crafty girl: small gifts...big happiness

crafty girl: small gifts...big happiness: "It is often the little things that mean so much! I discovered this today when some small gifts that I had made were received with huge smil..."

small gifts...big happiness

It is often the little things that mean so much!
I discovered this today when some small gifts that I had made were received with huge smiles and much appreciation.
Two weeks ago I thought it might be nice to make some winter woolies for the Husband's nieces and nephews. They all live in 'the sticks' and it gets quite cold and I knew they could do with some warm gear, so out came my knitting needles and off I went!
The girls were easy to please...Wooly scarves!
The boys, just as easy with nice thick beanies!
The baby, well I adapted my slipper pattern slightly and made her a lovely mini pair!



Slippers for Annabelle and scarves for Alix, Nicole and Bethannie




Alix's scarf




Beanie's for Scottie and Nicholas



I just love these colours!



Beanie for Jack




lovely 12 ply wool



The scarves and beanie's weren't difficult to make, although I did try several patterns before I came across a really good pattern for a child's beanie in one of this season's Lincraft pattern books. Most of them require circular needles or set of  4 needles, but this one is easy and is knitted all in one piece.
You know, these days most kids turn their noses up at 'homemade' items and would much rather have a 'name' brand like Billabong or Ripcurl, so it was very heartening to see such big smiles from these little ones.

The result? See for yourself! Some very big smiles and warm heads and necks today as they picnicked and played outside in the cold wind!



from left: Rebecca, Nicholas, Annabelle, Jack, Bethannie, Alix, Nicole, Scottie and Andrew



all in a day's sewing...

Rather than spend the day outdoors as is usually the case for me on a Sunday, I chose to stay indoors and spend some quiet time alone with my sewing machine...(oh, and Saffy the cat, of course!)

I have been coveting a lovely piece of heavy weight woven fabric for quite some time now and seeing as how the weather has turned, I decided it was time to create a winter dress!
However, before I did that, I wanted to finish a pair of slippers that I was knitting for my grandson, Ashton.

I also did some alterations to the Husband's favourite "flanno". A really nice Levi's one. I think he is happy with it....getting it away from him to wash it will be the next problem!

Now on to my new winter dress! I had designs on a fairly fitted 'shift' style of pinafore. Something I could put as jumper under.

I had more than enough fabric, but I always try to be economical when pinning and cutting. I did have to be mindful of the nap and the pattern, so it took me quite a while to lay it out just right.
I took my time and with the enormously valuable assistance from my model 'Mavis' (without whom, I have decided, I would be lost!) the dress took shape!



Looking good there, Mavis!




Note Saffy asleep in her cube while all the hard work was going on...haha



The interfacing proved to be somewhat troublesome....I did buy some quality stuff by the metre, but of course couldn't find it, so I had to use this awefully inferior packet stuff I picked up at Lincraft, in case of an emergency...( I know myself only too well it seems!)



I won the battle with the interfacing! It was a bit tricky though!




Just the hem to go!

 So that was my day...I was quite pleased with myself. Sewing keeps my mind occupied and positive, so the biggest challenge is getting my terrible eyes to co-operate and my gammy hand and wrist to behave as well!


A quick update on the granny squares....
I have decided to run amok with the squares and am using different ply's and needle sizes to create different textured and sized squares. Will keep you posted, but I am liking it so far...

a quick update on the granny squares

well, the squares are coming along nicely, although the blue wool, even though it is the same ply as the black is knitting up much nicer....??? Anyway, it will soon be warming the husbands chilly toes!

I have also collected some lovely yarn to make a few little things for the grandbabies....I have designs on knitting a lovely jumper for Miss Emma out of the pastel varigated wool in the bag on the left of the following photos.

I also picked up some chunky acrylic in several colours to make a few bobbly scarves! I am loving all the interesting textures and earthy colours this season!



this lovely pastel varigated 'giggles' will be just the thing for Miss Emma!



pondlife: on being a mother....

pondlife: on being a mother....: "It has taken me many years to truly appreciate my mother and what she did for me. Now, I know what you are all thinking.... we ALL appreci..."

my new blouse

The beauty of having a sewing area all set out is that when a whim strikes you, it is possible to create something with a minimum of disruption to the rest of the household!
My eldest daughter, Lisa gave me a lovely selection of fabrics and notions for my birthday several years ago. A few weeks ago, while sorting out my ever expanding collection of remnants and beautiful fabrics I came across a lovely piece of sheer chiffon that Lisa had given to me.
This is what I created...

My dressmakers dummy, or Mavis as I call her, is probably one of the best investments I have made. It makes sewing so much easier when I can pin the garment onto a lifesized version of me! (it also means that the husband doesn't have to run and hide, just in case I ask him to model it for me!)
It looks lovely with a tan or blue camisole or singlet underneath and the 3/4 sleeves are perfect for this time of year!
Hmmm...I might just wear it today...

sewing for the grandchildren

Well here is a little top for Ashton. I had some trouble with the neck, mainly because I sewed it on the wrong way to start...stupid cryptic instructions...( and stupid eyes that can't see anything!!) It is a medium weight fleecy fabric which was a remnant from Lincraft and cost about $2!

I think it's cute for a little boy... now to make some tracksuit pants to match!

granny squares

I thought I would get a bit ahead of myself...not unremarkable for me....
I decided, as Spotlight had a huge sale on wool, I would stock up...
Now I have decided to make a blanket using granny squares!
there will be pic's to follow, but the basic idea is:
Using 4mm needles, and 8 ply wool, cast on either 22, 33 or 44 stitches, depending on how big you would like your squares to be (I am doing 44).
Then just work garter stitch (knit) 30, 45 or 60 rows and cast off.
That's it!!!
Make as many as you like, then join them for a cosy blanket, lap rug for the outdoors or a car blankie for a little one.
the great thing about granny squares is that they are easy and it isn't as daunting as trying to knit an entire blanket!
Watching a movie or a couple of tv shows, you can knock over 2 or 3 squares.
It is also a great way to use up scraps of wool, as a multi coloured blanket looks sensational and very individual!