Coming Out Of The Woodwork

Hi everyone — have you forgotten me?
I hope not… but honestly, I wouldn’t blame you if you had!

Every now and then I pop back in to check if my little blog is still standing, and to have a quick peek at what you’ve all been up to. Recently, I was surprised (and delighted!) to see that visits to my blog have actually increased — not what I expected after neglecting it for so long.

It turns out many of you are still reading my older posts. Since I’ve been blogging here since 2011, there’s quite a backlog to choose from! Lately, the most popular ones seem to be my Stash Busting posts, which I first started in 2013 and kept going for many years. I guess stash busting is just as relevant now as it was back then — I know I’m still doing it!

It really warms my heart to see that people are still finding and enjoying this little corner of the internet. Thank you for stopping by, whether you’re an old friend or a new visitor — it means more than you know.

Life has been very busy this year with lots of health problems and family ups and downs but look!

I had some lovely visitors in July...

My son and his family came to the UK for a holiday and they stayed with me, so I had the pleasure of  seeing this sweet little face everyday for a month, little Sophie six months old and absolutely gorgeous 🥰

The little jacket she's wearing is one I made back in 2013, it was one of my stash busting projects, I loved it so much I put it aside hoping for a future granddaughter and here we are 12 years later. It's a newborn size and as you can see she is growing out of it so I made it a little bigger so that she can wear it that bit longer...

 

I remember it was a very easy quick pattern to make and I've decided that once I have finished the  project I'm working on below I'm going to make more for charity using my stash of course.

You can find the free pattern here.

I'm enjoying this little project too, I will show you once it's finished and tell you the little story about the pattern.

I hope you are all doing well and enjoying the Summer or winter depending on where in the world you are. I am trying to make the most of the Summer because it seems as if it's gone almost as soon as it's here don't you find that too?

Take care and hopefully I will be back soon. 😊

The First Month

 The first month of the year has been a very busy one, I haven't even had time to post or visit you lovely people so I'm making time just to check in and say hi. 

I have been busy with my involvement with my local u3a we have a lot of issues to deal with at the moment one of them being my term on the committee is coming to an end along with six other committee members and trying to get people to come onto the committee is proving to be a challenge.  I will still stay on as communications officer and manage their website and as group coordinator as you don't need to be on the committee in order to do those roles. However if someone would like to take them over I wouldn't stand in their way.  It's a shame that people don't like to get involved in the running of things but enjoy the facilities and numerous groups that are on offer. If we don't have a committee then unfortunately we will have to close down but fingers crossed it won't come to that we have until April to get more committee members on board. 

I have been crafting none stop throughout January with lots of projects on the go I started this at the beginning of the year and hope to complete a section a month...

A YEAR OF DOODLES

I finished January yesterday just in time for the start of the new month and I'm now choosing colours for February, I'm thinking lots of pink and red because of valentines and maybe some yellow and purple because of the Spring bulbs that I hope will soon begin to appear.

You can find the pre printed fabric here to purchase on Stitchdoodles

I did complete the Festive Forrest embroidery and will show you once I have it framed.

Then just to keep things interesting along with the sewing I have been making these..

These little owls are requested by NHAP.  They place one in a little bag along with a message and are left outside for someone to find in the hope that it will put a smile on someones face and also to bring awareness of NHAP and the work that it does, I have just been to my sewing group today and they are going to make some fabric ones too.

As if that wasn't enough we are going to decorate our Mariner again, regular readers of my blog will remember this back in 2019, can you believe that display was left intact throughout the whole of the summer, people loved it and came from miles around just to see it.  It had a mention in our local press as well.  We felt that we needed to spread a little joy again in these depressing times so watch this space as all kinds of beach themed objects begin to emerge. 

I hope you have all had a lovely start to the new year, I'm going to have a pop around to see what you have all been up to. 😊

Christmas is Almost Upon Us

 I hope that everyone is feeling full of festive cheer, It's the time of year when I think of all the lovely friends that I have made throughout the years and I try to meet up with as many as I can to exchange Christmas cards and good wishes for Christmas and the year ahead. I have had a very busy month doing just that,  invariably food is very much part of the equation and numerous Christmas lunches have been eaten along with a couple of afternoon teas as well.

