TAST Week 2: Buttonhole

Here's my week two TAST offering, with Buttonhole stitch


I'm calling it 'Buttonhole ciliates' as I was going for a microscopic organism look. I really need to make myself a light box so I can start taking some better photos.

TAST Week 1: Herringbone Stitch

After being inspired by some of the lovely embroidery around (such as here, and here and other places, but I'm too lazy to post any more links), I decided to start the TAST challenge. I figure starting so late I have no pressure to keep up because I'm already behind!



Here's the first week's stitch, Herringbone stitch made into a sampler bookmark.

12 inch CAL May experienced square

I'll catch up eventually! I really like this one, I quite like Celtic imagery and purple so this is very nice!



The pattern for this one is here.

Cute little wristlet

I made a little wristlet to go with my dress and jewelry. I figured that adding a bit of black to my bag and jewelry would mean I could wear black shoes.


I made it from a great U-handblog tute - the 'Rather Cheeky' Wristlet Clutch, which was really clear and easy to follow.

Wedding Jewelry

So I've got my friends wedding later today and I've ended up making most of what I am wearing, which was pretty cool. You've already seen my Frou Frou, so here's my jewelry.



It's a bit chunkier than what I'd usually wear but I ended up happy with it, although I did buy other beads and crystals before I decided I liked this arrangement best. I think I may have to start making a big effort to use more of my beads rather than buy new ones...but they're so pretty!

12 inch CAL: May easy square

See, almost up to date with the CAL. Although in two days there will be another two to catch up on!

The pattern for this one is here.

In other news/questions etc, I was just wondering about wedding etiquette. What time are you supposed to turn up? The time stated on the invite, or a little earlier? I've got a wedding to go to on Saturday and so far I've only been to two weddings (both my uncles) so I'm not quite sure of the rules!

Craftster Meet

Yesterday I went into the city to meet up with some other Melbourne craftsters. We met up at Max Brenner's (Mmmmm, hot chocolates) and ended up talking about crafting and other random things.

Everyone, apart from me, brought along knitting, (I took some embroidery) and it was great to see the variety of projects. There was a bag, a shawl, a scarf and a blanket (or a block from the blanket). It was really good to be able to meet other crafty people rather than just seeing stuff on the internet (although that's good too!).

Fulled Bag

Using some of the left over wool from my Frou Frou, and the gorgeous stuff Librarylass sent me, I made this crocheted sunglass holder (at least that was the plan).
This out of focus shot (I was impatient to start fulling) was after it was crocheted:

And this is after fulling:


I started off hand fulling but it didn't shrink much, so then I tossed it in the washing machine (which helped but not quite as much as I wanted), and then I tossed it in again and then it was perfect sunglasses size! Then with the addition of one of my vintage buttons it was done!

No pattern, just single crochet with randomly placed stripes until I had something that was about 1/3 bigger than I wanted it.

12 inch square CAL: April experienced square

Almost up to the current month with the craftster CAL! Hopefully I'll only be one (or even none!) behind when it gets to June.


The pattern for this one is here.

12 inch square CAL: April easy square

Getting there on thecraftster CAL this is the April Easy Square. I figure if I'm crocheting the May squares in May then I've caught up!


The pattern is here.

12 inch CAL - March experienced square

Catching up on the craftster CAL, this is the March experienced square. I have been laying my squares out in various patterns and blankets but still no decisions. I think at the moment I'll leave them separate and then maybe take some photos of various options once I've made even more and get some expert opinions.

The pattern for this is here.

12 inch square CAL - March easy square

With all the other things I've been crocheting and having fun with my sewing machine I've ended up getting behind on the craftster CAL.
This is the March easy square, and while the colours are pretty tacky, they do make me smile (so they can't be that bad!). I've probably got enough squares for a blanket now but I'm not sure if I'll make a couple of big blankets or a number of little blankets.

The pattern for this is here.

