So that's where you are!

 I had forgotten about my crafting blog and what a rich source of ideas it could be.

Also how much crafting I managed to complete when working full time.

I have finally retired but family commitments have totally taken over my life. 

A very frail elderly father who insists on living at home despite numerous falls and terminal kidney disease. 

A lively 3 year old grandson plus the now 10 year old Joel whose parents work incredibly long hours.

So my time for being creative is squeezed very tightly.

However having rediscovered this blog I am determined to keep it going. I just need to make something to write about!!

Embroidery fun

My hubby is the BBQ king in our family and our older grandson loves to help.

To stop them both getting messy they wear aprons so I have added a touch of embroidery ready for the next time we fire up the coals.

Golden cords

I've just finished a pair of dungarees for Jesse in a gorgeous golden stretch corduroy. 

I added an elephant patch made on my embroidery machine.

spring is on the way

A lighter weight hoodie for Jesse to wear over his wetsuit when we go swimming on Mondays. In winter we wrap up warmly but as the weather warms he wears his wetsuit and a hoodie.... occasionally his wellies which he can put on himself!!

This is made in a bamboo double knitting weight

So warm but light perfect for Spring

winter woollies

As the colder weather approaches I have started knitting for the family. 

First a couple of cardigans for Jesse. 

He really suits strong bright colours so I chose a purple multi yarn and a green multi yarn

He also is into owls. His favourite bedtime snuggle is an owl so I made a hat into a  owl.

Summer shorts

If we ever do get a summer....or will that be a warm autumn.... I will need another pair of shorts.

Following on from the success of my previous pair I chose oshgosh denim from Dots n Stripes in green.

The pattern is ancient, one from the 80s that I used to regularly make.

I have tweaked it a bit and instead of side pockets added back patch pockets.

I love the material which gets softer with every wash.

Simple to make and comfy to wear.

mini me

My grandson Joel adores his Babu (grandad) and has often asked for matching cardigans. 

This time I went for a matching summer shirt. 

The African print is so bright and cheerful and reminds Babu of his time working in Africa which was very happy.

When I showed my grandson he was quite speechless but his face was beaming.

They will look incredible together this summer 

summer sewing 2023

In the depths of winter my local craft shop Calico Laine launched a bright and cheerful range of African themed fabrics. 

As Mike has spent many months working in Africa over the last 15 years and adores the culture especially the bright clothes  I couldn't resist creating a summer shirt for him.

This abstract pattern in turquoise,  browns and oranges is a delight 

It's a medium weight smooth cotton which sewed up very well 

I used my overlocker for the main seams and my standard machine for the rest.

It took about 10 hours total sewing time.

The buttons are a rather subtle mother of pearl in a rusty brown.

Cosy Jacket

A warm shawl collared jacket in fisherman's rib with a square bobble hat to match.

Yarn is Stylecraft Bellissima shade purple passion with a touch of mustard to contrast. 

The pattern is King Cole 4121 but I altered the texture for the cardigan.

Up up and away

My favourite fabric shop is Dots n Stripes run by Nicole who specialises in unusual prints often from Europe.

I bought a piece of waffle Cotton Jersey with the most delightful print of hot air balloons.

Perfect for a pair of rompers for Jesse

A birthday bear

When I posted pictures of Jesse's bear my sister non too subtly hinted she would like one for her upcoming 60th birthday. So here he is. 

The birthday is Christmas eve so although I've written about the bear 🐻  in November I won't post until the new year!

Polar hoodie for Joel

A few years ago I bought a wonderful organic cotton jersey panel with polar bears, penguins and snow.

The images are quite large so at the time any garment for Joel would have cut the beautiful pictures so I held onto the material until the day Joel was tall enough to be able to wear the panel whole.

The time has come so I have used our favourite pattern and made Joel a winter hoodie.

A fleecy all in one

Jesse has to do the school walk with his big brother and it is getting chilly so I've made him a fleecy all one suit to keep him warm.

I used a Minikrea snuggle pattern and a bright dinosaur material.

European patterns usually have to be traced off and you add your own seam allowance. 

The instructions are sparse but manageable. 

Sadly the fleece frayed the plush badly so I overlocked every piece before sewing up.

I used my popper gadget so no buttonholes 

I'm quite happy with the result even if the material was a pain to sew. It is quite thick and fleecy so was a challenge for my machines.

A bear for Jesse

I am not a toy maker! 

However when I say this delightful knitted pattern for fig bear by Pat Alinejad designs I fell in love.

So I bought the pattern and printed it out  then sent off for one of the recommended yarns.

Pat also recommended a chunky plain yarn for feet and inner ears

The pattern is extremely well laid out with very good instructions. The fluffy yarn is a pain to see where you are up to and difficult to sew up.

Pat's instructions on making  up very cleverly use plain yarns.

My bear has taken about two weeks to knit  mainly because I needed good daylight to see where I was putting my needle.

About three days for sewing up and stuffing.

I used child safe eyes but decided to sew the nose which looks decidedly chewable!

So here he is

Very cute, really soft and so cuddly.

The pattern also includes a basic tiny jumper pattern with Christmas motifs. 

My bear is getting a green jumper with a heart.

 All finished ready for Santa and snuggles  

Pumpkins!

I decided to make my own pumpkins to display over the autumn season.

After a good search on the Internet I chose a crochet pattern by Bella Coco who has wonderful tutorials on YouTube. 

I used Stylecraft  chunky yarn which is a grade thicker year she recommends and probably made my job harder, definitely slower. Aran eeight would have been much easier to crochet smoothly and quickly.

Never mind, I love the larger size and robustness.

snuggly all in one

My younger grandson needed something to keep him warm in his pushchair when  on the school run for his big brother. 

He would also be wearing it in the carpet so it couldn't be too puffy.

I chose a  heavy sweatshirt jersey with a fluffy lining in pale blue.

I decided to add an embroidery motif using my relatively new machine.

The pattern is a Minikrea "bunting" which is a cute European  term for an all in one.

This is the first time I've made the pattern and it worked really well.

I also made some little mittens to match.

The pattern suggests either a wrap over tie for fastening or a slightly altered front and use a zip.

I have a popper gadget so used that instead. It works well.

it is a bit big but he really is a dot so plenty of growing room.....

A little cardigan for a new baby

A friend is about to have her first baby so I have made a cardigan as a present. 

The pattern is from King Cole baby book No.1. A lovely book full of beautiful patterns for  newborns to 18 months.

I didn't use the recommended yarn using Caron cotton cake instead

 I like the colourway especially as we don't know the gender of the baby yet

This is the wrap around cardigan pattern

 The fancy stitch makes for quite a heavy weight which I'm not thrilled with but the result is cute.

 I used a simple button with balloons  to finish off

Something to keep you warm

I have a new pattern for a zip up fleece for Joel

I decided to try it out with cheaper fabric but in the end it turned out to be perfectly wearable and therefore a  very economic make.

I chose a bright red zip to stand out and I think it really works.

Fleece isn't the easiest fabric to work with mainly due to the thickness but it doesn't fray so no edging required.

Dinosaurs rule

This year's hoodie for Joel just shows how much he is maturing. 

Plus he asked for thumb holes!

Baby makes

We have another grandson so I've been making tiny clothes.

He doesn't need many knits because his mummy carefully packed away all my knitting for Joel.

So Jesse is getting the benefit of my sewing 

A cute bee jersey with mustard cuffs

I just had to add a matching cardigan 

I couldn't resist creating this intarsia owl jumper. Jesse has a fluffy owl chosen by his big brother so I made this.