Hiatus

Don't worry, I'm not leaving the blog abandoned and lonely for a long while again! Service will resume as soon as I'm back from a long-awaited much-anticipated family holiday to Portugal :)

Saying that I'm still busy co-originating two test knits of my patterns, and it is so amazing to see fellow knitters create such lovely FOs using your patterns! Seriously wow.

So hopefully as soon as I'm back the first design will be ready for release, and of course, I will share full details here.

And in the meantime here's a few snaps from day one of our vacation.

The boys at a local hamburgueria...

Such a kitsch little place...

Our villa & pool. And as you can see, today was quite overcast but still warm. Hoping for some sunshine so we can have some real fun!

Seeya soon!

Natalie x

FO Catch-Up - Part 7

And now for the final post in this week-long series of finished object blog posts.

Zelda Triforce Mitts

My dearest husband had been pestering me for some of these for a while, so in a bid for a quiet life I thought I'd better oblige!

I think these are inspired by the game Zelda, erm, that's all I know - ask a gaming nerd lol!

The triforce motif had to be gold, so I used a close shade of golden yellow, and teamed it with a nice contrasting grey.

And that, you'll be relieved to know, is the last in this series. But fear not, I'll be back with my more FOs soon, as well as a couple of my own designs, as soon as they are ready for release. Eeeeek, excited much! 

Natalie x

FO Catch-Up - Part 6

It's nearly over with this, part 6 in this week-long series of catch-up posts about my recent knitting successes. 

Waterhouse Mitts

This was a p/hop (Pennies Per Hour Of Pleasure) charity pattern I picked up at Woolfest. I just love the chevron design and they are so soft and comfy, and are wearing really well. Plus purchasing the pattern meant money going to a good cause.

I didn't mean to knit them this long, I missed the thumb hole lol so added in extra length, but I actually prefer them this way - a happy accident. And I managed to finish them while on a lovely weekend away, so snapped these photos in the stunning hotel grounds.

Check back tomorrow for the seventh and final post :)

Natalie x 

FO Catch-Up - Part 5

We're getting there! Today marks part 4 in this week-long catch up of knitted projects from the last few months. 

Ella Rae Mega Cape

This is a mega-quick knit, it literally flew off the needles in just a couple of days! But I guess that's what happens with projects knit using super chunky yarn! I love the style of this, it's perfect for autumn walks, but a little impractical for much else lol.

This project looks like it has a cable pattern, but they're not actually cables - quite a clever design really. Really enjoyed knitting, and wearing this one :)

Part 6 tomorrow (don't worry, we're nearly done!)

Natalie x

FO Catch-up - Part 4

Welcome back to the fourth part of this week-long catch-up of recent knitted projects. There's a few to show you, and so I thought posting them one at a time would be slightly less annoying than one very long, very photo-heavy post!

Rocky Coast

This was such a fun knit - the cables were addictive! I love the texture and warmth of this, and this mostly lives at work so I can wrap up all warm and cosy but still look some-what stylish in my freezing cold office. I even learned a new skill knitting this - knitting cables without a cable needle. What a revelation! And I didn't even mind picking up the rib border. 

Back tomorrow for part 5 :)

Natalie x

FO Catch-up - Part 3

Now for part 3 in my week-long series of posts detailing the items I've knit recently. Hope you're not all getting too bored yet!

Gemini

I love that this top is reversible, so can be worn with the lace pattern facing the front or the back.

It's a pretty quick dk knit, with enough instructions to keep it interesting, and the fit is just lovely.

Call back at the same time tomorrow for part 4 :)

Natalie x

FO Catch-Up - Part 2

Today I give you the second instalment in my week-long catch-up of finished object shown and tells. 

Bubble Knit Top

This pattern is taking from one of my favourite knitting pattern books - Boutique Knits. Despite this being a lace project (yikes, what was I thinking?!), it knit up pretty quickly, and it does look and feel nice. I had a bit of difficulty with the lace chevron pattern at first, but it was a good learning curve. Overall, I'm pretty pleased with this one.

