Festival fun . . .

Well, it's been a while . . .  That was a much longer than anticipated, and actually quite unintentional break.  It's not that I've not been making or doing, there's really been quite a bit of that going on, but just that my bloggy mojo seemed to disappear for a while.  It seems today however, that it's back - so if you're still out there, let's catch up shall we?

Picking up where I left off . . .  way back in March, the highlight was very definitely a short but oh-so-sweet daytrip up north to bonnie Scotland and the delightful Edinburgh Yarn Festival.  "That's a long way to go for a day trip",  I hear you say. Well, yes I suppose it might be.  But with the wonders of modern aviation, it's really just a one hour flight each way.  So here's how the story goes:

Our lovely friends, Saul & Paulette were coming over from Boston, USA to visit for a few days.  Saul, like the Hubby is a metagrobologist and ardent collector of mechanical puzzles so together they had already organised a puzzle party to coincide with Saul's visit.  Paulette & I, let's be honest here, would prefer to knit ; - )

 So when Paulette emailed to suggest that perhaps whilst the puzzlers were puzzling, we fibre addicts should consider an outing to the yarn festival, I didn't hesitate.  Not even for a moment. 

 A few emails back & forth across the pond ensued and within mere minutes we had booked our flights and our tickets for the Edinburgh Yarn Festival.  Woohooooo . . .

 Kindred souls we are  : - )

And a few days later, with shopping lists made, comfy footwear donned and travel knitting projects packed for the flight, we got up early in the morning and excitedly flew north to beautiful sunny Edinburgh.

 Lovely Marina (she of RedSetter fame) joined us and oh what a fabulous time we had, ooh-ing and aah-ing over all the gorgeous yarns and pretty patterns and colourful stalls.   I was so busy trying to take it all in, and make sure we didn't miss anything out, that I hardly took any pics.

All too soon it was time to head for the airport and catch our flight back to Brum, but we returned with a few new additions to each of our yarn stashes and heads brimming with new ideas and future yarny projects. 

 And most especially, memories of a truly fun day shared. 

Oh, and we're already planning our next fibre festival outing . . . across the pond next year . . . probably be more than a day trip though ; - )

'til next time,

xoxo

Catching up . . .

Hello lovelies . . .  well, I started this year off with a determination to find my seemingly lost bloggy mojo and here we are, already almost at the end of January and still nary a post since the beginning of the month.

I'm not sure where it's been hiding (the mojo, that is) - perhaps in a little corner recuperating from the higgledy-piggledy-ness of the past few months.  But here I am again . . . it's Monday,  the chores are done, the dog is walked, and I've got a cup of tea and a yummy biscuit to hand, so let's catch up - shall we?

Here's what I've been up to over the last little while . . .   some crocheting, a bit of sewing, a dabble in clock-making, and lots of walks and play time with the two most-adorable-pups-in-the-world . . .

. . .  more sewing, a little knitty project, taking time out to read, sorting & tidying my craft space, enjoying the first snowfall of the year, and taking much delight in having my little quilt featured by @craftastherapy.  : - )

So that's it for now, neatly condensed into three little collages.  Hope you're having a happy January, and let's chat again soon.

'til then,

take care & be blessed

xoxo

knit, purl, pray . . .

"The knitter knows that time spent creating something beautiful and uselful can also be a time to be quiet and reflect. "  - knit, purl, pray

It's really quite exciting when someone you know is an actual published author, 

don't you think ?

It was a few months ago that my lovely friend Lisa told me she had another book coming out, so when knit, purl, pray dropped through the mail box last week, I couldn't wait to open it.

It's the perfect accompaniment to those reflective days when you just need to take time out from the busy-ness of a day to sit and be . . . and knit.  Or crochet, or weave, or spin . . .

The book is divided into short sections that you can dip in & out of it, and chapter titles like Lessons from my Knit Bag and I Speak Knittish made me smile.  

To know Lisa, is to love her  -  seriously, she's sweet, kind & funny,  and has the most infectious laugh  -  and her loveliness shines through in her writing.

