One week off and look...

...not even half way through my week off and I've finished a re-read of Stephen Kings 'Salems Lot AND knitted up a funky Robin for the Xmas tree. I love Christmas mainly for the holiday!

First off the book review.  I've read 'Salems Lot before although it was around 15 years ago (eek) and have to admit I enjoyed it as much this time around.  The book follows the story of Ben Mears who returns to a small town in the back of America to find he's not the only 'new' face on the scene.  The town is swiftly taken over by vampires and the horror begins.  I re-read it as I'm making my way through the Dark Tower series and the next book features heavily Father Callahan from the 'Salems Lot book so I wanted a refresh of that character and what he went through.  In saying that my favourite character was, and still is, Mark Petrie. Mark is a young boy who although a bit of a loner and a geek manages to stand up to both bullies and scary vampires. He also accepts the existence of vampires so quickly it means his story develops quickly and is more action packed than the others who as adults need more convincing before things get underway.  A great spooky read and I've still got the deleted scenes to read at the back of the book which I'll maybe do in daylight!

To the knitting now. Ok so I never got around to knitting up the baby hat but I decide to move on.  I bought Let's Knit magazine number 72 Christmas 2013 which had a great kit for knitting Robbie Robin. Robbie looked quick and easy to knit up and uber cute too so I decided to get to work.  It took me two evenings to knit and make up.  I hate making up. I hate hand sewing. I hate stuffing.  I think this shows as he isn't as cute as the magazine version but is perfectly suitable for sitting at the top, back, of the tree. My colourwork could do with some work too as I wasn't sure about the red breast.  I did however get to refresh SSK and learned how to knit an icord which was super easy. Instead of turning the knitting you move it up to the other end of a double pointed needle and knit, repeat and you get a long tube like cord effect...simples.  Unfortunately I'm writing this from the iPad and can't figure out how to upload photos direct into the post as soon as I do I'll upload them.

Meanwhile I'm taking a break over Christmas from anything crafty as we're spending Christmas week  at Bluestone, Pemrokeshire and I plan on lots of long coastal walks followed by large hot chocolates :). I will however be thinking of a crafty challenge for 2014 focusing on finishing some WIPs and stash busting and possibly even getting that knitted blanket finished!

Until the new year I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and Sanat is good to you :) x

Edit - you can see Robbie Robin in my Ravelry projects here http://ravel.me/thefunkylibrarian/84na7 

I am alive, honest!

Sorry again folks, it been a bit quiet on the crafting front as I have discovered my new passion, Watercolour painting.  Something else I enjoy but pretty much suck at.  Who cares though, I get to play with paint and call myself an artist!  I'll post some pics over the weekend of my creations.

For proper crafty related material I need to give myself a to do list.  First up is learn how to take up hems on curtains.  Our living room curtains are far too long and when I tried doing something like this before I made a right hash of it so I need to learn how to do this properly.

This is followed by taking up the hem on my wedding dress, something I wanted to do before the wedding but now I want to do it with an aim of being to wear it with other accessories.

In the knitting/sewing related category I need to sew buttons onto the cardigan I knitted for my friends son due in 8 weeks time and sew a little hat too.

I also have a tonne of yarn I just know I won't use so looking to sell some of it or give it to charity shops unless I can come up with a knitting to do list...if you're not on the list you're not getting knitted!

I did however manage to make a giant pom pom pumpkin for Halloween using orange yarn and some glow in the dark yarn I bought a million years ago on ebay.  I quite like him and he can come out to play every year, maybe next year I'll get around to making him some friends.

I've also been reading and listening to a lot of books lately...audiobooks, not just holding a novel to my ear...but haven't got through them either, specifically The Casual Vacancy or re-reading Salems Lot.  I went a bit Stephen King crazy after Doctor Sleep then Kindle Daily Deals gave me a load of King novels for £1.50, and I find it hard to knit and read at the same time.

So hence the to do list as even I am starting to lose track of what needs to be done.  Think I need to clear the decks a bit and get organised.  Oh and I have taken up running again, 3 times a week come rain, snow or shine.  Maybe I need to invent a running merged crafting sport although it already sounds dangerous!

Until next time...

Happy Birthday to me!

