This week I’ve been playing with some really fun projects. This is the first giraffe I’ve finished from Hop Skip Jump, who sells the pdf pattern for him and some other lovely little animals.

I made Rufus dog before Christmas and didn’t take any photos as it was such a last minute finish, so I’ve got another underway. My teaser here got some great suggestions.

It is amazing how much stuffing you can get into a giraffe’s neck, if was never ending. He’s a really cheeky character and is alway turning his head to look to his right, probably to check where my 2YO is.

Hugo found his ‘scarf’ silly and said that giraffe’s don’t need them. I begged to differ and said that in this cold weather and with his long neck he needed to keep it wrapped up. 

So what have you finished this week, a book, some craft, knitting, crochet or like Merry who’s blanket was featured last week – a baby! Congratulations to her and Max on the wonderful arrival of Benedict.

Leave me a link below so I can have a nosey.

So pleased to be back with Finished It Friday. My crafting mojo has been a little bit AWOL in early January. I think the Christmas deadlines invoked a bit of a post holiday time out. Before I tell you about my crafty finished item, I just wanted to mention a fantastic book I finished mid-week. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. It is a fantastic book, with lots to learn about a difficult time during the internment of American Japanese citizens, but more than that a beautiful romance of a young boy and girl. Read my full review over at Love A Book.

I’ve got a few things on the go now, but this is a little sheep that I finished this week. It’s the second one I’ve done of these, the pattern is free from Lionbrand here. It can probably be completed in an evening. I’ve used Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Astrakhan yarn for the wooly part of the sheep and a Patons Merino DK for the head  and feet.

Wooly sheep isn’t just a friendly little companion, he holds magical powers. He is actually a Worry Sheep. He comes with a special purpose.

Other lovely people who’ve linked up this week include Another Goldfish and her gorgeous biscornu. Blackwork isn’t a technique I’ve tried myself, but pop over to Another Goldfish to find out more about the pattern.

Photo Credit - Another Goldfish

Merry at Patch of Puddles has finished the most amazing Nina blanket and a beautiful double moss stitch rainbow blanket. I can’t do the story behind these blankets the justice they deserve.  You need to read Merry’s own heartfelt words. Aren’t they absolutely gorgeous?

Photo Credit - Patch of Puddles

Photo Credit - Patch of Puddles

Also delighted to show you an edible Finished It Friday from Helen at Casa Costello. She can work wonders with creme eggs and the detail in this valentine flower basket is stunning. Take a look at the full post for the ingredients and techniques she has used.

Photo Credit - Casa Costello

What have you finished in the last week or so? Something crafty, a good book, a cake or the crossword? Link up below so we can all have a nosey.

Yesterday’s crafty plans were scuppered by a very badly timed power cut. I’ve been spurred on to get some stuff on the go, and have everything cut out. Can you tell what it is going to be? I’ll give you a clue, it’s two separate items, left and right. Hopefully more will be revealed tomorrow.

In an effort to get my crafting mojo back I got all the lovely fabric I’ve bought out to start planning what I’m going to make. I was just about to get the iron out and start pinning and cutting out, when we had a power cut! So determined to get going on this tomorrow.

Well it will be. This is my 16YO’s sample piece for a dress design she is making in textiles. She’s well on the way to finishing the neckline in the same style as this.

If you are interested it is made with Fimo beads, covered in voile and wrapped in jewellery wire. It is rather tough on the fingers, but the fun finale of soldering black voile onto it makes it worthwhile.

Finished it Friday has been missing in action over the past weeks, as everything I’ve been making has been for Christmas gifts and I didn’t want to spoil any surprises.

This little zebra from Debbie Bliss Knits to Give (which would be a great gift for a knitter you know) is for my 2YO and as he doesn’t read the blog, I’m sure I’ll be safe in posting about it.

It was a really quick make and quite easy to assemble – I always put off actually finishing things off, but it didn’t take long at all once I got going. The hardest thing was trying to match the stripes up at the seams.

So what have you finished in the last week or so, anything fancy for a Christmas gift or something for the home inspired by Kirstie? Leave me a link below.

