Member Of The Month - SWATI

Tell us three things about yourself.
1. I was born and brought up in India.
2. I am a software engineer by profession.
3. I don't like the British cold weather.

Who taught you your first craft?
My Mum taught me to do cross-stitch. My first project was a small alphabet which I made into a cushion.

What finish are you most proud of?
I have only been knitting for about one and a half years. In fact, I came to the knitting group to learn to knit. I am very proud of the pink baby cardigan which was my first knitted garment.

What was your biggest crafting disaster?
I was trying to paint a lighthouse scene for a poster and the colours ran into each other and mixed.

What other crafts do you do?
I have been making sculpted paper flowers for religious reasons to use as decorations at home. At the moment I 'm learning to crochet.

List of favourites -
Favourite yarn or supplies- Any DK yarn.
Favourite designs - Any baby patterns.
Favourite colours - I have lots of favoutite colours! Red, lime green etc but I am not keen on black.
Favourite shop - Hobbycraft.
Favourite craft book - Anything by Jean Greenhouse who is a Scottish designer from Aberdeen who does knitted toys.

What would you like to achieve in the future?
I would really like to learn to sew and to crochet frogs. My Mum used to sew all of our clothes up until we were teenagers.

What do you like to listen to or watch while you are crafting?
Mostly I enjoy peace and quiet while I am working. I make too many mistakes when the TV is on. It is too distracting.

 What words of wisdom would you give to a beginner?

Keep trying. Don't give up!

What are you working on at the moment?

I'm working on a ripple stitch baby blanket in crochet.

Buttons and Bows.

What do you do with your old buttons? Last week Janice displayed her beautiful cushion decorated with buttons left over from various projects. The lovely Norma has been putting her button stash to good use by creating these decorative letters. I have a feeling that there may be a world shortage of buttons soon.

Norma has her creative mojo back and is busy crafting for craft fairs at a nursery at St. Francis Primary in the Gorbals and a at Mearns Primary in Newton Mearns. This poncho and hat set will be fought over. The fairs are on the 6th and 7th of June if you are looking for somewhere interesting to go.

Norma was thrilled to win craft supplies from Lisa's "For The Love Of Yarn" site for her inspirational colour photo. She is determined to create something for herself with the hand dyed chunky yarn and buttons.

Stephanie is really getting into the swing of things with this lilac knitted ripple baby blanket.

Margaret completed the sashiko needle-case that she started at Gartmore. I love that pattern.

This handsome owl cushion was also knitted by Margaret and is for her daughter, Karen. Lucky thing! The knitted hats are for our group charity which ends on June 24th.

I finished another pair of socks for my daughter. Socks are an easy knit and I just love the way the yarn comes together to create a recognizable garment.

Talking of socks, have a look at this. Linda created a granny square blanket using up the remnants of sock wool. This is such a clever use of bits and pieces that would normally be discarded.

If you thought the granny square blanket was clever then have a good look at Linda's granny stripe blanket. Fabulous.

Izzy made this gorgeous little Scotty Dog Bag containing a dolls blanket and pillows. This would be ideal for any little girl to carry her most essential play things. The good news is that you get a chance to bid for it on Calum's Challenge Auction over on Lisa's "For The Love Of Yarn" site on Friday night after 8pm. All proceeds go to Cancer Research.

Yvonne's Auntie Jean kindly donated this handsome  knitted teddy for the auction.

Paula completed her sashiko needle case that she started on the Gartmore weekend. It looks great!

As you know, Fi is really getting into crochet and made this lovely little baby jacket. You will find the free pattern on Lisa's "For The Love Of Yarn" business page on Facebook.

At the moment I think the crochet people outnumber the knitting people at the group at the moment. Just to prove this point, have a look at this chunky cowl crocheted by Fiona using Pattons Fab Big Colour Yarn.

Anthea completed this Aran weight shawl in four and a half days! The pattern is called CLAPOCHET. It was for herself but a friend, who was visiting from South Africa, insisted on buying it!.The other shawl is crocheted in Regia sock wool and the pattern is called SAUCE-A-LA-CHECHE.

Fifi Trixibel crocheted this marvellous flower in a glitter yarn. I feel inspired to watch someone crochet!

Finally, Isabel completed her sashiko needle case and is about to tackle another. That just goes to show that hand stitching is not such a scarry thing after all!

Calum's Challenge.

We had a VIP visiting our group on Tuesday night. Calum came along with his Mum, Lisa, to see what we were up to and to tell us his exciting news about his fund raising for, "Pennies for  the sick people , so they won't be sick any more." So far Calum has raised £219 for Cancer Research. With his Mum's help he plans to hold an online auction on Friday 30th May on Lisa's business page, "For The Love Of Yarn." Calum would like donations of craft supplies or other goodies for the auction. A man with a plan! Great work, Calum.

Stephanie astounded us with this amazing applique wall-hanging that she made at the Village Patchers Quilting group in Bishopbriggs recently. The photograph does not do this work justice. In her spare time, Stephanie managed to knit this lovely pink and white pram cover.

Janice had a jar full of odd buttons that she had acquired over the years. She put a dent in her button stash but creating this eye-catching art cushion.

This bonnie wee baby jacket was also completed by Janice. Recently, Janice received a commission from a lady who wanted a parm blanket to co-ordinate with her new pram. This snazzy blanket is the result and I'm sure the new mum will be delighted.

Another hat for our Seafarers charity was knitted by Stephanie.

This hat was created by Isabel. Remember the Seafarers charity closes on June 24th. There is still time to rattle the needles and knit a hat that will be loved and cherished.

Jemma loves creating jewellery and this week I was delighted to see these necklaces. I was amazed at the weight of each one and I really liked the stylish clasps. If you have been searching for a piece of jewellery to match an outfit then you should have a word with the lovely Jemma.