I've also been tagged for the seven random things by Librarylass so here goes:

1. I have this weird oesophageal spasm thing where I get food stuck in my oesophagus and I've had to have two gastroscopes to push stuff into my stomach. It's not just big things either, I've had cereal stuck (although that eventually moved by itself).

2. When I was little I was being a smart-arse and was reading a book upside down (out loud) to a teacher. She then hung me upside down by my ankles. It may have been inappropriate but I still think it's funny!

3. I may be a vet but I'm also a little bit allergic to cats. Although at my current job they've only just found out so it can't be too bad.

4. I learnt to tie my shoelaces through a dream. I was struggling with the whole rabbit goes into the burrow thing (that could be wrong because I still can't tie my laces that way) and ended up having a dream with a pair of shoes tying themselves all night.

5. I have almost no sense of smell. Sometimes I think that's a good thing.

6. When I was young I could have been an elite gymnast, but due to my short attention span I was already fed up with gymnastics (did anyone else infuriate their parents by starting sports, getting the whole uniform and stuff and then quitting after a couple of terms) and ended up giving the whole thing up. I don't regret it.

7. I don't drink alcohol. I think it taste yucky and while people tell me I just need to drink enough to get really drunk and then it'll taste fine that sounds a bit dumb to me. Anyway, it saves me money and makes my parents happy (because they have a driver - they drink)

There we go, seven things you may not have known about me. I'm tagging anyone who hasn't been tagged and wants to be. Have fun!

Look at the pretty colours...

Nothing terribly exciting to tell at the moment, so I thought I'd post some pictures of this candy coloured crochet cotton that I bought recently. No plans at the moment, but it was a bargain and the colours are lovely (have I said that enough). I think it'll be handy to have these around if I do decide to make something with crochet thread. They'lll maybe be used for bookmarks or something...

Frou Frou

I finished the crocheting for this a couple of weeks ago, but I've only just finished blocking it. Unfortunately during the blocking (possibly because I did it wrong) the main body stretched quite a bit, but at lease it just lengthened so it's still wearable by me.

It's nice and snuggy too, so I'll probably wear it a bit, although the sleeves do have a bit of a tendency to get in the way.


Sorry for the dodgy photo - self timer before I went to work! It's also a bit less grey, with a bit of a green tinge, although I wouldn't mind it a bit greener.

Kilt Pin

Just a quick project, this is related to the other project I've been working on for a few weeks, which hopefully will be posted soon once it dries.

I like green. and I was happy with the slightly random arrangememnt I ended up with here, particularly the bead on the end of the chain.

Toothpick holder

There are issues buying my mum presents, not because of lack of ideas but because, well, let me give you some examples:
1) Last year I bought her a James Blunt CD (I think it was for Mothers' Day) and brought it to Melbourne a few weeks early because I wasn't going to be in Melbourne on the day, but thought I'd wrap it and get my sister to give it to her. While I was there, she said she was going to the shops to get the CD, so I gave it to her early.
2) This year for Mothers' Day (next Sunday in Australia) I got her some new headphones. Last week, she said she was going to the shops to buy herself some headphones, so once again I had to tell her what I'd bought her and then she got it early.
3) My sister and mum both bought each other Pink tickets for their birthdays this year, so they ended up with 4 before they discovered it and had to sell two.

So as well as the headphones, I've made her a container for toothpicks, because she always needs them when we go out, and I've found a use for an Eclipse mint tin I've had for a while. Because of the location of the lid, it's not as easy to reuse as the Altoids tin, but I'll take what I can get in this country!

It's fairly simple with freehand embroidery and a random tooth, but it should come in handy, and at least it's not something she'll buy for herself!

Take-Away Pouch

We don't eat take-away that much (look at me defending myself already) but it's nice to be able to find the menus when you want to.

This is just made from a recycled pillow case and embroidered. The clip-art and font came from Tack-O-Rama and I reversed it, printed it on our laser printer and ironed it on. I did have to use a reference image (printed the right way) for some sections but it was a handy guide. I was feeling like some retro goodness!