Today was my birthday and part of my present from Mr C, which included a trip to Cadbury World, was also a watercolour set.  I tried some watercolour art the other week.  My first ever go at it having never done painting or drawing of any sort since high school, and as I recalled I sucked then but without the pressures of teenagerdome and generally having an idea and painting it turns out it's really good fun.

I had a triptych of a flower that I was going to get rid of but decided to paint over the canvas and redo my own 'art.'  As I am also getting into yoga I wanted to do something to represent the serenity, relaxation, breathing and meditation.  

I quickly realised it wasn't as easy as it looked, but still fun.

I also created a little 3D canvas of leaves I collected from around the Groe and PVA glue which I called Autmnal Burst...

So with my newly gifted watercolour set I downloaded an Ebook from the Welsh Ebook service, alright I downloaded the dummies guide to watercolours, which is a great book and gave me some techniques and projects to try out.  I also learned from the book what I did wrong with my triptych including painting watercolour onto canvas (a no no) and not using enough paint or water!

First up was creating a garden of blooms.  Created by dripping either water onto colour or a heavy wet brush onto the paper.  The paper is pre wet with water before you add colour...

Then I tried out some different brush strokes...

The next technique was to draw a stripe with each colour in my palette to see what they are like.  I also  have coloured tubes in my new kit but I really liked using the cakes so stuck with them...

I also tried the techniques in the book on both wet and dry areas of a piece of paper, a la this...

So after all that, some reading, practice and general playing with my new toy I tried small project one a snowy landscape scene.  It didn't take long to do but the results are quite dramatic. I am super impressed with myself!

So that's been my day of arty crafty.  Next on the watercolour to do list is texture, the book has some ideas but I want to try using different knitting stitches printed onto the watercolours.

I also want to try a still life so now off on a hunt around the house to see what I can paint :-)

Pom Pom pumpkin

I had an idea a few weeks ago to knit a pumpkin but all the patterns I seen called for knitting in the round, which I dunno how to do and didn't think now was the time to learn! Also I had some ropey orange DK yarn that needed using up so yet another idea sprung to mind, giant pom pom pumpkin! 

I cut pieces of cardboard into circles by drawing around a side plate. I then drew a smaller circle in the centre by drawing around the base of a mug. I cut a slit from the edge of the big circle to the little circle. I doubled up my by taking and end from the start and centre of the ball and wound it around the cardboard circles. I also started to wind in a very special yarn I've had for years, glow in the dark yarn, yes, that's right glow in the dark yarn! When I finished I cut in between the two cardboard disks and tied around the ball of fluff with the glow in the dark yarn. I had some spare felt too so used that to cut some eyes, a nose and scary mouth. And ta da... 

Quite the scary monster isn't he? As soon as the glow in the dark yarn is charged up I'll get a photo of him in the dark.

He was super quick and easy to make, I'm tempted to make lots of small ones for a bunting type effect. Hmm, maybe next year :)

Book Review : Doctor Sleep

I was keen to read this follow up to 'The Shining.'  Although I only ever watched the film it was a story I enjoyed and was looking forward to getting stuck into another Stephen King novel.  I've read several of Kings novels over the years and loved Misery, Salem's Lot, Gerald's game, Desperation, The Green Mile, The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, was a touch meh about Liseys story and hated Dream Catcher! I'm also making my way through the audio book versions of The Dark Tower series and enjoying the stories and links to the other novels...but back to the purpose of this review, Doctor Sleep. 

This synopsis is from Stephen King UK website  or you can see the American website here. 

On highways across America, a tribe of people called The True Knot travel in search of sustenance. They look harmless - mostly old, lots of polyester, and devoted to their comfortable Recreational Vehicles. They live off the 'steam' that children with the 'shining' produce when they are slowly tortured to death.  Following a childhood haunted time he spent with his parents at the Overlook Hotel, Dan Torrance has been drifting for decades, desperate to shed his father's legacy of despair, alcoholism, and violence. Finally, he settles into a job at a nursing home in rural New Hampshire where his remnant 'shining' power provides the crucial final comfort to the dying. Aided by a prescient cat, he becomes 'Doctor Sleep.'  Then Dan meets the evanescent Abra Stone, and it is her spectacular gift, the brightest ‘shining’ ever seen, that reignites Dan's own demons and summons him to a battle for Abra's soul and survival . . .

