This was the view from my front door yesterday morning. And today we are going to see this. I hope hope hope the trains are running!
December 19, 2009
December 01, 2009
Let the Festivities Commence
What with carols and nativity's being practised in school, songs being played in shops and Christmas advertisements starting in October, it is really difficult to explain to children that Christmas is a LONG way off. However, once they begin opening those little doors, it is not a long way off! And let's be fair, the magic Christmas holds to a small child does not last forever, so once December hits, I fully indulge in their excitement.
Our house is the proud owner of 7 advent calenders (I know!). It thrills me ever so slightly that my two love these colour-in ones the most, shunning the gimmicks of plastic toys and chocolates (although they do have these also). Do you spy my little crochet pile which sits with me as I hook away whilst observing my little artists? They colour the surprises for each other and do the front for themselves, and are so proud each day when their little picture is revealed. Now the merriment has begun!
November 23, 2009
Stillness
Oh my time do fly! This is my first year of blogging in the lead up to the Christmas season, and isn't it tricky to squeeze everything in? I barely have a moment to catch my breath, let alone thirty minutes to scribble a post.
I have, however been so busy with my knitting and crochet. The blanket continues to gobble yarn and is growing and growing. Gifts are on the needles (see above), I can't say I am really enjoying this project, it is a Kim Hargreaves Beret and the second one I have made. The first was in grey and didn't seem such a chore, but this one is black and combined with tiny winey needles is making my eyes go quite funny! And my little head is bursting with ideas for presents and decorations to make.
In addition to this, a few like minded friends and I have set up a little Knit n' Natter group. Sometimes meeting three (I know three) times a week. We LOVE it! We stitch, problem solve, eat cake and generally put the world to right, and are such a glamourous bunch, I quite regularly let the group down with my (literally) just got out of bed look!
Plus, I cannot stop daydreaming about this as a Christmas party outfit. So today for just a few moments, I am going to sit still, and knit, whilst visions of Lacey Playsuits dance in my head!
November 10, 2009
Broken Rules
When I started my latest WIP, I made a few rules to adhere to. One of them was to both join the squares together and sew in the ends as I went along. I have failed miserably. Now I know that the UK postal strikes have been blamed for unpaid bills and forgotten birthdays, but I maintain that these strikes are the reason for these piles which are all over my house.
To explain further, this blanket is literally GUZZLING Rowan Pure New Wool in Enamel and Frost. I source most of my yarns on line and it is just not arriving as quickly as I am hooking it.
Thankfully, my stash is replenished and at the moment, my wool supply can be maintained. And, on the plus side, my other rule was to finish this project in three months and for once I seem to be on track....postal strikes permitting!
October 30, 2009
Pumpkin Time
Halloween is one of our favourite times of year. Due to a slight discrepancy with my Abel and Cole Veggie Box this week, combined with The Husband bringing home an armful, we have wound up with seven pumpkins this year.
Seven pumpkins are never a problem. Already Ivy and Oscar have scoured the internet, selected their design and performed artistic surgery. I still have mine to do, and the Abel and Cole ones will adorn our spooky nature table, before their incarnation as curry/soup/pasta sauce.
Have a spooktastic weekend x
October 19, 2009
Time for a Nap
Thank you so much for your sweet comments about my blanket. You are so kind and encouraging and your praise is valued.
I have been hooking away hard on my latest project and hope to share some pictures of it later on in the week. I love the way that memories are worked into crochet projects, often nothing momentous or otherwise memorable, maybe just repeatedly being asked who my favourite Batman baddie is, or of Ivy and Biba vying for the closest position to me on the sofa whilst watching "Strictly".
I have also been working far too hard and missing too much sleep, so I am going join Biba and catch up on a few Zzzzzz's this week.
October 12, 2009
The Reveal
Here it is, at last!
Six months of delicious work, and lots of lovely Rowan Wool/Cotton, I am soooooo proud!
Many of you have been so encouraging and enquiring about this project and it has taken me almost two weeks to take and post these pictures.
This is my first attempt at crochet, you may remember that I am self taught, from this book. In addition to this I have also scrutinised other blogs to extend my knowledge and skills, and while I still have a way to go, I am rather pleased with my blanket.
I have affectionately nick named this my "Bauer Blankie", as I hooked away happily whilst watching the first six seasons of 24. This was of course accompanied with a "Dexter" edge! I am now enjoying Season 3 (Dexter) whilst snuggled under it, with Season 7 (24) on it's way this week, what a way to spend these cool October nights.
As I tidied my blanket up for these pics I noticed it is already smeared with chocolate (I am blaming the babies!) but then bunny cuddling and tea drinking is just what it is meant for!
October 08, 2009
Sneak Peak
Just a quick little hello today. I know I promised a "show and tell" of my completed blanket in my last post, but I have been working like crazy this last week. I think tonight will clock me up around 80 hours in the last week (poor me) in addition to that, they are all night shifts, and I sleep very little in the days in order to be around for the children. I am sooooo tired!
In the meantime, just to whet your appetite, a little peak at my new project. And of course a promise that I will very soon show my blanket, and give a little more detail of this new lovely hookiness.
October 01, 2009
All Finished
My beloved blanket is finally finished. It took ages, but I am so pleased with it. I have not yet taken any photos of it, because they have to be just right, but I will do a final "reveal" very soon.
In the meantime a little peak at my new yarn stash. I have been collecting this slowly (wool is so expensive) over the last few weeks, and was quite suprised at how much I had when I looked last night.
My next project will definately have squares in circles, which are so popular at the moment and will have a lighter more bedroomy feel to it. I will also be using Pure Wool (Rowan) instead of the Wool Cotton mix which I have used in the last blanket.
September 29, 2009
Blackberry Liqueur
I know I am probably a little late in the season with this post, but it is very nice so I have managed to snap it today and squeeze a little more blackberry goodness in before the end of the month.
Stuart and the children picked this lot of berries one Sunday a couple of weeks ago whilst I slept (post night shift you understand). We had already made lots of jam the week before and I had the recipe for blackberry liquer in September's Country Living mag in my head so we thought we would give it a try. Actually Stuart made it while I was working. He called me just before midnight to say goodnight.
S - "I made the liqueur"
L- "Are you drunk?"
S - "Don't be stupid, I have only had two glasses, Hic!"
If you decide to make it, it is pretty potent, but a dash works rather well in a cold Prosecco!
