A spot of hibernation..............

I have decided to take a little break from blogging as I'm finding it hard to keep up with everything at the moment. I seem to have lost my sparkle and instead of really looking forward to telling you all about what I've been up to I've just been feeling guilty at my lack of blogging enthusiasm.

I think I'm just tired and it's that busy time of year when lots needs doing and unfortunately my energy levels are pretty low.

So I am going to hibernate until after Christmas and then I'll be back with lots of things to share with you. I will really miss your lovely comments but I will still be stopping by your blogs for a catch up.

I hope you all have an amazing Christmas.

illustration found here

 talk soon x

Yarn along - little knits...................................

I've been having fun knitting little gifts for Christmas and have managed to tick a few things off my present list.

still loving this book..............

a sock pattern that only uses two needles - yeah..................

easy mittens and head band ...................

I have been keeping up with my promise of only making things that require one or two balls of yarn and the projects have been flying off my needles. I haven't been so productive in ages, I'm sorry not to share all of my knits with you but a few I need to keep as surprises  - you never know who might be reading this!

It's lovely to link in with Ginny's yarn along again - I missed it last week - although I can't believe Ginny is already managing to write her blog and knit - I don't think I was even getting myself dressed when I had a ten day old baby! what a super mum...............

I have loved reading your lovely comments, you always inspire me to write and do more, thank you all so much.

If you have time do pop over to read Ginny's, Chrissie's and Tami's blog posts.

talk soon x

52 weeks of happy 45/52

It's that time of the week again and I have another 4 happies to share with you.......................

1. Alex all dressed up for his Tudor themed school trip to Bramhall Hall - he looks so grown up.

2. My first pair of knitted mittens - I had such fun making them.

3. A beautiful bunch of Roses - just looking at them makes me happy.

4. The wonder of sparklers - the children just love them

Another lovely week with lots of special family time....................

talk soon x

weekly bake and firework party ........................................

Last week I made a couple of new recipes both Mary Berry of course and taken from this book. I made the chocolate cake so that I could try out my new cake tin, and it worked a treat.  The other new recipe was for a date and walnut cake, which did turn out well and it has a lovely lemony tangy icing but I was disappointed with the texture, it was a bit dryer than my usual recipe - but it's all been eaten up so can't be that bad.

The cakes were for our little bonfire party last Sunday night. I also cooked lots of tasty sausages and a few pizzas, so not a gourmet bash just quick finger food that seemed to disappear in a flash.

It had rained most of the day but cleared up and remained dry for our little firework display, Mr R did the honours and was responsible for the fireworks and safety systems - a hard job with lots of little children wanting to help.

Everyone was wrapped up warm and the little ones had gloves on for holding sparklers - at arms length of course. I must admit I stayed in the warm and watched the festivities through the window. The children had such fun and when they came indoors they had lovely glowing pink cheeks.

My photos don't do the fireworks justice but give you a little glimpse of a happy and fun family evening, only sad bit was that Kate, Seb and Jake couldn't come but we will meet up very soon.

I am joining in with Hannapats "weekly bake along"  but unfortunately I am a little late!

Talk soon x

October Mosaic..............................

Another month in pictures, hope you like them....................

Firsts:-

First Autumn glow swapping
First wool winding
First button picture making
First hot water bottle crocheting
First Treacle Market visiting
First cornflake chicken cooking
First rainbow cake baking
First acorn felting

Plus:-

Baking a yummy chocolate cake with Alex
Baking with Zachy & Noah
Lots of fairy cake baking
Charity baking
Beret knitting
Cushion crocheting
Hat and scarf knitting
Gluing and sticking

I'm still loving this monthly post and it's especially nice to see that I've managed to fit quite a lot of things into my month even though I haven't been very well.

Thank you again for stopping by and for leaving me lots of lovely comments.

talk soon x


lots more

Button pictures

During the half term break I planned some fun activities to do with my grandchildren. One of the activities I wanted to share with you was our button collages. I printed the first letter of everyone's name in a really big font size. I then cut the letter out and glued it onto a card. The children then chose heaps of different coloured buttons and glued them onto the letter with PVA glue.

The children really enjoyed all the gluing and sticking and even with lots of pots of glue around the mess was minimal. I was so impressed with the results and we will definitely do it again.

Laura found some inexpensive frames at IKEA that fit the letter cards perfectly. They would make great gifts.

the angle of this photo is a bit strange but it gives you the idea of how good they looked framed.

