Snowflakes and Snow Queens

I seem to be in the mood for wintry things as I've incorporated snowflakes or something else of the winter season into almost everything I've created recently. I've also got into sewing a bit more and recently made a set of four Snow Queen dolls (pictured below in their boxes) for a swap I'm taking part in.








And I designed some snowflake wristers, too, which I'll be offering as a free pattern as soon as I have time to write it up.


In other news, I had a great time at the Knitting & Stitching Show at Ally Pally and bought quite a few things but only one small item involved knitting! I'll post pics of what I bought in the next few days for those of you who may be interested.

There was a Morsbag stand at Ally Pally. It was great to see people taking their pick of the free fabric and making their own bags on the sewing machines provided for that purpose. There was a real buzz as bags were finished and the triumphant new bag owner was then able to perform the honour of banging the gong and notching another bag up on the scoreboard as everyone cheered. I chose some sea-themed fabric and decorated it with sequined sea-themed motifs when I got home.




Some stuff I'm working on I can't show at the moment as they're for gifts and I've also taken up embroidery but more on that later . . .

Buttons Again!

Okay, more buttony projects! I have been knitting, too, but all of my knitting projects at the moment are under wraps either because they're for surprise gifts or new designs I'm working on.

So, without further ado, I present to you more of my Dorset button madness. First meet my little friend, the Christmas Elf.


Next, a Xmas wreath made by only doing the first stage of making the Dorset button as in wrapping the yarn around the ring. As you can see, I used eyelash yarn for this and added the beads later.


The last one was done for a joke as a couple of my friends on MA, after seeing the multitude of buttony Xmas ornies I was producing, jibed that they were waiting for the turkey.


There, that'll teach them!

Oh, and I did make this but I'm not sure this could be really called knitting.


It's Pompon Print and I was seduced into buying the yarn by the autumnal shades and the sheer fun of knitting loads of pompons! This is so quick to 'knit'. I completed this scarf in one evening while watching TV so if anyone has a giftee who doesn't mind novelty yarn, this could be an option for a last minute gift.

Blogiversary Draw Winner

Well, today is the day to draw the winner of my fourth blogiversary draw! Thanks all who left comments and, although I'd like each and every one of you to win the prize, unfortunately, there can be only one who wins it. So, without further ado, I can now announce that the winner is . . .

R E B E C C A

Congratulations, Rebecca! Please get in touch with details of your address so that I can get the goodies posted off to you. Thanks to all for their interest!

Button Angels

Yes, you read that right! The Dorset buttons are still providing me with a good excuse to find ways of making something other than buttons out of them! I decided to have a go at some angels. The first one I suppose you could describe as 'cute'.


The next one I made, Goth Angel, I like better but the photo doesn't really do her justice because of the dark clothing.


I raided my vintage supplies for this one. Her skirt is made from vintage lace and is edged with a vintage trim. She is carrying a vintage Gothic bell & tassels charm and I knitted her a sparkly shawl from Kidsilk Night. Her wings are made from wired ribbon and I gave her rhinestones for eyes to try to give a more realistic look as well as some rhinestone face art.

More Dorset Button Madness

The madness continues. First, we have . . . dare I call it an embroidery???? My first ever piece of stitching anyway so don't look too closely! I had the idea to make a penny farthing out of the Dorset Buttons. Two Dorset buttons with only a bit of the centres filled in are the wheels and I stitched beads in for the seat, pedals, cogs and handlebar.


Next, a Halloween ornie.


Then one for the tree. This is almost 3" in diameter.


And one more Xmas ornie. Another snowflake but, this time, a Swarovski crystal one.

Blogiversary Draw

Okay, regular readers will remember that my fourth blogiversary draw was delayed but we're now ready to celebrate. Here's what's up for grabs.

A 100g skein of Handmaiden Seasilk in Lily Pond. This is enough to make the Stormwater Shawl, the pattern of which is included.


Another possibility is the Forest Canopy Shawl. I made one with this same colourway and had enough in one skein to do a few extra repeats which made for a nice generous sized shawl.


Also included in the prize are a Knitter's Notebook with Knitter Glitter pencil. The glitter is on the outside of the pencil and the pencil itself is a normal HB pencil.


A set of Sock Knitters' stitchmarkers.


And a Cartesian Knitter's Italian Charm Bracelet.


All you have to do is to leave a comment before midnight next Wednesday (9th September) and you'll be entered into the draw! The winner will be announced on 10th September. Good luck!

Whimsies

The last month or so has seen me veering away from the serious toward the more whimsical. I don't know why but it seemed to start with the box of chocolates and cupcakes wall hanging blocks and then I made this. Meet Knitty Norah peg doll!


Then the Monthly Adventures group over on Ravelry decided to have a Dorset Button Along so I learned how to make them and a few of us have become literally hooked. I started off by making a few buttons.


Then I made some jewellery from the buttons.


Then came the holiday ornies made from the buttons.






And my imagination is still running riot! So, another obsession. I suppose I'll just have to go with it until it burns itself out.

Aside from all this fun and IT IS FUN, I knitted this baby dress for a friend's baby.




And finished the Woman's Journal Vintage Jumper for the KCG's Period Garment Scheme.


I did knit the box pleat sleeves too but the instructions on how to sew them in didn't make much sense and, after various attempts, I decided it was probably best to post the jumper back with the sleeves for someone else with a bit more sewing savvy than I to insert.