Mending

All this getting ready to leave the country means I can no longer avoid my mending pile. It either gets mended or its out! After a recent session I was struck at the different approaches I'd taken. The first was on a dress I only wear for work.

I managed to catch my shoulder on a coat rack of all things and ripped two neat holes in the jersey fabric. I would have ironed some mending fabric to the back had the lining not been left intact. Hence my slightly bunched up but kind of not noticeable mend.

The second one was on the front of a t-shirt I onky wear "off duty". The hole is to the left of my belly button and of course I could have gone for a subtle fix but then there is all this aimless patchwork i've been doing lately.

I darned the hole first, naturally, before appliqueing the hexagon over the top.



Meanwhile it looks like we will be flying on the 19th. Im working until the 15th and everything we're transporting gets collected that day so that leaves me just evenings and next Saturday so finish my packing and clearing. God. In the meantime the aimless patchwork continues...

Knitting, Sewing, Shoes On Ebay

These are the kind of bargains you hope you'll find when you look for something you really want.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/littlelixie/m.html

Quilting patterns, screen printing kit, knitting machine, swift, ball winder, pattern books, bag handles and more, all starting at 99p.

Aimless Patchwork

In between working full-time, applying for visas-certificates-godknowswhatelse, clearing the flat of everything I'm not taking, ebaying or donating that lot, packing up what I am taking, eating and sleeping, I have been doing pointless patchwork.

I don't know what I'm making. All I know is that those hexagons are 1/3". It is the only thing I do at the moment that doesn't require decisions.

I may be a bit behind with communicating with people. Sorry about that but it's been a tough few weeks and it won't be over til we get to Tokyo, and then it'll be a different kind of busy!

One thing - I'm giving away back copies of Interweave Knits on Ravelry.

First Knitting Lesson and Stockings

While helping my sister move I took some time out to introduce Jasmine to her future. 

She isn't quite coordinated enough for the process but give it a few months and I'm sure she'll be churning out dishcloths like a natural. 

This weekend saw lots more preparation for the move to Tokyo plus these finally got finished. 

Not their best angle - better like this:

There we have the first 3 for my sister, her husband and Jasmine, the next two for Deb and Sean, the next two for Mum and Rob and the last two for Pooch and I. Plus I already have the presents to fill all of them! (I hope.) I thought I had better get it done before I moved. 

I'm really happy with them! 

Pigtail Hat

I was ogling various version of hats that make babies look like they have elaborate hairstyles. They all seemed to cost a lot though so I decided I could do it myself. I used a free 6-12 months crochet beanie pattern and added pigtails.

That is Jasmine with my Mum, Nana, looking very cheerful. I spent a lot of the weekend entertaining her which was pretty good. My sister was moving house and with my back I'm not much good at lifting so I tended to focus on her and the dog. Once grandad had finished the lifting he had a go.

They both seemed similarly focussed on why Sir Prancealot's feet were crackling although Rob bravely held back from chewing on them.

My main reason for being there, other than dog and baby duties, was to add blackout lining to the curtains. Needless to say within a minute of starting to sew the needle broke and it being my mum's machine I didn't have a spare.

Me: When did you last change the needle?
Mum: They need changing?

Mind you, I didn't know that til I was about 25.

Work today saw a new addition to my Harassment Log. The boys consider it a sign of great achievement to get a mention in it now.

When I mention the harassment log most people assume I'm making it up but this stuff actually does happen in the office. The boys have asked for a copy of it to remind them of me after I go.

The Clearout Continues

There are now 23 lots of fabric and craft related goods on ebay. All start at 99p so grab yourself a bargain.

In between wading through fabric like J-Lo waded through Anaconda country I have finally managed to secure these little suckers.

I was going to go with little pearl ones but then these, which were on a vintage Woolworths card, seemed to call to me.

I am rather pleased with this, even though those buttonholes were a little unevenly spaced ahem, and the demure nature of it. Of course that all goes out the window with the Minx Mini.

Red and purple sequin stripes are hardly subtle so I thought I might as well make the buttons interesting.

I would have to say I am rather enjoying actually using my stash instead of saving it for some mystical 'special' project.

Of course with the wool it probably helps that I've hardly got any anymore. I was torn when designing a little christmas cardigan for Jasmine. Should I use what I had - not the most christmassy colours - or actually buy some? I decided to use what I had. I also think that if I use green buttons with one red one it will be reminiscent of a christmas pudding!

A Little Challenge

Since life is fairly full at the moment I have resisted signing up for any new swaps or a-longs. Or I had until yesterday when I saw Marci Girl talking about the one-block-wonder quilt along.

