Friday 31 December 2010

New Year's Eve - some presents, some projects and lots of germs!

Happy New Year's Eve everyone!  I'm back with another post as I actually did some crafting yesterday.

But first - I have to show you this photo of the two beautiful scarves my mum made me for Christmas:


The gorgeous blue one on the left is crocheted, but it's crocheted the opposite way to usual, starting with several hundred chain and dc'ing into it!  It's actually a beautiful variegated wool in gorgeous shades of blue (my favourite colour) but the photo doesn't do it justice.  The red on is knitted, a fan stitch which does go up and down - again, it's gorgeous in real life, and it's finished with a pom-pom fringe!!

So what did I get up to yesterday?  Well the husband had to go to work, so I went upstairs and finally made up the crochet/knitting bag that I bought the Amy Butler fabric for ages ago!  I made the small version for mum for Christmas (at her request, not because I'm mean!) and made the tall one for myself yesterday.  What do you think?



As ever, the cutting took ages but it sewed up really quite quickly.  I changed the pattern for the cuff as I didn't quite understand the instructions, this time there's much less bulk in that top seam so it sits neater.

I also finally finished the bag/bed for the wierd little teddy I made.  This project has been the bane of my life the last few weeks.  It should have been really quick but took forever!  Far too much sewing up required.  Here it is in all its "glory":


As a bag...

... and as a bed.

Hm, don't think I'll be knitting this one again!!

Whilst I was upstairs sewing yesterday, my husband came home for work with presents for me!  He'd had them delivered to work and they hadn't arrived in time so he'd bought me other presents (I'd told him not to!) so here were my original presents.  And what a treat they were... more books!  (All book images from Amazon)
Around the Corner Crochet Borders
Around the Corner Crochet Borders by Edie Eckman
I Love Patchwork: 25 Irresistible Zakka Projects to Sew
I (heart) Patchwork by Rashida Coleman-Hale

Sew Darn Cute: 30 Sweet & Simple Projects to Sew & Embellish

Sew Darn Cute by Jenny Ryan

Free and Easy Stitch Style: Go Freestyle with Machine Embroidery for Uniquely Creative Motifs, Patterns and Projects

Free & Easy Stitch Style by Poppy Treffry

This last one goes wonderfully with my new darning foot which was the other present!!

I was going to get started on this today but guess what?  The lurgy has got me.  I feel awful so I'm going to sit here in blogland until I feel better (or fall asleep as I barely slept last night).

I've already mentioned in previous posts that I am challenging myself to make things from my craft books, well it's been a bit unstructured so far.  My First Bambina is doing a Use Your Books Challenge for 2011, well I'm joining in but my rules are a bit different.  I already have more than enough books to last me forever, so I'm going to make something from a book each month.  After the second quarter, if I have 6 completed projects, I'll treat myself to some new fabric/materials to embark on more projects from the books.  If I've completed 6 projects after the first quarter, well then I get my treat early!  Sorry Bambina, I can't put your button in as I've never figured out how to do it!  Hope over to her blog (link above) and join in!

Happy New Year to you all!



10 comments:

barb's creations said...

What lovely scarves...Blue is also my favourite colour.The bear is cute even if it did take you ages to finish him off :) Barb.

Sammi said...

Wendy--Lovely items as usual! I'm sorry that bear gave you so much trouble. It is so cute. I hope that you get up the courage to try making another. It usually gets better with each attempt. How sweet of your hubby to get you crafting books. I hope you enjoy them...and I can't wait to see what you create from them!

Happy New Year!

Rachael@Lovely Crafty Home said...

Oooh love the bag!! I'm a knitter, but just got into sewing. Where did you get the pattern? Thank you so much for joining my linky party :)

Allison {A Glimpse Inside} said...

Super cute! Love the fabric on your knitting bag. Thanks for linking up! :)

Lynda said...

Hi! I came visiting from the Lovely Crafty Home blog share and love your projects. I am impressed with your knitted teddy bear/bag/bed project. Really cute especially considering that you are a novice knitter. Great job! Hope you feel better soon. Cheers!

AllieMakes! said...

So pretty! Love the scarves!
Thanks for linking up to Making It With Allie! I can't wait to see what you have for next week!
AllieMakes.Blogspot.com

My 1st Bambina! said...

Handmade scarves are the best!
Your knitting bag and the teddy bear and his bed/bag are too cute!
What can be better than books... LOL... ok.. maybe fabric ?!!! LOL.
By the way... I have Sew Darn Cute ;-).
I will keep up with your challenge progress!!!

Sandra :) said...

OOoOOO I really love the red one - I love the bobbles! Congratulations on the book "haul" - my friend here in town has the Sew Darn Cute book and has made the square bear in it - it's TOTALLY adorable and we'll be making them together this year :) There's also a really cute eyeglass case in there that I want to make as well :D

Sandra :) said...

BTW - I really like your knitting bag - may I ask what pattern you used? The teddy bed is adorable as well - she looks lovely and comfy in her adorable little bed!

Nancey said...

That knitting bag is beautiful. And I love the bear sleeping/bag. Isn't it nice to get a small but treacherous project over with and move on to new ones? Hope to see more of your creations soon!