Small and beautiful.

Norma has been busy in her wee crafty house in the garden. These lovely wee pram charms are just adorable!

Esther charmed us with these little lovely cardigans. Hand knits always look so cosy!

The management would like to point out that it cannot be held responsible for Helen mixing up the names of the creators of these fab garments. Possibly the yellow cardi was a masterpiece made by Esther. Apologies if this is incorrect.

Last Tuesday night was like a fashion show of great ideas. Leslie has been busy making and I just love the the flower motif on the pink cardigan. The three finishes shown above are inspiring!

Kathleen had the greatest fun working these wee hats. Again the flower detail just adds the "Ahhhhhh" factor.

 Sandra completed this beautiful pram blanket. It is soooooooooooo soft and cosy!

Maureen drew an "Ahhhhh!" from me with this delicate pattern.

As you can see Isabel is back from holiday and has busy creating a few more scarves for the shoe box charity.

Linda was delighted to show off these colourful hats she created for the shoe box charity. She will gladly accept donations of hats and scarves whenever you can manage to make a spare garment.

Stephanie is always busy crafting and sewing. These garments are for her grandchildren. The mitts have a sparkle to them.

Laura was one of our new members who just started on Tuesday night. She brought along this charming rabbit she made for a baby shower.

Anthea is always industrious. I don't know how she manages to fit all of her ideas into her busy day. The little pilot helmet is really eye catching I just loved the colour of this chunky blanket.

Yvonne created this amazing bracelet on Tuesday night while she chatted at the knitting group. She now answers to name of "Speedy".

A big welcome to all of our new members!

Just a wee reminder that the Hospice shop in Baillieston is always looking for handknitted baby clothes. I will be happy to take donations along to the shop.

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!

Anthea - September Member of the Month

1. Tell us three things about yourself that we might not know.

I am an opera singer by training. I grew up in South Africa. I first moved to the UK when I was 21.

2. Who taught you your first craft?

My gran taught me to sew Barbie clothes even though I didn't have a Barbie (I didn't like them). My mum taught me to knit around the same time when I was 6.

3. What finish are you most proud of?

It's a tie between the aran crochet blanket and the crocodile crochet stitch bag that I did for Carina.

4. What is your biggest crafting disaster?

A dress I made as a teenager. I got the darts all wrong and so it was lopsided. I still wore it with pride.

5. What other crafts do you do?

cardmaking, scrapbooking, sewing, knitting, crochet, paint, draw and cross stitch.

6. List of favourites.

Favourite yarn - stylecraft
Favourite designs - aran crochet. I like the cabling.
Favourite colours - purples
Favourite online store - deramores
Favourite craft book - crochet masterclass

7. What would you like to achieve in the future?

Make a free form crochet garment. A dress. I don't know where to start though.

8. What do you like to listen to or watch while crafting?

It varies. I have eclectic taste. I usually have spotify on and it can have anything from classical to more modern.

9. What words of wisdom would you pass on to a beginner?

YouTube is your friend.

10. What craft would you like to learn in the future?

I would like to learn some of the old crochet techniques that aren't used now. I would also like to learn weaving.

11. What are you working on at the moment?

I am working on a shawl. I got the pattern from ravelry and the yarn at a craft fair. I struggled to pick which colours to go for. The yarn is called Moonlight by James C. Brett.

Celebrating Finishes!

First of all an apology to Margaret. She knitted these beautiful baby cardigans. A few weeks ago she gave them to Helen so that they would go to the Hospice charity shop in Baillieston (who were delighted with them). However, I forgot to post the photo on the blog. This time it was my fault and the photo hadn't done a disappearing trick.

We are also celebrating finished projects again. Helen came up with a fantastic idea. Every time someone has a finish they are handed a raffle ticket. At the end of the month a ticket is drawn and they can pick out something from a lucky dip. So Tuesday night everyone was handed out raffle tickets. The prizes aren't big but some of them might be pretty and some might be useful. It's just nice to show appreciation for everyones talent now and then.

Margaret had a couple of finishes again on Tuesday. She is clearly preparing for winter. The cross stitch was actually a kit that Roberta was giving away. Margaret likes Santa's and immediately pounced on it. It looks good in the boxed frame. She also knitted these gorgeous mitts for her youngest. The yarn is chunky and super soft. She then spent Tuesday working on another Christmas cross stitch. This time a snowman.

Stephanie had a few finishes herself. She knitted up these beautiful baby items. All of which are off to the Hospice charity shop in Baillieston. The shop has actually asked to pass on their thanks for everyones generosity. They have loved all the baby clothes and the customers having been ooing over them too. Stephanie (along with June) was knitting scarves in an unusual yarn. Hopefully it won't be long before I can get a photo to show it off.

