But I'm bored!

Mr knitwit has a whole week off! His Rita now works so that every third week he has a huge chunk of time off! It's lovely, and also really bloody annoying. It's kind of like having a child during the summer holidays "I'm bored" , "there's nothing on TV", "what shall we do today?", "I'm hungry" so yes it's lovely spending time together but it's also like having two children! 

It's also means I haven't had much time for sewing, I've got a jacket half made but I've decided to finish it differently so that's waiting. And I've got a dress to blog about I just need to find the motivation to iron it and photograph it! 

My knittings been pretty slow going as well, I'm starting to regret those extra 50 stitches! 

In other news! I went out for a lovely dinner with lil knitwit my parents, my sister and her husband! I actually tried something different on the menu (I'm notoriously  stuck in my ways) and lil knitwit tried, mayonnaise, brown sauce and mustard. He was NOT a fan of the mustard. 

And my sister took this lovely photo of us together 

Whilst my mother opted to capture these moments. 

And then she decided to post them to Facebook

My street cred is in tatters.....

She did manage to capture this sleep though so I might forgive her! 

"Mummy look it's a hand!"

Much love

A very uncrafty

For the moment at least 

Frankie

Xxx

Arrrrrrrgggghhhh!

Christmas is coming!!! Has anyone heard! Everyone to panic stations! Man the wrapping desk! Someone grab that turkey! 

IT IS COMING! 

Seriously though I'm blaming Christmas for my sporadic posting, although hopefully It should get better soon! I've completed two orders and ones nearly finished (hopefully I'll be able to post about it later) and I've got some art coming along nicely! 

I've also got a hankering to make a Megan dress from love at first stitch, probobly a wearable muslin type thing and then maybe treat myself to some fabric after Christmas (or have a complete meltdown and get some anyway before Christmas!) anyway I'm going to have a zip rummage tonight and see what I can do! Although I bet a full button back version would look lovely! 

Other than that! Christmas is nearly wrapped up stress wise! (There's a pun in there somewhere) Christmas presents have all been brought and most are wrapped (insert smug face here) and I don't even have to worry about Christmas dinner as we are at mr knitwits nans this year! 

In other news I got to see my lovely aunty and uncle today in Nottingham! (If your reading HEYA!) and they have to pleasure of owning this 

Which I did for my mum to give my uncle one year! It's him sat on a fence (as a child) with rupert bear! My uncle has a love for rupert bear that is unrivalled by anyone I have ever met. No seriously! 

And for those of you wondering why rupert isn't white? I've had it drilled into me from a young age that whilst rupert is white inside to books he is always brown on the cover! 

I have a wealth of useless knowledge! 

Much love 

Frankie 

Xxx

It's been a while...

I haven't posted in a few days , I'm sorry, I didn't mean to leave you, it's not a rejection, no I still love you, baby? Baby please? 

I'm joking! Sorry it always makes me giggle when bloggers apologise for having a life/work/child, even though none have these have actually got in the way. I've just had nothing to write about, so unless you wanted a play by play of my fairly mundane days it just wasn't worth posting! 

Mainly I've been finishing orders (Christmas gifts so can't be blogged yet) and doing some custom art, not released yet , and doing some alterations which is just snooze worthy, here look what I hemmed today..... 

That was until this happened 

That's a sewing machine for those of you outta the loop, 

A janome excel pro 5124 , to be precise. 

And it was free!!!! Mr knitwits aunty is getting the biggest hug next time I see her!

It's a little different to the one I have at the moment, I had to hunt for the spool holder! 

Ooohhhh I've never had a get in on top one before! (In my defence that sounded less filthy in my head) 

And it has a put the needle up and down button (insert gasp here) mr Knitwit had a LOT of fun playing with this feature until he tangled the entire bobbin case! 

I really like it! It's heavier than my other one but they both had different stitches! So duh duh durr! I'm keeping both! (Insert more gasps) it's greedy I know but at least I've got a spare! And one for my sister to sew on when she comes over! 

The sewing gods must be smiling down in me!

So does anyone else have this machine? I think it's discontinued? But I'd love to have someone to harass if it breaks 

Much love! 

Frankie

Xxx

One Mans Trash

Yesterday was a lovely day, we had a visit from Mr Knitwits Nanny and Grandad! And they came bearing gifts!

As it turns out Nanny had been having a little bit of a clear out and was getting rid of some knitting stuff! YAY! And guess who was first in line? Lil ol ME!

There was some lovely chunky wool! (I've already turned the fluffy greyish beigee one into a cowl!)

 

 

And the big dark ball at the back is really stunning , you can't tell on the photo but it has a lot of jewel tones running through it!

 

 

And there was this beauty! I was so thrilled to be given this, it has instructions for everything, cabling, lace knitting, knitting in the round, and changing colour but to name a few!

