Winter Has Finally Arrived :)

Helloooo....Winter has finally arrived...yay :)

We have had snow and the temperature has been in the minus'...now I wish I could post beautiful photos of whitewashed landscapes and powder coated branches...but I can't...the snow has been very light here and if it has snowed heavy its slushy...but there's been enough for us all to have a slip and slide and make ourselves giggle :) Its been Puppy Dogs first glimpse of a snow covered world...the early morning trip to the garden was filled with wonderment...by the time we got the garden she looked like a Dalmatian and she just stood there looking to the sky wondering what on earth was falling in from it! :) On our walks it really has frisked her up and she's pirouetting and proper skittish :) now we've always had smallish dogs...who look cute when they are playing in the snow....Puppy Dog is 5 and half stone....a skittish puppy who weighs that much is dangerous! She's nearly taken my legs from under me several times :) ...but its lovely to see them play...just like children...it takes me back to building snowmen...writing in the snow and making snow angels with my daughter when she was little...and thankfully my grandsons have been doing just that same thing this weekend...out in the snow as soon as it started...its heartwarming to see that the simple pleasures still exist in this very modern world... :)  

The list making and organising has continued this week...my crafty cupboard and desk look mighty organised :))) and crochet has been in abundance...my little pile of daily squares is growing...

I have finished my Patchwork Blanket order...that will be making its way to its lovely new owner next week...

and I have started the next blanket already....

Now I'm a lover of Stylecraft Special DK yarn...its fabulous to work with and is robust for blanket making...but a while ago I did purchase a "Cath Kidston" inspired pack of New Fashion DK as it was on offer at a fantastic price...this is what I'm using at the moment...and although it doesn't feel the same...the squares make up really quickly...its slightly thicker than the Stylecraft yarn...I think it will be lovely and warm when its finished...I'm not a convert but I am liking this yarn...I would definitely buy more :)

My bake this week was chocolate brownies...well sort of...I can honestly say that I have never had a brownie... as the ones in supermarket look dry to me...but I have been watching James Martins Home Comforts of an afternoon and he made chocolate and cherry brownies which looked delicious...so I got the recipe and decided that was what I would make...now he used fresh cherries...well there were non to be found (not surprising as they are not in season) so I substituted the cherries with....Rolo's...yes Rolo's...when I relayed this story to my friend when we had lunch she nearly choked...and we had a good laugh about it...well the said tray bake came out of the oven...and it didn't look like James's...in fact it was so sticky I had to cut it with scissors! Ha ha....my friend has a slice when we got home (now she is a lover of brownies) and she said it was lovely...although  she said I had made a new version as it wasn't like a brownie at all ha ha....well this is all thats left now....

and it has been yummy...its got better as the days have gone on...and I think the Rolo's were a great addition :)

Having given my previous mixer to my daughter she seems to have caught the baking bug and made these for her mother-in-laws birthday yesterday... don't they look lovely... :)

This week also sadly saw us lose two very British Icons to cancer...

David Bowie...I think there is Bowie for all of us...he re-invented himself so many times...and you may not have liked all of these periods...but there's so many songs to choose from... and....

the wonderful Alan Rickman...such a brilliant actor...who will be remembered by the young for Harry Potter and the old for so many other movies...may they both rest in peace...

We'll leave the sadness behind now...

my favourite find this week on Pinterest has been these...

photo from Pinterest

and I'm pondering on how I can make some...maybe Paper Mache......

I've decided that my list on the calendar today has just one task on it...it says...relax...so that's what I'm doing...Hubby is at work...so I will be catching up on shows I've recorded and crocheting...just lovely and cosy with the Puppy Dog who loves nothing better than being wrapped in snuggly blankets :) ...this interior photo I saw this week would be the perfect place today I think...

photo taken from Pinterest

It just looks so cosy and inviting.... :)

Well I will take my leave for this week....I wonder what next week will bring....

