Nimble Fingers and Steady Eyebrows

Pollen Laden Bees

noreply@blogger.com (nimble fingers and steady eyebrows) — Tue, 21 May 2013 03:02:00 +0000

Dear Laura,

On Sunday, R and I upgraded our beehive, well we added an extra box because the bees had almost completely filled the first. All weekend we have been watching the bees leave and enter, leave and enter the hive, legs filled to bursting with pollen. They use the pollen to build comb and feed the young. To us this is an excellent sign of the hive thriving it has almost quadrupled in size since we installed it just a month ago.

Lots of Love

Annie

Octopus Dress

noreply@blogger.com (nimble fingers and steady eyebrows) — Sat, 18 May 2013 20:08:00 +0000

Dear Laura,

I finished my octopodes (thanks Wendy) dress, yipppeee! I am so excited, it feels so extra special because it has both you and Sabrina (Wolves of London) weaved so tightly into it. I was extra careful with everything I was using because I didn't want to waste a single bit of fabric or ribbon. I just about managed to keep the octopuses the right way up and didn't cut too much measuring tape ribbon so I can have enough for a belt. I just realised when I said finished I meant half finished with some small seaming and hemming to correct as well as a belt to make for it. But well, I have no patience so I wanted to show you. I apologise for the wrinkles, I have been wearing it a lot and have been sitting all day, it needs an iron.

There are a ton of things I need to correct but I love it, I even wore it to work (and will continue to do so). There were lots of positive comments but my favourite was "Annie, you aren't just an engineer, you are an artist!" extra marks there, that will be the first sentence on my CV from now on.

Lots of love

Annie

The View From Where I Blog

noreply@blogger.com (nimble fingers and steady eyebrows) — Sat, 11 May 2013 15:38:00 +0000

Dear Laura,

As you know the lovely Sabrina over at Wolves in London has asked us to show her the view from where we blog, your view is utterly gorgeous over on Circle Of Pine Trees. Natalie over at Slate Grey, Lime and Hay has a brilliantly surprising view and so now it is my turn... Unlike you and Sabrina who write so beautifully, I am not a writer, I really mean not a writer, I am a mathematician by training and an engineer by trade. There is a cherry tree that dominates our back garden, I am a little obsessed with its beauty and photograph it all the time, this is what I see when I blog.

As well as barbecues, bees and building works

The red cardinal that sometimes comes to visit

The flowers on my kitchen table bathed in sunlight

When I blog, I blog in the kitchen generally on a Saturday morning with a cup of coffee, happy to see the weekend in and glad of the potential it will bring. You were right Sabrina, there are indeed bees in my blogging view as well as barbecues and building works, and right now there are the luminous new leaves filling the sky. We are gradually gradually building our world around us.

But my favourite view is a view I have no picture of, from the same spot in the evenings were I keep R company as he cooks, and I knit, crochet, hem with a glass of wine as the delicious smells of supper surround us. This is where I am happiest, in these quiet moments of the day.

Lots of love

Annie

Crafty blog tour & giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (nimble fingers and steady eyebrows) — Fri, 10 May 2013 07:20:00 +0000

Over on Circle of Pine Trees, I am taking part in the Crafty Magazine blog tour. Do pop across for the chance to win a copy of Girls Night In, the latest craft book by Hannah Read-Baldrey. You will find my review and the giveaway here.

Octopus', Friends And, Of Course, Dresses

noreply@blogger.com (nimble fingers and steady eyebrows) — Sat, 04 May 2013 13:48:00 +0000

Dear Laura,

I hope you appreciate the punctuation up there in the title of this, I don't know if it is correct but it hurt my brain just trying to remotely get it right. I have been sewing with some exciting fabric this week. It was designed by our friend Sabrina (you can check out her blog WolvesInLondon and her guest post). She has been playing around with some designs but when I saw this one, I just loved it so much she very kindly put it up so that I could buy it. Look at those tentacles!

I am making a dress with it, I thought it was be fun. The fabric arrived at work and everyone was very intrigued by it so I promised I would wear the dress at work one day for them. My work isn't terribly formal but I will make sure it isn't a day clients are in. I have been playing my usual game of pricking myself with pins as I make adjustments to the fit and have minor heart attacks when I think that I have cut the material too small. The dress isn't finished yet as I had a friday night trip to buy the zip last night to put in (check out my exciting friday nights), but I am hoping to complete it by the end of the weekend.