I was fortunate to come across this video of Stephen King reading from Doctor Sleep.  This video explains more about The True Knot, the main 'bad guys' of the book...

I honestly don't know where to begin on how much I enjoyed this book.  The characters were very well drawn and throughout I was enthralled by Danny's story going through a roller coaster of emotions. Their is a particular seen towards the end that almost had me in tears!  I felt protective and drawn to the 'good' characters although was freaked out by the second appearance of Dick which didn't seem to bother Danny.  

Apart from being on the front cover the cat isn't a major player in the story but I felt we would have missed something without him an only relied in the humans. Something about the independent yet caring attitude of the cat that is reflected in Danny's character.

As for the bad guys, the True Knot, I'll never look at a camper the same way again! I didn't see them so much of a threat to begin with but as the story unfolds I found myself being more and more terrified.  I don't want to go on about the scenes I particularly enjoyed as their were quite a few twists and turns and I don't want to give them away but trust me it was a brilliant read!  All I will say is the ending was right for me and ended Danny's story nicely.

As I said at the beginning I am working my way through the Dark Tower series and did pick up early in the book Doctor Sleep the phrase "...their are other worlds than these..." which in the Dark Tower, I think book one, is spoken by one of the characters Jake.  Coincidence? I think not :)

I also picked up a phrase which was in my previous read Resistance (I'm sure just a coincidence and me King isn't stalking my reading habits) "..the devil is beating his wife..."  Hmm, I wonder, is it possible to be haunted by a phrase?

I bought the W.H Smith special collectors edition of Doctor Sleep which differs from the main copies by having purple cat eyes and wisps of steam. The cover felt nice with embossed steam and good paper and print font. I also liked the size of the hardback and format throughout.

If I had to summarise Doctor Sleep in 100 words or less (which I do for several book review sites) I would say:

This sequel to the shining is a must read not just for any King fan but for any fan of horror.  The characters are well drawn and the story keeps you hooked. A magnificent ending to one of Kings earlier stories, the proper ending that the character Danny deserved.

Namaste

Namaste (salutations to you)

This craft blog is turning out to be a bit of a lifestyle blog...unless maybe I live craft??

Well if you haven't guessed from the first word I have taken up Yoga.  I tried it years back and we never quite got on but now I am loving it.  I've been attending a Hatha Yoga class every Tuesday evening where not only have I learnt some postures I have also learnt something deep breathing and relaxation techniques.  Which is doing wonders for the ole anxiety and keeping the doc happy! 

I'm a little obsessed with it at the mo' and as Mr C is working away all weekend I am looking forward to having some me time and some time to do some long Yoga practice.

But for the proper crafty bit.

I bought my gorgeous pink yoga mat from Tesco but I didn't have a carry bag for it.  I since bought Yoga socks and take a water bottle with me so getting a carry bag was beginning to become a necessity.  So roughly following this post I created this little beauty...

Complete with Yoga mat inside to prove it does the job!

I say roughly followed that post as you can see I used ribbon for the handles, didn't have a button closing (couldn't get the button bit to go inside out so threw it across the room) and its not exactly the same but it does the perfect job for me.

Look at that for a bottom seam.  Not only are the handles are aligned, I managed to give it a rounded end (which wasn't easy as I didn't fully understand the instructions).










I also got a book from the library 'Yoga for a new you' Dorling Kindersley 2012 which I am considering buying as its really good.

I've also downloaded a few apps to my smart phone Pocket Yoga and Pocket Yoga Builder both by Rainfrog LLC but I haven't properly used them yet.  If I'm not at class I tend to use a DVD I have called 'Roxys Bite Sized Yoga' which has different routines split into bite sized chunks of 15 minutes each.

I'm hoping to get more regular practice in, especially as its doing my overall health so good, and have downloaded worksheets from my friends Alyson Tyler who is a Yoga teacher and writes a blog here (which has been super useful).  But I feel I need a little more guidance from a video clip for now.

I hope to try out some Youtube videos, in particular ones from Tara Lee, like this one...

...and will let you know how I get on.

Oh and I have seen a pattern for easy Yoga pants in my book 'The Sew Everything Workshop' that I bought to accompany a Craftsy Class so watch this space for more Yoga related craftiness!

