Yarn along - hexi blanket update

I'm joining in with Ginny for this week’s yarn along; as usual I can't wait to see what everyone else is up to. I don't have a lot new to share with you this week as I'm still working on my hexagon blanket but it's progressing well and I do feel very pleased with it. I've just changed from trebles to doubles and I'm still deciding on whether to add a decorative edge or not - what do you think?

I think the colours work really well together and the blanket is keeping it's shape perfectly. It already keeps my knees cosy when I am busy hooking round and round.

I'm about halfway through “The Seamstress” and Kate was right the book is a bit slow at first but is well worth persevering with. I have also started to read "The Happy Project" but more about that tomorrow.

Don't forget to pop over to see Ginny here 

talk soon x

52 weeks of happy - 31/52..........

I am enjoying another happy week of summer but the weather has been mainly wet - please can we have the sun back  ....... as usual I am joining in with the lovely Jen and my 4 happies this week are..........

1. Choosing 'thank you' gifts for teachers

2. Sharing cake with good friends

3. Simple pleasures - ice cream and watching the world go by

4. My new clematis flowering  in the garden

This week I am adding an extra happy - 

5.Thank you for the lovely kind and thoughtful comments you leave me on my blog posts.

Hope you all have a fun week

Talk soon x

catching up with my special friend...................

Earlier in the week I spent a lovely few hours catching up with my special friend, she is a little under the weather. I baked her some cakes and bought some flowers as a little treat - lots of chat, cake and coffee - perfect................

talk soon x

simple fun....................

The little ones came for a sleepover last weekend. On Saturday afternoon we had lots of fun in the garden and the paddling pool was very popular. In the evening we had our first BBQ of the summer which was a big success.
On Sunday morning I planned a crafty indoors activity, originally I had been thinking about decopatch but the papers are quite expensive at almost £4 for a packet of 3 sheets and the children aren't very discerning when it comes to pattern and colour choices. Bright and bold is usually a winning formula so I decided on coloured tissue paper that was much cheaper. I chose a selection of recycled jam jars and tin cans for the children to cover, they were really excited and couldn't wait to start gluing.The table was covered with an easy to wipe over plastic cloth. In the centre was a tray of different coloured tissue paper pieces, an assortment of brushes, small saucers of PVA glue, the chosen containers and away we went.

Finn is the most methodical when it comes to craft and he was the first to finish, so whilst his jam jar dried he did some drawing. Daisy doesn't concentrate for long so even though her jam jar was only small she was soon lured away by the need to draw with Finn, although she did come back to finish her jar.

When Finns jar had dried he wanted to add his name so we did that with some washi tape, which worked really well. We spent a good few hours drawing, gluing, chatting and having fun.

Definitely another activity to add to my list for the school summer holidays which start next week.

talk soon x

Crafty Friday - 3 #

It's that time of the week again, are you ready for week 3 of my Crafty Friday show and tell.........................

Another crochet project - I love the colour of this little bow, I think I might attach it to a bag...........

The bow was very straightforward to crochet and the instructions were clear, which was an added bonus, I also had quite a bit of yarn left over which could make a small flower.

I now have three finished gifts - I'm feeling rather proud of myself, maybe next week I will choose a sewing freebie but lets wait and see.................................

An InLinkz Link-up

more yarn - even I can't quite believe it!

This is all down to Hannapat I was innocently reading her blog and she just happened to mention that she had ordered some Drops Paris 100% cotton for the amazing price of £1.15 per 50g ball from here

The next thing I know this arrived................................

I can only think that I ordered it in my sleep - that's my excuse and I am sticking with it. I just adore the colours.....................

hope you are all having fun, talk soon x

yarn along - hexi blanket........................

I am joining in with Ginny for this weeks yarn along, as usual I can't wait to see what everyone is up to as I always find lots of ideas to inspire me. Earlier this week I started to crochet a small hexagon and loved it, one quickly became two but then I just carried on hooking round and round, I began to wonder what a large hexagon blanket would look like. I'm not sure how the finished result will drape, also not sure how big to make it but for now I am busy hooking and having fun. I am using yarn from my stash, the Debbie Bliss Bella  which I bought a few weeks ago. It is a dream to crochet with, so smooth it glides on your hook just perfect to work with and reading wise I have a new book on the go.

