On My Needles....and the winners of the Curious Handmade Giveaway.

Hello my friends, today we will start with the winners of the Curious Handmade pattern giveaway........ Drum Roll.........

Reinventing Mother said...

Slip stitches are so much fun! I would love to add this pattern to my growing list! Thanks for the gmiveaway!

Caffeine Girl said...

I love Helen's designs. Afternoon Tea is one of my favorite shawls and I've knit a couple. Last week I bought Global Nomad. I would love to add Red Robin to my list!

And that baby blanket is charming.

Sarah said...

I'd love to enter the giveaway! I love the Twinkle Twinkle pattern (in fact, I think I've said so in a comment here for several weeks in a row, haha!!) but she also has some gorgeous shawl patterns! She's a new favorite on my ravelry!

Congratulations to the three winners, if you could email, please with your Ravelry name and the Helen Stewart pattern you would like, my email address is on the sidebar

My first project I've been working on this week is my Pebble Beach II by Helen Stewart, this little shawl will have lots of sentimental value as I explained in yesterday's post. I cast it on with a wonderful group of people at Unwind Brighton, there's a Pebble Beach KAL going on at the moment which is running until the 10th August. It's on for 4 weeks and each week is set out with a goal, I've reached this weeks goal of 25%, I love it when you have targets to meet, though saying that you can work at your own pace.

These are three of my purchases from Unwind Brighton, a Ysolda Teague pattern, the designer was on the stand and was so lovely and very helpful. I bought some Kettle Yarn Wimbledon Sport in Blue Pictsies. It's a 100% superwash merino in a sport weight and is very soft and squishy, perfect for babies.

I actually got to purchase some Signature needles, I've heard so many good things about them. They are as every bit as good as people say, they are comfortable to hold, lightweight and a dream to knit with. My husband asked me why they were so different from other needles, he laughed when I said they were the "Bugatti of Knitting Needles". I ended up going back to the show the following day to purchase another pair, after knitting my Pebble Beach on them!!!

I cast on last night and have finished the sleeve and front yoke, the sleeves and yoke are knit in one piece then you pick up stitches for the front and back. I've never knit a construction like this before, it's a simple knit with no seaming.

The last thing on my needles is some bunting, I got together with Mel and Sarah as part of Camp Aloha Friends , we thought this would be perfect summer knitting project. It is a free pattern called Knitted Bunting by Faye Perriam. I using some leftover Rowan Handknit Cotton.

I've started reading Secrets of the Lighthouse by Santa Montefiore as one of my favourite authors, it hasn't disappointed. I will carry on with the Zookeepers Wife but it was to big to carry around with me when I was away, also it's a library book and was worried about losing it.

I'm linking to Ginny's Yarn Along and Nicole's KCCO, I'm not sure whether I'll be back on Friday with any FO's so have a good weekend.

Happy Crafting

xxxxDebxxxx

 

60 Minute Mini Bunting Tutorial.....

Hello, I hope you've had a lovely weekend, it's been beautiful and sunny here in the UK. I've pottering around and spending time in the garden, knitting and reading.

I even had an afternoon nap, yesterday, I can't usually fall asleep in the day but I think lying in the sun, reading and listening to the birds I dropped off.

As I was sat looking around the garden, I noticed my bunting that I made a couple of years ago was a bit worse for wear so I took it down with the intention of making some more when I had a minute.

Today I was supposed to be tidying my craft room, which I did sort of start but as I was going through my fabric, I found this Tilda Country Escape charm pack. My first thought was "this would make such pretty bunting"!!!!!!

I didn't want to spend lots of time on this project so I found out my Sizzix Big Shot and Stampin'Up Bigz Perfect Pennant die and found that the squares from the charm pack were the perfect size to cut out the bunting triangles, you will also need some seam binding.

The charm pack has two of each design so I chose thirteen different designs, twenty six squares altogether and whizzed them through the Big Shot. The Big Shot can cut through about eight layers of fabric at a time, it's obviously a lot quicker with a die cut machine but if you haven't got one you can hand cut, just draw a template to the size you want, you can make it as long or short as you want, just cut out the number of triangles accordingly.

Once cut take your triangles and lay your fabric right sides together so the wrong side is facing out, ready to sew together. I didn't pin them as they are fairly small but if you find it easier just pin before sewing.