It’s been a couple of months since I joined in with Ginny and Yarn Along “~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? …

I’m thoroughly enjoying Rohinton Mistry’s A Fine Balance, this month’s read for Love A Book Reading Group. Anyone I mention it to, who has already read it tells me it is a fond favourite and it is a beautifully written epic.

I’m also nearly finished with the Zebra from Knits to Give by Debbie Bliss, just got to make it’s ears, sort it’s face and mane out, stuff it and sew it up. It will be a Christmas gift for my toddler, I’m sure he will love it. The yarn is gorgeous, really lovely to work with.

I’m feeling very seasonal this week, and whilst off with the children for half-term and doing all manner of Halloween activities, it’s nice to be able to relax with a little Autumnal knitting.

This pumpkin is from The Knitter’s Year by Debbie Bliss, a book that I’ve made a number of items from including the floral corsage, flowerpot covers, lavender bags and baby sandals.

I love it, it’s really squidgy and the Rowan Kid Classic yarn with it’s slight fuzziness, gives it a real rustic look and feel.

So what have you finished in the last week or so? Have you started your Christmas makes or have you been absorbed making halloween crafts? Leave a link then we can all have a nosey.

Anyone who is a Cath Kidston and crafting fan will know how great the previous books in this series have been - Sew, Make and Stitch!

It’s with great delight that I was able to review the latest addition Patch! It is as well designed and structured as the others. It comes with everything you need to complete the cover project of a patchwork flower, that can either be made into a tote bag or cushion using all the materials included in the cover pocket.

It is due out in November 2011, making an ideal Christmas gift for you to add to your wish list or to make a fellow crafter very happy.

It has a range of 30 projects which cater for beginners and more advanced needle crafters. Each has a skill level of either 1, 2 or 3 to indicate how difficult each project is. The projects are also an ideal way of using up any scraps of fabrics you have left over from other projects.

The project pack includes 7 different designs of fabrics, calico fabric for either tote bag or cushion, length of cotton tape for either bag handles or cushion ties and a fabric Cath Kidston sew on label.

The front of the book has great descriptions and diagrams taking you through all the techniques used in the book. Ideal for a beginner, but just as useful as a reminder for more experienced patchworkers.

Each project has very thorough instructions and how to illustrations.

It inspired me to get the machine out of hibernation.

The book RRP is £16.00, but is currently on pre-order with Amazon at £8.29

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of the book for review, but all opinions are my own

This week I wanted to show you some of the work that my daughter has produced in the first few weeks of her Textiles A Level course. She has never stopped, she seems to have a needle and cotton in her hand during every waking moment. Apparently she has a lot more to produce, before she can start designing them into a garment.

I think they are rather beautiful works of art in their own right, do you?

Chloe Design Pieces 01 Chloe Design Pieces 02 Chloe Design Pieces 03 Chloe Design Pieces 04 Chloe Design Pieces 05 Chloe Design Pieces 06 Chloe Design Pieces 07 Chloe Design Pieces 08 Chloe Design Pieces 09 Chloe Design Pieces 10 Chloe Design Pieces 11 Chloe Design Pieces 12 Chloe Design Pieces 13 Chloe Design Pieces 14 Chloe Design Pieces 15 Chloe Design Pieces 16 Chloe Design Pieces 17 Chloe Design Pieces 18 Chloe Design Pieces 19 Chloe Design Pieces 20 Chloe Design Pieces 21 Chloe Design Pieces 22 Chloe Design Pieces 23 Chloe Design Pieces 24 Chloe Design Pieces 25 Chloe Design Pieces 26 Chloe Design Pieces 27 Chloe Design Pieces 28 Chloe Design Pieces 29 Chloe Design Pieces 30 Chloe Design Pieces 31 Chloe Design Pieces 32 Chloe Design Pieces 33 Chloe Design Pieces 34 Chloe Design Pieces 35 Chloe Design Pieces 38

So what have you finished in the last week or so, any craft, a book, a cake – the crossword?