Getting back in the groove.....

It's been just too hot lately to do much. That and I've have not had much enthusiasm for anything. I have started to feel more like it this last week.

Many years ago I did an adult community education class with Jill Lind. Jill once worked for Patons and knows everything about knitting and crocheting. She introduced me to broomstick and Tunisian crochet. I have wanted to make jumpers (Queensland speak for cardigans) for myself for ages. Mum has knitted beautiful jumpers for me over the years, but her arthritis stops her these days. Due to an odd arm, my knitting is painfully slow. Beanies, booties and tea cosies are my limit.

I love crochet, but until recently I only did d'oyles and handkerchief and towel edges.
I have been gathering books on Tunisian crochet. This method will give me a garment with the look of knitting but the ease of crocheting. So the purple thing in the photo below is the start of a shawl or mobius wrap. I shouted myself a set of Denise crochet hooks. The set has different tails and hooks that can be mixed and matched via a locking system on the ends. It is a fairly simple pattern and I can do it in front of the TV at night, when my eyes are not so good for stitching and my hands are not so sticky that the wool won't flow smoothly.

In the tin is the Chocolate block for my SAL SKoW quilt. I am far behind, but I will get there.
Below, pinned and ready for quilting, is the quilt top I made up to replace the 'too blue' one I mentioned in the last post. I am very happy with the way it turned out.

I am going to trial the basting method that uses slats of timber with the top and backing rolled onto them. My knees and back do not like me pinning the quilts on the tiled floor anymore.
Well I'm not going downstairs to quilt it now -too hot - over 30 degrees C still. I'll try in the early morning.

Take care everyone,
Kayly

A January Finish!

It might not be much, but at least it qualifies as a finish. The shawl has dropped a bit (opened up) more since it's been on the hanger.
I saw this pattern at the Jenny King Crochet stand at a recent craft show. The sample was made up in a brilliant blue thread - recycled sari silk respun.
I used a bright pink thread - 'Brilla' - a cotton/ viscose mix.
I took a while getting used to using the recommended hook for this project. It uses a 16 mm (Q) hook size! It was like crocheting with crowbar!!!!
The shawl should look good over a white or black singlet top.
I have been working on my swap gift for this year's Girls' Day in the Country at Nundle. I'll only be able to show a sneak peek as it is a secret. We had to use an 'Anni Downs' pattern as Anni is the guest tutor again this year.
I've also finished my Gardener's quilt top. Now for the quilting. Lookout Nundle, I might even make it.
Take care everyone.
Kayly

Some crafting done.

I have managed to do a little crocheting, mainly as a sanity saver in amongst the end of year rush.
I helped make kitchen towels for the primary school stalls when my son was there. I don't know how many I made, but I got to the stage where I could do them in my sleep. I doubled the towel over to make it a bit more absorbent. The pattern on the towel is kitchen tools.










I have to show off this flower. I have had this Parodia magnifica for over 5 years. Today it finally flowered!













Ah well, that's the end of my lunch break, back to cleaning the house. We are hosting Christmas this year. My sister, her children and granddaughter will hopefully be coming down from Gympie. They get flood bound easily. There is more rain on the way, so I hope they are able to still come.
Take care everyone,
Kayly

A finish of sorts.

Sorry to anyone trying to read my last post. I'm still getting the hang of these layouts. The preview button is not helpful and is different to what actually appears on the screen.

The above is a finish. I love real hankies. Tissues do exist in this house, but they are relegated to back of the drawer. The reason for that is I'm sick of picking tissue fluff off clothes because I missed one when doing the wash.
I did not do the embroidery. The crochet edge pattern is my variation of one from a Myart book. Read - I made a mistake and didn't want to undo a lot of work.

My finish seems a bit insignificant. I've been blog hopping. I cannot get over the productivity of some people! Their sidebars are full of wonderful items. I need to stop procrastinating and get on with being creative.

These are my choices for the Gardener's Journal quilt. They are all ironed and ready for cutting. I hope to have my first block finished this weekend. At least 40% of the people listed on the Stitch-along site have already finished block G. I'm still not 100% happy with what I've picked. I'll see what it looks like when the block is finished.

Our Thai cooking lessons are paying off. I cooked tea tonight using one of the recipes and it was delicious, even if I do say so myself. I'm not the greatest or most enthusiastic cook. For those who commented on the possibility of DH cooking -I'm spoilt, DH does most of the weekend cooking.

It's ANZAC Day on Sunday here in Australia - a day for commemoration and remembrance of all our past and present Australian and New Zealand Armed Forces. We'll be attending our local dawn service. Attendance has been steadily building over the last few years. It is good to see we 'still remember them'.

LEST WE FORGET.

Kayly