A friend of Helen's is expecting. She doesn't know the sex of the baby yet. So Helen is being prepared and is planning on knitting for both. This lovely baby boy cardigan is the first of many. Helen spent the evening working on some socks which will be a Christmas gift for another friend.

Fran finished this gorgeous baby blanket. Done in crochet and set off with a ribbon edging. It's more stunning in person and the yarn is lovely and soft. Helen decided that since Tuesday was the first night of giving out raffles it should also be the first night of selecting something from the lucky dip. Fran had the winning ticket and won herself a cross stitch pin cushion.

I had a couple of finishes too. I stitched this frog prince which was a kit that came with a book. I glued it into a hoop and attached some ribbon so that it could be hung from a hook. The socks I finished the week before. It's from the large spools of yarn from Roberta. These socks are for my sisters Christmas. I spent Tuesday interviewing Anthea and knitting up socks using yarn hand dyed by the lovely Lisa.

Look out for Anthea's member of the month interview in the next few days. I have added a new question. Magdalena suggested that we start listing what people are working on. This is something that was done back in the early days. However, with over 30 members I could be there all do. What I will do though is take some 'works in progress' photo's during evenings where there are few finishes. Not all, but a few.

Show and Tell

Last Tuesday we had our show and tell which was a lot of fun. It was just an opportunity for people to bring in some finishes that they are proud of. At the end we had a we raffle just to celebrate. No judging involved. Just a fun way to see what everyone likes to do.

I have a confession to make and I feel so rotten about this. I got home to discover that there were a few photo's missing. I think it must be my camera at fault because there are two photo's missing that I specifically remember taking. They are of new members too. The lesson to learn here is to look through my photo's as I go. I feel bad because one of those new members was so reluctant to have her finish on display (it was beautifully knitted too). I apologise and please don't let that put you off joining in anything else.

These photo's are just in order of my notes so that I don't get mixed up.

Margaret was first with this cross stitch of a swan. This is her pride and joy as it's her first large cross stitch and she loves swans.

This was stitched by myself. I did this about 10 years ago. It was my first large cross stitch with beading and my first time stitching on anything but aida.

Janice is proud of this finished quilt as it was so awkward to do. Due to the geometric pattern everything had to be done right for it to work.

Helen is proud of these recently finished Sashiko pieces. She took her time thinking them out. She liked the style because it's not meant be done fancy. Unlike embroidery there is no fuss.

Stephanie brought some her knits out from her box. A lot of hard work went into these and a lot of new patterns and different yarns were used.

Noreen knitted these beautiful little bootees to hang on the pram. She knits these and sells them for charity.

New member Maureen made these gorgeous hats. This was her first attempt at doing crochet. She even adapted the pattern so that it became a sun hat.

Esther knitted this beautiful baby jacket. She actually didn't want it displayed. Noreen had to sneak it in.

New member Lesley knitted this beautiful cardigan. She altered it so that it used a raggling and she gave it a crochet border (which really sets it off).

Linda made this for her daughters first Halloween (she's now 16). She didn't have a pattern and the spots are all hand stitched because she had no spotty fabric.

Elaine brought along Rosie and Jim. These were her first knitted dolls which she had made for her daughter. She had to rescue them a few years ago when her daughter almost threw them out.

Donna crocheted this gorgeous shawl. She loves granny squares and was looking for a pattern which was a variation of the granny square. She also treated herself to some fancy yarn to make it.

New member Agnes had brought along these beautiful bracelets. Agnes is a beader rather than a knitter and almost didn't come to the group for that reason. Luckily her friends talked her into it knowing she could do her beading too. She enjoys challenges and different types of beaded jewellery including pieces for weddings.

One of the missing photo's was of a baby cardigan by new member Pamela. It was beautifully knitted up on variegated yarn. She enjoyed knitting it because it's all boys in her family and it was a nice change knitting for a girl. The pattern also involved no sewing which she loved.

Audrey had also brought along a lovely owl teddy/cushion which she had knitted up. It was her first time knitting an owl and has since knitted a few more (I tried to take him home but she wouldn't let me).

Everyone who took part got a raffle ticket and there were a few wee prizes. Dawn was my lovely assistant and pulled out the tickets. One of those prizes I had made special. The lovely Lisa designed this gorgeous crochet hook especially for the group. It even has knitting needles and a crochet hook out the top of the ball of yarn. Maureen was the lucky winner which was apt since she had crocheted the sun hat.

Again my apologies for the missing photos. I promise to do better in future. Meanwhile we have September's member of the month interview on Tuesday. The lovely Anthea has volunteered for that so look out for it.