It's a Dogs Life!

Janice knitted a dog coat for her son's Jack Russel pup, Gambit. The pup was so delighted with his new outfit that he insisted on having his picture taken wearing it. Nice one, Gambit!

This week Janice also had  time to complete two beautiful little cardigans featuring little knitted flower motifs. I love the look of the mis-matched buttons. I shall file that idea away for future reference.

Magda completed her "Forever Blanket. " She felt that it took forever to complete it! Jan and Adam are as pleased as punch with the bold primary colours.

Norma has had fun working on this Seyaran Yarn blanket. She bought the wool when she was on holiday in Barcelona. The pompoms just add a sense of fun to it.

This pram cover has been crocheted by Norma in Ice Yarn "Bunny Soft." I think it was Aran or chunky weight and used three balls. I like the colourway and the heavy feel of the finished pram cover.

Morag has been busy again knitting boot toppers for the winter. How organised are you for winter?

Phyllis always has a finish to show and this week she has crocheted a stunning jacket for Kayla-May.

Catriona has completed another little shrug. Now she is contemplating making a Christening robe to go under it.

Last but not least, Janice almost forgot to show her amazing Somerset Patchwork cushion cover that she had been making at the Village Patchers quilting group.

Don't forget the Cake Off on Tuesday 7th October. Just bring along some home baking and enjoy a moment of cake. This is not a competition. It is a celebration of all things CAKE!

Member of the Month - SHARON

Tell us three things about yourself.
1. I work full time.
2. I have two dogs.
3. Crafting is my chill out time.

Who taught you your first craft?
My Mum taught me how to knit. I did the usual beginner things of knitting a hat and a scarf and a tea-pot cosy.

Which finish are you most proud of?
I would say it was my 3 ply shawl that I knitted for my son. It was so fine, it was like a spider's web!

What was your biggest crafting disaster?
Beading. I had done a necklace which was quite long. I was so proud of it as it had taken weeks to complete.Then I noticed that one of the large beads had been added the wrong way round! I just couldn't live with the necklace looking like that so I just had to take it apart and start again.

What other crafts do you do?
I do knitting, beading and felting.

Your List of Favourites -
Favourite yarn or supplies - I like knitting with cotton and really soft baby yarn.
Favourite designs - I love Kaylee Jade knitting patterns.
Favourite colours - I prefer neutral colours and baby pastels in pink, blue and mint green.
Favourite shop - I like the Yarn Cafe in Queen Margaret Drive and of course Hobbycraft. I really like the Wee Wool Shop in Johnstone.
Favourite craft book - Debbie Bliss for knitting, The Bead Workers Guild Book which gives a variety of neccklaces and designs.

What would you like to achieve in the future?
Obviously I would always like to continue to knit, bead etc in a wee house in Ireland overlooking a bay. I love Ireland, especially the quiet remote parts of Donegal.

What do you like to listen to or watch while you are crafting?
I listen to Pan Pipes at home. I find that it really helps me to chill out. I sometimes like to watch a movie while I'm knitting but when I'm beading I need to concentrate.

What words of wisdom would you give to a beginner?
I was teaching a young relative to knit recently and I told her, "You've got to be patient and practice. Just keep going and you will be pleased when you have a completed garment that you made yourself."

What are you working on at the moment?
A little matinee jacket from an old, old pattern that I love. It is mostly plain with a picot edge. I'm also going to do the hat and mitts to match.

Isabella met Isabella!

I'm sure you can imagine the excitement as Lisa appeared on Tuesday night with the latest addition to her lovely family. We all managed to get a wee hold, although some people held onto the baby for some considerable time. Would you believe that our dear Isabel is actually called Isabella! Immediately Isabel was convinced that Lisa had named her little daughter after her. Sorry Isabel, it was just a coincidence. You can see our two Isabellas looking radiant. Lisa does make exceedingly cute babies.

Stephanie knitted this adorable little hoodie in yarn that she had bought on the internet. If you zoom in you will notice that that the yarn was made with sequins. The buttons were also an internet buy. Needless to say, this is for Stephanie's special box!

Janice has been busy making bunnies and bibs for friends. I never grow tired of looking at these.

 I had a finish this week. This is my Somerset Patchwork cushion. It was the most recent project at The Village Patchers quilting group. I like my blue and white.

Ok. Make a guess....who likes RED? Margaret of course. This cosy red Aran hat means that Margaret will be beautifully coordinated for those cold winter days.

Magda created a unique leaving gift for the Headteacher of her kids school. The book cover has been made using the school tie and reflects the ethos of the school.

This Road Trip scarf was made by Magda with yarn that she won a number of years ago while we meet in Starbucks. Magda hung onto the yarn until the right project came along. The yarn is mohair and if you look closely you will see that beads have been incorporated into the design along the edge. Imagine being able to remember what yarn is in your stash! Impressive.

Sharon has style! This pink cotton, Di's Design is called Sunday Best and is for her BOX!