Remember that the Annual challenge takes place on June 24th. It is always an interesting night. Great ideas on show and some lucky crafter will win some well earned vouchers for Hobbycraft.

A great time was had by one and all at our annual crafting retreat at Gartmore House. Already people are asking for the dates for 2015. Details will be unveiled shortly. Start saving.

Gorgeous George!

Gorgeous George stood majestically, proudly displaying his royal red wiastcoat. Well, it had to be red as he was  knitted by Margaret. She created him from a kit and added button eyes. Such a cute little guy!

Janice had completed an amazing rainbow baby blanket using a ripple pattern. The colours are so eye-catching. I am quickliy becoming a fan of rainbow blankets. I shall add this to my list of things to try......at some point.

Ponchos are back in fashion! I had a snazzy blue tartan poncho with white fringing that my mum made for me when I was a teenager! Now where did I put? Norma has been busy creating a range of childrens' crocheted ponchos. This is the second size and has been worked in Aran yarn. Fab.

This pretty lilac child's bag was crocheted by Kathleen using crocodile stitch. Some little girl will be delighted with this.

The poncho and hat set were also made by Kathleen for a friend's granddaughter to be. I love the detail on the hat. The second poncho is for Kathleen's own granddaughter, lucky girl. Ponchos are becoming popular!

This attactrtive scarf was crocheted in half an hour by Kathleen! Now this could become a new fad!

 
 I am always amazed at the variety of crafts that our group participate in. This week Jemma had completed a necklace for a lady who normally buys her jewellery in Dubai but now commissions Jemma to create for her. Jemma has been making jewellery for a number of years now and everything she makes is for sale. I particularly love the bracelet. Very stylish.

This fabulous yarn has been hand-dyed by Lisa and is called Ocean Speckled. It is  4 ply sock weight and I want some! I need some!

These "For The Love of Yarn" keyrings are for those yarn emergency moments.........you just break the seal and .......KNIT! A very clever marketing ploy by Lisa. These should go like hot cakes!

My deepest apologies Lisa, technology has beaten me again! This pretty little sun dress and headband were crocheted by Lisa using one of her own colourways, called Rasperry Ripple. Just to compliment the garment, Lisa made a matching button! Now, how clever is that?

Paula bought some eyelash yarn in Watt Bros and made this amazing scarf. It is so soft to the touch. Ideal for those cold winter days.

Gartmore 17th and 18th May 2014

A big Thank You to Ginnie Willis who first suggested the idea of a crafting weekend, many years ago. This was our fifth visit to Gatmore Hosue and I'm delighted to say that this event is eagerly awaited by one and all. The great Scottish weather did its usual.......RAIN! But many of our group were too busy to notice or care. Elaine organised the event and we really appreciated the time and effort that she employed to make this event a success. Thanks, Elaine. We are already looking forward to 2015!

The crafting weekend is an opportunity to try out or experience new crafts that you had never considered before. Paula was kind enough to give us a taster of Origami Paper Folding. You may have seen Paula before Christmas working on her Christmas Wreath and wondered what she was doing. The completed Christmas decoration was spectacular.

Paula had kits ready for us all and she was very encouraging. As you can see in the pictures we had to really concentrate to complete the task. There were moments of anguish! However, the decorative balls were a vision to behold!

Yvonne brought a selection of hats and gave a master class on How To Wear a Hat! As you can see, Magda,  has found a new vocation in life! I wonder what style of hat she will wear to the next group meeting!

Elaine brought an emergency supply of cupcakes for us to decorate using a button mould from Lakeland and fondant icing. We are just like big kids playing with pretty colours and making buttons to personalise our cupcakes. There were more cupcakes but some of them evaporated! Elaine has very good toys!

Isabel demonstrated How To Make a Flower with some fondant icing. She saw this idea on the internet and dazzled us with her brilliance!

Magda completed her crocheted poncho during the weekend and was delighted to model this stunning garment. This could be a new fashion trend at the group. Quite a few people expressed an interest in attempting to make a poncho. Someone was willing to let Magda make one for her.......guess who!

The chat was great and we had many a laugh during our stay but everyone managed to continue with some personal crafting projects. Norma , was particularly industrious and managed to complete a very fetching hat with a pink bauble.

This child's poncho was also completed by Norma. The white edging and pompoms just finish the garment off beautifully.

 Just to prove that we were actually in the countryside, this was the view from my bedroom window on the Sunday morning.

Some brave souls participated in my Sashiko class. This was a bit more taxing and someone almost had a tantrum..... but isabel promised to finish her needle case at home. I wonder if she will rope in her husband to help her!

I was so busy watching Lyn demonstrating the Big Shot Die Cut machine that I forgot to take some photographs. Sorry, Lyn. Norma was captivated by the magic of the machine and instantly thought of many crafting projects that she could create with it. I can't wait to see some of her ideas put into practice.

Roberta caused a stir while she worked on assembling her Christmas Penguins. She plans to display them at the bottom of the Christmas tree.

Yvonne was busy with her sewing machine quilting this baby cot cover. She brought the panel back from New Zealand and always intending doing something with it. What a wonderful gift idea!

Roberta had made lots of granny squares and used her time at Gartmore to learn how to join the squares using a raised join. A beautiful baby gift.

Caroline completed this stunning rainbow baby blanket just before we left for home. She found this pattern on the internet and created this glorious blanket for a friend who is about to become a Granny. I just love this blanket! Wow!

I may have missed out incidents and laughs If you would like to join us next year start saving. Elaine is looking at possible dates for 2015. This is an event to be experienced. Pure indulgence. Crafting. Good company. Meals and no dishes to do. What more could you ask for?