Autumn Challenge 2009

Very little knitting got done on Tuesday night as we held our second and last challenge of the year. Our Autumn challenge had a celebration theme. It's a theme which can be open to interpretation which is why it was chosen. Our group came up with a wide range of ideas which showed all the different talents within. And when I say talent I really mean it. As I had no entry this time I was chosen as one of the judges. Not a task I relished as choosing winners was difficult. You will see why when you see the photo's. Thankfully I had help from a friend of Ginnie's. Joyce came along specifically to judge and even brought along a prize. I even believe she has been volunteered to judge in future challenges (I on the other hand will ensure to have an entry).





Same with our Spring challenge there were two categories. One for adaption and one for original.


Socks made by Ginnie titled "Bells and Bunting". "For me, flags and bells are the things that symbolise celebration - so these socks have both! They are also made from silk and a merino wool/ silk mix for extra luxury!" They were knitted on four needles using silk and silk/merino wool.

Margaret knitted the above nativity scene titled "The birth of Jesus". She used wool, foam board, toy stuffing and straws. The pattern for the characters was by Alan Dart. The barn she did herself.

Ada knitted the above dolls titled "Carol Singers at Christmas". She used wool and stuffing from pillows. This gives the dolls a more solid appearance (a good tip for anyone making knitted toys. Buying cheap pillows and using the stuffing is actually cheaper than buying toy stuffing).

This photo frame was decorated by Magdalena. She said "Every important moment, every celebration is worth taking a photo. So there is a photo frame". She did it by crocheting lace and sewed with beads then stitched onto a padded frame.

Alison stitched the above card for a friends Wedding. The Wedding is taking place next May which makes the challenge functional too. Someone else did that too which I think is a brilliant idea. She used a cross stitch kit.

Isabel created the above cake (not edible sadly). It's is called a Christmas celebration cake and was knitted using wool.

Linda stitched the above cushion. She said, "this celebrates the tradition of Christmas the toys, the colours." She used very simple beginners quilting. I believe that Linda used the challenge as an opportunity to learn a new craft.

Val did the above design. She said "A rose, or any flower, is used in celebration; I am always being asked to arrange flowers for weddings, birthdays, anniversary's, etc." She did a pastel study of a celebration rose.

Helen created the above scrapbook and she was another entrant who used the opportunity of the challenge to make a gift for someone. It's to celebrate the 50th Birthday of a great friend and is titled "Scrap-booking extravaganza". She used both imagination and love to put it together.

Elaine made the above tree decorations. Elaine said, "my entry of Christmas tree decorations is to celebrate Christmas - but also to celebrate the fact that I have learned two new crafts since joining the group." She used wire, beads, swarovski crystals, ribbon, sequins, wool and bells.

Dawn Marie entered the above card (I love the little stand). Dawn Marie said, "The celebration of the end of the summer and the gorgeous colours Autumn brings." She used card, design paper, die cuts, stamps, primacolour pencils and sansodor.

Another cake and this one very different (still not edible though, lol) was made by Donna. She said, "we often celebrate special occasions with a cake. My cake is celebrating Christmas with a mini stocking and tinsel, birthday with a candle and wedding with the brides bouquet." She knitted the cake and mini stocking and crocheted the candle.

Sheena designed and stitched the above. She said, "Christmas is an important celebration and this is to celebrate Christmas and winter." She used coloured beads and dark blue material.

Sheena also stitched the above. It is titled "Merry Christmas". Sheena said, "Stocking brimming with presents is a common theme at Christmas". She used a cross stitch kit.

Aileen created the scarf above. She said, "This scarf is a celebration of fashion. The dark background and bright warm colours are designed to contrast and bring a reminder of summer to a dark winter outfit!" She hand painted the silk scarf from an original design.

Aileen is cleverly wearing her second entry. She said, "This dress is a celebration if fashion and the festive season. I intend to wear it to a Christmas party next month." It was hand sewn from a roll of fabric and decorated with black ribbon trim and copper and red discs which were adapted from a necklace.

Here is a photo of all of our entries on display.

And here are our winners. Winner of the adapted category was Monika who made the witch doll. She won for originality and for the detail she used. She said "I made a Halloween witch that is my celebration of Halloween. She is carrying an eco-friendly bag for life with the Halloween theme. That means she is celebrating life and by using the bag for life she will help protect the environment and making her life and our life a celebration." She based the pattern on Tilda and is mostly made from old clothes. The bag is made from fleece and the doll was both hand and machine stitched.

Carol won the prize for the original category. She said "The wallhanging is made to celebrate 2009 being the 30th anniversary of the Quilters Guild of the British Isles. The colours that are used in the Quilters Guild logo are purple and turquoise hence versions of these were used for the two background fabrics. Then a silvery pearlised white is used to depict the 30 'pearls' for the 30th anniversary which is denoted by gift of pearls." Carol hand stitched circles of fabric into squares and then stitched each square together. This is known as Japanese folded patchwork.

As you can see everyone put so much work into their entries. Both Joyce and myself had a difficult time choosing winners. If we could have everyone would have won. Big thanks to Joyce for helping out and she might even come back again to lend a hand next time.