A-Z challenge C

C is for Coaster

A coaster is something you have under you mug so that the table don't get stained.

I have made many of these over the years in various crafts, it is one of my go to presents for when I am in a hurry or don't know the recipient all that well. It can be made very personal or for whomever. It can be made seasonal or for everyday use. In short coasters are very diverse.

You can make a set of alike coasters, matching coasters or you can give one person coasters for different occasions because everybody likes a little seasonal decorations.

My favourite mug with my favourite coaster.

 I have made a lot of crochet coasters in my crafting career, and you van't get away from the old mug rug type in crochet (knit, or sew), these are easily washed and usually made in cotton.

Here is a link of some of my favourite crochet coaster patterns on Ravelry. In just six months I made about 30, and gave away all but six, most were done using left over bits and bobs so they were family inexpensive. 

When I cross stitch my coasters I buy a plastic coaster frame, you can get one with a pattern or without, round, square, I have even seen a hexagon one. After you are done cross stitching (make sure your pattern fits into the frame before you stitch it) cut it to fit, use some clear glue (optional) and pop it into the frame. It can be removed at any time to be washed or changed. None of my plastic frames have melted yet so I am sure you can put you hot mug on it.

All of these are made as gifts made for the recipient, most of these patterns are from cross stitch magazines, they usually have an abc section in each magazine. The E is cut out and put on paper, so I think you can use the plastic frames for paper crafting of coasters too.

The top design is one of my own with quotes from Star Trek. The yellow is made to look like the font used in Star Trek TNG while the red is from Voyager. 

The bunny coasters are for bunny people with a initial on it, I didn't know these people very well, but I knew they were bunny people and I knew their names so I made coasters and gave them tea and chocolate in my swap. The bunny design is from a Cross stitch card shop magazine I think.

As you can probably tell I love making coasters and some designs are more fun than others so I have made them several times.

I have long wanted to do some coasters in Hama beads after my friend *Kio made some, the darker photoes are taken from her blog and the white ones are from hamabeads homepage.

Today's letter is from a cross stitch pattern I have made.

Happy Merry Valentine

 And in Norway today is also Mother's day! Yay. So happy Mother's day.

Aishiteru anata. <3

M and I celebrated a little yesterday too, since he had forgotten my present at the post office. I got a lovely bunny calendar and chocolate. Bunnies gave me a mothers day present too, a heart bowl to put my candy in.

only in white, my mother also got one, but she got the matching mug too and chocolate, the doily and   two heart coasters.

bilder lånt fra Nille.

I made fourteen of these little hearts, two for M for Valentines and the others to family for their birthdays which we are on our way to now. Fourteen hearts and one doily helped me to use up 97 grams of yarn. ^^ Mostly scraps and Søstrene Grene cotton.

Bunnies are not so lovey-dovey today, as they are having a siesta and sieastas are best when single apparently. But the other day I caught them playing tag with lots of binkyes and ending with kisses so they are good.

My continuing Knitting adventure

I have done it! With lots of help I have managed to knit a sock! And it fits M snuggly on his foot.

My next goal is to make one with lots less help and without any added stitches. 

( I started with 56 and ended with 59, I have no idea how I managed that, but at least I didn't loose any.)

 And I don't have to finish by the end of Socktober, just Christmas;)

Look! They look rather smashing when worn.

And Mimle thinks they smell weird, daddy's feet usually stink more, these socks are practically odorless.

When not worn they look a lot less like a sock and more like something monstrous that resembles a sock but not quite. Valmin seems to think so too.

 In other news, I am preparing for Halloween. I had a party last weekend with my friends and I made these cool coasters. I also decorated and made a small ghost, I want to make more ghosts and make a garland. I hope to have another Halloween post ready later, but I really liked this pattern, the yarn were leftover yarn from my aunt, Sandnes Duo and some thick wool embroidery thread. We al dressed as witches and watched Kiki's delivery Service and Sweeney Todd, I love both movies. :) I had fun well into the morning with a cozy breakfast. The bunnies I think had as much fun, they got lots of treats and pets and the don't really like guests, but my friends are OK. ;)

On Halloween we are going to another party. I wonder what I'll dress up as then...

On Sunday M and I were invited with by a couple and went to see the Martian, I liked it, although the 3D effects hurt my head and the boys behind us were thoroughly obnoxious. Space and the sea are indeed equally frightening to me and I would not like being stranded by myself at all.