Finally .... a lamp shade

Remember those lamp bases I bought at the markets last year? Well, they've been sitting on a shelf gathering dust for a while so a few days ago I finally made a shade for one of them.

It was my first attempt so it is a bit plain. But I still have another to make so I will see what I can come up with.

I'm in bed with a nasty virus at the moment. I'm just terrible at resting though. I keep seeing things that need doing, dusting, vacuuming etc, or thinking of craft projects I'd rather be doing. So I get up and start, and then realise I don't have the energy and go back to bed, and then get up again half an hour later and start the whole process again. The result being that the house is messier than ever - vacuum cleaner and assorted other things lying abandoned all over the place. What's the point of a day off work if you can't do anything?!

Happy Mothers' Day

Happy Mothers' Day to all the Mums!

No, the puppies didn't pick these flowers for me - a friend sent them to me to cheer me up as I had dental surgery on Friday. I'm lucky to have such thoughtful friends.

I tried starting my Panda Quilt Along yesterday but made a big mess of it. I thought I'd made a mistake and started unpicking and trimming and realised I was right all along, and had just ruined it. I then tried starting some of my nine patches for that Quilt Along and messed them up to. So I gave up, disheartened. I blame drugs - I am on a mixture of painkillers and antiobiotics that are making my head all fuzzy.

Two Door Snakes

I'm still on my mission to use up old wool so this week I have been crocheting draught stoppers or door snakes. It seems funny to be reading the blogs of those in the Northern Hemisphere talking about Spring and Summer, when here it is starting to cool down and my mind is turning to woolly things.

These are filled with an inner made of plain homespun and filled with kitty litter so they have a nice weight to them. I made one of plain trebles (or double crochet if you are in the US) and one in a simple shell pattern.

Sugar is lying on the spare bed in my study waiting for me to finish up here, and of course, she has taken ownership of one of the snakes. I may need to crochet her a neck/chin roll!

Panda Quilt Along

For someone who hasn't sewn in weeks I am being a bit reckless with my promises, but I've just signed up to AJ Quilts Panda Quilt Along. Be sure to check out the cute cot quilt pattern she is posting in weekly installments, it is just so sweet.

Nine Patch Quilt-A-Long

I've just signed up for Crazy Mom's Nine Patch Quilt A Long. I've been really slack lately and haven't done any sewing at all in weeks. But I figure even I can manage a 6" nine patch every day, even though I'm starting a few days late. I might even start tonight.

I'm working from home today (apart from this bloggy interlude) and a bird appeared in my study this morning! It was really strange, I just don't know where he came from. I would have seen him if he came in the door. He flew around for a while, and I opened the window and spent a long time trying to coax him out, which he eventually did. I took a photo of him but then my camera died, so I can't post a pic. But I promise you it is true.

Amendment: Got my camera sorted and here is my little visitor.

Chunky Scarf

I'm trying to use up some wool at the moment (to make room for more of course!) so have been looking for quick projects to use up odd balls.

I whipped up this quick crochet scarf on the weekend, in a big chunky variegated yarn and a big hook so it was very quick and is very thick and warm. I made a fringe of chain loops at each end for something different.

Long Time Between Posts

It's been a long time between posts. I just haven't been doing anything post worthy lately.

The only project I have finished in the last month or so is this crocheted cardigan:

The cotton is a lovel mercerised yarn from Drops design. I've long been an admirer of their website with lots of free patterns and bought the Muskat yarn intending to make one, but then ended up using another pattern altogether.

I now am making one of their patterns, but using some 8ply cotton from Bendigo Woollen Mills. Here is the progress so far:

They sent me lots of swatch cards with the cotton yarn I ordered and there are some lovely wools so I'll definitely be back for more. Their yarns come in 200g balls which I just love, as it saves constantly joining balls.

And now for some eye candy. Toni from The Red Boot Quilt Company was selling some samples and as usual I couldn't resist.

I'm planning on sending this Alphabet Soup to my niece for a play rug:

I just love the cute bubble quilting pattern:

And this one is for me!

The backing on this one is just as pretty as the front:


You can probably find much better photos of these quilts by visiting Toni's blog.