Spinners Sunday

Well this week I managed to find time to get the wheel out, first time since February. I even learn't some new techniques, including some Navajo plying. In my recent efforts i also came across a website that i found very helpful - The Joy of Handspinning it has some great information and videos. .... now Hubby thinks I should spin the possum fur he pucked for some gloves for him

(I quickly put the wheel away ;)

So heres the 100g Vintage Purls Perendale combed silver i spun into 2 singles then plied together - there are some amazing colours in it which i didn't even notice while i was spinning at night - Morag @ Vintage Purls is certainly able to get some amazing results with her dye jobs!

I finally found a pattern - Misti Chunky Ribs & Ruffles Scarf that clicked with the yarn and it only took 3 evenings amongst the chores of a mother to complete.

No doubt it will get a lot of use before winter is out!

Link to Project Page on Ravelry

Soft & Sweet

So now that its made its destination I can reveal the pin cushion

which I made for the recent Swap I participated in.

It Included:

A 'Girly' Pincushion filled with Fudge

A Scissor Charm

Sweet wee note card that could be recycled into a card front or fridge magnet

And it was all a bit of trial and error ... first time i'd gone 'designer' fabric shopping (on purpose) .. found some nice 'girly' fabric from a lovely Collection from Abbey Rose (i think - eek sorry) and created this pincushion from an old baby food jar with the idea that you could pop some thread and buttons in the jar or extra pins.

I then hunted out a white fudge recipe which ended up being sweetened condensed milk and white chocolate melted down together with a dash of pink food colouring something i hadn't baked before so was an interesting experiment - not much you can do to stop chocolate and condensed milk tasting good though luckily!

I also made a wee Scissor charm to match the pincushion and a note card - all gratefully received

I've been on a wee pin cushion 'phase' ... watch this space ;)

Mail Call: full of surprises

Yip more mail for me today (one of the bonuses of swaps ;) )

This was an amazing wee package and I truly did not know what to expect - as there are quite a few crafty pass times i have so it may have been full of supplies for my stash or crafted items.

But the bag was full of both! ....

A wee reversible? bag that will be for knitting WIP's (funny as I've been thinking of a design like this lately!) Its very cool to close it the long strap goes through the short one - and the fabric is very cool!

And a pile of stash bits and tool

- Divine Kiwiana fabric

- Ashford WPI tool for spinning

- some cute wee Charms

- Mini Board Book Kit

- Handmade Foam Flowers

- Little Birthday Embellishments

- Textured blue cards & envelopes

- Clear alphabet stamps - have been looking for something like this for ages so now i need a clear block for them they are super funky!

Now to be a super sluth and find out just where it came from -- thats if i can stop checking it all out again and imagining uses i can find for it ;)

Thanks Swappee

Fibre Filled RAoK

Yes you read that right - lucky lucky me was the recipient of an amazing Random act of Kindness - Fibre Style. I really can not thank the person whom sent me such AMAZING fluffy mail enough!!! … on a crap day when all your expecting is bills a surprise like that is amazing and i’m still buzzing, and stroking, and in awwwwww!

so heres some pics …..

Now to find some spinning time

and as there was a return address i sent a wee set of stitch back as a thank you - was the least i could do for such a RAoK

THANKS AGAIN!!!!

My Knitting

I did mention that I would update with all the knitting I've done - so heres a post full of pics :)

Aviatrix Baby Hat

Swirl Baby Hat

A skirt that came about from the Dale of Norway Dress Pattern - lets just say I've learn't how important gauge is now

Lattice Scarf - For me!!

Chocolate Cardi - YUM

Pinwheel Dolly Blanket

And a Hoodie to match the pants and hand-warmers I've knitted - this set actually got selected for the Creative Fiber Exhibition - Fibreworks

Gosh looking at it all like that makes me tired! .. but knitting is great fun - and wonderful at making use of car traveling! ... i'm also working on a few wee baby things for a wonderful friend of mine .. and wow not only is newborn quick to knit they are so cute and little!!

Mailbox goodies!!

look what showed up for me today ......

A pincushion!! ... it is so sweet! I've been eying up this pattern for a while and its just so cute and lovely - very well sewn i feel so lucky. The fabric is very cool as well - and i'm sure with all this sewing i'm doing it will get spiked very soon!

And it came wrapped in this cool fabric - lucky lucky me!!

and ... after the one i have made gets to its new owner i'll share that too

Another TNN Swap

This time it was a surprise me swap

- so i made up a package for HappyChik ..... her wedding cake was black and pink ... so i thought these may be her colours - and the requests were all for knitting accessories so ask and thy shall receive.

I sent:

One of my new designs a 'Knitting Hold Alls'

complete with a set of stitch markers, needle & mini scissors and a scissor charm

And a 'Make it yourself' Interchangeable Knitting needle case set for Jo's pattern

Now for a bit of mail box stalking to see what turns up for me!!

Sewing for knitting - peas in a pod!

Yip ... I've been working on these for a wee while - and some of you may notice that the material looks oddly familiar | They do indeed match my bag ;) but hey i love it so that sall that counts right!

So the big one was made following Jo's Pattern for a Interchangeable needle case - really easy to follow and is a great case. I altered bits to use the material i had the best and made small adjustments in how some bits were sewn together. But they are the first zips i have sewn in since Form 3 - so its not to bad ;)

Emma chose the buttons - again my trick of sewing to together for something a bit more unique :)

And the smaller one .... is a design I've worked on so keep checking and soon i let you all know more about it - but its the perfect hold 'most' for any knitter!

Now back to that knitting ..... I have a few finished items to share in the next post

Wordless Wednesday ..&.. Things I'm Loving

I MUST stay away from craft shops .... and craft my way through stash!!

some of my favs in there though

Completion, leftovers, and a new family favourite

YUM - Emma making mud pies

Yes, its when your at the right place, at the right time, that memories can begin to be made.

And today was no exception.

After a hard days work finishing the glass house - yes that's right finally and in time for winter vegetables, our glass house is finished

Doesn't it look great!!

Anyway .. all I had planed for Dinner was leftovers

(a dinner I always look forward to as it never takes much preparation)

and I was looking forward to a easy/lazy evening when I came across a request for a Apple Crumble Pie recipe on a Forum I frequent.

Now those that know me would know that I love to bake - puddings being no exception ... so when the recipe was posted and I knew we had apples to be used, I felt compelled to try it! and boy oh boy how lucky we are .. this has now been entered into our family favourites and I can see it being made over and over to 'use up' those apples! .. and who wouldn't enjoy a serving when its complimented with cream and custard.

It even looks divine!

And I'm not sure if it breaches copyright ... but here's the recipe for you all to enjoy as well.

Apple Crumble Pie

Ingredients for the base
125g butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 egg
1 1/2 cups flour

For the filling
Stewed apples

For the topping
4 tablespoons brown sugar
8 tablespoons flour
50g butter
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves

Mix base ingredients together and press into a greased dish or individual cups. Press some of the mixture up the sides as well. Fill the dishes with stewed apple. To make the crumble, mix dry ingredients together and rub in butter. Spoon topping over stewed apple; bake at 180 centigrade for 30 minutes

Enjoy!