It's not just for knitters of course, crocheters and other creative souls will enjoy it too.  There's even a chapter called Comfort for the Furry - I'll need to read that one to Ben & Jerry sometime ; - ) 

And in my yarn basket this week ?  I'm loving being a part of the Spice of Life Blanket CAL.  Apparently there are about 5000 of us from all over the world taking part.  Wow . . . that's a whole lot of pretty yarns being used . . .

I'm linking up today with Ginny's weekly Yarn Along at Small Things - do pop over & have a little peek at what everyone else has on their hooks & needles too.

http://www.gsheller.com/2015/10/yarn-along-249.html

'til next time,

xoxo

On my travels . . . Part 1: Alaska

Hello there, lovely bloggy peeps - I'm back, and looking forward to spending some time catching up this week.

We had a truly lovely, relaxing and fun holiday, and I'm enjoying wading through all the pics we managed to take, etching the memories firmly on my mind.  But here we are home again, happily reunited with the two most-adorable-pups-in-the-world and wading through a seemingly endless pile of laundry whilst battling the inevitable jetlag. 

So, would you like to hear a little about it?

It's hard to describe just how awesome Alaska is.  Seriously peeps, if you've not yet been, add it to your bucket list right now.  It is breathtakingly beautiful at almost every turn. 

 We began our journey in Vancouver, Canada (but more about that in part deux) and sailed up the coast through the Inside Passage to Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Skagway and the Hubbard Glacier, ending up in Seward.

There were so many highlights, but taking a helicopter flight over the glacier, going dog-sledding and traversing the White Pass are right up there.  Not to mention meeting this gorgeous little Husky pup who stole my heart . . .

And of course there were the yarn and fabric shops . . .   : - )

Every town had at least one, and the poor Hubby very patiently wandered from one to the next with me, whilst I ooh-ed and aah-ed, and hmmm-ed and haa-ed over all the pretty things.

It seems that crafty folk the world over are a friendly bunch and we met the loveliest of peeps in every store.  I did make a few wee purchases - always conscious of the limits of an airline baggage allowance, of course.   There was such an abundance of choice, so my self-imposed rule was that it had to be local.  So now I have some pretty Alaskan yarns added to my stash that I just can't wait to use.  Watch this space . . .

Hope all's well with you,

'til next time,

xoxo

 

I've been . . .

. . . A little under the weather :  

knocked sideways for a couple of weeks by the lurgy that seems to be going around at the moment, so really wasn't feeling up to much.  As a result, I most annoyingly indeed,  missed out on the little sojourn in London at the Knitting & Stitching Show. 

 Isn't that just so infuriating when plans you've made go awry all because of a horrible little germ-bug?

And look who popped in at the Sew Me Something stand to say hello to Jules & Claire,

  none other than some of our favourite contestants from this year's The Great British Sewing Bee.

Can't wait for the final this Thursday evening - so who would you like to win ?

. . . Doing a spot of knitting :

Loving being a part of the current Tangled Yarn KAL, knitting the Orza by Maison de Rililie.  It's such a lovely, friendly and encouraging bunch of knitty peeps that I'm knitting along with, but oh-my-word this pattern requires lots of concentration.  Something I couldn't muster much of whilst feeling poorly, but I'm hopeful of catching up a bit soon.  The pattern is just sooo clever, and an amazing design so I can't wait to see the end result.

. . . Hooking a bit of crochet :

Almost finished the Pick 'n Mix cushion cover - just the rest of the border and a pretty edging to do still.  

. . . And enjoying some Saturday sewing:

I started to feel a little brighter at the weekend (thank you lovely meds)  and  couldn't wait to get stuck into trying out the latest almost-hot-off-the-press Sew Me Something pattern that Jules has designed.

I can't show you the end result or tell you much about it yet, except to say that I  L.O.V.E  it , it's called Cordelia, and it will be launching sometime this Spring.  Woohoo... watch this space . . .

It's such a clever little pattern and I think it may just become
 my pattern du saison for S/S '15

 (sorry Kate)

 ;-)

Hope all's well in your little corner of the world, I'll try and catch up with you soon.

'til next time,

xoxo

Knitting along . . .

