First of the Shoebox Appeal

We had our first contributions to our shoebox appeal charity this week. Both were by Isobel. Isobel is also a quilter and she used up some of her stash to make this lovely blanket and pillow set. Any little girl would love it. She also used some lovely fabric to make a little bag. She also very kindly made one for Suzanna.

Val has also been busy with her quilting. For the Glasgow Gathering she took part in a challenge to design her own piece of quilting. It had to be A2 in size. The circular pattern is a quilt block called New York Beauty. She did two of these and then designed the quilting in between. Truly looks stunning and I hope it's not the last she will design.

Elaine finished her large granny square blanket. She originally started with yarn she picked up at one of our swap nights. We think it may have come from Magdalena as the ball band was in Polish. There was only enough to go so far so she used black and white to edge the centre square. Looks very effective and is very cosy. She promised to make another for her niece.

Scarves!

How lovely is this shawl? This was knitted by Donna. She has taken up Dawn's mantle and is making this year a year of me. Quite right too as, like most members, Donna is usually knitting for someone else. So this beautiful shawl is for herself. In saying that she is now working on some baby things as a few friends are expecting.

Roberta finished her scarf using the can can yarn. She actually managed to get two out of the one ball. The other one was gifted to Joyce. It really is lovely all knitted up. She also passed on the bug as Margaret and Magdalena were working on their one can can scarves in different colours. Roberta is now working on a lovely crochet through.

A few weeks back I posted a link to a website you could buy the cancan yarn from. Caroline had a looksie and ended up buying a Katia yarn. It's knitted in a similar way to the can can but this one has large loops. I think she may have even offered to knit another for Alison. If you are knitting with this be careful as Caroline says the stitches can fall off either end of the needle and picking them back up again is a nightmare. She is now working on another doll for a friend.

Linda also had a finish for us. She knitted this lovely Cowl. Not sure what the yarn is but it's extremely soft. She is now working on a scarf for the shoebox appeal.

I even have a couple of finishes to show. I crocheted a blanket for my sister (blaming Donna for my granny square addiction) and a pair of socks also for my sister. I spent the evening working on another pair of socks for my mum.

Joyce was working on some lovely baby clothes in blues. I also spied some more baby yarn on the table for when she is finished with those. Isabel was learning to crochet different squares for a blanket with the help of Isobel (gets confusing I know). June was also working on a granny square blanket. This one for a baby. Isobel and Alison were both working on lovely knitted jackets. Dawn started a Cowl to match her mitts and hat. Elaine was working on a scarf for the shoebox appeal.

Speaking of the appeal. Big thanks to Annee from the Glasgow Fort and of course Barratts shoes who are helping us with unwanted shoe boxes.

Shoebox Appeal

Stephanie knitted this lovely baby hat in the style of a cupcake. Very cute and has become a favourite of the group.

Linda finished stitching this lovely sock monkey. She had to monkeynap him from the person she made it for so we could get a photo. I love the addition of the bug.

I can also now reveal the charity we will be working towards this year. As most of you know Linda participates in the shoebox appeal every year with the help of Elaine. Since it's a charity that they both work hard towards I thought it would be nice for us to contribute to. The Shoebox appeal is run by Blythswood and is a Christian organisation. It collects these boxes filled with goodies and sends them out to Eastern Europe and Asia. The shoe boxes are made up for different age groups and Linda kindly brought a long a couple for us to see. One for a boy, a girl and an adult. Each box must contain a hat, scarf, gloves, toothpaste and toothbrush. It doesn't seem like a lot but the people who receive them greatly appreciate it. The box is then filled up with other goodies. The only thing that can't go in is chocolate.

So if you have an shoe boxes please pass them on to Linda. Also if you want to knit, crochet or sew anything for the boxes they will be greatly appreciated. I know Isobel has offered and sew some bags for them. Normally we would contribute until July. However, if you want to keep going after that I know Linda will collect until September.

June - January MOTM

1. Tell us about yourself.

I am an aged granny an mother to many, many pets. I trained as a sick Children's nurse and a midwife. I was a midwife for about nine years.

2. Where did you learn to knit?

I don't really remember. I think my grandmother taught me to knit. Generally I would knit for my parents. I also learned dressmaking in school. When I was ten my first project was a dirndle skirt. It was green with ricrac braid.

3. What has been your biggest success?

My large cross stitch which I worked on on and off. I originally bought the kid in Copenhagen. I did a bit in Germany and then finished it here in Scotland. It's about 34 years old now.

4. What was your biggest disaster?

I made a beautiful, jade evening coat. It was a lovely design and lovely fabric. When cutting though I completely forgot about the nap of the fabric (direction of the weave). I didn't have the heart to redo it.
5. What other crafts do you do?

I crochet - I have done two large afghans. I also knit, cross stitch. I can do crewel embroidery but it irritates me. I can tat. With a parrot and a grand daughter though it makes it hard to concentrate. I once tatted little rosettes for my friends wedding.

6. List of favourites;

Favourite product - I like heritage (cross stitch).

Favourite designs - I love dormice, animals, cottages and country designs

Favourite designers - John Clayton, Valerie Preifer

Favourite stores - John Lewis, Hobbycraft and Macaree's. The have a wall of bookshelves filled with wool, books and needles.

Favourite colours - greens, jades, blue and teal.

7. What is your future goal?

To get all my WIP finished. I have an alphabet sampler aside for Amilee when she is a bit older. It has lovely mice on it.

8. What do you like to listen to/watch whilst crafting.

I love Classic FM. I am heavily into classical music. I also have a parrot on my shoulder usually.

9. What advice do you have for beginners?

With cross stitch it's always best to start on something small.

10. What non-craft books do you like?

I like crime mainly. I enjoy Jeffery Deaver, Tess Gerritson and Patricia Cornwall.

Pretty Pinks and Purples

Apologies for the absence. I have no excuse really. I do have some lovely finishes to show you and all in the same colour range (I sometimes think everyone in the group coordinates their colours when I'm not looking). First of all Margaret had a finish the previous week. She finished her lovely throw. She started work on this back in Gartmore although she has been working on other things in between. She is now working on a lovely mint summer top.

Val also had a finish to show us. This beautiful quilted square is called a Mariners compass and was done using quilting and applique. Every time I see one of Val's finished pieces I think it is my new favourite and this makes no exception. Val is now back to working on her Japanese quilting.

Helen finished one of her famous scarves using Sirdar's Click (a yarn loved by a number of the knitting group). She has cashed in one of her vouchers and is currently working on a crochet baby blanket as taught by Donna.

I also interviewed June and took some photo's of some of her previous work. The one thing I love about these interviews is discovering some lovely finished work none of us has seen before. There was a lot of ooing and aaing on Tuesday.

I also have details from Linda about this years charity so look out for that.