Finished?

It has been the longest WIP I have ever had or owned, and I have made myself a promise to never have another one.

I started making this blanket way back in 2010.

Yes that's right - 2010!! 

And now in 2012 I can say that

I HAVE FINISHED EVIE'S BLANKET!

I decided to enter the Ravelry Ravellenic Games WIP Wrestling Event, 

having a deadline gave me a major boost of encouragement.

I wrestled everyday for 10 days to get it over the finish line.

I wanted this blanket to be out of the project basket and onto the finished pile.

I must say that I am quite happy. 

At the moment it is the perfect size for a little indoor picnic with furry friends, a snuggle on the couch, 

or as a throw over in the car. 

I have yarn left over, so as Evie grows I think I will add to the length.

I think I might have to re-name it "Evie's Ever Growing Garden Blanket".

Did you enter the Ravelry Ravellenic Games?

What have you been making lately?

edited to add: The pattern for this blanket is from Lucy @ Attic24 - it is called Summer Garden Granny Square. I did 5 rounds and 1 round for joining the squares together.

all in a weekend

1. pickings from the veggie garden

2. discovering purple chillies

3. early morning trampoline stories in p.j's

4. making washing powder

5. sewing on a hot Saturday

6. a new bag made from a thrifted pillowcase, instructions found here

7. a new skirt made from a thrifted table cloth

8. & 9. new bath mats made from thrifted sheets and towels :: SouleMama style 

10. jam drops made with my neighbours' homemade strawberry jam :: Gooseberry Jam style

11. a spot of crochet

12. Sunday afternoon thunderstorm

a most enjoyable weekend here, how was your weekend? what did you get up to?

My Softies for Mirabel

My Softies are finished and ready to be posted off to Pip @ Meet Me At Mikes.

 

This one I drew the pattern for the body and legs, it is made from a thrifted flannelette pillowcase (nice and snugly) and the arms and legs are cotton material found in my scraps.

 

I found the pattern for this knitted teddy on Ravelry; it was a bit fiddly as it is a no sew pattern!

I hope these 2 bring some comfort to the 2 kiddies that will receive them!

  

edit: go here for more information re: Softies for Mirabel.

Swap Parcels

This afternoon the Postie delivered a little package! 

I have been looking forward to receiving this parcel with great anticipation!

I received the most gorgeous gifts!

I love the angel wash cloth - it is very special and I am not sure I want to use it to wash the dishes with! 

Also in my swap parcel was some lovely handmade soap, a gorgeous printed napkin, and the cutest little Christmas charm! 

Thank you very much Jenni - your gifts are very special! 

Thank you to Jodie for organising a great swap!

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I posted about my swap items here.

And here is a picture of the gifts that I sent to my Swap Partner.

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I really enjoy participating in swaps. 

Do you participate in swaps? 

Do you know of any swaps that have sign ups happening?

I will be on the look out for a good swap or two in the New Year!

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Little Christmas Decorations

This past week has been better than the last couple and has also been very productive!

In between all of our normal weekly routine happenings, major spring cleaning & de-cluttering, end of year parties and concerts, and other general Christmas preparations, I have squeezed in some crafting time to make some more Christmas presents and decorations. Most have been reasonably small and quick to make, - perfect for this time of the year! 

Here are some finished projects....

Christmas Tea light Cosy
- a thrifted glass and some leftover  yarn.

Small Christmas Stars
-waiting to be made into a garland.

Mini Christmas Stockings

On our Christmas tree are my gorgeous Merry Berries that I received in

 The Haby Goddess Christmas Swap. They look fantastic!

What have you been crafting? 

Do you have any handmade decorations on your tree?

Pop over to my Ravelry Project page for links to the patterns!

Swaps-ies

In the post are my two swap parcels! 

These are my second and third swaps that I have joined in on.

I am really enjoying participating in swaps, it is a pleasure to make something for someone that I have never met and to receive something from someone else is a little bit exciting. 

I love it when the postie delivers a little parcel, don't you?

Anyway, the first swap I entered is with Jodie from over at The Haby Goddess. 

Jodie organised a Christmas Kris Kringle swap with a theme of red and white.

Here is the Kris Kringle gift that I made:

A Christmas Star garland; 

the pattern can be found over at Jelly Wares.

I hope the recipient loves these cute little stars as much as I do and that she has a special little place to hang them in her home!

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The second swap that I entered is with another Jodie, from over at Jelly Wares.

This is an Anonymous Wash Cloth Swap. 

We were asked to make our swap partner feel special, so along with the washer I have gifted her some yummy chocolates, a small candle, and some round cotton pads....I imagine every girl loves chocolate and I hope my swap partner can enjoy hers in a hot bath lit by candle light with nice soft eye pads soaked in lavender water covering her eyes and maybe even a glass of her favourite beverage......ahhhhh, sounds relaxing don't you think? 

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And today the postie delivered my Haby Goddess Kris Kringle gift to me!

This is from Fussy Eater's Mum. 

Thank you Margaret, 

I will be proudly decorating our Christmas tree this year with your gorgeous Merry Berries!

I am looking forward to receiving my special washcloth next! and I will be on the lookout for another swap to join in on, might wait til after Christmas though!

Bestie's Blue Keepsake...

Something special for a Bestie who is turning 10!

A lightweight blanket to provide years of comfort and warmth.

Abbey chose the colour scheme and with the Bestie in mind, together we picked out some lovely material.

We hope the Bestie loves it as much as Abbey and I do!

On My Mind.....

This week I have been thinking a lot about getting this blanket finished for my youngest daughter. It has been one of those WIP's that sit for a while, is pulled out from the basket and worked on for a short time, and then is returned to the basket when another new project pops up that needs to be made. 

I am over it being the longest WIP in history and seeing it just sitting in the basket. 

I must get it finished before starting another new project!

Pop over to Rhonda's @ Down to Earth to see more of "On My Mind"

Finished,

a rainbow crochet cushion - gifted to a special teacher.

Two 10th birthday presents, a knitted light weight vest

and a crocheted cropped cardi, (do you recognise the yarn Jodie?).

 2 crocheted cotton scarves, also birthday gifts.

Another crocheted cotton scarf for a dear friend.

 A very basic and mindless knitted triangle scarf for myself.

and almost finished birthday presents...

I am determined to finish this shawl for myself this week! 

And then I am getting started on the growing Christmas present list of things to make!

What are you making this week?

All of my crochet and knit project details can be seen on my Ravelry Project page.