August has been an interesting month, being unwell at the beginning with a tummy bug and then endulging in a couple of WIP sprints to catch up on my creative antics. There was a little bit of everything happening in my sewing room, at the spinning wheel, and in my knitting and crochet baskets, not to mention embroidery! I seem to have a habit of having several projects in each category on the go at once - don't they say, 'variety is the spice of life'! My project keeper gives you a quick glance of what's been happening...
Quilting
There’s been plenty happening on the quilting front. A new BOW flower, Trillium, was born and now has been added to the growing collection of flower blocks. I love how much detail can be captured in these blocks, and Trillium has been particularly fun to work on with it's detailed leaves.
I’ve also been quietly working away on a new secret design for an upcoming pattern. I can’t show you too much just yet other than this sneaky photo, but I’m very happy with how it’s coming together! There’s something especially exciting about working on a design that you know you’ll eventually be able to share.
Spinning
My spinning has been keeping me busy. I plied last month’s Tour de Fleece spins, which is always a satisfying moment.... there’s something quite magical about discovering how singles transformed into a finished yarn.
..... I also finished the blue merino/nylon roving I started in June.
And then, of course, I couldn’t resist starting something new! I have some wonderfully colorful Dreamfire mystery roving on the wheel now. The colors are making it particularly enjoyable to spin and I’m very curious to see what the finished yarn looks like once it’s plied.
Cross Stitch
My cross stitch has progressed well this month. I’ve added another row of “cool” bottles for August, so the collection is gradually growing. Just four months to go!
I’ve also been making a little progress on my seasonal picture. It’s one of those projects that is fun to pick up and work on a little at a time, and I’m enjoying watching the picture slowly appear stitch by stitch.
Embroidery
There’s been quite a bit happening with embroidery. I’ve completed more panels for my sampler stitch book, and I’ve also added more embroidery to my felted bag. I really enjoy the way embroidery can transform a simple felted surface and make it completely personal.
I enjoyed time with my granddaughter embroidering a simple hair clip. We made one each. There's something special about passing on the joy of handwork to the next generation, and seeing her excitement as the stitches take shape made it all the more meaningful.
I also participated in an embroidery workshop by well-renown embroiderer Hazel Blomkamp where I learned about needle lace. I’ve completed some samples that show the techniques I practiced and the skills I developed during the workshop.
Knitting
My knitting basket has been particularly productive this month, possibly because being unwell one just wants to sit and knit!
I managed to finish two projects - a test knit (which I cannot show just yet) and my vest (yet to be blocked).... finishing is always a wonderful feeling.
Of course, finishing two projects simply means there’s room to start two more! I’ve started another test knit, and I’ve also cast on a new pair of socks (more about those next month). My heel/sole-testing socks are still being worked on too, as I continue experimenting and trying new theories.
..... and I also picked up my Rockhound jersey late in the month making some progress on it. This is the first I've worked on it since end of June due to travel and being unwell (needs serious concentration with those detailed stitches). The photos show where I was up to at the end of June (left) compared to the end of August (right). I've added at least a couple of inches under the arm.
And because I clearly didn't have enough knitting projects already, I’ve also swatched for a new cast-on that I hope to be starting in September. Planning ahead is important... or perhaps I just really like casting on!
Crochet
I’ve started something completely new in crochet. I’m designing my own crochet project using some of my handspun yarn. Thus far I have made 3 of the large squares and one each of the little ones.
This is especially fun because I get to combine two of my favorite parts of making - spinning my own yarn and then figuring out what I can create with it. I’m still in the early stages, so you’ll have to wait and see where the design takes me.
Diamond Art & Felting
Even my Diamond art and Felting pictures had progress made on them. It's been a while since I worked on my diamond art picture but with a little help from my oldest granddaughter on the weekend when she visited, we progressed nicely.
Participating in another WIP sprint with my daughter gave me the opportunity to also progress on my felted mushrooms project too.
Definitely a Month of Making!
Looking back, it’s definitely been a wonderfully busy month of crafting despite being unwell. From quilting and embroidery to spinning, cross stitch, knitting, and my other crafts, there always seems to be something waiting for me to pick up .....And that’s exactly how I like it!
There’s something so satisfying about having different projects for different moods. Sometimes I want to sit and stitch, sometimes I want to play with color at the spinning wheel, and sometimes I just want to see what happens when I put my 'designer-hat' on, whether that be for quilting or any other craft.
Now, on to September and I’m sure there will be new projects, new ideas, and probably a few more cast-ons along the way! What are you planning on working on in the coming weeks?
