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. 😊

Five On Friday.

 It's many years since I did a Five On Friday Post but I'm linking up with  My creative Life. this week, it's a good way to catch up on what's been going on of late.

Before I start I would just like to thank everyone for the comments you left on my last post.  I'm pleased to report that both groups were well attended with 16 attending the Hobby Hub and then 26! attended Udance. It was so nice to see everyone dancing and having fun. 

This leads me on to number one in my five..

1 Health Matters

Regular readers of my blog will know that I slipped a disc back in October 24. You would think that it would be healed by now but unfortunately it's not. I'm still in a lot of discomfort especially after doing any sort of exercise like dancing. 

I did eventually see a GP and he prescribed anti-inflammatory medication and told me to take it three times a day. I wasn't very happy to take it as it irritates the stomach and you have to take it with food six hourly. So if I have breakfast at 8am lunch at 2pm that means dinner won't be until 8pm which is far too late for me. I am managing 2 doses a day only. He says the left side of my back is in spasm. I got to see a physio a week after and she gave me some back strengthening exercises to do, which I'm doing twice a day, that was two weeks ago and nothing has helped so far. I have an appointment for a bone density scan on the 17th but then will have to wait 4 weeks for the result. So watch this space.

2. Garage Door

My very temperamental up and over garage door broke at the beginning of January. I use the garage for storage only as it's far too small to house a car. I have struggled with this door since I moved into this house and decided I needed an electric operated door, but finding someone to install one was proving very difficult, what is it with tradesmen these days. Anyway when the door broke I persisted and eventually found a local company to install the door for me. Two very friendly young lads who talked a lot, promised that they would take the old door away for me and install a new door. To cut a long story short it took three phone calls to actually set a date for them to come. When they did come and it only took them an hour to install da daa...

They assured me that they would be back that afternoon to collect the old door and seal the edges.

It remained there for four days and after three phone calls, one man came to collect it, the struggle he had to get it on the truck was painful to see, I told him that there should have been two of them to lift it and he would hurt his back (see number 2!) but I can't see anything changing anytime soon.

 What about sealing the edges of the garage door I can hear you say, well I'm still waiting, I phoned again this morning and he said today, haha what do you think will they come? again watch this space.

3. Grandchildren

Enough of the moaning something far more pleasant a quick snap of my 3 youngest grandchildren 

Big brother mikey will be turning 7 on the 8th of March too.😀

Louis and Daddy

Little Louis is as cute as can be, he took his first steps last week, he's wearing that little jacket I made back here, 11 years ago! still big for him but he will grow into it.

Julian took his first steps just two weeks ago, another little cutie.

Fridge magnet shots of little Sophie wearing a hat and jacket made by grandma 

It's lovely to see your crochet being put to good use, at least the blanket made by grandma is giving her a hug even if I can't just yet. Do you recognise it? you can find it and how to make it here.

4. Crochet

I have quite a few things on the go at the moment but this is what I have made today

Easter baby hats for babies born on and around Easter, very cute I think, I'm going to make some with bunny ears next.

5, New Yarn

Just feast your eyes on that, bought yesterday, buying yarn is still one of my favourite occupations but after my huge stash busting enterprise back here lessons have been learnt. I still have far too much yarn but I don't buy as much as I once did. This little lot is for my crochet group, the u3a treasurer had gifted the Knitting and crochet groups £50 each to buy yarn for charity projects as our efforts raise the profile of our u3a so it's a win win situation.

If you have managed to get through that lot well done, because I'm not blogging as much there is so much to catch up on, I used to blog three times a week at one stage, I don't know where I found the time.

Have a great weekend. 

January End Of The Month Round Up

 Hello and Happy Sunday! There's quite a lot going on in the crafty corner I can tell you and I think it could become a little overwhelming if I don't stop to re-assess and decide how to move forward.  

As you know I  love the idea of  making something different at the weekends so that I can put my WIPS to one side and get the satisfaction of having a finish. The Sophie scarf was made in a few hours and I'm wearing it ...

I quite like it, but it's too big if I make it again I would make it shorter and not so wide, I would also use a better yarn, something softer and maybe variegated.

The pattern I used is here.

This weekend I'm making butterflies because the u3a knitting and crocheting groups are going to yarn bomb our station again. Click here and here  if you would like to see our past displays, that was more than two years ago but since those displays were taken down we continue to hang bunting to the fence surrounding the Station and I think it really puts a smile on the faces of residents and visitors to the Town.   We are thinking a bigger Spring type theme/display this time and I thought that these butterflies would fit the bill quite nicely....

Aren't they pretty? they are named  The Resilient Butterfly and great for using up little bits of stash yarn, the  pattern for these comes with a youtube tutorial and it can be found here 

The reason why things are becoming overwhelming is because I have deadlines coming up for my WIPS and, it's all well and good putting them to one side at the weekend but it means I am more pushed for time.  

