Surprise!

Lorraine is going to live in Australia, Poor soul! We felt so sad for her that we knitted/crocheted squares to make a keepsake from the group. Well, you know how bad the weather can be out there! A blanket will be her comforter during those terrible winter days down under. Lorraine has a mission, she intends establishing a sister knitting group in Adelade. We could have craft events there instead of Gartmore! We wish you joy and craftiness in your new home in the sun. Keep us posted on developments.

Linda completed a baby blanket for the Shoe Box Charity. She found a way of using up all those left over bits from other projects. It looks great!

Anthea has had a very productive time recently. The  Narissa shawl is beautiful and has been worked in Manos Del Uruguy, merino-silk blend. The Poncho pattern is from Simply Crochet issue No. 25 and is for herself. She used Drops Nepal yarn which is an alpaca-wool mix.

This Sur Collar shawl has been done in one piece using Stylecraft Alpaca DK.

Sharon knitted another of her fabulous cocoon and hat sets.This time she used Woolcraft "Sweet Dreams" which is very thick and soft. This is how our photos will look in Australia! My iPad just created the photo this way to help Lorraine get accustomed to her future life Down Under!

I fell in love with these cocoons knitted by Magda. The Rainbow one was made using seven colours from Stylecraft DK which had been doubled. The cable cocoon was knitted with Women's Institute chunky which was soft and cuddly.

Isabel loves her socks and colourwork. This pair combined both of her passions and were knitted for a friend at work.

Norma proudly displayed two pram blankets worked in Pompom yarn. They are adorable!

This young man had been so good until I tried to take a picture of him. Young Philip came to visit with his Mum, Aileen. Philip was born on Mother's Day. He was cuddled by the usual suspects but when he became hungry it was time to go home.

Caroline crocheted this amazing baby blanket for her first official Great Niece who will be born in July.

Elinor is full of bright ideas. Recently she took some photos of peoples hands as they crafted and used them in a booklet for her Degree show. The other side of the booklet shows prints made from different crochet stitches that she learnt to do here.

Isabel decided that we should make a quilt for Margaret as she was unwell. Saint Izzy of the Sewing Machine found the most wonderful fabrics on the internet and designed the quilt. Janice, Stephanie and I assisted Izzy in the making of the quilt and members of the group sewed buttons and notions on to give the quilt character. It was magnificent! AND Margaret liked it! Yippee!

 Roberta knitted this great cardigan in DK yarn for a friend who volunteers in her charity shop.

Remember we are still at the Fort. We are so lucky to have the use of such a wonderful venue for our crafting. Just a wee reminder to tidy up after yourselves before you head home.

Happy Crafting!

Blooming Marvellous!

Spring has sprung! Caroline seldom has a finish to display because she gifts her makes as soon as she completes them. This time she remembered to take a photograph of her Mother's Day gift for her Mother-in-Law. The bunch of Daffodils are crocheted! An everlasting gift. Great idea!

I saw this panel at the Quilt show in Ingleston and just had to buy it! After quilting it I gave it to Lisa for her family corner in her new studio.

Name those feet! The feet belong to Margaret and the beautiful socks were knitted by Karen as a Mother's Day Gift. The yarn is from Lisa and the pattern is pretty intricate. Great gift!

Norma was asked to make two pram cover to co-ordinate with a friend's pram. Pompom yarn makes such cosy blankets and look at the finishing touches!

Gartmore at Home will be Saturday the 25th of April from about 9.30am till 4.30pm. This is a lovely day dedicated to crafting or chilling out. We are looking for volunteers to give a class or a demonstration of a craft. Please let me know if you are willing to share your talents with us that day.

Aileen had a BOY on Mother's Day! Philip James was 8lbs 9oz. Congratulations to the whole family on your new arrival.

If you are thinking on going to Gartmore House in May for the weekend then please make your final payment to Elaine as soon as possible.

Happy Crafting!

All Kinds Of Everything!

Anthea was delighted with the way her Attic 24 Interlocking Ripple Pattern blanket worked out. It is a work of art. The yarn is Stylecraft special DK which came in an Attic 24 "Lucy " pack. Confused? Then get yourself over to the Attic 24 blog and explore the world of a very talented lady.