Crochet Hook Roll

Sorry for the long break between postings, I'm going for the excuse that I work too hard! Although hopefully soon I'll be able to post something that I've been working on for the last few weeks.

So with my fabric (well some of it) washed and ironed, I finally got around to making a crochet hook roll. It's nice to be able to unwrap it and see all my hooks in the one place, see what sizes I've got, and not lose the smaller ones through holes in the bottom (I was keeping them in a crocheted pouch), and there is room for more hooks. At some point I might stick a large safety pin with stitch markers in above the scissors but that will involve either finding the stitch markers I roughly made a while ago, or remaking some (but that'll be fun too).

It's also my first real sewing project and I used interfacing and bias tape so I'm pretty impressed with it. It all went smoothly so I'll probably have a go at something a bit more complex next.

Lesson for the Day

When you buy fabric, remember to wash it straight away, so when you have a chance to use it you can.

I've put on quite a few wash loads today...wish I'd thought of that earlier!

Go For Baroque

Ooooh, my first proper crocheted item of clothing (hats and scarves don't count!)




It's 'Go For Baroque' from the Happy Hooker and is made from 4 Ply cotton from Bendigo Woolen Mills, it's lovely and soft, and gives a little bit of warmth. It took me a few weeks, and I even wove in the ends and blocked it (first blocking attempt) pretty much straight away. I think I need to put a bit of starch around the neck or something though because it's a little floppy there but other than that I'm really happy with it. Now just to wait until the summer when I'll get a chance to wear it!

So I got this bitch pregnant...

...and if you don't know that I'm a vet that comment would sound pretty bad. I was really just using that as a title because I thought it sounded cool, but in case you were wondering about the details, I did an surgical artificial insemination on a dog and we found out she's pregnant with lots of puppies today.

Anyway, on to other random things. My nanna used to get made fun of because once she bought some bird seed because it was on special, even though she didn't have a bird.

I figured at least I'd use some of these earrings for something crafty, even if they didn't get worn, but still it is one of those random 'it was cheap' purchases.



In case you're wondering, it was $2 for all these earrings, 62 pairs (unless I counted wrongly!), so I think I probably got them just before they got thrown out.

Fused Pendants

When I made my glass platter in Adelaide, I also made some glass pendeants. I've finally got around to getting some bails (in my bead purchase) and gluing them on, so at last they're usable.

I love the dichroic glass, but some of the other patterned glasses are gorgeous as well. I had fun playing around with my scraps making these.

Oooooooh, exciting

Yesterday I got home and there was a notice to pick up a parcel from the post office. I was a little confused because I was sure that I'd recieved all the parcels I was expecting (yarn x2, beads, surprise from Meshell, bits for my spinning wheel), but I was a bit excited because it was a surprise. My only thought was that it might be some shoes that I'd left in Adelaide.

Anyway, I had to pick up my parcel from the evil post office (one of three near me) which is also a quilting shop (see why it's evil? But I resisted) and it was a book...



...called Not Your Mama's Stitching and here's the REALLY exciting bit...

I'm a contributor. Yay!

In case you're confused I knew I was a contributor and was going to get a copy of the book, it just didn't register when I got the notice.

Sparkly necklace

This is the first thing I've made with my new bead purchases.

It's my sisters birthday coming up soon and I asked if she'd like me to make her a necklace that she'd designed. Her designing did involve her saying 'Can you use these beads from this bracelet I broke, and they'd look cool in earrings too' and rejecting my first design!

I'm really happy with how it turned out, I think I'm going to use crystals a bit more now, they're just lovely. I haven't completely finished it, because I'm not sure of the length she wants it yet but that won't take long.

The beads she gave me are the cracked glass ones. I've got one left over, not sure what to do with that!

Recipe Box

At last, something made by me!

Since Meshell sent me a yummy recipe card for my birthday I've been needing somewhere to put it. I've had a brief look around for boxes but haven't really seen anything the right size, but when I saw this tute and I thought I could make a box exactly the right size.