The novel was recommended by my daughter Kate 'The Seamstress' she adored it. It is a debut novel written by Maria Duena, set in Madrid in the 1930s. The story is told from the perspective of Sira Quiroga, a talented seamstress who is engaged to Ignacio, a reliable and dependable young man. As Sira prepares for her wedding, she feels that her life lacks excitement and when she meets Ramiro Arribas, a handsome, charming, older man, she is ready to fall in love. I will stop now as I don't want to spoil the story for you although I haven't read very much yet and being honest I am finding it a little bit slow to get into but Kate warned me and said it's so worth persevering with.

Before you go I hope you will pop over and have a quick look at Ginny's yarn along  here

talk soon x

(quick thought has anyone made a big granny crochet hexagon blanket - would love to know how you got on with it)

52 weeks of happy - 30/52

I am enjoying another happy week of summer, although we've had some rain this morning which has cooled the air and provided a much needed drink for the garden. ... as usual I am joining in with the lovely Jen for 52 weeks of happy ...........

1. birthday cakes - Daisy loves Hello Kitty

2. birthday giggles - such a sweetie

3. drawing with Finn - just starting with his letters

4. another crochet bag - I love it but must stop now

As you can see I've had quite a few happy things to smile about.

talk soon x

all finished.......................

My baby hat and crochet balls are finished and have been packaged up for the baby shower I think they look quite cute but so tiny...................................

talk soon x

so cute..............

Had to share this lovely pic...............................

Jake had been playing with his sticker book and managed to cover himself and his mum with shiny pink stars..................

talk soon x

Happy Birthday Daisy May...................

Daisy was four yesterday and she is a bouncing bundle of health - she gave us all a fright when she came into the world very early, in fact 12 weeks early and weighed only 1 kg. Such a scary time for us all but just look at her now...............

Daisy and I spent most of the morning decorating her cake and cupcakes ready for her birthday party. Daisy loves Hello Kitty so I had ordered a rice paper cake topper and some cupcake toppers. They worked quite well, but do look a bit bumpy in places, although Daisy loved them. Another batch of her favourite biscuits was requested and she had great fun decorating them.

If you want a quick and easy activity that children will love - decorate biscuits. All you need is a packet of rich tea biscuits, fondant icing sugar, and any sprinkles or sweets you want, the brighter the better it seems. Put the biscuits onto a tray, mix the icing sugar with a few drops of water (a thicker icing is best as it is less likely to run off the biscuit) then decorate..................................

I always made my own biscuits but one afternoon I was short of time so just iced some ready made rich tea biscuits and my grandchildren think they are the best biscuits ever - of course that could be the sugar rush but we don't make them very often and they do eat lots of fruit and veggies as well.

I am keeping as far away as possible from my kitchen today, no more baking in this heat, although I think I said that after my marathon bake last weekend. Unfortunately I do have to brave the supermarkets as my cupboards are looking bare - but hopefully the afternoon will lend itself to some crochet and maybe an hour watching the cricket - hope England have a good innings today.

talk soon x

Crafty Friday - # 2

Another lovely week of sunshine lot's of washing drying on the line, gardening, sitting, playing, and eating outdoors. I am always amazed how much fun little ones can have with water. Armed with buckets, plastic jugs and a garden hose (only adults could use the hose - didn't quite work out that way though) much fun was had, Zachy, Daisy and Noah were giddy with laughter, all soaked, grubby, pink faced and happy running around the garden watering the plants, usually the same one, each other and occasionally me!

Once the garden was tidied, children had gone home for tea, bath and bed I decided to have a quiet hour. I stayed outdoors soaking up the early evening sunshine and started to make freebie number 2, armed with yarn, hook, brooch back and magazine with instructions I set off to make a crochet flower brooch. The instructions seemed to work out fine for this one and it was quick and simple to make. Although I did make a mistake I used trebles instead of triple trebles, the brooch is smaller but I am happy with the results.

 Two kits completed but still lots more to go.......................

An InLinkz Link-up

nature in the home - a series.....................

I am joining in with the lovely Lou for her nature in the home series. This is the last post of the summer and this weeks theme is "round" - I have decided to do a roundup of some of my earlier posts to remind me of the beautiful flowers and colours in my garden.

