Blog - Page 8 of 12 - Clobber Creations

Wool makes update: Crochet by day, knit by night

Post author:clobbercreations
Post published:March 31, 2017
Post category:Crochet Knitting Stash Busting
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No completed achievements to show this month as I clink on with a couple of larger projects, but I fancied sharing some photo updates of my progress: Crochet by Day I'm a lunch crocheter at the moment - well, a broomstick crocheter anyway - and am currently working on a birthday present during my lunch hours. The wool is called Senses by Stylecraft, and it's been lovely to work with. Phill has noticed that it does look like I'm knitting a camouflage to avoid returning to work through! Knit by Night My "at home" project is a knit a jumper with one ball mission. Phill bought it for me from the local wool shop and it's been partially complete for 1 or 2 years (I lose track). I went wrong on the sleeves by misreading the pattern and had to undo a huge chunk so I am back on sleeve #1! Upcoming! I'm quite determined to complete the above mentioned projects before I begin this one, but I got this kit from my friend for my birthday, and I'm very keen to begin it!

Eat.Sleep.Surf the net. Apron

Post author:clobbercreations
Post published:March 10, 2017
Post category:Upcycling
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Usually, my poor family members get a handmade gift, whether they want it or not! However, my dad has learned this, and decided to make practical use of the situation. Sometimes, I ask them what they want before deciding myself. My dad was ready for the question when it came to his birthday gift. (more…)

15 minutes closer to goals

Post author:clobbercreations
Post published:March 3, 2017
Post category:Goals and Time Management
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Sometimes, I get home and sewing is the last thing on my mind. I'm still struggling to unwind from the day's activities, I know I have day-to-day tasks in the periphery of my mind, calling for my attention, and my energy levels are usually right down. My initial thoughts are to resist the chores, eventually do them and then go to bed zombified! However, I know that my hobbies are important to me. in the past, I've come straight home from work wolfed down dinner and then sat obediently with my knitting project for a good few hours before opting for sleep. Admittedly, i wasn't struggling with chronic fatigue at the time, but it was my main goal at the end of a hard day's work. Over the last few weeks, 15 minutes has been my target. 15 minutes of knitting or sewing, but I strive to complete 15 minutes of each. I can be reluctant to begin, but I invariably go beyond the timer. There are times when I do 15 minutes and I am ready to stop when the timer goes off as well. Sometimes, you need to ease a habit back into your life when your energy levels are taking over your day to day lifestyle too much. I gave this approach a go when I read Scavenger Annie's post on 'Sewing for pleasure, sewing for pain'. I admired her decision to take her time making the Tilly and the Buttons' Coco top by setting aside 20 minutes a day over 2 weeks. I have a different chronic illness, and I often find it affects my energy levels. Setting a timed session helps me to stop before I get too tired. 15 minutes doesn't feel like that much, but with 15 minutes, I have completed a short sleeved knitted cardigan I have avoided for years. I have returned to another knitted project. Admittedly, I had to unravel a few days of knitting last night when I realised why the sleeves were coming out too long (I'd read the wrong increase pattern for the size I was making) but it still feels like progress. It feels like an element of control has been reigned back after a couple of bumpy years. Elise Joy Daily Goal Tracker It's only been a couple of months, but I've achieved a fair amount in knitting, sewing, yoga and reading. While the 15 minute timer has worked wonders for a threshold, one other strategy has helped and it's Elise Joy's Daily Goal Tracker. I am a big fan of the Elise Gets Crafty Podcast, and was intrigued when she offered a free downloadable daily year tracker for 2017 in her newsletter. Her tracker is great because it is a simple indication of the days where you did or did not complete or do part of a goal. All of my trackers (yep I went with 4!) are general habits I wish to develop this year. They do link to goals, but they are…

#sew my style – February – The Saunio Cardigan

Post author:clobbercreations
Post published:February 26, 2017
Post category:Craft Skills Dressmaking Sewing
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February has whizzed by, and I was slightly concerned about getting the second Sew my Style make made in time for the end of the month! However, I did not have to worry as it turned out to be a relatively simple make, even if it was with knit fabric. (more…)