(what I hope the dress will look like)

(trying to get my darts right, Great British Sewing Bee you have a lot to answer for)

(some pin jabbing to get the fit right)

I can't wait to show you the finished product!

Lots of love

Annie

handmade with love

noreply@blogger.com (nimble fingers and steady eyebrows) — Wed, 01 May 2013 11:56:00 +0000

Dear Annie,

It wasn't until I started crafting myself that I fully appreciated just how special it is to receive a handmade gift. I now recognise the thought, effort and time that has gone into something which is handmade with love.

This stunning crochet blanket is a present from a very dear friend of mine for the soon-to-arrive baby. It is absolutely beautiful. The colours are just stunning and it's the perfect weight for a Spring baby. I couldn't love it more! Thank you, Amy. It is currently packed away in my hospital bag, and will certainly be used with love.

Love from,

Laura

Sunday Morning Dress

noreply@blogger.com (nimble fingers and steady eyebrows) — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 13:56:00 +0000

Dear Laura,

Gosh it has been a while, I have been buried under mounds of dust and windows. We just had ALL our windows replaced which caused chaos in the house. I am pleased to say we have no more holes and lots of lovely new windows. In amongst all the mess I did have a chance to get the sewing machine out. Just for a little bit on Sunday morning, before a paint brush and cleaning supplies were thrust back into my hands.

It has been heating up here in DC, not summer hot, just a gentle spring heat to lure the leaves to open and the blossom to being to fall. This lead my mind to those long hot summer days we have here in DC and I wanted to make a dress to prepare for them. The key to very hot weather clothing is light material (not too light so you can see through) and loose fit. I find light jersey is the best for this and I found this lovely dark green. I am not 100% satisfied yet, I have to fine tune it a little bit but this dress is super comfortable and is going to be extra light and airy for the coming summer heat.

I see from the photos it could do with an iron! Also since the great British sewing bee, I am terribly paranoid about my neatness of stitching and "raw edges". I am trying to live up to their high standards!

lots of love

Annie

hooked again

noreply@blogger.com (nimble fingers and steady eyebrows) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 10:24:00 +0000

Dear Annie,

It's been a while since I picked up a crochet hook. Today, I made a few little crochet flowers to use on homemade cards. It was good to know that my fingers had remembered what they were doing because I have my eye on a new crochet project.

Since you so kindly gave me Kat Goldin's fabulous book for my birthday, I have been desperate to have a go at one of the gorgeous patterns. I would like to begin by making something for the baby, I just have to decide what- there are so many tempting patterns, and I have so little time!

Love from,

Laura

Bee Portraits

noreply@blogger.com (nimble fingers and steady eyebrows) — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 02:35:00 +0000

Dear Laura,

For the last month we have been impatiently waiting for spring to arrive here in DC, Well last week summer leap frogged spring and slammed into the city. Surprised by this sudden burst of heat and sunshine everything bloomed at once. The dog woods, the daffodils, the tulips, the magnolias, and of course the famed cherries. It was utterly beautiful for three days and now the blooms are dying down and the leaves on the wintery trees are bursting forth and we have, at last, arrived at spring.

Of course the best thing about spring are the bees, they started flying last week, we lost all but one hive over the winter and that hive had to merge with a new swarm because it had lost its queen. So here we are, at the beginning of another year, I can't wait to see what the bees will be doing this summer.

Lots of love

Annie

feeling crafty

noreply@blogger.com (nimble fingers and steady eyebrows) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 08:26:00 +0000

Dear Annie,

Just before the Easter weekend, I treated everyone in the family to a magazine. My own choice was the first issue of a brand new craft magazine called Crafty.

If you haven't come across it, I highly recommend it. It has a lovely clean, stylish look to it and a refreshingly modern approach to craft. Having an interest in the politics of craft, I was excited to discover that it includes a regular column on Craftivism, amongst other delights.

I also read (and loved) the article on vintage cameras and submitted some of my own vintage snaps, as requested. I am pleased to say that they have been featured on the Crafty website.

