"The Craft Group" plus...

Jennifer is a multi talented lady. She is also very generous with her skills! During Lydia's pregnancy she crocheted this beautiful baby blanket. And after the pregnancy Jennifer shared her skills as a Physician who used to specialise in lactation consultancy. Now that is a great friend to have when you have just had a baby! Do you love the zig-zag crochet pattern? Have you done it before? I must admit that Wendy T showed me once how to do this pattern. I completed about 30 cm of a rug and then came to a grinding halt. The problem was that I needed to count. Every up and down of the chevron pattern... I was counting. Counting and watching TV. Counting and chatting. I nearly went mad counting so decided it wasn't important enough to loose my sanity over. So I stopped counting. And I stopped crocheting my zig zags.  I know a truly talented crocheter can zig zag, count, watch TV, plan the week's shopping list and talk on the phone all at the same time but...

"It's the thought that counts" the saying goes. But no, if you don't buy your mother a Mother's day present, it won't do to just say "I thought about it Mum, and it's the thought that counts!" It's not that I'm after presents... hang on, that's a lie, I LOVE presents! It's just that I feel it's important to teach my kids the value of giving to others. The giving is all the more meaningful when some thought, care and effort has gone into the gift. Which brings me to this week's "Show 'n Tell"...  Bev I. and Jocelyn made this lovely quilt for Pat L for a special birthday. Wow, what love and care and thought went into that! To top it off, there is a great label on the back. All handmade must have a label! Well done Bev and Jocelyn, you are SO thoughtful!  And enjoy your lovely quilt Pat. We all know that you are really only 60 with a few years experience! This reminds me of th...

My ever changing blackboard door...

At The Craft Group we have a "Swap Shop". People bring in things they don't need anymore from their craft cupboard. Anyone can take items for free but need to bring something back in return the next week. Quite often there are large pieces of tapestry fabric and random bits of wool. I've never known what to do with the tapestry fabric base. Why not tie lots of pom poms onto it? Cosy! [source]

Years ago when quilting was first done at The Craft Group, the time came for everyone to sandwich their patchwork, wadding and backing together. It was such a lovely community event. Everyone breaking their backs for each other ;) It was really nice the other day to see Elaine and Narelle helping Kay to tack her quilt together. It is really a generous thing to spend time on someone else's quilt. But once someone has done it for you , you are always happy to do it then for someone else. This is Kay's first quilt. It's a lovely sampler quilt Kay made under the guidance of Elaine who is always so generous. It's a beautiful quilt Kay! Winter is a great time to tackle the quilting.  Remember, it is not like washing and cooking which we do and then have to do again and again.  Every stitch is one stitch closer to it being finished. Thanks for helping out Elaine & Narelle. I felt bad that I didn't have time to get stuck into it too. ...

Hi dear blog readers, hello? The other day my daughter had a big chat with her Oma on the phone and then after a while she realised the line was disconnected and Oma didn't hear a word of it. Now that felt a bit silly didn't it? I confess I am feeling like that about the blog. I do love blogging but, boo hoo, I rarely ever get any comments. (or many followers) There could be many reasons for this... a) No one reads my blog. b) A few people read it but it's not that exciting to comment about. c) People who are reading my blog are in cold, unheated houses and are wearing mittens and so it is hard for them to type a response. d) People by the thousands are trying to leave a comment but there is something wrong with the blog settings and it is not working. e) Everyone is playing Hide 'n Seek and I'm 'in' and you are all hiding. f) You are all teaching me a lesson that I should not blog for the feedback but for the pure enjoyment. g) All of the ...

My front door mat drives me crazy because it is always slipping out of its position. I found this tip and it slides around no more! It couldn't be easier. See how to do it HERE . .