Smalls Report for August

I've had a little break from cross stitching while I grappled with an unexpected health issue (I am not happy when life interrupts my indulgences!), but I have managed to finish up the five stitched ornaments that have been sitting in my stitching basket for ages. I have now stitched all the Christmas ornaments on my 2018 Christmas list. I may make a few more to keep for myself.

These two little DMC Teddy Baby's First Christmas ornanents are for the grandchildren of friends.

And my three bead decorated Christmas trees.

That brings the total number of stitched ornaments for this year to 57. I may just have to stitch another 3 to round that number up to an even 60. 

Another crochet finish

A finish - a Christmas gift for my 1 yr old greatniece. I used 5 ply cotton (4 x 50g balls) and 3.5mm hook, with 4mm hook used for the bottom half of the skirt.  I've probably made it a bit too long, but it's still 4 months till Christmas, and she's having quite a growth spurt at present.  I'm happy to rip out any unwanted rows at the bottom to correct the length. This was a trial and error project. I started with My Accessory Box's Baby Blossom Summer Dress pattern (https://youtu.be/52sTbKgmpZk) but wanted a less openwork look, so I changed the skirt pattern, using only the chevron rows, increasing every 2nd row. When I thought the skirt was wide enough I stopped increasing and kept the stitches in each chevron strip to 18. I added the trim to the sleeves, and finished the bottom edge with crab stitch.

I have started a larger version for my 3 yr old greatniece, also as a Christmas gift.

Finally ... something to show!

That crochet bug has stayed with me long enough to make a second pinafore for my great-niece Sarah's first birthday. It's crocheted with 4 ply cotton using a 4 mm hook. I used a Ravelry chart Summertime tie top by Annie's Playground for the bodice but changed the shoulder ties to pinafore tabs. I went off on my own  for the skirt, edging and trim.

Smalls Report for June & July

I have had a stitching break for the past 6 weeks while I was outback in the caravan. We had a great holiday, free-camping most of the time. We travelled over 5000 km and visited towns and areas that I had never seen before, and a few old favourites. I learned a lot about the history of dinosaurs in Australia when I visited the Age of Dinosaurs Museum and the Dinosaur Stampede site  outside of Winton (in Queensland, Australia).  It was most  informative and enjoyable.

I may be using the shoehorn with this. I consider it a small project. It is a cotton pinafore for my very tiny 1 year old greatniece. I still have to add the buttons. 

And I stitched two First Christmas ornaments which are waiting to be made up:

The teddy (an old favourite) is adapted from an on-line freebie chart from DMC.

Finally, I stitched one bead decorated Christmas tree. I want to make another 5 for special Christmas visitors.

Not my most productive two months, but it was a very enjoyable holiday!

A Crochet Fix

The crochet bug has been visiting my house. It happens infrequently these days, but there was a time when crochet was my major craft activity. I'm going back quite some time now, but I was a prolific crocheter for the 23 years before I discovered cross stitch. My grandmother taught me to crochet when I was 17 (and meant to be studying for my school final exams). I took to it with a vengeance. When I discovered cross stitch, I packed away my crochet hooks. But every now and then something causes me to bring out the crochet hooks, and that's when I quickly remember how much I enjoy crochet. This last week has been such a time.

The stimulus for my crochet binge was my cold ears. It's winter here, and we had a very sudden transition from summery weather to winter (hardly saw autumn at all this year). My hair is short. My ears were very cold. I felt the need for a beanie to keep my ears warm at night. So, the crochet hooks  came out, I found some wool, selected a pattern (Perenni, designed by Deanne Ramsay from Addydae Designs, www.addydae.com) and before long I had a beanie. Then two identical beanies - one for nights, the other for wearing out and about. I've had a beanie on my head ever since.

The urge to crochet was still with me. So I used the same pattern and some wool scraps to made two little beanies for my youngest great-niece Sarah, who is 10 months old.

My niece (Sarah's mother) was so happy to have the beanies that I decided to stitch a poncho for Sarah.  Unfortunately my first effort was too small (and now donated to a charity shop).  The poncho just grew as I stitched - so there is no designer to credit.

So, after taking a few measurements and some discussion with my niece about preferred wool colours, here is my latest effort for Sarah. Much more sedate in colour, but more in keeping with my niece's taste in baby clothes!

I fear the crochet bug is still hanging around. I find myself sorting out my wool and patterns and trolling the web for more patterns.  Perhaps I need more than 2 beanies. Maybe a scarf? Time will tell!

Nine little finishes - plus (belated)GG and Smalls SAL Report for May

My stitching focus for the month has been (as usual) Christmas ornaments. I have finished nine this month. My 'to stitch' list is slowly disappearing.  As soon as I have stitched all the small things on my list I hope to get back to stitching on my HAED Christmas Dreams.

This rather fuzzy pic doesn't really do justice to the ornament I have stitched for a niece (and god-daughter). The design is by Joy Averitt, published in Graphworks Leaflet 35, Mini Motif Designs Christmas Volume 7.

The next ornament, stitched for another niece, is a Sam Hawkins design published in A S N #3616, 50 Santas to Cross Stitch. I added the borders.

Stitched for another (very special) niece, this personalised feather tree ornament is based on the Country Tree designed by Dale Burdett, but I changed all the decorations, and stitched one of her family member's initials in each of the ornaments.

 This bead decorated Christmas tree (my own design) will be a take-home gift for a special Christmas visitor.

Another of my Christmas trees, this one decorated with tiny buttons and beads, stitched for another niece.

Smalls SAL Report for April

Here in Australia it's already the last Friday in April, so it's time for the Smalls SAL. This month I have just  six Smalls to show, but first here is my lovely LA Santa framed in a pre-loved and newly painted wooden frame, ready for gifting to my nephew & niece this Christmas. The temptation to keep it myself is still lingering, so I have ready wrapped and labelled it ready for mailing. If I want this Santa for myself then I need to stitch it again!

I stitched these Jeremiah Junction nutcracker (from Nutcracker Factory III booklet) Christmas ornaments for three charming young sisters from a Nutcracker-loving family. There will be nine of my stitched JJ Nutcracker ornaments (all different designs) on their family Christmas tree this year.

I also made another three bead & button decorated Christmas trees, to give as take home gifts for Christmas visitors.

The Smalls SAL is hosted by Heather at 

Stitching Lotus.