The Crafting of Karen

First of a New Year!

2011-02-09T07:41:00.001-08:00

Well yet again it seems that I am slacking with the upkeep of the blog! Not that it comes as a surprise! LOL! In the process of making some 16th birthday cards, and still didn’t finish my parent’s sampler yet! OMG!

Hopefully I can make some time for myself and some crafting in the next few weeks, we shall have to see!

2010-08-20T09:54:00.000-07:00

Well heck if it ain't August again. I must have blinked and missed to a month again. Geez it's my birthday tomoz, I have decided that I am going to just count backwards from this time, so that way i don't have to be any older than 35!

Hehe, I have been doing some crafting but I can't remember on the laptop where i saved the pictures....

I have had a lot of these memory lapses lately, it must be down to the fact that I have children

May????

2010-05-06T13:16:00.000-07:00

Wow time sure is flying at the moment! I can't believe that we are already in May......

I am still really into my crochet and am making items that can be sold for charity.

I am really enjoying experimenting with different yarns/wool, and what happens if I use different sized crochet hooks. For the first time in a while I am actually really enjoying the whole thing....

So far I have done friendship bracelets, hair scrunchies, placemats/coasters, and also soap and pot pouri sachets.

I am now looking for simple patterns which I can use to both get experience in following patterns whilst still using up the wool I have accumulated over the years, left over from my teens when I went through a knitting phase.

I have just bought a couple of US crochet pattern books and apart from the US and UK terms being a bit different, the patterns are really wonderful and I am itching to get started on something more challenging, but I am managing to refrain from biting off more than I can chew so to speak....

I am also picking up some gorgeous coloured and varigated wools to see how they turn out in crochet rather than knitting.

I will be setting myself a rota now though as I starting a new course in the next few days, only a 10 point course at level 1. S180 Life In The Oceans: Exploring Our Blue Planet. So less crafting time :S

2010-04-13T16:05:00.000-07:00

Hehe only forgot for a couple of weeks this time! lol
Been mostly crocheting the last few weeks, and there will be more pictures when i get the chance to actually putting the pics from my camera onto the laptop.

I have been chilling out and crafting for the last week or two, and re-discovering how relaxing and rewarding this is for me. :D

I am now making some really sweet little bags and hopefully will be able to sell them for a small amount to give to help one or two local charities, but still not sure as of yet.

I am hoping that when I am back to studying that I can manage to make some craft-time, for simply just the fun of doing it rather than making everything about deadlines...

I think my memory is shot! lol

2010-03-30T07:18:00.000-07:00

Right I know that I promised weekly updates on both my blogs, but so many things have been happening at once that I always seem to forget! Still I am taking a year out from studying and shall use the time to get some serious crafting done, well in theory at least *chuckles*

I have taken classes in basic crochet, the two projects that I have finished so far might be small but to say they are the first times working from a pattern I am pretty chuffed with them!

I am hoping to complete a couple more and actually get some more done on the sampler for my parents over the Easter period. Hhhm the road to hell is paved with good intentions! lol!

Still my kids are now old enough to fend pretty much for themselves, and I am managing to get a certain amount of time for myself now =)

This is the card that I made for my daughter, she turned 15 the 21st of March... Where on earth does the time go?

She is a huge fan of Supernatural, especially Sam Winchester!

I have been doing other bits but haven't yet put the pics in the computer, I am not busy today so maybe I will get around to it? Hhhmm I am not going to make any promises!

Just a quick note...

2010-03-11T11:13:00.000-08:00

Just thought that I would post my latest 2 cards!

