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Sunday 23 December 2018

Doctor Who Biscornu



I'm really happy to say that after way too long this project is finally done. I started this project a long time ago and it is great to say it is finished in the stitching as well as finished and up being displayed. I love it when I actually manage to get a finish made up sooner rather than later.


It's been a long journey to finish this biscornu, mainly because once I finished the front the motivation to finish the back had left me. But I presevered and managed to actually finish it. It helped that this project was really easy to carry with me to and from uni on my bike. Only two colours!



 I used different colours than the pattern stated because I wanted to use what I had rather than getting more. I used DMC 803 for the dark blue and DMC 794 for the light blue. 

Looking through my blog posts I can see I started this in October 2015. It has been a while and I am hoping that in time I will stop having such a long gap between small starts and finishes. My BAPs will always take a long time but the smalls shouldn't be as long. 

It is now hanging on my bedroom door but we shall see if it stays that way, if it gets in the way of closing the door it will have to move somewhere else. I have one more finish to show you when I can get photos.... we shall see when that is.

I'm on holidays for 2 weeks, so I hope to get more stitching and to share a lot of older projects that I didn't manage to show you, because time got in the way. So keep an eye out for many posts over the coming weeks.

Happy Stitching, 
Caitlin





Friday 14 December 2018

Friday Finds 2

Ohk I did say I'd make this a series and after seeing this video I just had to share with all of you.

We are all crafters here (well not all but it is often one of the reasons why people follow my blog) and I am constantly fascinated by this lady's videos. She does thrifted transformations. Meaning she takes something she buys at a thrift store and turns it into a beautiful and trendy outfit that she feels comfortable wearing. If only I could manage that with anything near her abilities!


One day I will actually try this with some clothes. She is very talented.

Happy Stitching,
Caitlin

Monday 10 December 2018

Just Strong

As you guys know this last year I have been really focusing on my fitness and getting stronger and fitter and generally more able to do what I want when I want to. I have absolutely fallen in love with obstacle courses and just general fitness. I know I'm happier when I take the time to get out and actively do something.

That is why when this opportunity came up it was hard to resist. I have become a brand ambassador for the company just strong. If you click this link here you will be sent to their store and it will automatically apply the 10% discount code for you. It is an affiliate link so I do get a commission if you buy from them but you also receive a discount so.... if it interests you then please support me.

 I have always been picky about what brands I choose to support here on my blog, and I want to explain some more about why I feel that this brand is worth supporting.

Since I can remember I was always given the impression that women can't be strong. That they can't have muscles and they don't have the abilities that men do. It was never implicitly stated to me but the women that surrounded me gave me that impression. Although my mum is amazing and used to be really fit most of my memories as I was growing up were of her struggling with her weight and fitness. Then through high school I had an innate fitness that managed to get me through the down times but even by grade 12 I was finding I didn't have the fitness to keep pushing through everything. I was finding that I would play softball for 6 months of the year, and get decently fit by the end of the season, then spend 6 months doing nothing only to have to start all over again. This cycle has continued for the last 10 years of my life.

Mud anyone?


I like exercise, actually I LOVE exercise but I am one of those people who generally likes to exercise with others more often than not. About this time last year I decided that enough was enough and I needed to change right NOW or I would end up unable to move at all. I found an ad on facebook and joined a bootcamp. Since then I haven't looked back. I've done 3 obstacle courses (exhibit A above :D) and am looking to do more. I joined back up with a softball team and generally just find I function better when I'm moving and doing. So I strongly believe in the power of exercise both for my mental health and for my body.

That leads us to this company. Here is a quote directly from their website.

The squat is the perfect analogy for life - it's about standing back up after something heavy gets you down and what better way to present this analogy by using it in our branding. We are here to empower and motivate strong women from every walk of life.

