A Little Collection Of Crochet Baby Hats

 Where did this week go! even though we are stuck indoors for most of the time here in the UK the time still goes far too fast for my liking.  How are you guys doing and how are you coping? I have discovered that if I have a routine and stick to it I can cope better and some part of that routine has got to have some kind of physical activity included into it.  

I'm so glad that I bought the treadmill it's been well used since I got it.  I put my Laptop onto a small table and place the small table on top of the big table so that the screen is eye level and watch something while I walk, it's great! I'm exercising without even realising it. It's also putting my Laptop to good use because although it's too slow to use for working online, it's fine for streaming TV and YouTube video's. 😀

The other thing that keeps me going is my crafts, I try to have a plan of the week, I set a little challenge for myself for the week ahead.  For this week I challenged myself to use up a ball and a bit of red yarn I had in my stash.

Red Baby Hats

These are needed in the neonatal units for babies who are at risk.  The traffic light system has been employed in many areas to ensure that the babies get the care that they need, you can read more about it here

We have had a request for a number of red hats as the units in some area's were running short, so I made these and will send them along with the Angel pockets.

I quite like making baby hats because they are so quick to make and  having made something, even a little something gives you a  sense of achievement.

I do get bored using one pattern so I have varied them by using some of my favourite patterns.   

Little Treasure Baby Hat  (Pattern to come)
to go with Little treasure Baby Blanket.

Pom Pom Baby Hat (pompoms yet to be added)

Lisha Baby Hat

Aiden Baby Hat

Magnus Baby Hat

Aimee Baby Hat 

This is what's left, just enough for a couple of pompoms.

The other Challenge I made for myself this week was to finish day four of the Twelve Days of Christmas sampler,  

As you can see it's almost done and I'll enjoy working on that this weekend.

I like the idea of working a small stitchery each month and I'm on the look out for something to make alongside the Twelve Days, I don't mind a small cross stitch project or an embroidery one, I have seen some that I love but they are very expensive, I'm not looking for a kit, a chart will do.  If anyone has any suggestions please shout out.

What are your plans this weekend? whatever they are have a good one.😘

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

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.

The Other Thing

 Well I knew that you would be dying to know what the other thing was that I'd bought haha so I'll keep you in suspense no longer! well I'll have to ramble on a bit to give you the reason behind the purchase. I know it seems a bit crazy to have bought this when I have lovely walks and a beach on my doorstep but truth be told and I know I have said this before, I am not a fan of cold weather, I am so impressed with those of you who can get out there in all weathers but I'm afraid when the temperature is below 5° I'm staying home.

It arrived last Friday on one of those cold and rainy days

Thankfully the delivery man lifted into the house for me.

I walked it into the lounge, unboxed it and there you are....

Did I have a job assembling it! it was nearly assembled apart from 6 screws, simple you think? well no way! the holes were out of alignment and trying to get those screws in straight took me the best part of two hours I kid you not. I am quite determined to say the least and I always manage in the end no matter how long it takes.  

This is the second treadmill I have owned, the first was bought back 2015.  That treadmill was amazing and I used it a lot but when I moved house it had to go because at the time it was far too big to fit into my new house, since then I have had the conservatory built on and that is where my new one is going to live,

As with the All In One PC there was lots of  online research went into the purchase of this and I found that it was impossible for me to get one with everything I wanted, namely...

• Motorized
• Automatic incline
• Five star reviews
• Foldable 
• Within budget

I thought I had found one until I did the measurements and realised that it would take up far too much space so I had to compromise, it was impossible for me to find one with an incline for the size that I needed so mine has a slight permanent incline which I found is fine.

First impressions are very good, it works well and it's lovely to have a walk in your conservatory whilst watching the birds in your garden while the rain lashes down and the wind blows a gale but doesn't affect you one little bit. 

Once again I have to thank my lovely family, this time it was my daughter who said look into your bank account Mother and there was enough for me to buy this, another amazing Christmas present, I'm so lucky!

As I have said with the PC I now consider myself an expert on Treadmills if anyone is thinking of buying one and needs some advice or more information about this one please just leave a comment with your email and I'll get back to you.

A friend trying it out 😀

Have a Lovely week😘