P.S I can do a mean tree ;)

Book Review: Resistance by Owen Sheers

Last week I attended a creative writing taster session.  Never having done creative writing in my puff I didn't have high expectations for the night but have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it.   So as this is a crafty blog and writing is a craft (of sorts) I thought I would publish some of my writing here.  As you can expect with me I don't have much time to knit or sew so the chances of the worlds greatest novel being published here anytime soon is a long shot but hey ho you never know.

I thought I would start gently by posting a book review.  This is something I have wanted to hone my skills on, as I run the Builth Wells Reading Group blog over here, so below is my review of Resistance by Owen Sheers...

Resistance is set in an alternative universe where the Germans are winning World War II and are invading Britain.
Set in a Welsh valley between Hay on Wye and Hereford where a small community of farmers have disappeared in the middle of the night leaving behind the women.
We are led to believe they have gone off to join the 'Resistance' and we are left to explore the unfolding lives of the women left to work on the farms, in a harsh winter, with a German patrol living nearby.
My feelings towards this German patrol were tested throughout the novel.  Initially I began by feeling unsure and a little scared then as the story progressed I found my opinion changing and I became quite fond of them all, especially Albrecht.
My changing feelings were particularly highlighted when in one particular scene a character mistakes the German patrol for the valley farmers and you see the German patrol through those eyes, as though they were the farmers and see no difference between them.
I found I cared for all the characters in the valley and enjoyed the authors descriptions of the area and working farm life.  The audio book in particular was beautifully narrated and although I read some chapters too I wasn't overly keen on the format/look of the print.  I loved the front cover and thought it captured the story well.
The cover is black and white with a lone woman, could be our main character, standing atop a black mountain.  Comforting herself from the elements she seems to be searching for someone, her body language echos both loss and hope.
However I didn't like how the story jumped viewpoints and found it quite disorientating when listening to the audiobook.
Although the was is the backdrop to the novel I didn't feel it was prominent and it was more about working through hardship, community spirit and looking beyond what at first may appear to be a threat which could also be a lifeline.
I liked the valley characters.  The women for their hard work and determination against the Germans, the war and an altered way of life.  I loved how the women didn't give up when the men left, they took on more work and tried their hardest to keep on going.  I also liked the German patrol as although you start believing they are Nazi monsters it goes to show just because you put a uniform on someone and a gun in their hand it doesn't make them a soldier.  And that their true means of survival in the war wasn't to fight.  So you had the women fighting and the men trying hard to abstain, they were a perfect mirror image of each other in a mirrored universe.
Overall I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to those who enjoy historical fiction but especially those living or have an interest in the Welsh valleys.

You can find out more about Owen Sheers and Resistance on the Owen Sheers website.

Incidentally I am now reading 'A casual vacancy' by J.K. rowling as part of the book group read this month, feel free to join in and post comments on our blog :)

Hey baby

Well the bootees are finished (hurrah)...

Sparrow from Let's Knit - http://ravel.me/thefunkylibrarian/g0gvg

I've also finished my first ever cardigan...

Paris from Let's Knit - http://ravel.me/thefunkylibrarian/yi8f4

Again knit for my friends' baby when it arrives in January.  I've still to sew on four buttons but apart from that its ready to go.

I'm delighted with this, its so soft and squidgy and will keep the little one warm in cold January, hope he appreciates it!

The pattern was called Paris from a Let's Knit magazine supplement called Handknitted for Baby but I'm not sure of the date.  It was a super easy patterns to follow and can now add making a buttonhole with [yfwd, k2tog, k1] using stitch markers and picking up stitches to my arsenal.  I found picking up stitches quite tricky but making a buttonhole seems to be a mix of black magic and weird science.  I adapted the pattern slightly by not adding on pockets to the front as I wasn't overly keen on them.

Also if I were to knit this again I would go for a stronger colourway than the bluey/grey neutral colour, I think as its a basic garter stitch a strong colour will help the stitches stand out.







Continuing on the baby gifts next on the needles is a pattern called Little Imp from a Simply Knitting supplement called Hand knits for baby.  I've literally just cast this on using Deramores baby DK (gorgeous super soft yarn!) and already ran into trouble.  The first part of the pattern calls for a simple rib patterns then continue in stocking stitch then using a different colour yarn to create stripes.  I have somehow managed to mess up the simple rib at the start!

