A Family of Crafters.

Tonight we celebratd three generations of crafters. Jillian had been working on a little blue cardigan for a friend's wee boy. Unfortunately, she had to hand it over before we could see the completed garment. If you zoom in you will notice that the cardigan sports some lovely cables and the baby looksreally cozy in his new jacket.

Jillian's daughter, Jemma, is also a talented crafter. This week she brought along a necklace that she had made for a friend. Very sophisticaed! I'm amazed at how tiny the beads are.

Jillian's Mum, Morag, is the third member of this trio. Morag had been working on a baby blanket as a gift for a new baby. She has been using a sparkle yarn that she bought in a pound store. There are bargains out there if you are willing to look for them.

Janice has completed the Discovery Award at silver standard. This is a programme of achievements for the over 50's. It includes recognition for her time spent crafting, volunteering and learning a new skill or activity. Janice is already planning her activities to achieve the Gold Award.

Remember that the Conference Room is not available to us on Tuesday 12th May.

There is still a place available at Gartmore on the weekend of the 16th and 17th of May if you are interested. Please contact Elaine.

I hope to see you all at the Fort as usual on Tuesday 19th of May.

Happy crafting.

Pretty in Pink

 My finish this week is this pretty little bolero. I saw this pattern and was determined to try it out. It is a fairly easy project to knit but you have to pick up and knit sections of the band, which can be slow and laborious. However, I would use this pattern again.

Stephanie fell in love with this fabric. She backed it with a lovely soft white fleece and then quilted it by following the roads. This would also work as a play mat.

Magda has been experimenting with dyeing yarn. On the bottom skein she used food dyes. The top skein is merino in aran weight. All dyed and spun by her own fair hands!

Alison had been working on this stunning baby blanket during the craft day. This is for a friend at wor.k

Catriona is always busy. She seems to have numerous projects on the go, and all of them are magnificent! This is a First Communion dress for a friend's granddaughter. The bodice is beautiful!

Kat was as proud as punch to display her second big finish in crochet. This colourful baby blanket may a gift to someone expecting a baby OR she may keep it for herself if she can't part with it.

Catriona had a second finish this week. This stylish boy's aran jacket has been beautifully worked. Such patience! This one is for sale.

Linda organises the Shoe Box Appeal in her work. The left hand pram blanket has been worked in plain knit stitch which is very effective. The second blanket has been made from all of those bits and bobs left over from previous projects. Both will be greatly appreciated.

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I love this. Sharon is now an expert at knitting these baby cocoons. This one has been done in, "Sweet Dreams" from the Bargain Wool Shop at the Barras. The colour change is so subtle.

Remember, The Conference Room is not available to us on Tuesday 12th May.

The weekend at Gartmore House is the 16th & 17th of May.

Remember to vote in the General Election on Thursday 7th May. Women fought and died for the right to vote in this country. Your vote is important!

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!

Spring is in the air!

Stephanie used her quilting skills to make this gorgeous mini baby quilt, complete with a fleece backing for her daughter's friend who is expecting a baby shortly.

This bonnie wee jacket is also by Stephanie and is for the same baby. As you know, anyone who receives one of Stephanie's make is considered  to be honoured! Usually, Stephanie's makes reside in a protected vault.

My apologies to Fiona. I tried to rotate this stylish baby hat but the PC fought back. I love the look of this double crochet baby hat and am impressed with Fiona's developing skills with the old crochet hook.

Fiona also managed to find time to complete three premature baby hats for Lisa's charity. The size is amazing!

This eye-catching child's hat was created by Norma. Red and black is such a great combination.

Norma had a finishing weekend recently and this stunning fleece lined baby blanket was one of her finishes. Zoom in and have a look at the bow and mini charm. Great idea.

This cosy granny square blanket is another of Norma's makes. This one is for her daughter.

Audrey is always busy crafting and this week she completed four hats for our group charity.

Spring is here and Lyn knitted these rabbits for Easter gifts. The lucky recipients will find a luxury chocolate egg inside. I did something similar involving Easter chicks. Sadly, the little Easter eggs kept disappearing!

This blue hat for the Seafarers charity was donated by Linda.

Elaine crocheted this purple hat for the Shoe Box Appeal.

Jill knitted this smart wee pullover for her nephew using yarn from her stash.

Morag knitted another stylish hat for our group charity.

Audrey completed this intricate cowl during the evening. The yarn is 50 per cent silk and has a lovely shine to it.

Caroline crocheted this fabulous purple brooch for herself and I just fell in love with this Easter bunny, complete with a little pompom for a tail.

Tiddly- pom- pom -pom!

Roberta made this lovely Pompom Pram cover and Carry-seat cover for her niece who is about to become a grandmother. I just love how soft this yarn is!

These lovely little jackets were also knitted also by Roberta. Sadly, the photograph does not show the sparkle in the yarn

 
Margaret has also been industrious. Above is a little cardigan and hat set which she made for a friend at work and below are a pair of Easter Mother Hens for her darling daughters. Such a lovely gift idea!

At last, I managed to complete this pair of socks for my daughter. I was was unsure about the colour but luckily, they were deemed a success!

This coat of many colours is bang on trend with multi-coloured yarn. Janice said it was just an experiment. The wool was in her stash and the pattern was an old favourite, She just combined the two. Stunning!

Alison found that knitting the charity hat was a bit boring so she decided to try something more interesting and this was the result! Very impressive. I hope that Margaret puts all the donated hats on display so we can admire the variety of colours and styles.

Fiona has been learning to crochet and this gorgeous little blanket is her first finish. Keep up the good work!

Disaster struck when Norma's son's jumper was put in the washing machine and SHRUNK! Norma went to Plan B and turned the disaster into a bag for herself. The bag is lined and finished with a giant button. Looks great! This could start a new trend........up-cycling crafting disasters.

This bonnie wee baby cardigan was also made by Norma. No signs of a disaster here!

Izzy surprised us all with this amazing set of dolls clothes that she had made for her niece's Barbie doll. So stylish and cute beyond words!

Linda has been busy knitting this hat for our group charity. Love that colour!

Elaine has be dynamic and completed a balaclava for the charity. At some point I will give it a go and attempt to make one. Oddly enough, I saw a workman on a building site wearing a balaclava. Is this a new trend?

Swati has been learning to crochet granny squares recently. She incorporated her favourite colours in this lovely wee baby blanket for her bump.

Morag finished another hat for our charity. I love the way some of our knitters are styling their hats with a bit of colour to add interest.

Margaret says that our total number of hats so far is..........28. Keep those pins busy ladies!

Isabel did not have a finish this week but she had fun dressing up in some of the finishes. Is she going through a second childhood? Probably!