Back tomorrow for another instalment. :)

Natalie x

FO Catch-Up - Part 1

Thought this week I'd share some of the finished objects I've knitted and photographed recently but that you guys haven't seen on here yet.

I'll post one each day this week. Here's instalment numero uno!

Central Park Hoodie

I started knitting this quite a while ago, and finally steamed ahead just in time to wear it for this year's Woolfest. I may or may not have been up until very late the night before sewing in the zip!

I really enjoyed knitting this, especially the cables, although I didn't so much enjoy seaming it all together. But it's warm, and comfy, and fits well, so it's all good. :)

Be back tomorrow!

Natalie x

Baby Slippers (warning, this post contains extreme cuteness!)

Just a quick post to show off a seriously cute photo...

These baby slippers were knit a short while ago, but their recipient (Reward's little Martha) made her entry into the world a little later than anticipated. But now here they are adorning her sweet little feet, which means I can finally share them with you guys.

The pattern is from Knit Now issue 6, Baby Knits supplement, and is really quick and simple.

Check out my Ravelry project page for more information.

Be back soon :)

Natalie x

Exciting developments!

Ok, sorry it has been so long. I kinda got busy, and forgot about this place. But I'm determined to get things going again.

Anyway, so what's new? Don't think you've missed much really. The only exciting news I have to share with you is that I have progressed to designer in the knitting stakes. My first own design is currently out with some lovely test knitters, and behind the scenes I have been busy writing the pattern, designing the document, knitting the garment, getting professional-grade photos, etc, etc. It's taking a lot of work and a lot of time, but I'm really enjoying the journey so far.

I can't reveal too much yet, I want it to be a surprise when it's eventually released, but here are a few sneak peek photos to wet your appetite :)

And some scenes from yesterday's fashion shoot...

Crazy times! 

So anyways, lots of exciting stuff in the pipeline, so watch this space!

x

FO Friday - Song of the Sea

I seem to have got the knitting bug back again recently - most likely due to my trip to Woolfest a few weeks ago. It never fails to inspire. And of course, the pretty purchases always help!

Today's FO was made using a Woolfest yarn purchase - Fyberspates Rural Charm BFO. The pattern - Song of the Sea by Louise Zass-Bangham - was from the same stand. In fact, I had to buy both these items after seeing the stall holder wearing her stunning finished version.

I got right to it after completing the body of my never-ending Audrey cardigan, and to give myself a break from the tedious, non-stop garter stitch. It took me only five days, that's how much I loved knitting it. I just couldn't put it down, every round led to another, then another, and before I knew it I'd finished and it was blocking in my airing cupboard.

Thanks to the stupidly cold British summer this month, I've actually had quite a bit of wear out of it so far. This is me wearing it today.

I have already ordered another skein of the same yarn in a dusky pink mix so I can knit another right away for my best friend's birthday in a few weeks. She loves the sea, and she loves pink, so hopefully this will go down a treat :)

x

Woolfest 2012

I haven't blogged in so long I know. Things have been so hard this year and I really haven't been able to or sadly even wanted to come on here and pretend like everything is hunky dory when it isn't.

But enough of that. Things are gradually getting a little better - well I'm here now aren't I?

Anyway, I thought now was as good a time as any to revive my blog seeing as me and some fabulous girlies have just enjoyed an epic day out at Woolfest 2012.

Me, Naomi, Kate & Hannah set off very early yesterday with the other dedicated Baa Ram Ewe day trippers and headed by coach for the (very wet and waterlogged) lake district for this year's Woolfest, which was bigger and better than ever.

We had a fab time chatting, shopping and soaking up so much awesome inspiration. We met the lovely lady owner of Laal Bear as well as helpful people from Fyberspates & Easy Knits. These were my favourite stalls of all thanks to the overwhelming displays of gorgeous, colourful skeins available for us to squish and buy and take home and love forever.

