Where does the time go?

I might be getting better at crochet, but I'm still rubbish at keeping an up to date blog!
I'm working on a 'granny stripe blanket' and a 'lucy bag' in my world of crochet at the moment.  There are some photos here on my ravelry page...
...more posts soon, I promise (I'm going to Wonderwool on Sunday so should have lots of 'pwythau' related news lol!

If only time was like crochet...

...so I could add a few chains, like more hours in the day.

Unfortunately struggling to find time to crochet at the moment, although I seem to be *thinking* about crochet a lot - now that is bad!!

Have opened a Flickr account to collect my 'pwythau pengwern' related photos - must link it to this blog (note to self).  I've STARTED two scarves but not got any further - uh oh, bad habits already.

I've decided to add another round to my existing granny squares (going from the current 4 rounds to 5 rounds) partly because I've been reading about the brilliant idea of sending granny squares to help with the Queensland flood aftermath effort and partly because they'll then be bigger so I'll make a blanket quicker!!

Hmm, not the most coherent post ever is it??

Sorry peeps x

Update!!

Well, it's been a while since I last posted!
I've been busy with my translation business (Trosi Tanat Translation) and I've also started a Welsh shop in the market in Oswestry. Here's a link to the website www.siopcwlwm.co.uk
So, to be honest, I haven't really had a chance to do much sewing :-(

I've started a few cross stitch projects but haven't been able to finish them - yet! I've even sent one half-finished sampler to my lovely friend Awen, who creates lovely hand made items for my Welsh shop (including aprons, peg bags, sentiment hearts and cross stitch samplers). I don't know where she finds the time to make these lovely lovely things!!!

We're also selling hand knitted clothes by my mum in the shop - I'll blog about them before long.

But, I have recently discovered a new addiction...crochet!! And as it's still stitches, why not blog about my journey through the world of crochet right here?? I hope you remember 'pwythau' = 'stiches' in Welsh :-)

My lovely friend Gemma from Gemmipop Designs (who also happens to have a shop at Oswestry Market) has taught me how to make granny squares and I'm making one in my favourite colour at the moment...

Not the best photo ever, and it's grown a bit since this photo!  Will post updates soon.
Thanks to Gemma @ Gemmipop Designs for getting me back into blogging!!

TTFN x

More finished cross stitch (at last)

In a previous post I showed the diamond wedding sampler I've been working on for my great aunt and uncle. I'm pleased to report that it's finished, framed and has been given to the happy couple.

Here it is:




And here's another piece of cross stitch I made for another Young Farmers competition, which is now on display in my parent's kitchen:


It's originally from a book called Pwytho Pennill where I also got the love spoon sampler from (way down there somewhere!) but I changed the poem in the middle to one about the valley where my mum was brought up.

My beautiful red jacket!

Between January and May 2008 I attended a weekly sewing course at Llangollen arranged by Yale College, Wrexham. The teacher was lovely and absolutely brilliant. She reminded me of my mum in her way of showing how to do things, so I felt right at home. The other people in the class were all lovely too - some of them were new like me and some have been going to the class for years.


Anyway, my mum and I decided before I went it would be a good idea to choose a project to make at the class, and I chose this pattern:

The gold jacket on the left, that is. I chose it because I needed a new spring/summer jacket and I absolutely loved the fluted sleeves. I bought some red corduroy fabric (because I love red) and some really cute strawberry print cotton for the lining.

This way the most complicated item I'd undertaken, by a long way, but with the help I got at the sewing class I was able to complete it and I love it! Here are some photos taken along the way:

Here's the jacket on a hanger before I put the sleeves on. This is when all the separate pieces came together and I started to realise I was actually making a real item of clothing! I don't think you can see in this photo but there is some gathering on both sides of the front (sort of on the bust line) and at the back. I must admit that I found this gathering quite a challenge (but much easier with the cotton I used for th linig!) but I'm so please with the finished effect.

Here's a close up of the lining - isn't it cute? I also used an overlocker for the first time with this project - we overlocked the seam between the corduroy and the lining along the inside of the jacket front openings (does that make sense?!). I really want an overlocker now - it looks so professional.

And finally, here's a photo of me wearing the jacket. I couldn't find any buttons I liked so I got some big self cover ones from Dunelm Mill and covered them in the corduroy. Another unique touch I added is the the underside of the collar is in the lining fabric not the corduroy.

I've already worn this jacket loads, and to start with I was a bit worried people would think it looked 'home made' but people have actually asked me where I bought it from! Just need to get some 'Pwythau Pengwern' labels now to sew onto the collar!

Fancy Dress Costumes

Here's a photo of me and my sister in the fancy dress costumes I made over Christmas and New Year (yes it really was that long ago!. We went as vets - I made scrubs out of an animal print fabric. I really enjoyed making the first one but the second was a bit of a rush as I very nearly ran out of time!

It's probably a good job you can't see below waist level as I used pinking shears on the trouser hems rather than doing a proper hem - oh the shame! I was quite proud of the trousers though, as they had pockets!