Let the crafting (re)begin!!

Hullo! It's been a long bloggy break, but the wrist is healing (badly sprained, apparently I already had wonky bones anyway, and can't drive for 2 weeks yet) and crafting can recommence!

We've finished our squares for Cheryl's blanket and have around 25 squares now (thanks again to Georgie & Dawn who kindly mucked in too, very much appreciated) and have a vague diagonal pattern set up:

I'm finishing the sewing-up over the Bank Holiday weekend...finished pics to follow. By the way, the granny squares there were crocheted by my 55yr old male boss...awesome.

Before my little mishap, I had started on a swathe of new projects; after the success of the OPB sew along, I began another skirt from the March issue of Burda. Obviously it had to be put to one side last week on account of not being able to sew with a cast on my arm, but yesterday once it was off I had a little go on my machine, and managed to finish the skirt completely. Using some of the tricks learnt in the sew along, I've added a contrasting hem & waistband, and have sewn my first pockets! The one problem I had with the pattern was that it excluded seam allowances; while I'm getting better at tracing patterns, this was still a little messy. But practice makes perfect, and although I'm probably not doing my healing wrist any good, the skirt is pretty...

(My OPB Marie skirt...and the pocket detail on yesterday's finished piece)

I think from start to finish this skirt maybe took 5 hours, so if I keep it up I may have enough clothes to participate in a me-made-month; I loved seeing what Zoe came up with during her me-made-March, and it's really inspired me to make a wardrobe full of clothes that fit & suit me perfectly. I've made a little cover for Bertha (my dressform) to practice darts and get my measurements just right, so now I've got my eye on a few tops... anyone got any suggestions for a good first top pattern?

Have a great weekend!

A Xxx

Oh Noes!

Thanks for everyone's kind words & suggestions for my friend...she starts Chemo this week and so far we have around 20 squares for the blanket. It's been great seeing everyone at work pull together and knit!! My boss shocked us all by revealing that he can crochet!! Apparently he learnt when he & his wife were young and poor after buying their first house...I don't think I can imagine my boyfriend stepping up and doing that! We've just got to sew the squares up now - I'll be sure to post some pics of the completed masterpiece!

Just a quick update however... I know this hasn't been a particularly short post, but I have typed it all with one hand - I've fractured my wrist! So no knitting, sewing or crafting for at least 2 WEEKS!! Please bear with me with regards to posting etc, as I'm not sure how well I'll keep up until it's healed.

Over and out - have a great couple of weeks if I don't see you!

A Xxx

Home again, but not all safe and sound

Hi All, hope everyone had a lovely Easter and some well-deserved time off!

Las Vegas was great - full of bizarre people, free drinks & incredible sights - I've posted a few holiday snaps on my Flickr, but I won't bore you with them here...except for this one, because everything about it makes me happy:

***yes, it is made of jelly beans!***

While the days are getting longer and I'm spending more time outdoors, I've really fallen behind on my knitting and started doing, well, outdoorsy things! Walking the dog, hanging up washing on the line, cleaning my car - all things I dread/wouldn't dream of doing in the cold!

However today my to-do list was put into perspective...today a close friend at work was diagnosed with stage 4 Melanoma, which has completely bowled us all over. Our office is a pretty chatty one, with lots of cakes, magazines and laughter, but today we fell silent. She's 35, newly-wed and just the cheeriest person I know...

So in an effort to bring everyone together with some focus, out came the knitting! We've agreed to each knit an 8x8 square (there's around 7 of us who can knit) and see how we go from there, probably doing another 2 or 3 each. Our initial thought was a hat for her 18 weeks of Chemotherapy starting from May, but as Chemo patients can get quite cold during treatment, we're working together to make a blanket first.

So if any of you have any nice square patterns you'd like to suggest, they'd be greatly appreciated! We vary in proficiency from basic garter stitch to intermediate - I've had a trawl on Ravelry, but if anyone has any favourites I'd love some help!

Thanks in advance...

A Xxx

See you in a week!

Photo source: Las Vegas Gateway (we're staying here, at the Bellagio!)

I'm off to the airport this afternoon, as we're heading to Las Vegas!!!

We've got loads planned, including a sky-dive, a dinner show and meal here. I'm sure I'll have loads of pictures to show when I get back!

Wishing everyone a great Easter week...

A Xxx