Frustration

Unfortunately not the game. I'm busy working on the first of the Xmas things and it seems to be a project where if something can go wrong it has. Does anyone else have projects like that?

The cast on wouldn't work, the tension seems off, my colourwork has gone wonky...

...I kept on using the wrong size needles, the white yarn had a shredded section...

...I dropped a needle and even this blog post is playing up.

Luckily even with all the problems they seem to be knitting up quickly.

(By the way the odd pictures aren't caused by another gremlin, it's intentional as these are intended for someone...although I may knit another less glitchy version!)

New Year Aims

Rather than setting any crafty resolutions, such as doing a certain amount of craft a week or not starting things until others are finished, or even setting myself a target to complete a number of items I have decided to set myself some crafty aims to improve my skills and challenge myself.

After a lot of thinking here is my list:

1. Foundation paper piecing - actually doing this one could be easy as I have a recent magazine with templates .

2. Curved piecing - luckily I got plenty of pins for Xmas!

3. Crocheting something useful - will have to relearn how to crochet first.

4. Make some chocolates - I bought all the required equipment years ago.

I feel there should be a fifth one, so may add to the list later. Either way, this list, my UFOs and my stashes should keep me well entertained!

Christmas Baking - Part 2

So after a few weeks of attempting to feed my Xmas cakes with brandy (they were fussy eaters!) I have finally got to the decorating stage.  I had forgotten quite how much time should be dedicated to this to allow for drying out.

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

And finally they were popped in boxes as we're not eating them both ourselves.

I found these boxes in a local cake shop and think they're perfect for gifting.

Sunday Progress

A fair amount of progress to report this weekend.

Firstly a finish...

My magic loop socks are off the needles and on my feet.  The magic loop technique took a little getting used to but I'll definitely use it again, I didn't miss juggling multiple dpns.

Next, I've started binding the table runners...

I found the binding fabric in my stash, I was going to use plain black fabric but in reality it looked a bit harsh.  I'm glad I had a large enough piece of the spotty fabric, I still have enough of it for its original project too.

I've re-started my next sewing UFO; not a huge amount done but it's got me back in the groove.

And finally there's the Xmas things...

Enough said about that at the moment! (Although it does seem to be going a little better)

Not quick, not easy!

As I have finally finished one of my knitting UFOs I decided to move onto the next item on the list ... the cryptically named Xmas things.   I have made these before and I remembered them as a relatively quick and easy project.

WRONG!

After two hours work last night this is what I had to show for it...

A wonky beaded cast on and one row of knitting.  The cast on required the use of the thumb method which I haven't used a lot but am usually ok with, apart from last night! Add to that not checking number of beads and yarn colours before starting and a huge knotted join in the green yarn and I'd have to say last night was not a fun knitting night.

I'm sure things will improve. At least I've decided to be realistic and aim to finish these things for Xmas 2018!

Sunday Progress

Between work busyness and it being the time of year for social events galore I didn't expect to have much to report this weekend, but a spurt of activity on Friday has helped this post.

I've basted and quilted the two table runners, nothing fancy just diagonal lines on the random one and horizontal lines on the other.

The second photo is more representative of the backing fabric, just a random piece I bought in a bundle a few years ago.  I may regret not quilting more heavily as I've used both heat resistant wadding and a layer of normal wadding as recommended somewhere.  Hopefully I'll get the chance to put the binding on this week.

I also have just 14 rows left of the sock foot before the toe, that's got to be doable this week!

Christmas Shopping

I know it's the time of year for buying things for other people, but I've found one or two crafty items falling into my shopping trolley...

A Lewis and Irene Fabulous Forties in Small Things at Christmas...

West Yorkshire Spinners signature Christmas yarn and a coordinating ball.

I do have a plan for using these, but I've had a reality check and decided they'll be finished for next Christmas!

And just in case anyone is concerned I have managed some non-crafty Xmas shopping.

