Felted Folk

Hi Everyone,
I have just added some lovely ladies to my Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/taniascraftycreations?ref=hl

If you are interested in purchasing these, please have a look. Postage and Handling applies to New Zealand customers only. If you are from overseas, please contact me, and I will find out how much postage would be for you, before you decide to purchase.

Thank you.

 

 

 

To Block or Not To Block

Well, even though the weather is still so hot here in New Zealand,  I have just finished a lovely cable and eyelet lace scarf. Knitted with merino 4ply sparkle in a gorgeous blue colour called Tekapo, hand dyed by Casey from www.Letthemknit.com. I have used three different coloured blue glass beads - each line using the same blue colour. One line is the same colour as the wool, the middle line a darker blue and the other side a lighter blue. This truely sparkles in the sun and light, but so hard to capture in a photo.
Once finished an item it is so tempting to put it in the 'yay! Finished. On with the next project pile.' (Well it is for me, anyway!) But if you have taken the time to knit something in cables and/or lace; you really do need to block your work. I took some before and after photos. I think you will have to agree the pattern truly does show up so much better once blocked. And it doesn't really take that much time to do - especially when compared to the time taken to actually knit the thing!

  

Just after blocking - I have removed the pins to take the photo!

  

  

Spotlight Jersey

I finished this jersey last weekend. It is the easiest jersey I have ever made, finished it in only a few weeks. 
The pattern is from a Spotlight knitting magazine I purchased a while ago. I found it whilst cleaning out my craft cupboard and knew I just had to make it for myself.  Luckily Spotlight still stock the yarn! (Even though it is in new colourways now.)
The top part is knitted in moss stitch (or seed stitch, as some people refer to it) starting at one arm up to the neck. From the neck, front and back are knit separately, and then just knit them together once you have knitted enough for your neck line. One big piece,  but so easy, and it keeps your legs warm as you are knitting!  You then pick up stitches from the edge (centred) and knit down in stocking stitch to make the front.  The side splits have a border of moss stitch, and the band is also in moss stitch. The back is made in the same way.
The only thing you need to sew is the side seams, up the body & under the arms. Brilliant for those of us that love knitting but loathe sewing up!
The pattern calls for a moss stitch neckband to be added, but when I tried it on,  I was happy with it the way it was. I also felt that a 4cm neckband would come up too high (I don't like anything tight around my neck!)

Shabby Chic Inspired Room Box

My latest mini creation. The wallpaper is not as bright as these photos suggest.  It's more of an olive green. The border is a gold embossed stamp.
At the NZAME convention I purchased the gorgeous coat and beautiful lacey number from one of our very talented club members,  Janis. (Check out her etsy listings under 'Tiny Finery'.) I then made this roombox to show them off.
I like the shabby chic jars I altered and also love the suitcase at the end of the bed which I made from paper and card.
The perfume display and the back 'tea cup candle' were also purchased from Convention in the form of kits. - Both really easy to make up and I think they look quite at home in this setting. 
Still think I will have to create a toy of some sort for the bed and a lacey blanket/throw for the end of the bed.
Thanks for looking. 

Summer Knitting

Happy New Year everyone!  I've been busy knitting a couple of cowls over the holidays, although it so hot at the moment... we all know it's going to cool down sooner or later,  and I am hoping these two accessories will come in handy. I think my favourite is the orange beaded one. First time at knitting with beads and I think I'm 'hooked'!

Noddy

This is the gift I made for one of my children's teachers.
During the All Things Beautiful fundraiser event, the teacher commented on my miniature knitting, and noted that I didn't have a Noddy or a Big Ears.
Filed away, I thought, 'right, challenge accepted!'.
This is the result.  Next time I make him I think I will make his legs a little shorter and use a slightly darker blue for his shorts;  but all in all I'm pretty happy.
At the NZAME convention I purchased a little miniature Noddy Goes to Toyland book. I covered a matchbox type box with a cover of the same book, and used a copy of the inside cover to line the inner of the box.
Now I just need to come up with a Big Ears and make the two friends for myself!

Sorry,  some how I deleted the photos from my blog. I did manage to find one which I took just after I made Noddy. Unfortunately as this was a gift, I can't take any more photos of the finished product in the matchbox book. Oh well, I guess I will just have to recreate it at some stage!

Mr & Mrs Claus

Today was our last miniature club meeting for the year.
I had a lovely surprise awaiting me on the display table. Leonie had finished her latest project, a workshop taken by Linda Laurenson (From Enchanted Garden) - a corner  Christmas room box complete with inbuilt window seat.
Sitting on the window seat, (pride of place) were Mr & Mrs Claus that I had knitted and Leonie had purchased one or two years ago.
Thank you Leonie, they look very happy in their beautiful new home!