I made Frou Frou and Go For Baroque from the HH book.

Go For Baroque Front


Go For Baroque Back


Frou Frou

Other than Frou Frou stretching when I blocked it (I think it was a combination of the weight, and me not really knowing what I was doing) they both went really well. Frou Frou is now a bit long, but still wearable and nice and warm!

I've just done a fusing and slumping class which was lots of fun. It was amazing the different things everyone in the class came up with.

Anyway, this is what I ended up making.




And a close up of the center:

I embroidered this Celtic tree of life on a tote bag for the last Aussie swap and once it was finished I would have liked to keep it!





It's done in whipped back stitch. Hope you like it!

This year for Christmas I decided instead of wrapping presents I'd give them in embroidered tote bags. Now I just have to buy the presents.

This is for my dad (he likes beer):
FRONT

BACK


This is for my sister (she's studying to be a nutritionalist). The image is from http://www.niehs.nih.gov/kids/colveggies.htm


This is for my granny (I liked the picture, it's from needlecrafter.com


And this is for my mum. She's just done a couple of short French courses. The picture is based on Jet Set II by Jennifer Brinley and the  quote is something I found while trying to use Babel Fish (I don't speak French). Of course, being exceptionally clever, I did at their house and forgot to print up the translation, and then couldn't find the quote again. So I think it says something like "The beauty is a indescribable/inspirational? source of joy for that which can discover it". Maybe. If she asks what it says at the moment I'm planning to tell her that she has to work it out because she's studying French. So I've got it sorted.

EDIT: Alright, what it actually says is "Beauty is an inexhaustible source of joy for the one who knows how to discover it" but I'll leave my random interpretation of it up so that all the replies make sense (and also so all the french speaking craftsters can have a little giggle)

I've decided to be all organised this year, so I've been busy making jewelry for Christmas.

This is a freshwater pearl necklace and earring set for my mum. It has lots of knots in it, and tying them was a pain. But I'm happy with the result.



This is an opalite necklace, bracelet and earring (next photo) set for my sister. Fairly simple but I'll probably be tempted to borrow it off her at some point.




This is an assorted bead necklace/nestlace for my granny. It's probably a bit long for me, but she likes long necklaces as well as orangey/amber colours so hopefully she'll like it. While I made it thinking it wasn't really my style, by the time I finished I was thinking it wouldn't look that bad on me!

I just got hold of a great second hand embroidery book (Golden Hands Encyclopedia of Embroidery) and it's inspired me to pick up my needle and threads and create. I tried out some new stitches with this (previously I've basically stuck to back stitch, satin stitch and cross stitch), and had fun with the design. It's a little random, but I like it!

http://craftandchaos.blogspot.com/2006/07/eyes-have-it.html

I've got a house warming party this weekend for one of my friends who often gets made fun of because she has a bit of a temper, so I made her a Dammit doll.



I've put the pattern (all mine!) and poem (not mine) on my blog - http://craftandchaos.blogspot.com/2006/06/dammit-doll.html

It's my first 'proper' pattern, although I haven't really tested it, but hopefully it's ok. If you do make it and have any problems or questions let me know and I'll do my best to answer them.

This is my biggest crochet project so far. I've been working on it pretty consistently in my spare time (which I would like more of!) for about three months. It's about queen bed size.

The pattern is the Nine Patch Afghan from http://www.allfreecrafts.com/crochet/nine-patch-afghan.shtml



It's a birthday present for my mum, and luckily I started early enough that it's not going to be late!

I've recently moved to Adelaide from Melbourne and I'm wondering if there are any other craftsters in the state, or even closer. I'm sure there are so come and introduce yourselves here!

I've just finished this portrait of my sister for her 21st birthday and I would love some feedback, particularly since it's an important gift.

The hair is done in split stitch, and the rest is in satin and back stitch. I played around with a photo in Picasa (can't afford photo shop) until I was happy with it and then got rid of a couple of unnecessary bits in Paint. I printed it with a laser printer on normal paper and ironed it on, which worked surprisingly well. It wouldn't really be dark enough on it's own but to embroider over it was perfect.

I'd love it if you let me know what you think!