We want you to never give up and to stay strong physically and mentally. Just like the squat, our clothing is a symbol of standing back up, fighting against any resistance life throws at you and becoming stronger. This is the idea of where our company was born. Motivate strong women to overcome their adversaries and embrace their strength, no matter the source.

If this isn't exactly what I was saying before I don't know what else is? I believe that exercise is the key to feeling better about yourself both mentally and physically. Yes I will never give up my crafts but since starting to exercise again I actually have more energy to craft. I'm not saying everyone should start doing obstacle courses (though if you want to I'll be there cheering you on from the internet) but even walking every day makes a difference.


So I'm happy to support a company that believes in women being strong. I'm currently waiting for my first order to arrive and then I'll be able to share some cool clothes with you. (I may have done a happy dance when I found out just how many purple clothes they have). Sometimes it's the little things that get me out the door to bootcamp and I often like to show off my cool outfits.

Therefore if you're into fitness clothes (I have developed a weakness) and want to support me and an interesting company please click this link or visit the Just Strong website and use the code CAITJORD10 at checkout to get 10% off your purchase. And in case you missed the disclaimer earlier this code is an affiliate code so I do get some money from every purchase you make using this code BUT with it you don't pay any extra you actually save 10% so if you are making a purchase please consider using the code.

Also please know that I won't be turning this blog into a constant fitness blog. But I will show off cool clothes and stuff happening in my life because that's what I like to do here.

Thank you and Happy Stitching,
Caitlin

Saturday 8 December 2018

Live Instagram stream

In about 40 minutes from posting this at 3pm Brisbane time I'm going to go live on Instagram talking crafty stuff. So come join me @naughtscrossstitches for a crafty chat and stitching updates.

If you can't join me I'll try to work out how to save it and post it but I can't guarantee that I'll be able to work it out.


So hope to see you there!
Caitlin

P.s. it's now over and I think I've managed to get the video uploaded right onto YouTube. So here it is.... I'm a bit awkward to start with but I did start to work out what to do.


Friday 7 December 2018

Friday Finds

I've been wanting to start this series for a while. I am a bit of a youtube addict ... well not really but I do like watching youtube when I have the time. It's also fun to watch something while I'm crafting as that is easier than reading (ie. no pages to turn)

So I'm going to make these a bit of a normal thing. Most of the time I'll share videos that are fascinating me at the moment but sometimes it will be other things.

 

This is my current obsession! I have gotten into watching the bouldering world cup. For anyone not really in the know (which was me about 2 weeks ago) bouldering is actually a sport you can compete in. What is bouldering you ask? It is rock climbing without a rope. They leap and stretch and climb in ways I can only dream of being able to do. If you want something interesting to watch while stitching away I would recommend putting it on (yeah it's 3 hours long but it's an excuse to craft) and watch some amazing athletes.I do usually skip the introductions at the beginning to get to the climbing.

This hasn't just come out of nowhere. Here I am below climbing a purple level wall. This one is only a step up from beginner and it took me a number of tries! My sister is big on rock climbing particularly bouldering and I know why she loves it. It is great exercise and so much fun for everyone.


See what I mean by everyone? The kids love it too every time we take them! Actually they often get a chance to go more times than me, as they are free more often.


Anyway I hope you enjoy this video if you have time to watch it. What do you do to exercise and have fun?

Happy Stitching,
Caitlin

Tuesday 4 December 2018

Belize Shorts


 So I didn't expect to be writing this post any time soon. Actually I'm a bit shocked... because in one day I managed to start and finish a pair of shorts! I did trace and cut out the pattern a couple of days before but didn't start cutting fabric until Sunday morning.

This is the Belize Shorts pattern by Itch to Stitch and I am already in LOVE with it! From this time I started sewing it to the time I finished the instructions were clear and the pattern just came together quickly and easily.


 I have taken to using wrapping paper to trace out my patterns on as it is so much wider than anything else and I don't need to piece it together.

