Gifted Gorgeousness September

It's time for Gifted Gorgeousness again, where we get to share our work which is linked to a gift, whether it is a gift received or a gift given /to be given.  The link up is hosted by Jo over at http://serendipitousstitching.blogspot.com

This month has been a month of many pieces, so I will share some of them. 

This is my first ever piece of knitting on a Magic Loop, which I purchased with part of a gift certificate. 

I've also started on Derwentwater Designs Safe Haven, which was a present from my dear BFF (shameless link to her blog here) .  Not a massive amount of progress yet but it's good to have finally started, as I've had it for at least a couple of years. .

And finally a cover kit finish, not sure if I've shared the finished article before but it's fitting for GG so it's getting added anyway!! 

Holiday Fun Number 3 - All The Things!

Holidays for me work in one of two ways.... Either there is a couch with my name on it that results in me doing nothing all day, or I have insane desires to do All the things.  I'll use today as an example.

Started off the day with my current obsession, learning a little German on Duolingo.

A bit of diamond painting while my son is at school (scuse the toes), largely working on it whilst he's out as it will be a present. 

A bit more progress on the blackwork.  I'm loving this, I can see it turning into a new obsession. 

Break for lunch and a visit from my little niece.   An Amazon delivery allowed me to try something new next. 

 Knitting in the round with double pointed needles.  Did a little bit, I'm not very sure about this one so I ordered a set of circular needles from a voucher, then watched YouTube quilting and sock making videos whilst munching on a snack. 

Which leads me to the next bit, this time only on two needles and with no shaping. (tube sock) 

Only one sock completed today, as that desire to do something else is calling me to quilting or cross stitch, or maybe relax with a computer game hahaha!! 

I've had a lovely week off, but blimey I'm shattered now!! 

 

BFF RAL - something old, something new

This week I have been on holiday from work. Which means the creative juice has been overflowing!

So I decided to try something new, I've had a hankering for blackwork lately, and I found a free pattern on the Steady Threads Facebook page.

I've really enjoyed the first one of the miniature stars, so I have prepared outline for the next few. 

I also added a little bit more work on my quilting WIP.  Here is a picture of the two together. 

Check out my BFF's update on http://apatchworkofcrafts.blogspot.com when she's posted. 

Free and Easy - Holiday Fun Number 2

.. That's the subtle beauty of the Cover Kit!

On holiday, I like a simple stitch, nothing that requires lots of counting (as sometimes there is wine or cocktails!). This teeny WIP is Time for Tea from The World of Cross Stitching magazine. 

They're also great for reinvigorating the Mojo when I'm struggling with the confidence on my bigger pieces.  Sometimes all I want is to BE stitching, and they're a way to get the buzz of a new start and a finish, all within a short space of time. 

These 3 were all from a single cover kit, and they give me a summery happy feeling to revisit them (they were a major procrastination tool when I was running out of steam with the baby sampler). 

I have at least 2 more teeny sized or cover kits besides these to show for this year, but I am saving them for their respective seasonal blog hops! 

I'll finish with one I've already shown in the valentines day blog hop. 

Holiday fun Number 1 - slouchy tote bag

I have been hanging onto a particular set of scrap pieces for many years now, and I decided it was time for it to go.  However I spoke to my BFF and she suggested bags, as a way to use up the material, as its a curtain linen and doesn't really play well alongside the other cottons in my quilting stash.

I followed the tutorial here to create the bag., as it's been some time since I made anything with a lining.

I did come a little unstuck along the way, as I put the handles on inside the lining!!  Whoopsie!! 

There's an art to photographing bags, which I don't seem to yet possess.  But here it is, ready to be shopped with on our break away! 

BFF RAL winter warmers

Two bits to show tonight for our 'Random Along'.

Another square of quilting completed on my Autumn Quilt, and a teeny bit more progress on the Christmas cover kit.  Here they are together. 

  I'm thinking about coasters or fridge magnets as a more permanent display for my mini - finishes, although I'm quite liking my 'washing line display', I'm going to run out of space!!

Check out my BFF's update on http://apatchworkofcrafts.blogspot.com

Bank Holiday Fun

It's a Bank Holiday weekend here in England, and after a busy few days with work and family visits, I felt like a crafty day was on the cards today. So out comes the machine and the rulers, along with the cross stitch needles. 

Both have had a good day today. Progress so far on a seasonal cover kit by Emma Congdon for World of Cross Stitching. 

And I got started on the second part of my Big Quilt.  The top has been finished for about 3 years, just awaiting a house move for my mojo to return.   You may notice the non-symmetrical side to this quilt, the intention is to work on the top and bottom panels separately as lap quilts, and then join the two using Quilt As You Go techniques.   

The reverse is also pieced, as I have insufficient of the silvery fabric to make a full top. 

(In fact, can I tell you something...? The silver fabric is actually the reverse side of a black piece, it is much nicer this way up!) 

I also joined the seam on a panel of my 'Graduation Quilt'... Four years after graduation and with no particular end date in sight.  It is a reversible quilt pieced entirely from strips. 

Ironically, I like the reverse better than the busy multi coloured front!

OK, back to making the most of the time left in the holiday!!