Kat wanted a knitting bag like the one her mum had, so she made this replica bag. She even re-cycled the handles and the ruler on the side of the bag. This is a really practical bag with pockets for a pattern and other crafting supplies. I'm very impressed!

Izzy crocheted this beautiful doll's pram blanket with odds and ends of left over yarn. She even had time to make a baby hat with a pretty flower addition.

Patsy was as proud as punch with the way this baby bag turned out. Izzy inspired her to make one of her famous baby bags as a gift for her new great-nephew.

At last I completed this pair of socks for myself. The yarn was an internet buy from some time ago and I enjoyed the way the colour changes worked but I didn't like the yarn itself because it split. I'm just glad I got to the end.

Janice had some time on her hands and made some bunting for the creche she volunteers in.The fabric was from IKEA. As a grandmother-in-waiting she wanted to make something for the baby. Janice decided to up-cycle an old cot duvet cover into a cosy cot quilt. This recycling business is fairly catching on!

 Janice still had some fabric to make some more of those cute bunnies and bibs. She even had time to knit a little green cardigan for her future grandchild. I love the way the buttons tone in with the cardi!

This is one of Janices' trade mark fairies. It has been made for a little girl who is about to become a big sister.

Ohhhhhhhhh! Lovely! Caroline made this amazing Elsa doll from Frozen. Some little girl will be enchanted with this. We were. Stephanie could hardly put it down.

And now for something completely different! Jill made this amazing hat for her nephew. It matches his coat. Jill adapted the pattern and then improvised a little.

Sometimes out crafters gift their work before they come to our group. Catriona made these wonderful hand embroidered silk pillows  for someone. Is there no end to the number of crafts this woman can do? I am truly impressed with the variety of skills found at this wee group!

The group send their best wishes to Margaret and we look forward to seeing soon.

We are still at the Fort! Happy crafting!

Spring is just around the corner!

Pkyllis is taking part in Yarnigans square of the month club.  This months square denotes Sringtime.

Phyllis had another finish this week, a beautiful blue and white baby shawl. Love these colours. Phyllis used DK yarn and the pattern is called Ferris Wheel.

The talented Lisa brought in a a sample of the monthly Yarn Club Box which she sells. It contains some of her famous hand-dyed double knit yarn with a matching button and crochet hook. This box also has a photograph holder that can be used to hold a pattern or act a yarn  holder. See Lisa's fb page, For The Love Of Yarn, for details.

Lisa's handsome son, Callum, has been making crochet hooks to sell for his charity,

  Children With Liver Disease. 

Talent runs in this family! Kayla-May has joined in the creative process by making buttons to match the hooks that her brother produces. 

Miss Bella takes note of all this creativity but is concentrating on her modelling career at the moment. Lisa found time to crochet this bonnie hat and cardigan combo for Bella.

Elena is busy producing projects for her Art degree finals but in her spare time she made this cosy cowl. Go girl!

Remember, we are still to be found at the Fort for the next few months.

Happy Crafting!

SEW,sew Lovely!

The Village Patchers Quilting group make Quilts 4 Yorkhill Hospital each year. The quilts are donated to children in the cancer  and renal wards for the young people to choose and use at home and on their hospital stays. We were given fabric and wadding and set to work. Stephanie had fun creating this colourful quilt.

Stephanie was asked to make a cushion for Hobbycraft using their fabrics and notions. This was a great success and was greatly admired. Zoom in and check out all the little details.

Janice made an ideal quilt for a little boy. Another masterpiece for Q4Y.

My Fabric was snazzy cats! The quilt top just cried out to be matched up with some glow in the dark PINK!

Fiona Orr is becoming an adventurous hat maker. I just loved this wee hat. Fiona made this for her sister's friend.

We had a swap night this week. Anthea brought in some fabric that she was unable to use. Some of us made great finds and what was left over was handed into the Hospice shop. Always ask in your local charity shop about wool and fabric that have been handed in. You might get a bargain!

Tuesday night was cake night. This was a special request by those who enjoy The Great British Bake Off. The cakes and other goodies were enjoyed and savoured by all the lucky people there. I was too slow getting the camera out. The display of cakes was magnificent but some people could not wait!

Remember we are not moving out of the Conference Room just yet. 

Happy crafting!

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