The vintage photo is....

childhood games...my goodness we used to skip for hours...I cant remember the last time I saw children playing skipping??? and do you remember "Clackers"...I loved these...I remember all the bruises from practicing so much to get it right...I'm sure we all say this as we get older...but I do think times were better when we all played like this...out with our friends... instead of computer games today which doesn't really involve any friends...or being outdoors!

This weeks quote...

I just loved this little girls face...and it does inspire you to..."Get Your Happy On"

Have a great week...enjoy everything you do...and go and jump in some puddles and Get Your Happy On!  Ha Ha xxxxxxxxxxxx

 

Yuletide Post.... :)

Good Morning....and what a good morning it is...Hubby has gone to work for a little...so Christmas 24 is on the gogglebox :0)...its SUNNY!!!! and its COLDER!!!! at last...as I've said before I do not like this mild weather in Winter!

Christmas has now been and gone and we have the New Year celebrations to look forward too...but we must just have one more post about the Yuletide...

My mom found this little beauty in the charity shop...and knowing my love of rocking horses she couldn't leave him behind...and I'm so glad...he sits perfectly on my tree and I love him...I hope he is happy to be loved again and settled in his new position (I know I wont hurt you...I think everything has a soul...that's why I cant get rid of things ha ha)...

Christmas Eve began the start of the celebrations...cooking...cleaning...last few visits to deliver pressies etc....this is what my mind looked like...thankfully my kitchen didn't look this bad :)

I managed to get well ahead in the food preparation...which was good news as I can get frantic :)

The mince pie was a labour of love this year...cutting out individual leaves to make the lid...but I was really happy with the way it turned out...and with its very boozy mincemeat filling...yummy...

in fact...the last slice has just been smothered in extra thick double cream...and devoured...for my breakfast! ...don't you just love having to use the leftovers....ha ha

and the Pavlova...more fruit (to make it a little healthy!) and chocolate reindeers :)

The Big Day arrived....and who would of thought it...Santa really does read my blog!!!! I had posted earlier in the month that I would really like this watch...from the House of Florrie and look what I found under the tree!

I just love it..so pretty and comfy to wear...and it came with a little gift in the box.....

The prettiest lolly...encased inside is a little viola flower and a buttercup...its just to good to eat.... :)

I had lots of lovely presents...candles...scarves...toiletries...gorgeous new mugs...a new mini suitcase for the next holidays...and this cutest little fox to join the shelf....and some new crafty stuff which will be used in the New Year....I have a plan....

Our home is quite small so we don't have a dining table...we have a fold up table which comes out when we dine posh...hence why its against the wall in the photos...we have to pull it out and use the emergency chairs! :)

the best cutlery...new plates and glasses all added to the Christmassy look and the sparkly table runner...I fell in love with that in the shop and just HAD to have it!

Puppy Dog was dressed in her Christmas collar....

and had fun opening her own pressies...of which there were lots...she is so spoilt...not just by us but all the family and friends too :)

These were Hubby's present from me...I had them commissioned by Annabel Burton...they are just the most beautiful watercolour paintings of Puppy Dog and our other very sadly missed babies...the paintings are beautiful and these photos don't do them justice...(as I'm rubbish at photos...ha ha)

My daughter and her family were heading out for their Christmas Lunch...and our two grandsons just looked so cute...I asked permission from my daughter to let me include these photos...I'm sure they will make you smile as much as they did me...

our proper little Northern Boys...ey by gum missus! :))))

I have to say that it has been a busy old time...but lovely...but I have missed my hooky time...I picked up the hook for the first time in ages yesterday...and I much prefer this tin of rosy colours :)

sweetie wrapper colours for one of the new patchwork blankets in the making :)

Well that's the round up of this years Yuletide...I hope you have all had a wonderful time...we now have New Years resolutions to make...and keep...and break.... :)

I will leave you with a vintage photo...which is very apt for me...and hubby...he reckons the scales are broke!

All that's left to do is to wish you all a Happy, Healthy, Loving New Year...enjoy the celebrations with ones you love...see you in 2016! This is going to one of the things I'm taking into the New Year with me....xxxxxxx

HAPPY NEW YEAR

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A Woolly Delivery :)

Morning Everyone....

