Seasonal Greetings!

This was our last Meeting before the Christmas holidays and it was lovely to have such a crowd of cheerful happy crafters participating in Christmas frivolities. First of all, we had the finishes. This little skaters jacket was knitted by me, with my own fair hands and was for the Hospice shop on Baillieston Main St to help with fund raising. The eyelash yarn is called Eskimo.

Stephanie also used eyelash yarn for the first time with this make. The little jacket is divine and the hat is fabulous. I so love this pattern.

Norma had asked if anyone had time to knit something for the, "First Baby born on Christmas day and the First Baby born on New Years day." This was a special request from the Princess Royal Maternity hospital in Glasgow. Janice had time to create this lovely set for a special baby.

In her spare time, Janice is a nurse! In her crafting life, Janice made this pretty quilt on the left for a relative. Zoom in and have a look at the butterfly buttons. The next quilt was made at the behest of her daughter-in-law-to-be. Janice made this quilt from old pairs of jeans. Recycling with a twist! Some patches still have the pockets on as a design feature. It looks great and will be a hit with its new owner.

Stephanie completed her wall-hanging. This pattern is called Japanese Stepping Stones and the idea was taught at The Village Patchers Quilting Group. Stephanie has coordinated her fabrics beautifully while sticking to the Japanese theme.

As you know, Isabel loves her colour work. This week she completed a pair of Christmas socks for her great-nephew. The Advent calendar was a labour of love! The pockets were attached by machine sewing but the details were picked out with a gold thread that had been hand sewn. It only took three years! Good things come to those who wait!

Sharon knitted this charming baby set for a friend at work who just had a baby. The girl will be thirlled with this.

Sharon was asked to knit two blankets for a set of new born twins, one boy and one girl. The blue blanket was knitted from an old pattern and looks wonderful. One down and one to go.The cream coloured pram blanket was made for a doll's pram. This is a Christmas present for a wee girl that Sharon knows.  Lucky girl!

 Gillian is amazing! She just happened to make stylish poncho for her friend and then this lovely coat appeared. I know Gillian said she had done a wee bit of dress making before but WOW! Such talent!

Karen graduated as a nurse last week after three years hard study! This group owes so much to Karen, our founder and inspiration, that we could not let this event go unnoticed. Lyn made an incerdible card for Karen from the group. Magda made one of her famous notebook covers using Karens beloved VW campervans and the rest of us made a donation to vouchers from Hobbycraft and Marks & Spencers. Big well done, Karen!

Swati came along to our Christmas party night and brought the baby who is now four and a half months old. What a little darling! Grandma Sheila came along to say goodbye as she was travelling back to India on Thursday. I know Swati will miss her terribly and skype Sheila every day. I hope Sheila had a safe journey home and that it won't be too long until her next visit to sunny Scotland.

Isabel said, "Let's have a picture with the two babies together!" How did she manage that? Isabel just happened to get a hold of Esha and  Baby Isabella! They look adorable and so do Isabel and Sheila! I was paid to say that.

Two finishes from Magda. She customised a plain cotton bag with her signature Stitching a Rainbow emblem to great effect. Her second finish had been a handmade gift which has already been posted to a lucky friend. Magda's mum found a youtube tutorial on how to crochet an angel and sent it to Magda. Magda made one or two alterations and ,hey presto, you have an angel. Clever mum!

Did you know we have an artist in residence? Elena has come all the way from south London to study at the Glasgow School of Art! She has been learning to crochet as part of a print making project for her degree. Who would have thought that you could print with crochet? It worked out well. A star in the making!

Anthea had made this aviator baby hat a while ago but needed to add some goggles to finish the project. Well done, Anthea it looks great! And finally, this cabbage patch hat is too cute for words. Both will be in the post as I type this. They are off to the USA as a gift.

I would like to thank everyone who donated to Karen's graduation gift. In particular, I would like to tank Karen and Lyn for their makes and everyone else for keeping the secret.

It was lovely to see Swati and the family at our wee Christmas celebration. The Indian nibbles delicious!

A big thank you to Elaine for the Christmas story. Some people need to work on the difference between their left and their right for next year!

Thanks to Karen and Margaret who organised the nibbles etc.

Last but not least...... a big thank you to everyone who comes along and makes the group AWESOME!

Have a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year! We start back on Tuesday the 6th January 2015.
If you have any spare time you could start on your gift for Aileen's baby shower. Just saying!

Its Beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

Margaret saw a very plain Christmas wreath during a Christmas shopping expedition. It was just what she wanted! She worked her knitting magic and added some seasonal adornments. Now she has an original door decoration with handmade charm. Love it.

Norma made this fabulous Star Bunting as part of a Secret Santa organised by For The Love Of Yarn. The stars were crocheted and then stiffened. They look great. Lovely idea. I must add this to my list of things to try.........that is turning into a really long list!

Spot the Grandma-to-be! Janice is totally motivated to create a stash of useful things for her future bundle of joy which will appear in June 2015. The Baby Ball is made from old jeans donated by the Mum-to-be. A lesson in recycling. The wee hats were knitted from a pattern that Janice got at the group last week. and below are a selection of bibs ready to be used.

