Made this coat using a free online pattern. 

Came together quite quickly, ws hoping to get it done within a week, only working of an evening in front of the tv, it took nine days but there were a couple of days when I didn't do any.  The body is made in one piece from the top down and then the sleeves are crocheted onto the armholes.  There is no sewing involved, which I loved. 

I wore it to a wedding over a long black dress and also casually over jeans.  The only thing I'd change is the length, the pattern warned it would drop when worn.  Next time I will stop when it's 3 rows shorter than my measurement.  It dropped so much that it ended up being ankle length, I was after 3/4 length. 

The recommended yarn is not available here, online searches reccommended 10 ply but even that is really difficult to find here in Acrylic.  I didn't want to spend a lot on 10ply wool until after trialling the pattern in cheaper acrylic.  At a local yarn shop I was told that the tension guide meant 12 ply was used but every photo I saw the crochet was finer than 12 and even 10 ply - learned that by using 2 strands of 5ply.  When I tried a standard 8 ply I found it perfect and settled on using Magnum Soft 8ply http://www.auspinners.com.au/products/browse-by-brand/panda/magnum-soft-8ply/default.aspx in Maroon - which is more purple than maroon.  Used 5.5 mm hook. 

As you can see in the picture I am not a small size, my measurements were for the XL but after a first fitting of the bodice I decided to go with Large instead. 

Intend making this again, definitely going to try in cotton for Summer.  It actually looks good when made without the sleeves too. 


http://www.caron.com/projects/ss/ss_duster.html

This year for our nephew's birthday my husband had the idea of printing out a childhood photo of him and making a gift tag.  I took the idea and ran, I used the same photo to make a card for him.  Couldn't believe the reception the card got, it was passed around at the party with everyone admiring it. 

I've decided to go with the general idea for most of the cards I make.  I came up with this one for my daughter's 16th, using a photo of her as a 3 or 4 year old in a scrapbooking pendant/frame.  I took the jumpring off the frame and attached it to the card using a brad through the hole at the top and glue on the back. 



I wasn't happy with the glue marks showing through the vellum (actually it's a printable tracing paper not really vellum).  I made another one, same frame on pink background for a niece's 4th birthday and printed her name on cardstock in black ink.  I then overlaid it with the vellum using brads at the corners to attach it to the card. 

I only wish I had access to more of those frames, I bought them from a craft show for $1 a pack, the pack had a heart and a rectangle shape frame in it.  Should have bought more. 

Made this for my SIL's birthday on the weekend, using a purchased mold.  Painted it with brown paint mixed with metallic gold, used the same on lace to edge the face.


 

I decided to work on a papier mache manniquin I've had for years, I made the cream one years ago from a kit and liked it so much I bought manniquins to make more.  I didn't like the stand that came with the kit and last night hit on the idea of using a candle stand I had bought for another project.  



I really liked how the stand looks so found the second stand I had, it was part of a finished project that was broken.  I still need to cover the seams on the purple with braid and then decide how it will be decorated.  

I bought this for my daughter a few years back, it's only done a small sample and was packed away.  We got it out before Christmas but the instructions weren't with it, some of the accessories are missing as well but we definitely know they are around.  Just came across the box and have answered one of my questions, was going to ask if I could weave a scarf on it, but from the photo I can see it won't. 

Going to try weaving as big a piece as I can on it, using my homespun and will post a pic later. 

Been looking at polymer sites today and got in the mood to create something so I pulled out some sets I bought a couple of years ago.  They are pretty basic, perfect for a beginner like me.  My son did ask why I was doing Christmas stuff when it was after the fact. 

I needed some fish embellishments for scrapbook pages and searched on the net for instructions before deciding work out my own.  I had bought the sculpty and had the finished project pictured in my mind.  I used a smooshing brush to lightly rub gold paint onto the fish and was pretty pleased with the result. 

I have only ever made heart buttons before. 

Finished fishy pages

My first Fibre Friday posting.  First up is a wool/silk blend, I call it Genesis Blue. 


This one is homedyed, not exactly what I envisaged but it looks good in the knitted sample. No idea what to name it. 

This is my thinnest homespun, I'm so pleased with it.  My previous tries have been very chunky.  

I used a wool/silk blend bought from a local craft fair, wish I had bought more.

I call it Genesis Blue, because I was listening to Genesis when I spun it.  


Picture hosting is down, I'll add one later until then just use the link  

I mentioned before that I didn't take pictures of my first couple attempts at spinning on a spindle, I still have one of the first attempts and decided to take a pic of it and my latest forays into the spinning world.  I think I have improved, maybe you can tell in the following picture.



The ugly one will not be wasted, it will be plied with the pretty pink one, I've already started knitting with my ugly threads and want to keep the same look for the final few rows. 

I ran out of natural colour roving last night, thankfully my ebay purchase arrived today, not bad seeing as it was ordered on Tuesday night - actually d*mn good.  I want to try dying with wilton's so need to pick some up - I've been banned from spending any more money this week though  , spent over $300 on daughter's glasses.  Got to pick them up tomorrow, but I wonder who needs it most?  Me - dyes or DD the ability to see?  Hard choice.

BUT I know that my husband has been looking at spinning items on ebay, he mentioned a few items tonight. When I mentioned I wanted a treadle sewing machine last year, he bought 2 from ebay for Christmas.