Thursday, August 5, 2010

Recent craft and embroidery aims and achievements

In 2010 one of my goals was to learn to crochet. I attended 2 classes at Threads & More and then I practised intensely. The crochet hook that I purchased from Threads & More is ergonomic and I thoroughly recommend it - well worth the $12.

In May I enrolled in a little morning course and learned how to make a birdie at the Saviours of the Lost Arts, which was a "celebration of making and creating for everyone from masters to starters to lovers of craft" held in Brisbane from 24 May to 5 June 201. Since then I have started on a baby's blanket for Heather at mum's Nursing home. Heather is putting together baby packages for charity for Christmas. Each package will contain a baby blanket and other items such as baby toiletries and toys. I am making a yellow one which would be appropriate for a boy or girl. I have also crochet a shell pattern edging around a white handkerchief. I loved doing this and look forward to doing more as this was the initial reason for learning crochet. I have also discovered that I really like making crochet things with wool. I fully intend to make a Babette blanket some time in the future - probably next winter.

Since my dad died and mum had to go into a Nursing home, I have taken up knitting beanies for the homeless as something to do when visiting mum and she also takes an interest. I give the beanies to Knitting for Brisbane's Needy (K4BN). I have attended a couple of Knit and Natters for K4BN and have given Karen quite a number of beanies that I have knitted over the last 3 years. Karen and her husband are amazing. They collect knitted items from groups all over Brisbane and environs, Toowoomba, and the North and South Coast and distribute them to charities. These Charities have to give them away freely to those in need. One night recently they went out with Mama Rene's food distribution van in Spring Hill and distributed beanies, blankets, gloves and scarves to about 400 people. The homeless really need big blankets to wrap themselves in and dark coloured beanies, gloves and socks. Karen has given away over 40, 000 items to date.

I have been making embroidered Christmas cards for many years for my mother and mother-in-law. Here is a Christmas card that I made in 2009 for my mother. Now I need to come up with a design for this coming Christmas.