As D had some days off over the Easter weekend, I was also treated to some time with my feet up to get on with my knitting. The baby blanket is still only just over halfway complete, so I am knitting in any spare moment that I have!

Love from,

Laura

Whole Outfit: Cosy Comfort

noreply@blogger.com (nimble fingers and steady eyebrows) — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 17:02:00 +0000

Dear Laura,

You know how libby over at trulymurtle is making an outfit a month. Well this really stirred something inside me. I think it is amazing and such a great idea. She is pretty quick, hugely talented and nifty with those knitting needles and her sewing machine. I on the other hand am much much slower. But I love the idea, a whole outfit made by hand just for me. I have been planning my outfit for ages and it has taken a litte while to complete. I went with cosy and sleepy as I started putting the outfit together in winter. Here it is...

So the pijama top doubles up as a nightshirt. It is made from a stretch cotton fabric and is insanely comfortable, I made up a random pattern for it and it is a bit wonky, I learnt quite a few lessons for my next top like this. The pijama trousers you have seen before as have you the lovely toasty slippers and my blanket of love.

Next stop is a cardigan or jumper with a dress and maybe even a piece of jewelry to compliment. This might take me until the end of the summer though but I will proudly show it off once I am done.

Lots of love

Annie

tutorial: embroidery hoop scarf bag

noreply@blogger.com (nimble fingers and steady eyebrows) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 21:10:00 +0000

Dear Annie,

I decided to make myself a storage bag for my camera cables and charger, which are always being mislaid. I just wanted something quick and simple to make. Having seen embroidery hoop laundry bags on Pinterest,I thought that I would adapt the idea using a smaller hoop and a vintage scarf. It was very quick and easy, but I was pleased with it, so I thought that I would photograph it as a tutorial:

Love from,

Laura

Some Sunshine To Brighten Up the Dark Days

noreply@blogger.com (nimble fingers and steady eyebrows) — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 13:39:00 +0000

Dear Laura,

It is not only the UK that has been suffering this long drawn out winter. Here in DC it seems like it is taking forever for spring to bounce into our lives again, so I am taking matters into my own hands. Well by that I mean that I have made this cushion out of some lovely bright mustard yellow material to substitute for the sun until it decides that it is in fact time to show up and get the blossoms started.

Not much longer one hopes!

lots of love

Annie

p.s. Happy Easter! There isn't much celebration over on this side of the pond, no holidays or anything, but I have managed to snaffle a chocolate bunny to enjoy later today. I hope you are having a fab easter weekend.

sewing on my mind

noreply@blogger.com (nimble fingers and steady eyebrows) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 09:48:00 +0000

Dear Annie,

I'm sorry for the lack of posts lately. Both boys have been ill and so have I, and there hasn't been much time for crafting. I've been slowly knitting away at my blanket, but nothing else!

Now, however, everyone is on the mend and I have sewing on my mind. As you know, and as anyone who also reads my personal blog may also know, I am expecting another baby in about a month and a half.

Now that I have my new sewing machine, I would love to make something for the new arrival. I had a dig around in my fabric stash and rediscovered this fabulous green animal-print cotton sheet that I picked up at a Brocante in France a few years ago. It came with a pillow case, which I made into a cushion, using the remaining scraps as patches for an eiderdown that I found at the same Brocante. The sheet, however, I have been loathe to cut into, and as yet I have struggled to think of the right project to use it for.

I did wonder about a quilted play mat so that I could keep a large section of the fabric intact. I have been perusing my sewing books in hope of inspiration but I am hoping that some of the clever sewists who read the blog might have some suggestions!

In an ideal world, I might manage a little sewing time over the Easter weekend. Here's hoping!

Love from,

Laura

Toasty Slippers

noreply@blogger.com (nimble fingers and steady eyebrows) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 00:24:00 +0000

Dear Laura,

I have been knitting, it is very exciting, I feel so free, now the blanket isn't staring at me wanting my attention. Do you remember that wool that I bought at loop, well one of the many wools that I bought at loop? I finally got to play with it and I made these toasty slippers. Inspired by a picture nancy at figs and roses put up a little while ago, I desperately wanted a pair. So I figured it out, played octopus needles, at one point I think I had 8 needles occupied at once, redid the heels and the toes a few times but finally managed to get them just right. They are a little big, if I was to do it again I would leave off a couple of stitches but I love the way the cables go down the front.