Temptation meets us at every turn, chocolates, yummy biscuits, and don't get me started on the mince pies.  I have baked nothing this year because I usually end up eating most of what I have baked, I have have put so much weight on already and it's not even Christmas yet! I'm thinking February will be the month when I give myself a good talking to and will do something about it, I'll need the whole of January to finish off any residual Christmas goodies and psych myself up to cut out the rubbish and do some exercise.

I have done very little in the way of crafting this month but I did manage to make a few little festive crochet bits and pieces.

Little Lavender bags to hold some luscious smelling lavender from a lovely friends garden, she dries it and shares it with us.   I enjoy making these little bags and gifting them to family and friends, I left it a little late this year and didn't make as many as I would have liked.
You can find the patterns for these little bags here and here

Little decorations, I did intend to make lots of these but I found them too fiddly and only managed these, they are super cute though you can find all the patterns here

I really enjoyed making this for my little coffee table.  It's mosaic crochet and you can find the pattern here

At the moment I'm still busy with the sweater I started for myself, I'm hoping that I'll like it enough to wear it once it's finished, and I'm making cute little hats for NHAP  which I will show you once they are done. 

I am displaying my twelve days of Christmas cross stitch that I finished at the beginning of the year..

I haven't managed to complete the Festive Forest  embroidery but I will work on it slowly and it will be ready for sure for next Christmas.

I'm drinking out of this mug that me daughter gifted me cute or what?

I think I'll start a Christmas mug collection. 😊

Wishing you all a very...

A Month Of Purple

 Once again I'm finding it hard to find time to write a blog post I'm trying not to completely abandon my blog like I have done in the past but as you all know writing a post can be very time consuming. I'm afraid my blogging is going to be a little bit sporadic but I am around reading and enjoying all your posts even if I don't write that many posts myself. 

World Prematurity Day is on 17th November and the colour chosen to represent this occasion is purple.

As I have mentioned before N.H.A.P. have a crochet, knitting and sewing challenge every month and for September the crochet challenge was for the group to make purple baby hats the target being 150, well that target has been well and truly smashed as the number made so far as I'm writing this is 473 and they are trying to get to 500 before the end of the month.

It's just a bit of fun but it really motivates you I have to say, added to which purple is my favourite colour so I have enjoyed every minute.

There's quite a mix of different patterns and as usual I have been playing around with different stitches. Pattern writing is very time consuming and not really one of my favourite things to do but I will get around to it and will publish them as soon as they are ready.

Haven Baby Hat

Yet to be named any suggestions welcome.😊

Little Treasure Baby Hat

I have made fourteen so far but I should be able to get a few more made by the end of the day.

The knitting challenge was for purple baby cardigans and I only managed one of those.

Jordan Baby Cardigan Pattern

I found this pattern on Marianna's blog and that's my to go to place  when I'm searching for baby knitting patterns. I find knitting too slow it has to be said and it hurts my hands unlike crochet which thank goodness doesn't affect me as much.

And finally I'm making poppies as the u3a knicky knack knitters and my crochet group are planning to make a poppy display for Remembrance Day this November. 

We are making them in red, purple, black and white to represent each of the different causes, the purple or Animal Poppy is to remember and and represent all the animals that lost or loose their lives during conflict.

We are still unsure as to how we are going to display these and it's not going to be a huge display as we don't really have a lot of time, but we will do what we can.

Just in case you fancy making some yourself....

Poppy Pattern

The large one as seen above.

With black, ch 2. 

Round 1: 12 tr in second ch from hook. Join with sl st to first tr. Fasten off and leave a 10” tail. (12) 

Round 2: Using red yarn, join into the top of any of the black tr.. Ch 3 (counts as a tr). 1 tr into the same stitch.

