Thursday, December 27, 2012

Season's Greetings.

Hello, I hope you have had a very Merry Christmas and are looking forward to the New Year. Well it all came together here , despite my apprehension. Presents were made, the house was cleaned and the tree decorated, Father Christmas came and everyone had a good time.
When I was hanging up my favourite christmas quilt I realised that after I started it way back here I have never shared it with you the completed quilt that I finished in time for the following Christmas.
Father Christmas quilt
It is the only time Mario's parents have come during the Christmas Season and my Mil requested one straight away. I have to say I started immediately but then it got shelved for other things. Then last year I finished it's twin finally finished it's twin and forgot to show you that either. They are not exactly the same, the fabrics are different and how I finished them are also slightly different. I really do love them both. Kopie van P1180031 Mario calls them my Donkey quilts because he thinks Santa's little helper is too chunky to be a Reindeer. Cheeky!
I have to admit I do have a bit of a passion for Christmas quilts, I have two other hangings on the go.Santa's Helpers The first Santa's Helpers was from a Quilt Mania patten a couple of years ago. It still needs me to design a tree for it as I didn't like the original as it consisted of white rectangles and red buttons. A little minimalist for my liking.
Penguin Quilt
The other a penguin was a a copy of a quilt that I saw in a magazine a few years back and fell in love with. They are both narrow enough to go on the back of a door. I had a little sew on on Christmas Eve but they are still not finished. I may try and complete the applique over the next week but I doubt they will be finished this year.
What I did finish in time for Christmas was a cute little hat for my Mum. It is pansy by Louisa Harding and it is not supposed to be worn quite like this but the crown was a little short for the brim to be turned but mum seems happy with it the way it is.
Pansy
I also finished two sets of these snowball buddies.
snowball buddies
They were really quick to make and really good fun. definately made by the bows and bells that the designer suggests you add.

here are some close ups
Rabbit
snowball buddies
Bird
snowball buddies
Mouse
snowball buddies
Rudolph
snowball buddies

I also got my christmas day cast on of Oriel by Kim Hargreaves but that will have to wait for my next post.

Arianwen xx

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Thick and Thin

Hello,
well it is nearly here the end of the year and all that entails! I have to say I am most definately not ready. At the end of last month I realised that I am not going to complete the IntSweMoDo2012 challenge that I have in one form or another completed every year for the previous three years. I am not going to finish hand made gifts for Christmas either, yet again it will be i.o.u's or I might just save myself the stress and buy gifts. The house is not clean or decorated and I have lost my voice so am huddled inside infront of the fire rather than out and about. The upside is that I have cast on two wonderful knits. A thick and a thin. The thick is for my brother in law, he is the only person I know who can make use of such a bulky sweater. Neil's Sweater The yarn was a gift from my Auntie Sandi. Prairie wool designed for harsh Canadian winters.It is like knitting with a rough fleece it sheds and splits as I knit. My fingers ache after a couple of rows but is forgiven for the awe inspiring fabric that is produces. Crushed BiscuitThe thin is a lovely cheap and cheerful 4 ply from a local mill, woolyknitcrafts.com my fingers skip through the endless stocking stitch, my mind desperate for the tedium to end and the lovely fairisle yoke to begin. Neither will be finished until the new year and both will be shelved for my Christmas day cast on. By which time I hope that the house will be clean and decorated and the present situation resolved.

Arianwen xx

Sunday, December 02, 2012

Shake Your Tail Feathers!

Hello,
Olive-Annie
Warning this post is long and photo heavy because I have had a really industrious week and a bit!
Soaking fruit,
Christmas cake

Grating Zest
Christmas cake


Measuring with my lovely new cups
Christmas cake

Making wishes
Make a wish

Pouring .....

Christmas cake

and finally ......baking the christmas Cake

Christmas cake

Last Saturday I had a wonderful day on my annual jolly to Harrogate knitting and stitching show.
Harrogate purchases


I fell in love with all of the knitwear on Jennie Atkinsons stall and she was really sweet and signed my book. There was a free pattern with the book which is really sweet and I hope to get around to making in the new year. I also splashed out on a clothkits skirt kit for me ( and I do mean splashed it was a bit pricey)to go with my brand new cardigan.

Clothkits
I figured I might as well copy it and make another from stash.
Clothkits copy
So last Sunday I finished off my Cardigan and made up the first of my skirts.
Olive-Annie
I am so happy with this outfit
Olive-Annie
It just makes me want to shake it
Olive-Annie
So till next time happy houselife!

Arianwen

ETA the lovely birdy measuring cups are from John Lewis I saw them on Cherry heart and fell in love both with the cups and Sandra's blog.

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