It is being run by Quilter in the Closet and is a very low key one. I have wanted to try this technique since I saw this one at the Festival of Quilts.

I think it was my favourite one overall.

So now I 'just' need to choose my fabric and start cutting. I want to avoid buying any new fabric so I might end up making a very small quilt top if I can only find a fat quarter in something suitable!

Read My Cake

Yes, it is true. I got married yesterday morning! The boys at work think it is truly rock and roll to take a few hours off work to get married and then go back to work afterwards. I did make sure I had a good wedding cake though. Not that Pooch had any. Within about 2 minutes of cutting the first slice this was all that was left.

That goo you can see oozing out there is dulche de leche. Uhuh. You know how good that bad boy tasted. Beas of Bloomsbury did me truly proud. Plus huge thanks to Rachel who came along as one of our witnesses (and therefore one of our two guests) who took the official wedding photo.

Those are my bridal jeans right there. Pooch's were purple.

So now the visa process can begin properly and we might at some point have a proper moving date. Meanwhile I have another batch of craft bits to put on ebay. It won't be as large as when I sold all my yarn but it should still be worth an online rummage. I'll post here when I get it all listed.

Pin It Real Good

Yay! I love these blog hops! I am definitely going to continue taking part in them when we're living in Tokyo. In the meantime...

Thanks to Madame Samm, Hop Hostess Kristen and all for making this one happen! I actually won a prize at the end of the last bloghop - the Hexi one - so I am feeling very happy!

I had been using the same pin cushion for aaaaaaages - a 6 petal flower one - before making a batch of jar-head ones (I've been watching a lot of JAG and have gone all military!) and then of course I added Wonky the mouse to my collection as part of the Hexi Hop. Here they are:

But for this bloghop I had lots of ideas and things I wanted to try so I ended up making another three! First up a little dresden flower using japanese fabric scraps - one to take to Tokyo! This is only my second dresden - my first was as part of the dresden bloghop! I like using these hops to learn a new technique. Which is what I did with my attempt at scrappy sashiko. I explained my thinking behind this here. I added a loop to this one so I have a better chance to not losing it! Then finally there is the folded one. Details of how I'd change my method next time here too. Here are my happy trio.

I think my favourite is this one:

So there we go! No giveaway this time but my pattern for this little pouch to be made from four 5" charm squares is still available.

Enjoy!

Now please go and visit all my Pin Cushion buddies for today on the hop...

De Zondagssteek

Ravelley

The Tilted Quilt

A Stitch In Time

Asimplelife Quilts

Jane's Quilting

Quilt Doodle Doodles

Dancing Moon

 Bloom Where I Am Planted

Busy Bee Free

Marpie's Sewing Projects

The Stitchin' Post

Sew Much 2 Luv

Rose Creations

Lixie Makes It

Sunshine Reflections
Needled Mom
Sew Incredibly Crazy

Tiny Clothes and Stockings

The great thing about knitting for babies is how quickly the little things fly off the needles. Behold! 'Jasmine the Minx' and the more demure 'Autumn Jasmine'.

Neither have buttons yet. For someone who adores buttons so much I seem to have a terrible time sewing them on to clothes. I am thinking some little wired pearl ones for the Autumn cardi and some big red or purple ones on the Minx. Patterns are both free and are Autumn Leaves and the Easy Baby Cardigan which I've made before. On this one I put the fastenings over to one side and made them loops instead of ties.

In between knitting I have also been doing a little sewing. My Christmas stockings are gradually moving on!

I was going to outline the initials with Clover mini bias tape in silver but it was too darn fiddly. I went with bondaweb and zig zag using some nice shiny silver thread.

My one is the only one I've made up so far and I've yet to add lining and the all important hanging loop.

After all, what else would you attach it to the mantlepiece with?!

Books 2013 #35 - #41

This post is directly inspired by KnittingOnTheGreen's last set of reviews which included my #41 as her #75 (she knits as fast as she reads!). I went onto Amazon as a result of her recommendation and read it pretty much straight away. Now I have a whole new series to enjoy!

#35 Death at Epsom Downs
Robin Paige

Another in this easy reading cosy mystery series. This is book 7 and looks into doping in horse racing and the start of the movement to stop it. Lillie Langtry brings the Prince Regent into it. Various bits of intrigue. Overall a bit stilted but still a relaxing read when all about you is losing it. 

