Cross Stitch and Craft Cafe 2020

Coxy11

Hi everyone - how are you all doing?
Things are much the same here. Still wfh with DH. DD has returned to her Sunday job at the garden centre (she had been furloughed). DS2 has (finally) got some schoolwork - he's year 11 and was meant to be sitting GCSEs starting this week. I'm still running and back up to 5k - it has been harder in the hotter weather.
In crafting news I have completed 17 different colours of the blanket now, which means I've used every colour. Have worked out it takes an hour to complete each colourway - did two colours last night whilst watching a documentary about Broadmoor. Yes really!
I need to get on and finish Christmas Pots, so might try that this weekend, given we have a BH Monday too. I have today booked as annual leave so plan to visit my Mum and sit at a safe distance in her garden. I am taking a flask and some lunch too. Still a bit hazy as to whether this is 'allowed' but given I don't go out unless I'm running (early morning) or once a week to the supermarket, I feel I have been careful. Haven't seen Mum since 21 March apart from video calls.
Right best crack on.
Have a good day folks,
Coxy x

nmm

Hi, i'm good here except I have sore knees, I think too much gardening as i'm not used to it, must get back to my daily yoga it's been hit & miss since lockdown started. I've done another stripe on my blanket i'm doing it at our Video Chat Knit & Natter, thinking about it we could do the same thing, ignore the knitting and just natter haha why didn't we think of that before   I think you having a safe distance chat with your mum is perfectly fine and it will do you both a world of good.


Take care, all.

Charly27

nmm said:

On bigger projects I find it easier to count from the corner, the blue thread helps get the starting point as its done in blocks of 10, but after a few rows i'm usually fine. I also mark stitches done on a photocopy of the chart with a highlighter to keep track. I start in the center on small card size projects.

I think that makes sense on a larger project. I’m definitely going to try that next time. I also mark off on the chart with a yellow or light coloured felt tip pen.
I hope you enjoyed the socially distanced visit with your mum Coxy. I think you’re allowed to do that in the garden/outside and you don’t stay over. I’m going to do the same with my DD tomorrow. I know I can’t hug her but just to see her would make my day, week, and month. 
i was stitching a lot at the beginning of the week during my lunch hour and in the evening but then it tailed off. Had a lot of screen work this week Skype meetings and watching and assessing presentations so looking forward to BH weekend and having Tuesday and Friday leave too. Enjoy 

TC77

Hi, popping in here from another forum but thought someone may be able to help me.

I've found some beautiful vintage lavender bags - (maybe from 1940/50s. They're very delicate so can't unstitch and refill - do I have to throw away - adding drops of lavender I don't think is the same and can stain. - want to put in drawers. I'm on the banish the clutter thread Many thanks

nmm

Hi TC77, can you post a photo of them so we can see what we're dealing with, they sound lovely

lis1320

Hi all, I thought I'd join in with my crafting (only just noticed there is a crafting thread!). I've enjoyed being creative all my life, but with the lockdown I am exploring new territory - cross stitching and crocheting.
For cross stitching I am currently working on:
1. Sunlit Fox by Dimensions
2. Aurora Cabin by Dimensions Gold Collection

There have taken a bit of a back seat however, since I have taught myself to crochet granny squares and am busy trying to make myself a blanket! I'm so happy that all my hobbies are 'indoor' hobbies, I don't know what else I would occupy my time with at the moment!

nmm

Welcome lis1320, just checked out your cross stitch, the Sunlit Fox is gorgeous I love animal stitches, never done a Fox though. The Aurora cabin is very enchanting is it for Christmas? Congrats on teaching yourself crochet, I did too once you learn the basic stitches the word is your oyster, check out ravelry or just google search for lots of free patterns. 

Coxy11

Hi all and welcome to the new posters (waves),
Love the sound of the vintage lavender bags TC77. As nmm says, please post a pick and we can hopefully give some ideas to revive them.
The two cross stitch kits you're doing lis1320 are lovely. We get a LOT of foxes in our garden, more so now our aged pooch is no longer with us. I also run past a fox den(?) on my morning runs, and mummy fox is sitting outside in the sunshine. I get really close before she scoots for cover. Love the Aurora Cabin too. Great that you are also crocheting. It's very addictive and I find makes come together so much quicker than knitting, plus you only ever have one loop on the hook, so no dropping stitches.
I have done some more of my Dune blanket today. Too hot to be in the garden and DH was painting the garage doors, so I had a bit of down time. Nice to do that once in a while. Think I've now done 19 of 100 rows lol. Ran 5k this morning so an early night beckons I think. But first, BBQ!
Have a good evening all,
Coxy xx

jimali

Hi everyone,
I thought Id posted a comment but cant see it, so I apologise if I'm repeating myself! I'm Jill and I love to craft! I mainly crochet and cross-stitch but I'll basically give anything a go. My current cross-stitch WIP is this millenium one:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2000-Millenium-Sampler-Chart-The-Craft-Collection-Cross-Stitch-Historical-UK/233592975019?hash=item366339eeab:g:RCAAAOSwjDJevVfV
My Mum gave me it for Christmas in 1999! I started it then but then it went astray in a house move and only recently resurfaced so I've decided to try and finish it this year. I'm about halfway I think.
As for crochet, I'm crocheting bears in scrubs for nurses and other nhs people. I'm part of a group doing them, to be honest I'm hating doing them as its a 4,5 hook with 2 strands of DK to get the stitch dense enough for the size they want them, and its flipping murder on my hands, I've nearly finished one. I said I'd do 4. Groan Anyway, looking forward to hearing about and seeing everyone's projects.
Jilllx

TC77

Hi, I think I've over egged the lavender bag, it's just  I found them with a collection of lovely coloured suede and fabric gloves (so dates from people wore gloves) and have trouble parting with many things especially that I rescue from family   After posting did think I should just bin as you could make (or buy) new ones quite easily. Attached pic . I use lavender on my pillow and noticed some staining so wary of just adding lavender oil.

Love reading all your craft projects, and motivating me to try and do more - from a low skill base