It was a long day - I left the house at 7am and got back at 10pm - but as always it was totally worth it. I am so pleased with my purchases and the fact I came in under the budget I set myself (money raised for Woolfest through eBay selling). I bought a few beautiful skeins of yarn, some beads and crochet hooks for adding beads to knitted projects and some gorgeous patterns, which I can't wait to knit up.

Although, before I do that, I really should try actually putting in some knitting hours and possibly finishing a bunch of other WIPs first, groan.

Poorly sick :(

My cold from Sunday turned into a full-blown monster illness that has wiped me out and kept me off work for the last two days. I haven't even been able to scrap or knit, which totally sucks. I am bored stiff here!

Oh well, it has given me time to surf the web and look for inspiration for Christmas crafts and gifts. This year, as well as making some of my Christmas cards (see picture below) and gifts, I want to take part in Instagram Your Christmas (#iyc) which is something me and a few friends in the photo iPhone app Instagram are taking part in. Each day in December we will take and choose a photo, print it off and include it in an album along with a small amount of embellishment, journaling, etc. I don't ever scrap Christmas, maybe because my photos are usually sub-standard, or I've never liked Christmas patterned papers or I'm always too busy. But the boys are old enough now to really enjoy the festive season and I think I'd like to put in the extra effort and record this lovely time as a family.

So my lovely Kraft ring binder album has arrived from Paperchase, I have page protectors to match and I have already prepared numbers 1 to 31 to go with each photo using my Cuttlebug and punches. I also have bought snd set aside some Christmas-themed papers and embelishments ready to go. Each photo will be printed 4x4 inches and used either on a 4x6 space with a blank strip for embellishing or journalling and the feature photos will go on A5 pages with more room to include more pics, journalling etc. I'm not going to pre-prepare my pages as although it would save time later I want to match what I have to the photo after it's taken and also I want to decide after whether to use a smaller or larger page for it. I'm hoping to do a bit each day, or most likely a few every few days. I'm hoping as I have all the bits I need ready in their own box it will be a nice quick project and not an over-commitment in an already hectic month! I'll pop by regularly to keep you updated.

If you're on Instagram, why not give this a go? I'd love to see links to your feed or album pages. Or, if you'd like to take it further, Shimelle hosts an amazing class every year called Journal Your Christmas (#jyc) that gives you a whole load of prompts, inspiration and help to create a Christmas scrapbook album to treasure - see www.shimelle.com for more info :)

xXx

Two more

I have only managed two more layouts since yesterday - probably due to the fact I wasn't feeling creative yesterday and today I have the most painful sore throat and stonking cold. :(

Saying that I'm particularly pleased with the Kraft layout. I had been struggling with how to do this photo justice and this lovely paper I bought very recently turned out to be a perfect match to show colour but still allow the bright photo to be the focal point. I really like the result. The other layout was a struggle, but I'm happy now it's finished and it's another picture done for the albums (if they arrive, don't ask!)

Despite me feeling rubbish today, I am having a good day. The lovely Laura arrived with her hubby and their beautiful new baby daughter, who is just adorable. Shame I can't have a cuddle, but I do not want to pass on my illness to a defenceless little one.

And we also got to open our Secret Santa gifts, squeal! I totally adore mine, I absolutely love, love, love it! I'm a lucky girl! I think my recipient liked hers too (we are remaining secret), so job done!

And now for the ridiculous drive back home, which should be all kinds of awesome while feeling this rubbish.

Hopefully be back with more weekend photos once I'm home.

Crafty at the Cottage

Well kinda. I have managed 3 layouts since arriving last night - after a mammoth 7-hour drive. Bah.

We (9 other fabulous scrappy girls and I) are staying here...

Well that's the view from my bedroom window, I haven't been out yet today lol!

So here's what I've mustered so far...

I must admit I'm struggling somewhat. Maybe my scrapping juices may flow better after our meal out tonight, including, hopefully, my own body weight in wine lol!

I did get to take part in a little something exciting - but more on that later ;)

xXx