WIPocalypse February check-in

Hi everyone,

It's been a busy few days for blogging and apologies for things you may have already seen this week. Firstly a couple of people commented on the tiny hoops from Tiger in my last post. These are they so you know what you're looking for. 

WIPocalypse 2016

I hadn't planned to do WIPocalypse this year as I hadn't been particularly successful in the past, but feeling the need for a bit of structure to achieve my 2016 goals and also another SAL to help me blog regularly. WIPocalypse is hosted by Measi and each full moon we have to share the projects we want to finish or progress on.  Measi posts a question too - this is January's

Introduce yourself, your projects, and any goals you have for the year!
 

Ok, so quick intro - I'm Kerry, mum to Tom (10) and Lottie (5), married for 12 years to Andy, part time administrator for a small company which I love. I have a passion for cross stitch, blackwork , crochet (if only I was better at it), the colour green, motorsport, giraffes and creative prayer.
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Most of my 2016 WIPs are in this post but there were 2 I'd forgotten. One was the RAKs that are due to be done by March I think. I've done one, started a second so that leaves 3 to do completely. The other was the granny square swap blanket that needs 2 more squares crocheted and then making up into a blanket. These are the squares so far

I crocheted the same square twice so I could keep one and mine are on the right. 

I have been making progress with the winter swap and I've finally finished the top of the biscornu. It's taken me forever. I'm planning on finding fabric and a chart for the bottom this afternoon. I know what I want it to be so its just a case of finding a chart the right size. Here's a sneaky peek of the corner. 

The blanket is progressing too. It's about 2/3 done now. Whilst I'm still doing the squares for it it is my bus project. I have two 15-20 journeys a day and a 20 minute wait at the school between when the bus gets in and end of school. (The joys of rural bus services) so it's not unusual to see me stitching or crocheting in the playground. 

Oh yes blanket progress pic...

As you can see there are lots of ends to sew in too. 

My last project is the Scandi heart. There has been a tiny bit of progress on it and it will be finished and framed by next Saturday as I'm meeting its recipient for coffee and cake. It's been a good 6 months in the UFO pile as I've not seen my friend for that long. I'm sure the older you get, the faster time passes. 

Anyhoo...before

And now...

And now it's time to get some actual stitching done whilst Lot watches the CBeebies panto's for the umpteenth time. 

Glorious grannies!

Hello, 

This post is a bit of a crochet fest so bear with if you're not a yarn-a-holic! 

First is the blanket I made for my friends new baby Alice. I knew they were having a girl but I couldn't find a girly wool that I really loved as I wanted a variegated one. Style craft yarns were recommended to me and I found this amazing one called merry-go-round. I did it all in the join as you go method for the squares and scalloped the outer edge. I added a little white flower for detail in the centre. 

Next are some of the lovely granny squares I've been sent as part of the granny square swap I'm doing with some of the travelling box ladies. Joan had the good idea of making the same square as the one you send each month to make the blanket bigger. I'm a little behind with making mine as the internship has been frantic and the travelling box is here too!! (Bet you can't guess what my next two posts will be about!) 

This pic has all the squares I've received so far as we still have 2 rounds to go. I've also had some lovely buttons, threads, ribbon, chocolates and sweets. (A whole pot of jelly beans. Yum!!!)

Rachel also sent me a cute sheep and Steph sent a little ray of sunshine too. 

These are the 4 squares I've sent so far. They all went with a bag of bits and some sweets or chocolate too. 

I've just brought the wool for my August square so I'll be starting that over the next couple of days. I've got a half done blanket that I'm determined to crack on with too, I think that'll be a September project as the evenings draw in. 

Thanks for reading, next up is the travelling box! 

First finishes of 2015 and Gifted Gorgeousness SAL

Hi everyone,

I'm a bit late to the party but I've joined Jo's SAL for the year called Gifted Gorgeousness. The basic idea is that you stitch on something that is a gift for someone or was a gift to you. Almost all of my stitching this year falls into that so I shall be checking in on the 15th of each month.

So this months check in shows my first 3 finishes of the year. 

I made this little brooch for a friend who has been a bit poorly recently and sent it with this Juicy Lucy card. It's a covered button that was a Cross Stitcher cover kit or free gift!!! 

The next thing is part of the autumn swap I did with Steph, yes I know we are in the full throws of winter but here is the scarf with the little pumpkin I stitched for her too. 

The scarf is a join as you go in Patons Fab yarn. I'm a bit obsessed with variegated yarns and threads so I've tried a fair few in the Fab range. 

Here's a close up of the pumpkin. It's a design from Gazette 94 (keep scrolling, its a long way down) It was stitched over two on a bit of evenweave in 2 shades of DMC. It was really easy to sew up too. I added 2 leaves and a little stalk made from a stack of buttons. I'm thinking of trying out that shape to make an ornament or two for the tree this year. 

So next on the list is to start making for the winter swap and the travelling box is due in the next few weeks too!!! 

Happy crafting and I hope you're having a great weekend.

Travelling box picks round 3

Hello all,
So here is a mid week check in from me, 3 blogs in 5 days, I'm like waiting for the bus!!

The travelling box visited at the end of September and as usual was choc full of fabulous things as always. I really love being part of this swap that's so much fun to do.

So as you can see I was able to choose some fantastic things made by some very talented people. Steph O made the apple with the worm ami (which Thom claimed), biscornu in a pretty red vari thread, Cacti ami, and the beautiful hummingbird stitch. I chose the purple corsage and the pair of lovebirds and hubby claimed the tortoro all made by Joan. Laura made the crocheted hearts, granny square jewellery, note book cover, little gnome and the pretty covered pot. I'm planning to take the pot to work for my pens. Lastly I had the little free hug heart - Steph S made one for each of us taking part.

So next up are my makes for the box.Once again thanks for reading. All these blogs from me must be exhausting!! I'm half way to being caught up now!