Year of Projects - Week 13

I'm a little late updating this. It has been crazy here at my place since Thursday, and not in a good way. Except for the 'Pride and Prejudice Tea Party' celebration for a friend's 50th on Sunday. THAT was good fun!

So let me see if I can remember what I did last week?

I finished Test Mittens #4 - You can find details and the pattern HERE on Ravelry

Used more of that Herrschner's yarn, but this one, like the pink is nice and soft and will be plenty warm enough for spring and fall. And for warm winters like the one we just had!
I took a picture specifically to show the inside of the mitt, which is textured all the way through. The mitts are lovely and snug and I'm very pleased with them. The pattern is easy and well written.

Next I did manage to add the buttons to the shawl, so that is now all done and I like the result! For details and the pattern link go HERE

I also finished off the crocheted 3D snowflake early in the week :

Love Knots from this pattern book. I headed outside to find a branch that I can 'plant' in a pot so I have somewhere to keep these safe as I continue my collection. BUT it is spring and between the birds and the wild flowers I got 'lost' and didn't remember why I headed out, until much later/too late. It was one of those weeks.

I was having a hard time showing the details on this as it is so thick and so intricate (but easy to crochet)

I'm enjoying making this collection!

I did not yet get round to updating my project list, but I have been looking for sock patterns and since all the other projects are done, I'm ready for something new. I did have to start the 'smile' project over again, and just this morning found a pattern that will hopefully work for me.


So let me recap my list :

My Year Of Projects  To Do list
My list is very flexible I’m ‘afraid’ I’m forever changing my mind mid-stride ;)

• I hope to make at least 6 Feel Better Friend Dolls ( the yarn arrived late January) Changed my mind, won't be doing these after all. 

• I would like to finish the afghan started early in December (that's the one featured above) Coming along with 12 blocks done. 12-15 for the final count with some borders also to be added. This will take  while yet, as I need more yarn to make more blocks.

• I want to knit 2 pairs of socks -yarn bought for first pair, just need to decide on pattern

• I need to knit a blue/aqua scarf for myself Finished this January 31st.

• At least 3 pairs of flip-top mittens (2 will be gifts) I changed this to 2 pairs of mittens and one scarf (which is crocheted and I have finished it - needs to be blocked), Yarn bought for the first pair of flip tops (yay)
• Completed 4 pairs of fingerless mittens (all test knits)
• Set of 12 3D snowflakes, from the book 'Dimensional Snowflakes' Making them 1 per month at least. (3 done)
• Smile project (mystery ;-) ) hoping the new pattern will work!

Test Mitt - the 3rd one!

Happy Birthday Mitts by Yellow Mleczyk over at Ravelry - This was another test knit that I really enjoyed. These mittens in worsted weight(#4) yarn are so quick to work up. I was thinking that these may also look good done in black & white. Maybe even in stripes.

I knitted these using Herrschner's Worsted Weight yarn again. This pink though, is not a scratchy as the green. I'm sure these will become favourites in my mitten drawer! The bright pink ('Raspberry') colour is perfect to brighten up a grey winter's day.

You can find the pattern for these mittens in Dagmara's Ravelry store HERE

Happy knitting!

Bolero - For The Sweetest Little 'Strawberry'

This was an impromptu knit. A designer -Gabrielle Danskknit- over at Ravelry was looking for more modeled examples of her patterns. I thought the happy fresh and fun pattern will be perfect for 'Strawberry' the sweet girl of friends.
I found the perfect yarn at Michaels - Red Heart Gumdrop in the 'Smoothie' colourway. It knitted up really quickly. Granted I did have an audio book on the go, so that I was happy to sit still in one place for a few hours at a time to knit. It also helped that is was weekend and it is one of my favourite ways to spend a Sunday afternoon. I've never knitted garments like this on round needles all in 'one go' and it was interesting to see it grow in my hands.

Here's what it looked like - front

and back - aren't those puffed sleeves darling?

and on our little model...Mom took these gorgeous pictures of Strawberry in her new bolero. I hope it'll last her well, as it is a tad big and loose fitting at this time. Hopefully it will fit now in spring and again in fall when the weather turns cool.

Isn't she the cutest thing you ever saw?

You can find the pattern for this HERE
Thank Mama for the gorgeous pictures! Love you all lots!

Yearbook 2013 -Catching Up

I only have a couple yearly pages to finish for 2013. But there is the holiday section to add, and that has been the delay for me. Still, I'm plugging away at it and before long I shall hold the printed book in my hands!

The 2 September pages - click the images to view in the gallery!

September Left

September Right (Monthly free kit from the Gingerscraps blog)

I used Cathy Krenek's 'Lucky Go Happy' Kit for my September Left page

Year of Projects - Week 12

It was a busy weekend, so I never got round to posting this update -

I blocked the scarf and had hoped to add the buttons on the weekend, but that never happened- still 16 buttons to add is not really that much. All in all this project has taken way longer than necessary, but that is how it goes sometimes, right?

The 'Bernat Baby' blanket is all done. It turned out a bit bigger than expected, which is really nice. I'm pretty pleased with the result.

And I started work on a project that is taking a different route from what I originally planned. I was going to knit some with this variegated yarn and some of the dark blue solid that is in the variegated. Upon seeing this irl, I did not like the amount of orange and the yellow of the green, so I'm revising this project. I made a start with some squares and I have some sketches of roughly where I'm heading with it, but will see how it changes and grows from here. Right now I'm thinking of combining knitting and crochet, but we'll see how it all works out. Instead of being a straight forward kind of project it will now be a 'process' 

The third test mitten just went live this morning. You can find the pattern for Happy Birthday Mitts by Yellow Mleczyk HERE

This pink ball of Herrschner's Worsted Weight yarn is much softer to start with and I really like how these turned out. 

