A different kind of stitch

I've been subscribing to The Art of Knitting for 90 issues now. The idea is in the 1st issue you learn to knit and each one you learn to make a different square and it all makes up into a throw. It also includes patterns, stitch library and other useful information and you get all the wool to make the throw too. I've been meaning to get down to doing it for ages but just haven't had the opportunity.

Last week what do I see on tv but an advert for The Art of Crochet! I'd love to crochet so after much persuading and a promise that I would start the knitting one I was allowed to buy it.

So good to my word, I sat down this week and learnt to cast on, knit, purl and cast off. This was my practice piece.
It's rubbish really but I was very thrilled with myself lol! The top and bottom sections are garter stitch and the middle is stocking stitch.

I also got a photo of my cushion cover from the other day.

Sewing class bears fruitage

I've been going to a sewing class for a little while. It's quite informal so we don't have a set schedule of things to learn. I think most of the ladies know exactly what they are doing except me lol. So far I've learnt how to take up trousers properly, which is great because I've short legs and struggle to get trousers to fit. I also learnt how to make a slip on cushion cover.

I've had some fabric to make some cushion covers for my playroom -to-be for a while and the tutor cut out the covers for me before we broke up for the holidays. Tonight I made my very first cover all on my own! I did mess it up slightly though. I forgot about matching the pattern up on the back and didn't overlap the fabric enough. Lesson learnt for the next one! I'm still quite chuffed with it though.

Flower Fairy finally finished!!!!!

Here's my first finish of 2010. It's taken me nearly 2 years to finish (on/off). It's for a gentleman who asked me to do it as a present for his wife. It is lovely but I wouldn't stitch one again. Now I just need to clean, iron and post it.

Nearly another year gone!

I can't believe how quick this year has gone. This time last year Seren had only just started sleeping through and was still a helpless baby. Now she is walking, throwing tantrums and being a general madam lol! I'm close to finishing the dreaded Flower Fairy and I can't wait. I'd like to think I can move onto something nice for myself but that won't happen. I have a long list of projects that really need doing first.

I need to sit down and work out my stitchy goals for 2010. So far they include completing my collection of Anchor threads and finding a decent framer. I don't like the one I've been using and she's expensive. I went to see about getting a birth sampler framed and I wanted it in a white box frame. She wanted to spray paint a wooden frame white! I want it to look professional not DIY - that's why I like to pay to have it framed professionally. Honestly - spray paint!

At least a new Hobbycraft has opened in Cardiff and I can buy supplies there. I'm afraid my nearest LNS is too far away and it is cheaper for me to use a ONS. It's a terrible shame but even though we now have a car, I can't justify the petrol to get there for just one or two threads.

Anyways I will end this post with a pic of the Flower Fairy (though it's not the most recent at all).

Still working on it...

I'm being really good and I'm still working on the Flower Fairy though I did start another kit last week. It's for Craig though and it's on black aida so it'll only be stitched on when he's not home and Seren is in bed - so not very often lol! Went to Hobbycraft this week for a thread I really needed and got the wrong one :( I got some Anchor threads too. I've got all the DMC so now I'm working on getting all the Anchor threads. Like I don't have enough already lol! I relocated all my cross stitch stuff into my new wardrobe today also so now it's all in one place and out of Seren's reach. Brill!