Happy Birthday!

We had two birthdays last week. The main one was Elaine who had a big birthday. I'm sure she wouldn't mind me telling how big but I'll keep quiet just in case. Elaine herself makes fabulous cakes which we can all testify to. Her workmates felt that there was no pointing in baking her a cake as they could get Elaine to make her own and it would taste better. So instead they all knitted her a cake and Elaine had to guess who did what. The group thought this was a fantastic idea and we all admired the knitted cakes which Elaine brought along. I'm afraid Elaine only got one right.

This chocolate cake was knitted by Linda who works with Elaine too. How yummy does it look?

Our second birthday girl was Roberta. She finished knitting this cowl for the shoe box charity. It was originally going to be a scarf but Linda stitched it together. Looks quite effective.

Rhona also had a few finishes. She finished the aran waistcoat (which I tried to get her to model but alas no). She also finished this jumper which I love. It's a loose knit and yet still has large cables. It was meant for her older daughter but she didn't like the sleeves.

The last few weeks Freya has brought her sewing box along. On Tuesday she stitched a headband and wristband for her bear. Then she stitched the red dress also for her bear. Guess who's bear is best dressed?

Helen finished knitting one of her scarfs. The marbling effect of the purple yarn is lovely. Helen herself was just happy it was done as the yarn is supposed to be used in two strands which was rather irritating (the yarn came like that).

I can also finally announce our charity this year. We have decided to take part in the Big Knit. I don't know if any of you have seen it but every December Sainsburys sell innocent drinks wearing knitted hats. The knitted hats are sent in by knitter from all over the UK. For every one of these bottles sold 25p goes to Age UK. We have decided to hold a little competition alongside it. A prize for the member who knits the most and a prize for the most inventive. So watch out for all these photo's.

Play Time!

I would have posted last week but blogger was playing up. So I decided on a two for one post but then there were no finishes at the last get together.

I can tell you that we have had the pleasure of young Amilie's company the last two weeks. She has been good to us and kept our Isabel out of trouble. You can see them both playing with trains from Thomas and Friends. Last week there was also some singing but I was made to delete the video I took of that one. It's a shame as it would have been our second youtube video and Isabel's singing debut. The world will never know just how talented she is. In between Isabel also got to work on her bunnies.

Our other Isabel, Izzi, has been working away on her sewing machine. She made this lovely quilted bag. It even has a zip and a pocket inside.

Helen  has again been busy. She knitted these socks and scarf. I love the colourway in the sock yarn. Very effective. Also I am partial to a cable and so very much like the scarf too. Plus the great thing about the scarf is that it is reversible.

Congratulations Donna!

Our Donna had a little girl yesterday. Her name is Abigail and she weighed in at 9lbs 10.5oz. Congratulations to Donna and her husband, Russel.

Quiet Night

First of all an apology to Jill. I got her name wrong when I said that she did this beautiful cross stitch. Don't know where I got Julie from.

It was a very quiet night last week but a nice one. Everyone was just working on their projects and chatting as usual. Mainly about books. There was a suggestion that we have a quote of the evening but sadly last weeks quote, whilst funny, would have meant I would have had to change access to the blog. It will just have to be a you should have been there moment.

Whilst there were no finishes there was lots going on. Laura was doing some cross stitch and was working on a book mark. Margaret was also doing cross stitch, this was for Christmas. Helen was knitting a scarf using a lovely cable pattern. Rhona was also knitting a scarf using cables but in dark green. Alison was working on her bird cross stitch. Roberta was crocheting a blanket as a favour to the charity shop she works in. Isabel was working on the egg cup bunnies which she is selling for charity. I was also working on some cross stitch, a camper van. There were more projects on the go but sadly that's as far back as my memory will go.

Oh, and for those anxiously waiting, still no news from Donna.

Lot of Weeks In One!

Woo hoo, my last catch up post. All up to date. Been a while since I have been able to say that. I do need to apologise though as not all of these photo's were taken by myself and I'm unsure who did what in some of them. First of all look who is back! Our Laura was back with us for Donna's baby shower. She's been away studying as well as working full time.

I love this, so cute!

I love the pattern round the bottom.

How lovely is Helen's scarf? This was a pattern she got from the wool show in Perth. Is is knitted up using sock yarn so that the stripes occur naturally. Very effective.

This lovely cardigan was knitted by Stephanie using the smaller pom pom yarn. She knitted this up as a favour to Hobbycraft. They provided the yarn and Stephanie has knitted it up for them to display.

These lovely blankets were crocheted by Lyn. She did this for a local charity which helps families living in poverty.

This huge blanket was also by Lyn but this one is for herself (and quite right too).

This cute little cross stitch was done by Laura. This was initially a gift from a friend who said they wouldn't mind getting it back once complete. Made us laugh anyway.

Isabel is back to knitting her egg cup bunnies. She is knitting them to raise funds for the Beatson. Quite a few of the knitting group have put their orders in.

Another lovely cross stitch. This time by Julie. I love the colours in this. It also has beads throughout. It's a pity the camera doesn't show them up as it really sets it off.

Last but not least this lovely jumper was knitted by Ally. Again I love the colours. I love how they all come together. Best of all I love that this was knitted up with just one yarn.

Donna's Baby Shower

I promised to update today and for once I have. I have to admit that I enjoyed looking through these photo's as I was unable to make it. Looks like Donna had a fab time though which is kind of the point. The wee bear in the photo was one of the gifts. This is Charley bear and he was knitted by Caroline. It's maybe a good thing I wasn't there as I might have tried to steal him.

All of Donna's pressies all together.

These amazing cakes were made by a friend of Julie's. They looked amazing and tasted just as good.

Lyn made this lovely green and lemon blanket. I don't know if you can see the little roses which set it off.

This lovely blanket, cardigan and hat, all matching, was knitted by Roberta.

Helen put together one of her famous baby scrap book albums.

Another famous gift, a teething toy made by Magda. Love the red, black and white.

Always handy, a set of baby grows from Fiona.

This beautiful alphabet quilt was made by Izzi.

Isobel gave Donna a favourite of hers, the hooded towel.

June made one of her granny square baby blankets. She also gave a book and a bunny.

This beautiful quilt was made by Val.

Another famous gift, this time from Janette. One of her quilted dogs.

These sleepsuits were from myself as I sadly ran out of time.

This lovely lemon jumper is from Alison along with some baby grows.

Ally knitted up one of her sleeping bags.

Margaret knitted this cardigan with little cat buttons along with matching bootees and hats.

This soft toy was from Rhona and Freya along with bootees, mittens and one of Freya's decoupage animals.

I love this cushion. This was made by Linda. She also gave Donna some bodysuits.

Elaine made this lovely hot water bottle cover along with bootees and a cardigan.

Eeyore and Winnie the Pooh towel was from the lovely Dawn Marie

Margaret from the Sunday group made this lovely cardigan. Whilst Jean gave the teething ring and bottles.

This height chart was beautifully stitched by Aileen.

Last but not least was a card I saw ages ago that I couldn't resist picking up from all of us. Each of the little socks attached to the line is knitted.