Sewchet

Sewing, crochet, crafts, accessories, baking, tutorials,

Monthly Archives: November 2016


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Sunday Sevens #109

Time for another Sunday Sevens, a weekly blog series dreamed up by Nat at Threads & Bobbins.

1. It seems mini matchbox-sized toys are ‘in’ at the moment, so I’ve made this miniature rabbit and am working on a matching mini bear as gifts for little ones.

2. A little bit of needlefelting has been completed and will be blogged about soon. I used luxury silk tussah which shimmers in the light – beautiful!


3. A sneaky glimpse of another Stitching Santa gift, made entirely from leftover scraps of fabric and ribbon, so is a ‘free’ addition to the parcel.


4. We’ve decided to invest in some of these outdoor fairy light trees for our driveway. Why the wires are only ten metres long is beyond me though, as it means we can only do the bit by the house and I had visions of a dozen trees lining the length of the driveway.


5. Fifi has taken to climbing inside the dirty laundry basket while we’re out, comforted by our smell, I suppose. Because she’s deaf, she can’t hear when we return, so I managed to snap this image of her still curled up fast asleep. When she first did this, we couldn’t find her at all until Tess showed us where she was!


6. A nice pic of No.2 Son after his riding lesson, cuddled up to one of the stable’s many dogs.


7. Bath Christmas market! 


8. Our 22nd annual Christmas shopping trip to Bath, and my daughter and I were joined by No.1 Son’s girlfriend this year. We started with Eggs Royale and Hot Chocolate Orange for breakfast.


9. Mulled wine helped the festive shopping along…..


10. ….and Prosecco with supper in a pub finished the day off nicely.
11. The next day, the two of us popped into Shaftesbury for an hour. You’ll recognise this view of Gold Hill from the Seventie’s Hovis advert.


12. We had coffee in a hotel, where I just had to take this photo of me wearing my Stag’s head Coco dress underneath this ENORMOUS pair of antlers!


13. To top off a fab week of Christmassy stuff, hubby spoiled us both with new cars. Here’s mine – a Mercedes SLK convertible and, no, the novelty hasn’t worn off yet!!


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#Stitching Santa Progress

I’m taking part in both Stitching Santa swaps again this year and thought I’d share my progress so far and perhaps provide a little inspiration for others taking part or, indeed, anyone wishing to make some handmade gifts this Christmas.

I’ve already spent my £10 budget for the yarn swap, so am now able to concentrate on making a few small items to include in my parcel. As knitting takes far longer than sewing does, I looked for some quick makes which could be whipped up in an evening.

This first one is a mini stocking and is a free pattern by Julie Williams (aka Little Cotton Rabbits) on Ravelry. 

The charts are clear and easy to follow – a great introduction to stranded colourwork if you haven’t tried it before.


The finished stocking measures about five inches plus the hanging loop and took just a couple of hours all in.


Next up was a project from Wooly Woofers, a book by Debbie Bliss.


I bought it two years ago, more for the wonderful way the dog models were integrated into the brilliant illustrations – pure genius.


I cast on one night…..


…..and made good progress.


By the second night, and a total of about three hours knitting, the bandana was complete. Here it is after blocking.


I chose the distinctive ‘paw print’ design which was fun to watch taking shape.


Tess was a reluctant model, but I managed to get this photo of her wearing it.


There is also a ‘Scottie’ motif, if you prefer. This image is taken from the book, of a much more cooperative Yorkie. Looks like she’s being bribed with treats!


Another photo from the book showing that one size fits all dogs.


I think this one is going to be next on the list of doggy makes – perfect for Fifi.


I will share more ideas with you as I make things, so watch this space!


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Sunday Sevens 108

Sunday Sevens is a weekly blog series where you share some moments from outside your blog. You can find out more about how to join in at Threads & Bobbins.

1. My niece is at University so I sent her some money for her birthday (seeing as she is now a poor student!). I wanted to give her an actual present to open as well, so I knitted this bobble hat.

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2. I’ve been working on Christmas gifts this week and have started (and finished) quite a few. This will become a pointless-but-fun dog bandana. Because all dogs should have one.

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3. A couple of hours were spent on a bit of fair isle knitting in Christmassy red and white.

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4. This is the finished thing – a cute little stocking which will go into my #stitchingsanta parcel, the first thing I’ve made as yet. The pattern is a free one by Julie Williams on Ravelry and one I wanted to make last year but didn’t have time. Hopefully, I’ll have time to make some more because they are a joy to knit and quick, too.

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5. Talking of #stitchingsanta, this skein of lace weight baby merino wool is also destined for my recipient. 470 yards should be enough to knit a shawl. I was drawn in by the lovely Autumnal colours and can’t wait to see it made up.

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6. My Winter “selfish knitting” project – a Sunday jumper, for lazy days at home. (I’ve practically lived in my Stag’s head dress since I made it!)

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7. I borrowed this pattern from my sister in law and am substituting with Drops Nepal, 65% wool, 35% alpaca for softness as the recommended Debbie Bliss Cashmerino was too expensive!

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8. I waved goodbye to Mr H-L at 8am this morning, as he is off to London with a 7.5 tonne truck to clear his parent’s flat which has now sold. Sad times, but time to move on.

