Scottish Homecoming Challenge 2009

As has been mentioned in a number of posts over the last few months we have been working on a challenge. The challenge was to create something that reminds you of Scottish Homecoming. Ginnie, our sock lady, did the organising and she split it into two categories. The first was to make something from a pattern (adopted). The second was to make something invented by the individual (original). As you can see from the table there was quite a turn out. I think entries in both categories were about even. I'll post the photo's of them individually with what each person said about it and then place the winners at the end.

Adopted

This was Margaret's entry and she said, "My cross stitch is of the Snowman wearing a kilt which reflects Scotland. Also the reference to Irn Bru is Scottish. After all Irn-bru is our other national drink."

She did cross stitch on 14 count aida fabric using Anchor threads. The image came from a Cross stitch book of the film.

Gillian submitted the above tea cosy. She said, "teapot coaster was always used along with the cosy to keep the teas warmer so that it was not sitting on a cold surface. Which meant that tea was warmer for longer."

The ring was hand spun and hand dyed Shetland and base was aran weight and the rug was stuffed with polyester stuffing. The was was cardboard and all materials were recycled.

The hot water bottle cover was knitted by Helen. Helen said "Our beautiful country is also known for its changeable weather. When relatives come home from Canada, USA, New Zealand in spring or summer they invariably suffer from 4 seasons in one day. It was such a nice day (Glasgow) we went to Fife (North Wind & Frost Bite)."

She used a variety of wools and colours reflecting heather. Base was done in woven rib, Kipi rib. Flowers were done from remnants of wool. The buttons were recycled.

The bookmark was submitted by Laura. Laura said, "it reminded me of the Scottish countryside in the summer."

This was done using cross stitch.



This contribution was also by Laura. She said, "Scottish farm yard scene also shows how friendly Scotland is with a pig and dog being friends."

Again this was done using cross stitch.

Ben's Bonnet was submitted by Isabel. She said, "Fair Isle knitting is popular all over Scotland and originates from the remote Fair Isle: The distinctive pattern involves horizontal bands of repeating pattern. Taking the wool. across the back provided the garment with a double layer to give warmth against the horrid island weather. This hat was knitted for my youngest grandson who lives abroad and will be coming to Scotland for the first time aged 10 months, this summer - Scotland's Homecoming Year."

It was made with 4 ply Debbie Bliss Rialto on 2 3/4 pins. Using six colours and traditional stranding method and fair isle pattern.

This table runner was submitted by Janette. She said, "Stratvarious Table Runner. This is made from fabrics brought home to me from my mum's holiday. We all look forward to gifts when loved ones come home."

This was the Stratvarious technique. It was machine pieced and quilted.

Original

The socks were by our very own sock lady, Ginnie. She said, "Whenever I think of Scotland I think of the landscape, the weather and the people. So I've knitted these socks to reflect the changing countryside, seasons and weather! And to remember the 'canny' Scots - I've made them from the left over wool from 30 different sock yarns! So why aren't they a matching pair? Because theses socks are as alike as any two days in Scotland."

They were made from mixed fibres; wool, silk, cotton, silver. They were knitted on the round.

No you aren't seeing double. The base was Gillian's adopted piece. The rest is her original. Gillian said, "My entry is something that reminds me of a you child visiting my Great Aunt every Sunday afternoon and occasional Sunday morning. Tea and boiled eggs were always on the menu for breakfast and the tea and eggs were always piping hot. The Cosey's and the base were always something that was used in our family and were always a talking point of who had them and how they made them resulting in family discussions, plenty of laughter and a sense of home."

Materials used were hand spun, hand dyed wool from Shetland sheep. Teapot was purchased at charity shop and flat base was from cardboard box.

The above was submitted by Donna. She said, "Haggis, neeps and tatties is a famous meal we have every year to celebrate the life of Robert Burns. Haggis is often mistake n for a wild animal and have used this in my design."

This was done by Crochet. For the haggis she used DK for the main body, black Scottish tweed for the hat and sporran. Felt was used for eyes and mouth. For the potato DK was used for the main bode and air. Felt was used for the mouth. The turnip was made from DK.

The above journal page was submitted by Janette. She said, " The two hearts reflect family and the Celtic knot reflects where you want both hearts to be i.e. Scotland."

She used calico, cotton and metallic thread. It was done by hand quilting and Kantha work.

The tastiest entry was submitted by Elaine. She said, " the thistle on top reflects our national emblem."

The Victoria sponge was made from gluten free flour. Thistle was made at Elaine's sugar craft class.

Once everyone's submissions were in and we were all settled the judging began. Steph, the sales manager from Borders, and Jill, a Borders bookseller, were our judges. Once they had a look round they went away to decided between them which two entries would receive a prize (one from each category).

The Winners

Margaret won for the adopted category. Steph and Jill were enamoured by the irn-bru drinking, kilted Snowman.


Donna was the winner for the original category. You can't get much more Scottish than Haggis, neeps and tatties.

We just need some suggestions for the next competition. If anyone has any ideas for a theme please let me know.

Big thank you to everyone who took part. I had loads of fun seeing how everyone interpreted the theme. Big thank you also to Ginnie who did all of the organising. Lastly, apologies from me for taking so long to post this.