E is for...

Crafting Everyday

I set myself a bit of a personal challenge. Last year in November I joined in a craft every day challenge. It kinda fell flat though as I started my full-time job at the beginning of the month and well it’s hard to craft when you’re exhausted! It’s been 5 months now and I’m settled into my work and still loving it.

But since then I’ve set myself a sort of mini challenge. I’m not documenting every day like I was trying to do in November, but I’m trying to craft every day. It makes me feel better when there is something just for me that I’ve achieved each day. At the moment my go to craft is my Granny Stripe blanket. I’ve made myself a little nook in the corner of the couch. There I can work on my blanket each night. Sometimes it’s only 2 stitches, sometimes like Saturday I manage a decent amount. I know that despite everything else in my life going crazy it’s one thing I always have. I like being able to move forward each day. 

 (I really, really need to make myself a better pillow for my space!)

It’s always been that way for me. It’s why I will never make a career out of my crafts as I will always change for my whims and pleasures. It is my relaxation NOT my money.

My partner learnt long ago not to get between me and my crafts. It would be impossible to try. He’s right that sometimes (often) I have to clean up the clutter that takes over but he also knows that without crafts I’m just a little lost. They help me to stay calm and balanced. 

I'm also a bit of a multi-tasker as you can see by the photo. I tend to sit with my book and my crochet all at once. Not much happens, but I feel comfortable. 

Do you try and craft every day? Or is there something else that is your thing? 

Happy Stitching, 

Caitlin

D is for ...

My Designs

I've worked with children in a variety of rolls since I was about 15. But the more I worked with them the more I wanted to share my favourite crafts, The more I looked at designs, the more I realised how many are too hard/long for kids. 

When a kid can't finish within a couple of hours they are bored! Give them time and motivation and they'll eventually get there and even enjoy big projects. But not straight away! You go to spotlight and the cross stitch marketed to kids is disney and that's fine but they aren't doable by kids, only the adults in their life. I've talked about this many times, here particularly. So I'm going to stop ranting now. 

But that is why I started designing cross stitch. I haven't designed many recently but they are based around simple easy designs that can be put together quickly for children. They don't have any back stitch and very simple colours. I can finish one of them in about 30 mins to 1 hour. 

Some of my favourite designs are these:

The Witches Brew

Butterfly Cross Stitch

Oh and so much more! There is a lot more go check out my etsy shop A couple of cute little animals and always closer to Christmas I bring out a collection of Christmas designs. 

I just wish that more kids would get into the arts and crafts and spend less time on devices. It would be a much better place if they all took the time to learn how to make the items that they use. Maybe then they would appreciate items better. 

Happy Stitching, 

Caitlin

C is for ...

Cross Stitch and How it all began

I worked at a boarding house for a year just after I graduated from University and just before I started this blog. Between all the staff members we had a gift giving policy that you were paired up and had to give a gift to that person for their birthday.

Around comes my birthday and I get given a couple of balls of yarn (which are still around somewhere, just need to find the perfect project) and a cross stitch kit. It was Belle from Beauty and the Beast. I hadn’t really done any cross stitch before despite receiving a couple of kits for various birthdays throughout the years. I received a really advanced one for my 12^th birthday that I tried to start but didn’t really know how to work from a chart. I kinda wish I knew where I hid that now as I really want to see if I could finish it now. (I maybe got 4 stitches in when I was younger)

I had never been hooked on cross stitch but decided to give this one a decent go. Being slightly Disney obsessed I loved the theme. I organised the supplies and found a frame to hold the cross stitch and off I went. I was truly hooked! It took a couple of months but I finished that cross stitch and since then have never looked back.

As soon as I had finished that project I was rushing off to buy the threads and find the fabric for my next one. I just wish now that I had more time for every project that walks in the door.

Unfortunately the Belle Cross Stitch is still sitting tucked up neatly in my finishing box waiting to be finished. It’s an awkward size and I really don’t know what I want to finish it as. Maybe someday the inspiration will strike and I will have no choice. It’s just too big for an ornament and not special enough (or goes with my decorations) for me to want to put it on my wall. So it just sits there in the box and waits. 

I wish I had more time at the moment but my cross stitch is getting neglected in favour of slightly more useful projects like work clothes!

Happy Stitching,

Caitlin  

B is for...

Knitted Ball

When I was working as a teacher I used to pick up games from all the different places. One of the most common games was called Silent Ball. Almost every class seemed to have a version of it that they played. The rules were very similar. But not all schools had a ball. I needed something that could safely be thrown around a classroom. Out came the knitting needles. I think I used a pattern for a Christmas ornament or something and created this ball.

I didn't stitch it in the round but sewed it up at the side. You can kinda see the seam in the picture above.

The game was always awesome fun and I'm going to share the rules with you. 

Silent Ball

Rules

1. You can not speak, you must be silent while playing. (or you're out)

2. All throws must be underarm. No Pegging the ball. 

3. A bad catch and you're out. Bad Throw and you're out. 

4. You can't throw back to the person who threw to you (or you're out) unless it's the last 5 people. 

How to play

Throw the ball around the classroom until someone makes a mistake and then they sit down. The game continues like this until you have only one person left. It's as simple as that. Sometimes if the kids held the ball too long I would add a hot potato rule, meaning the ball would have to leave their hand within the count of three. You can make it as simple or as complicated as you want but have fun playing.

Happy Stitching, 

Caitlin

A is for...

AndSewWeCraft.com

As some of you may or may not know last year I started writing for another craft blog as well my personal blog. At the time I had a lot of extra time to craft and wanted to reach a different audience to what I was with this blog.

I had been reading that blog for a while when they needed someone who would be able to write regularly and contribute something else to the group. I love posting over there and reading what others write as it is always different and interesting compared to how I craft. Although there are other crocheters and cross stitchers there the combination of crafts and skills that I have are unique to me. Everyone likes different projects. It is awesome!

So please go check it out at www.andsewwecraft,com

So you can find me over there on a Thursday (usually weekly but sometimes I just can't post) and I share everything from cross stitch through to sewing and crochet and everything in between. My adventures at the sewing machine this year have mainly been shared over there although that has been quiet for a couple of weeks. I also did a series last year of Beginner Cross Stitch. But no matter what your craft there is usually someone writing there about it.

 Retreat Time

We actually have a craft retreat coming up in June and I know I'm starting to jump out of my skin in excitement. I think I will be one of the only people there doing the crafts I do in the way that I do them but in the same breath I will be around rooms full of other crafters.

I am really looking forward to going away for a weekend where the sole purpose is to craft. There are a few places if you want to come along and you are around Brisbane in June.

SO that's enough for today. hope to see you around.
Happy Stitching,
Caitlin