So tonight's mission is to find out how to undo around 6 stitches.  I refuse to rip it back a row or even to start again (its CO 80 stitches, yawn).  So that will add undoing stitches to the arsenal, if I can figure it out.  What's really annoying is its a rib pattern to I need to undo a purl and a knit stitch...argh!

To infinity and beyond

I don't know if you call it an infinity scary, or a cowl, or what but whatever you call it I call is smooshy and cosy and snuggly warm...roll on winter!

The infinity scarf made from Rowan Big Wool bought from Wool in Bath

Love the moss stitch pattern

I've been through the baby patterns and started on an easy peasy pair of bootees from Lets Knit magazine Issue 61 December 2012 called Sparrow using Sublime Extra Fine Merino Wool DK I got from Deramores. The shade is 0003 Alabaster which is an ivory white colour.

As you can see I just need to sew it up but one down and another one to go!

I love knitting this and the yarn is so soft I'm wondering if it can be scaled up for Shari sized feet!

Another bonus is with this pattern I have learnt [K each stitch tbl], [s1, k1, psso], and refreshed on [kfb] and [k2tog]which is very exciting and I still found the pattern quick and easy to follow.  This builds my confidence for trying other patterns out without looking at the jumble of letters thinking I need to decipher some ancient code, nah its easy when you have You Tube.

Anyhoo on with the other bootee...

Chunky cowl and what's been happening dudes

Well I decided to try the exciting new cowl pattern (which you can view here) with the Rowan Big Wool, shade 00068, a gorgeous mustard yellow (which doesn't show up too well in the pic).  I'm about three quarters of the way there...

[I will post a pic in here but I'm writing this from the iPad and it won't let me upload, grrr]

I'm trying to get some more knitting done so I can start to clear out the stash and try new exciting baby knits for my friends James and Carrie whose baby is due in January and well they way I knit it'll be 21 before he or she gets it!

Also the anxiety has been near on unbearable lately.  I made it to the other side of the depressive episode but have been suffering with panic attacks and generally anxiety for a few months now. Even getting panic attacks in my sleep which is not fun.  I took some time off work to relax, even planned on knitting the whole week but ended up giving the house a spring clean instead.

Anyhoo, will post a pic of the scarf ASAP and details of the baby knit plans too.  Good ole Deramores gave me a discount, had a sale AND free delivery so I went a bit nuts, so much for clearing out the stash eh :)

Misses and Mrs

Well hello again reader, apologies for being off the radar lately but you see I was off getting married (yay) which was then followed by a gorgeous honeymoon in Scotland.  I won't go on but it was a beautiful day and we were able to get married in the sunshine in the garden of a lovely manor house near to where we live.  The hall was then filled with our even lovelier family and friends and we partied into the night.

Our scrummy cake made by the Mimosa Bakery

My sister-in-law, who also happens to run the Mimosa Bakery made our scrummy wedding cake with accompanying cookies ...

I made the bridesmaid bouquets,and it was a joint effort by me and the hubby to make the centerpieces for the tables which were five different planets in Star Wars (he did the planets I did the flowers).  This being a slight nod as we got married on Star Wars day, May 4th (get it).

We then had a fantastic honeymoon in a log cabin in Strathyre, Scotland where we explored all around including Loch Lomond, Loch Ness, Aberfoyle and Callander.  The only craftiness whilst on honeymoon was I completed a travel diary each day in a notebook I was given as a wedding gift.  

Not a bad spot to fill out a diary, drink tea or read a book :)

This gave me the idea to incorporate a little more technology in my life (like I need that) and complete a blog each time I go on hols...we'll see if this ever happens!

But on to crafty craftiness.  In amongst all of this I have managed to sew (yes, sew!) two cushion covers.  I followed the Craftsy Class and ta da...

Clicking on the photo takes you to the project page on Craftsy:
Source: French Seam Envelope Pillow/Cushion via Sharon Cook on Craftsy

I was chuffed to bits with the first cushion but the second one didn't come out as well.  the seams weren't the correct size and ended up showing in the final product which it shouldn't do with the french seam.  I've since discovered a bubble in my cutting mat and think that may be the problem so have ordered a new one, a 24" ruler to work alongside my 18" one (the cushion measures 21"x 21" you can see how annoyed I was with an 18" ruler), and a magnetic seam guide for the sewing machine.  I've also ordered more of the same fabric to give it another go and may rip out the stitches of the second cushion to use the fabric and make a smaller cushion or possibly napkins (we could really do with them!).

