Knitting in the sunshine

The heatwave continues.  As does the stash busting.  Using up small amounts of 4ply yarn to make a couple of Little Sister's Dresses.

And some purple aran to make a Baby Sophisticate cardigan.

And, I have cast on a blanket (reverse pinwheel).  Which I actually brought yarn for.  To try to justify buying yarn, well it was on offer...

Knitting blankets in this heat summer seems like a perfectly reasonable thing to do!  Although I have some way to go before this blanket is covering my lap.  I've just realised when uploading these photos that I seem to be having a purple knitting phase, this is not necessarily intentional! In between the knitting, I also cycled up to Loch Lomond to have a very well deserved ice-cream.

Where this black headed gull (that really has a chocolate coloured head) very kindly posed for me.

A Mile of Mice...

There is currently a project aiming to create a mile of knitted mice to raise money for the Alzheimer's society.

You can find out more about the project on ravelry and facebook.  I've made ten for the cause.

As you can see, Mark the guinea pig was pretty unimpressed.  We are currently having a spell of glorious sunshine here in the UK.  Which is perfect for using my new sunglasses case, made by the very talented blupaisan as part of a Craftster swap.

Plus it is great weather for a cycle, and a chance to show off my new bike basket!

PS) These cute seagull chicks are on the roof opposite, they are getting bigger and stronger (and nosier) every day, and are sure to fledge soon!

I tawt I taw a puddy cat...

Collage cats.

Printed cats.

 

Stitched cats.

Cat cards galore for blupaisan as part of the June Birthday swap on Craftster. I especially like the collage cats sitting in the windowsill looking at the birds.  I always knew there was a reason why I keep scraps of paper!

Bunny!

Let me introduce you to Mr Rabbit!

This was made for jo_mama in the Craftster June Birthday Swap.  The pattern is Henry's Rabbit by Sara Elizabeth Kellner.  I used some aran wool in my stash, and it only took a couple of days to make.  Along with the knitted rabbit I printed on a tote bag, using a freezer paper stencil.

And off it went bunny hopping over the Atlantic!

Rest...

Sometimes you just need a good rest.  A week spent camping in the Highlands was just that.

I took some easy knitting and a sketchbook with me, and I'm afraid to say that neither left my bag.  I did manage to read a couple of books, but mostly I was just looking at the amazing scenery.

I am recharged for the city now!

Crafted Notecards Swap

I hadn't swapped for a while, and when I saw a crafted notecard swap on Craftster, I knew that would be a great stashbust.  It was a good challenge to try to create cards to match the themes given, and good fun to use some techniques I've not used in a while.  For gala_apples I made the following:  

A stitch apple.

Pizza base printed robots.

Lesbian pride card. 

Zombie collage.

Saltire (with my reflection in it!). 

And as an extra, some train ticket tags.  And for FairyHazeDesigns:

Unicorn pizza base prints.

Fabric paper textured cards (made from this tutorial).

Mushroom collage.

Silk painting, with salt added cards.

And with some extra silk, some gift tags.  I really enjoyed this swap, and have already signed up to another!