Miss Aine

A bit of knitting going on at the moment but its mostly stuff I want to submit to magazines so can't show it ;( (even if I think it looks really cute!). So instead some photos of my big project for this summer - our garden This is how it looked about a week ago. Last weekend I took down the shed and then helped DH to put up a new one. And did quite a bit of weeding. So must take new photos to show it in its splendour now (just can't this evening as its raining). And this little patch is my vegetable patch. I've never grown any before so not really sure how it will turn out. I tend to kill all houseplants but have a better track record with outdoor plants. I've planted tomatoes, peppers, courgette, green bean and lettuce. So far they're doing okay and I've even used the lettuce for salads. Updates will follow throughout the summer! (01.06.10 - weird comment left for this post. I'm not going anywhere, just no knitting i can show at the moment. And that...

Myself and Smem went to the local library this week and they actually had some new books, two of which caught my eye, so I thought I'd do a mini book review. First up is 'Make' by Cath Kidston.(click on the image for Amazon link) I love Cath Kidston's style so I was really excited to see this book. However, it wasn't what I expected. Although the name of the book is 'Make', it was really just lots of embellishing projects. They were nice and there were a few different styles of applique and embroidery but everything was done onto pre-bought items. The second book is 'Free & Easy Stitch Style' by Poppy Treffry. (any click on the image for Amazon link) This book I loved. The style of stitching really appealed to me, as I'm definitely not someone who makes everything perfectly so a little wonkiness is always welcomed. The book goes through how to embroider with your sewing machine, which I have to try still!, and each project includes how t...

Kinda' got used to not blogging for a few days with the giveaway so its been hard getting back into it. Here's a little cardi I made for Smem, as she hasn't got to many and a high proportion are pink. Its a pattern called Cardigan Rose that I found on Ravelry. It as a quick knit and Smem seems to like it which is good. On sad news, got a negative feedback in my Etsy shop this week. Someone who bought a pattern in February only sent me a message this week to say they never received it. So I immediately sent her on the original email with the pattern attached as before and also explained about checking in her junk mail folder for it. She got the pattern but still left a negative feedback, with no comment about why. Is it really my fault if she didn't contact me for nearly four months to say she didn't receive the pattern? If I bought a pattern and didn't get it I would be on to the person after 2-3 days. Rant over!

The random number generator picked out no.2 Congrats to ReneeG (a pattern will wing its way through cyberspace to you today). Thank you to everyone who participate.

Okay so it doesn't actually start until tomorrow, but I can't be bothered trying to figure out when9a.m. eastern time in America is in Ireland so I'm starting my giveaway today! Up for grabs is a pdf knitting pattern for: Little People - Play Dress-Up These little guys are just 15cm tall in and are a quick knit. Done on 2.75mm straight needles with double knitting yarn so there is some seaming involved. Just leave a comment with some way that I can contact you to let you know you won (online profile, own blog, ravelry name, etsy name, etc.) The giveaway will be open until 21st May when 1 winner will be chosen at random. Good Luck, and thanks in advance to everyone who enters!

'Cause his face reminds me of a jellybean baby. download now for free!

Bad blogging this week as not much has been done this week at all. We have a very sick house. Saturday I was out til late at my grandad's first anniversary mass. Smem didn't get to bed til 10.30 (its normally between 7-8) and didn't sleep well at all. So we were both very tired on Sunday. Then just before mass on Sunday night I started sneezing a bit. By the end of mass I had a full-blown cold and its just got worse since. My parents called in Monday lunchtime but apart from that we've not done much. The one good thing is that now that Smem is 2 she can take over-the-counter cough and cold medicine from the pharmacy, so at least I feel she's getting some relief from her cough. So only a tiny amount of knitting has been done. And what is came to was this little guy.. A free pattern once I get the energy to type it up. (P.S. keep watch for the SewMamaSew giveaway, starting 16th May)

Not as good as the inspiring doll.. It'll need some work to get a doll pattern I'm pleased with but its a good start. Just need to try again!

I was out at the shops with Smem the other day and saw this doll in the window of Mammas and Pappas : She is so cute. I think I'm going to have to try make my own version. And then maybe some of their other toys. I absolutely love the style of their toys. And I want them all for myself ;)

I finally got around to using the Cath Kidston fabric I bought a while ago. A nice little summer bag that could also be used as a nappy bag. No pattern used, just some rectangles sewn together. I made the lining a little bit narrow so sewing it together at the end was a bit hard - nothing a good press couldn't fix though!

Sold my first non-custom toy on Etsy. So happy to have finally made that breakthrough. Woo Hoo!

Made for a party that Smem is attending this afternoon. Just need to package them up now.