I'm almost up to date now..................

Talk soon x

crochet along............................

I am joining in with Marianne and Chrissie's crochet along and have hooked some Poppies for my friends and family.

I saw the idea on Clare's lovely blog she has made a beautiful Poppy for her sister and kindly added the link for the pattern which can be found here.

 As you know I'm not good a making just one of anything so I hope you like my little collection.

I didn't have any DK yarn so made do with Chunky weight I used a small 3.5mm hook to make it quite dense and I am pleased with the results.

Instead of a button in the middle I adapted the pattern and made my own centre. With shimmery black yarn I chained 4, joined with a slip stitch and then hooked 12 trebles into the middle with a slip stitch to finish. On the back of the Poppy I have handstitched a little brooch back, I forgot to take a photo of this stage - sorry.

It feels funny not joining in with Yarn along as well this week but Ginny had more important things to think about, her new baby boy was born on Tuesday, for a little glimpse pop over here

thank you for stopping by

talk soon x

my lovely parcel.................

A little while ago I posted about my Autumn Glow swap which was great fun to be part of. I have received my own parcel of goodies in the post and I have been well and truly spoilt by the lovely Tracy 

My parcel contained a beautiful hand stitched book mark which has taken pride of place in my current novel. Some delightful little pumpkins and a felted acorn which have been added to my autumnal collection in the lounge. I love buttons and beads and Tracy has hand stitched an adorable pouch containing tiny buttons and seed beads. I can't wait to wear the two beautiful brooches, I have pinned them onto my little jewellery stand which lives on my dressing table, the lovely little hand bag charm has been attached to my key ring and it looks very pretty. 

Tracy's parcel also included two "grandma cookery books" which are perfect and I love the gift tags which I can add to my homemade cakes and preserves. I love cooking with my grandchildren and these special books will give me some new recipes to try, the chocolate fudge looks yummy.

Such a thoughtful and lovely parcel of gifts - thank you so much Tracy.

Before I go I must thank you all for your lovely comments and a big thank you to my new followers

talk soon x

52 weeks of happy - 44/52..............

The year is racing and I'm up to week 44 of my happy posts.This weeks happies are all quite crafty which won't be much of a surprise....................

1. A lovely parcel arrived in the post for me - I will share all the goodies inside with you soon.

2. I've started another Maggie Rabbit it's for my mum for Christmas - I had forgotten how lovely they are.

3. My first bash at making felt - more to come

4. This lovely book has filled with such inspiration - I've found lots of Christmas gift's to knit

I've been a bit washed out for the last few days so it's been lovely just to sit and ponder. I have had the luxury of flicking through lots of my favourite knitting and crochet books, and even found some I had forgotten that I had bought.

This quiet time has inspired me to tackle some new projects but I have ensured that all the projects are small. In fact most will only need one or two balls of yarn which stops me feeling overwhelmed and also means I can start to use up some of my yarn stash.

I've also really enjoyed my hand sewing and have got on quite well with my mums rabbit. I've bought this pattern to knit a little raglan cardigan for the finished rabbit if I get the time.

I've still got lots of things to share with you that have happened over the last few weeks so I promise to catch up with myself and post a bit more frequently.

talk soon x

Treacle Market.................

I enjoyed visiting the Treacle Market with Laura last weekend, although it wasn't the best weather as it was cold wet and blustery. We first heard about the market from a friend of Kate's who had highly recommended it. The market is held in Macclesfield on the last Sunday of the month. Macclesfield is known as Treacle Town which dates back to an incident centuries ago when a horse drawn waggon overturned, spilling it's cargo of treacle onto the cobbles.

The Treacle market was packed full of stalls selling lovely home produce, vegetables harvested that morning, amazing Artisan bread, succulent sausages and the most fabulous homemade pies. Laura and I were spoilt for choice. In addition to the fresh produce you could buy lots of different street food from burritos to wood fired pizza.

Local crafts people and designer makers had fabulous creations for sale. I also loved the vintage furniture and accessories - I was coveting some amazing crates and little suitcases - maybe next time.

I am planning to go again next month and with a bit of luck I will manage to see it all - I think I only managed to see about half the market last week.

If you are having a firework party this weekend I hope you have fun and the weather is dry - looking out of my window now it's raining very heavily, fingers crossed it will be dry tomorrow as we are having a little party.

keep well and talk soon x