Let's make kittens.

Finally got my sewing machine out from under my desk, oiled it and sorted out the tention.

My apprectice tailors knocked up some little cat stuffies-

boy02 now begs me to let him do 'practice sewing' on the sewing machine every day after school.

Cucumber

All Fired Up!

We went to a ceramics painting party last night, at All Fired Up on East Dulwich Road, to celebrate Kate's upcoming Birthday.

Kate the Birthday Girl

All Fired Up, provide everything you need. One of the assistants gives you instructions and are on hand to answer any questions. You choose what you want to paint, have a look around for inspiration and off you go. There are also books, stamps and stencils.

We had a party package which included a buffet and it worked out at about £20 each.

Lousinia's coasters

It takes about 7-10 days for the pots to be fired, so watch this space for the grand unveiling.

Val's ode to Purple mug

Debbie's Mug

Kate's WIP

Mandi's 'Bit's and Bob's 'Pot

Mine

Flower pot for Jan's new bathroom.

A jolly time was had by all.

Ultimate Knitters List of things to do

Found this list at Knitting Under the Influence via The Thrifty Knitter site.
It's the ultimate knitters checklist.

the ones in purple are the ones I can check off!

• Afghan/Blanket (baby)
• I-cord
• Garter stitch
• Knitting with metal wire
• Shawl
• Stockinette stitch
• Socks: top-down
• Socks: toe-up
• Knitting with camel yarn
• Mittens: Cuff-up
• Mittens: Tip-down
• Hat
• Knitting with silk
• Moebius band knitting
• Participating in a KAL (knit a long, this where a group of people knit the smae thing and talk about it)
• Sweater
• Drop stitch patterns
• Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
• Slip stitch patterns
• Knitting with banana fiber yarn
• Domino knitting (modular knitting)
• Twisted stitch patterns
• Knitting with bamboo yarn
• Two end knitting
• Charity knitting
• Knitting with soy yarn
• Cardigan
• Toy/doll clothing
• Knitting with circular needles
• Knitting with your own handspun yarn (watch this space!)
• Slippers (do tiny ones count?)
• Graffiti knitting (knitting items on, or to be left on the street)
• Continental Knitting
• Designing knitted garments
• Cable stitch patterns (incl. Aran)
• Lace patterns
• Publishing a knitting book (you never know…)
• Scarf
• American/English knitting (as opposed to continental)
• Knitting to make money
• Button holes
• Knitting with alpaca
• Fair Isle knitting
• Norwegian knitting (?)
• Dying with plant colors
• Knitting items for a wedding
• Household items (dishcloths, washcloths, tea cozies…)
• Knitting socks (or other small tubular items) on two circulars
• Olympic knitting (?)
• Knitting with someone else’s handspun yarn
• Knitting with DPNs
• Holiday related knitting
• Teaching a male how to knit
• Bobbles
• Knitting for a living
• Knitting with cotton
• Knitting smocking
• Dying yarn
• Steeks (?)
• Knitting art
• Fulling/felting
• Knitting with wool
• Textured knitting
• Kitchener BO
• Purses/bags
• Knitting with beads
• Swatching
• Long Tail CO
• Entrelac (?)
• Knitting and purling backwards (?)
• Machine knitting
• Knitting with self-patterning/self-striping/variegating yarn
• Stuffed toys
• Baby items
• Knitting with cashmere
• Darning
• Jewelry
• Knitting with synthetic yarn
• Writing a pattern
• Gloves
• Intarsia
• Knitting with linen
• Knitting for preemies
• Tubular CO
• Freeform knitting
• Short rows Cuffs/fingerless mitts/arm warmers
• Pillows
• Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine
• Rug Knitting on a loom
• Thrummed knitting (?)
• Knitting a gift
• Knitting for pets
• Shrug/bolero/poncho
• Knitting with dog/cat hair (yuk & why?)
• Hair accessories
• Knitting in public

Not bad I suppose considering I have only been knitting since Nov 2005.

I must try and check off more things (once I found out what they are!)

I just felted!

Needle (or dry) felted is cool!
I have a kit made by Anchor to make little hearts, butterflys and stars. The kit includes the pad, wool, cookie cutters and a felting needle.

The instructions are not very clear but Kaatje S who knows about felting, (both wet and dry) gave me more detailed instructions (I will post a tutorial) and this is what I made.......


Betz White has a great sight with all things felted and fulled, loads of great tutorials and ideas.

Also just finished another needle book, I slightly fulled this one as it was a bit baggy but I am really pleased with how it turned out.

Swaps Sent

As well as receiving I have also been sending.........

I won't go into to much detail just incase my swap partners have a look and I don't want to spoil the suprise.

I knitted this bag as part of the 'Know your partner swap' my partner likes bags and burgundy.

This tree is a bookmark and part of the '5 favorite things' and three words of her words in one item.

This mermaid was for my other partner in the '5 favorite things' swap, you can guess what one of her words was.

Swaps Received

look what the postman brought.......................

this swap was from Anne in Norway, check out the wool which I am going to have a go at felting.

The mags and buttons are from DeAnne in the US, this was a private swap.

The buttons are so fab, I might keep them an the cards and just look at them and the Martha Stewart mag is fantastic, it has a pattern for a sail shade for the garden. Every year I peg a sheet to the washing line and then hook it to the fence, this year I might do it properly with the help of Martha (oh, great one)

This swap is from Christine in the Czech Republic, lot's of tea and note cards, my favorite! Look at these cool magnets Christine made for me.

1031 Hit's

Blimey, I have reached 1031 hit's and the winner of my little competition is.... wait for it...........

Jennie 'the esoteric knitter'

I will knit her a little something.

Thanks to everyone who joined in and everyone who has had a look at my blog. x

new month new look

decided to have a change, not sure about all the colours but I'll see if they grow on me.