Stunning Work!

I can only apologise for how late this post is. I haven't been very well and while it's only been a cold it took the energy right out of me. It's a shame because I really wanted to make sure that this beautiful dress got the attention it deserved. Some of you will recognise the handy work as well as the beautiful model. This gorgeous dress was of course stitched by Magdalena. She once again challenged herself to make Zuzanna new dress for this years Irish dancing competitions. Magdalena said the sequences were a nightmare to work with as they caused the thread to constantly break. She persevered though and this stunning dress is the end result.

Magdalena also mentioned that the designs of the dresses have changed over the years since she has been making them and so she has had to keep up with that. For example the bodice now needs to be longer and the number of panels round the skirt have changed. Not only that Magda has to take the dress to the dance teachers so that it can be approved. If it doesn't follow the strict guidelines it can result in disqualification during the competitions. Thankfully it was approved and Zuzanna did the dress proud and won some medals. She is now qualified to start competing in championships which she is very excited about.

A wee look at the back as the detail there is just as stunning. Zuzanna also gave us a demonstration of her dancing which was very impressive. Never seen anyone kick so high.

Norma has been busy in her crafting workshop (I kid you not, she has a gorgeous little craft house to work in). You will have noticed that she has been working on a lot of baby items of late. That's because she has been asked to hold a stall at a craft fair in Ayre. Everything she is making is for that. Including this lovely pom pom baby blanket which is set off by the large pink bow. The hat used up some of the left over yarn and it was beautifully decorated with buttons (I do like buttons). The doll blanket and pillow set she actually finished on the night. Some little girl is going to love it.

Lesley has also been busy. She knitted these beautiful baby sets. Love the colours. They are perfect for the autumn which is here already. I like the lighter band of brown at the edge of the hat. On the night she was working on more baby items. I think it might have been another baby set but in the cream.

Pamela has been working on these lovely little decoration bootees. They seem to be a member favourite just now. I love the variegated yarn and how the lace ribbon matches. Very cute! She was seen working on more of these sets.

This beautiful baby blanket was crocheted by Maureen. It truly is stunning. I love the fold down detail at the top with the ribbon. Maureen was also working on more baby things. She also kindly handed in a wee extra for the monthly lucky dip raffle. Thank you Maureen!

Margaret is still preparing for Christmas. She knitted these two robins. One of them was a kit which came free with Let's Knit. The travelling yarn created a kind of feathered affect to his red breast. Although it looks quite effective Margaret wasn't happy with it and so adapted the pattern to prevent it. The result is the second little robin which she finished on the night. She is also continuing with her Christmas cards and finished this gorgeous snowman.

I don't know if any of you are aware but the last Saturday of each month some of the group spend the afternoon in Hobbycraft. A few members have joined the group that way. The other side is that the people who go usually end up trying another craft. One afternoon Lyn gave a demo on decopatch. Elaine really took to it and bought some supplies. These gorgeous leopard print elephants are the end result. Don't worry if you want to know how to do it. I have sweet talked Lyn into giving the group a demo at one of our craft days.

I also had a finish. This kit came with Cross Stitcher magazine. I do like Christmas designs but I very rarely finish them on time and they usually end up in a folder half finished. This one was easy to stitch and was finished very quickly.

Jean wasn't along on Tuesday but she did send someone in with a finish. This is her pattern that she adapted from the brick baby blanket. She decided not to turn it into a blanket and it is now this pretty tissue cover. She very kindly presented to Lyn as a gift.

Last but not least, Maureen had another finish. She very kindly crocheted this beautiful scarf for our charity. It is very delicate looking and the pom poms really give it that gorgeous wintery feel. Linda was delighted with it.

So I wasn't there on Tuesday but Helen was and she is going to update the blog. Lisa was also at an event at the weekend which she is kindly going to send me an email about with some photo's. So look out for that. Magdalena has an idea for a post. I have added her as an author. It's an interesting idea and something we have never done before. Will be interesting to see.

Next week is the last week for the scarf charity. We will be holding the prize raffle. So if you have any scarves to hand in please be sure to bring them along so you don't miss out!

Hooks and Needles at the Ready!

In case some of you haven't heard, Norma now has her own crafting studio which has been built for her. We have all been jealous of the photo's she has been posting. It is working too as she has managed to crochet these baby hats in a short period of time. So pretty and cute. The grey one is for Fiona who wanted one for her niece. The rest will be part of a collection Norma plans to sell at a craft fair. Someone has managed to talk her into having a stall at some point in the near future so her crochet hook has been busy. As soon as I find out the details I will pass them on.

