Crochet Catch-Up

I've been blogging so much about flowers lately I've neglected to tell you what I've been up up to crochet-wise. To tell the truth there hasn't been a great deal of yarn-related action going on, just a little here and there.
This is because we are about to have a new kitchen fitted, as well as having the walls damp-proofed, so we've been spending a lot of time emptying cupboards and drawers. I had a conversation at work the other day in which we all agreed that everyone's kitchen has a drawer full of the same things: old keys and phone chargers (not sure if we still own the things they're used for), tickets, receipts, string, tubes of glue, small screwdrivers, labels, elastic bands, drawing pins, batteries (old or new? - hard to tell), those pesky plastic bag ties that get everywhere, matches, plugs, small unidentifiable electrical-type things (perhaps they are important and we'll suddenly need them one day) ... the list goes on. And that's just the drawers. As for the cupboard-under-the-stairs ... I'm quite a tidy person on the whole, but we've lived here as a family of five for a good few years, and a sort-out was definitely overdue.

So we've spent two weekends clearing the kitchen and under-stairs cupboard, and soon we'll be temporarily kitchen-less. I am very much focused on Concentrating On The End Product, and persuading myself that it'll be fun - like indoor camping. It's very exciting that we are lucky enough to be in a position where we can say goodbye to our old damp cupboards and hello to a new kitchen - that's definitely something to look forward to.

So with that in mind, I have squeezed in a tiny bit of crochet here and there amid the jobs. I finished the crocheted hellebores which I mentioned in this post ages ago, but took a while to steam them. I was pleased with the finished result, even though the real ones outside have gone to seed now. They're made from cotton yarn in colours which are a good match for the real flowers. However, the strands of the cotton stamens separated and lost their definition, so I'll use wool or acrylic yarn next time, I think. I just have to decide what to use them for - I keep thinking they'd look nice on a tea-cosy.

Still on the hellebore theme, I also made a little needle-felted hellebore picture, which I'm very happy with. I enjoyed making the petals first, and then sewed the stamens in contrasting silky embroidery thread, finishing off with some tiny beads. Needle-felted items are always irresistibly tactile, aren't they?

Back to crochet again, I decided that another mandala-type table mat was needed for our dining room table under my flowers, so made another very easy granny-style circle to the same design as my last one. Not at all complicated, and in fresh spring colours, I enjoyed crocheting this one in front of the tv. I can see I'll be making a whole set of these for the changing seasons, and will try a different pattern next time.





After all  the high winds and blustery showers that we've had here recently it's sunny and warm today. Hope you catch some sunshine, wherever you are this week.

PS A very big thank you to VeggieMummy who has named me in the Two Good Reads tag - it's a great compliment and I shall enjoy deciding on two blogs to nominate, although this will be a tricky task! x

Sunshine, Outdoors and Getting Creative

 Hello! First of all I need to catch up with my calendar - here's my March page at long last. I must get myself more organised next month!

Last week I managed to get outside with a cup of tea after work one evening which was a real breath of fresh air, if a little chilly.

I've just put up this bug box in the garden in the hope of attracting more ladybirds and solitary bees.

This one's been up for a couple of years now. I've never seen anyone going in or coming out, but bits of paper or something similar have been put into some of the holes. Does that mean someone's moved in?

  

Back indoors I was very excited to receive a parcel in the post. I knew what it would be, as a couple of days before I'd ordered a bag from Susie Faulks, a bag-maker who I discovered whilst looking for oilcloth bags online. My old work one is looking quite tired and needed replacing. I tend to avoid leather as far as possible, and love the wonderful oilcloth designs these days, often making my own bags. However, when I saw that there was one with hares on it (my favourite animal) my decision was made. I love it! I might save up and buy a shoulder bag too. Funnily enough, when my copy of 'Country Homes & Interiors' magazine was delivered, Susie's bags have a feature all of their own - what a coincidence!

P and I went for riverside walk in Bath at the weekend, and there were plenty of signs of spring.

Tiny yellow celandines were blooming in carpets close to the ground. I've always loved their waxy petals which reflect the sunshine.

Above our heads the blackthorn was blooming.

There are few sights as uplifting as frothy blossom against a blue sky. If you'd like to indulge in even more blossom, I can recommend Chel's post at Sweetbriar Dreams - it's very pretty indeed.

Finally as we were walking back through the centre of Bath we came across this delightful and unexpected bit of yarnbombing.

Such a treat on a sunny day, and all crocheted.

It really made me smile.

Before I go I thought I'd share with you two new small WIPs. Inspired by my real hellebores (you can take a look here), I decided to make some of my own. First I got out my wool rovings and started a needlefelt one which I plan to embroider when it's finished.

And second, I couldn't resist this wonderful crocheted hellebore pattern which the very talented Lucy has made and shared at Attic 24 (if you haven't seen Lucy's winter wreath, go and take a look - it is amazing!). I've yet to steam it, and am going to make a couple more in different shades.

I hope that you've had a sunshiny weekend too, and can find time for a bit of creativity x

Best Bits

The New Year is fast approaching, and I've been thinking about 2014 and all of the lovely things which I've recorded in my blog this year. Without doubt, the best thing of all was starting it in the first place. I had been reading some wonderful blogs over the last few years, and had always been  rather shy about leaving comments. My children kept telling me to start my own, and in April I finally did! I've had the best fun ever since then, making lots of lovely new friends in the blog world, and being able to write about all the things which mean something to me. I so value everyone's comments, and am excited every time I read a new one. 

I've loved being able to share my love of flowers throughout the year. As the months pass there are so many fabulous blooms to enjoy in my own garden, and in some beautiful gardens which I've visited. Flowers really do make me very happy indeed!

Some amazingly delicate and colourful wild flowers can be found on walks in the countryside, along pathways, and even growing on pavements in towns and cities. They really are delightful little discoveries.

It's been a creative year too. Working full-time in term time means that I do my making in evenings and weekends, so I generally start quite small projects. I start to become a bit bored if something I'm making goes on for too long - perhaps I'm too impatient! Here are a few of the things I've made this year, some from my own design, and others from designs in books or shared by other generous bloggers. I learnt to needlefelt this year, and plan to do some more soon.

Last year we managed to get out and about on some lovely day trips, and on short local ones too. I love the anticipation of heading off somewhere wonderfully familiar or excitingly new, with a picnic and my camera.

I've enjoyed cooking this year, and love to make seasonal recipes as the year progresses. Locally produced or foraged food, along with flowers, marks the changing seasons and I get a sense of satisfaction when I cook recipes which I've been making for years. Old favourites like garlic pesto in the spring, lavender or rose shortbread in the summer, and squash soup in the autumn fall reassuringly into order as the months pass. I love to discover new ones too which I add to my well-used collection. This year I tried damson and gin and some new ice cream flavours.

There have been some wonderful skies this year, and I have been ready with my camera to capture them. Most have been sunrises which I spot from the window when I'm getting ready for work. Sunsets often take place when I'm busy elsewhere and I miss a good many of them. I love clouds too, and have enjoyed spotting stunning cloud formations.

I hope you've enjoyed my little wander down memory lane, and will come with me as we venture into 2015.

I'm looking forward to the New Year x