Haven't Knitted for a Long Time

Last month (July) I joined a craft group - Ladies Sewing Circle - and it seems right up my alley. I can go for the friendship, yet do 'my own thing'. On one occasion late last month one of the ladies had a lovely yellow knitted cardigan/jacket on, and although yellow is not my colour, I did like the pattern of the jacket. On the spur of the moment I asked her if I may have a copy of the pattern. The following week, I was given the pattern, so on the way home from my day out, I stopped off at one of our 'cheapie' shops and purchased the loviest colour wool that I have ever seen - it is called watermelon!

I set a goal of trying to get it made by the end of this month. I just loved the colour and the pattern - makes such a difference. It is so long since I had done any knitting, let alone made anything for myself. My supervisor (hubby) was very supportive and encouraged me to keep going, and yes, I made it. The pattern is quite an easy one with the 'ribs' up the pattern, along with cables on the armholes.

Now with just a few days to go to the end of the month, I set to and stitched up my jacket. I have to let you know though that sewing up knitting is definitely not one of my favourite tasks. However, I was determined to get it done - I wanted to wear it before the end of winter!

All done, and here is the 'great reveal' .....

I am really, really happy with my new jacket, and when I wore it to the sewing circle last week, I was met with some very positive comments on my achievement. 

Time now to begin to decide what I will attempt to create next month.

'Til then, take care, look after yourselves and keep safe.

June

This Is So Appropriate

The other day I received a package from a friend in the UK, and was surprised to find a lovely scarf, but also a journal with a great cover on it - it really made my day, considering that yet again, I went off to Spotlight, our nearest store for fabric etc etc.

Hubby had, as he usually does, dropped me off at Spotlight whilst he went off to Bunnings Hardware - as another friend calls it, the men's haberdashery. So of course I was 'unsupervised' and had a lovely time picking up some lovely Christmas prints for a project I have in mind.

All but finished my latest item ready to include in this month's count with the lovely Kris from Tag Along Teddies and her OPAM group.

More in a day or so,

'Til then, 

June

Countdown to Christmas - August

The time has yet again got away from me this month, but I have managed to complete my 'Countdown to Christmas' project for this month with the help of Molly & Mama's Sew Along that I came across on the internet. 

It was a Sew Along that ran over 4 weeks and featured Lauren's 'Twas The Night Before Christmas stocking featuring hexagons and a very cute little mouse.

It would appear most people followed Lauren in choosing the Tilda fabric range or something similar. Me being me, decided to 'go out on a limb' and go bold! I also decided that I would not make it the full size - it would have been huge, so I reduced the pattern to 25% and am very happy with the outcome.

I am really happy with how my stocking ended up, although I was extremely fortunate with a mistake I had made - I forgot to turn the pattern over before creating the back of the stocking. However, I realised it before I cut out the shape of the stocking and undid the 2 squares from one side to the other so when it was cut out, they married up and all was good. Of course I also chose to create a fold down 'collar' (the white top part) instead of a binding at the top.

The came the creating of the little mouse, but, again, me being me, and an absolute lover of bears .... I chose to make a cute little bear to add to my stocking. As you know, when I make my bears, they are made with love and just a dash of mischief, well, that happened here as well.

Yep, head first into the pocket on the front.

Time to behave - no fun in that.

I am really, really happy with my effort and look forward to bringing it out come Christmas.

Now it is off to try and finish another project before the end of the month - stay tuned.

For now though, please everyone, take care, look after yourselves and keep safe - South East Queensland looks like it is heading back into lock-down  and it being strongly advisable to begin wearing masks when you are out and about if you have trouble with social distancing. 

'Til next time,

June

More Reading Comfort

Last post I showed you how I had made a pouch for my new e-reader. Whilst I am very happy with it, I decided I needed a small book rest for this little gem of an e-reader. Mind you I have a book rest, but it is for 'normal' books and rather large for the e-reader, so ....

This is what I made - a matching companion.

Just the right size .....

Really, really happy with this, and have to say, it is most comfortable for reading.

For the moment, that is all, will have some photos etc in a few days of a 'charity sewing day' that I attended with the Ladies Sewing Circle group that I joined a couple of months ago. 

More soon.

Please all take care, look after yourself and keep safe,

June

Reading Time

Oh dear, I had a bit of a situation the other week - my e-reader died! Now I don't use it all that much except when we are 'on the road' with our caravan - it comes down to the weight factor and carting along lots of books. I have to say though, that I do enjoy holding a book in my hands and reading it. 

So off I went and purchased a new e-reader (with the help of my daughter Kate - over the phone) and came home all excited. Hmm ..... could turn it on, but that was about all. Kate got me to get onto the computer and register the thing, sign up for this and that, and download the instruction book - that helps.

I thought myself very clever and downloaded a few samples of books I felt might interest me, however a new problem arose. It did not come with a cover (but then neither did my old one, made a tapestry one for it) and wanted something that made 'it mine', so, putting the e-reader down, I wandered into my craft room and dug through my stash of fabric and came up with a couple of pieces that I would be happy with. 

Back to grab the e-reader (for some measurements) and away I went. I am quite happy with the result, but wouldn't you know it, I did not have a button in my supply that suited it. So off to the closest Op shop, sifted through there button bucket, found what I was looking for (bought a few other bits and pieces whilst I was there) and came home and yes! Looks good.

Inside I put a couple of pockets to hold the cord along with the little guide (?) for how to start the e-reader up (not much use really) but I am really happy with my effort. Bring on getting back out and about with our caravan.

'Til next time,

Take care, look after yourselves and keep safe,

June