Still here

Sometimes things happen in your life and the only way to deal with them is to retreat. I've not felt much like blogging recently or scrapbooking but I have been reading blog posts. Knitting has been a lifeline as it fulfills the creative part of me.

 I had some lovely birthday presents, this one from my husband

 and this one from my son

 I've made a shawl

 some more socks

 another shawl

and I'm trying to crochet this autumn wreath but I'm not sure fiddly little things are my thing. I'm determined to get it finished though.

I hope you are all well and had a good summer x

my life of knitting

I can't remember when I first started to knit or who taught me but I think it must have been my sister who could always do things better than me. I do remember trying to knit myself a mini dress when I was about 12yrs old, thankfully I gave up as it would only have looked good on Twiggy and would have taken me years to finish.

The knitting really took off when I was expecting my first child and I was able to make little matinee coats and crochet a shawl in the sure knowledge I had complete control of his wardrobe.

Each child would be put in a little knitted cardigan and I would feel very proud of myself

by the time I got to number four child I felt experienced enough to try harder patterns and you can just see the Fat Controller on this cardigan, it also had Thomas and I think Gordon or James on the back. Oh the hours of untangling yarn as I knitted away for my little darling, it really did try my patience.

Then came the bad years, no one wanted my knitted garments. A jumper I lovingly knitted for my husband was worn once and then left in the wardrobe till I took it to the Charity Shop in the hope that someone would like it. I made several jumpers for myself but they always made me look like an elephant, a beautiful cabled sweater that nobody wanted and a bed jacket that was finished late on Christmas Eve for my Mum, she never wore it.

I decided knitting was not for me and gave away all my wool, as always I was a failure.

 Then came the grandchildren and I was tempted to get out the needles, I was quite pleased with this little top

so made it in another colour, unfortunately it was too small!

 I had a go at making a bag

 a family of snowmen

and some hats.

Now I have my knitting journal and I want to note down all of the things I make. There will be a section for old knitting and different sections for socks, shawls, knitted animals and maybe if I'm brave enough and lose 2 stone I might attempt a garment again. A nice loose cardigan, long enough to cover all the lumps and bumps, it can't be too hard surely?

Mondays, Memos, Mail and Me

The weather has certainly changed in this little corner of  England, not much chance of venturing out into the garden today.

The postman did bring me a few little plants which I am nurturing in my greenhouse, hopefully my garden will be a riot of colour in the summer, that's the plan anyway.

I also had a lovely skein of wool delivered which I'm using for a nice easy oaklet shawl I found on Ravelry here. The yarn was from YanTanTetheraYarns.

I was also very fortunate to win my book club prize for April, I love the handmade cushion and the book looks very interesting. I'm thinking I'd better give the easter egg away as there's been far too much chocolate eating this week and I need to get back on my diet.

waving to Sian and wishing you all a good week x

Mondays, Memos, Mail and Me

 There has not been any interesting post this week but I have been busy making these little egg cosies using a pattern from http://littlecottonrabbits.typepad.co.uk/. Now I don't have a boiled egg very often but I know I used to make them for my children, so how come I could only find one egg cup?

 I have made several layouts but they seem to be quite minimal in design. I feel I have too much stash and this is hindering me scrapbooking, it was all much simpler when I only had a few things to use and more enjoyable I think.

The weather continues to improve and we are enjoying lots more walks now, my fitbit the other day said I had done nearly 18000 steps so that must be good.

waving to Sian and wishing you all a good week x

Monday, Memos, Mail and Me - on Tuesday!

I started this post yesterday but couldn't get the photos off my phone, so I'm trying again today. Sometimes life feels a bit drab and there is little to say but this week I have a few things to share.

 I've finished this pair of socks.

 started a memory blanket with leftover wool

 treated myself to this book

 went out for a delicious Indian meal, the starter was my favourite bit

 walked along the harbour in lovely spring weather which has unfortunately disappeared now

and made a few cards using Pinterest for inspiration.

I've also been doing a little scrapbooking, a lot of reading and I'm revisiting Downton Abbey from the very beginning, not a bad way to while away the hours.

waving to Sian and wishing you all a good week x

Monday, Memos, Mail and Me

It's been a very quiet week here in my little house by the sea. We've tried to walk out each day despite the weather turning cold and windy again. I've got up each morning and done an aerobics dvd, that's two weeks on my diet and fitness regime and 4lb loss to show for it.

