Beating the sewing blues

...or rather, the non-sewing blues! Yep, as you may have noticed, there has been very little sewing going on round these parts since...well, before Christmas. I'm in a proper non-sewing rut. Mostly, I blame the weather. It's cold, so so cold. It's dark. It's dingy. It's dark when I leave the house, and it's dark when I get home. Most days all I want to do when I get home from work is curl up on the sofa under a blanket and veg out in front of the TV for the rest of the evening. I know I'm not the only blogger suffering from a bit of this at the moment. I don't do well with winter - I think I would like to be an animal that hibernates, perhaps a hedgehog, or a bear. Bears are cute. I could eat plenty of high fat foods (yum cake) for a few months to store energy, curl up under a huge pile of blankets in the toasty warm, go to sleep for a few months and live off my fat stores and then wake up in the spring when the sun is peeping out. What's not to love? Seriously. Sadly, I am not a bear. So I must put up with the winter and the associated lack of motivation to do, well, anything really. So as I said, mostly I blame the weather.

Over the last few days though, I have been getting a few signs that spring may be preparing to be sprung. The evenings have definitely been getting brighter, and there are some beautiful crocuses blooming on the grass near my office. I love spring flowers, daffodils and tulips are my favourites, particularly daffodils. When I was in my previous job I used to walk to work through a park where every spring there were daffodils in abundance. I used to love walking past and marvelling at all the many many different types, blooming in all their glory. Is there a more cheerful sight to be seen than a flowerbed full of daffodils? I think that's why I like them so much - they make me smile.

I think another reason for may sewing rut is that l haven't made anything I really love in ages, which has knocked me back a bit. I think what I need is a quite and easy project to give me a big kick out of my sewing rut and back in the game!

Do you suffer from the sewing blues? Or even the winter blues? I'd love to hear your tips for banishing the blues away! Bring on the spring I say :)

K xx

Sock Success Part Deux

Brrrr it's been chilly in the UK this week! And last week too thinking about it. All the cold weather has left me wanted to do nothing much except curl up under a blanket on the sofa. I think I would do well as an animal that hibernates. A bear perhaps. I haven't even been in the mood to do much of anything crafty, which is a shocker. However, over the past few days it has been getting progressively warmer, and there was a spot of rain last night which melted the last of the snow. Today has been sunny and spring-like, and has brought me out of my winter funk.

Despite the lack of craftyness in these parts of late, I do have something to share with you. I have finally finished sock number two. Yep, I have a pair!

 

 



These socks have been a work in progress for what feels like ever. It was way back in September that I first cast on, and October when I finished sock #1...which means sock #2 has taken 3 months to knit (although this was interrupted by Christmas crafting so i guess it wasn't really 3 months). However, I am really pleased with my finished socks. I feel like I have really learnt a lot! When I first cast on I have never worked with double pointed needles, I had never attempted to knit a sock before and I was terrified of the heel! By the time I finished the socks, I was comfortable knitting with dpns and heel #2 was nowhere near as scary as the first.

The yarn used here was Regia 4 ply self-striping yarn (I realise this is totally cheating, but there is no way I would have had the patience to put each of the stripes in individually!!). This colourway is called Snowflake, which seems appropriate given the recent weather. I got both socks from one 100g ball of yarn, with a tiny bit left over. I love the pattern and I tried my best to match the stripes (if mostly worked, although don't look to closely at the heels....!). I followed this pattern here, which was very well explained even for someone clueless at socks!!

Would I knit socks again? Absolutely! They are the perfect transportable project. However, I think the next thing I cast on is a hat - another first for me. I'm looking for something chunky and easy to knit, but which also looks good. Any suggestions gratefully received, otherwise I will be stalking Ravelry this evening!

Knitters, what's on your knitting needles at the moment?

K xx

FO: Twit Twoo Owl Handwarmers

You may remember that a few weeks ago I shared my excitement about the Owl Awesomeness on the front cover of the November issue of Mollie Makes. And now here they are in the...yarn?! Hopefully you can see the owls peeking out...I love the way that they are there but are quite subtle...blink and you'll miss them (the eyes definitely help!).

Twit Twoo!

I used chunky yarn so these knit up relatively quickly. I managed to get both gloves out of one ball of yarn with plenty to spare.This was my first foray into cable stitch and I was pleased to find it simpler than I imagined, although the rib sections also contain some small-scale cabling which was rather fiddly indeed! 