#36 An Uncertain Place
Fred Vargas

Ah lovely, lovely Ms Vargas, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. Hot damn this is another great one. I did find myself wondering whether the make up of the police team wasn't getting a bit silly, including as it does a man who is usually drunk by lunch, another who naps in the basement, a woman who stashes food in secret places, a man who talks in verse and so on. But then my work environment is made up of a hackney hipster, a ufologist, a stoner, a guy living with a partner with a terminal illness, an immigrant obsessed with the theatre, a man who loves harsichords, a closet mysogenist and a chronic relationship serialist, plus the mental me who's in a committed relationship with her ex-husband. I cannot recommend these books enough. So well written - which must in this case owe something to the translator from the original french. 

#37 A Letter of Mary
Laurie R King

An archeologist has made a discovery which she is sure is genuine. She gives it to Mary Russell. Then she dies. It's all a bit odd. In fact that sums up the whole book. And the series. Good grief, I cannot contain it any longer. Sherlock Holmes marrying? Sherlock Holmes marrying someone 25+ years younger than him? I don;t think I can read anymore of these. Well, maybe one more. 

#38 A Blink of the Screen

Terry Pratchett

This was very interesting. Collected short stories he has written throughout his life including at least one from when he was a teenager. And that was considerably better than anything I could ever write and indeed better than a number of adult authors I have read. This man was born to write and has given me so much pleasure along the way. The first half are non-discworld stories all fantasy/sci-fi. One about enhanced living chimed suprisingly with the introduction of google glasses. The second half were all discworld and the one about Granny Weatherwax was the piece de resistance for me. A great read for anyone who admires his writing.

#39 The Cuckoo's Calling
Robert Galbraith (JK Rowling)

I had initially discounted this because it was by JK Rowling and I find Harry Potter annoying. But then I wised up and thought that it's a mystery and I am a mystery buff and if that lawyer's wife hadn't blown her cover I would have read it. 

(I've had a postcard of this on my wall since I was 13 - love it.)

So there I was, reading this book, and I was pleasantly surprised. There is no hint of schmaltzy Potter, it's well edited (something I felt Potter always lacked), the characters were believable and the story was great! A model with a druggy boyfriend (Kate and Pete anyone?) falls to her death from her flat balcony - or was she pushed? Her brother thinks so, so he hires a detective called Cormoran Strike. I found the story compelling and interesting and was always keen to pick it up again when work interrupted my reading. If, like me, you are not a Potter fan (unlikely as it seems since most of the reading world seems to love them) I wouldn't let that put you off. I'd definitely recommend this and actually feel sorry that her cover was broken by that dappy woman. I'll definitely read the next one. 

#40 Operation Pax
Michael Innes

One of the Sir John Appleby mysteries which I 'read' as an audiobook. It starts pretty badly with this loathesome young man trying to cash a fraudulant cheque. He gets the wind up and does a runner only to get into more trouble. His journey culminates with him trying to attack a woman (one assumes this is with rape in mind but this being a vintage tale it is not spelt out) but the lady proceeds to thoroughly beat him up at which point things start getting thoroughly weird for him. The story picks up after this and turns into a proper Innes romp with Sir John's sister intricately involved. As with the previous book (and with the following one) I was keen to get back to listening to this each time I had to stop and a 10 hour trip to the Eden Project and back helped with that. The audiobook is nearly 13 hours long so excellent value if you do decide to go for it - although I got it as one of my 2 a month deal from Audible. 

#41 Bruno Chief of Police
Martin Walker

This is the one Liz recommended and I can see why she said it was a bit Hamish Macbeth to start with - local policeman helping local people with local things. Yep - it could all have been a bit mawkish. Fortunately (although not for the victim) an arab immigrant who moved to the village to join his son and grandson is very savagely murdered in what looks like a race crime and things really start to kick off. I was hoping this could be a new Fred Vargas series and it isn't, but that isn't to say it's not well worth a read. The characters are very believable and I intend to ask my cousin (who lives in a small town part of France) about how realistic the town's mayor etc are as they come across as well rounded. The story also deals with a part of French history during WWII which I didn't know about which was also very interesting. I am very grateful to Liz for pointing this one out to me!

Jasmine the Stoner

She is now almost 4 months old and weighs exactly a stone!

Isn't she the cutest? She was a tad on the grumpy side (possible teething suspected) and tended to cry when Pooch held her - but then I feel like that sometimes too - but otherwise we had a lovely day with her yesterday. Lots of food, dog stroking, tortoise gazing, baby jiggling and a bit of knitting. I had already finished this for her:

(Look at that scowl!) Her Mum kindly admitted it "looked better on" having initially been rather aghast at what I described as a 'cross between a gnome and a clown hat'. I've now got a little raglan cardi on the needles for her.

