Ratty chair mended. tick

So I started to take some before pictures for this post and I had 2 of my little helpers come in an explain why I had to do this!
This chair was fine other than being all ratty looking and my husband had been on me to get a new chair, but I hate to waste anything, so I fixed it!

"Oh hi momma! I will demonstrate how it is done!"

Not to be left out Mr kitty comes in and wants some action also!

As you can see it really needed mending, but this time I thought I would use some carpet and hopefully it might last a bit longer.

I took the carpet and wrapped it around the chair. I then measured how much  was showing of the chair back and added a a bit either side for mistakes and stitching/seams.

Then I clipped it all together, inside out of course.

I then took it off the chair and sewed it up; I ended up having to do it by hand, my awesome Bernina serger just didn't want to know it. Didn't take long at all though.

Pictures can be enlarged by clicking on them.

The picture on the left is when I used running stitch and on the right is mattress stitch. Next time I will definitely use running stitch again.

I also used cooking twine, you know the stuff you wrap your stuffed beef rolls with, I thought it would be stronger.

And this is the after.

I know posting to blogs you are supposed to tidy it all up and make it look straight etc.. but blah. It's neat and tidy and not ratty looking anymore at least :)

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Just a little re-fashion on a cardi, nothing much here

I haven't been doing much at all, the stingy in me has been putting off having a heater on, however that leaves my fingers so cold that it is hard to do anything other than rug up under a blankie.

All is well though, the heater has made it's way on, it's still cold ( it has a big area to heat up), but certainly not as frigid.

So just a quick share of some knitting machine books I found at an OP shop... I love to OP shop!

They are old, but there are surprisingly a whole lot of things I think are so cool!
On a knitting machine note also. I was lucky enough to be taken by my husbie of gorgeous to a NSW Machine knitters guild open day.
We couldn't get there till it was almost over, and I have to be honest 1/2 way there I was telling my husbie to turn around and go home, as I was so frightened.
I have to say also though, that from the minute we walked in the building, you could hear genuine laughter and chatter, and when inside was welcomed so warmly, by such lovely ladies.
Other than the knowledge of these ladies and the presence of like minded people,; I just had a wonderful time, and went away with such a warm feeling.
I joined! not that I will be able to make many meetings due to only having one car, but the sweet lady I was talking to said it didn't matter.
I could rave for ages about how great this group of ladies is,even the newbies like me, also!
Instead I will just say, if you are a Machine Knitter in NSW you simply MUST belong to the group... or even someone interested, come along for an open day, it is wonderful.

Next I have a little cardi I rescued from an op shop.. what can I say I am a sucker for chenille.
It was just a little bit plain to wear with anything so I made a little plan of attack... here is the before pictures, notice those UGLY UGLY buttons! he he

The plainness of it just made me look so much bigger than the big that I am at the moment; And the buttons just had to go!
First thing was to go through my nanny's stash of buttons and find something I liked... yes, as you can see below just plain old gold buttons. Thank you Nan.
Next, I did a little diagram of the idea I had for it: (less the white surrounds of course)

First I tried to add the design via Tambour work, but the powder puff yarn I had and the chenille... well lets just say I have no patience!
So I remembered seeing in my knitting machine manual a page for tubular cord, so I made a few lengths as you can see in previous posts.
I tried to get it similar to the idea I had, but my little kitty boy wouldn't leave me alone, and even sat on the pins I had in the cardi keeping it in place(he was not hurt or stuck, I checked...luckily), that was when I just came to the " it will do" mindset, as I wanted it done and out of the way.
LOL remember to wait till kitty boy is sleeping next time!

Here are the after pictures:

It looks a little more like a Octopus huh?

Just for a little bit of sweetness, here is my kitty girl inspecting mommas camera:

I love this girl!!
Hope you have a day of sweetness and fun!
 Jo :)