Striped canvas - Update

DIY Project 1 - Update 

I finally decided to tackle the first of the October projects...about time! but the thought of using acrylics on a big white canvas was a bit daunting. I started out easily, just using thin paper tape to define each row and then started with the first wash of colours. The bottom part looks smoother than the top, where you can clearly see the changes in colours. Also, after removing the tape I realised some of the paint had moved under it....acrylics on a canvas definitely work differently than watercolours! I'm hoping to be able to rectify things with the second wash.

On another note: When I started the monthly projects plan I thought I was overloading myself with too many things to do and that at the end of the month I would have actually felt as nothing had been done. However, being almost at the end of the month, I'm quite pleased to have at least started the majority of the projects. I know I haven't finished any yet, but this way I can jump from one thing to another without ever getting bored.

Striped baby blanket - Update

DIY Project 5 - Update
It was in the 'maybe' to do list for October, but it quickly became top of the list. As it started to get chilly and dark early in the evening I felt like I needed some kind of activity to do snuggled up on the couch under a throw in front of the tv. And there it was knitting a striped blanket working in garter stitch.
I'm using a very easy pattern of 3 rows, and multiple of 3, changing the colour as I feel like....no plans, just what I think it works best next. 
So far, so good, except some initial mistakes.....
//the first one row of orange yarn was not supposed to be there, but let's pretend it was done on purpose.
//I slowly mastered the art of adding a new yarn to the work, meaning the passage from one colour to another for the first few colours was not done properly.
The only problem so far...I might run out of yarn sooner than expected!

Pram Throw Quilt - Update

DIY Project 3 - Update

After much debate and testing on shapes and colours, I finally made up my mind on fabric and design for one of my October projects: the pram throw quilt. I will be keeping the outer border in green and change the inner border from yellow to pink. The pinwheels will stay yellow, but instead of turtles I will be quilting pink vases with green stems and yellow/pink flowers.

I have already cut out all the shapes I need from a piece of paper; next step will be ironing and start cutting the fabric...this is the much dreaded bit!

Knitting and Stitching Show @ Alexandra Palace 2011

And I'm done for this year! this is the one show that's becoming my regular annual thing, been there last year and back again now. It was packed as usual, even on a Friday, but I loved checking each stall and rummaging through baskets full of yarn and fabric!

It was tiring, but I came back home happy and without the feeling of having spent too much money, which I think I didn't!

One of the best buy of the day was the wonderful PAY PER BOX deal! Basically you get a clear box, I got the £11 one, and you can fill it as much as you can with all the paper sheets you want :)

I got loads of plain and patterned cardstock paper. In addition I got 14 rolls of double sided tape of different heights! I'm still very excited about that, it will help finishing off a scrapbook I'm making for the baby before she arrives :)

The main goal now is to make sure I use all the things I bought, unlike last year....still have 10 balls of a very nice country wool stored at the back of my wardrobe....what was I thinking!

So here are the next projects added to the list:

DIY Project 3

Make a quilt for my baby's pram. I'm new to quilting, but I always wanted to try, hence I 'll start with something small. I picked a Timmy Turtle Pram Throw kit from The Little Lavender Patch, which came with instruction and all the necessary fabric. I might make few adjustment to the design, but will decide once I start.

DIY Project 4

Make a quilted Christmas stocking for my baby. We still don't know where we are going to spend the holidays this year, but wherever it will be I will have something to remember my baby's first Christmas. I haven't found a tutorial for it yet, but I know for sure I want to put my baby's name on the sock! I will be using the Countdown to Christmas Charm Pack from  SWEETWATER.

DIY Project 5 (still in the maybe list)

Knit a striped blanket for my baby. I know....it's all baby stuff, but it's all new to me, and because all the things I will be making are tiny, I'm hoping it won't take long to do them....this is my wishful thinking anyway! The yarn I choose is Patons Fairytale Dreamtime 4Ply Baby Wool, in green/red/blue/orange.

I will probably start doing an update and a monthly roundup, just to make sure I do all these projects I'm planning!

Love this

....and I will not settle until I'm in love with what I'm doing!