 

But the best bit! It's absolutely full of patterns! Here are some personal favourites!

 

 

I think we might be seeing a new type of doorstop emerging!

 

 

A ladies evening dress! I'm assuming that you'd want to be pretty sure on your tension, needle size and the stretch of the wool for this bad boy! Unless of course your that sort of women! Ooft!

 

 

I actually think this is pretty adorable as far as children's knitwear goes, I think it could look quite sweet in a girly colour palette

 

 

I actually LOVE this! No hear me out, ignore the bunches, and the ice cream and the VERY pink trousers. Now picture it in a nice cream, or charcoal?  I think it could be quite nice for snuggling up in? what do you think?

 

In other news I finished another cowl yesterday, just need to stitch it together!

 

And if you have ever knitted your own evening dress PLEASE! let me know!

 

Much Love

 

Frankie

 

xxx 

Do You Want To Build A Snowman?

I'm starting to think I'm the only person in the entire world who hasn't seen frozen? My friends have seen it, my Niece and Nephew have seen it, the big burly men that Mr Knitwit works with have seen it (they wernt impressed) But I haven't, I don't even think I really want to watch it, there was a lot of hype around Despicable Me if I remember, but I wasn't particually impressed with that, although the minons are adorable!

I don't know maybe I just don't want to be disappointed or maybe I need to realised that Disney movies arn't going to be cartoons anymore, they are all 3d and textured now , and you don't even see the same back drop on rotation :( how times have changed!

 

 

But in response to my own question yes I do like building snow men and I've actually made one! (and yes I realise that this is completely the wrong season!)

 

 

This is another doorstop, and I made it for my Momma Bear (yes I'm twenty one I know I should just call her mum but I'm a big kid at heart!). I made it as part of last years Christmas present , and I'm happy to say she loved it! Well there was no doubt that she would really she loves Christmas!! No one does Christmas like my Momma! She goes all out real tree, ornaments in every room and she bakes Christmas cakes for me and my siblings and for her and my Dad! You have not had Christmas cake until you have tasted my mommas! But if you have more than one slice your not safe to drive! Very loose with the brandy bottle is Momma Knitwit! 

 

But back to the little snowman! He's full of Christmas goodness, top hat twig arms, coals for eyes carrot nose! He was a last minute make but I can definitely see me making a few more this year , although I will have to buy some more white wool! As if I didn't have enough wool already!

 

Much Love!

 

Frankie

 

XXX

Oopsie Daisy

Day 9

 

So I was a little bit naughty yesterday, there was no blogging yesterday, in fact there was no crafting yesterday! Instead their was just lots of fun to be had with Little Knitwit and Mr.Knitwit!

So I'm taking this as Day 9 Pinterest Fortnight inspiration.

 

 

I did nothing! yesterday , knitting was left untouched, my sewing machine stayed under its cover, I did no washing or mopping or dusting!

Instead we played, and rode bikes, and had kisses and cuddles and tickles! And lots of good old fashioned family fun! Which I think is very important! So I am counting this picture as Day 9 as Pinterest fortnight!

 

But I'm back today with Day 10! And its another accessory! I think everyone has something that they like to knit without even thinking. You know the project you do at three in the morning when you cant sleep? Or waiting in line at the bank? Mines flowers but I wanted to do something productive with those flowers!

 

Here was my inspiration.

 

 

I  know there felt and not knitted but I just love the colours and the textures! It can be found here.

 

  

And this is just so perfect! Now I have a love/hate relationship with this blanket! It's the sort of thing I don't think I could make and just sell. This sort of blanket is the kind of thing you make for your own baby or a baby you know your going to love very much. Or is that just selfish? I wish so much that I had seen this picture when my niece was a baby , her mummy would have loved it!

 

So I compromised and turned my flowers into! Brooches!

Now I love a good brooch but they seem to have dwindled out of fashion recently. Hopefully they'll make a come back!

 

 

I made two, I small yellow one and a large blue one! Now I don't like to play favourites but the blue one takes the biscuit for me! They are hand knitted with beaded centres and felt leaves!

 

 

Yep blue definitely wins it for me!

 

 

Now here come the posed pictures, and a small confession! When I did my cowl blog post, and decided to do a picture of me in it. I MIGHT have tweaked my makeup and hair a little bit, and put on a clean cardigan. Actually that's I lie, I applied a full face of makeup and did my hair and picked out a matching cardigan, for pictures on a blog. Turns out I am a lot vainer than I originally thought! That was until today when I realised I couldn't actually be bothered to apply makeup and do my hair so I just sort of used the camera to cover my face? Life is to short to spend every five minutes re applying your lip stick!

 

 

I did put a coat on though so you could see it in action!

