Finished, Nearly Finished and Started

I have finished the table runner, and I'm very pleased with it.

It fits nicely on my table but I don't imagine I will use it as it's not really my colours. I like brighter colours and I only made it to use on Create and Craft if ever necessary.

I've not only managed to sew in all the ends on my blanket but I've also gone all the way round working the border. I'm not sure how many rows I will do at the moment I'm thinking 5 might be good.

On another good note I have started on my homework for Spectrum. I'm going to work in 3D this time, I think I might like it more if I work that way rather than in a sketchbook. I've never been happy working in sketchbooks, maybe it's my dislike of drawing.

After my previous post I've had a couple of emails about the wool I'm using for my shawl. Which goes to prove that people do read my blog but just don't leave messages. If you are one of those said people please do leave me a message. Anyway back to the wool. It came from Boo's Attic and is called Ethereal Serenity, is a lace weight (2-ply) and the colour is Jewel. The fibre content is 70% Baby Alpaca, 30% Silk and it really is a dream to knit with.

I thought I'd show you these flowers because they are so pretty. They are left from a bunch that I was given last week. Unfortunately the other roses have hung their heads in shame and are now in the composting bin.

Now I know it's some considerable time until Christmas but I have made a start on my pressie shopping. There is no way I'm going to leave it until the last minute again it was a nightmare last year, never again. So when I saw this sketchbook in Paperchase I knew Steph would love it. The only thing I have to do now is put it somewhere safe that I'll remember. It's safe for me to put it on here as she doesn't read my blog.

Wool

This weekend Neil, Dawn and me have taken the shop to Cottenham for Textiles In Focus . We are now two thirds of the way through and all three of us are tired. It has been very busy and good fun. We've had time to catch up with  friends and of course Dawn and I have made a few purchases.

 The stall next to us is Boo's Attic, run by Clare who hand dyes the wool she sells. The wool is gorgeous and a delight to knit with, I know this because it was one of my purchases. Clare has got some beautiful shawls hanging up and I obviously need a new shawl. If you fancy making one for yourself the pattern can be found here and is called Radiance Shawl by Helen Stewart. It's very easy to make, no complicated stitch patterns.

 I've nearly sewn all the ends in on my blanket, it hasn't taken as long as I thought it would. Hopefully I'll get it finished this week.

If you're planning a visit to Textiles In Focus tomorrow then do pop by our stall and say hello.

Where Did the Time Go?

I know I've been busy but I hadn't realised that it's nearly two weeks since I last updated my blog. I did have good intentions of doing it on Monday evening but there was a bottle of wine in the fridge with my name on it so that put paid to that idea and last night I was working so here we are today.

Last Wednesday was the Spectrum meeting and guess what, I was in trouble. No surprise there but it was my own fault, I didn't do my homework. I didn't do it because I don't like my project. I know it was my choice and I liked it at the time but I've changed my mind. Any how teacher put her foot down (understandably) and has convinced me to give it another go, so I will.

Although I haven't posted I have been busy.

I made some bunny bunting for another 'how to make' for a local magazine.   

My crochet blanket blanket is one step further to being finished. All the squares and rows are now joined and  I'm really pleased with it. The only thing is I've got hundreds of ends to sew in and then the border to do.

I've nearly finished the dresden plate table runner. I'm really pleased with the quilting.

The back looks just as good.

Last night I went home and made raspberry and white chocolate muffins for today's ladies.

On Sunday we went to see Sam, Amy and Eva. It was Amy's birthday and she was having a little family celebration. It was lovely to see them all, but especially Eva. We don't see enough of her and she is changing so fast. She is a beautiful happy little girl.

Be Happy

Freddie + mummy = happy

Ellie + chocolate = happy 

                                     
                                              One table runner - if I could just get it quilted it would make me happy.

Freddie was quite happy playing under his activity gym and then Ellie joined him. He has every reason to look scared.

Nicki popped by the shop yesterday and Ellie put herself in charge of deliveries.

She's very good at opening things but hasn't quite got the hang of what to do with the contents, what she has  got is a good arm for throwing.

Walking

On Sunday morning I took myself off for a walk round Ferry Meadows. I had a lovely walk and met a lot of people but most important of all I road-tested my earmuffs. They worked perfectly - I had cosy little ears and listened to my music. 

I managed to get a photo of a basking squirrel, obviously making the best of the sunshine. 

On Sunday afternoon I spent a few minutes turning some of the Xmas cards into gift tags ready for next year. What's the betting that when I need them I can't find them? I might give them to Neil to look after.