Reading Passport 2016 update – February

Post author:clobbercreations
Post published:February 24, 2017
Post category:Inspiration
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I am becoming well known by the staff in my library from this challenge, as I think there are very few people undertaking this reading challenge! Well, I have struggled to speed up with my reading and the deadline of 31 March is proving to be difficult. However, here is my update for February. (more…)

Polka Dot Shift Dress

Post author:clobbercreations
Post published:February 17, 2017
Post category:Dressmaking Sewing
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For the last few weeks, I have been going to some dressmaking classes nearby. I thought it might be useful for learning how to adjust and adapt patterns, as this is something I don’t do very much of. (more…)

Picture framing course

Post author:clobbercreations
Post published:February 10, 2017
Post category:Applique Craft Skills Craft Tools
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Recently I attended a day workshop on how to build your own frames. It’s not something that is necessarily feasible for me at the moment, but it’s definitely something I would like to try in the future. (more…)

The 19 day cardigan make (and my 4 year cardigan make!)

Post author:clobbercreations
Post published:February 3, 2017
Post category:Knitting
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I did not make the 19 day cardigan – my mum did. and the 19 days include the days she went to work and days she couldn’t knit; it’s just how many days it took from purchasing the wool! (more…)

#sewmystyle – January

Post author:clobbercreations
Post published:January 28, 2017
Post category:Dressmaking Sewing
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Here is my first make as part of project #sewmystyle The first pattern was toaster sweater 2 by Sew House Seven. This is not a pattern I would automatically choose myself. However, the whole point of completing this challenge is to move out of my comfort zone! I chose a red jersey fabric from a local haberdashery. This fabric was sturdy, which works well to maintain the neck collar. The instructions are detailed well. I used the pdf version to save money and found that using a guillotine sped along the cut and stick stage! Another new product I tested with this make is using carbon paper, which revolutionised the cutting stage! It is much faster as I did not have to trace my size and then cut it out before pinning it on. Tilly and the Buttons have a great tutorial on how to use it here. This was my third attempt with knit fabrics and I decided to use my overlocker for the seams round the shoulders and down the sides. I was quite nervous using it as it trims at the same time, leaving little margin of error! However, it does a great job as it feels less like you are going to stretch the garment out of shape! It's very quick too. The main issue I had was with using a twin needle. I adjusted the tension and used knit hemming tape alongside a walking foot, but I think that a stretch or ball point twin needle was needed. I wasn't sure about the dropped hem at the back, but now it's made, I like this feature. Overall, it was a great make and I look forward to starting February's garment; the fabrics ready and waiting!

Reading Passport 2016 update – January

Post author:clobbercreations
Post published:January 27, 2017
Post category:Inspiration
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One of my goals this year is to complete the reading passport by the deadline they have to be entered for their prize draw - 31 March 2017. I may have studied literature in the past and read 1-2 books a week, but I have been struggling to step up the pace (probably because I don't have the hours free time I did back then and there's no looming essay deadline!) The Great Gatsby (1920s) after gaping at the size of Gone with the Wind (and the age of the version from my work library) I promptly defaulted to the second book I picked up - The Great Gatsby. I read this one before New Year. I found this book easy to read and perhaps do not feel as ambivalent towards it as I didn't have to study it at school. It's quite a short book and quick to read. I like the classic narrative style in it with its allusions to events in the future and the narrator's own heightened view of himself. As it's written in the first person, I am naturally drawn to the debates of reliability in the first person narrative, and am suspicious of any declarations he makes about himself, and to an extent, others. To Kill a Mockingbird (1960s) I've just completed this book and am dazed! There's so much covered in just over 300 pages. I struggled slightly for the first 50 pages, but after this I felt compelled to carry on reading. It's written so well from the child viewpoint of Scout (Jean-Louise), daughter of a lawyer is called to defend Tom Robinson in court. It covers many issues, including what equality means and how a child's logic can highlight contradictory values held. Next up - The Life of Pi (2000s) I'm jumping around the generations in this challenge! the Life of Pi is the next book in my list. However, with February approaching fast, it looks like I am going to have to read much faster than I am currently!

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