 I had this quilting cotton (at least that is what I think it is) that was part of some fabric my grandma had given me so I decided to use it to test out the pattern and make a wearable muslin. I didn't have enough of the floral fabric to make the waistband and pockets so I used my trusty blue sheet.... I don't have much of this sheet left now it has been pretty amazing!


Here I am sewing on the waistband of the pants. It really didn't take long to get to sewing on the waistband. I got given a T2 cup for my birthday and it's designed to make iced tea as well as hot teas and I'm in love with it and it was needed on the weekend as it was uncomfortably hot.

And here is my finish : D One pair of pants all ready to be worn! I love the way they have turned out.


 That said I will be adding some length to the crotch area as they are sitting lower that I want them to. I wanted a pair with a high waist and these aren't quite there. They are pulling a but and seem to have some extra fabric ... not sure if that's because of the length or something.... hmm


I also need to work out how to get rid of that little bit of excess fabric in the front.  If anyone knows how please help me!  But I will wear and wear and wear these this summer as they are long enough that I'm not feeling exposed while still being comfortably cool.


But for my first ever pair of shorts for myself I am really happy with how these turned out. I also paired them with my modified sorbet top as this was another one made out of the tester sheet fabric.

Happy Stitching,
Caitlin

p.s. I do get all your comments and I reply to them on the comment itself... the comments stopped coming to my email so I can't reply there anymore.

Monday 26 November 2018

York Pinafore

I wanted a new slip on dress for the summer and when I saw this york pinafore pattern I knew I wanted to try it! The pattern is by Helen's Closet and I really love how it turned out.



As per normal for me I sized up for the hips but then worked out after sewing it together I really probably shouldn't have... actually I think my problem was twofold... I probably should have added an inch at least to the height of the top half as every other person it sits down further on them. As in it doesn't join until closer to the hips not right on the waist. Maybe if I make it again I'll change it but probably not as I like this!


 Also I had a big talk to a group on facebook about it and the reaction from them was yeah you're a pear shape but HOW are you a pear shape. I worked out that I'm not really that WIDE if I was to half my hip measurement it would go further than halfway around my front but wouldn't cover my backside and that is my problem. I've got a big butt. So what I probably should have done is add the width only to the back piece or add back darts in. I may still add the back darts but I like this dress as I want a lazy throw on dress that makes me happy.

This dress took me way way way too long to make for such a simple dress. As you can see I still had brown hair in the picture above which makes it late September sometime. I coloured my hair on the 1st of October. But I'm using the excuse of I just didn't have the headspace. I would like to make another to get me through the summer but we shall see. Shorts come first!

 You can see the excess fabric around the waist area in this photo but... I still like it as it sits so comfortably.



 Also I had to get these photos taken twice as the first time I managed to put the dress on backwards! It doesn't look too bad though it does pull a little around the throat!

Oh yeah, I used a duck cotton fabric that I bought at spotlight. So it's a solid fabric without a lot of drape but I quite like that.

So not exactly how I was planning for it to turn out but I learnt a lot about my body in the process and I do like the end result so meh! Oh yeah maybe if I can be bothered I might even sew on the pocket on the front but probably won't be bothered....

Happy Stitching,
Caitlin


Saturday 24 November 2018

Crafting Update

So I have ACTUALLY been crafting not just taking photos of previously finished projects :D
This little cross stitch set is FINALLY up on display again. It has been waaaayy too long. This is a set of Faye Whittaker designs I finished when I first started this blog.

Also speaking of way too long :D the last of my gingerbread men is making an appearance at the moment. I'm hoping to finish this over the next couple of weeks then I can finish all of them at once and put them up on display this year.... it's long over due but then again I'm saying that about a lot of things lately.


I finished my Doctor Who cross stitch and washed it in the sink to get rid of some of the marks.

Here is my finished piece :D in all it's wet glory!

Happy Stitching,
Caitlin

Monday 19 November 2018

Let the fun begin!

