Just recently, I finished my first ever knitted cowl. It was a very rewarding experience. Not only was it an easy pattern, it was a magical thing of elegance, beauty and sparkle. It was a Dragon Wing Cowl. I got the pattern  from Ravelry. It was designed by Jessie Rayot. I’ll provide the link here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dragon-wing-cowl

See the pretty sparkles? I used Cascade Hollywood yarn in the colour called Chive. It has built in bling, and it glistens just like I’ve always imagined dragon wings would in real life! It was made for my middle daughter for her birthday, and she loved it, I’m pleased to say. There will be several more of these in my future, I’m sure!

Another new thing was fusible applique… Now, owing to the fact that a lack of foresight had me having three children whose birthdays are all very close together (two of the three being only three days apart) and having a husband off work with an injured leg, I was on a very restricted time-frame to complete the lap quilt I recklessly decided to make for my youngest. I had three days, once the dust settled, and those three days were spent almost exclusively at my sewing machine! Thank goodness I’d already done most of the preparation! I managed to finish it three hours before midnight.

The pattern I chose (because my daughter liked it) was called Daisy Vines by Nancy Mahoney. You can get the pattern from Martingale as part of an ebook called Fast, Fusible Flower Quilts. (link:http://www.shopmartingale.com/fast-fusible-flower-quilts.html)

I added a dragonfly near the bottom for a touch of whimsy. My youngest daughter loves it. I couldn’t wait for the next morning, so as soon as it was out of the dryer I gave it to her! Less than two minutes later….

Yep, worth every fevered, gruelling second! That’s why I do what I do!

As insomnia tightens it’s grip upon me for the night I decided that it would be a good time to let you all see what I am presently working on….. or what I had been, until the Meniere’s Monster reared it’s ugly head with a vengeance!

It’s been about 2 weeks now I think, since I was last able to work on my quilt (yes, finally this one is for me!) and I feel the familiar frustration welling up inside me as the desire to keep going whilst the mojo is still happening, despite the overwhelming urge to fall flat on my face in any given direction, and vomiting my heart out grows ever more insistent.

Isn’t it lovely? I’m making it entirely on Helga, my 1940 Singer 15K-88 treadle. I love the process of these  Scrappy Mountain Blocks – pair up, slice, sew, square up, slice some more, rearrange and sew up. I’m using a layer cake called  “Fresh Flowers” by Deb Strain paired with some white-on-white fabric. I’m really excited about this quilt! So far  I have about 4 rows done, with 3 more to go. I hope to be able to do some more tomorrow.  Even one pair of squares will be an accomplishment.

I’m determined to get this finished soon, so that I can begin the borders, the accompanying Scripture embroidery and the preparation for FMQ.

Watch this space for developments! Hopefully there’ll be some soon.

It still amazes me that there are people in the world who think it’s insulting to receive home made gifts, produce etc as a gift. That there are people out there who see no value in the thought, the planning, the angst, the jubilation – the process – that goes into such gifts. They don’t see the blood, sweat and tears behind the item. If I personally know any now, they hide it well.

These last few years as I have begun to progress in my sewing, embroidery and now Knitting I have purposed to try to have gifts predominantly home made over mass produced commercialised products. Each person is a unique individual and so should their gifts be.

I want the recipient to know they are loved, appreciated and thought about. You see….. it’s so easy to just buy something, wrap it and give it! It can be impersonal. See the item, think briefly of the person, buy, wrap, give….. and then it’s all over.

When someone makes something for you, you can be certain they’ve thought about you a LOT. Each stitch, pleat, pin and tuck; each paint stroke, stir of the Jam, batter etc that person has been planning, preparing, stock-piling, working – for YOU! And what’s more, they’ve done it because you mean something to them.

So, as I finish my Christmas sewing and Knitting, think of a few small other stocking stuffers I can make as well I now feel the familiar anxiety of the crafter – will they like it? Will they use it? Will they see the days, the hours of love in each and every millimetre?

I hope everyone who reads this has a safe and Happy Christmas, whether that be with family, friends, strangers or on your own. However your Christmas is, may it be a Happy one!

My blog was originally to chronicle my Quilting journey, and, on the whole, it still does. It’s just that, lately, some other crafts have crept in unawares, and some other sewing interests like Bag Making and surprisingly Knitting! Here is my new Quilted knitting bag I made. I just had to make it. After all, we all need the right tools, don’t we??

I have (finally) finished the Fathers’ Day Beanie for my husband. Not one word did he say about it’s tardiness in appearing. It went straight on his head and stayed there until day’s end (which is a sure sign he is very happy with the result!)

Does he care that my first 8 row pattern repeat was….umm…..less than perfect? No. I made it for him and that makes it special. For those of you out there wondering why people craft, or why they make things for a zillion dollars that they could buy mass produced for 2 – this is a classic example of why!

It’s the thrill of choosing the design, (this one pre-approved by hubby!) the colours, the yarn and the making of the item. It’s the anticipation of seeing the work finished – of holding it in your hands and having that tangible object, now no longer a picture on a page and the joy of giving it to it’s intended recipient. It’s seeing their delight and appreciation of all your work to make that item FOR THEM! Folks, that’s a buzz you can’t bottle! That’s the WHY!

******************************************************************************************************************************

Knitting is also addictive and I’ve already started a second Beanie, this time for one of our Grandsons. I hope he likes his as much as his Grandad did his!

I was chuffed to bits to be accepted as a tester (my first time ever!!!) for the Flourish Clutch. A nice easy pattern and a whole lot of fun to make. Yes, I was binge watching The A Team whilst constructing this bag. Blame my daughter WR Gingell for that. She got me hooked on them a month or so ago….

I couldn’t wait for a frame to arrive, so I pilfered one from a purse I picked up at a Thrift Store for 50c some time ago.

So without further ado – here she is – my Pretty as a Peacock Flourish Pouch! Give a twirl for the blog readers sweetie!……..

The Flourish Clutch makes her debut Friday the 13th of November (US time) along with her sister The Curvaceous Clutch, which is an equally lovely pattern with a totally different look to this one.

You can purchase the pattern via Etsy http://www.toriskapdf.etsy.com/
Craftsy shop http://www.craftsy.com/user/7919545/pattern-store
The introductory price is $6 and goes up to $8 Monday.