Fabric, glass and thread

Fabric...

After completing the single sail squares for DS2's quilt, I started on the next installment...

These "fish" sets are half done now, but here is a small sample...

Glass...

Yesterday I attended a glass bead making class. The beads are made using flame fueled by a BBQ gas bottle.

We learned lots of safety points, then we each had a go at making a stringer and some frits.

Next, we each made a donut bead. Here is mine! I picked a piece of glass that was constructed of transparent and opaque sections which gives the bead some depth.

I am wearing it on a plaited cotton bracelet at the moment, but it will become a spangle in the near future.

Next week, I will learn how to decorate my beads...til then, there is a looonnngggggggg wait for supplies to arrive so I can make some more of these cool donut beads!

I will soon be able to design some wire lace to decorate my beads!!!!!!!

Finally some threads...

This hankie edge will be a baby bonnet/wedding hankie for my new grand baby due in February.

It is Bucks Point and I will be taking some pins out on Tuesday, so I will show you the design then :)

I also have some more bookmarks for my 25 motif challenge to show you in the next post.

Til then TTFN :)

A little bit of lace and...

I have now finished my Withof scroll that I started at Yvonne Scheele-Kirkhof's workshop in Melbourne several weekends ago :)

I have taken the picture of both pieces with an Australian dollar to show you the sizing...

maybe I also need to grab a measureing tape?

Let me know what you think...

Next I want to try one of the smaller pieces in her book...Dutch Bobbin Lace Patterns...

I have also been getting on with some quilting. This one is pieced onto card by hand and was introduced to you in this post.

When it is finished, I will be giving it to D.S.2 and his lady...there are 42 of each of 4 different squares. This is the first lot of boats with a single sail...stay posted to see the next batch of completed squares.

A change of pace now...

Every second Monday evening I go to a quilting/sewing/craft group. The ladies are very skilled at machine quilting, and as I can do the hand sewn ones at home, I have been trying my hand at the machine constructed variety.

My first attempt can be seen here...BTW the quilt measures 110 cm (43 inches) square.

Now it is time to get on with a new project?!?!?!???

My gorgeous little grandson turned 1 year old yesterday. Unfortunately I do not get to see him these days, but that does not mean I have forgotten him!

Although this will be very late, I am making him a quilt for his bed.

I have put together the applique pictures featuring wheels...what do you think?

Now they have to be placed on calico backgrounds, stitched and then the quilt can get going.

I will decide next week if I will hand or machine stitch the blanket stitch.

With Christmas coming fast, I had best get back to my work...so many gifts to make so little time!!

Hugs for now...

First, I have some wire lace bits.

These are designed by Britt of stitchety grub fame.

The larger design is the main pendant and the smaller is supposed to be the earrings, but I like it as a pendant too.

With the arrival of new colours in the wire today, I can't wait to play :)

Next, I have some more tatted bookmarks.

Bookmark number 18 in the 25 motif challenge is one I have been working on for some time. After starting Sharon's design class, I started experimenting and here is one of the results...I am not entirely happy with it, but there may be a pretty good basic idea hiding in here...somewhere!

Number 19 and 20 are more stumpy's.

Like Diane from lace lovin' librarian, I love this design and have been using up those little bits of thread that are not enough to make something with...I messed up with the one on the right and had to change threads half way through so will probably keep it myself, but I kinda like the effect anyhow.

I will post again over the weekend...I have a pic of my finished Withof pieces and have been busy with some quilting projects. Thanks for letting me share, hope you have found something of interest :)

Hugs for now.

My Fantastic Weekend

This beautiful book was the last gift from my greatly missed Mother-in-law.

It has been the soure of the best weekend I've had in a very long time.

Let me explain...

The Australian email ring Gumnuts called for participants to a workshop, in Melbourne, Victoria.

The workshop tutor was to be Yvonne Scheele-Kirkhof - the author of this book!

LOML knows that I love this book and suggested that I find out more about the workshop

- an invitation that was never going to be ignored!!

And so, my Christmas pressie has been attendance at the workshop in Victoria ... yaayyyyyyy!!!!

Let me show you the progress on day 1!

Not much, I hear you say???

Well no...but there was a lot of mind-bending happening and many new techniques learned...I have never made Withof lace before, you see.

Here is the result of the 2 days!

Not perfect, I know, but with practice, this type of lace will become a favorite.

I feel it in my finger bones :)

Travelling to Victoria meant 2 hours on a plane, 20 minutes on a bus, 40 minutes on a train, an evening in a motel room, and several hours hanging around in airpot lounges

- What is a girl to do?!?!?!?

