Sunday, October 28, 2012

Tally for October.

Hi everyone, It's hard to believe it is almost November! October was another productive month so I'll get straight on with the pictures. First up is my first ever box finish. This is the Prairie House Sewing Case from the Blackbird Designs book A Stitcher's Journey.
I had been dreading finishing the box and I put it off for months but it was nowhere near as bad as I imagined. I finished the inside of the box with fabric from the Blackbird Designs Harvest Home line. I thought the inside of the lid looked a bit bare so I finished that off with fabric in the same way.
I also stitched one of the pincushions from the book. This is the Oh, My Stars Pinkeep on page 33 of the book.
Friend Caz came from UK to stay with us and surprised me with this lovely bag she had made for me. The bag is actually made from three Sainsbury's tea towels. The fabric feels like the Cath Kidston cotton duck fabric and of course the fabric design itself is very CK although it isn't. Pockets inside are in the blue and white dot fabric. I love this bag!
While Caz and I were out "on location" taking pictures of the bag we also took pictures of another pair of fingerless mitts and a shawl I had knitted. The mitts look very strange off so I had to get a picture wearing them. Caz suggested I hug a tree. Hmmmmmm, I was hugging more than a tree as there were some giant ants and other creepy crawlies on the bark.
It was very difficult to get a decent picture of the shawl I knitted
If anyone is interested in the pattern/yarn details you can find them on my Ravelry page While still on the subject of yarn I thought some of you that knit might like this picture of the yarn stall at a local market.
The only other thing I have left to show this time is the Little Red Schoolhouse Quilt which I finally got round to hand quilting and binding. This design is from the book Prairie Children and their Quilts by Kathleen Tracy.
I did have a zippered pouch to show as well but the batteries have died in my camera so that will have to wait til next time. Meanwhile I will leave you with a couple of pictures taken while out and about recently.
As ever a big thank you to friends old and new for taking the time to visit my blog. Margaret

51 comments:

Stina Blomgren said...

Just lovely...love the Cross stitch...adorable...and your knitted things are gorgeous!!!!
What a lovely treat from your friend!!! Love that bag!!!
Wish we could trade weather...:0) but I bet you don't want to...lol

Vickie said...

Love your pictures and your projects. You are so clever. I had to laugh at you hugging the tree. =)

Mii Stitch said...

You've been sooo busy!!! I love your box & the bag your friend made for you. You're right it is sooo CK!! I love them all ♥ Have a lovely weeken, Mii x

Margaret said...

Your box finish is gorgeous! No surprises that it looks perfect -- your skills are wonderful. Love the pincushion too! Nice bag you received from your friend. Love your knitting! Just wonderful! lol about the creepie crawlies on the tree! Lovely quilt too! And I love the pics of the beautiful scenery!

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Beautiful work Margaret, you are always so industrious!!
You would never believe that the bag was made from tea towels, it looks amazing. :)
Love your gorgeous knits too!!
Thank you so much for sharing the blue sky and sea, it is much appreciated. :)
Vivienne x

Teri said...

What a variety of wonderful projects and finishes! I especially like the shawl, the quilt, the cross stitch...!

Carol said...

You are so very talented in so many ways, Margaret! Your cross stitched box finish is perfect--I really need to get up my nerve and try that one myself...

Love the photo of the tree hug--and your shawl is gorgeous :) The bag from Caz is beautiful--how neat that it was made from tea towels!!

Everything looks so pretty there in Spain--we are facing a hurricane here in the U.S. and the whole week looks rainy and gray :(

Jennifer M. said...

Gorgeous finishes! I really like that shawl. Hugging the tree to take a picture of the gloves was clever. Your friend did a great job on that bag too.

Jen :)

Apple Avenue Quilts said...

My goodness you had a productive month! Everything is just beautiful. You are a wonderful knitter. The shawl is so lovely and I love those fingerless mitts. How clever of your friend to make a bag from tea towels. I think I might have to try one. Thanks for all the inspiration!

Nicole said...

Beautiful finishes! I love them all! Congrats!! :)

Michelle said...

Oh Margaret beautiful work - you always inspire me - the box is stunning xx

Abby and Stephanie said...

Love the tree hugging! That box is gorgeous. I love how you try new things. I need to do more of that. LOVE the tea towel bag. I have some tea towels I've been hoping to create a bag with...and other things. :o) AMAZING shawl!

Chookyblue...... said...

some more wonderful projects.........love the pics.........

Caz said...

I never saw that box when I was there, Margaret. It is lovely!!! Told you the hug a tree idea was a good one!!!!

cucki said...

Wow so many beautiful finishes ..I love them all so much xxx

Anonymous said...

Love your mitts. Is that a pattern off of Ravelry? I have been looking for a mitt pattern that has cables in it.

Ellen said...

Box finish is gorgeous, love it! Wonderful bag from your friend! I admire your knitting, I can only knit and purl ha ha!

Hugs,

Anonymous said...

Another lovely post Margaret with some wonderful projects. Love the bag your friend made and must have a look for those tea towels my DD would love them. Your box is gorgeous to and finished so neatly. Thanks for showing us the lovely photos and like several other posters I would love to exchange our weather for yours. Of to Weston super Mare tomorrow so hoping for alittle sunshine there.

Hugs
Hazel c (uk)

Deb said...

Everything is just wonderful. Really love the mittens and shawl. Very, very pretty.

Barb said...

