Chunky cardi, buttons and brooch

Hello Folks. In view of the winter fast approaching the knitting needles have been out.  This is my  favourite pattern which is knitted in aran yarn in stocking stitch with some cabling, so very quick. In fact it was finished long before anticipated!

Trying to get a good colour likeness was next to impossible. In reality it is a darker mauve with flecks running through. After the cardi was nearly finished I realised that I hadn't made the inset pockets....maybe thats why it was up and running so quickly! lol

The pattern uses one button at the top, but I thought I would have a go with these self cover buttons and see what happens as I've never used them before.

Using French knots in a light and darker mauve these little flowers look a bit like Buddleias I thought.

A nice bright brooch finishes off the outfit.  (another photo that didn't capture the colours well) This was made from a piece of plaid wool with fabric flowers and vase, finished off with some random felt spots and the blanket stitched onto a mauve felt back.

It's already been out for an airing and it is nice and cosy. I do wonder why aran yarn has to be put into such huuuge balls tho (or perhaps I don't need to wonder!) In the old days they were sold in 50g lots, then went up to 100g and now a whopping 600g. What was needed was a 600g ball and perhaps another 100g. So I now have lots of wool leftover......wooly hat/scarf anyone!!

Here is someone who knows just what to do with an interesting looking item!

You can see what the colour is, yes, part of my jumper! Little Logan thought it was absolutely great fun. My fault as I forgot that the knitting bag was left on the floor when he was visiting. Forgot what it was like with toddlers, move everything up high! haha

Dad (Archie) was supposed to be baby sitting, but he was to busy ordering doggy biccys on the internet!

Logan just knows just how darn cute he is....and uses it to the full advantage!
Byee till next time.

Linky parties for this week are:-
handmadeharbour.blogspot.
.the-chicken-chick.com
thediydreamer
lavendergardencottage.blogspot.
finecraftguild.
thewellcraftedhome.blogspot.
craftsalamode.com.what-to-do-weekends

Nikki, a portrait of a dog

Hello chums, this week I've finally finished the 'quirky' portrait that I was making of daughter's little doggie Nikki. It's only taken about 9 months to make!

                                       Getting started....not sure about the background.

                                         A bit of stitching makes all the difference

                                A definate likeness to the real Nikki!

As you can see the background has changed completely. It is a small patchwork piece which is slightly padded and also made Nikki a bit plumper with a bit of stuffing as she was looking a bit 'flat'. The body is made from an old cardigan.

She has all her favourite 'photos' surrounding her. Her twin puppies, her favourite person in the whole wide world (my dd) Tigger the cat (who doesn't like Nikki!) a plate of bones and of course.....our dear Archie.

Above our fireplace. Hmmm... best not get to comfortable there, cos it's going to my daughters and hopefully it will make her smile when she looks at it, as it did me whilst I was making it.

Not to leave Archie out here, he is with a big bowl of grapes that were growing in our polytunnel,

now in the process of being made into wine.
They look yummy but not for eating raw sadly as they are small,pippy and a wee bit tart. Last year we had about 3 bunches which were added to some jam and that was rather delicious. Not bad for a 99p grape vine eh!

and so, on to this weeks Linky parties
handmadeharbour.blogspot.co.uk/
the-chicken-chick.
.thededicatedhouse
thediydreamer.
lavendergardencottage.blogspot
thewellcraftedhome.blogspot
finecraftguild.com
ivyandelephants.blogspot.