I have also knitted, but not yet sewn up the seams, for a pair of fingerless mitts from yarn I purchased in Bath.  I'm hoping to sew the mitts up over the weekend and get started on a matching cowl.  

I haven't started on the cowl yet and undecided whether to use this pattern which I use for all my cowls or this new exciting one.  I'll keep you posted on that.

Meanwhile I'm nursing Mr C back to health after a rotten trip to the dentist and hoping the sunshine stays so we can enjoy a hike in the countryside tomorrow, hope you're enjoying your weekend :-)

Mrs C  x

Wonderwool haul

I thoroughly enjoyed this years Wonderwool, could have been the wonderful weather (until the very end when it poured), the even more wonderful company or just to have a massive selection of yarns and other bits and bobs to choose from.

Introducing Monsieur Mouse

First things first my 'Learn to love short row shaping' class which started (when I booked anyway) as an 'Introduction to short row knitting.'  Either way it was fun, turns out I'm an average speed knitter I just needed more time to read the instructions correctly and I think I knit in a weird way; it would be lovely to have a beginners knitting class around these parts so I had some instruction rather than what I find on YouTube.  I learned how to wrap a stitch for invisible increasing, so no holes in the knitting and no lumpty bumpty bits.  

You can see where I have twisted the stitch

Turns out when I slip stitches I twist them, I don't know how but I do, so my finished creation didn't turn out as should (smooth no lumpty bumpties) and we didn't have enough time to finish them so later that night over a glass of wine I finished my mouse...henceforth known as Monsieur Mouse 'cause he looks French to me.

My friend Sarah kindly gave me a easy peasy (so she says) fingerless mitts pattern which is knit in the round (eek) and on Aran weight yarn so I had to buy some Aran weight yarn, I bought Laal Bear either called Thirft or Devon I can't tell from the label.  It feels gorgeous and will be nice as mitts.  I even managed to turn the skein into a ball with very little hassle this time, thank you Youtube!

I went a bit crazy with the old Super Chunky, but I do lovely super fast super chunky knits, purchasing Rico Design Creative Twist Super Chunky and Sesia Echos both in light grey colours.  I should talk about that.  As I have tried to purchase yarn in colours which remind me of a place I have visited (e.g. Bath I bought blue  for the spa and yellow for the buildings, New York orange as it was near Thanksgiving) I thought this years Wonderwool I should get the colours from the wedding (4 more sleeps by the way) pink and grey. I also bought Aragon Yarns Classic Romney which is an Aran/Chunky weight yarn (depending how its knit) in a lovely pink colour.

Zoom in to see the silver sparkle...gorgeous!

Saving the last for best though I think my absolute favourite purchase (aside from Love Patisseries' epic Lemon Tarts) has to be Silver Sparkle D K from Bluefaced.com or here as when I last checked the website was down.

So all round a good haul with more to add to the to do list...
1.  Learn how to slip stitches without twisting
2.  Learn to knit in the round and make those fingerless mitts
3.  Find out the weight of previous years purchases...this will involved a trip to the wool shop, ho hum
4.  Learn how to do thumbs before Sarah :)

Its WonderWool 2013

Thinking back I wish I had kept my blogs over the years rather than doing massive culls as I can still remember my first ever visit to the first ever Wonderwool.  In fact I may even still have yarn from then as being quite inexperienced I bought random things and either have no idea the gauge or what to do with them.

It is where I first learnt I had to turn a skein into a ball...

With varying degrees of success...

This year I have signed up for a course on short row knitting so that I can add to my knitting techniques.  I quite enjoyed making Sackboy a few years ago and do have in my head to make Amigurumi and other small toys so I thought this would be a good class to sign up for - also it had a cute picture of a knitted mouse on the signup page.

Sackboy...just chilling

So this year I'm looking forward to seeing my wonderful friends from all over Wales, eating my own weight in Lemon Tarts from La Patisserie, trying a scotch egg and hunting down any chunky yarn.  My friend and I might even try going along to the Ravelry Flock later in the evening.

