It's a Creative World

A Hand-Bag?

Leanne here - Happy Saturday!

Ok, so this post is more about the importance of being organised, rather than Earnest, but I hope you still find it useful :)

A couple of years ago, whilst rediscovering my passion for knitting, I was growing frustrated with my ball of yarn getting mucky, getting pulled by other needles and hooks in my bag, being chased by the cat, or tangling around someone's foot. I decided that a pair of bamboo bag handles (free with a magazine!) would sit nicely on my wrist, and found an intarsia pattern to use up scraps of dk and two-ply, along wth some unbleached cotton for a lining... Here it is in use with a lovely lace shawl (more on that another day...!):

What do you think? I can carry it around with me by folding it into a handbag, and knit standing, sitting, anywhere, with my stitch markers conveniently to hand and my pattern safe inside! I'll link to my Ravelry project here, for you to see.

Sometimes the best little inventions are borne of necessity, so have a think about a gap in your practical life that needs filling, and post us a pic or link when you're done-'We would love to see how our efforts free inspire you :)

That's all from me- Thanks for stopping by, and please do check out the other weekend posts for even more inspiration!

Leanne xxx

www.beautifulimpressions.co.uk

www.craftaholicleanie.co.uk

 

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Mini Minion Mitt Madness

Good Sunday to you all!

I am so glad of this day of rest- I was offered a job out of the blue, with long hours, a long commute, and an immediate start... But a job's a job, especially in this economy!  Before I rejoined the rat race, however, I was able to dash off my project for today... Mini Minion Mitts!

After a laugh at a local crop over Minions, and a new knitting friend, I decided I'd try to design some mittens for my youngest Minion (5).  I found a pattern free on Ravelry and set about working out how to incorporate a simple stranding/intarsia pattern for dungarees.

Once I'd managed that, I just had to get some big googly eyes (ASDA, in the back to school sale!) and crochet a little circle that I then drew the yarn through and pulled so it was overlapping the edge securely.  I stitched it on et voila! My best guess at Minions - aka My Mini Minion Mitts:

(They are nave and yellow - despite my cameraphone's best attempt and making it look black!)

Not bad for someone who hasn't seen the film, eh?

I'm having to remake them in another size, and now I've found my circulars I may try them in the round, not knit flat... If I manage to come up with my own pattern, I'll pop back here with it on my next turn!

Thanks for joining us this weekend, if you've only just gotten here, do scroll down for Lisa's masculine clocks card, and Felicia's lovely layouts.. We are scheduled back next Friday, but you should always keep an eye on this place in the week, in case we pop on to surprise you!

Leanne xxx

www.beautifulimpressions.co.uk

www.craftaholicleanie.co.uk

Historic crafting with a corny edge!

Hi everyone and it's Erika here back with something completely different for you this month.  It's crafty but not as I know it.  

A while back a good friend of mine asked me if I fancied going on a Corn crafting course with her.  I have to admit at first I wasn't so sure but then I thought why not, you might even enjoy it, and I did.

We visited a lovely lady called Elaine from Somethingcorny.  It was a beautiful day and we set to work in her garden shed.  Now this wasn't any garden shed.  There was four of us in the class for the day, a nice small group so we learned a lot.  This was our classroom...isn't it fab?

It was a beautiful sunny day and it made it feel like we were crafting outside.  Elaine has a beautiful garden which we even had our picnic in at lunch time.  It was heaven.

We made a practise item with the wheat and then four other items.  I have decided to show you my simple corn dolly.  

A little bit of history for you....corn dollies have been made for thousands of years and are thought to date back to pagan times.  The last sheaf of corn from the harvest was used to make corn dollies which were believed to then hold the Corn spirit in the plait and were usually hung in the kitchen.  Next spring the dried seeds would be planted again and were believed to encourage a good harvest for the following year. 

Nowadays they are believed to bring peace and prosperity to the home, in other words they are thought to be good luck charms.  

Here is my dolly.....

The wheat is worked whilst it is damp, plaited and shaped and then left to dry, holding it's shape.  I like the simplicity of this shape and have added a wee heart and halo for now.  I am still thinking whether to add wings?  I quite like her simple design.

We also made a heart, a lavender dolly and a country glory plait.  Needless to say I came home with more wheat to practise with.  I think the lavender dollies would make nice presents to hang on the Christmas tree as would the hearts.  I can feel another craft starting!

The Heart

The Lavender Dolly

Country Glory plait

I was quite happy with my first attempts.  My glory plait is a bit wonky and my Lavender dolly needs to be squarer at the bottom....but practise will make perfect.  As you work whilst wet the corn does shrink as it drys.  Once it is dry it will stay in position so it is best to pin it whilst wet keeping the shape you want.

Elaine had made some beautiful items in her workshop.  I personally loved the flowers, butterflies and dragonfly but the wee mice were cute too.

If you are interested at having a go contact Elaine on the Something Corny link above, she runs classes and has kits/supplies plus more information for corny crafting!

That is all from me today, enjoy the sunshine and happy crafting, Erika.