FO Friday: Nannie McZee card

It's been a while since I've done anything crafty - let alone finish a project! As last Sunday was Mother's Day, I wanted to do something nice for my Mum as she has been so great with looking after Evie while I'm at work and helping out in the house. I looked everywhere for a card that would fit, but none of them were 'right'. So I decided to cross stitch one.

Here is a card for our fabulous 'Nannie McZee' (a play on Nanny McPhee).




And for that truly professional (personal) touch.... no card would be complete without a maker's mark.

FO: Stash Busting Block No. 1

My challenge for January (& February as it's turned out) was to use my yarn stash rather than buying anything new. I haven't had much time for crafting (or blogging) lately as I've started easing my way back into work and pretty much have no free time. So I have just about finished my first block! Yup, it's taken me this long to knit six 3" squares.

I need more practice on cutting cubes, and the squares are a bit too big which makes the cover a bit loose.



 

But it's not too bad for an off-the-cuff projects with no pattern.

FO Friday: Red Riding Hood

It's finished! The duffle coat from Debbie Bliss' Ultimate Book of Baby Knits, was finally finished on new year's day. It's a lovely coat and a great fit for Evie. I made the 3-6 month size and it does have a bit of room to grow into. The knitting (all garter stitch) was very straight forward, unfortunately my making up needs a bit of work - but I won't let this put me off. The yarn used - Debbie Bliss Rialto DK - is lovely and soft and I love the colour. Plus I have 1 and a half left over balls of yarn, so may make a hat.

I am  so pleased with this. I love the hood and cute little pockets, and will most likely make it in the next size up. (I would love to try and scale it up for me, but I think that's a bit beyond my skillset at the moment.)

Now off to Tami's blog to see what everyone else has been up to...

FO Friday #7: A Sleeping Bag

A quick FO Friday post (as I'm meant to be packing for my weekend away!) to show you my first ever knitting commission.

After showing off the sleeping bag I made for Evie I was asked to do one for a friend's nephew.




There's a little pocket with J on (for Jude) & a footprint to use my new found embroidery skills.




The bag (and pocket) were lined with a super soft fleecy blanket.




I was left to my own devices to come up with colours & design, but it's gone down well & I am really pleased with it too.

I don't think I'm going to get a chance to look at the other FOs til next week, unless I can get my packing done quickly - but you can go check out Tami's blog to see what everyone else has been up to.

FO Friday #6: Embroidered Button

I haven't had much time lately for crafting and didn't manage to post a FO last week. This week, I have a very little FO to show you. A little embroidered cupcake button using the free kit that came with Issue 7 of Mollie Makes magazine.

I drew my design on the linen using a wipe off fabric marker...

... then I embroidered over my sketch ...

.... and wiped off the marker pen using a damp cloth....

... then I mounted the fabric on a button. 

For my first attempt at embroidery and covering buttons, I am quite pleased. I love the sketchy feel and it has sparked an idea for a sampler for Evie. I am now going to check out the other FOs on Tamis blog.

November's Challenge(s)

As the last 2 challenges have been knitting related, and I have failed to complete either of them, I'm going to try something new. Here are some things I want to do in November.

ONE

Complete my pregnancy section of Evie's Scrapbook.

TWO

Post a FO Friday post every Friday in November.

THREE

Try embroidery.

FO Friday #5: Evie's Cardigan

Pattern: Debbie Bliss' Classic Cardigan, size 0-3 months

Yarn: DK yarn from stash (don't tell Debbie!)
Started: Sometime while I was pregnant

Finished: 12th October 2011

This should have been posted last week, but better late than never, right? I was also hoping to have another FO to show off but baby & life have got in the way of knitting/crafting stuff. 

I'm pretty happy with the cardigan, it was a lovely pattern to knit and I got to practice my making up skills, which I think are improving. I just wish I had made it with a better wool. (Sorry, Debbie, I definitely won't do it again!) 

I'm now heading off to Tami's Blog to see what everyone else has done.

FO Friday #4: My Living Room

Alright so this FO is a bit of a cheat, but this week we finally finished re-decorating our living room.

We started it nearly 2 years ago and on Wednesday put our new carpet down & sorted all of the cupboards out. (It's taken all week to sort, move everything around & clean, so there hasn't been much crafting going on - hence the cheating post!) It's lovely, so clean & tidy & cosy....I just wonder how long it will stay that way.

Check out some other (proper) FOs on Tami's blog.

FO Friday #3: Mug Cosy

Pattern: Mug Cosy (not yet published)

Yarn: Sirdar Supersoft Aran
Needle Size: 4mm crochet hook
Started: 27th September 2011

Finished: 27th September 2011

I can't believe it's time for another FO Friday!

This is just a small one today as I am working on some quite big projects at the moment, though I haven't done very much knitting or crochet this week.

I was asked to test out this pattern (to be published soon) which took me about an hour or so to crochet. It's quick and straightforward and would make a lovely personalised Christmas gift. Stick it in a hamper with some nice coffee and biscuits....not forgetting the mug!

The one thing I really did want to show you finished was the cardigan for Evie as part of my September Challenge. However, once again I have managed to keep putting it off. Having said that I still have 6 hours of September left....maybe there's still time.....

This post was inspired by Tami's Amis & Other Creations.

FO Friday #2 Baby Booties

Pattern: Greemy Baby Booties

Yarn: 4 ply baby cotton. (From my stash - can't remember the brand.)
Needle Size: 3mm straight & DPN
Started: 20th August 2011 

Finished: 23rd September 2011

Well, I just about made it to this weeks FO Friday! 

Apart from not changing yarn colour and using different yarn to that specified, I followed the pattern exactly. This is a quick and straightforward pattern, and I could happily make a few pairs to match Evie's outfits. Best of all, they stay on her feet - unlike the socks that she managed to kick off before I've managed to get the second one on!

This post was inspired by a linky set up by Tami's Amis & Other Creations.

FO Friday #1 Baby Sleeping Bag

Pattern: Baby Cocoon Sack by Bernat
Yarn: Lamb's Pride Worsted (Pistachio) & Cascade 220 (Cream), approx 1 skein of each for sack, plus oddments for flowers
Needle Size: 4.5mm, circular, 3.75mm crochet hook for flowers
Started: 20th July 2011
Finished: 16th September 2011

I didn't follow the pattern exactly as I just wanted the stripes rather than texture. I added the little crochet flowers & a button to make it a bit more girlie, and lined it with a light fleece blanket to make it super soft & cwtchy.

Crochet flower embellishment

Super soft & cwtchy fleece lining

It was a pretty easy project as it was knit in the round and, apart from the lining & flowers, there was no making up to do. I am not entirely happy with the flowers, they look a bit thrown on at the moment, but I'm not sure how to improve this. Maybe by adding some leaves? (Any suggestions appreciated.)

I will definitely experiment with the general shape of this bag and plan to make another one for when Evie is too big for this. I also quite fancy one for myself....but really don't think I have that much patience.

This post was inspired by a linky set up by Tami's Amis & Other Creations, which I discovered via Crafts from the Cwtch, and I hope will become a permanent fixture on this blog.