This first one was made for my close friend Sarah. She adores anything butterfly related so decided this was the best option for her, simple decoupage, with the sheet having printed the stages so very quick to do simply following the stages on the sheet. I very rarely do this type of decoupage these days as I prefer to print pictures a few times and actually decide for my self which parts need to be raised! But that is me for you, I have to be the one in control! lol... Typical for a Leo though. I haven't got pics on the laptop of my cross stitching progress. So hopefully tomorrow I can sort the update on my stitching! That is if I actually remember of course...
This is a card which I did for Karen, my roomie in London, as it was her birthday a few days after the event, and she was meeting James for the first time ever I felt a James card was in order! And being a proud Brit I chose the picture from his role in Torchwood as Capt. John Hart.

Thats all for today folks!

A quick update!

2009-12-16T03:41:00.001-08:00

Well this is the latest update for my sampler. I have had so many problems lately and been busy with my studies and also Christmas and all the bustle that goes into the preparation for just those few days! Phew!

I have also had my latest results for my degree studies and have pased both SXR103 and SK195. That takes my level 1 credit total to 100, with 2 more courses ending at the end of January. My level 2 course starting also at the end of January. Biology : Uniformity and Diversity.

Another finished project that I want to share with you all, although if I already posted this then oops! lol.

The last update for October I guess

2009-10-30T09:09:00.000-07:00

This is my progress so far, which considering the workload of study isn't too bad! lol
The sampler will definately not be completed in time for the anniversary on the 9th of Nov...
Still I'm not too worried as they really will not care! lol
I am also still studying but also I'm card-making too as it will soon be christmas! Luckily this year I have opted for decoupage again, it is not so time consuming as stitched cards but really quite as charming.
So anyway I will sign off now then and get back to my stitching! Later peeps!

The latest update!

2009-10-17T14:24:00.000-07:00

Well this is my progress on the sampler as of yesterday (friday) evening. I'm really starting to make real progress now that I got into the swing of the design, lots has been happening and I found myself rather unmotivated with the project. It would seem though that my stitching bug has now actually returned at last!

I am actually finding myself wanting to get this update done so that I can actually turn of the PC and stitch. Which is a first really for a long time now. :D

I thought that while I was here I would actually use the updates to show off some of my completed projects as well. This Subaru Imprezza was for my son Kris who is car crazy to say the least!! lol

I find that I really enjoyed stitching this as it is very different to what I tend to stitch :)

On that note I shall leave you all for now and get back to my stitching! Til next time xx

A month gone already???

2009-10-02T07:25:00.000-07:00

Wow so I promised weekly updates and now before I know it a month has passed.... Time as they say waits for no man! Or in my case woman... lol

So anyhow this is how the sampler is shaping up now, needs to be finished in less than a month, YIKES!!! And I still have uni work to do as well. But that said, I do spend inordinate amounts of time on Facebook or playing online games! lol

My idea is simple. Set myself a target each week for my craft and post here if I made it or not??

So by next friday I hope to have completed all of the lettering and a good amount on the black inner border..... And hopefully made a few cards as well, christmas is not too far away now....

Life is still wicked crazy right now, and I'm hoping that I can try to settle into a bit of a routine, mornings devoted to study and evenings to stitching, that will leave me the afternoon free for whatever I choose to do...

OK then folks..... until next week!

2009-09-02T06:01:00.000-07:00

Just another quick update on my two main projects that I have been working on this last couple of weeks!

This is the progress so far on the Buffy project, I worked on this for a weekend SAL while my mum was staying at my house for the weekend, and as the sampler is for my parents then that would have kinda defeated the point! lol..

This is my progress on the sampler up until the 20th of August, when my mum went home i was really busy with uni stuff so didn't touch it again but hopefully this weekend..... lol

Sampler Update!

2009-08-09T11:55:00.000-07:00

Well this is my progress at the 9th of August! The names are done now and one of the roses and a bit of the branch too, it seems to take ages but then I'm usually having to stop to do other stuff as well lol.

As you can see it is a Rennie MacIntosh inspired design and as I love the Art Nouveau period I'm loving stitching it! Just hope that my parents love it half as much! :D

There was also some good news on the everyday life front as I passed S104 that I mentioned in my last post!! So I'm a happier and slightly more productive bunny right now! Hehe.