I have really enjoyed being part of this series and it has given me a greater appreciation of what my garden has to offer - thank you Lou for organising it for us.

Before I go thank you all for stopping by and taking time to leave me such lovely comments and a special thank you to all my new followers - hope you are having a good week.

talk soon x

Yarn along - new baby knits...............

I am joining in with Ginny for this weeks yarn along. I can't wait to see what everyone is up to as I always find lots of ideas to inspire me. I am knitting something small this week I had forgotten how nice it is to knit a one ball of yarn project. Laura is arranging a baby shower this weekend for one of her best friends, my contribution is a little knitted hat. With any leftover yarn I am going to get my hook out and make one or two crochet balls. My grandsons still have fun with a well used collection of knitted and crochet balls for indoor football competitions.

My reading this week is somewhat back to front, I started reading Jo Nesbo crime novels a few years ago and thought I had read the complete Harry Hole series but it seems I had missed the first book. So I am reading the first book (which has only recently been translated into English) last and savouring it as no more Harry Hole thrillers are on the horizon. Harry Hole is in Australia as the representative of the Norwegian police in the investigation of the murder of a Norwegian national. Upon arrival, he is met by an indigenous Australian policeman who guides Harry through the investigation, despite attempts by the force to sideline him. It soon becomes clear that the murder is just one of many young blonde women up and down the eastern coast - gripping stuff

Hope if you have time you will pop over and have a look at the other yarn along posts here and Jo Nesbo books are worth looking out for too.

Talk soon x

52 weeks of happy - 29/52................

Another week and another link up with Jen and four new happy images to share with you..............

1. my first crop of raspberries from the garden - they were yummy.

2. Kate and Jake on holiday in France - the beauty of iphones.

3.  my christening cake - I love baking and the cakes seem to have gone down well.

4. crochet flowers I am so happy to be able to crochet again - can you guess what the flowers are for?

another happy fun and sunny week - hope you are all well too.

talk soon x

(don't forget if you have time to join in with my Crafty Friday link up here)

paper lantern garland..................

I have just found a tutorial for some amazing paper lanterns designed by Carole Poirot. I can just imagine them strung across my garden ( I need to close my eyes very tightly to block out goal posts, paddling pool, play house, slide etc etc) my vision would involve a sophisticated picnic, lots of wine or fizz chilling in ice buckets, lovely food, floaty dresses, stimulating company and conversation. My lanterns would be wafting in the warm summer breeze - then I wake up to Nana I've dropped my ice cream or Nana I need a wee - I can dream

just adorable....................

I love the paper Carole has chosen.....................

have you fallen in love with them...................

now we get down to the nitty gritty....................

Huge thanks to Carole who has kindly given me permission to share her images and fabulous tutorial with you - just click here. 

I am loving the sunshine but I need to get back into the kitchen as dinner won't make itself................

talk soon x

a spot of baking.................

The weather is continuing to be beautiful, so warm and sunny, perfect for a lazy day in the garden. I am just about to slap on the suncream, put on my sunhat and relax on my sun lounger. I am ready for a rest after two busy days in the kitchen - very hot for baking, my icing would just not behave itself.

My friend Barbara had asked me to make a cake and some cupcakes for her grandson's christening - another baby Jake he is adorable and has just started to crawl. I decided to make a few extras as a little gift from me, some chocolate dipped marshmallows and some little sweet favours for the children.

blue for a boy......................

I think everything has turned out nicely and now the sun is calling me....................

talk soon x

nature in the home - a series

A little later than usual but I'm joining in with the lovely Lou's Nature in the Home link up - this weeks theme
was simple.........................................

Lots of football takes place in my garden which isn't always good for the health of my plants. This broken raspberry stem has such simple beauty I had to share it with you - the culprit is hiding in the background.

hope you have a fun weekend.

talk soon x

Crafty Fridays # 1

I promised to make up one of my freebie kits each week and I have chosen  - a sardine key-ring for my first week.

I thought that everything would be in the envelope but the templates are in the actual magazine, so I found the magazine and traced the little sardines, cut the templates out, pinned onto fabric and then onto the tricky bit. The sardines are very small I found sewing them and turning them out quite difficult and the fabric frays very easily, I did eventually manage but the finished result is far from perfect - so please don't look too closely at the stitching.