There is one thing that annoyed me though, the needles I used were horrible. Horrible, there was a gash in one of them and it kept ripping the wool, it was heart breaking. It was pretty frustrating as every time I changed needle I had to check which end I was using. Anyway, I am enjoying my new slipper-socks now and will wear them with great joy whilst winter turns into spring.

Lots of love

Annie

A Selection of Things

noreply@blogger.com (nimble fingers and steady eyebrows) — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 15:16:00 +0000

Dear Laura,

This is what I have been up to lately

: : Signs of spring

: : Tiramisu creation

: : Touring DC with my sister

: : Friday afternoon off with a coffee and my knitting

The knitting is nearly completed, I can't wait to show you.

lots of love

Annie

Crafty Pen Pals

noreply@blogger.com (nimble fingers and steady eyebrows) — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 02:37:00 +0000

Dear Laura,

You remember Ksenia right? She posted here a year or so ago but I always like to think of her as the lady with robots on her dress. Anyway other than having fantastic style she has been knitting away like a crazy thing. I have no idea where she finds all the time. You might recall how I made these pijamas for her, knowing what a fan of giraffes she is. Well, I had to let her know in order to get a couple of measurements and what should appear in the post a couple of days ago but a little package just for me with these beauties in it! (there were also some white rabbits, the sweet kind not the real bunny kind, they didn't last long enough to take a photo).

They are amazing, she is such a talented knitter, it always astounds me when people produce such beautiful stuff. They also go with this scarf she knitted me a little while ago.

I love it and I love that we have been sending crafted bits back and forth so much now that I do believe we are proper crafty pen pals. What better than receiving a parcel with homemade goodies in it. Long may it last.

Lots of love

Annie

twenty minute tote

noreply@blogger.com (nimble fingers and steady eyebrows) — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 07:59:00 +0000

Dear Annie,

As you may remember, for the last few years, I have given my Mum a handmade present for Mother's Day. I didn't want to break with that tradition, but with a birthday party to organise, time was short this year. Thanks to Mollie Makes, I came across a bag tutorial from the Purl Bee called the twenty minute tote. I'm not sure that I was quite as speedy as that- I suspect that it was more like an hour long tote once I had gathered my materials and set up the sewing machine, etc.- but twenty minute tote is pleasingly alliterative, so I'm sticking with it!The fabric was left over from my upholstery project,so it was a thrifty gift as well as a speedy one- all I needed to buy was the cotton webbing for the handles, that and couple of little goodies to go inside.

Love from,

Laura

A Small Purse

noreply@blogger.com (nimble fingers and steady eyebrows) — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 00:09:00 +0000

Dear Laura,

Often I head out with R for a nice afternoon walk around the neighbourhood. Generally I am not so keen to carry my big wallet around with me so I made this small purse. Just big enough to carry a couple of my cards and a little bit of cash, it is perfect for our little walks. I have to make sure I have some cash for essential ice creams and such like.

Lots of love

Annie

superhero cuffs

noreply@blogger.com (nimble fingers and steady eyebrows) — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 13:04:00 +0000

Dear Annie,

Do you remember the superhero capes that I made for the boys for Christmas? They are going to come in very useful this weekend because S has requested a superhero theme for his birthday party on Saturday.

Last night, I whipped up some felt superhero cuffs to match the capes. I had a look at several examples on Pinterest and then came up with an approximation of a pattern. They were really quick and simple to make, and the two junior superheroes are delighted with them.

Love from,

Laura

PS: Please forgive the hastily snapped photos. As I had already discovered, superheroes don't stand still!

Casting On

noreply@blogger.com (nimble fingers and steady eyebrows) — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 00:53:00 +0000

Dear Laura,

Spring is in the air, I could tell by the brisk cold winds and the snow today. However, the birds have begun to chirp again and the golden daffodil heads are popping up all over the place. Waking up from the sleepiness of winter it felt like a good time to start thinking about what to do with all that lovely wool I bought at Loop with you.

Now over the last two months I have to admit, I have been picking up some of my skeins and giving them a hug. I can't help it, the wool is so soft and the colours so vibrant. My first project (of three) is to make some cable knit socks. As you can see I haven't got too far yet, but I am so excited to be working on them. These will be my first pair of socks and I am going to try to make up the cable pattern too so I imagine it isn't going to be the easiest journey. It is so fun to be knitting again!