Anyhow that is all for today as I wanna get back to the stitching!

Well........

2009-08-03T10:28:00.000-07:00

Well people its been a real hectic few months! The pic on the right is the card that I stitched after the London trip, the recipient is between myself and them! I'm really happy with the way that it turned out :)

Well life has been really hectic for me the last couple of months! I have now completed the science course S104, and am eagerly awaiting the result for that. I have also completed the Residential school part of SXR103 and just have to submit the end-of-course assignment now. I am also nearing the end of SK195 Human Genetics and Health Issues with the ECA being due in October. I have decided that in the autumn I will take short break from studies before beginning S204 Biology in January, it is not only a 60 point course but a LEVEL 2 course so I assume will take up a lot of my time.

This picture is the piece that I am doing for the August SAL with Facebook, I'll be posting my progress on here weekly. It is a Rennie MacIntosh inspired coral wedding anniversary sampler for my parents!

Thats all for today, the brats are fighting again and I need to go and play referree!

I've really been slacking

2009-05-17T12:12:00.000-07:00

Hey guys/gals!

I know that I've been slacking with my blog updates but unfortunately life has been really very hectic for me the last couple of months.... now that the 60 point course and the maths are over I can now start to get back to something resembling normality!

Anyway this is my progress so far with a cute teddy for an exchange which should have been posted weeks ago..... unfortunate but the study has to come first :S

I'm enjoying stitching this though and its really cute.

I have actually if I'm honest got a bit further but I'm just too lazy to get the camera out at this moment! hehehe. For those of you that actually know me that will not be too much of a surprise!

This lovely lady is a piece I did as part of a Round Robin, the same rr that I did the Celtic Knot for actually, we have all had our problems! lol!

I really enjoyed stitching her and am really pleased with the way that she turned out!

I've just completed a card as well just gotta add the finishing touches to it and then I'll be putting it on here too.

I'm going to leave you for today now as I have got to get started on my new course Human Genetics and Health Issues, and also get out my needles later on and get some stitching done!

Peep Peep! lol

2008-11-11T08:52:00.000-08:00

Well here we are again, blog update time!!

This is my current project! I know I'm supposed to be doing the Buffy but this is for my "honorary" nephews Thomas the Tank Engine themed room and I just had to start it now!

It's from one of the magazines, Cross Stitcher I think from ages ago but I came across it while looking for charts for Xmas cards! I knew as soon as I saw it that it was perfect...... now if only I can finish it BEFORE James turns 18!! lol!!

Anyway I haven't made that much progress due to the fact that my studies have to come first before my hobbies right now. I hate it but that's the way it is right now as I'm still lagging behind so I must take the time to study and catch up and then my hobbies can come back into the picture a little!

I will try to post more regular updates from now on........

But I am not making any promises!! hehehe!

OK It's been a while....

2008-10-11T04:22:00.000-07:00

Right then I know its been ages but life has been throwing me a few curve balls which has meant that I haven't had the chance to do much lately, what with the studies and the death of my mother-in-law I really haven't felt up to much!!

This is the piece that I did as a Summer exchange. The theme was "Fun in the Sun" and I figured that with that theme what better than an All Our Yesterdays design!

I love these lovely little designs as they suggested a different age, one of innocence I guess!

There was a hitch though, my partner dropped out so I have to wait while my new partner stitches her piece, it was done that way so that I would be assured of a piece in return! I'm going to make this into a cushion, that will do 2moro as my backing fabric is hand dyed and is currently drying in the bathroom!! lol!!

I will post an update just before I send ot off!! I can't wait to see what I get in return!

This basically as far as I have got with my Buffy project! I'm not sure if I have already posted this picture but hey!!

I am hoping that I will really be able to get ahead with my studies and then be able to get some real progress made with this project in the next few months...

Well once I've done the next Round Robin piece anyway!!