My main aim was to finish this moorland blanket by attic24 and here it is in all it's glory. Following along with the moorland blanket cal has kept me focused and it's been the quickest blanket I've made. I love the colours as they change and was really ready for the blues of the sky by the end. I'm looking forward to snuggling under it and getting back to a little sock knitting.

waving to Sian and wishing you all a good week x

Monday, Memos, Mail and Me

It's such a good feeling when you can look back on a week and think we've really achieved something. This becomes extra special when you are retired and each day blends into the next, sometimes motivation is lacking and nothing gets done.

 The weather has been gorgeous so there was no excuse for doing some gardening. This little bird kept me company as I set about the task of ridding the garden of ivy.

 This parcel arrived, so beautifully packaged I didn't want to open it.

 I forced myself though as I knew there was a gorgeous bag inside made by Emma http://eldenwoodcraft.co.uk/. I've long admired her knitting bags and was lucky enough to grab one on her last shop update.

My moorland blanket is done except for the border as the instructions for that will be up on Lucy's blog this Friday.

So a good, productive week, lets hope the coming one is the same.

waving to Sian and wishing you all a good week x

Memos, Mail, Me: It's Monday

Another Monday, how quickly time goes by it will be spring before we know it. It's been a good week here with a lot of time spent by the fire with my crochet and knitting, I can't think of anything I'd rather do at the moment apart from scrap booking, I have managed three layouts this week, great to get my mojo back.

this is one of the layouts, following Shimelle's Design Decisions class.

I have had a couple of pretty things through the post which have really brightened up my day.

This lovely little box arrived this morning, something I ordered a couple of weeks ago. I've seen people receiving these boxes on instagram so I went over to the shop here and chose the autumn box.

 I fancied making this gorgeous wreath for next autumn.

 The little box was full of pretty things, the pattern, wool, a crochet hook and an acorn stitch marker, it really was delightful

talking of stitch markers I've also treated myself to a snowdrop set from this etsy shop, aren't they cute? They came with a couple of extras which was a nice surprise.

I really must stop treating myself now as I'm wasting far too much time browsing on wool websites and planning future projects.

waving to Sian and wishing you all a good week x

Me on Monday

doing what I do everyday, the sudoku, in a vain attempt to keep my brain active.

It’s been a lazy weekend, watching tv, reading and on the computer

For the first time ever I took advantage of a certain Valentine’s meal deal and enjoyed peppered rump steak with Ian. I could get used to this high living!

I also had the urge to put down the crochet and do some knitting so decided to join in with this challenge of Melissa’s and made a wash cloth using a free pattern on Ravelry by Jan Eaton.

Hi to everyone joining in with Sian's Me on Monday

enjoying the peace

As the weather turns a bit cooler and the nights draw in I’ve been enjoying watching the television again and starting my coastal ripple blanket. Somehow I feel less guilty watching the likes of Downton Abbey and Our Zoo if I’m making something.

I’ve also made a couple more cards from the Online Card Class. They never turn out as the examples, I’m far too messy, but I enjoyed making them.

the final shot

21. A photograph of you with an artistic tool or craft supply

I’ve not been able to do much scrapbooking this summer and I knew I wanted to have some craft on the go so I’ve been slowly making my ripple blanket following a pattern by Lucy found here.

I’ve finally finished all the photos for Rinda's summertime photography scavenger hunt. It’s been great fun to do and I would like to thank Rinda for hosting it.

winter hats

I’m really enjoying knitting these hats and using up some odd balls of wool.

I found this pattern at my mum’s. I love that it has Freda’s name on it, an old friend of my mum’s who has been dead for many years, it brings back memories just seeing that.

and this is the pattern I’ve been using if anyone fancies having a go.

a quiet month

with a lot of this white stuff on the ground I’ve not felt like doing much this month

yesterday I finally finished my Christmas Journal and sorted out the mess associated with it

I knitted myself this hat as I finished the last series of House

and today I made my first layout of the year following a sketch by Shimelle

a festive weekend

I’m looking forward to joining in here over the weekend, should be a lot of fun and help me get in the festive spirit.

I’ve been quite good this week

The Christmas pudding has been made

A Christmas cardigan has been started for my granddaughter

and another card made thanks to My Minds Eye blog here

I’m now ready for more ideas and inspiration thanks to Jennifer’s  blog