Rainshine at the Moulin Rouge

I bought this pattern as a ebook of 5 patterns called the close to you collection from Boo Knits on Ravelry. I absolutely love all the patterns in this ebook! This pattern is called Rainshine. I have made it in a deep red hence the name Moulin Rouge. The Yarn is from Solstice yarns, it is called Rivendell lace, consisting of 55% Blue faced leicester and 45% Silk. The colourway is called Dark secret, a gorgeous tone of very deep red with a hint of shading which gives it depth. This was a gift from my friend Tillytrout, Thanks Tilly! The pattern was so easy to follow. I would definitely knit it again! I used 70 grams of the 100 gram skein, so I still have some of this scrummy yarn left. Here it is...

Messing about with free motion

I have been having a play with some of the free motion quilting patterns I have seen on Leah days website. She has so many different ideas for free motion patterns on the website, it is amazing! Here are some of the samples I have been making. These are not proper projects just little tests to see what I can do. I can use them as a reference later for ideas on what patterns to quilt. 

This is my favourite, it was quite time consuming but I am pleased with the end product.

I want to try the 'microcropic world' design, which insists of circles and tiny tiny vermicelli, next!

New Roman Blinds and Bunting!

My New Years resolution was to make blinds for our conservatory, as our garden is overlooked. I needed to make 7 so I made them entirely with calico fabric.

Here's how I made the Roman blinds...

I used a piece of fabric exactly the size I wanted the blind as the backing. For the front I used a piece 10cm larger at the sides and 20cm longer. I used a sewing machine to stitch Velcro to the top edge and I folded and pinned the hems on all 4 sides using the lining fabric as a guild to the size. I double checked the edges were straight and corners were square using a ruler. I then hand sewed all hems. I used 3/4 inch cotton tape to make the rod pockets, sewing them in place with the machine. Fibreglass rods were slipped into these pockets and hand sewed shut. Small plastic loops were sewn at each end on the rod pockets. I used silicone sealant to attach wooden strips above the window, these had been painted white and Velcro attached using a staple gun. Once the sealant had dried overnight we attached eyelet screws to either end of the wood (bottom side). The blind was attached to the wood been by the Velcro. Cords were tied to the bottom plastic loop and threaded up through all loops on one side (including the eyelet screw in the wood). The same was repeated for the other side. The cord on one side was threaded through the eyelet on the other side so that both cords hung together and they could be pulled to lift the blind. The cord was secured by attaching a cleat hook to one side of the window. A pull cord weight was attached to tidy up the ends of the cord. For the wider blinds I used 3 rows for loops. 

           

The Bunting...

To brighten up the plain blinds I made some star bunting. They are just star shapes containing wadding sewn together in a row. I used Velcro to attach them, as I did for the blinds. This way I can change my colour scheme whenever I like. I am looking forward to having Christmas bunting!

Hat and cowl to keep off the winter chill!

I saw these patterns in the February edition of Simply knitting and immediately fell in love! I used the yarn called for in the pattern as I loved the colours! The patterns are called Hillside and Windbreak by Amanda Jones.

I started with the hat. This was very easy to knit, it is not real fair isle, it is just slipped stitches, amazing! 

I moved onto the cowl, which is real fair isle. I was easier than I thought to keep the tension correct. 

Really pleased with the finished items. The wools are fantastic colours from the Wendy Ramsdale range. They feel lovely to knit, although slightly scratchy to wear. I think I am probably over sensitive, but I will be lining the cowl and hat in some lovely fleece.

Liebster Award

Thank you to Sally Strawberry for nominating me for the Liebster award! I am very flattered, thank you Sally! For those of you who don't know what the Liebster award is, it is an online award that is passed from one blogger to another with the aim of promoting blog's that have less than 200 followers. They are a few rules, these are....

1) Thank the person who nominated you with a link to their blog

2) Display the Liebster Award button in your post

3) Answer the questions you are given

4) Nominate up to 10 other bloggers with up to 200 followers and inform them by commenting on their blog or contacting them

5) Write 10 questions for the bloggers you have nominated

Most people I follow have more than 200 followers so I only have one person to nominate! 

I would like to nominate Adam at Electronics project builder

So here are the answers to Sally's questions....

1- Toast or Cereal?

Cereal definitely, with lots of lovely blueberries, yum!

2- If you could be someone for the day who would you be, and why?

I would be me in a room full of crafty goodness with all the time in the world to play!

3- If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

Near friends and my lovely Adam

4- What is your favourite film?

The Hobbit, the battle of the five armies. I love fantasy films, they are an escape for me

5- Did you make any New Years resolutions/goals for 2015? If so do spill the beans!

My first New Years resolution was to get on with the most useful of my sewing projects, which I have fulfilled so far by making 7 roman blinds for my conservatory. I hope to make a cover for my diary next

My second one has been less successful, giving up chocolate. At least I managed 6 days!

6- When was the last time you flew a kite?

Summer 2009 on Southborne beach with my fiancé Adam. I wrote I love Adam in the sand and he wrote"I love lamp", a reference from Anchorman!

7- Are you a morning or an evening person?

A bit of both. I sometimes jump out of bed at 6am on a Saturday to go and play with my sewing machine.

8- Camping or Hotel?

Definitely hotel, I like me creature comforts, especially a lovely breakfast made for me!

9- Tell us a lesser known fact about yourself

I am a fan of Metallica

10-What are your three top hobbies

I love all things crafty really, but if I have to pick 3: Quilting, Sewing and Knitting

My Questions to Adam at Electronics project builder are...

1. Marvel or DC?

2. What is your favourite hobby?

3. What inspired you to start your hobby?

4. Eggs benedict or English breakfast?

5. What new craft would you like to have a go at?

6. Who taught you to ride a bike?

7. What is your favourite star constellation and why?

8. What is your favourite blog you like to follow? 

9. What are you currently working on?

10. What is your favourite film of all time?

Thanks again Sally for nominating me! Don't forget to visit Sally's blog on 

http://sallystrawberrycrochetandknitting.blogspot.co.uk/