What am I learning new for 2013?

Well I decided to take an online crochet class with Ali. 

I tried many many moons ago to crochet and I never got past the chain, I could never do it!

Well I started my crochet class yesterday, watched two videos and here are the results:

 This was my first piece of double crochet.  So surprised I ever got it started.  Plenty of mistakes but I think it's ok for a first attempt.

 This morning I tried double crochet again and this is the result.  At least the edges are looking straight!

 Today's new lesson was trebles.  I thought I would start with a couple of rows of double crochet and then try the trebles.  I am still not sure what to do with the edges but I guess that will just take a bit more time to learn.

Had the kitchen floor to clean today whilst Norman is away running his train at the Easter running day.   It is a great time to catch up on house things.  With a bit of playing in between.

I am still working away on my lace making.  The latest sample is square tallies.  Well what a laugh they are. Not a square one in sight.   After some advice from the Facebook bobbin lace group I did manage to make one that was square.  

Onwards and upwards.

Exercise 7 - Gimps

Well this is Exercise 7.  I didn't have the correct weight of thread, or at least I might have in my stash but they are marked differently that I wasn't sure what to use.   I choose a DMC 80, the one I have been using with great success for the lace flowers,.  Didn't really work and I reallt didn't enjoy doing this piece.   I shall just move on and may revisit Ex7 at a later stage.  (Perhaps not).

I have just enroled in a Crochet class with Ali (followed her on twitter for a while).  I tried to crochet many moons ago and never did manage to make the chain to get started so I gave up.   Lacemaking was the something new to learn in 2012, which I started in September).   Crochet is the something to learn in 2013.  I thought I would get started before I have to start making samples for my quilting classes which start up again at the end of September.  

I checked my stash of knitting goodies and found two crochet hooks, a 9 and a 5.  Wrong size for the class and I don't have chunky yarn, I really don't like chunky yarns I like the finer things in life.  However Ali, the teacher, recommends chunky and so I shall have to go buy some and a new crochet hook.  Will get a 4mm and some double knitting yarn while I am there for future crochet - if I ever get past the beginning chain.    It is an online course, which I love, so I can go at my own pace ....... slowly taught through Coursecraft.net.  

I wonder when this snow will ever disappear as I am anxious to get my potatoes in.  Norman's asparagus has arrived and needs to be planted.   I am so glad we went and sorted out the allotment a few weeks ago when we have ONE lovely day.  At least it is all done and ready for when the weather gets warmer.

Thanks for dropping by.

 

Exercise 6 completed

This is a sample of Scandanavian holes.  This was a fun piece of lace to make.   I am now moving away from using the thicker Perle cotton No 5 to a much finer thread.   The samples are becoming a little more challenging I think.  This is a good thing.  

Just bought and installed EQ Stitch.  It looks very good and something which I always thought it would be good for EQ to do was to be able to design applique blocks and send them to the sewing machine to stitch out.  Now I can do that, well with a little more practice.  

Just waiting for the bread to do its first prove.  I am trying a bloomer from Paul Holywood's TV programme on bread making.   I make my own bread but normally use the bread machine.  I never did know how to knead the dough properly before.  Well having watched Paul's TV programme and watched for a second time this morning I am having a go.   Sent DH out to get some rye flour and will also try Paul's Ale and Rye bread which sounds lovely. 

Thanks for dropping by.

Grandma again!

My second granddaughter arrived a few days ago!
Her proud big sister made this beautiful drawing after seeing her for the first time.

The little one was a bit too early, but she's doing great. Mom and dad are fine too.
Grandma and grandpa think that she's as cute as her big sister.
:-))

And now to find the time to put those last stitches to the baby quilt!

Lace Making Progress

 I have been busy working through the lace lessons in the Honiton Lace book.   The above is Lesson 3.  

This is Lesson 4.  I really enjoyed working through this exercise.

I just this morning finished Exercise 5.  This is Roseground which was really nice to do.  I noticed one mistake when it came off the pillow.  Too late to fix but I can watch I don't make the same mistake if I wokr this technique again.  Not really my colours but it is a change from blue/white/purple!

I am still busy teaching my patchwork and quilting classes and enjoying it as much as ever.   I am almost ready to start on my new class samples for the September session but will be focusing on my lace for a couple of weeks just to get a break. 

My Monday ladies are running a self help group for the next session and I am hoping to get along to at least some of their Monday afternoons.  

Life is good.