WIP Wednesday 4/3

Well this weekend was a very odd weekend. We had a new kid move in across from us last week and because of that we barely saw the kids all weekend. It was a pleasant break from the whining to be amused. So I actually managed to get some decent crocheting in DURING the day. You will get to see the results later in the week. I finally have a tutorial written on how to make the Mug Cosies that I made before Christmas and you will be seeing that tutorial on Friday. So tune in then to get the awesomeness.

KNITTING

I have been knitting this week and teaching myself some new techniques. I didn't even realise I had anything particularly new to learn. It's my first serious go at lace and I had a ball. I also taught myself how to do a crochet cast on. This was very exciting as I have been taking a class on craftsy (Essential Techniques Every Knitter Should Know by Sally Melville) and found that I have more to learn than I realised. I also have been learning that I can always, ALWAYS learn more.

I've already given this cloth to my mum and I want to give it another go in a different colour for me. I did cast on another cloth in a different pattern but I've managed to entirely stuff up the pattern so I'm not going to show you that at all! The pattern is called the leaf lace cloth and it's a free ravelry download. 

JOURNALLING

But I've also been doing some scrapping. (I never thought I'd say that!) and organising my latest photos from January.

I've shown you these pages but I finally did some journalling about the activities. I added that to a card on some pretty paper and used some gorgeous washi tape.

 I think it looks sooo pretty.

 We went out for dinner and got all dressed up one night. Though James took some convincing. My sister joined us but I forgot to get a photo of me and couldn't convince James to pose.

I added a flip card to the top of this page. It looks so cool. With using 6x8 pages I have to be creative about getting the journalling into the pages as well as the photos. It's exciting because the kids have been really happy to look through it and see all the photos. It's why I made it.

Happy Stitching,
Caitlin

P.S. please join me tomorrow over at ANDSEWWECRAFT.COM I'm talking about knitting and what we have to learn it could lead to some interesting discussions.

WIP Wednesday

There are times I'm very glad when I get bored. Last week I needed to do something. SO I looked through my downloads for my Ultimate DIY bundle and made myself an elephant. The Lucky Elephant by Gingercake patterns. Now I am almost a purist I LOVE funky friends factory patterns so I'm very biased towards them, they are always so very clear. But I didn't mind how she set out her patterns. Though you can tell that she has come from clothes sewing not quilting because she uses 5/8" seams not 1/4" seams.

Though I'm not running out to make another elephant tomorrow as I personally don't like the pillow design much... But I am imagining what it would look like as a pretty awesome pillow for the couch if I made it a lot bigger and I can see potential. As I said I prefer the slightly fancier designs from Funky Friends.

I've also been working on some random crochet. Being rained in made me want to start something new so I tried out a monster granny square. This pattern is by REPEAT CRAFTER ME (check out her stuff if you haven't seen it before) It's pretty awesome what she does.

This lovely pattern is so cute :D I used a little bit of my Bendigo woollen mills cotton.... but now I need to work out what to do with it. It still needs eyes and the parts sewn on but I don't have a white cotton so I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I'm debating just using my acrylic white instead but it will change the feel of it.

Happy Stitching,
Caitlin

Easter Cross Stitch Patterns - New Pattern

 With Easter fast approaching. (It's already the end of the 5th week of term) so only 5 weeks to go! I wanted to remind you that I have a couple of Easter patterns for sale over on ETSY if you're looking for something simple to stitch up. These can be used together or separately to make some simple little gifts.

There are my Easter Bunny and Chick.

They are quick and simple to stitch and require no back stitch.

Also I have now as of today got another Easter pattern. It's a set of three Easter Eggs that can be used by themselves or stitched in conjunction with the bunny and chick. They are the same size as the animals so they look good stitched side by side.

You can find this new pattern HERE

Hope you enjoy my new pattern and seeing the old stuff as well.

What are you making for Easter?
Do you have special plans and make special items or do you buy a packet of eggs from the supermarket? Unfortunately I have to admit that I'm the second kind. I am frequently unprepared though not this year! I want to make a couple of Easter bookmarks for the kids so I will use my new patterns and start stitching ASAP. I will keep you updated as to how my plans go. If you want some help making a bookmark I did a tutorial last year teaching you how to finish them.  

Happy Stitching,
Caitlin

New Blog Design

I've been having lots of fun redesigning my blog I finally got myself into gear and made a new logo.

Welcome to 

Naughts & Cross Stitches - Stitching Through Life

Hope you like the new colours and design. I'm in the process of putting my logo on all my social media stuff.

Now I have a question for you.

What do you want to see more of? I can't promise anything because I've always crafted according to my moods.
But do you want to see more tutorials?
Is there something that you want to know more about that I might be able to help with?
Maybe some more finishing techniques?
Or is there a pattern that you can't work out that you want some help with?

I will keep sharing the projects that are interesting me all the time but if there is something I can help with I would love to know as I do love to help with the crafts that I know.

Happy Stitching,
Caitlin

P.S.
Anyone in Queensland please stay safe in this awful weather.  If you don't have to be out stay inside and stay safe.

Claiming my blog sorry!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin Please ignore this post and return to your regularly scheduled program, I'm just claiming my domain in bloglovin. If you are on bloglovin then feel free to visit and follow.