Hardanger MP3 Cosy - Mary Hickmott

Design: Hardanger Motif

Designer: Mary Hickmott

Threads: Anchor Perle 5 1349 Stormy Seas

Fabric 22 count hardanger, pale blue

The Hermit got a new MP3 player for his birthday, but it didn't have an anchor point for clipping on a lanyard. So, I thought I would make a little case for it. I was going to use felt, but then I saw this little piece in my finishes box, and thought it would do. I don't know why I stitched something blue, it's really not a colour I like, but as it's The Hermit's, he was happy...

A little bit of folding and pressing, a tad of stitching, sticking with a bodger and finally a wallop with a hammer to set in the eyelet and ...

It can safely hang from a lanyard, and there's enough room in there for the earphones to be stored neatly.

Twisty Bag - Sheepfold

Design: Twisty Bag

Designer: www.sheepfold.co.uk
Yarn: Herdwick pure wool

Here is the bag I was telling you about a week or so ago - I finally got pictures of it :o)

It was really easy to knit, although the yarn did have a tendency to shed - but of course, that helped the felting process. I altered the pattern slightly - yes, even though I've never made a felted bag before, I couldn't resist meddling with the instructions...

This is what it looked like before it went into the washing machine - you can see the stitch definition, and the dimensions are differently proportioned to the finished result above.




I'm not sure whether I will keep it, or perhaps try to sell it. Grey isn't really my colour, although I did defend it when my Ma (who saw it in the unfelted state above) called it a 'sh*tty colour'. My ma, bless her, is not one to mince her words...

I've made another version, this time using a multi coloured yarn which I like better - even though the felting is taking longer - it's twice been through the machine and I'm still not entirely happy. Third time lucky, maybe?

A little goodie bag

The stitched piece is a very old freebie kit which came from a British Cross Stitch magazine in the 1990s, stitched on 18 count aida. I was going to use it to make a birthday card by adding a fabric mount, but then I changed my mind, and thought about making a mini pillow. However, as I had planned to give it to my niece, I remembered about her obsession with bags, and made it into a little drawstring "dolly bag" into which I put her Easter bunny and a couple of little board books - as well as a tube of mini chocolate eggs. I'm not sure which she liked most - it's one of the rewarding things about giving gifts to my niece, she's so pleased with anything - but she insists that the bag is hung with mummy's bag on her pushchair ...

Pumpkin Trick or Treat Bags

I was in our local "everything £1" store and saw the kit that made both of these - a bargain or what!?

They are made from foam, and I had to lace together the backs and fronts onto a gusset, then attach the handles. I also had to stick on the features. A tip if you find something similar - use a decent glue, double sided tape doesn't work!

I'm keeping one chap, and the other is going to my toddler niece :o)

I Will Finish This Project - Jo Verso

I haven't posted for a while because life has got very busy - the new semester at University has started, and I have a heavy class schedule this time. Add to that a series of performance workshops, some family stuff and medical appointments and there's just not a lot of time left!

I've finally got round to uploading some finishes, and this is the first one. I think I stitched it about 2001/2002 and it's taken from Quick & Easy Cross Stitch - a design by the late Jo Verso. you can't see very clearly from the picture, but the motto is "I will finish this project before I start another one" - a worthy sentiment, but not one I adhere to very well! :o)

I appliqued the piece onto some strong ticking in a matching colour (thanks sis for the fabric!) and made it into a little duffel bag - it's big enough to take an A4 size chart and materials.

Boo! - Bent Creek

Although the stitched part of this was finished last year, I've only just assembled the tuck bag - which is shocking, given that the bag came pre-made with the kit, and all I had to do was iron interfacing onto the stitching, trim to size and secure with the buttons! At least I have this completed for this autumn, and now it's October, I will display the bag proudly!

I don't really go for Hallowe'en, although I have enjoyed the times I've spent in the USA around that holiday. Over here in the UK, there's not such a big fuss made, and Trick and Treating is rather casual and can be more worrying, as children don't always seem to be escorted by parents, and there's less organisation. Some teenagers think it is a licence to beg for money too :o(

Of course, when I was a kid, the tradition was known as "Mischief Night" in this part of the country - gates would be taken off hinges, dustbins overturned, "Knock Down Ginger" played on unsuspecting householders ... all tricks, no treats! :o) The main excitement was always reserved for Bonfire Night though - these days it's just another occasion that spreads out over weeks, which isn't great if - like me - you have pets who don't like fireworks.

My, I am grouchy this morning! I'd better go have breakfast before I post any more!