They just happen to go perfectly with my Minoru jacket...

I wore them out for the first time today and they are just so warm and cosy. Good job it wasn't too chilly though...the problem with fingerless glove-types is the poor exposed fingers (although this is a blessing in disguise as I'm not sure I'm up to the task of 10 whole fingers (or rather 8 fingers and 2 thumbs, if you want to be pedantic...!).

What's on your knitting needles at the moment? I think next for me will have to be one of the gorgeous patterns sent to me by my Sewist's Secret Santa...thanks Santa :)

K xx

Jumping on the 2012 review bandwagon....

Yes I know I'm a little bit late to the party, but I've really enjoyed reading all the 2012 review posts and I couldn't resist sneaking in with one of my own!

Looking back over my blog posts from the last year I was surprised to discover how many things I made in 2012. In April I started a new job which involves a moderately long commute and cuts down my sewing time considerably. I expected this to have a drastic effect on my stitching, and while it has meant that I have perhaps cut down the number of "big" projects I have completed, I seem to have balanced this out with a fair number of smaller projects. Below I have listed everything I have made this year split in to sewing and knitting:

Sewing

2 Pendrell blouses (here and here)
1 Truffle dress
1 New Look dress
3 Renfrews (only one blogged here)
1 Minoru jacket
1 pyjama bottoms

Sewaholic Minoru jacket - probably my most worn make this year

  
iPad case
4 knitting needle rolls
Childs apron
Tote bag

Knitting

1 snood
2 jumpers (1 currently unblogged)
2 bunnies
Owl cushion
3 meerkats



Knitted meerkats for my friends wedding

In terms of clothing, the vast majority of my makes were from Sewaholic Patterns. I have mentioned my love for Tasia's designs many times on this blog. It is great to have found a series of patterns that I know fit me well with minimal alterations!

At the start of 2012 i set myself a number of goals for the year. So how did I do?

1. Sew more basics
This one I stuck to - sort of. I made a couple of Pendrell blouses and Renfrews which are routinely worn. However I could do with sewing even more basics, in particular for the bottom half!

2. Stashbust
Erm....yeah. Both my yarn and fabric stashes are bigger now than they were at the start of last year. Opps. What can I say, I just cannot resist beautiful things (or a good deal!)

3. Interact more with the blogging community
This one I definitely stuck to! I took part in 2 meet ups, one of which I co-organised, as well as two other sewing gatherings, including one where the fabulous Dibs taught us some milinary skills. I hope to attend more meet-ups this year - there is nothing better than a day of fabric shopping and nattering about stitching with people who understand! I am so grateful for the wonderful people I met last year and cannot wait to do it all again. Who knows, maybe a summer Birmingham meet-up is in order?

Birmingham bloggers meet-up

4. Be more patient
Sort of. My Minoru jacket was a slow burner and I did enjoy the leisurely process. However, I still do tend to set myself stupidly tight deadlines (I may have been finishing up the meerkats in a hotel room on the morning of my friends wedding, for example!) which is something I need to work on. Sewing should not be stressful!

5. Take part in a craft fair
This one did not happen unfortunately, due to starting my new job I just did not have time. However, 2013 is another year!

So I did so-so with my last years goals. But this will not deter me from making new aims for 2013 - no no it will not. However, I will restrict myself to 3:

1. Make more time for stitching
If i don't have time to do the things I want to do, I get grumpy. However, most of the time it is my fault. Instead of waiting until I have hours to spare, I would like to make the most of the time available. 15 minutes here, 30 minutes there - it will soon add up!

2. Take better photos for my blog
Often I am lazy and snap a few shots on my iPhone rather than taking out my camera and doing things properly. This shows on my blog, and I feel guilty about not giving my makes the great presentation they deserve. There are many blogs I admire which have fantastic photography, and I think this really makes a difference. So this year I would like to stop being lazy and make an effort to do my handiwork justice!

3. Make progress on a hand-stitched work wardrobe
When I started my new job I purchased a small number of grown-up work clothes with the aim to add to this number with me-made garments. This never quite happened, aside from a few tops. This year I would like to work on more everyday garments that can become staples of my work wardrobe, in particular dresses which I love but lack!