I chain-sewed them down one side with an half a centimetre seam allowance, I used the edge of the presser foot to guide me. Chain sewing is a quick way to sew lots of fabric shapes together down one side without having to keep breaking the thread and starting again. Once you have finished sewing one triangle together, line up the second one without breaking the thread, sew down the side and carry on until all your triangles have been stitched and you have a line of triangles, joined together with the thread. Cut all the joining threads to separate the triangles, you are then ready to do exactly the same with the opposite side.

Once both sides are sewn, turn the triangles so the right sides are facing, you will need something pointy to poke the point out. I used a crochet hook, just be careful you don't poke a hole through the end! There is no need to sew the top edge as the seam binding will cover it.

Once you've got all your triangles turned the right way, iron them so you have a crisp edge and the bunting is nice and flat. It is worth the effort of getting the iron out, your bunting will look so much neater.

 

Take your seam binding, folding in half and placing the triangles inside the fold, stitching along the seam binding making sure you have caught the triangle as you go along. Again, I didn't use pins and did it by eye but if you find it easier, pin before stitching.

This is a quick way to make bunting and only took me sixty minutes but that was using a die cut machine rather than hand cutting, not pinning and preparing everything in advace like setting up my machine and putting the iron on ready. Obviously it will take you longer if you're hand cutting or you run out of bobbin thread half way through but even then it won't take you more than a couple of hours. The finished triangles measure 10cm down the edges and 7cm across the top so the are mini but again you can make them to whatever size you want.

Another quick way of making bunting without cutting out is to use the squares as the are and make square bunting. This time you'll be putting the two wrong sides together so the right sides are showing as you won't have to turn inside out. Sew around three sides about 1cm from the edge then with pinking shears cut along the three edges to help prevent fraying and finally sew onto the seam binding. Quick and easy!!!

It's now up in the favourite part of my garden, let me know if you make some so I can take a look at it!!!!!!

 

I'm so excited that my first class has gone live today on Camp Aloha Friends, it's called Tag, You're It, Part 1, it's in three parts going from a quick and easy project to the third class that is more in depth and will take you longer to finish, all using tags!!! I can't believe it's been six months since the lovely Mel approached me and asked if I'd be interesting in teaching some online classes.

I didn't hesitate in saying yes, I love Mel's ideas and she is such an amiable person. I'm so glad I did, being part of CAF has been a pleasure, I've made friends with like minded people from around the world. It's not too late to join in the fun, the classes will be online with a page protected password, where you can access them at any time until end of September, so you have plenty time. If you'd like to find out more about it, you can check here and here, there is only one "suitcase" left but you can still just do the classes and use your own materials.

Happy Crafting!!!!

xxxxDebxxxx

 

 

A Summer Journal.....

 

Hello my friends, I'm so excited that Camp Aloha Friends, has kicked off. If you've not heard about it, check out the link, it's a summer camp from the comfort of your own home, full of lots of different crafts for you to try plus lots of other fun things to do all over the summer from June until September. The first activity that Camp Director Mel has given us, is to make a journal to document our journey through Camp Aloha Camp 2014 but this would be a great idea to journal your summer activities or travels.

Mel has given campers a PDF, to print out personalized Camp Aloha Friends pages but I'm low on ink and used plain photo copier paper, folded in half to make A5 size, use as little or as many as you want.

Once folded, open out and poke four holes down the centre fold, I measured one inch from the edge and then made a hole two inches from the first hole, do the same the other end.

I then binded the pages together with two pieces of twine, take a large tapestry needle and from the outside of the journal thread in and back out the other side so you can knot the ends together on the spine, repeat for second holes.

Now for the fun part, decorating the cover, I've gone for a vintage style cover and used some vintage music sheets. Cut two to the size of the front and back covers, I used a Gel Medium to glue the music sheet to the front, any glue will be fine, I just like multi medium as it doesn't wrinkle the paper as much as normal wet glue. In keeping with the vintage look, I inked around the edges in a light brown ink, you could use a wet tea bag and will get the same effect but you will have to let it dry and it will probably wrinkle a little bit, if you get it too wet.

I'm decorating the cover with a large tag, some vintage buttons, a floral image from a magazine, vintage lace and a paper doily. Again I inked all the edges and glued down the tag and button card. I attached the lace down one side of the floral image.