Recycling comes in all shapes and forms. Anthea's daughter was doing The Rainforest Project at school and was encouraged to produce something that had been recycled. Anthea remembered an old project that had been lying in a bag waiting to be completed. Craftily, Anthea, recycled the yarn and made Sam the Sloth. Sam has become a bit of a hit at school and even the classroom assistant wants one.

Esther made these cute mini Christmas decorations!!!!!! I love these. Esther you are a star.

This traditional aran jacket was knitted by Catriona for a friend's grandson. I'm very fond of aran style jackets and I adore this one.

This dog hat would put a smile on anyone's face! Jill completed the baby hat for a friend. It will be loved and cherished.

Roberta knitted these Christmas mitts for her Granddaughter. The photograph does not show the sparkle in the yarn. These mitts will be worn with pride. Lovely.

Tuesday 2nd December is the Christmas party night. Just bring yourselves and a small gift for the pass the parcel game. Please do not spend a great deal of money on this. It is just a bit of fun. You could even recycle a gift you received last year and didn't use.

Congratulations to Karen who graduated as a nurse last week. Those three years flew in. Well done from all of us.

The group starts back again in the new year on Tuesday 6th January 2015 at 7pm. Have a safe and happy Christmas season.

Bling! Bling!

Jean produced another of her stunning bracelets this week. I'm always amazed by the intricate detail found on each one. This was a special commission for Stephanie.

Love those funky boots! Jean also feel in love with the pattern and just had to make these wonderful slippers. And in her spare time, Jean was able to make this tea-bag hat for her lovely grand-daughter.

Talent, talent and even more talent pops up on a regular basis at this group. Jillian found this pattern in Mandors and was inspired to create this stunning coat. She is also in the process of finishing off another coat for her daughter. Can't wait to see that one!

This beautiful Ballerina cloth doll will be loved and treasured by a little girl who will have a special Christmas. The doll is a creation by Caroline P and has been made for a friend's grand-daughter. Not to be outdone, Caroline completed this fabulous little Christmas jumper for her own grandson.

Busy Norma has been making these very popular coin purses. Look at the size of the miniature purse!

Breath taking! Catriona has a style all of her own. The eye-lash yarn just gives the little cape and hat a touch of luxury.

Sandra was celebrating completing this pompon pram cover. It took a while because Sandra was only able to use one hand. Fabulous.

Lorraine knitted this little hat and dress set for a friend who will become a mum in February. She will be delighted with this gift.

Paula has been learning to crochet. recently she completed a couple of granny squares just to learn the stitches. This cowl is Paula's first completed project and I just adore the bit of bling that she used to finish it off. I wonder what she will make for her next project?

Peek-a-boo! Magda was thrilled with her new mitts. It isn't often that she has time to make something for herself but her hands had been cold and she just happened to have some of Lisa's double knitting yarn and..... the picture says it all.

Fiona Orr has been learning to crochet by watching video tutorials and then following directions from a crochet guide book. This hat was based on a pattern supplied by Phyllis. So clever!

Esther knitted this great hat. This is the woman who says that she never finishes anything! Esther, it is beautiful!

Isabel enjoys doing colour work socks. This magnificent pair is for a friend at work.

Notices
The Christmas Party night will be on Tuesday 2nd November. Eats and drinks will be supplied. Please bring a small gift for our traditional gift sharing performance that is organised by Elaine. The gift could be something you were given as a present and didn't get around to using or if you wish to buy something.....please do not spend any more than £5.

The Conference Suite will be refurbished in the month of May 2015. The group will meet in Hobbycraft during that time.

Karen is updating the e-mail list for the group. If you would like to receive e-mails about future events, and don't already do so, please give your details to Karen or Margaret.

Tuesday 2nd November will be our last official gathering before Christmas as parking becomes an issue leading up to Christmas. Tuesday 6th January 2015 will be our starting date.

Fiona O, Member Of The Month

1. Tell us three things about yourself.
        - I have my own beauty room.
        - My family call me Foal.
        - I love to sing.

Who taught you your first craft?
My Mum taught me to knit when I was about seven years old. I remember doing a blue dress and hat for my doll. I sewed it together and put straps on it. I've still got and use the sewing box that I was given when I was about nine.

What finish are you most proud of?
That would have to be the Birthday cake I knitted for one  of the challenges here at the Stitch N Bitch. Mum had to explain the pattern to me and I was still working on it the night before the competition!

What was your biggest crafting disaster?
I attempted to do a blanket in random colours. I hated those colours! They just didn't work for me. I was so miserable working on it. In fact the yarn and part done blanket are still sitting in a bag somewhere.

What other crafts do you do?
Sewing, crochet, knitting and paper cutting.

List of Favourites-

Favourite yarn or supplies -Stylecraft yarn,
Favouite colours -  Traditional pastels.
Favourite designs - Baby things in general.
Favourite shop - Hobbycraft and the wee local wool shop near my work.
Favourite Craft Book- The Complete Crochet Step By Step Guide.

What would you like to achieve in the future? 
I would like to make something for ME. Probably something like Lisa's shawlette box.

What do you like to listen to or watch while you are crafting?
I like to watch cookery programmes or listen to music. Or, if I'm feeling really clever, then I will read a good book on my Kindle and crochet at the same rime!

 What advice would you give to a beginner?
Don't give up!

What are you working on at the moment?
A little hooded poncho for my niece.