Bits & Pieces

This is the first ball of yarn, that i have spun. i am hoping to do more soon - when the weather is cooler

This is an Adult Surprise Jacket, in the making. If you want to see what it looks like finished, just drop by in a few weeks (c;

ThiS is my youngest grand daughter (19 months) wearing a pair of grandma's hand made socks. She is such a gorgeous little girl

Pre & post Christmas

Just thought I would revisit my blog, and see if I could get along with it again (-:

Patterns and yarns

My Noro Jacket

I have been making this jacket for a while now.
but had to take a break until I obtained the correct
yarn to complete it. It feels incredible on my skin
and I absolutely love the colour.

The yarn used for this jacket started life in another, totally inappropriate pattern, for this type of yarn, so it was frogged. I then tried it in another article, but again was the wrong pattern for the yarn. This was the third attempt, and this one is a keeper

Hello again ........ I am really giving my sewing machine a workout, now ....... I have been sewing for the last 3 days, and this is the result. I purchased 2 different Sari fabrics, from Spotlight, and this is the first Tunic top finished. My young dog, Mint, is showing her approval of the top. She can usually be found sleeping under my chair, while I am sewing

Thank you for visiting

Finished WIP's

I have been quite busy since the last time I posted. Here are photos of some of the items I have completed.

Fingertipless

While completing these, I have also been rearranging half of my house, so that I have more work space

Birthday present for Miss C

Fingertipless gloves - almost finished

Brioche hat for Miss M

I started this quilt for my dad, but unfortunately 
he died before it was finished. It is now my memorial piece,
and is made from Japanese fabrics - 
signifying his time spent in Japan, with the BECOF Forces after the 
 Hydrogen Bombs were dropped, and Fleur de Lis - signifying his 
long involvement with the Scouting Movement

Harley Davidson Cake, made by DD4,
for her father for Father's Day

Ice Coffee Cake made by DD4, for her
 husband for Fathers Day

This is no longer in existence - I didn/t like it,
so I am using the yarn for another jumper

Back view of non-existent jumper

Doll made for Miss A, for Christmas.
I have modelled this on the child

A discovery bag, made for my youngest 
Granddaughter, for her first birthday 

Winter Woollies

I am so pleased with myself, I am beginning to finish some of my knitted WIP's, so that I can begin some items of apparel for myself. Here is the first completed WIP

This hat is for one of my GD's, and I have almost completed a similar one that will go to a little boy

Ellice xx

Mothers Day

Beaded necklace and bracelets made by my grand daughters for their mother

My Mother's Day cake made by my daughter

Mother's Day has been and gone, I had a great day visiting my daughters and their children. 3 of my grand daughters visited for Friday night and all day Saturday. We made presents for their mother and had a great day.

Cold weather and Boots

Hi all, I am preparing for the onset of the cold weather, and to kick it off have just finished this pair of very warm and comfortable prairie boots. All that is required now is to place a denim sole on them and they will maintain their shape as well. Arranging these photos to fit properly is a real mongrel, I want them all in a line at the top of the post, and do you think they will go ........ NO ..... they just do what they want and spoil the look of the page .... oh well, I suppose they are on here, if anyone wants to check them out. Bye for now

Leibster Award

I've had this award passed on to me from Anne of Snail Patches. Liebster means "favourite" in German and this award is given out to blogs with 200 or less followers. So I now need to pass the award onto 5 blogs and let them know they've been given an award. The other thing I have to do is tell you five things about me. So here goes...... 1 - I am retired, and loving it 2 - I am mother to 5 daughters, and grandmother to 5 wonderful girls - ages ranging fro 10 years to 6 months 3 - I love knitting & am making socks & knitted dolls (from Jean Greenhowe designs) 4 - I love dogs & have an 8 year old male Chihuahua, who thinks he is a Rottweiler & a 19 month old female American Staffordshire x American Pitbull (who is absolutely beautiful & gentle) 5 - I do not like cooking :) Now to pass this forward:- 1 - Vanessa of Timeless Oasis Garden 2 - Bec of Oh Sew Busy 3 - Fiona@Dragonfly-Crafts 4 - Shiralee Sttches 5 - The Chocolate Cat

Easter Gifts & Goodies

Easter Mamma Ducks and Ducklings made for my 5 grand daughters for their Easter gift. They loved the ducks and asked if they could have a Papa duck also 

This is the Easter cake which one of my daughters made. She has never had any lessons in cake decoration 














I hope every one has had a wonderful day today, filled with fun and family xoxo

Bags, wall hangings & quilt tops

Hi to anyone who happens to visit me, these are a few things that I have made over the last few months. I don't think I have previously posted them, if I have, I will just have to remove them again.
I have had a pretty hectic few weeks, with trying to sort out a house which refuses to be sorted at this point so it will take a lot longer than I want it to. Getting rid of junk in the back yard, so that I can make a garden retreat (for myself to hide away, when I feel the need) and a regular garden in the remaining unfenced area, suitable for dogs and grandchildren to play in :))

The panel below is called "Hidden Wells". Since this photo was taken, i have sewn the pieces together & I need to find some fabric to complement or contrast, so I can complete it

I have just finished a Beatrix Potter Wall hanging for my DD5, of the three little kittens. I will show the front, but no-one is allowed to see the back of it. 