I shall endeavour to take as many photographs as I can...and not delete this blog!

Anxious sewing

As some of you may or may not know I suffer from bouts of severe anxiety and depression. Have done all me natural but I am always exploring new ways to manage them (I call it my tool box...it's quite full) which is how I got into knitting.  

Recently I have discovered mindfulness as a way to manage anxiety and finding it really helps. That, Kalms and herbal teas! One of the mindfulness books I purchased on my Kindle was Journey Into Mindfulness: Gentle ways to let go of stress and live in the moment by Dr. Patrizia Collard and in it it says to keep a notebook of your journey. I have quite a few notebooks lying around but none of them felt particularly zen like so I decided to sew a cover for one out of the many fat quarters also lying around the place.

Using this website to give the notebook a base, (the original pattern was quite strong showing through most fabrics) and then this website to sew up a cover.

Glued on a white cotton base to try and hide the original pattern on notebook

I will be honest, try 1 failed miserably.  I'm not quite sure what I did wrong but I think it was a measuring and seam allowance issue. After finding some stuffing try 1 became a lumbar support cushion for my office chair.  Scraps from try 1 also became a small pin cushion, created from my own brain and filled with scraps of fabric.

Never has a failed attempt been so comfy

If in doubt - pin cushion!

Try 2 worked well but I missed out some steps by not measuring for the front pockets and not sewing two larger pieces together, the former 'cause I wanted to get creative and the latter 'cause I couldn't figure out how that would work.  I also gave the whole thing 1" seam allowance which was a ridiculous amount but hey it fitted and now the notebook feels a lot more zen....and pretty :)

Lessons learnt from my first sewing projects? 

• Be more patient, actually cut the material in a straight line and keep it neat rather than just cutting and thinking yeah it'll be fine nobody will see that bit.
• Press the material - I hate ironing but it really should be done, even for notebook covers and cushions
• Find a way of taking better photographs for the blog!

Paisley pretty

Front cover

Back cover

The best bit, shopping!

I am still working my way through the Craftsy course, "Know Your Wool" and I found the talk about different breeds and how they produce different yarns interesting but now we get to the good bit, shopping for yarns!  

As the course is delivered from North America I thought all the online stores would be from the US or Canada but the very first shop demonstrated was from the UK.  Blacker Yarns has been added to my favourites list as you can also search by sheep breed - Welsh Black anyone?

Also demonstrated, which are useful to me in the UK, was Etsy (do a search for yarn, wool etc) and also eBay.  Again try and keep the searches specific, especially if you know the breed you want. 

Although shopping online for specialist yarns can be fun there is nothing like giving a ball of wool the squidge test so I think I would save my pennies for the annual Wonderwool Festival held in mid Wales in April each year but if you can't make it to a wool festival I can see this being a great idea.

Getting Craftsy with wool

Hi folks,

Recently I've signed up to a tonne of craft courses on the video tutorial website Craftsy...darn them and their spring sale (pun not intended)...but they also have some free introductory courses which I thought could be pretty useful, like this one 'Know Your Wool.'

Being an avid knitter forever stuck in the realm of beginner knitter I thought getting to know the ins and outs of wool would be useful for when it comes to choosing the right wool for the job.  I also live in a very rural area in mid Wales and frankly not knowing more than one sheep breed is getting embarrassing!

I quite like the format and style of the Craftsy courses, especially as I can watch the classes on the iPad - with access to all the same features as the PC -and replay them as many times as I like.  The site itself is easy to use and nicely laid out and I like that in the classes you can post video notes and see questions from other learners.  I have also noticed that the video lessons start off from where I last viewed them, which is very useful so I don't need to keep notes of where I am.

So far I have completed the introduction looking at the differences between wools and some sheep breeds.  So far I'm thinking this section is particularly useful for hand spinners, although I am beginning to understand why certain wool is better for say a hat and a different type for socks.

I have quite a few videos still to get through but will let you know how I get on.

Welcome

Hello and welcome to my blog.  I am using this site to keep track of all the new crafty things I'm learning.

I enjoy knitting, crochet, sewing, baking and well mostly anything crafty but very much a beginner in all of these areas so here I will blog what I do and what I have learnt along the way.

I hope you enjoy it and look forward to you comments :)

Sharon