it the right way round, stitched onto the main pieces and then I crocheted the main pieces together.

Then came the strap.  I may have slightly overdone the length but it hangs quite well and I wanted to be able to have it across my shoulder satchel style so it stays secure.

The last thing it needed was a zip (another first for me) so I popped into town quickly to pick one up

I do want to add buttons to one side for decoration but I need some more white ones for what I have in mind...but until then, it's finished!  I'm ridiculously proud of this bag-I've not tried anything at this level and while the stitching is messy, I'm delighted with it and can't wait to show it off!