While I used the tute for the instructions I had to make my own measurements, and some of them weren't quite exact, but I'm happy with how it turned out.

The recipe card (which I still haven't cooked - slack me!) looks a bit lonely here so I'll have to collect some more!

Wool Purchases

Here's some more stuff I bought!

First we have ebay purchases. I've got plans for the green, but the blue is in the undecided pile.

This lot is from Bendigo Wool Mills (or whatever they're called) and I was so impressed with how quickly it got here. The colours are nicer in real life, although the cotton is fairly plain, but it was similar to the shade card. I'm planning to make Go For Baroque from the Happy Hooker from the cotton and Frou Frou from the wool.

Beady Goodness

This purchase arrived last Monday and I haven't really had time to get my camera out and take photos, but I did manage to sort out some of them in bits and pieces. I ordered them from Spacetrader and they arrived really quickly.

All these beads were in a 1kg mixed glass bead bag for only $20. I've sorted them into colour because that's the type of person I am.



These are the other beads I bought (I've already used some of the blue crystals) and you may be able to tell I was in a purple mood. Some of this stuff came from a lucky dip bag which had some cool stuff in it. I also bought some findings and charms but I've put them away already!

The chain is the only thing I'm not completely happy with, but I think that was more due to a misunderstanding on my part than anything.

Yay!

I've had a great week for post this week, I think I've got four parcels. I'll post some of the others later, but here is a really special one that I got today, from the lovely Meshell!



Look at all that, there is fabric, buttons, beads, ribbon and a lovely book, In Stitches by Amy Butler.

I'm so spoilt! Thanks Meshell!

Looking for a goat

I probably won't be posting any more this week, because I'm working late most days. But I did want to ask if anyone has any, or knows of any (on etsy or wherever) goat toy patterns. One of my friends from uni is getting married, and she has a thing about goats, so I thought a little goat bride and groom toy might be cute. They can be crocheted, or sewn (but not terribly complicated) and I'm willing to pay or swap for a pattern.

Thanks!

And the first purchase to arrive is...

My new car!

Last year, because I lived at work (which also helped me save all the money I've just spent) I didn't have to drive much, but now that I'm driving half an hour to work each day I wanted a car with things that worked...like the radio, and the air conditioning.


Anyway, I think it's lovely and it should be much more pleasant driving now. You can just see the end of my old car in the front, it's going to a new home tomorrow.

ATCs

I've been feeling like I'm in a bit of a creativity rut lately, so I though I needed to force myself to find a bit of inspiration, and I decided to take up the ATC 100 Themes Challenge which is on craftster, just to stretch myself, and hopefully inspire me in other ways too (rather than just spending money!).

So this is the first four themes, Introduction, Love, Light and Dark.

Top: Seedy Introduction (dodgy pick up lines in the speech bubbles), Forever in Love (the shiny hearts didn't quite come out)
Bottom: Shadows and Light (it says 'Never fear shadows. They simply mean that there's a light somewhere nearby' Ruth E Renkei), In the Dark (it says - In the dark we can be anonymous. We can hide our flaws and mistakes. And yet for all that cool comfort, in the dark we are alone)

Someone take my credit card off me...

I've been spending money lately like it grows on trees, and some of it is just dumb. Apart from the new car (which I did need to upgrade to, but it is a big expense) I went and spent loads on beads the other day. All I needed to get was some bails and some beads for my sisters birthday, but I ended up getting a lot more than that (I'll post some pictures of my spree when they arrive), and then my dad wanted me to help him buy something off ebay, and after that I went and bought two lots of yarn (pictures also to come). Admittedly it looks like nice stuff, and one lot I've got a definate project planned.

But hopefully, because I've at least got a job (and it pays more than my last one-although I only get paid monthly) I won't have issues when my credit card statement comes...