Things are progressing, the baby onsie now has the legs complete..

I'm going to concentrate on trying to finish this next week because I need to make booties to match too.  Grandson number three is due towards the end of February, but as you know babies don't always play by the rules and he could put in an early appearance.

The socks are progressing nicely and the heels are starting to make an appearance..

There has been no progress on my secret project and I have a feeling there will be a mad rush to get it finished at the end of February.

Along with the crochet and knitting I have to get my embroidery fix too and so I have started another project to sew along with the The Year of  Woodland Blossoms embroidery.  It's almost February and every year I like to have a heart themed project on the go, here are a couple I made  in previous years..

and I have just started this ..

I found this design on Youtube, there's a great tutorial which includes some stitches I haven't tried before so it should be fun to make. 

I'm sure you can see why I'm overwhelmed one doesn't quite know which way to turn but in all honesty I wouldn't have it any other way, I love to be overwhelmed with crafty stuff.  How many projects are you working on at the moment? 

I hope you all have a lovely Sunday, I'm off to rummage in my stash of little balls to see if I can find some lovely bright colours and then turn them into beautiful butterflies.

Linking with

Kathy's Slow Stitching Sunday.

Saying Hi And A Lovely Summer Display

 I can't believe that my last post was Easter, where does the time fly? the year is almost half over already.

I thought I would just show you the Marina display that we have been working towards for the past year, we eventually erected it at the beginning of June and it has been providing lots of fun and enjoyment for the people of Seaham

Choose your flavour of ice cream

Shamus keeps his beady eye on things

So much nicer in real life of course, it's impossible to capture the full effect on camera.

I hope that all my lovely blogging friends are happy and well and are having a lovely Sunday 😊 xx

A Lazy Sunday - Three things

 Can you believe it's 11 am and I'm still not dressed. I have been up since 7 30 but I picked up my crochet hook whilst watching the news and got quite carried away.

One

The new CAL Flora's Fauna began on Friday and I couldn't get started on it till late last night. I get so excited when starting a new piece of work don't you? 

The little creatures in the first part of the blanket are ladybirds and I just love to see the picture develop row by row.

I must admit there's not much to see so far but if I just sit here in my sunny conservatory and do nothing else but crochet I could have a row of little ladybirds before the end of the day.

I have no idea how this little Mikey blanket will turn out because I have to be led by the yarn I have in my stash, the little creatures could turn out to be any colour and that's part of the fun of it.

Two

I have progressed a little on the Bohemian blanket I showed you last week, I have now tried all the shapes that are needed to complete the blanket, they need blocking but you get the idea.

I'm thinking about making it into a bed runner to send to NHAP for someone with dementia but I'm in no hurry, this is an easy pick it up and put it down project that I can do between other things.

Three

As if that wasn't enough I have something else I'm itching to start, NHAP, have asked for bright happy cardigans or sweaters for children aged one to teens, it's ages since I made a cardigan and I've found a fabulous pattern which I will share once I get started. I have the colours all ready although they could change depending on my mood, lots of stash yarn fighting to come forward and be part of the design 😂

Now I think I had better get dressed and do something other than crochet for a while, they say it's not good for you to sit for long periods, something about exercise is good for you, what a drag🤦🏻‍♀️

As always we have blustery winds and intermittent sunshine so my exercise will be out in the garden with brief periods of rest with crochet hook in hand. (View from Summerhouse)

What are your plans today? Whatever they are have a lovely Sunday and a very happy Father's Day to all those Dad's that are celebrating 😊

Linking with Kathy for Slow Stitching Sunday

Some Things Just Slip Through The Net.

 As I mentioned in my last post one of the reasons I started writing my blog was to keep track of all the projects I make.  I think it's fun to look back and reflect, and yes and to pat yourself on the back when you see how much you have actually achieved throughout the years. Another reason of course is to inspire and share idea's. 

Way back in 2013 the the Stashbuster Challenge was born and I have been stash busting ever since. At the time I was overwhelmed with how many of you joined me and are still stash busting  right up to this date.  

I'm pleased to say that it took many years but now I am actually quite happy with what I have left in my my stash. I have busted so much and now my yarn count has reached a reasonable level, I still have loads but nothing as bad as it was here. I have learnt not to buy yarn just for the sake of buying it and just to buy when I need it for a specific purpose, now that's great progress right? When you make as much stuff as I do for charity a decent sized stash is necessary but nothing like what I had before it was overwhelming.

As I was looking back and reflecting I came upon this post  and I realised that I hadn't followed it through. I started making these little hexagons to use up the little bits of yarn that I had left over from other stash busting projects making sure that not a scrap of yarn was wasted.

