Saturday 19 October 2013

Late - Le Challenge

Oh dear.
Just when I thought all was going well and I was getting back on track with blogging...
Le Challenge day arrived.
I was soooo close to finishing my project, but it was getting late and I knew I had to get up for school in the morning :(
But, it is finished now! So I'm sharing anyway!
 
The theme this month was Thriller, which I found pretty tough. I'm a bit of a grump when it comes to Halloween and this was all my brain could think about.

But then a chat with my sister got me sorted.
Me: The theme is thriller.
My sister: Ah. Michael Jackson.
Me: What am I gonna do, knit one white glove?!
My sister: White socks?
Me: Snort!!
My sister: He had a monkey though. Called Bubbles. Didn't you knit a monkey once?
Me: I have knitted 6 monkeys already. I'm pretty speedy at them now.
My sister: Sorted.

So, meet monkey number 7 - Bubbles!!
 

I'll be honest, he was already started. A friend (whose children have had 3 of my previous knitted monkeys!) asked if I would make one for her to give as a Christening gift. So there were a few bits of monkey in my knitting bag.


He is from a fabulous book that I just adore called 'knitted wild animals' by Sarah Keen.
I have made quite a few of the animals from this book!

 
He will very soon belong to a sweet little boy. I hope they have lots of fun together!
 
Now, I'd better get started on something for next month...
Stripes! Lots of ideas, just need to make the time!
 
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Sunday 13 October 2013

Catching up - and lots of projects!

Hello!
Oh, I have totally failed as a blogger these past few months :(
I can't believe it's almost time to post my next Le Challenge project and I've not blogged about anything else in between!
 
 
Project bags made in the summer holidays to keep my knitting in!
 
I have had a 'big think' about this. I don't want to stop blogging, I like it, the sharing, the support, the lovely online friends I have made here. But, realistically, with my new job I don't have anywhere near as much time as I used to. I'm still crafting, there are knitting, crochet, patchwork, embroidery and quilting projects all on the go (and littered about the house!) but the blogging... I never seem to get to it.
 
My first swoon block. There will be more soon. I hope.
 
I have realised, during my 'big think' that this is all down to photographs. I'm not a natural photographer. I don't walk around with a camera all the time. My camera is usually hidden away somewhere with no charge. So when I think about writing a post I realise I have no photos to use. I do feel pressured to use 'good' photos in my posts, and all I have are hurried ones I snapped on my phone that are not 'staged' and don't have good light. I use these on Instagram and that's ok, IG is a more instant, snappy place. But up until now I haven't felt that I can use these on my blog.
 
 
Quilt progress. On the left, my Saturday Sampler quilt, top almost finished. On the right my vintage sheet quilt, all quilted now, waiting for binding.
 
So this has to change. If I want to continue blogging I have to make it quicker and easier for myself, and this is my solution. So I apologise if my photos are a bit dull, or if the light is rubbish. But I want to share my projects with you, and be part of the blogging world again!
 
Lots of knitting at the moment! On the left, Ridgely, which is now finished and being worn :) On the right Henslowe, which I am doing as a knit-along with the lovely Julie from button-button
 
There are lots more projects that are in various stages of completion that I know I have not got around to sharing, and I will try really hard to do this soon. But it is nice to be back! My project for this months Le Challenge - Thriller is almost finished, although I did have to think quite a long way out of the box this month!!
 
I'll leave you with a photo of Henry. Being lazy. Which he does A LOT!!
 
 
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