Organisation

I definately discovered once I moved back home that I have either too much stuff or not enough space (I think it's the latter because everything fit into two places). So I had a major sort out which took about a week (although I was doing other things like job interviews and wasting time too). I ended up taking a couple of garbage bags and some boxes to the brotherhood and I've got a shelf full of books to be bookcrossed, actually I think that should be two shelves. So now I have draws full of my craft stuff (not all of it, but the major stuff - I think I've just got fabric, fibre fill, acrylic yarn and a few other bits and bobs, plus equipment in other spots) which is nice, because I can work out what I'll let myself buy now!

This is the beading draw (did you notice they were all labelled), which probably looks the neatest, but they are all fairly well organised.

And this is my craft books collection. At the moment they don't fill up the entire shelf, so I figure I can accumulate more and move the other books on that shelf somewhere else later...of course I haven't mentioned all my non-craft books that I'm keeping, but I might just leave them out of it.

Felted Bag

The main thing I made in my felting classes (which I've only just finished) was a bag.


I managed to use one of my buttons on the front!
It's lined (with pockets and everything)

I also embroidered some pretty sea creatures and random swirls on it.



Also, in personal news, I've got a job and start next Wednesday. To be honest, I was hoping for a longer period of unemployment so I could get stuff done, but I shouldn't complain!

Glass Platter

I arrived back in Melbourne last night without any problems, it was a long drive but it's good to be home, although I think I'll be unpacking and sorting things out for at least a week. I'm already making a pile of clothes I haven't worn in the last year, which I suppose is what you get for moving out, but still keeping a heap of stuff with your parents.

Just before I left Adelaide I did a four week glass fusing and slumping course, which was really cool, and I made this platter which I'm really proud of.

This picture shows the whole thing:


And this is a close up of the center with the gorgeous dichroic glass (expensive, but lovely) and some fingerprints!

Moving

I've just got one and a bit more days in Adelaide. On Saturday morning I'm driving back to Melbourne (and hoping everything fits in my car!). I was going to get help moving but my mum and dad are both overseas (separately) so I've got a long drive by myself...without airconditioning - although the current weather report my computer is giving me is 26*C, so it doesn't sound too bad. I also dropped a few boxes off to get put on the train back to Melbourne the other day, so I'm not trying to take everything I've accumulated over the last year back.

So I'll probably be posting next from Melbourne, and I'll get to play with my sewing machine. Lots of fun!

Felted Needle Book

Near the end of my second felting class I was running out of time so I made a small, random piece of felt using some of the roving that was left. Then I decided to chop it up and use it for something I've needed for a while...a needle book. I've been putting all my embroidery needles in one packet, and most of them are too small for the slots, so I decided to stop losing them, and make something to hold it.

I wanted to use the natural shape of the felt for the cover and it worked quite well, the whole thing has a bit of a rustic look to it but I think it works well, and it's lovely and cushy and soft. It's also doing it's job properly, but I should have made something to hold my needles a while ago.

Felted bookmark

I made this bookmark at a wet felting course I did. It was lots of fun, and helped with some of the intimidation I had about having a go (it's really easy). The bookmark was for a friend of mine who is doing a creativity course so I knew it would be appreciated, and hoped it would also provide a bit of inspiration. She was very happy with it, so that's good! I initially made a bigger piece but it was too wide for a bookmark, so I cut it down and did some bright blanket stitch around the edge which brought it all together nicely.

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! In honour of the day, I made a love related ATC, which is very out of focus, because I scanned it. Never mind.



Anyhoo, I also need suggestions, because my dad might be going to the US and if he does I'm giving him a list of stuff to buy for me (especially as he was going to help me move at the time he might be going). He is however, a boy, and uncrafty, so it probably can't be too big or complicated. Because I'm overworked (I had to steal popcorn from work for dinner last night at 10pm because I was starving) I may have left out something incredibly obvious, so let me know. Here's what I've got so far:
- shrinky dinks
- freezer paper
- candy
- Kool Aid
I'm sure this list was longer last night when I was thinking about it. Anyway, send in your suggestions for stuff I should make my dad buy.