 I have also completed another recycled jeans shoulder bag - for DGD1, and she absolutely loves it. Might get orders from some of her friends - will see what happens!!!!

Holiday Pics

 Hi, this is my first post for 2012. It has nothing to do with sewing or quilting, but it was great being at the site of the photo. Just one or two photos from my holiday



From caves around Mount Gambier

 Sunken Garden in Mount Gambier

One of the scenic views along the Great Ocean Road, Victoria

Merry Christmas

Well it is 4.00 pm on Christmas Day, and I am sitting in my chair, typing this to wish anyone who visits a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and A HAPPY NEW YEAR

I haven't completed any projects for a while, but KEEP WATCHING THIS SPACE. As there will be lots of things coming this way in the new year.

If you are driving during these holidays, take care

See you in the new year xoxoxo

Hi all, I thought I would update my blog, and add a couple of photos. I haven't been on for a while, but now am ready to show some more stuff.
Have been on an emotional rollacoaster over the last stressful months. Began with helping my dad change his accommodation to my sisters house,  his admission to hospital for 4 weeks, the birth of my 5th grand daughter and finally my fathers death, due to lymphoma & luekaemia. I have had very mixed emotions during the last few months, and am now starting to create things again.

New Grand daughter

Dad and Great Grand daughter age 3 wks

Shirt for Grand daughter age 10

                                                 

Tangled Yarn

The culprit of previous photo - 15 months old

My comfy socks are no longer, they were too loose, so I have to remake them

Thank you for *listening*. Keep visiting, as there will be more items, knitted, crocheted & quilted. Not all at once, but definately gradually.
Bye for now

Shows, knitting, new ventures, socks, gloves scarves hats

Well, I have begun knitting with my Alpaca purchases, and it feels so good. The yarn is so soft, and doesn't make me itchy like the pure woollen yarns do. I also feel that I am extremely fortunate with a purchase I made on Friday at the Royal Adelaide Show. It was miserable weather, but the animals were wonderful, especially the goats, alpacas and the reptiles. But, I digress, after communing with the goats and alpacas, I had a conversation with an alpaca owner, and discovered that there were articles of clothing (hats, gloves and scarves, etc) along with yarns and fleeces. I then ventured to the area of sale of these articles, and purchased a hat, scarf and pair of gloves, and then priced a quantity of yarn, for a knitted jacket for myself, and was pleasantly surprised by the cost. So, needless to say iq so purchased the yarn. I had (2 days previous) purchased a small amount of alpaca yarn, to make socks and gloves for my father, and have begun knitting these, and now I want to get these finished, so that I can begin my jacket. If the knitting be ones prolific, I might even begin buying fleece, and spin my own yarn, depends if there is still a spinning wheel within my family. I did take some photos at the show, so if they actually worked, I shall add them to this post later on tomorrow. I arrived home today, after 9 days in Adelaide, so now I will need to do some sorting out, so that I can get back into my sewing room. Well that is all for now, I suppose I should try to get some sleep before the sun comes up again. Blessings to all, and happy creating.

Bits & Bobs for new quilting & knitting projects

Hi all, have just had a lovely day with sister and neice. Firstly stopped in at a lovely shop, NeedleNook, and purchased some supplies to begin making socks and gloves for my ill (but improving) father. Then on to visit daughter, to return misplaced keys, then to visit father in hospital. This photo is showing a much improved (healthwise) man. He has actually filled out, and is able to walk around his room independently. This photo was taken after a very busy morning and afternoon, so he is looking a little tired.

The following photos include fabric purchased about a month ago, for a project that I am gradually formulating. The fabrics include a Geisha panel, Koi panel, and Spring Garden fabric. The knitting supplies include various knitting needles, various pattern books, and the yarn to make the projects. The grey yarn is pure Alpaca, and is for socks and gloves for my father, and the varigated yarn is made of NZ Merino, Alpaca, nylon and possum. Both yarns feel absolutely beautiful.

I am looking forward to starting work on all of these projects, the gloves and socks will be first.

Blessings to all, and happy creating