That jar did fill right to the top and I kept pushing those cute little hexies down and down until I couldn't manage to fit anymore into it.

I then had to decide which colour I would use to join them all together, I decided on navy because I thought it would make the colours pop and I had lots of it in my stash.  I crocheted two rows of navy around each little hexagon and then sewed them all together.

I have been wondering why I didn't take any photo's along the way but looking back it happened when I had a million things going on in my life along with moving house so I think that's why this blanket didn't get the recognition it deserved at the time.

Luckily I found some photos on my old phone so now it can take a bow..

I started this blanket in June 2015 and I finally finished it at the end of 2017, but it was a scrappy blanket and I honestly didn't care how long it took, it was fun crocheting those little hexagons and collecting them in my jar, they were so colourful standing in my bay window. If you fancy making something similar you can find the hexagon pattern here. It's a great way to use up those tiny scraps of yarn that you don't know what to do with.

This week as flown by with cold dark days, rain and snow and apart from a quick trip to the shops on Wednesday I have stayed indoors, it hasn't bothered me one little bit I have been quite happy snug inside with a crochet hook or a sewing needle in my hand watching the rain and snow lash against the windows. 

I have been watching YouTube video's of rock painting, after being inspired way back in the Summer by Linda from Crafty Gardener I love the idea of painting on rocks and I have made some simple ones as you all know for my grandson back here but I have seen some that are like works of art so beautiful! I have tried but my efforts are quite pathetic and to be honest I think that my little grandson could probably do better, however I don't intend to give up and have ordered some paint pens from Amazon so watch this space, if I ever produce something that's half decent I will show you the result. 

On the way back from my shopping trip I had intended to have a quick beach walk but as I got closer and saw the roughness of the sea I changed my mind, I jumped out of the car and with the wind and rain lashing in my face managed to take a couple of shots and quickly got back into the car again, drove home and had a cup of coffee instead. 

The sock knitting continues slowly, making knee high socks seems to take forever but one is done and I have started the other 

 

I shall be continuing with those this weekend, what will you be up to?

Have a great week.😘

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

Potholders/Dishcloths and Baby Hats

A bit of a mix I must admit but sometimes you just want to make small easy things, quick finishes that give you a sense of achievement when you're feeling under the weather or your brain can't cope with anything else. 

I was inspired to make these last week

Mitered Dishcloth//Pot Holders

Astri from Apple Blossom Dreams had a 25% off sale and I just went for it, a nice easy pattern that I didn't even have to think about to satisfy my crochet cravings .  I have a rather large bag of cotton stash, most of the labels have gone but I actually know what I used for these, They both took 32 grams of yarn.  The pink one is made with Rico Aran creative cotton and the green one with Sirdar Simply Recycled cotton rich Aran. Both are great to crochet with and this is an addictive pattern I can see many more of these in my future so watch out all friends and family you are about to be in undated.😀
Thank you Astri for the inspiration and for a great pattern which you can buy here


Jeannie Hat



Marianna from Lazy Daisy Days published this free pattern last week, it's another lovely easy pattern this time to satisfy my knitting cravings, just the thing to make while watching TV. I have quite a large stash of baby knitting yarn and I haven't a clue what type this is, but this cute little hat only uses 13 grams so it's great for using up those little bits.  This pattern is also a very addictive and I will be making lots more, there is always a need for baby hats so I can make these to my hearts content.
Thank you Marianna for the inspiration and another great pattern.

Thank you for all your sweet comments last week, I'm pleased to say I'm feeling much better but it's took a while before I felt confident enough to go for a short walk just to post a letter, any illness really tales it out of you when you get older and I don't like being incapacitated one little bit I really don't have the time for it.😣😄

Lifestyle changes have got to happen whether I like it or not, when I had my Gall bladder removed in 2015 I was determined to eat healthily and carefully and I did for a lot of years but I've been slipping back and now I'm paying for it. It's a very boring bland diet you have to follow which is quite sad really.  Have you noticed that when you go out for a meal anywhere it's very hard to find something that is healthy, most things are covered in rich sauces or fried or both.  I'm so sorry for those of you who say you have this too, I hope that one day they will figure out an easy safe and effective way to fix it.

The spots on my face were diagnosed by my daughter she said they looked like cold sores and when she said that I realised yes of course that's what they are, I have had them on my mouth and nose before but never on my brow and at the side of my eye and on my scalp! They are still very much in evidence and quite sore, I have four of them and I'm hoping that I'll get no more.

I have yet to go see the damage inflicted on the Woodland as soon as I'm feeling a bit stronger I'll have a walk and see for myself just what has been done.

Right that's it I promise no more moaning at least for now.😀

leaving you with..

A beautiful Pom Pom Dahlia the star of the show in my garden this week.

I hope you all have a lovely safe weekend. 


Click here to see some of the great parties I will be linking to this week.