Beautiful distraction

I can't remember why but I decided to treat myself to the Millefiori Quilts book without knowing much about it except it's all English paper piecing (EPP) and the front cover quilt is stunning.

The book is lovely just to look through. There's an interesting section on the author at the front and it's in French and English.

Now I own the book I also know that the shapes are small

On average the sides seem to be no longer than an inch.

There are pages of instructions for each of the quilts which require hundreds, or even thousands of shapes.

And finally it's not only the front cover quilt which is stunning, all of them are in my opinion.

I also know I want to make at least one of them, can't decide which one, and I need to get my brave pants on.  Luckily this should suit my crafting style in that a quilt will take years to complete!

This book is definitely distracting me from what I should be doing and I'm still only at the browsing and deciding stage.

Christmas Baking

The fruit for our Christmas cakes has been soaking for several weeks and there was no need to put the central heating on during the day (we have a range cooker which runs our central heating, it rises to above the temperature I needed to bake at when the heating is on and can't easily be lowered) so today seemed the ideal day to bake the cakes.

I had decided to bake two cakes as we're visiting over Xmas, in future I won't try and mix both cakes at the same time!

All these eggs went into the mixture.

The completed mixture ready to be split between two tins. A slight delay was caused by needing to find the base of a tin and then fiddling round lining the tin. 

All worth it though...

These two are sitting on the kitchen side cooling prior to being given their first brandy feed.  Decorating is planned for the Thursday before Xmas.

The recipe I use is Ruth Clemens' from The Pink Whisk which can be found HERE

And just in case anyone is wondering I haven't finished the sock, although I have turned the heel.

Thursday Progress

A bit delayed with this month's progress report but at least progress has been made!

I've got as far as the heel flap on the sock

Considering the first one took me over a year and at least two false starts this is extremely rapid progress. Joking apart there is a slim chance that I might have it finished this weekend.

A bit of effort has also been dedicated to the blanket resulting in an almost completed square. 

This is actually quite a quick one but I find using the cable needle I currently have a little tricky.

Onward and upwards!

Friday Night Sew In ...the results

A late start to this FNSI but I managed to get what I planned done and for once it was wholly sewing.

My workspace all set up

Work in progress

I concentrated on nesting the seams so that everything would line up.  I was mostly successful and at least not noticeably unsuccessful!

Two complete tops

I'm really pleased with them and quite amazed at how bright they are. I still don't think I strongly prefer one layout over another, which is a good think as it means I want to finish both.  I have a wildly optimistic idea I could have them layered and quilted by the end of this weekend, judging by what else we've got planned this weekend I think that might be too optimistic!

How did everyone else's FNSI go?

Friday Night Sew In

For the first time in ages (possibly the first time this year) I will be taking part in Friday Night Sew In. For those of you who haven't come across it yet its a virtual get together of quilters around the world via their blogs.  On the designated Friday evening we all see together and then share our results on our blogs.

If you want to know more or to join in visit the sign in page on Wendy's blog ...HERE

See you Friday!

My Ultimate Gadget

After a trip to IKEA last week to pick up some necessary parts I finally got my new 'gadget' set up over the last few days.

This...

Plus this...

Becomes this...

Throw in my own sewing machine and a test piece of fabric and ... wallah...

...a freestyle quilting frame from Cotton Orchard Quilts, who are conveniently located about an hour from my home (and IKEA trestle legs supporting it).  

We first came across these at the Great British Sewing Bee Live.  I'd always dreamed of having a long arm quilter but space and finances prevented it, so I was in love when we saw these.  I've gone for a 2.5m frame which can hold quilts up to 2.1m wide ish.  I am going to try and squeeze the wedding quilt onto it, but in future if I want to larger quilts I'm going to have to probably quilt as I go.

Had my first play on it this evening...

(Underneath view - no eyelashes in this bit)

(It was suggested that initial practice was carried out on a cheap bedsheet without wadding to practice technique)

Lots more practice required and I'm going to have to re-read my FMQ books for inspiration.