Lots of love

Annie

birthday number badges

noreply@blogger.com (nimble fingers and steady eyebrows) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:10:00 +0000

Dear Annie,

Last night, for the fifth time so far, I made a felt number badge for one of my boys' birthdays. It is a tradition that I am so glad to have started. A little simple stitching, usually the night before, and the next day there is a mama-made badge to make the birthday boy feel extra special.

This year, S wore his badge proudly to school, which made me smile. I wonder what age we will reach before a felt badge is just not cool enough. Hopefully there are a few more birthdays to go first...

Love from,

Laura

PS: The original idea for the badges came from Whip Up.
PPS: Your blanket is utterly gorgeous! I am so impressed. xx

A 3 Year Love Story Part2

noreply@blogger.com (nimble fingers and steady eyebrows) — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 02:46:00 +0000

Dear Laura,

I am back, the blanket isn't blocked, we had 24hrs without water, not so good, but I am going to show it to you anyway.

There it is, I am so happy with it, it was a long and rocky road. I won't lie there were times during those three years I wanted to give up, there were times I just got so bored of the same stitch again and again. But there were also so many times where strangers and the friends I have made here on the blog helped me, motivated me, or just kindly and simply said that they liked something about it. I have the melancholy that falls when something that has brought me so much joy has come to an end, but then I remember that really the blanket has just come to life. I like to imagine the people who will be warmed by it, who will laugh at the pom poms, who will be cheered by its very presence.

And now when I snuggle under it, it reminds me of those 3 years, it reminds me of you, it reminds me of the quiet time I have each night with R, it reminds me of my mum who helped me with reading the pattern, it reminds me of carrying it to England, of the land which I have left, it reminds me of my nephews and nieces who were transfixed by the individual squares and their little fingers gripping tightly to them not willing to let them go, it reminds me of this blog, of all the people I have met through it. Everytime I snuggle under it, it will remind me of all of that, of these last three years, it will remind me of love.

Lots of love

Annie

A 3 Year Love Story Part1 can be found by clicking here

guest posting: Queenie and the Dew

noreply@blogger.com (nimble fingers and steady eyebrows) — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 09:50:00 +0000

Dear Annie,

I am guest posting this morning, over at Queenie and the Dew. I'm talking about why I blog and what blogging means to me. Do pop over and have a read!

{Completely unrelated photograph of our Magnolia tree in bud, taken last week on a rare day of blue skies.}

Love from,

Laura

A 3 Year Love Story Part1

noreply@blogger.com (nimble fingers and steady eyebrows) — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 15:35:00 +0000

Dear Laura,

As I am pretty sure you remember, two and a half years ago you suggested that we embark into our first ever crochet projects. Always willing to learn new things and to follow your lead I dived head first into my very first crochet blanket. It wasn't as easy as I thought. Actually learning how to crochet was hard enough, then once I had got my colours sorted out and my squares underway, I realised what an enormous project I had just taken on and had no idea whether I would be able to complete it.

And so every night whilst R was preparing supper, I would sit in the kitchen with a glass of wine beavering away on square after square. I love this time, it is so quiet, he works away at whatever delicious creation we are lucky enough to have on that day and I sit there, sometimes entertaining him, sometimes just working away at my knitting or crochet. It is the time of the day when I feel most at peace and I look forward to those 30 minutes everyday.

At times I just closed my box of squares for months on end, unable to ever bare to look at them there were so many left to so. Occasionally I would ritually lay them out to make a blanket shape and once again realise how few I had made and how many more there were to go. Then finally before christmas I decided enough was enough grabbed a colour and started to join them, fairly unsuccessfully at first, I began to hate my blanket again but soon I was flying and now all I need to do is block it. Which I will do this weekend so I can show you the blanket in all its glory. For now, here are some of my favourite bits...

Crochet in a lovely cafe in New Mexico

Playing with my squares rather than actually doing any crochet

Packing everything away for months on end

Attempting to make myself feel better, the distance between the squares is telling here

First blocking, from circle to square

Joining the squares

All it needs now is a final block.

I am so excited to show you the finished product.

Lots of love

Annie