A while back Val had come along to one of our craft days and taught us to do Sashiko quilting. We were all intrigued by it and a few of us planned to do more. However, Helen has been the only one who has managed it. She stitched this gorgeous bag and book cover. I love the book cover. My favourite has to be the bag. The white thread on black fabric is very striking. Helen got the designs from a book and they are beautifully done. Would love to have another go myself.

We have another dark horse in our midst. It would seem that Kathleen is another beader. She goes along to beading nights along with Jean. They recently went to a new one and Kathleen decided to bring along a couple of projects that had been lying around unfinished. These beautiful bracelets are the end result.

Fran has also been busy with her crochet hook. The blanket she had been working on in purple and green and her son is now the proud owner. It has already been much loved by Kyle and who can blame him. The vibrant green and purple are striking together. She also crocheted this lovely yoga bag. I had always seen these in mags but this is the first one I've seen done in person. It looks fab!

Fiona's sewing lessons have continued. This lovely dress is her latest project. She isn't 100% happy with it but I think it looks fantastic. The sequence round the band really sets it off. The straps are a little different in that they tie at the top. If it was me I would be proud of it.

Aileen has also got the sewing bug. Donna had recently sent round an email letting people know about a sewing maching offer she had seen. Aileen got herself a lovely little Singer sewing machine as a result. She brought it along to get some advice on setting it up to which Helen was more than happy to help. I can't wait to see what projects she whips up.

On Tuesday I did the August member of the month which I will post soon. Lyn was the latest victim. She brought in a few finishes to photograph for it. Along with that she also brought in some scarves for the charity. Isabel had also brought one along just to ensure she is in the lead.

Amilee was with us again on Tuesday. She kept herself thoroughly entertained by popping bubbles in some bubble wrap. I have to say I was a little jealous.

Speaking of Amilee, I'm not sure if I had posted this here. June had sent this photo to me a while ago. It shows Amilee not only enjoying her ice cream but wearing a jumper that June had knitted for her. Amilee had requested it and when it was finished she refused to wear it. Now she refuses to take it off. The fickle minds of toddlers.

We also had Tracy along again on Tuesday there. A few people once again had their nails done. Sadly I didn't get any photo's of them finished. I do know that Dawn had the Cath Kidston nail art. Tracy will be back along on the 27th.

Elaine is still waiting on people getting back to her in regards to their deposits for Gartmore. Please ensure you have it in over the next two weeks to ensure your place.

Remember to look out for Lyn's interview!

Oops, forgot to mention that there is a new edition under members blogs. Magdalena gave me the link to her personal blog. Lots of yummy images of her projects! http://www.megannismaking.blogspot.co.uk/

Summertime!

Tuesday night was sweltering and I actually thought that our band of crafters would be busy soaking up some rays in their gardens. Luckily, the call of the knitting group was too strong and we had a good number of people there.

This is Isabel's pride and joy! She has mastered the bauble stitch and proudly showed it off to one and all. The yellow scarf was a combined effort by two of Isabel's patients. Isabel just added some finishing touches.  It looks great!

In this sweltering heat our attention was on the scarves for the Shoe Box appeal. I managed to hand in 3three scaves to Linda this week. That means I have three raffle tickets for the big prize draw at the end of the project. I used garter stitch in one, double moss stitch in the pale pink and Irish moss stitch in the middle scarf. .

Margaret finished a scarf in this Italian yarn she was given by a friend. Margaret found that the yarn was not pleasant to work with as the fibers were loose and got everywhere. She is in no hurry to work with this again.

This little rabbit was a big attraction that night. So cute! It was made by Alice who used Patons 4 ply cotton yarn from John Lewis.

Karen finished this lovely Hitch-hiker scarf for the shoe Box Appeal. Just my colour, the charity might be short of a scarf if I have my way!

Fraya was a real show stopper in this dress which she made herself for her school show, The Dracula Rock show. A star is born!

Now as you know, Fraya, is one of our talented junior members. She is always busy and on Tuesday evening she managed to commandeer a table for herself. Here she is hard at work preparing items for her next creation.

Impressive!

A few things to be impressed with this week. How beautiful does our Zuzanna look? It's her first communion on Sunday. Of course it wouldn't be Magdalena if she didn't make most of the items needed. The big one of course being Zuzanna's gorgeous dress. We love the detail, especially the little cap sleeves.

