Trying something new

This month I have a short list of things I would like to do. There's no point in having a long list since the month is rather short and there is a lot going on already, birdwatching, our visit to the Victoria and Albert museum and I've added in a visit to the orchid festival at Kew Gardens. I would like to do a couple of longer walks over the month and by longer I mean probably about 5 miles. I would also like to update our bedroom. It's been a few years since the last time it was updated and our tastes have changed. I'm currently thinking about paint colours or do I want to wallpaper as well as new rugs and a new lighting system. I'm not sure this is something that will happen this month but there are various options under consideration.

Last month I used double ended knitting needles for the first time. I'm not sure why I hadn't tried them before and I really liked that the sleeves of the baby cardigan didn't have a seam running down them. Having learnt a new technique in January I decided to try something new in February. I might even consider trying something new to me each month this year. Anyway this month I decided I wanted to try spinning. My mother had a spinning wheel but she didn't use it which always seemed a bit of a shame. I didn't particularly want to spin on a wheel, instead I fancied trying a drop spindle. Even as a child I can remember wanting to try spinning but the Disney film of Sleeping Beauty had put me off spinning wheels, the witch was just too scary for me!  I ordered the drop spindle and some fibre as a kit 

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The kit included 100g white wool, 25g hand dyed wool, 25g hand dyed wool blend and 25g dyed Blue Faced Leicester sheep wool. The kit came with instructions but the pictures were small so I visited YouTube. I watched a few videos to find the consensus of how to use the drop spindle. Different people give the information differently and I was particularly interested in the hints and tips people give. I am now as well prepared as I can be to get started. I'll let you know how I get on in a later post.

Meanwhile my large frog stitchery is going well and should be finished in the next couple of days. I'm using the floss from my stash and where possible using up left overs. All embroidery projects seem to create lots of left over threads. My idea is to use up as much of the leftovers as possible before buying new. I'm working on the same process with my fabrics and yarns.

I totally forgot that I had used a pen that is removed with heat. I went to press the fabric and suddenly realised I was removing the pattern. Fortunately the iron wasn't that hot! I also need to take the photo in daylight so you can see the colours properly. I'm happy that the stitching is progressing well. I want this and the remaining block stitched by the end of the month

 as my one monthly goal.

I'm working all week this week and so I won't get to the quilted jacket until Sunday. That gives me time to pull out the wadding I need and to reread the instructions for the pattern.  It will take more than one sewing day but I should be able to update you next week. This is my Chookshed challenge for the month.

The basket weave blanket I'm currently knitting is now about three quarters complete so could be finished this week. The blocks from the January scrap challenge just need to be sewn together into a quilt top for a child and I need to sort out my green scraps for this months challenge.

On Sunday my daughter and family came to visit and she gave me permission to share a photo of their new addition. He is so cuddly.

I hope you are all having a good week.

Take care

Lyndsey