More wool...and some books

It's been a while since I have mentioned my reading, so I thought I would do a mega book update. Currently I am reading The Northern Clemency...



I am quite enjoying it, I am about half way through, and wondering where the book will go. It doesn't have traditional chapters per se, more books within the book. The narrative jumps between characters, which was initially a bit odd, but I think it will all come to a point. More updates when I am done.

Today I also made some purchases. I read about a book on another blog, and on a whim I ducked down to the local bookstore at lunch to see if they had it. They did, so I bought it. I can't wait to read it, but I have been informed by a certain someone that I must read Harry Potter first (not to mention the next book club book which I will find out next week!).

In the mail today I also received some nerdy books. My research is in the area of the police and the media, so I am pretty chuffed to get some new texts from the UK about crime and the media. It is really making me think though that I need to write an Australian text on this topic area, because there simply isn't anything out there. Hmm another one on the to-do list (which seems to get longer, not shorter, much like my craft to-do list!).

Slightly moving towards crafty things now. I thought I would show the cool bag my bro got me for my b'day (a late gift). How cool is it?! I reckon it would be pretty easy to make too. Something to file in the ideas list (I think I will need to write a list of my lists)....

Okay, onto craftiness seriously now. In sewing this week I continued on with my stitchery. I seem to be going quite slow on this one, but I think it is because I have so much going on. Anyway, as you can see, I am getting there....

I have also been continuing with my wool felt pin cushion. Over the weekend I did some more embellishment on the big leaves. I also put in a little branch for the birdie to sit on, just so he is comfy you know.....

Tonight I think I finally finished my design (well, apart from actually putting the pin cushion together!). I put in some little leaves and berries for the branch

My love for wool felt grows. I have already purchased a Christmas bauble kit from The Home Patch

Oh dear, yet more projects!

I am also buying some Sue Spargo patterns. I will post some pics of what I get once I pick them up on Friday.

So all in all, I am keeping busy and still managing to get some craftiness done, despite the insanity going on at work.

Tomorrow night is jewellery class, so hopefully I will have some more treasures to report on!

Woven earrings... yay!

I was so excited about tonight's jewellery project I had to blog as soon as I was done. I was a bit slow in class, so I had to bring the rest home to finish them off.

Basically tonight I made wire earrings, wrapped with DMC thread. Below is a little attempt at an action shot of the floss weaving part....

This is with the three floss colours wound on....threads to be trimmed and cap to be made and put over the top to cover the messy bits......

I put a bit of glue between the messy bits and the caps, just to secure them a little. This photo is the drying stage

Me testing the final product out on my ears. Yes these ones are for me, but I have more versions I want to do up, when I get time....

And here they are! I love them, I am totally wearing them to work tomorrow!


Can't wait to get some more done :)

Time to go pack for work and trip home tomorrow.

And on a final note.....

GO THE BULLDOGS!!!!! (I am sure I just jinxed them! Haha)

Wool techniques...and Grug

First things first.........I met my 'hero' on Friday. The one and only GRUG!!!!





I managed to steal, I mean borrow, my friends kid, but I can't say she was too impressed with Grug. In fact, my attempt to take her close to Grug to get a photo resulted in her trembling in fear. I will convert her though!


Onto sewing now. Last Saturday I attended the 'Wool Techniques' class at The Home Patch with the lovely Michelle. It was a really fun class. We learnt some new stitches and techniques for working with wool, and discovered that really we are only limited by our creativity.

The is the 'template' of sorts we were working from, a sample sewn up by Michelle that we all envied. It is a pincushion, made of wool felts and wool threads....(and I am posting it especially for my fellow class members who shall remain nameless)

My incarnation of the pincushion varied a bit. I started by putting the leaves at a different angle....

The first leaf all sewn on...

It is quite an easy process to get started. To put the felt piece in place we just used a bit of UHU gluestick to keep it in place. The wool is so easy to work with, it's like the thread just disappears into the felt, and I really enjoy just whip stitching the felt shapes on. It has my mind ticking over about the possibilities. Pin cushions one day, who knows what the next?!?! (and really, who does know, I need to ponder on that one a little more before I can give you an answer!)

This shot shows how we used a little bit of ric rac behind the felt piece for effect...

But it was looking a little bare in the middle. So on advice from mum I added a little birdie....

I am not sure what else to do with the birdie. I am tempted to either embellish it, or embellish around it. I also have to embellish the orange and purple leaves still. I purchased some wool threads (so yummy), so I have plenty of options. I am wanting to do a bullion stitch somewhere on one of them. Yes, the next shot is of me with my two loves- stitching and sitting on my laptop (what you cannot see here is the tv in the background, the other staple in my evening diet)

It is still a work in progress. In fact, I think I might whip it out tonight and get sewing on it. I really recommend the class to anyone. I learnt some new stitches, and I really enjoyed working with the wool felt. I can't say I enjoy trying to thread wool thread through the eye of a needle though! Especially beading needles! Man, that was the worst part of the day I reckon.

And on a final nerdy note of another kind, yesterday I got to wear the funny looking hat finally....

And yes, you just address me as Doctor now, especially if you are related to me HAHAHAHA

Craftin' Crazy

I am still alive and kicking! Work has been hectic (as usual) and whilst I have managed to keep up relatively well on the craft front, I haven't really had a chance to blog. By the time I get home I am pretty beat, so I have been putting off blogging for a week or two. So time to catch up on things. I have been productive with my stitcheries and my jewellery. First, to finally reveal the present I made for my friend Lori, an awesome chick who works, studies and has her little kidlets (with another on the way). She is amazing, and so I thought I would send her a little something to show her she is appreciated. Knowing she is a butterfly fan, here are the results.....

The earrings and...

The necklace.

As I mentioned the stitcheries are done....

And I even fit in some time for a workshop with Christine Book. Mum and I went along and it was a good day (despite my massive headache!). Below is the result of my hard work (much more fun than proper work).

Mum did the same pattern. We are going to turn them into softies and I guess use them as decorations at Christmas time.

And I have finally moved onto my next project. I showed the Cinderberry Stitches pattern in my last blog. Well, I have actually started on it, with much thanks to Michelle and her wonderful ability to help me choose colours. I have decided to do the patchwork bits in the same fabric as my table runner, so all I had to do was find the threads.

I also manage to master french knots!!!!!!!!!!!! No more cheating (well, until I forget how to do them again)

And onto the ladybeetles....

Oh, on a random note, Grug is coming to town!!!! SO excited. I am currently trying to negotiate stealing someone's child so I have an excuse to go and see him and get my photo with the great man himself!

Back to crafty things now.
Last night in beading I made this creation....

I think every time I look at it the colours look different. I wore it tonight to the movies, where I also got up to a little mischief....