Home Sweet Home Filet Crochet

I finished off this sweet filet crochet on the weekend. Although not a large project, it has taken me a few weeks as I've only been able to spend an hour or so each weekend. This was a free pattern from Sauntering Stitches. I used a thicker crochet cotton, as that was what I had, so mine turned out a bit bigger than the original (about 14" x 17" as opposed to 12" x 14"). I also used a different edging as I really wanted to get it finished and I find picots slow going! 

I'm not sure whether I am going to frame it or turn it into a pillow yet.

Puppy pillow

This was a super quick finish on the weekend but only because I'd done all the work previously. I had an obsession with vintage iron on embroidery transfers for a while (and why not when they cost $1.99 from Grandma's Attic - so saves all that frustrating tracing time) and these puppy stitcheries were two of a series I had planned to complete in order to have enough blocks for a small quilt.

Needless to say, I didn't make enough blocks and a couple of years later I came across the stitcheries and put them together with some fabrics that matched the background and thread of the stitcheries. Then another few months later, came across the incomplete project again, handquilted it quickly and sewed on a backing to turn it into a mega-sized cushion cover for a big 80cm cushion insert I had.

Gee, this is a massive pillow and big and firm too. It would be great for lounging around on the floor. But if I put it on the floor, it really would become a puppy pillow as any soft furnishing so placed ends up belonging to Sugar and Spice.

Midweek Quickie - bookmarks

Alright, I confess, I didn't do any crafting this week. My weekend was spent mowing and doing other similarly not-fun but necessary chores. Considering the grass was dead and yellow a month ago, I shouldn't really complain now that we are getting rain, but seriously, how can a lawn grow half a foot in a week? I wish I could foster some of the poor animals living in the drought affected areas.

So anyway, in the interests of having a post, here are some bookmarks I made years ago. Both really quick.

The first was embroidered in star stitches on Aida cloth in variegated thread, so I got a shimmery effect without having to change colours. Plus the stitches were so quick as each asterisk-shaped stitch covered 2 x 2 squares. I glued it over cardboard with a plain fabric backing and made a twist cord out of leftover thread.

This one was my first and only attempt at ribbon embroidery. I don't know why I didn't do more of this because it was so quick and easy. The leaves and branch took no time at all as each was just a single stitch. The flowers were colonial knots in DMC thread so they didn't take much time either. Again, finished with cardboard for sturdiness and a twisted thread cord. (Don't look too closely at this pic cos this bookmark is a little dusty!)

Midweek Quickie Cheat

It's a cheat because I really didn't do any crafting this week! I have lots of boring and predictable excuses, but why bother?

So today I'm blogging about some older small projects, made over the last year or so. 

First up, a crochet covered jar which I originally planned to use as a vase but have found it kind of useful for storing knitting needles. This was just a made-up-as-I-went thing so no pattern.

And this is a hot water bottle cover I made last winter when I was in a bit of a knitting frenzy. From memory, it was from a Garn Studio pattern that was free online. It was a nice quick project made on circular needles so only a tiny seam to sew. In thick wool, it didn't take long to knit up at all.