Monday 24 November 2014

A colour boost

At this time of year as the nights draw in,
working with colourful fabric and wool is even more satisfying than usual.  
 

 
These are some coasters made from scraps.
There is a good tutorial by Svetlana here if you want one.
 

 
I used some spiral quilting and added an applique flower using free machining.
The cotton is a variegated one by Gutterman.
 

 
A bit more colour from some small pieces of crochet which needed a bit of blocking..



 
The first was a mandala from Lucy's pattern at Attic24 found here..
 

 
I made one for the fantastic display she did for Yarndale
and decided that I would like one for home too.
 
I have also made a couple of the triple layer flowers,
again from another pattern at Attic24 here.
 
 
And finally a little yarnbombing to (hopefully) bring a smile to my neighbour's face when he sees his sign..
 
 
 

Sunday 23 November 2014

Finished cushion cover...

now I can't wait for the pack of Cosy colours that I am hoping to get for Christmas so that I can start the real thing!
 

 
This cushion cover came together fantastically quickly and is my practice run at Lucy's treble crochet blanket that I can't wait to have a go at.
 
This was a plain cushion sitting on the sofa just asking to be covered. 


I crocheted a piece the right width from lots of leftovers of wool that were in my basket and then wrapped it around the cushion and closed it up using single crochet.


 
 
Originally I had planned to then turn it the other way out, if you know what I mean, but I liked the single crochet on the outside and the way it made a kind of ridged edge.
 

 
I tired to get a close up picture of this to show you but as you can see the camera kept focussing on the rain drops on the window!!

Sunday 16 November 2014

Just couldn't wait..


 
I have been doing some crochet after being inspired by Lucy's gorgeous blanket over at Attic24.

I have put a pack of her Cosy Stylecraft on my Christmas list and am having to be patient.
 In the mean time I decided to have a practice with the pattern
 using some leftover wool from my stash.
 

 
It isn't blanket sized but should cover a cushion when it's finished.
 
Not much sewing going on at the moment as I have been busy clearing the garden,
planting raspberry canes and painting shelves.
 
Back to some sewing soon.

Wednesday 5 November 2014

Mad Dogs!


 
This is Mad Dog.
Pattern from the book softies which I have had for some years and is very well used.
I often turn to it if I want to make a present.
 
This chap was made from recycled jeans and ..
 

 
a recycled shirt for the reverse.
 
And the second mad dog is Tally.
She is the reason for the name of my blog.
 
We set off for a walk this morning across the fields in the sunshine..
 

 
Can you see the little dots on the horizon, well...
 

 
on closer inspection they were a flock of Canada Geese.
 
Tally was fairly unimpressed and carried on her path..
 

 
but the geese decided they weren't hanging around in a field with a 'mad dog'.
 
It was a beautiful sight.

Sunday 2 November 2014

A bit of this and that..

Finally a sunny day when I am not working and a chance to take some photos!



This was a mini quilt made to sit on top of a table to protect it from mug marks and scratches.
I appliqued some felt circles which is a style used by Wendy Williams in her lovely book

The Bees are two lavender bags made from this years crop of lavender. 
One is now in my car and the other has been purloined by child two.




Then there was a tunic dress which I made using the basic pattern for Dress A
 from the Stylish Dress Book mentioned before here and here.
 
I made some alterations in that I took out some of the width and added a capped sleeve and pockets. 



 
Sorry about the poor photo but you get the impression!
The dress is made from denim and the pockets from some more of the Lazy Daisy fabric
by Brandon Mably  that is a favourite of mine.

I have really been enjoying the Frocktober Posts over at The Drapery.
I just wish I lived close enough to visit the shop.

And finally an African Flower Mandala Pot Holder.. 
 

  
This was made using a great tutorial here on a blog called Crochet with Raymond.
 
Unfortunately the blog is no longer in use but there are some lovely tutorials and ideas.
 
 

 
I like the back too and the whole thing was done in a day or two.
I can see a few of these being made for presents, I have already started a second.
 
And the chrysanthemums are a flowering their little hearts out and look like they are enjoying the sunshine as much as me!