What a beautiful week....weather wise...it has been here....gorgeous misty mornings with the sun just peeping through...the hedges and trees prettily decorated with spiders webs glistening with dew...just like they have been studded with crystals...you can see your breath...oh and the bit I love....you can smell the smokey log burners on the go :) ....this has given way to some glorious sun all day long...it really cant fail to lift your spirits....myself and Puppy Dog have been on lots of long walks this week...accompanied by my parents on several occasions as its just been so wonderful to have the sunshine....

As I promised last week....those lovely people at Wool Warehouse (Here) kept to their perfect service and my order of wool arrived Tuesday morning....which meant I have been able to complete my jewel Patchwork Blanket....

I just have the ends to tidy up and the pompom edging to do...(which I think I will get done today) and it will be ready for a new home :)

In my woolly order I have chosen some new shades that I have never used before...and I think they are quite lovely....and I cant wait to use the new colour being released in October....Duck Egg Blue!  I  always use Stylecraft Special DK as its beautiful and soft but hardwearing and washes like a dream...

new colours to me....Shrimp, Pomegranate and Violet

 

I also finished the little IPad bag I was making for a family member....I'm happy to report that they loved it :)

 

I have done a little more...but not much...on my granny square blanket...its patiently waiting in the "wings" to be picked up again...wont be long :)

I have been doing a little Autumn decorating....just to celebrate the season :)

I've picked gorgeous coloured leaves, acorns and conkers....

I placed some of the leaves around the sides of a hurricane lamp and placed a candle (safely in a glass jar...always be safe with candles!) in the middle....the reflected light is just beautiful...a cosy glow of colour...I'm really happy with it...and then just placed my collected treasures upon another leaf...my décor ornaments are very nature inspired anyway so they fit right in at this time of year :)

Now...to the mystery of the week....I sat down on Wednesday morning to make the little felted mouse for my wreath...which took all morning to make! It was ok and would have done just to put amongst the leaves etc on the wreath...then the post arrived....I answered the door and when I came back the mouse was gone! Now all the evidence pointed to Puppy Dog...she had a mouse's back leg hanging from her chin...she's quite happy to steal stuff that takes her fancy...but with soft toys etc she just shreds them into bits and spits it out - there was no evidence around...she has NEVER swallowed anything she has chewed up...but I assumed she had...so was waiting for her either to be sick...or for the offending object to be delivered from the other end...nothing as yet...so we are still wondering what happened to it...a complete mystery! Needless to say I will have to find another free morning to make another....but my wreath is up... its just mouseless :)

There has been two places I would love to be this week...the first...this gorgeous patio I found on Pinterest....

Isn't it just the most beautiful place to be? So stylish and elegant...a far cry from mine...ha ha

And the second...Yarndale Festival (link here)

It is a festival of creativity...just look at all those crochet and knitted flowers and bunting...loads of stalls selling woolly things...oh I would be in heaven...and all my pennies would be spent! :)

Well here's hoping that next week follows on from this and we get lots more lovely sunshiny days...here's this weeks vintage photo...a follow on with the Autumn theme...do you remember doing this as a youngster?

I remember doing allsorts with my nans help to try and make a winning conker...we would bake them hard...pickle them...then dry them hard...but I suppose the children today aren't allowed to play conkers...for health and safety reasons....madness....look at all the fun they are missing out on...we so used to look forward to conker season...throwing sticks to knock them from the trees...ahh the good old days eh?

This weeks quote....

So very true...

Have a lovely week all....value each and every moment and make so beautiful memories :) 

Enjoy everything you do...xxxx



 

Patchwork Blanket Pattern Info

 

 

Basic Pattern Information for

 

Patchwork Blanket

 

 

I'm not that brilliant at writing patterns but I try my best... :)

I have used Stylecraft Special DK wool (ordered from the lovely Wool Warehouse) and a 3mm hook throughout

Colours I have used are:

Cloud Blue, Lemon, Sherbert, Turquoise, Saffron, Fondant, Aspen, Sage, Parma Violet, Silver, Grape and a mixture of darker blues containing Denim, Storm and Aster

I used 240 Squares for my blanket which measures 54" x 34"  I made 20 of each colour...now because they are small squares you can use a lot of left overs, for each square you only need approx. 2.5gram so you can make 20 squares with 25gram of wool.  I used white to edge, join and border 3 x 100g balls was plenty.

