Freebie craftclub challenge 2014

So we had the very first Miskin craftclub challenge last week. We shared out these.......

......which we had to whip up something of our choice with the contents

The clear winner was ( newest craftclub member) Steph, with a wonderful neon mug cosy/superhero anklet?!?! I think you'll all agree additional brownie points for making it match her current outfit!

 

Amy half made a little pocket redhead dolly, before being particularly unimpressed with the lack of instructions! Sorry about that.......I personally think she's pretty delightful,

 

And that's without a face. Nice fringe love.

All in all it was a rather pleasant craftclub. Especially being on tour in The wheatsheaf, llantrisant. We like what the new owners have done with the place.

 

Do you know who William Price is? No, I didn't either. But a quick glance on wiki shows he was quite a dude. Anyway, The wheatsheaf has an impressive mural in one of the back rooms. I didn't get a photo, so you'll just have to check it out for yourself. Honestly, it's worth the journey. And you can get a cardamom tonic while you're there.

Anyhow. I'm all for craft challenges, and looking forward to the next craft-off.

 

 

 

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The start of an obsession

When did you fully commit to being a sewer? Or knitter? Or crocheter?

 

During a holiday last week, whilst planning a picnic lunch, it was decided to use a quilt I had made which had been hanging out without a use in my car for months. Whilst the picnic was delicious, the use of the quilt made me think about how obsessed I have become with crafting, and how lucky I am to have the time to do something that I love.

 

The quilt was just a really quick project, where I used a jumble of roughly cut up clothes, which I sewed together over a few hours. It was before I had the confidence (and money) to go and buy material from a proper fabric shop (I mean - how are you supposed to know what and how to buy fabric anyway?) But it was made just after I finished my nursing course, and represents a change in my life, where suddenly I was allowed to spend my time sewing or crocheting or cross stitching, without the guilt of unwritten essays and revision nagging at the back of my mind. And all I can say is hallelujah to that! And it's nice to finally find a use for one of my scruffy home made projects.

 

 

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Rules for the modern sewer

I stumbled across this on Facebook the other day:

What lovely pre-sewing advice! Of course Esme and I always have our powder and lipstick on before Miskin Makes sewing commences...

We decided to come up with some rules for the modern sewer. Here goes:

• Necessary items before sewing begins: biscuits or other edible treats, tea, or if some instances wine
• Ensure your cat is comfy
• Leave the washing up/hoovering/dusting/other household chores, they will wait. Sewing will not.
• High wattage lightbulbs (energy saving bulbs are all well and good, but it's hard to see in the romantic dimmed light!)
• Good internet connection for checking patterns, but use Pinterest/Ravelry with caution: risk of major precious time wastage. Facebook OFF for the same reason. 

Do you have any good rules that should be added?

Brigitte Scarf and Flowery Pants

Afternoon all, what a lovely day!

 

This week in craftclub it was mainly dominated by Tilly and her book/patterns.

 

Amy's gone for the 'from start to finish approach' and completed project número uno. Twice in fact. With the first Brigitte scarf being a tad of an odd shape. But, as mistakes go, it means she and Molly now have matching head wear. Super cute! And she does a pretty fine Tilly impersonation too, don't you think?

Beth came too. And started on some splendid flo-jo pants. We all agreed, she should make a pair for every day of the week, and we can all look forward to seeing them in all their glory soon I hope - Future blog post, yes?

 

I started a crochet cardigan, but there's not much to show for it at the moment. But I have been a busy bee sewing the Lilou dress......like I said, Tilly's pretty popular round these parts. I still have to hand sew the lining, but here she is so far.

I'm particularly proud of the lace hemming. It was a last minute design idea which ultimately makes the dress in my opinion. It's not exceptionally flattering on me, as all the bulk in the skirt sits right on my belly and hips, so I'm not entirely sure it will be worn repeatedly, but it's a lovely pattern to make.

 

Stevie joined us, after jamming nice and loud on his new toy guitar.

 

And last but far from least, here's a kitten poking out of the top of a cup of tea.....

Happy crafting people. Enjoy the sunshine. X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Realistic crafting

I have so many craft projects on the go. And I want to make all the stuff on my Ravelry favourites list, and make our house look like some of the houses in a book I have, Homespun Craft by Selina Lake . But sometimes I need to be a bit more realistic about how much I'm going to get done, and how perfect our house is. This is why...

I tried to make a start on the Brigitte scarf from Love at First Stitch. I got as far as cutting out a paper template, and pinning it to my fabric. But then my lovely Molly decided to help. First by rearranging my sewing box:

Then by observing the pinning of the pattern:

Then she decided to try to pull out all the pins so I had to put the project away for another day.

But then, food craft! Pizza al fresco, and Esme & Mikey brought round amazing chocolate souflee with teapot raspberry sauce.

What a perfect evening. The craft will get done, some other day...

Ta-dah!

Here's the famous top! My first sewn item from a pattern. I can't say it was easy...

...and the top looks a little big on me...

...and I'm not sure it's my colour...

But it's an achievement all the same, thanks to a lot of help from my partner in craft, Esme.
Proud, moi? 

It's from a Burda style pattern. Not super-easy to follow, I must say, but the next thing I make should be done a whole lot quicker, as I've learned some of the lingo now! 

And here's that book everyone in Miskin Makes is talking about...

Esme! Two blog-posts in one day, oh my! 

Drones and Spanners and Crafting in the Deli

Wow, so let's update on Miskin craftclub from the last few weeks. A lot has happened, this is just the highlights.

 

We had an interesting craftclub night at Amy's house which turned out to be fairly masculine in fact. Firstly, Mikey joined in with the crafting with some birthday Konstructor and made a mighty fine miniature drone, with it's very own controller pad. NEAT!

 

 

While the drone was being constructed, Amy was cracking on with her top she's sewing, but had a bit of an issue with a dodgy needle, and a whole lotta man-tools were brought in for damage control.

Needless to say, it was lucky we had some vino to sooth the frustration, and it was a great craftclub.

 

 

Last week was controversial - morning craft? In the Pontyclun deli! Undoutably, our breakfast was going to be epic.

 

Craft was put aside for a short while, when Lego on the PS4 deviated our concentration. Fun, but not craft!

 

And, last but not least, great craft was done on Tuesday 13 May too, when the lovely Bethan joined us.

I've recently had an urge for some new jewellery, so took along my tin of beads.

And Beth wowed us with her free-form dressmaking technique, (how very chinello?!). Although smiling for the camera is evidently not her strong point!

And NEWSFLASH! Amy finished her top! She is officially a sewing queen! It looks fantastic, and also a triumph she was able to get to the end of such a puzzling pattern - (Baste? Like a chicken? What?!)

Adios for now......I'm just going to go and read the new Tilly book.

 

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