Congratulations!

Louise had a little boy this morning. She called him Fraser James. How cool is that name?

More Beading

All of the above pictures are the work of Gillian who just learned to bead a few weeks ago. I think she must have joined Aileen's beading group as the last image is a kit her group makes up. I know a few others in the group took an interest so it will be interesting to see how they get on too.

Other than Gillian's lovely bead work there were no other finishes. I had brought my crochet along which is a long term project. Ginnie was working on a pair of socks using lovely self striping yarn. It's her last order and plans to do some quilting next. Roberta was working on a cream cardigan for a neighbour. Joyce was working on a lovely tank top for herself. Margaret was working on her tank top. Aileen was flipping between some beading and a pair of socks. Gillian was working on a lovely baby set. She's in the process of trying to use up some of her yarn stash. Elaine was working on squares for her daughter's throw. Linda was working on a scarf. She saw a scarf she liked and it trying to imitate the pattern. June was working on some stitching. She also had a friend along with her who was doing some embroidery. Carole was working on Japanese squares. Val was working on her Hunting Star quilt. Janette was working on her fleece quilt for the car. Magdalena was working on the top for Adam (who is now too mobile to join us). Monika was working on her crochet bag. Helen was working on her throw. And lets not forget Laura who was back last week after weeks away due to work. She was working on a lovely dusky pink blanket using Tunisian crochet.

Louise was unable to join us as she is nearing her due date. We might have some news there soon.

We also might have another announcement for you at tomorrow's get together. It involves a celebration of our 2nd birthday next year.

A Shout Out

I just wanted to give a wee shout out to the Stitch N Bitch I set up in the Borders store in Glasgow city centre. You might recognise a couple of people from our Tuesday group. I have been unable to come along in a while and am unlikely to make it back on a regular basis. Therefore Aileen (who now also comes along on the Tuesday) has kindly taken over it's organisation. She has even set up a new blog for it. Go have a look and see what they are up to - http://glasgowcentralstitchnbitch.blogspot.com/ . Or even better, go along one Sunday from 10am until 1pm. They are a lovely bunch and love new members. The photo above was taken from their website (promise it's the only photo I'll pinch). I have added a permanent link to their site under our links list on the right hand side.

Janette - July Member of the Month

1. Tell us about yourself.

I'm a full time trainer and have been for 16 years. Currently work with 16-18's. I've previously worked on contract, national government and bluechip companies. Basically I love my job. I like developing people and pushing their boundaries. I'm a real people person in private life as well as work. I love learning new things. Like a typical trainer I am a knowledge junky.


2. How did you learn to knit?

My gran taught me. I started when I was 8. Probably pester power that got me to do it.



3. What's your biggest success?

My first sampler quilt because it gave me the courage to cut my own fabric (pictured above). There is another half in New Zealand. The two part together are a twin. My best friend has the other half whichis a mirror image. Much like Scotland and New Zealand. It's also my first hand stitched.

4. What was your biggest disaster?

The green jacket I knitted. Worked so long and hard to have it turn out with one sidel longer than the other. Also two jumpers I knitted for my brother. My gran always added 4 extra inches to the arms of their jumpers. I did the same but they hung off their arms.

5. What other crafts do you enjoy?

Knitting and quilting. I had a go at scrapbooking but I didn't like it. I've won prizes for flower arranging.

6. List of favourites;

favourite yarns - aran yarn, I like the colours, it knits up quick and I love cables

favourite product - My sew line pen. It's like a propelling pencil with different colour chalks.

favourite pattern - anything that's not lacey

favourite colours - turquoise, jade, sof yellow. I'm going through a brown patch just now.

favourite store - purely patchwork in Linlithgow and Nifty Needles which is just across the road from it.

favourite online store - amazon

favourite book - anything with celtic knots or designs

7. What project would you love to do?

Hot hand quilted whole clothe quilt done in purely celtic design. It would take a couple of years to do.

8. What do you listen to/watch whilst knitting/quilting

Radio 2, cricket or anybody elses choice of music. Which is why I like Borders. I also like talking book. I like background noise.

9. What advice would you give to other knitters or quilters?

Never give up

10. Favourite non-craft book?

Lord of the Rings. I've read it about 10 times. It's due another read but I can't find my copy.

Oops!

I can't believe that I missed someone out! So sorry Val. This is Val with a piece she has been working on during the knitting group. This beautiful wallhanging is made up of little handstitched squares. It's Japanese patchwork which is very effective. This is Val's second piece using this method. Carole has also been known to do this. It's very handy to do at the knitting group as you work on one little square at a time and very easy to carry around.

A lot of teaching!

Last week Aileen gave a beading demonstration. You can see some of her beaded jewellery above. Most of which follows the same pattern. You can see the effect though of combining colours. The last image is of a bracelet she made for Roberta.
Gillian was one of the group watching the demonstration and she made the above bracelet. On Tuesday night she was working on her second one which looked almost finished.

Isabel has also been learning how to knit socks. Ginnie has been helping her out the past few weeks. Here is her first pair of baby socks which are going to her grandson when he comes over for a visit. She is currently working on another pair.

This is more of Gillian's work. I think Gillian mastered sock knitting a while back. Here is a lovely lacey pair which she knitted from her own hand spun wool. As well as being pretty they feel lovely and soft.


Val and Janette have also been teaching. Before she went on holiday Magdalena was taught quilting by Val and Janette. This is her first attempt which is a lovely quilt for Adam. You can see Adam posing with it in the second photo. Probably the only moment he sat still as he is now on his feet and climbing.

On Tuesday there was more teaching going on. Linda and Elaine were being taught to crochet by Donna. You can see the demonstration going on in the above two photo's.

There was a lot of crochet that night. Donna was using a baby blanket she was working on to show Linda and Elaine how to crochet. June was also working on a crochet blanket for her expected first grandchild. Roberta was working on a pram cover in lovely shades of white and purple. I had my learner piece back out which is turning into a throw. Ginnie was back onto the socks and was working on a pair for a friend using noro yarn. Margaret was working on her top using happy yarn. Helen was working on her blanket. Magdalena was working on a top for Adam. Monika was working on a bag (also using crochet). Aileen was working on socks and getting hints and tips from Ginnie. Carole was working on some quilting squares. Val was working on her hunting star quilt. Last but not least Janette was working on a fleece quilt for her car. She was attaching patches she had collected over the years.

Speaking of Janette, I also carried out her interview which I will post in the next few days. So look out or that.