You have been very busy! Great finishes!!

Peggy Lee said...

You are a woman of many talents!
Beautiful finishes.
Thanks for sharing your view with us too.

Katrina said...

Hi Margaret, I just love seeing your updates, with so many wonderful projects!
Have a lovely week :)

Karen said...

Margaret, I love what you've done with the Blackbird designs, they are gorgeous! The knitted items are beautiful, too, you are such a perfect knitter!

Mouse said...

oooooo well done on the box finish .. it is gorgeous ... if you feel like knitting some of those fingerless gloves for a wee mouse who hands go a strange colour in the cold it would be very welcome :)
glad you had a fab time with your friend and the weather looks great over there ... rather chilly here at the moment ...
love that shawl .. ditto to above hahahaha
take care and happy stitching :) love mouse xxxxx

Giovanna said...

Everything is so gorgeous - especially the BBD box. Congrats.

Sally said...

Gorgeous finishes Margaret. I love the box and your shawl is beautiful.

Patty C. said...

Oh - i really need to get that BBD book ...

Siobhán said...

Wow, what fantastic finishes and gift! Sooooo pretty, as is everything that you make, Margaret. :)

Cindy said...

Everything is so pretty! That shawl is so intricate. I would love to make one, but can't see doing such detailed knitting.

angelasweby said...

Margaret, your posts are such a bright ray of sunshine. I love logging on and finding you've updated your blog :-)
Your BD box is absolutely stunning. Your have stitched and finished it perfectly. The fabric and chenille trim tie in so well with that design.

What a pretty bag Caz made for you. No one would believe the fabric is tea towels. What a great idea.

Well done on finishing your quilt. It's beautiful.

I also love your fingerless gloves and shawl. (Glad you decided to hug a tree and not a hoodie...haha!) Ooh how I envy you those blue skies and I positively yearn for another trip to your tantalizing market :-)
Angela xx

Lili said...

Beautiful projects!!!
Love the box!! ;)
And the bag!!! So pretty fabric!!

Nice week!!!

Hugs!!

Fabric Quilt Shop said...

I love your box. It's so adorable. I wish I knew how to knit the shawl is beautiful. I quess I'll just stick to quilting for now. With a shop sometimes it's hard to find time to take up new things to learn.

Anne said...

Gorgeous finish on the BBD box! I'm like you and put off something for awhile, then when I do it, it doesn't seem so bad! Love the "Cath Kidson" bag! I love the hugging the tree photo, spiders and all :D Gorgeous shawl too!

valerie said...

Wow, so many wonderful finishes! You did an amazing job on the BBD box with pincushion. That star pattern is one of my favorites! Your mitts and shawl are lovely too. I'm quite fond of the mitts since I need to make a pair for myself too since my hands get cold at work. The Cath Kidson bag is a lovely gift!

Latelier des dix doigts / Latelier de Ninette said...

It is always a pleasure to read your post. I always discover new things!!
Your knitting is lovely.
I will check on your ravelry page the pattern. Then ask Mum to knit them for me.
Have a nice week

Sheila said...

Another glorious glut of gorgeous pictures.
Love the tree hugging one - inspired :)
And love your box and the shawl and the picture of the rocks and...everything!!!

Pat said...

Another beautiful post Margaret. I love your BBD finish. I should get mine out and start it. Those pictures of the water are wonderful. I can feel the warmth just looking at them. I know you would not change weather with me so I won't even ask. Have a wonderful week.

Anonymous said...

So pretty!!!!
Love the box
As always
Françoise

Tatkis said...

So many beautiful creations!
Shawl and mittens are lovely and the box with pincushion is stunning!
Wonderful house quilt too!

Hugs,
Tatyana

Nancy said...

Hola Margaret! I love everything you made, and you have been so productive! Your box finishing is beautiful, and I can't even comprehend knitting the shawl and gloves! I hope those creepy crawlers didn't get on your gloves!

Anonymous said...

What a productive month you've had. All of your projects are beautiful. I have that Blackbird Designs book - love your box and pincushion. I also love the little quilt. Your fabric choices are perfect. And the shawl....
You really are amazing. Well done.

Yvonne W said...

What a great number of completed items per month-- I am impressed.It is a lovely way of presenting your mitts-- pity about the creepy crawlies joining you.
I really enjoy seeing your monthly craft projects.

Andrea said...

Wonderful treasures. All of them are gorgeous.

Brigitte said...

And again you show some wonderful new pieces. This box looks amazing, so perfectly stitched and finished, inside and out.
When I came to the picture with the bag you received I first thought Cath Kidston as well, it's so much her style and colours. Gorgeous!
Oh, and such lovely knitting and quilting. I really can't wait to get retired next year so that I can dive into all this kind of needlework and stitch and sew and knit and crochet to my heart's content.

Jeanne said...

A very nice collection of finished projects for both September and October. You do such nice work on everything you make. Thanks for sharing.

Simone de Klerk said...

It was lovely meeting you at Stephnie's!

Tammy said...

Beautiful projects! The knitting is gorgeous!

Karoline said...

All your finishes are gorgeous, especially the knitting

Anonymous said...

WOW!!! such lovely finishes. The box turned out so wonderful.

Angela said...

The box turned out perfect, it's gorgeous :) Your knitted things are wonderful too!

cucki said...

wow you've been so busy...I love your box & the bag your friend made for you. I love them all ..Have a lovely weekend..
cucki