2 tr into each of the remaining tr. Join with sl st to top of ch 3. (24) 

Round 3: Ch 1. 2 tr into each of the next 4 tr, dc into the next tr. *dc in next tr, 2 tr into each of the next 4 tr,

dc in next tr*. Repeat from * to * 2 more times. Join with sl st into bottom of starting ch 1. (40)

Round *2 tr into each of the next 8 tr, slip stitch between the 2 dc of the previous row*.

Repeat from * to * three times. Fasten off . (68) 

The medium sized Poppy pattern (4 petals) is from Spin a Yarn

The small one can be found here on Ravelry

I managed to crochet another two hats which brought my total to 16 and the both targets were well and truly smashed. yay!

The challenge for October is for snowmen in knit and crochet the target being 150 of each I can see that total being well and truly smashed too.

Have a great weekend I'm off to find some white yarn to get a start on those snowmen. 😊

Sad But Needed, Aching Knees and gadgets.

 The initial reason for starting this blog was to keep track of all the items I make for charity and because it's something I love to do there have been many.  My blog of course moved into other areas along the way but making things for charity has always been very high on my list of priorities.  

This past year because of COVID many charities can't accept donations and so I have had to take a bit of a step back and put a lot of the charity makes on hold.

There is one group which is still supplying items to neonatal units and I have been making some things for them. Just recently the group had a request from one of the ambulance services for 1000 Angel Pockets to be used for little Angels that have been miscarried on the way to hospital. Within the space of a few weeks the group have managed to fulfil the request and more than 1000 have been made already. 

They consist of a square and a triangle sewn on top to make the pocket. Which can be crochet, knitted or made from fabric.

Then a lining is sewn inside.  

They are quite quick and easy to make sewing the lining inside takes me longer than actually crocheting the squares. I have made four so far and will be making two more at the weekend which I can then send off to add to the grand total.

It's always sad making items for Angel babies but it gives great comfort to the Mothers to see their babies treated with dignity and sadly these items are in great demand.  

Maisie, one of the lovely residents sadly now diseased, who attended the Day Unit where I used to work saw me making one of these many years ago, she asked me what they were for and when I explained she started to cry. She said, you know love I lost a baby, I never saw it they just threw it in the bin. I remember I cried along with her and was so thankful that times have changed and these little Angels and their Mothers are now shown the respect they deserve.  

Aching Knees!

I have only myself to blame so I expect no sympathy.  I should have started slowly and built up but no, once that new treadmill had been assembled I was walking on it several times a day! I know it's just a novelty and it will wear off, in fact it had to wear off dramatically because now both my knees are very sore. 

I can hear you asking did you warm up first? and I have to say hanging my head in shame, no I didn't even though I know you should.

So I'm suffering and now looking into knee strengthening exercises online and there's lots to choose from.  I have to remember I'm an older lady now and my joints need to be treat with respect or they won't recover. I will try and be good from now on.

Thoughts for the weekend - Gadgets!

I love gadgets, and would try every single thing out there if it were possible, the only things holding me back are space and money. Someone has to just mention a gadget and say how good it is and I want one. I am using a new one at the moment which I will reveal next week once it's had a fair trial, but now there is something else for me to think about thanks to son number three. 

He has acquired an Air Fryer, I knew they existed of course but have never given them much thought.  I have a halogen oven which I use a lot and a slow cooker that I couldn't do without. I thought I could just pass it off and say oh that's nice son, but he has just showed me a photo of the first things he has cooked in it and it looks so tasty and succulent. I'm in danger! repeat to self, I don't need an air fryer, I don....

What gadgets have you got? do you love them? have you got an air fryer? what do you think?

Have a safe and cosy weekend xx

Click here to see the parties I will be linking to.

A Good Start To The New Year.

 The Search

When my trusty eight year old Laptop began to slow down (truth be told it's been very slow since windows 10 was introduced and downloaded in 2015) to the point where I would switch it on then go have a shower get dressed and make a cuppa while it warmed up and pulled itself together, I realised maybe I need a new one.  I love my Laptop it was top spec when I bought it and it has a 17" screen which is great when you have as much to do online as I have.  Anyway then it began to freeze and some of the letters and numbers stopped working unless I banged hard on the keys. 