Zuzanna herself is trying her hand at a new craft. She is now making jewellery with beads. One of these bracelets was designed by Magdalena and made by Zuzanna. The other was designed by Zuzanna and made by Magdalena. Definitely a team effort. Zuzanna's friends have admired them so much that she has been taking orders. She even has a little order book all made up. Very impressive!

Many will have seen Anthea working on a crochet blanket for a friend. It's been killing her because she is so used to working in different colours. However, she has finished and the end result was well worth the frustration of only working with the one colour. She is even considering making another. Mean while she is back to working with her rainbows.

I haven't forgotten about Stephanie's member of the month interview. It's all done and I will be posting it soon. We are off to Gartmore tomorrow so it might not happen before the weekend is over.

Another Day of Sewing Goodness!

The only knitting finish last week was this cute owl knitted by Margaret. Of course I am biased because it's for me. The kit came free with Let's Knit and Margaret knitted it up in just a day. According to the kit his name is Sidney but I don't think that's a very owl-like name. Any ideas?

Our Helen has been continuing her quilting lessons with Val. Helen, Stephanie and now Janice go along on a Tuesday afternoon to receive their quilting lesson. This gorgeous back is the latest creation by Helen. Unfortunately you can't see the beautiful stitching around the hearts or along the straps of the bag. But it is there and just sets the bag off. I love the colours too.

Our Izzi continues to make these fabulous dresses for Dress The Girl. Every time she brings along her latest we all fall in love with them. I think these ones are my favourite. I made sure the back was also photographed so you can see the cute buttons.

These dresses are equally pretty. I love the ties added to the back. They really give the dress a gorgeous finish.

This one I love because it used to be my pillow case. It's amazing how different they look.

Another pretty dress. I love this one because of the fold over at the front of the bodice. Makes it that little bit different.

Other than that the sewing lessons continued. I am thinking it won't be much longer before we see a few finishes. We are still preparing for our 5th birthday next week. Looking forward to that. I also have a photo from another project done by one of Elaine's friends that I have still to scan in and show you.

Easter and Bag Prep!

It's almost Easter but there hasn't been much in the way of Easter crafts this year. Last week was the first we saw of any Easter projects. Margaret knitted these little bunny egg covers. The kit was free with one of the knitting magazines, Let's Knit. She knitted them up in just a day. They are both going to her daughters. Don't be fooled by the image. They are both the same size but the pink one seems to be bowing it's head.

Janice has also been knitting bunnies. I think this was a pattern she found online. The bulk of the body is made from just a square of knitting. Quite effective and yet simple! I love all the different colours.

 Lyn also gave us some info on an Easter Parade that Hobbycraft are holding. You can read the details but basically there is a bonnet contest and a raffle with some good prizes. The proceeds of which are going to Together For Short Lives. This is a charity which support children and families with serious illness.

Margaret is still on the baby knitting. She has finished another baby set. This time for a boy. She is knitting for a friend who is expecting and has been knitting for either as she doesn't want to know what the baby will be. Having done the girls outfits and blanket she is now working on a set for a boy.

Alison is still working her way through all those freebie cross stitch patterns. This one is one of two and came from Cross Stitcher. She is working on the second one of the kit.

A while ago I posted some photo's of dresses that Izzi had stitched up from old pillow cases. She has been at it again and made these two beautiful dresses. The yellow one was made from a pillow case that Roberta had given her. Both are gorgeous. These are for a charity called Dress a Girl Around the World. A worthwhile cause. Izzi is hoping to do more so if you have any old pillow cases that still have life in them but you don't want pass them on.

Izzi is also continuing with bag lesson preperation. She took some of those making bags into another room to get their material ready and taught us all a few things while she was there.

First of all she taught us about the grain of fabric. It's more important than you would think. For example the stretch in the material is different. You can see in the photo above that the fabric is stretching out but if you had tried to stretch it in another direction it wouldn't happen. By not paying attention to that it can cause sagging where you don't want it to sag or not enough give where you need it.

Here Izzi has layered up the fabrics that are going to be used on one bag and used a pattern to mark it out. Izzi would normally just use fabric chalk to mark it out but she is showing everyone how to pin the pattern down and cut around it.

Here is one all ready. This lovely owl fabric is going to become a bag for Fiona. You can't see it but under the fabric are another two layers. This is to stop knitting needles from poking through the bag when it's done.

I can't wait to see them all finished. The final work will be done during Gartmore.