On the way back we travelled through some rather idyllic english countryside.

I should make the most of it since I have now resigned my job! We are tentatively looking at the third week in November for departing to Tokyo so there is a lot to get done before then. Not least of which are ten of these!

I got the Clover mini bias stuff this week. It is a thin silver iron on tape which I plan to use to outline the initials I'll be adding to the stockings. I've actually made all the stockings now but have yet to quilt or assemble them, never mind the initials. So still a little bit to do there. Before I dash off to get started I felt I ought to share this which I happened across on a craft tutorial app.

Next time you want to do a self-portrait try sitting with your mouth open and put a hedgehog on your head. And please do share the result.

Pom Pom Pom

And ta daaaaaah!

This is a hat for my niece. The pom poms are part of the yarn (bought at SkipNorth) and were going to be random. Turns out that 80st k2p2 on US5 needles is the spacing between them! Meanwhile I spent ten hours on various trains yesterday going to Cornwall and back to plan an event. This gave me some time to try out my Hexie Travel case and make these. 

Note to self - cut fabric proportionally bigger than you would for 1" hexagons. They are *so* fiddly. 

On the Seventh Day She Rose Again

At least, that's what I'm hoping. I came down with the lurgy on Saturday and I'm hoping to leave the house and go to work tomorrow. That's right - I'm hoping to go to work. There is a sign of how bored I am. The cold part hasn't been so bad but I have had zero energy so a little bit of hand knitting or sewing per day has been my maximum. And I was going to do so much over the bank holiday last Monday too! Ah well. Here is what I have to show for it all.

This is my second ever dresden and I'm pretty happy with it. I used scraps and paper templates. I did it with the pincushion blog hop in mind so I'll see how it turns out. Then there is some scrappy sashiko.

I was thinking of this. which was a miniature at the Festival of Quilts.

I didn't quite get that effect now did I? I need to be a bit less random to achieve something harmonious like that one! Then last there is something from a book called Omiyage which the boys at the office got me for my birthday.

I am sure there is a technical name for this but I liked the effect and thinking about the difference fussy cutting could make. I got a little of that in the first round of 'petals' which were daisies on an orange background.

You can barely see the orange. This being my first time I stitched the folded squares across the tops to secure them and then for the larger ones added a stitch where the bottom corners met. I realised as I got to the end that this wasn't working and you can see the stitching. Next time I will just stitch the corners, like this.

That should keep everything secure and stop the stitching showing.

Lastly, my long search for Altoids or their equivalent ended with a bit of a fizzle. I went into 7 (count 'em) shops on Saturday looking for them (all the time coming down with what is possibly the future 'cause of death' on my autopsy certificate) without finding anything remotely similar. Remember - I needed two to finish my hexie wallet. Then at the height of my suffering Pooch does an Ocado order (he says he is too posh for tesco, despite their chocolate mousse being vastly superior) and finds them there. £1.25 a tin.

I suppose he has his uses. Actually he's been amazing at looking after me this week. He's not so bad!

Back Away from the Keyboard

I have this terrible compulsion to start swaps. I keep thinking of all the ones I could start which would take lots of time to administrate and be a hassle because inevitably people misbehave. And I keep thinking of all these complicated projects I could start and really commit to. You know - *really* commit to, not like those other projects I got bored of after the first half which are all in the cupboard. Like this one.

This is actually called the "Nearly Insane" quilt and I came across it on Faberdashery's blog where she is english paper piecing one in just red and white. Looks AMAZING. I immediately started combing the internet for the pattern and reading what others had written about it and studying their colour schemes and thinking how I would approach it. Insane. Although Faberdashery did rock my world slightly by using EPP for the whole quilt. She points out EPP isn't just for hexagons and she is quite right but I had never thought of doing a half-square triangle block that way. Another great example of how inspiring sharing via blogs can be.

I have managed to talk myself down from starting anything - swap or project - by dragging this out to get it finished off.

It is from the Romanian Quilt Studio and there is a free version as well. It occurred to me that...this is round...and Jasmine's playmat bag is round...and I need a new outer fabric for the bag since I got my stitch tension wrong and the white showed up on the black fabric. When I started this quilt I wondered what I'd do with the circle once it was done. I think this could be fated.

The reason for my start-itus is possibly that I have been getting to the end of my tether about the 'Japan issue' and have been looking for things I can control and take my mind off it with. However, yesterday Pooch received a draft contract from his new employer so maybe - just maybe - I might actually be going to Japan after all. There have been so many times when I thought it might be coming together though that I refuse to be even slightly excited until I see signatures on dotted lines.