I decided at that point to look for a new one and spent hours researching and comparing prices. There seem to be very few places where you can physically go and look at Laptops which I think is essential when you intend to spend a large amount of money, it has to be right. I eventually found my way to Curry's and was quite disheartened when I saw the prices and the size of the screens the most popular seems to be 14" which is far too small for my needs even 15" seemed small to me after using a 17" I discovered that 17" screens were few and what was available was far too expensive for the specifications of the Laptop. Then I turned round and fell in love....

 The All In One PC who new! I certainly didn't know such things existed, to me a pc came with a big ugly tower but no more my friends no more.  You can still get them with a tower of course but the all in one pc consists of just a screen and keyboard, the tower part being built into the back of the screen and screen sizes vary in size from small to 27" I was like a kid in a candy store I have to tell you, I spent ages looking at various screens and scrutinising specifications.  

There followed further online research and discussions with son number one and number three, their help being invaluable but those young people who have brilliant eyesight and have to carry their work with them are quite happy with 14" screened Laptops, each to their own I say. Son number three may be far away in Qatar but he is always at the end of a WhatsApp chat whenever I need him, said look in your bank account Mother and get the best you can afford, well I did and I did! bless him my Christmas pressy was a huge amount of cash which added to the amount that I had already saved, enabled me to buy exactly what I wanted. Of course I had to take some photos of this historic event....

The Arrival and hello Gary!

The Unboxing

but

Setting Up

It arrived on Christmas Eve and I have been playing with it ever since. You switch it on and it's there! I didn't realise just how slow my laptop had become until I got this, to say I'm in love would be an understatement. With all the research I have done on Laptops and All In One PCs I now consider myself an expert so if you are considering buying a new one just fire away with your questions 😉😆

On to other things...

I have bought something else for which I did lots of research but it hasn't arrived yet so I will reveal what at a later date.

Christmas..

I did meet up with family for Christmas, we were all invited to son number two, it was lovely to get together again after so long and thankfully we are all ok.  It was lovely to see his new house for the first time.  It was also son number one's birthday and  my daughter in law made this cake for him, he is crazy about chess and he and son number two have an online game of chess on the go all the time.

It was a shame to cut into it but we did and it tasted yummy.

New Years Resolutions 

I am making none because I never keep them, but here are some thoughts but nothing is written in stone, plans can change at anytime..

• I have decided to get back to my charity knitting and crochet which I think I've neglected a bit of late mostly because a lot of charities weren't accepting donations but there are still some who are so I'll focus on making things for them. 
• I want to get fitter, sitting at a keyboard for long periods at a time can't be good for you.
• Try and blog more often so that I'm not cramming everything into one post, I'm sure readers must get bored halfway through.

The Ten Days Of Christmas

I have to thank Jo once again for sending these lovely little packages, it made those ten days of Christmas extra special, I loved opening a little package every day to find those little skeins of yarn and goodies within.  I have to say the edible goodies were consumed almost as soon as I cast my eyes upon them.  

I just love those colours! I will have to think of something extra special to make with them.

After the excitement of making the Christmas cushions there hasn't been a whole lot going on in the crafting area, I did manage to finish the hat with the Sock yarn I mentioned back here, it turned out ok..

 I don't suit it so it will be sent to a charity and someone will benefit from it's warmth.  I used this pattern which was so easy and straight forward and I will be using it again as it comes in lots of different sizes.  It only used 45 grams of yarn and I am making ankle socks with what's left over....

This is the first sock, still on the subject of socks, have you seen this Winterhaven KAL I'm joining in and it starts tomorrow the pattern for it should be out later today, I can't wait. More about this and other things next time, let me know if you are joining in.😊

Have a safe and cosy weekend.😘

Click here to see all the great parties I will be linking to.

Christmas Decoupage, A Blanket And A Bit Of Sewing

It's been a week of dull, cold shivery weather with the sun hiding behind grey dark clouds making only the briefest of appearances, it's been hard to force myself  to go outdoors, so much nicer to stay warm inside and play with crafting things.