What are your goals for the year? Does anyone else out there share any of my three? In particular, I am interested in anyone who plans to make more time for stitching this year - it would be great to share tips and follow how everyone gets on as the year progresses!

Happy New Year everyone - I hope 2013 is happy and healthy for you and your loved ones :)

K xx

A little Christmas Crafting

Well hello there! I hope you all had a very merry Christmas. I spent a week at my parents house, eating far too much yummy food and doing far too little of anything else, which was lovely. I am now back at home and have over a week until I have to go back to work (yey!). I have many plans for the time off, including the obligatory pre-New Year tidying, and hopefully some sewing too. The time before Christmas passed by in such a blur of business that it is great to have some more sedate days coming up! My poor blog was a little neglected over December so I have lots to catch up on. First up - Christmas crafting!

I made the decision not to craft many presents this year, mainly due to lack of time. Most of my nearest and dearest received hand baked goodies, which I unfortunately forgot to photograph, but included fruity biscotti, orange and pistachio stollen, chocolate covered fudge, mango chutney and chilli jam. I managed to get most of the baking and making done in one rather manic afternoon, which worked well and took the pressure off a little. This meant I had plenty of time left to make the three stitched gifts I had in mind...

Apron for a small person

Meer-Santa!

Simple lined bag for my Nana

I was lucky enough to receive some lovely crafty gifts myself, including a lovely package from the Sewist's Secret Santa that I organised. Before I forget, I would like to say thank you so much to everyone who took part and especially those who have sent me such lovely emails telling me how much they enjoyed shopping for their Santees. I can't believe how many people signed up - we had almost 30 in the end. It is great to see everyones gifts popping up all over the blogosphere - so many people did fantastically well with the £5 budget! I hope everyone has received their gift by now - if not please let me know and I will chase it up. So what did I get I hear you cry? This lovely knitting bundle...

 

 

I was really touched by the thought that had gone into my gift. My Santa included a note saying that she had been inspired by the polka dot lining on my minoru jacket to put together a little knitting bundle for me to make co-ordinating accessories. The kit included polka dot buttons, yarn and five patterns, one of which you can see in the picture above. I think this is the pattern I will start off with - although I keep changing my mind! So thank you Santa - I love my gift :) And what did I send?? Ah...that would be telling!

 

I also took part in another swap organised by Vicki from VickiKateMakes...more on this next time. Also I've been lucky enough to be nominated for some blog awards lately - thanks so much to those who nominated me - more on these also coming soon :)

 

Finally, if you are looking for some inspired new projects or want to be in with a chance to win yourself a late Christmas present, pop over to Mellie's Workroom where Mellie is starting her stash-busting resolution early by hosting a giveaway! There are three gorgeous lots on offer...I have my eye on at least one of them!

 

K xx

 

Merry Christmas!

Hello Everyone!

I may have been a bit quiet on the blog front recently, but I can assure you that behind the scenes I have been beavering away making Christmas goodies! More on that in soon, but this morning I am off to my parent's house for Christmas (the land of no laptop OR sewing machine....although I will be taking my knitting!) so this is just a quick post to wish you all a very Happy Christmas!

Hopefully most people who took part in the Sewist's Secret Santa should have received their gifts by now...I am so excited to open mine, and to see what everyone else got! Any problems please let me know.

Other than that - have a good one and see you on the other side!

K xx

Sewist's Secret Santa Update!

Hello Everyone!

Wow what a busy few weeks I have had. I have been on weekends away to Wales and Berlin, been ridiculously busy at work, and even managed to finish a few makes (more details coming soon!). It's been lovely, but I am looking forward to spending this weekend at home and getting stuck in to my Christmas shopping/gift making.

How are you all getting on buying your gifts for the Sewist's Secret Santa? Several people have emailed me to say they have posted theirs, which is fabulous. I do hope that gifts will soon start dropping on to doormats around the globe. It's all so exciting!

A few people have asked me whether their gifts can be handmade, thrifted or shopped from their stash. Absolutely! The only restriction is the £5 limit, but if you want to make gifts using stash items and count them as free, then that's fine too. I have also been asked if you can let your Sant-ee know who the gift came from. My answer is - I think it's more exciting to keep it secret, but if you are busting to tell, then go ahead.

I'm shopping for my Sant-ee tomorrow...I can't wait! Has anyone else got festive plans for the weekend?

K xx