So university is finished for the Semester, it's 3 months ish until I go back next year. Work is still crazy busy but it is contained to just days. My evenings are mine again!

I have so many awesome plans for this time. Particularly since I spent this last Sunday cleaning my craft room. Oh my it looks stunning! I focused not just on cleaning but on finding homes for everything that was on the floor not just moving it to another area. That is what took so long as I have sorted through a lot of stuff to get it to what I want. I didn't actually take any good before and after photos (bad blogger) but did manage to take two videos which you'll find over on my instagram here. I would embed it here but that has never worked in the past so I'm going to assume it won't now.

I have been working on my rainbow ripple star blanket and it's getting bigger and bigger. I'm not sure exactly where to go with this blanket, not sure how much bigger I'm actually going to push it. When I finish the 6 rows of the blue am I going to call it? Or should I add even one row of each of the colours as a kind of border? Should I add a different border in the blue as the last row of the 6? So many questions going round my head. I will see if I can get a photo of this whole blanket later to show you how big it is now it's big enough to curl up under on the couch but do I want more?

 

Also got some more fabric this is particularly picked up with a pattern in mind. I NEED some shorts for this coming summer. It's already hot so I need to try something. I'm looking at the itch to stitch Belize shorts as they are elastic waisted and don't have a fly, but also don't look like extreme gathering as the front is flat and the elastic is only at the back. You can find the pattern here. 
I will probably add length to the legs but I will be making a muslin before playing with my fun fabrics here. The two dark blue ones are tencel denim and the cactus one is a Duck Cotton. I have enough for 3 pairs of shorts Maybe a 4th if I place things right for Lana if she wants a pair.


Also that dog fabric is actually a sewing finish but I forgot to get photos of me wearing it so a finished post will probably be coming next weekend. It should be washed by then and able to be worn.

Lastly I have been cross stitching!!!! I'm so close to a finish on this Doctor Who biscornu! I am getting really excited about this! Who is watching the new doctor at the moment? I'm loving her and I love how it's panning out.


Expect to see more cross stitch again as I have more time to craft I'm going to get back into it as I really enjoy just stitching. It makes me happy so I need to do it. I'm hoping for a finish on this one by the end of the week as I'm making sure I get off my computer at work and do something at Lunch that isn't staring at a screen so Cross Stitch really works.

Anyway that's it for my update, and expect to see me more around here as I get back into crafting over the holidays.

Happy Stitching,
Caitlin

Wednesday 10 October 2018

Happy birthday to me

Oh gosh it's been a while since I last posted.... end of May by the looks of it.
So I've got lots to say. 

Sooo much has happened. If you want to keep up to date with things as they happen you will need to check out my Instagram. I'm naughtscrossstitches over there as well. I'm good about posting on there, not quite as good about posting on here as it takes more time.  

So let's get you up to date:

The latest news is that it's my birthday this week.  I turned 30 which really only means I am now upn an age bracket on forms. For my birthday and just because if I'm not going to do this now when else would I do it? I dyed my hair purple. As in BRIGHT purple!! and I am in LOVE with it. 

I went from this:



To this:

then 3 days later I turned it into this:

I am also doing some pretty hard courses at uni this semester. I've had weekly assessments since week 2 so I am really looking forward to finally getting a bit of a break from assessments for the Summer holidays. Only a month left :D

This year has been a killer, the subjects have been difficult and I've been struggling to keep up with everything. I think as well I have really ramped up my fitness goals this year. The kids and I are doing an obstacle race in 3 weeks! 8km with all sorts of fun inflatable stuff. It's called the YMCA rat race if you're interested in finding out more about it.

I have been doing some crafting though not much. My head is in many different directions at the moment. We went away camping and I DID take my cross stitch. I also sit and do my cross stitch while in lectures. It's starting to look pretty amazing.


 I had a beautiful view, it was lovely to sit and enjoy myself.


