Painting

We (me and the hubby) have spent the last two days elbow deep in paint. My mum has "employed" us as her own personal painters and decorators. We're heading back there tomorrow to do some touching up with the painting, fit the new coving and sand down all the woodwork. After that it will be another day painting the woodwork.

I've got to take my sewing machine along tomorrow too, because she wants her curtain pole moving and as a result her curtains will be the wrong size. She hadn't even considered this until I pointed it out to her!!

She's already got us lined up for the next task - the hall, stairs and landing!

So, another "craft" under my belt. :)

Battle Christmas Craft Fair

The stalls have gone live! They are for sale on my sister blog http://battlechristmascraftfair.blogspot.com/

I think I might have to make some pom-pom rugs for this fair!!! lol

Making pom-poms

I thought I'd share this little thing with you. I couldn't find my actual pom-pom maker, so I knocked this up.

Next event...

You guessed it! It's that time of year... the time when we start planning for Christmas :)

Here is the poster that will be used for Christmas Craft Fair. The stalls will go on sale shortly at www.kmnash.co.uk  We're having a few minor alterations made to the website, so if it's currently not available - it will be soon!

A New Logo

So, following our first craft fair I have designed a new logo for myself. I want something visual that people will recognise. I had a few spare moments after I had submitted my latest uni essay and this is what I came up with...

Its been a LONG, LONG time...

I have decided to turn my hand to another craft and I am attempting some simple line drawings. They are certainly a lot quicker to complete than any knit or crochet items that I attempt!

Meet Sarah...

Sunshine On A Rainy Day

***Photos to follow***

I have definitely caught the "designing" bug, this is my second necklace today!! This one is slightly more work than Purple Haze, but only just. :)


Materials:
Yarn of your choice and matching hook - I've used DK cotton and a 3mm hook. I've also used a metal ring as the basis for my centre circle, but the "magic circle" technique would work just as well.

Flower Pendant-
Round One: 24sc around your metal (magic) ring
Round Two: Chain 7 (treat as first dc), then *dc, ch3* 7 times. sl st to 3rd chain at beginning. This gives you eight chain spaces.
Round Three: *sc, hdc, dc, tr, dc, hdc, sc* into each of the 8 chain spaces, sl st to first sc and fasten off.

Necklace-
Hole Side: Chain 70, turn and sl st into 8th chain from hook, sl st into following 2 st, fasten off.
Button Side: Chain 70, turn and sc into next 4 stitches, sl st into next st and fasten off. This will give you a wider band to attach your button to. Sew on button, making sure its the right size for the hole on the other band!!

Purple Haze Necklace

Well, here is my first published "pattern". Apologies for the poor quality pictures.

The necklace is made of 5 interlocking rings, crocheted over in Single Crochet - so simple! Great for using up some of those odds and ends. On that note... Stash Busting Tally = 1 item :)

Busy, busy, baby!

Apologies for the delay in transmission, life suddenly got very full!

Family:
Little man arrived safe and sound on the 8th April 2010, leaving me needing quite a lot of after care but now pretty much mended. He has slotted into our little family nicely and we are bouncing along as a happy foursome now. His big brother loves him to death and is very generous with his "duddles". My little bundle is thriving and his mummy-milk is making him gain weight at a fantastic rate. He is now two and a half weeks old and at 2 weeks he weighed 8lb 6oz. I am very proud! lol
My parents are due to return from a mammoth holiday in Asia/Australia on Saturday, so I am very excited about that. They should have been home 3 weeks previous to this but the "Ash Cloud Incident" has delayed their return. I can't wait to introduce them to their latest grandchild!

Previous Post Update:
The lost project from Alabama has now been reunited with its original owner, thanks to the brilliant members of Ravelry and there undying quest. How many times was that thread "bumped" to keep it going? Its amazing to think that a random piece of lost knitting has actually found its way home!

Crafting:
My breastfeeding shawl is still being worked on. I haven't managed to find a lot of time for my crafting in recent weeks (wonder why?!?!), but its still coming along just slower than planned.

Pre-induction hospital visit

Well, I'm almost there now. My induction is booked in for tomorrow. All I have to do is call the Labour Ward at 6.30am to double check they have a bed for me, then its all systems "go"!

