A day of finishes

Yesterday, I really did make some progress.

A stint in the shed was not successful, but answers have been found (I hope)

The yellow silk scarf is now 6 pins past half way!

And Bella is complete - for my part at least!

 She will be fired today, and  I can bring her home next week...

I must admit if 'first times' all come up like this, there would be even more crafts in my box!!

I have been playing with more cross stitch of an evening...trying to clear my box full of kits, bought many years ago, before lace!

This one was a 2 part deal, but I have no intention of doing the second one.

Maybe I can find someone who would like to work it :)

It is a Dimensions kit, called the Star Gazer.

This is the 2nd wizard I have worked and there are 2 or 3 to go...one day!

My next sewing project is a baby dragon in the garden in stump work!!

Happy Mother's Day to all the mums, 

and to everyone else - have a lovely day too :)

meandering goldfish

With the current attention span of a goldfish, I have been playing with many projects!

This first counted cross stitch has been in my work basket for a little over a year.

I got it out again recently as I can work on this type of thing without disturbing Colin.

Ok...so I should have washed and ironed it before taking the photo, but...

 I needed to change the hoop position on the project above, but because of the already completed work, my hoop would not fit (I didn't have a hoop with a screw adjustment at the time), so I went digging in my kit box and come up with this gem.

It is a felt kit from Dimension (I think)

I purchased it to put in my classroom in the leadup to Christmas, so it has been in the box for a while!

I figured if I got the background completed I would be doing a good job!

But the toys were inviting and quick (besides my dear son 1 threw out a challenge!)

Project 2 now complete!!

 The silk scarf is taking shape!  

There are 48 pairs of bobbins, and the pattern is from 

Neue Kloppelideen Fur Torchonspitzen 

by Katharina Egger

The doll lace is almost 2 meters now (only 47 headside fans to go), and early February I intend to begin the 'practice doll' so will try to keep you posted...

The 3rd bobbin lace project is also well under way, but it will be a while before I can share :)...

As for the spinning, I think my wheel is ready to go, so we are heading to Ross on Sunday for a Guild Spin In.  I am hoping to meet up with the lady I met in Zeehan back in September.  I find I can only do a little with the drop spindle at a time as my arm aches, so maybe some real progress will be seen after the weekend...

The tatted bookmarks for the Cancer Clinic are still rolling out, although somewhat more slowly at the moment...

I managed to make 14 beads this week...first time in the shed for ages, was on a roll with plain donut beads and just about ready to play with some other skills when I run out of gas :(  Oh well...next time :)...

Next time I might have enough of the Aaron jumper I have under way too...

AND Colin has permission to ease back into work, so as of Saturday, I will have his help at work for maybe 2 days per week...driving only, but YAYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!

Enough rambling, hugs to my cyber friends, 

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.

Where has the time gone?!?

Wow, I cannot believe that more than a month has passed since I last blogged :( What a busy month it has been! Apart from quite a bit of work, I have managed a few crafty bits too.

Here is my completed cross stitch - a Gumlace Secret Pals gift from Janette in Canberra. On Saturday night I won a gift voucher from a framing business at our local Scouting Entertainment night, so this little kitty will have a lovely frame very soon. I love this pic because the kitty looks like my Sox about 15 years ago. When I get my own classroom, I intend to hang the pic there to remind students to "hang in there".

Speaking of Secret Pals - the final round of my second foray into this delightful pastime arrived last week. My Arachne package contained 2 months of gifts, so I really did feel very spoiled :) This May package had so many treasures! I have started tatting a collar with the Seashells coloured Lizbeth thread, using the silver tatting shuttle. The booklet has lots of information about Nottingham machine-made lace and is a very interesting read.

This gorgeous pewter plate, depicting a lacemaker was the June installment. I have never seen anything like this before, and will treasure it always. Many thanks to my pal Pat Hallam in Nottingham!

I have really enjoyed both rounds of Secret Pals. Finding or making just the right gift for my recipients was terrific fun, and I have made 2 new lacey friends with each round :) And I did not manage to guess either of my pals prior to the reveal, but have learned a little something interesting about each.

On the same day, Diane's parcel with threads to complete my Lizbeth doily arrived! 2 balls of thread will enable me to complete the big doily and make a pair of matching small ones. (The other ball is attached to the shuttle, but not the doily yet.) Diane purchased 2 pair of bobbins at a Lace Day she attended, then split them and shared with me - am I lucky or what! I just love the unusual shape of the bobbins and cannot wait to try them out. Thank you Diane, a little something for you will be winging it's way your way by this afternoon.

In my last post, I shared some French Beading with you. Now I have bunches of wildflowers :)

These are quite quick to make, so I have short stems to wear on my clothing or long stems to put in a vase.
I have made all the bits for the Rose, but am still in the process of lacing the leaves and petals before construction can take place. This project is taking much longer!

Apart from winding many, many bobbins for the children at school, the only bobbin lace I have on the go is this little Bucks edging. In November I will see how long it is and use it to decorate some baby goodies for my first grandbaby :) There is not much to show just yet but it does grow fast.

Enough from me for now! I have managed to drop in on a few friends over the past weeks, and have enjoyed your stories and sharing.

For now, stay well, happy and able to make and share your lace adventures.

Warm hugs.