I put the squares together totally randomly which I prefer

Each little square is just 3 rounds of granny shells (3 tr in one space)

I turn my work over after each round, this helps the square stay square and you don't get any twisting

tr = Treble Stitch
ch = Chain Stitch
ss = Slip Stitch
dc = Double Crochet Stitch

So here goes....

I always start off with a magic circle but use the chain 4 and join with ss to make a ring if that's what you prefer.

So with your ring I chain 4, 3tr into centre of ring 1ch, 3tr into centre 1ch, 3tr into centre 1ch, 2tr into centre ss around the post of first chain 4 to make the last treble...

This is after the third 3tr 1ch, the needle is indicating the 4chain post that is going to make up the third tr at the end (hope that makes sense)

 

 

 

That's the first round done, you should have 4 groups of granny shells (3tr) and 1ch spaces that form the corners

 

Round 2

 

 

Chain 3, turn over and work on the wrong side now, (your 3 chain will become the last tr post on the last part of the corner)

In the next ch space, 3tr 2ch 3tr (makes first corner) in next ch space 3tr 2ch 3tr (2nd corner) in next ch space 3tr 2ch 3tr (3rd corner) next chain space 3tr 2ch 2tr ss round 3ch to complete final corner

 

 

slip stitch around first 3 chain post made indicated by the needle to complete last corner

 

Round 2 is complete

 

 

Round 3

 

 

Chain 3 and turn work over so your working on the right side again now...

 

In next 2ch corner space 3tr 2ch 3tr (first corner made), in next space between the tr stitches making the corners from previous round 3tr, in next 2ch corner space 3tr 2ch 3tr (2nd corner) in next space along 3tr, in next 2ch corner space 3tr 2ch 3tr (3rd corner), in next space 3tr, in final corner 2ch space 3tr 2ch 3tr, in next space along by your beginning 3 chain do 2tr and join with ss around post of 3ch to complete the last granny shell



 

 



Slip stitch around the first 3 chain post to complete the last granny shell, shown by the needle

 

 

 

 

And that's it your first mini granny square complete!

Break yarn and sew in ends

The edging round is made in white, its just a dc in each stitch with 2dc 1ch 2dc in each corner space

Break yarn and sew in end, or weave it through the top of stitches, which is what I do

Sew in or weave in yarn end

 

 

I know some people like to leave all the ends and do them last, but I'm not one of those people I get rid of the ends on each completed square straightaway, but its up to you.

 

 

 

As each square measures 3" you can decide on what size you would like to make, and its a great project for using up the little odds of yarn left from other projects

 

Just have fun making lovely little piles of squares :)

As I said early I laid out my squares in a totally random colour pattern, but you could do it stripes or diagonals if you prefer

I joined my squares using the crochet together method using dc stitches, putting row 1 first square and row 2 first square wrong sides together and crochet stitch to stitch all the way along then add square 2 and so on until you have worked all the way across you squares, then start on row 3 etc...
There are many videos on YouTube showing you how to do this if its your first time at having a go...

I join all the across seams and then all the downward seams, they need to be done in continuous seams across and downwards to give a good finish

 

Seams being sewn across the blanket

 

Once your squares are all joined together across and downwards, go all the way around your blanket using dc in each stitch and again using the 2dc 1ch 2dc in each corner to keep it flat.

 

 

You can complete your blanket with any edging or border you like, I chose to do the pompom edging I found on Pinterest.  The pattern for this is beautifully explained photographed by Once Upon A Pink Moon, you can find the pattern on Pinterest by searching for crochet pompom edge or its pinned on my crochet board in Pinterest  Click Here its by far a better job at the pattern than I could ever do :)

 

Well I hope that you have sort of been able to follow this and have fun making one of your own, I think I'm going to start another one :)