Me and hubby spent this morning in the Maternity Day Assessment Unit having my final checks to make sure that we could go ahead with the induction. All went well, luckily. My bags are packed, childcare has been arranged for our toddler and everybody knows their role. The only thing missing is my mum, but as she is on the other side of the world enjoying a truly once-in-a-lifetime holiday in Australia and Hong Kong, I shall have to do without her. BTW, Happy Birthday Mum!

As for the crafting...
My breastfeeding shawl is coming along slowly but steadily. I think I might have a few spare moments tomorrow to work on it, while we wait for the induction process to do its thing. As an estimate, I think I am about 15% through it at this point. Its difficult to calculate as each row gets progressively more stitches and I'm still unsure as to exactly what the finished size will be.
Here is where I am at the moment -

Easter and my latest "big" project

I have decided to embark on my first ever crocheted shawl. I am following a lovely pattern by Milobo called "Eva's Shawl" that I found on Ravelry. It is absolutely stunning and will make a perfect breastfeeding shawl for if I need some extra privacy.

Given the fact that I am due to have my baby on Thursday - 3 sleeps to go! - I had better get a move on and get it done!!!

Easter:
We have had a lovely long weekend, and been blessed with some fantastic weather. My toddler son received a mass of Easter eggs and treats, so many he doesn't quite know what to do with them.
My husband and I received an egg each, and I must admit that I enjoyed mine for breakfast this morning; the perks of being pregnant, its all I fancied. :-)

Unclaimed knitting in Lost & Found, is it yours?!

This is a fabulous story.

One very kind lady on Ravelry.com has purchased this lost WIP from an unclaimed baggage warehouse in Alabama, USA. She is hoping that with some help she will be able to reunite it with the original owner/knitter.

This is her original forum post: "I went to the unclaimed baggage place in Alabama today. I found a ball of purple Rowan felted tweed, nice needles with green protectors, and the back and part of a sleeve done on a sweater. I am an incurable optimist, and I think someone had their knitting taken from them in security. I also wonder if that person is on Ravelry. If they were and saw this, it would make my year."



Do you know anybody that was working on a project like this?!

It has been a while, so much to tell...

The craft-along fell flat on its face for me, I am afraid to say :( The crafting however has overtaken my life and I am thoroughly enjoying making lots of bits and pieces for people that I know.

My latest creation is a fabulous bookmark for a friend's birthday. For now she shall remain name-less as she is unaware that she is the recipient of this particular gift!


On a non-craft note, my husband and I are expecting our 2nd baby in 5 days. We are all systems go, and are sat here waiting for the day or for something to happen sooner. I can't wait to hold this not-so-little bundle in my hands - watch this space for the baby's weight!!

Little House On The Prairie Read-Along/Craft-Along

I have joined a group on Ravelry where we read the Little House books, by Laura Ingalls Wilder, and do the crafts described in them at the same time.

Week One activities are:

Go on a nature walk and collect sticks and other natural items (you will want a lot of sticks as they will go with another activity this week!)
Use your sticks and natural items that you gathered on your walk (or rolled up brown paper) to create a miniature “Little House” using these instructions Check out this amazing miniature cabin for inspiration. We will add to this throughout the challenge, so have fun with it. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but can be as detailed or as simple as you like. :)
Make Jerky using this tutorial
Make Johnnycakes using this recipe: To make johnny cake , mix one cup of cornmeal with one teaspoon each sugar and salt. Add one and one quarter cups water, creating a thick batter. If you want your johnny cake thinner, add one half cup water or milk for a more rich flavor. Drop the batter onto a buttered or greased griddle, fry until pale brown, and flip to cook the other side. Serve the johnny cake warm with toppings of choice; butter and maple syrup are common, although jam and savory spreads can be used as well.
Make a rag-doll using this pattern. We will be making more things for our dolls (both male and female depending on which doll you want to have), so please make this if you can! Don’t forget to hand-sew and use recycled fabrics if possible.

So far I have done the jerky and the johnny cakes. The jc took two attempts and two different recipes before they were edible. The jerky on the otherhand was fabulous and has already been eaten!! The two together made a fabulous supper.

Tomorrow I shall be making my ragdoll, as I have now got the print out of the pattern, so watch this space!