Also reading while stitching. I was reading Something like Adele. I have watched the first episode of the new Doctor who and I'm so excited for this new season.


This is the Doctor Who Biscornu by Cloudsfactory. Very easy stitch I just wish I spent more time on it.

I'm going to go through my projects and work out what else I haven't shared over the last few months and update you guys. I know I've finished some simple gloves and hats. I want to get back into more writing and projects. University will be done for the year in mid November and I will have more time to focus on relaxing and projects instead of stuff only for University.

I love to read your comments and I look forward to writing more to share with you guys.

Happy Stitching,
Caitlin



Thursday 7 June 2018

The Snow Child: Review

I just finished reading The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey and just had to share with you guys. It was a slow book to start but the imagery of Alaska was stunning. As it went through I enjoyed it more and more and I ended up in tears at the ending. Below is the link to my good reads review. If you like fairy tale adaptions and love reading about different places I think you will enjoy this book.

Below is a link to my good reads review and you can see more about the book there. I'm really glad I persevered and read this book.



The Snow ChildThe Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was slow to start and I found the attitude of the main character frustrating in how negative she was about everything. But I kept reading because the images of the landscapes that were being written about were so realistic and beautiful that I just had to know more. Her descriptions of the environment were absolutely beautiful and really transported you to Alaska. As the book moved forward I became more and more invested in the characters and by the end was in tears. You have a fair idea where the book is going by about 3/4 of the way through but it ends beautifully. If you know the fairy tale then you know what essentially will happen but this version is just beautiful. The only reason it's 4 not 5 stars is I found it hard to get into at first and even when I was enjoying the story I could still put the book down for a couple of days without a worry. So it didn't capture me entirely.

View all my reviews

Progress on Nightmare Before Christmas

This weekend was the first one since Easter where I had absolutely nothing due or that I had to rush through. I do have study to do but both my exams are around the 20th and 22nd of June so I have a little bit of time. Now I'm going to get back into study but because I'm home more as I don't have uni 2 days a week I am going to try and keep up with the stitching. 

As I gave myself this weekend to not study and I really really really need to get this project done. My friend's baby is now 4 months old! I focused on this project through Friday and Saturday. I managed another couple of rows. 3 more rows and I start to decrease so it will become quicker to complete. 



 I'm really excited with how it's turning out. I also stopped by spotlight on the weekend and grabbed some polar fleece to back this blanket with. Now to work out how to actually back it..... does anyone have any ideas? I've got a couple of weeks to decide anyway!


Here it is laid out you can see the pattern starting to really appear. I have got a couple more rows done since this and the girl is finally appearing as well! I'm actually now on the exact middle row and I've got to learn how to decrease again.

I am so happy to be stitching regularly again, it's so much like coming home!

Happy Stitching,
Caitlin

Thursday 31 May 2018

Weekend Book Haul

So Lana had a performance this last weekend at a community fete. What is it about these sorts of events that I just can't resist the books? I am hopeless but a couple of these look really interesting! The top one I got spending the last of my book voucher I got for my birthday!


Have you read any of these? Any recommendations out of them? It's an odd mix of books but that is fairly normal for me.

The book I'm currently reading  is Snow Child by Eowyn Ivy. I'm really enjoying it and finding it an interesting take on this fairy tale.



I have 3 weeks until my exams and I'm giving myself this weekend to relax before focusing on study. I need a full weekend without having to complete an assignment or quiz. Classes are all done for the semester so that takes the pressure off as well.

Also this book is due back ASAP to the Library so I will have to curl up and read.

Tell me about what you're reading at the moment? Can you walk past a used book stall at a market or fete?

Happy Stitching,
Caitlin

Wednesday 30 May 2018

The EU Thingy

This is a quick announcement that I have now got a clicky thing at the top of my blog in order to comply with the new EU regulations.