I hope to cast on for test mittens #4 tonight! Whoot!

I'll be revising my list for the year this week, adding more projects that I know I'll be doing/planning etc.

Vanilla Mint Cream

Not very original, but that is exactly what these colours made me think of!

This is the colour swatch for the Wrapping In Colour Challenge over at Plain Digital Wrapper, hosted by Kimberly Stewart Since I was ready to 'play' a little in Photoshop, I decided to make a mini kit for my challenge contribution.

Download the freebie HERE  and some feedback would be appreciated!

Laughter....

is usually a good idea !

I used Lonetta Avelar's "Vibrant Joy Bundle" for this page. All those flowers just lifted me up making me smile!

Test Knit - Mittens #2

At the beginning of March I got yet another chance to test knit a pair of mittens, by the same designer as the first pair I did - Dagmara. (See the first ones here and the pattern here)

This pattern is called 'March Weather' and you can find it here in Yellow Mleczyk's store at Ravelry.

I like the little detail created on the inside of the arm!

And here's my progress on the first night, with 2 pattern repeats completed. Ready to start the thumb increase on the next round.

And the first one done - trying for size!

All done and ready to wear. I think this pattern will make great mitts for men too. I do not like the yarn (Herrschner's Worsted Weight) at all though. There is quite a bit of discrepancy between different colour. This green was quite scratchy to work with although it did soften up after washing, which is good.So not all is lost...I think knitting the thumb in 'knit' would also look nice and the ribbed hand allows for a nice snug fit.

All in all I'm very happy with the result. The pattern is easy to follow and well written. And I just love how quick these are to knit up!

Scrapbooking - Early Years

Sunday Afternoon Drive....I cannot say these particular pictures bring back memories, after all I am the baby in these,  however since this was a family tradition I sure have my fair share of Sunday afternoon outings as memories. Often we would just go for a drive, just to see and explore the beautiful countryside. Such memories.

I used Cathy Krenek's 'Rest and Relaxation Bundle' for my page. I love the colours and all those flowers and the teapot and cup are always to my liking too! There is the option to buy just the kit, if you do not need the extras. Cathy has made add-on freebies to go with this. For her facebook page, blog and newsletter. Be sure to check out her blog for details! 

Year of Projects - Week 11

It's been a full week but for once I was able to tick off lots of 'to-do' items on my list. That sure feels good!

The fluffy blanket is getting big now. I joined in ball #9 last night (out of 10 balls) It sure is a snuggly piece of knitting.

The scarf on my list is completed. Just needs to be blocked, which I'm hoping to get to later today. It doesn't look like much now, but with blocking the pattern opens up and it looks really nice. Hopefully I can show you that next week.

The pattern for the second mittens that I test knit has just gone live. Here is my project page and the pattern link. More pictures too. I think this would work for guy mitts too, do you? The pattern is a nice 'neutral' texture...

Test knit #3 is done too, just waiting for release details, but you should be able to see the pictures in my projects.

And that's all for me on the knitting/crocheting front. I am almost finished with the book I picked up from the library on Thursday too. That might just account for a little less knitting this week. <smile>



So let me recap my list :

My Year Of Projects  To Do list
My list is very flexible I’m ‘afraid’ I’m forever changing my mind mid-stride ;)

• I hope to make at least 6 Feel Better Friend Dolls ( the yarn arrived late January) Changed my mind, won't be doing these after all. 

• I would like to finish the afghan started early in December (that's the one featured above) Coming along with 12 blocks done. 12-15 for the final count with some borders also to be added. This will take  while yet, as I need more yarn to make more blocks.

• I want to knit 2 pairs of socks -yarn bought for first pair, just need to decide on pattern

• I need to knit a blue/aqua scarf for myself Finished this January 31st.

• At least 3 pairs of flip-top mittens (2 will be gifts) I changed this to 2 pairs of mittens and one scarf (which is crocheted and I have finished it - needs to be blocked), Yarn bought for the first pair of flip tops (yay)
• Completed 3 pairs of fingerless mittens (all test knits)
• Set of 12 3D snowflakes, from the book 'Dimensional Snowflakes' Making them 1 per month at least. (2 done)
• Smile project (mystery ;-) )

A Teapot of Wishes - Paper Crafting

Another birthday came around that allowed me to have fun with gift boxes. It was the perfect opportunity to make another teapot and saucer. I really do like how these turn out and had an enjoyable time constructing this matching set.

Here they are, just constructed with no added details (well the doily in the saucer is extra ;-) ) The paper collection is 'Mosaic Memories' by Recollections. The floral paper reminded me of glazed pottery work.

The  half 'pearl' on the lid handle I picked up from Michaels : 'Songs of Spring' Rhinestones. The colour was a pretty close match.

I really like the handle on the cup. Looks so dainty!

Next I added some florals to both pieces. Just enough to decorate it softly. I always want to add showers and showers of blooms, so I really need to restrain myself.

The cut flowers are from 'Cut Flower Scallops' by Sheri McCulley. I coloured them with alcohol spray inks in an attempt to match the paper colours. I was not successful, although they do blend in well. More of the half pearls and some sequins were the final touches.

Time to load the 'boxes' with herb tea samplers - provided by Compassionate Charitea

Add a few chocolates...and the gift is ready to go!

Yummy goodness inside.

Add a card

and the little gift is ready for delivery-

The teapot and teacup cut files are from SVG Cuts' 'Tea For You And Me' Collection

And the card is from the 'Happy Birthday to You' Collection

The current 'Free With Purchase' gift over at SVG Cuts is 'Feeling Lucky'    

Go here to see how you can earn the free gift

Happy Paper Crafting!