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9. Ending on a cheerful note – Fifi turned 14 and had a birthday haircut. She didn’t stop shivering the first day, so I nipped out and bought her a festive jumper to keep her warm. She loves it and hasn’t shivered since. And looks totally adorable, to boot!

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Stag’s Head “Coco” Dress

So this is my new favourite dress!

I decided to make a “Coco” dress by Tilly and the Buttons and I’m so glad I did – it’s the perfect ‘everyday’ dress for Autumn.

To see more photos, just click on the link to the full post on the Minerva Crafts Blogger Network: – Stag’s Head “Coco” Dress

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Sunday Sevens #107

1. Woke up to another beautiful frosty morning – this is the view through the French doors from our bed.

2. We went to a Christening – the baby slept through being baptised and The Boys were given sparklers by the vicar!


3. The shawl has been sent to its new owner at last! I will do a short post on it in the next couple of weeks but, suffice to say, it was very well received, thankfully.


4. Mr H-L and I went to Clark’s Village to buy him a new piece of cabin luggage for his regular business trips to Amsterdam and, obviously, we had to have lunch whilst we were out.


5. Lunch was fabulous……..but not as amazing as my other purchases:)


6. A fun shot of one of my kids’ sewing classes – yes, we really do have that much fun!


7. Another Christmas commission was completed and sent across the pond to the USA.


8. I found time to help Mum with a commission that she was struggling to find the time to do – a personalised cushion for a baby girl. Definitely girly, but not too babyish, I think.


9. You can’t tell, but this is me having a G&T in our local pub. Fifi likes to sit on a coat on a stool and watch the world going by out of the window.


10. I had some leftover Stag’s head fabric from my Minerva Craft sponsored project and made a cute little hat and leggings for our granddaughter for Christmas. Can you tell that I’m a bit of a stickler for pattern placement?!



11. We went to stay with my brother for the weekend and missed the Remembrance service so watched it on TV instead. This is a photo of our local church in its Autumn dressing. I know – random.


Sunday Sevens is a weekly blog series thought up by Nat at Threads & Bobbins, in which anyone can join. Visit her blog to find out more.


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#stitchingsanta 2016

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Everyone should have received an email from me by now detailing who their #stitchingsanta swap partner is – if you haven’t, check your spam folder.

Please could you all acknowledge receipt of the email, too, so that no one is disappointed on Christmas Day without a parcel to open.

I hope you enjoy finding out more about your recipient and have fun putting together a suitable parcel for them – I know I will!

Here’s a list of everyone that’s taking part, so feel free to click on the links to keep abreast of their #stitchingsanta updates and maybe make some new blogging buddies.

sewchet (that’s me!)

afterdarksewing

Thimberlina

tialys

sewsweetsally

thedartmooryarncompany

madaboutbags

applebymakes

nanacathydotcom

sew2pr0

sewingnikki

letthesewingbegin

powertoolswiththread

desertskyquilts

littleblackdogsa

jo-throughthekeyhole

themateriallady

zeensandroger

seecarmensew

annebags

thecraftycreek

clothandpaperstudio

janemakes

carenscreativecanvasandcraft

beadsandbarnacles – Pippa

Beadsandbarnacles – Nicky

thesmallsewingroom

freckledfashionista

ritasdesigns

threadsandscissors

quiltedsnail

sullen-hearts

saturdaynightstitch

Bellecitadel

rollingeyeballs

creativityandfamily

buttercupandbee

danilleajoe

thishappyhomemadelife

mollieandclaire

sosamsaid

squirrelsknittingconquests

ja_ma_ka

fabrickated

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Sunday Sevens #106

Sunday Sevens is a weekly blog series started by Natalie who blogs at Threads & Bobbins.

  1. A good start to the week – a tidy and organised office!! With Mr H-L, No.1 Son and myself working from home a lot, space to work in comfort is a must.

2. Hallowe’en – The Boys and Fifi went Trick Or Treating. Our village is so small with so few children that we haven’t had a single Trick Or Treater knock on our door in ten years! They went to a nearby town instead and came back with a basket full of goodies, largely due to the cute dog dressed up in a ghost outfit, I suspect.


3. We took an old friend out for lunch mid week.


4. The first frost of the season arrived on Thursday in our corner of Somerset. The heating has now been turned on!

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5. We took Mum out for a pub lunch as she was down for No.2 Son’s birthday.

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6. No.2 Son is now eleven. Homemade carrot cake anyone?

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7. Lovely hubby cooks supper while I teach ’til 6pm on Mondays and Thursdays.


8. Guy Fawkes night was spent in our Village Hall with about thirty others. A short firework display was followed by supper and a quiz and three surprise guests needing a bed for the night!

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9. After a mad week, hubby and I managed to sneak out on our own to buy him a new ‘phone and laptop for his new company.

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10. The Baby Shawl has been sent at last – here’s a pic of it being blocked and a blog post will follow shortly.

11. Commissions all completed and in the post means it’s time for some long overdue selfish sewing! How about this for a dress – mustard jersey with stag’s head print.

I’m now working on the somewhat complicated task of assigning swap partners for the Stitching Santa, albeit a day late. When you get your email, would you please reply so that I know it reached you? Thanks!

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