I'm on a roll here, sweet peeps - getting these WIPs ticked off left, right & centre.  Oh happy days . . .

So for today's Show & Tell, first up & off the needles is a snuggly striped cowl knitted in the yummy  Rialto Chunky.  An easy garter stitch knit that really didn't take long at all.  Methinks a cosy bobble hat in the leftover navy may be on the cards sometime in the near future too.

( I should add an aside here:  1) we have a new camera and I'm just getting used to it; and 2) the natural light today is particularly poor;  so please forgive the quality. )

The true colours of my new favourite stripy cowl are navy, teal, lime and fuschia - trust me, it's lovelier in real life.  At least, I think so . . .  : - )

Next on the list is a pair of chunky cosy ribbed socks that a lovely friend had started and then life intervened and she had to move house & all sorts of other stresses, so I've finished them off for her.  

Don't you just love that little card too ?

Now regular readers may recall that way, way back in May last year (yes, I kid you not), I started a lacy Phoebe Cape in Louisa Harding's Noema yarn.  (Read all about it here if you like . . .), and it has pretty much sat in my project basket, neglected yet hopeful for ages.  But happily I have retrieved it and am determined to finish it within the next couple of weeks.  So you may, if you like, hold me accountable to that and I'll keep you updated.

And the main reason I really want to get it finished now (besides still loving it ), is because I'm joining in with a fab new Tangled Yarn Knit Along to knit the pretty Orza Pullover by La Maison Rillilie.
 

Anybody else fancy knitting along too?
Have a little look HERE for more info about it, or pop over to Tangled Yarn and have a drool over the oh-so-pretty Mabel & Ivy Coast yarn that we're going to be using.

I've chosen Kit 3, well just because I happen to love blues & greens - I can't wait to cast on.

Image courtesy Tangled Yarn UK

 So you see, I really need to get cracking and finish Phoebe first : - )

As I'm linking up today with Ginny's weekly Yarn Along, here's what I'm reading in between all this knitting: 

Literally just finished my current Book Club read, and looking forward to delving into the stash of lovely mags on my beside table.

Hope you're having a happy week too,

'til next time

xoxo

Vector Scarf: tick

In keeping with my continued quest to tick off as many WIPs on my List as possible, I've finished the pretty Vector scarf.  

Can I get a YIPPEE-YAY-O ?

I so enjoyed joining in with this fun project and the Tangled Yarn KAL, and really would love to do the shawl version one day too.  It's just simple garter stitch but being knitted on the bias and the colour blocks make it interesting.  And I couldn't resist adding the teensy little pom-poms as a finishing touch.

Right, onwards & upwards with my quest  -  next on the list is Bridget the Elephant, who just needs two flappy ears before she's ticked off too.

 Watch this space  ; - )

Linking up with Ginny's weekly Yarn Along today, so do pop over and see everyone else's yummy yarny projects too.

Happy middle of the week,  hope you're having a great one

'til next time,

xoxo

The first "Ta-dah" of the year . . .

A mere two days into the new year,  how many of us have resolved to tackle the seemingly growing pile of crafty WIPs that lurks around,  just waiting to be finished ?  Could I have a show of hands please ?  (she asks, whilst simultaneously raising both arms in confession)

Right.  So.   Regular readers here will know that I LOVE a good list.  

And so, I have done what every self-respecting list-maker would do in these circumstances.

Yes, you've guessed it - I've made a List.  

But I digress . . .  

So, moving on and as promised, here's my first "ta-dah" of 2015:

 

 my newest make . . .

one side . . .

The pattern is The Viola Reversible Skirt from Sew Me Something, and the lovely fabrics are from  the Indelible collection designed by Katarina Roccella for Art Gallery Fabrics.

. . . and the other side

The pattern is geared towards beginners and it's so well laid out & instructed (ok, so I may be a teensy wee bit biased, but I do so love the Sew Me Something patterns),  and I already had my pattern size cut out from a previous make, so it didn't take me long at all.  I started making it on Wednesday and finished it up yesterday. 

So, that's that ticked off  : - )

Next on The List, is to finish up a little yarny project that I've been enjoying in this week 'twixt Christmas and New Year. 