Well I think thats about it for this update!! lol!!

Just a little note.....

2008-07-11T02:09:00.000-07:00

Well the Buffy project has been consigned to the bag for the minute!! But I have completed my robin piece (the posting date is 4th August and its international so I won't recieve the next piece for probably a week or so after that), I'm getting good progress made on the exchange piece too so hopefully in about a week or so I'll be able to get some more done on the Buffy project. My DH says that he thinks that I'm bored of it!! I'm not but just had these other things that I had already commited to BEFORE starting the Buffy project!! No way was I letting anyone down!!

I'm also studying as well and my first assignment is due in today so I have been really busy doing that as well and with 2 teenagers as well life can get in the way sometimes too..........lol.

Not been up to much...

2008-06-25T09:31:00.000-07:00

Hello there people!! Sorry that there have been no more updates recently but unfortunately I am now studying and also doing a Round Robin which means that for the moment there is no progress on the Buffy project. But just because it has been put onto the backburner for the moment doesn't mean that it won't get finished!! LOL!! I'm really trying to get these other things out of the way so that I can get back to it!! I have also got a summer exchange lined up for when I have done the RR piece, but then again I like being busy!! LOL
Another update shortly with pictures of the other pieces!!

The latest update......

2008-06-07T12:44:00.000-07:00

Well I have got another update!! This design is really complex and is taking longer than I anticipated to stitch!! Also there is the whole not being well thing that meant that not much was done....

Last weekend though I was involved in a Stitch Along on Facebook which I enjoyed and got more done in 2 days than in the previous 10 days!! lol!!

I am also organising a Round Robin and I'm now studying as well which means that I won't have as much time to devote to the project as I would like. But such is life......

2008-05-15T07:26:00.000-07:00

Well guys!! Here is my latest update on the Buffy project!! It seems that I haven't done that much and I guess that really I haven't, but I have not been very well, and then there was the whole going to a convention thing as well. Then I had to unpick a very large chunk as I had gone completely wrong!! GGGGRRRRR!!!

But time and perseverence have got me not just back to where I was BEFORE unpicking but also way past it as well. I'm also finding now that with the weather nicer and the nights longer that I can manage more stitching in the one day than before! Working with darker colours in poor light can really put a starin on the eyes. So I intend to make the most of this longer natural light to stitch more. But the flipside to that is that when the weather is nice I don't actually want to be stuck indoors stitching!! My solution? I stitch in the garden. I make sure that my chart is on a clipboard to stop it flying off and that my cottons are always on bobbins for that same reason and I just enjoy the sunshine!!

Anyway I think that I have wittered on enough for the one day!! Another update will be coming very soon.

First update.....

2008-04-19T13:55:00.001-07:00

Well this is as far as I had got with my Buffy as of last weekend. I haven't been at home since Monday (It's now Saturday evening and I just got home!!) but believe it or not there are 13 colours in that little patch there!!

My progress has been slow but steady but I i didn't take this with me while away as it isn't the most portable of projects owing to the frame and the fact that I'm trying out the "Stitch and Park" method....

Now that I'm home again though I'm raring to get going with it again. I have had many admirers for it already as I have posted this on a forum (Whedon's World) and they are all putting in orders for one!! LOL.... I doubt that I will ever stitch this one again!!

Here goes.....

2008-04-07T09:48:00.000-07:00

Well I have finally gotten around to starting my long awaiting project...... The Buffy cross stitch picture!!

This is the picture that came with the chart and it is going to be one heck of a project!!

I'm going to enjoy the challenge that this project is going to pose but then with everything that goes on in my life a challenge may just be what I need right now!!

UPDATE:-

This project was started last weekend and I am making really good progress with it..... pictures to follow in another entry.

I'm very new to the whole blogging concept and I'm sure that I will make mistakes along the way but it will be nice to have somewhere to set down my thoughts and stuff!!