I then glued the floral print and doily onto the front and stamped a sentiment on to a piece of card, tying some yarn the left hand side.

I decorated the first page, covering with some pretty paper and I cut the clock face out from a magazine, adding alphabet stickers with the quote " It's time to get creative". I took some sandpaper and gently sanded over the page, to give it the shabby look that I like.

On the second page, I've stamped some leaves, post mark and ink splats, collage style ready to start filling it with all the wonderful crafty projects I'll be doing over the summer.

It's not too late to sign up and join in the fun, just hop on over to here, you can enroll anytime to the classes and if you wanted the "suitcase" option, there are a few left and will take around 10 days to arrive, if you are international. Also, don't forget to check out Mel's blog, Singlehanded Knits, to see what's going on and interviews with some of the teachers.

Thanks for stopping by.

xxxxDebxxxx

 

Camp Aloha Friends.......

Aloha Friends.......

Have you ever wished that you could pack your crafty suitcases and go on a Crafty Retreat....

Spending time with like minded people from all over the world....

Not all of us can do that that with work, family and cost

But.....

Camp can come to YOU!!!!!!

 

Yep, that's right , you can join in with Summer Camp without leaving the house!!!!! It's called "Camp Aloha Friends" and Mel from Singlehanded Knits, has organised a host of activities over the summer including.....

 

• animal husbandry
• tatting
• crochet
• embroidery
• card making
• scrapbook creations
• papercrafts
• knitting
• yarn dyeing
• sewing
• botanical pressing
• weaving
• Chinese knotting
• quilting
• creating special places for yourself
• journaling
• AND SO MUCH MORE!

 

All the classes are taught by "Camp Counselors" from all over the world, who love what they do and are passionate about their craft. You can check out all their smiley faces, here, if you keep popping back to Mel's blog over the next week, you can see what we are going to be teaching and a little bit about our backgrounds.

From the 15th June, until the end of September, there will be weekly, often daily, inspirational projects, some quick makes, taking an hour or so, then they'll be longer term projects and activities. You can take part live as they are posted or do them in your own time, whenever you are able to grab some time for yourself. Check out, Mel's video about camp, here, the pigtails are optional!!!!!

You now have two options on how to participate, you could be a DAY CAMPER, where for less than a couple of large Latte's from the coffee shop each week, you can purchase just the classes......

DAY CAMPER: You have access to Camp Aloha Friend for the entire Summer. You plan on gathering all your materials yourself! You will happily join in Camp Aloha Friends! ready to make, do and see all that you can! You may chatter on the Campsite & chatter on the Ravelry thread in the SinglehandedKnits group. You have all the same access anyone else, you just like to take advantage of what you have on hand in your crafty resources!

Or you can be a BUNKHOUSE BOARDER, where you get your "suitcase" packed for you.

BUNKHOUSE BOARDING CAMPER: You want it all! “Sign me up for classes and pack my bags for me!” you say! And we will listen and do just that! Lots of goodies are included in your Camp Suitcase:

• Shuttle for tatting class
• 2 bobbins with white and natural thread to create at least 2 activities in tatting class
• wooden crochet hook
• 1 full size of SpaceCadet Creations skein of fingering weight wool yarn
• Charm pack of beautiful quality 3.5 inch squares for a sewing project
• Upholstery fabric
• Ribbon
• Assorted 3.25 inch fabric squares for sewing activity
• A bit of fleece* to study in class with the name of the Donor Sheep (whom you will meet in class!)
• A special weaving device
• Inspiring assortment of various size paper for paper crafting class
• buttons
• Mini-Cake of InfiniteTwist Helix yarn
• An assortment of other lovely treats beautifully collected for you!

*The fleece may not be available in your area, we will contact you if there is a problem with mailing it! And yes, you will get a substitution goody!

All the above comes in a beautiful sweater sized project bag, especially made for camp.

Mel has full details on her blog, you can find out the prices of the different options, here!!!!! Sign ups are now OPEN, so if you'd like to join in the fun, head over here, to secure your place!!!! Places are limited!!!!

I'll do a separate post soon, to show you some sneak peeks of my class, I can't wait to get started!!!

xxxxDebxxxx