TATTING of course!!!

Bookmarks 15, 16 and 17 for my 25 motif challenge!

(You thought I had forgotten, did'nt you Sharon VBG)

This is one of Lace Lovin' Librarian's favorite patterns at the moment, and I have discovered why!

It is "Stumpy"

I have made them all in perle 8 verigated thread - just odd bits left over from some bobbin lace projects.

Throw in meeting 4 Gumnuts among the 11 Victorian Lacemakers, an entertaining evening with one Gumnut and her husband and watching Yvonne throw the bobbins as she demonstrated various techniques and you may understand why this post is thus titled!!

Happy lace making to all my bloggy friends...hope you are enjoying your lace as much as I do at the moment!

Show time!

Here is a new page I put together in my scrap booking album for FIL.

I will be showing my customers how to do this surprisingly simple page at my end of month workshop...hope they enjoy!

I entered this page in the local Show and Won! such a simple page and the reward very unexpected!
Here is my tatting entry, with it's new ribbon :)

... and my wire lace entry...also with a decoration.

I entered 2 other pieces of lace, but gave 1 away before I could take a pic, and have plans for the other, which means I cannot share here for now.

Although I have been very busy with my lace, there is much I cannot share just yet.

Sending hugs to all my bloggy friends, with hopes that your lace is growing, threads never breaking and pins never bending...

Crafty post

This lap-weaving rug was made by my Great Uncle in 1946-7. He made a pink one and a blue one. My Mum and her cousin were born on the same day, but he found out about Auntie Helen before mum, so she got the pink one. Mum got this blue one. After mum (and probably my uncles) used it, I used it as a dolls cot cover as a child. After a discussion on Gumlace (the Australian Email ring for lace makers) I remembered and unearthed it. As you can see it is showing it's age, but I still can picture my Uncle's active hands, salty tobacco smell and rich warm voice ringing through my childhood memories.

Above is the wrong side of the cot throw and below is the top side.
This is even less lacey, but I was given 2 such kits for my birthday. They are both Mill Hill Tiny Treasure Diamonds - this one titled Holiday Cardinal. It was quick and easy on an evening where I just wanted to chill!

My wire lace project is now completed! I love this design and it was great to make. Now I am going to try designing a couple of my own patterns :) I have also aquired a couple of patterns from another designer - so watch this space :) This one is 'Paduan' by Britt Fairchild of Stitchetty Grub fame...

This is one of my current projects. Not really sure where the pattern came from, but 3 of my lace group are in the process of making this fan. I am using Guttermans quilting thread, but think it should have been a tad finer...non the less, I am happy with the result. Now I have to have it completed in the next 2 weeks so I can scan it and take the pricking and scan to our Lace Retreat to order the sticks from John Beswick of Torchon House.

Despite my highlighting my Barbara Fay catalogue in bright pink highlighter, including the ordering process, then opening the computer to the appropriate page, LOML did not order the lower book for my birthday :(

But, with an extra universal cash voucher from DSIL, when the newsletter arrived, I was able to order both the desired book AND the new Cluny de Brioude book Yay!!!!!!!!!!!

I guess it is no secret that I love Beds/Cluny lace for those who have followed my blog.

I just can't wait to get into these books - but where to start?!?!

Finally, this was the view from our Lace meeting place on Saturday. The snow on Mount Barrow is not as stunning in the picture, but it was rather lovely on Saturday, with the crisp blue sky making a beautiful backdrop. While the snow stays that far away, I am totally happy. Mount Barrow usually only gets a smattering of snow a couple of times a year, usually in early September. Ben Lomond is our "famous" ski mountain, with great views from the other end of the city.

Oooops!

Ever had one of those days where you were sure had done something, only to find you hadn't?

I told my future DIL to look on here for pics of the quilt I am making for her baby!

Unfortunately they were still in my photo program...waiting to be uploaded!

Sorry Kat!

Here is the centre square with embroidery completed!

Last night at Quilting, I actually completed the ditch stitching to join the cover, middle and backing!

I also told Kat that her baby lace was on site :(

So now it is!

This piece will be mounted to make a Christening bonnet/wedding hankie.

I have another heart pattern whick will be made to decorate the christening gown - last worn by "the Peanut's" daddy some 22 years ago.

The pattern is from Lace For 10 Pairs.

Hope you like, don't forget to leave a comment before you go!

Check in soon as tomorrow I begin a 4 day workshop making Bucks Point lace...so back to making prickings and winding bobbins :)