This week I thought I would give my hands a bit of a break from  knitting and crochet and devote my time to decoupaging pebbles and anything else that decided to put in an appearance, be prepared for visual overload.....

This little jam jar looks lovely when lit from within with a tea candle

This bottle looks nice in daylight.

But even better lit up at night I love the reflection in the window, two for the price of one.

They all look so festive lined up along the windowsill in my conservatory but I will gift lots of them to friends, just a little token to show them I care, but then thoughts turn to now how will I do that and I hit upon the idea of little gift bags. I had a search about and gathered some supplies,  I should have done this months ago but honestly there just isn't enough hours 

It didn't take that long but I have lots more to make this weekend and then I will make the rounds, lots of doorstop socially distanced visits to friends to drop off these little tokens of  Christmas cheer.

Just before I go I finished the Baby Blanket ...

It's soft and squishy and has been sent to the Sun appeal for Preemie babies which I spoke about here. (Pattern below) This is a nice easy pattern perfect for knitting while watching TV. The socks are nearly finished too I'm right up to the toe shaping, it looks like I'll have another pair of cosy socks to wear really soon.

Have a lovely weekend 😘

Click here to see all the great parties I will be linking to.

Blanket Pattern as Requested

PATTERN TO MAKE A 24 X 30 INCH (61 X 76 CM) BABY BLANKET kindly devised for BLISS by Marilyn Marsh 

YOU NEED: 250grams Double Knit yarn and 4mm needles (size '8') 

Cast on 128 stitches and knit 17 rows. At beginning and end of next and each following pattern rows you will knit 9 stitches for the border to prevent it curling up. 

1 st row: knit 9 (knit 10, purl 10) repeat to last 9 sts, knit 

2 nd row: knit 9 (purl 10, knit 10) repeat to last 19 sts, purl 10, knit 9 

Repeat these rows 6 times 

15 th row as 2 nd row. 

16 th row as 1 st row 

Repeat 15 th and 16 th rows 6 times to form the pattern (28 rows). 

Repeat the above 28 rows of the pattern a further 6 times, the blanket should now measure approx. 28 inches. Knit 17 rows then cast off. B

Knit A Lot To Save A Tot

 The Knitting Needles Are Out Big Time!

My needles have been in hibernation for quite a while until recently. My first love was knitting until crochet came along and nudged it to one side, but I always go back to it given the smallest excuse and this is one of those times.

The Sun Newspaper published this last weekend Do Your Knit Asking for knitted baby blankets

Without even really thinking about it I dove into my yarn stash and found some appropriate yarn, do you know I can't even remember where or when I bought this, I do remember it was on sale and I bought four 100 grams balls I have a feeling it's discontinued now but it's lovely yarn and I like the fact that it has both pink and blue shades so can be used for a boy or a girl.

It's coming on slowly, because although I'm enjoying it I have to be careful with knitting as it hurts my joints now which isn't really surprising since I have been knitting on and off for 60 years. 

I'm only going to make one blanket because when an appeal goes up like this I know that they will be inundated with donations because everyone wants to help. 

The Socks 

I'm at a crucial stage right now turning the heel so they aren't at the nice  pick up and do a few rows stage this is the bit that needs a bit of time and total concentration on my part...

I'm quite pleased with myself actually I think I've matched the yarn almost perfectly. 

What something else!!

Yes indeed and it's another charity project....

See if you can guess what it's going to be, the colours could give it away but then again.🤔

Look what came in the post I was amazed because I hadn't ordered anything, I have discovered I have to be very careful what I say around my family, I did just happen to mention that I had never had one of those posh looking food mixers handheld yes but never hands free. I was watching Bake Off At the time are you watching? who is your favourite to win?  Anyway I digress....

My lovely daughter ordered it for my birthday, it came a couple of days ago but I refused to take it out of it's box until it was my birthday day which is today yay! I can't wait to use it healthy things only of course.😉

Have a lovely weekend.😘😘

Parties I will be linking to.