 

 

 

Also today is my own Darth Vader Birthday, so Happy Birthday Daddy!

 

 

Much Love

 

Frankie

 

xxx

 

Star Wars: Return of the Knitting

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away....... one of my most favourite customers placed her third custom order with me! (She's a beaut that one) and this time when she asked me instead of being worried, I became so excited I squealed at my phone! Something that is fine in your own home but entirely inappropriate when out and about in public!

 

But basically she asked me to make her a knitted Yoda! I kid you not! YODA! For anyone who doesn't know who Yoda is, he is an incredibly wise, little green, Jedi in Star Wars! And possibly the coolest character ever created!!!!! (I realise this description doesn't help at all, so I recommend you rent the films. You will have the time of your life!) But anyways this is what Yoda looks like and an example of something wise he might say.

 

 

Strangely enough Yoda actually reminds me of my Mum. In a GOOD way! This is just the sort of advice she gives me when she's trying to motivate me into believing in myself! But she's definitely not as wrinkly as him. 

 

Anyway enough of the soppy stuff, here's what I made.

 

 

He photographs a little weird but he's actually a lighter green and his light saber is detachable so you can , erm, play with him. Which I totally didn't! Not for long anyway!

 

 

 

Posing by the door in case the Sith attack!

 

 

 

His Light Saber can go in his hand or his belt! Every Jedi needs storage! 

 

 

He even has his own hood! Well sometimes even Jedi Masters have to be sly!

 

 

I definitely think he falls pretty high on the adorable scale! Cant say I'd ever thought I'd be knitting Yoda but I had so much fun making him! Incidentally I made my own pattern again but have it written down just in case I ever need to recreate him! He was also the surprise under my packaging post here!

 

Sadly Yoda isn't a part of Pinterest fortnight , but come back later for Day 5 ! If I ever get it finished that is!

 

Much Love

 

May The Force Be With You

 

Frankie

 

xxx

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away.....

So its Day 4 of Pinterest fortnight and trust me making a project everyday is really starting to take its toll! I'm fairly sure I have a project in at least every room of the house! But onto todays inspiration!!!! And if you haven't already guessed its a Star Wars one!

 

 

I'm not 100% on the origin if this design but I think its from witchcityink.com, if any one can confirm this please let me know and I'll amend this blog and set up a link! I absolutely love this, it popped up when I was looking for sugar schools and it seemed so perfect!

 

My entire family is Star Wars obsessed and my Dad used to be called Darth Vader by his work colleagues. I think they'd all be proud of me crafting Star Wars goodness!

 

I started off by tweaking the design a bit because I wanted mine to be completely my own and this is the design I ended up with! Apologies for the crumple Little Knitwit decided to help me out on the photography!

 

 

Then it seemed pretty clear to me what I needed to do with it! Embroidery of course! So I think it officially needs to be called "Star Wars a New Hoop!" I'm going to stop with the bad jokes now! Or at least I'll try!

 

 

I really don't see why they didn't go for this look in the movies..... much more friendly

 

 

I'd show you what the back looks like but my momma taught me that a lady never shows her backside in public!

 

 

 Hearts for a nose and flowers for eyes not Darths usual look!

 

 

I loved doing this! I'm finding the more fun I think the finished product will be the quicker I'm getting it done!

 

And I have one more surprise! There is going to be another star wars craft coming very soon in......

 

Star Wars: Return of the Knitting!

 

Please Lord let me think of another star wars project so I can have the trilogy!!! Please!!!!

 

Much Love

 

And May The Force Be With You

 

Frankie

 

xxx

 

I Wondered Where That Went?

We've been decorating for, well, what seems like forever! We did little Knitwits room and then we did what is formally known as the man room! But as with all redecorating projects we ended up finding lots of things that we thought we had lost or misplaced! One of which was this little teddy bear I made when I found out I was pregnant!

 

 

It was the first stuffed toy I had ever knitted and I have to say I was pretty proud of it. Now I know what your thinking. Yes he does look like he's been run over and yes he is fairly flat. But that was how I wanted him! When I decided to make my little bump a stuffed toy I immediately panicked ! I wanted something safe, something he could breathe through and something I wouldn't have to worry about, so yes when I started to draft out the pattern I made him as flat as possible (yep even then I decided making my own knitting patterns was easier than trying to read the Morse code crossed with abbreviated English of commercial patterns. I have never yet gotten through a commercial knitting pattern without ringing my mum, my Nanny or popping over to my old baby sitters house Auntie Audrey! )

But in my first time mum panic I decided that this pattern needed to be as child friendly as possible I even googled how long to make his scarf so there would be no risk of strangulation, and even then I hand stitched it on just to make sure!