Esther knitted this lovely little cardigan for her Granddaughter's friend. This DK pattern is an old faithful that has been tried and tested.

STEGGY the Diplodocus was created by Phyllis for her Grandson in acrylic Dk.

Hiding behind the this V stitch shawl is Fiona who made this lovely shawl for herself using Stylecraft Aran.

Tuesday 23rd September is our Swap night. If you have any unwanted craft materials looking for a new home then bring it along.

Yarndale is on Sunday 28th September and Anthea has a spare seat in her car if you would like to go along. You just share the cost of the fuel.

The International Quilt Show is at Ingleston from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th September.

7th October is the Cake Off. Celebrate all cakes great and small. Please bake something and bring it along to be devoured in a ladylike manner by one and all. No prizes. Just the joy of eating cake.

New York, New York!

It's great to have Karen back at the club now that the university madness has come to an end. The New York skyline cross-stitch was rudely interrupted by her studies but looks glorious framed in black.

Karen has even had time to complete this little cutie for her friend's daughter.

How many days/weeks left until Christmas? Don't tell me as I may begin to panic. Margaret seems to be ahead of the game with another seasonal make. The wise owl card was actually Karen's birthday card! Good choice.

Last week I was handed another 30 hats for the Royal Maternity Hospital by Gran Sheila and family. A big thank you to them and to Norma who acts as our post-person whenever she delivers them on her way to work.

Lorraine has been learning to crochet using you-tube videos. She has made a great job of this pram cover and I particularly like the heart detail hanging from the corner.

As you can see, Lorraine has an eye for detail. This wee hat has been made for one of the charity shops.

Sharon likes to work with knitting patterns that have a bit of style about them. I particularly like the way the jacket flares out.

Catriona created this stunning shrug using eye-lash yarn. The little bootees were made for a friend.

Esther has started a new career as a model. While she waits for that all important call from Vogue, Esther eagerly models one of Norma's kit hats made by Ice. The kit includes a ready made pompom.

Anthea plans on giving her kid's teachers a coffee mug and mug hug for Christmas. It is made in Rico Cotton and is aran weight.

Morag has gone into production knitting boot cuffs for the whole family.

We've had a great summer and autumn and no doubt we will treasure a very chilly winter this year. At least Morag is well prepared!

Phyllis has completed her NARISSA shawl by Alison Henshaw. The yarn is a dk by our Lisa and can be found at For The Love Of Yarn once Lisa recovers from producing her new baby. Take your time Lisa and rest. Next week will be fine for mine. lol.

Magda had a mini make this week. Originally this butterfly shawl was to be full size but Magda was disappointed in the way this yarn worked. This mini version will be adopted by a friend's wee girl who dresses Barbie dolls. However, Magda still intends making a shawl for herself using another yarn.

The big news is Lisa had a little girl on Friday night. Isabella came into the world weighing 8lb 1oz. Baby and Family are doing well.

We are having SWAP night on 23rd September. Just bring along those things you just had to buy and someone will give them a new home.

A CAKE OFF has been arranged for 7th October inspired by the wonders seen in the Great British Bake Off. This is not a competition. It is pure indulgence! Just bring along your favourite bake and sample whatever is available. juice will be supplied. Bring your own bib.

Christmas madness begins!

It is official.........Christmas is coming! Now is the time to panic! The evenings are drawing in and it is definitely time to start those Christmas makes to keep ahead of the Christmas madness. Margaret is on the ball this year and has completed a selection of Christmas wonders already. Jim the Penguin and Santa were proudly displayed this week. The amazing thing is that Margaret made these for herself and neither of her lovely daughters have snaffled these handsome chaps!

Birthdays are also very important landmarks in our lives. Margaret made a break in her Christmas preparations to create this lovely card.

How many Christmas cards have you made so far this year? Margaret has completed these five beauties for the Christmas season.

Esther delighted us with these gorgeous baby bootees that she crafted for her Great-grand-daughter. Yes, Esther, is a Great Granny!  Shhhhhhh! Please don't tell anyone! Beautiful work Esther! Your secret is safe with us!

I crocheted another granny-stripe blanket. This time I used some Ice yarn that Norma stocks. I really liked the way the yarn created the stripes automatically. I found the pattern and instructions for this blanket on a blog called Attic24 if you would like to have a go.

Norma has had great fun making this dolls pram set for a wee girl's teddy bear. I'm sure she will be charmed with it. The scarf is made using Oh-la-la yarn which is an Ice Yarn and available from Norma. The amazing thing is that, Norma, completed this garment in an  hour!

The yarn for this shawl was purchased from Aldi and worked by Norma. I really like the look of this and may add this to my list of things to try.

Fiona Orr finally completed this delightful baby blanket for a friend. Originally it started life in bright primary colours which was a step too far away from Fiona's comfort zone.  This colour palette works beautifully and will make a great gift.

Phyllis loves doing blankets!. This is a real boys blanket which was crocheted for her darling grandson. As you can see it was worked from corner to corner.