 I joined in with the lovely Rachel at Tangled Yarn  (just btw, they have a fab sale on at the mo)  for the Vector Knit-Along, and am so loving this pattern and the yummy Sulka Legato yarn too.

 Only one more block to knit which hopefully I'll get done this evening. 

 

Coming it at No. 3 on The List is to finish the binding on my scrappy trip quilt.  Hmmm . . .  a planned sewing day with a crafty friend tomorrow may just see that one ticked off soon too.  Watch this space  ; - )

Happy weekend all,

'til next time,

xoxo

 

I've been . . . {another List}

• busily preparing for the celebration of Christmas

• to Scotland & back

• catching up with loved ones

• making.  Lots of making.

• baking 

Mary Berry's Orange Spice Cake -  absolutely deeelicious . . .

• sewing

• knitting

• shopping

• wrapping pressies

• swapping pressies

my lovely creative & talented Book Club ladies

• swapping crackers

Thank you lovely Sue from Crafts@home, my swap partner who completely spoilt me with an abundance of yummy goodies in the  Cracker Swap organized by Tracey over at Mad About Bags.  Squeee . . .

• making up our guest rooms for our family arriving to stay next week

• trying to keep on top of the laundry, the household chores, and muddy doggy paws

don't let that sweet face deceive you . . . those paws are mud-magnets

• planning my "week between Christmas & New Year" yarny project

  - a lovely Vector Wrap/Scarf Knit-A-Long with Rachel at Tangled Yarn.  This pretty Mirasol yarn arrived in the post today and I can't wait to cast on.  If you're looking for a project too - do join us.  (Just pop over here or have a wee look on Ravelry) 

 

So,
 are you "making a list & checking it twice" ?

Only 6 more sleeps . . .   ; - )

'til next time,

xoxo

* * * * * * * 

For Claudine, who was kindness personified,  truly beautiful inside & out, who loved to make . . . and who delighted in a good List too.  

RIP my sweetest friend . . . 

(1969 - 2014)

* * * * * * *

Today's list . . .

Winter is settling in here in the Midlands - right now it's cold and drizzly outside, just about perfect for a day at home, toasty warm indoors with the two most-adorable-pups-in-the-world curled up and dreaming of summer days chasing bunnies & squirrels & tennis balls & the occasional unfortunate cat that dares to get too close, while I get my craft on.

Right so, here's what's on my list for today:

1. finish The Date Night Dress : it's really only the little slip that goes underneath that I've still to do, but I just don't seem to be getting around to it, so this morning it's top of the pile.

2.  cut out & make a start to the Christmas gifts for my lovely Book Club girls.  Each year we set ourselves the fun challenge of making each other a handmade/homemade pressie. Last year I sewed little travel lingerie bags, and the year before I crocheted these chunky cowls . . . 

 

but you'll just need to wait and see what this year's project is.  Watch this space, I may give you just a wee peek sometime . . .

3.  turn this bundle of scrappy trip blocks into a completed quilt top.  Seriously, I started this quilt almost exactly a year ago and it really is about time I took it out and finished it, don't you think ?

The main reason I really want to finish my scrappy quilt is because I really want to start another one tomorrow.   I've had this lovely fabric in my stash for ages and as I'm heading over to The Quilter's Den in Warwick for a quilting day with my friend Jayne tomorrow, it's the perfect excuse to start a new quilt.  But I'm trying to be good with my WIPs and finish one before I start another.  (I know, I know - I hear you chuckle at the thought, but I really, really am trying to be more efficient with my making)

But before I knuckle down and get started, I just have to share a wee pic of my lovely cuzzie whose wedding we attended in Scotland last weekend.  It was the most beautiful day . . .

Oh, and of course I did a spot of road-trip knitting on the journey there & back. 

So tah-dah . . .

my new winter woolly scarf - knitted with the gorgeous Plump yarn from Mrs Moon.  It knits up so beautifully and comes in the most delicious of colours.  I'm thinking I need to get some more and knit some cosy mitts to match  : - )

Right, onwards and upwards  . . .  wish me luck with that list.

Wishing you a happy, crafty day too,

'til next time,

xoxo