 

 

 

Now I thought he'd been lost and although I enjoyed making him, he was never a favourite with little Knitwit who only has eyes for his Donald duck! So when it became apparent that he was lost I wasn't particularly bothered, I took the approach of "you can't win them all" and by then my knitting had progressed! I mean I know stocking stitch as well now! I don't use it very often, but I know it! 

 

But when I found it lurking at the back of one of little Knitwits cupboards, it all came flooding back to me. The memories of being a first time mum and of making something for my baby, placing it into the boxes of things we'd gather for him and waiting for the day I could give it to him in person. Now this little guy was in danger of getting thrown away , or at the very least harvested for parts! But now he has a very special place in a box of old baby things that I just can't bear (no pun intended) to throw away! He might not have been a favourite of little Knitwit but this little flat bear will always be a favourite of mine.

 

 

Even in the picture you can tell he's not impressed!

I would also like to add that this teddy does not look that evil. So it is possible I can make stuffed toys that haven't been possessed by the devil! Unlike this and this.

 

Have you kept anything that you made for your little ones? Even if they didn't like it or use it?

 

Much Love

 

Frankie

 

XXX

         

Inspiration!

 

Whilst browsing pinterest last night this little beauty pooped up and it really spoke to me! I grew up in a can household,

 

"Yes sweetie of course you can try and turn those old net curtains into a maxi dress (<---don't ask its still not finished) "

 

"Of course you can go through the garage looking for thinks to glue together for a project"

 

you can, you can, YOU can

 

I think only now do I appreciate the things my family did to encourage me as a child. There not many teenage boys that would wear a hand made hat for the whole of Christmas day, just because his younger sister made it. And there's not many sisters that would ask their younger sister to make and customise items for them to wear for a wedding.

 

Its hard finding support in this world, but I'm lucky to have that, Parents who tell everyone they meet about what I do, and siblings who never scorned at what I made them (and trust me in my younger years some of the things I made were not good! Although the wedding outfits were awesome).

 

And I'm still lucky even now, I've found a man to explain costing to me and help me on my way (and put up with my mess).

 

I make things because of who I was,

 

Where I came from,

 

Who I am now,

 

Where I am now,

 

Who I will become,

 

And where I going to end up.

 

Much Much Love

 

Frankie

 

xxx

 

 

 

 

 

Patchwork Magic

I was first introduced to patchwork when I visited my grandparents in Ireland. I remember sleeping in a huge brass bed that was absolutely laden with blankets and sheets but on top of all of these layers (and there was about seven)  was a patchwork quilt. In fact, on top was this patchwork quilt in particular .

 

I believe the pattern is called "flying geese" and it was made using the English paper piecing technique, I think its hand quilted and you can even see where she's signed it at the bottom with her name and the year she finished it . This quilt actually belongs to my big sister, in fact we all have one! (coincidence I think not! my grandma was one clever lady) the only problem is mine isn't finished :( So me and my mum are going to finish it together and put all of names on it.

 



This is my grandma by the way , and my brother and sister , I'm the little blonde one!



  I blame this quilt for starting me off with a love of handmade quilts! I mean I knew my grandma sewed because she sent me a quilted pillow when I was about five or six.

 

  

 The edging fabric has also been used in the quilt above, thrifty as well! A woman after my own heart!

She did the worlds neatest stitches.

But it was going over the Ireland that opened my eyes , she didn't just sew, she SEWED! she knew her stuff! she had books and templates and more fabric than you can shake a stick at! fabric which I was lucky enough to receive when she died, which I promptly started to turn into my own quilts. quilts like this one.



Not quite flying geese



 

Its got my fabrics and her fabrics, bits of old work shirts and baby clothes.

 

 

But its not finished and it was started about three years ago , all it needs is two more triangles and then I can back it quilt it and bind it.

 

 

 But no I have to procrastinate! But I procrastinate in the strangest ways. I start another quilt.

 

 

Hand pieced again but this time using my sons baby clothes and just his baby clothes , this quilt made me shed a few tears. There's lots of little pieces of my baby in here, and its a nice way of remembering what he used to wear without keeping EVERYTHING. I actually got the idea from an episode of the Gilmore girls! 

 

This quilt was well received although a little smaller than I had hoped (all those squares were driving me crazy) but in the end there was enough scraps , leftovers, material for a second quilt.

 

 

This one went to Daddy as part of his birthday present , I even embroidered a message onto it , a soppy message so I wont share that! But more importantly it was the first quilt I made entirely by machine. It was so quick and easy it was unreal but I didn't seem to feel the same connection to the other hand made quilts.

 

Maybe its just me ? Or do you feel differently about machine quilts and entirely handmade quilts?

 

Although this picture makes me love them both equally or is that just the boys?

 

 

Much Love

 

Frankie

 

xxx