Monday I went to Grafham Water for a walk. I walked right out past the dam and only came back because it started to rain and I didn't want to be stuck the other side in the middle of a downpour. I could have walked for miles.

Maybe I will go back at the weekend and walk all the way round but then again it might be cold and I'll decide to stay in. Neil has plans for Sunday so I may have one of those rare days when I'm on my own, as long as the children don't read this.

There has been some making going on but I haven't taken any pictures so I'll post about them later in the week.

Taste Test and a Pressie

Andy made Grasshopper Pie (recipe from The Hummingbird Bakery book) and sent a piece in for me to try. It was very light and not as sweet as it looks. Well done Andy, I look forward to the next tasting. 

Neil presented me with this cute box, me being me I didn't read the wording but I knew it wasn't a pair of boots.

I was pleasantly surprised when I opened it. Now I can listen to my music and have warm ears at the same time.

I know I'm spoilt especially as Christmas and my birthday were only a few weeks ago but I'm not complaining. I will be as snug as bug in a rug with these and my heated coat when I next go for a walk.

Have a great weekend.

Sunday Update

We've had some busy days and some quiet days at work this week due to the weather. The quiet days though gave us a chance to get quite a lot of housekeeping done. We had some fabric deliveries this week so yesterday we had a move around and put out the new fabrics. These are some of my favourites.

I used a dresden plate to make this cushion, it's a sample ready for when I next have to demonstrate that particular template on Create and Craft. It's nice to be ahead for once.

This afternoon I went to Grafham Water for a walk. I know it was trying to snow but I wasn't the only one there, it was surprisingly busy.

These geese were happy to be out in it.

A view (distant) of the dam.

Last night we had this little fella to stay. He was much easier to look after this time but I still had to cuddle him all night. Well someones got to even if it is a tough job.

A Little Creativity

These hearts are what I had to write an article about, for a local publication. It was a 'how to make' guide, it was the second I've done and have another four to do. So I need to put my thinking hat on and come up with something for next month.

Yesterday evening I made lemon drizzle cake for the Tuesday Strippers at the shop.

On Sunday we all went to Steph's for dinner and to meet the new puppy, she's the fluffy little white one. Ellie adored her and I have to admit she is very cute but not cute enough to make me want another one.

I have lots of sewing to do and so many things I need to catch up on once I've posted this - I'm off to my sewing room for a couple of hours. I did wonder what my chances are of having a visitor-free weekend but I wouldn't bet on it, I don't fancy my odds. 

Cards And Flowers

We had a lovely time on Thursday evening. The children came over and we had a takeaway, a vote was taken as to what it would be and KFC won the majority. Not at all healthy but it doesn't hurt once in a while. I had some lovely gifts, including this bouquet of roses from Nicki and Anthony, aren't they lovely.

These are my two favourite cards. The sewing one is from Steph and Nick, the other is obvious as to who it's from.

I think  Ellie may have helped with this bit.

There hasn't been much creativity going on this week so I've got a lot of making-up to do next week. Tomorrow I have some prep work to do for a magazine article I've got to write on Monday. It's got to be in by Tuesday, there's nothing like leaving it to the last minute. I did think I might make a start on it this evening and I also thought I might go for a walk but I was late home this evening so things didn't go as planned. I ended up having a bath and spending the evening in my PJs.

I seem to have cracked my sleep problem. I've been reading a trashy book that I've read once before - so trashy I won't even tell you its title. But it's badly written and you don't have to concentrate to follow the story. I did try to get back into David Hockney's biography but the second half is so hard going. It's as if the first half was written by one person and the second half by somebody totally different. I will try to get back into it another time as I really would like to finish it. Hope you all have a lovely weekend.

Another Year On

I'm another year older today and I don't mind. I've had some lovely cards and fabulous presents including two bottles of Archers. I really am not sure what people think about me but I will be very happy tonight! We will be spending this evening with the family maybe I will be lucky and get some more cuddles from Ellie.

Yesterday was the first meeting of the year for Spectrum. We met at Gina's house this time as the hall is so cold. It was very kind of Gina to let us invade her home but that's where the kindness ended, she made us draw all day. I hate drawing. We had to draw shells using different mediums. We started with spaghetti and ink.

By the time I did the last one there had been a slight improvement but I stress the slight. After this I gave up and just chatted to the others. 

It was great to catch up with the girls and just for once it wasn't me that got sent to the naughty step it was Gill.