But I also want to make it clear, I won't ever now or in the future use your information for anything other than what you intended it for. I don't have an email list yet so I'm not concerned about that it's really only the people who comment here I don't keep any one's emails for any reason other than to reply to your comments. I also wouldn't share them with others. In case anyone was worried.

Thank you,
Caitlin

Monday 28 May 2018

Mud, sweat and tears!

So this past month and a half has been hell. Between getting Shingles and then trying to get myself back in shape to just handle everything I pushed too hard and managed to pull the muscles in both my quads. Thankfully not horribly bad, but I could barely walk and I had a week until Tough Mudder.

But with the help of my physio friend and a week of little exercise after little exercise I had no pain in my legs. I actually have come out of tough mudder with no pain in my quads at all as I went in with stronger quads than I've had in a long time but the rest of me is aching.

I keep mentioning tough mudder it's a 10km obstacle course through mud, water and up and down many hills. I did it last Sunday and if you follow my instagram you'll already have been bombarded.

Here I am at the starting line all dolled up and ready to run. I had no idea the fun and torture to come :D

 This was the first obstacle. It's a net we had to lift up.... we had no clue that this was the easiest that we would see.

 crawling under barbed wire and through mud, that they kept muddy through spraying with more water. :D None of us were clean and then we had to walk up a hill climb over 2 x 2m high walls, walk back down the hill carry a couple of logs and then crawl back through the mud and barbed wire. Good fun!
 Anyone want any hugs?

 This was my favourite obstacle. Hopefully the video will play later in the post otherwise hop over to my instagram and check it out. The things spun around and you had to push and pull to get people over.
 This one was water either side of these mud/dirt (more mud than dirt but hard) that you had to climb over. This side was easy but then we worked our way back around to the other side and that was shoulder high thingys we had to climb over.
 Finally at the finish line. We of course had to climb up the other side of this but then had the fun of sliding down!

 we'll see if this video works. If it does the top one is the blockness monster and the bottom one is the finisher. :D

 I am already looking forward to doing it next year and so is my daughter as she will be old enough then.

I'm a little sore still around the shoulders but otherwise I've come up pretty well and I'm going to be back to our regularly scheduled program ASAP as I'm starting to feel less tired. I think I'm finally back to improving!

Happy Stitching,
Caitlin

Tuesday 24 April 2018

New leg warmers and Beanie

Well this post took way longer to write than I intended. I was in the process of writing and updating and then I got sick. It wasn't just a normal cold I ended up with shingles!!!! I think with the stress of trying to get my assignments in and also the collection of late nights and early mornings just ended up taking its toll and my body told me off. That's what I'm hoping anyway. .... any other option means many visits to the doctor to see what is actually causing it.  Sometime I might end up with everything worked out but I really don't think it will be today. Or tomorrow. Anyway I'm pretty much good now only the lingering stuff so trying to get back into everything but not push my body too far. 

But now I've updated you guys on the really important thing that has been going on in my life. I want to show off these two projects. The yarn used was the left over from the green star blanket. 

The first is just a simple beanie. It wasn't done off a pattern and I stopped increasing a row too early and it's noticeable when wearing it.  Oh well I still like it. Even if it is a tinge too tight.


Then this next project is just fun. I wanted to try some leg warmers. I'll see if they actually get used this winter to see if I want to make more. They might get used over my leggings to give a little more warmth. Also thought about using them over my workout pants that are 3/4 length to make them longer. But again I'll see if I actually like them before making more.

 Do you know how hard it is to get photos of your own legs???


I did use a pattern it was this one on ravelry. But I did have to add 4 rows to be able to fit them around my legs. I tend towards being a tight crocheter so not surprised. They were really easy to make just took time because they were my band project. (Only work on it on Thursday nights)


I like the simplicity of these and hope I fall in love with the concept because there are sooooo many pretty patterns out there for leg warmers. Given how cold it already feels I think they will be very useful. 


Happy stitching,
Caitlin
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