Saturday 3 August 2013

Stitches...&Stitches

The summer holidays have indeed been fun and busy. I love not having to stick to a routine, letting the kids play around in their pyjamas til late morning, or staying out later than normal just because we’re having such a great time.
I have managed a bit of progress on some WIPs, so without further ado...
The Blossom Bag is blooming nicely – the first half is complete!


This crochet project, first mentioned here, whips up so quickly, the flowers are fun and easy, and the pattern is simple to remember. Now I’ll move onto the other side, then I have to decide which colour should make the band at the top that will connect the handles to the bag. Any ideas? I’m considering the lighter green, or perhaps the rose...

The only drawback to the pattern so far, as with every crochet flower, granny square or stripe pattern actually, is this, the backside:


AAAAACK! Strikes fear in the bravest of crafters...as I’ve said before, they can put a man on the moon, but they can’t invent a tool to sort out yarn ends. Priorities, people!

Moving swiftly on, Sam-I-Am is done, so I will start to stitch green eggs and ham next:


I won’t say much about him yet, other than I’m learning a lot with this project, my mistakes, my good decisions, some techniques I’d change next time...but more on that when it’s a FO. It is fun stitching something so different from my other projects - the bold, cartoonish black, red and yellow, the sketchy style...

And I’ve even managed my ABCs!


This sampler is a delight to stitch, and I’ve only done three letters! It is very easy to pick up when I have a spare 10 minutes, as the piece is made up of a lot of little components. 

Pop over to the lovely &Stitches site today and you’ll find the guest blogger is...me! I did a little interview with Sophie Long, author of a fantastic new tome entitled Mastering the Art of Embroidery. Sophie is a professional embroiderer who trained at the Royal School of Needlework, and she also happens to be one of the team who embroidered Kate Middleton’s wedding dress! Last summer I took part in a wonderful silk ribbon embroidery course that she was teaching, and I kept in touch with her afterwards. She’s an expert, a terrific teacher, and she keeps centuries-old techniques fresh with her contemporary designs. I’ll give a proper review of her book soon...

I’ve put a lot of topics on my Blog To-Do List, haven’t I? Better stop writing, get crafting, then get blogging some more, focusing on one project at a time...

Happy crafting!
Chrissie x



15 comments:

  1. Well you most certainly have been busy. Loving the look of that bag and yes a tool would be great now wouldn't it. It's the most dreaded part if the job and I'm now doing it as I go as i just can't face all those spiders legs everywhere. Not envying you that bit. Maybe we should teach out hubbies how to weave ends in, now there's a plan!! As for the back i woukd choose either the blue or pink but the light green will look great too. Sam's looking rather glam, great job there my dear. The alphabet looks like such a lovely project something I am very interested to see if I can get my hands on. Now guest blogging well would love to read it but the link's not working. Well done you and yes for another book review. I hope you don't mind but I have nominated you for a Liebster award over on my blog today but don't feel you have to do it if its not your thing. Happy weekend lovely xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the nomination! I'm blushing...cx

      Delete
  2. Aha! Your stitching is coming along famously Chrissie - looking great, I really love it! And what wonderful news about your interview with Sophie Long - I will pop in and have a look tomorrow, but right now it's my bedtime and beauty sleep is absolutely essential!
    I also love how your pretty bag is progressing - good luck with the tying in of ends!!! I always love pink but think that the limey green would be very nice for the band!
    Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
    Joy xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Joy - I'm leaning towards the pink, it's my fave colour after all, but I wasn't sure if it would make the bag look too little girlie - but hey, who cares? It's my bag! Cxxx

      Delete
  3. Your blossom bag is looking o beautiful, it really is. Sewing in all those ends will be totally worth it!
    Marianne x

    ReplyDelete
  4. The alphabet is adorable. Jo x

    ReplyDelete
  5. The alphabet sampler is just beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Lovely things, that bag is lovely....I quite like end sewing in, sad eh? :) x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah my dear, there is a career waiting for you - Professional Crochet End Sewer. I will send you my bag, weave til your heart's content! I could be persuaded to pay quite handsomely... ;-) Cx

      Delete
  7. Now I've been and had a look Chrissie - and it doesn't stop at your lovely interview with Sophie of course - more ammunition and temptations - the list goes on! So many talented gifted people around - so inspiring! Thanks so much for sharing this, you did a wonderful job of it!
    Joy x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad you liked it! And yes, iThe site is a treasure trove of advice and ideas and inspiration - I love it! Cx

      Delete
  8. Oh thank you Jooles! Hope you like the interview...cx

    ReplyDelete
  9. Looks beautiful sure it will be brilliant. I love the colours you've used x

    ReplyDelete
  10. You have been busy - I can't wait to see the blossom bag completed, the colours are so pretty. Will pop over and read your interview...Take care. XX

    ReplyDelete
  11. Your blossoming bag is looking fab, although the dreaded ends are a pain of course. Love your embroidery too:)

    S x

    ReplyDelete