One down

Lots more wip to go. I finally finished this cushion, it has been sitting waiting for piping for months, while I decided what to use, I had lots of options. Finally went to the material shop yesterday and saw this batik. I like it, and it is finished :) inspiration from a picture on the Internet, so sorry I saw
it before I started blogging and I didn't save the address or author, if you recognize it please let me know so I can attribute it properly.

Trouble is I also bought some sock wool and some felting wool, so one project out, two in!

Let me count up my current and pending wip:

Started - 1.ripple blanket, 2. placemats and napkins (nearly finished, one more push!) 3. crochet border linen napkins 4. Duvet cover from grandma's embroidered tablecloth 5. small squares paper pieced patchwork (no idea where it is going, it is just squares of nine-patch at the moment)

Bought the materials, not started yet- 6. Fairisle-style socks for daughter 7. felted crochet bowl

7 projects on the go, that's actually not as bad as I thought, especially as a couple are nearly finished and a couple are quite small. Ooo I wonder if I can start another from the waiting list...

Still in my head..... too many to write down!

Win-win

Problem no.1 Old socks, what do you do with them? Too small for useful rags, but I hate throwing anything away without reusing at least once! And no.2, dog who destroys balls, or loses them in the undergrowth. The answer to both problems is.... Sock-balls! Roll it up, twist it round itself, a few stitches to stop him shaking it all apart and... happy dog.



We had a lovely walk yesterday, a beautiful misty autumn morning. Tiny toadstools, quite the opposite of francesca's

The ripple grows

As the evenings grow colder it is lovely to sit and crochet with the half-finished blanket over my knees.

Christmas Star

Crochet star pattern from jellywares(I love this blog), stuffed and embellished, my first Christmas decoration this year. Is it unlucky to hang up a Christmas decoration in November?

Stir up Sunday

Napkins

Last couple of days I've been busy making napkins. Some sewing to make matching napkins for the placemats and some crochet borders as an experiment with some linen I have had lying around for years! I have spent every spare minute on them, but have enjoyed every one... and I am pleased with the result, I hope the recipient of these offerings is too :) I will save the pictures of the finished objects for the final reveal when I get the placemats done. Binding is cut and pinned, nearly there!

Cats and Blankets

What is it with cats and blankets? I've got a little further with my ripple, so I spread it out to take a picture in the sun.
It is still wider than it is long, but that is ok. It was always going to be a long term project, for me who has never made anything bigger than a 4x4 granny square cushion cover in crochet.
But look who decides that I must have made it for her?
So I folded it and put it on the stool, and guess what?
Her look said 'don't even think about moving me'
Just get my claws into it...
Do you think she is comfortable?

Life of Riley

This is my dog. His name is Riley. I wish I had a furry nest to snuggle in...

Whaam!

It's amazing, seeing a famous work of art in real life. Went to the Tate Modern today with my daughter to see Roy Lichtenstein's stunning picture.  This is one of her study pictures for GCSE art, as if we needed an excuse to see it.  I have loved his work since I first saw his pictures in the flesh as a student.

Then on to the V&A (strongly recommend the 'Power of Making' exhibits) and a quick whizz round Top Shop on Oxford Street.  All in all a successful day.  Knackered now, feet hurt, tired and hungry, but so worth it :)

Edited to remove pictures, had sudden doubts about whether private use, allowed under the gallery's copyright permissions, includes putting my photos on my (public) blog. I guess not, so here is the link to the Tate's own picture...(although I prefer mine:)Here

Crochet bowl

I was at a loose end the other day, I'd taken my ripple with me on a family visit to the countryside. You know the sort of weekend, long walks in the crisp autumn air, good food, long evenings... Well I underestimated the length of the evening and found I had run out of colours for my ripple, I hadn't brought all the balls I needed. Oh no! Empty hands! So I found a tutorial for a little project from bunnymummy here, and an hour later.. Ta da ... A little bowl for keys. It was such fun to do, finished in no time and quite sweet. Thank you Jacqui :)

Wip Wednesday

This is my current work in progress, a set of placemats (and napkins, I've not started those yet though) for a present for someone. This is part way through my morning

I'm sorry I haven't worked out how to add more than one photo to a post (it is the mobile application) but I got all six quilted this morning. Just need to be trimmed and bound then I can start on the napkins.

Also managed another half dozen rows on the ripple this eve watching Frozen Planet ... It looks good on the back of the sofa now, I can't stop admiring it. I worry about it being too big when I have finished though... but I must just go with the flow, no point in worrying as I am definitely NOT going to rip any of it back....

Ripple-along blanket

I was inspired by Lucy at attic24 to join in and start my own ripple and this is how far I have got. I am sooo pleased with it, I can't wait to pick it up and crochet another row when I sit down in the evening. It is going to be single bed size, so quite a lot of crochet. I have never made anything anywhere near as big as this before, but it is going quite well really. Sure it will take a few months but as it is so enjoyable that is actually a good thing- I think I shall miss it when I have finished! And isn't it fun knowing that so many other people are stitching away at their own versions,I love looking at all the different colour schemes on flickr.

Toffee apples

It is that time of year, and home made are so much nicer, not so sour as the ones you buy. Recipe from BBC Good Food (I love the Internet for recipes :) ) boil up the sugar, syrup and a teaspoon of vinegar, swish the apples around - don't drip boiling sugar on your finger like I did (I will spare you that picture:( ) - and put on one side till bonfire night. Oh yes, I forgot one vital step. HIDE FROM THE CHILDREN!!

Testing

I am still learning!

Edited to add:
Villandry in the Loire Valley this summer. I was lucky enough to have a few days away with my OH while the children were staying with friends, and we did the tourist thing and visited a few chateaux. It was so HOT that day we had to dash from shade to shade. But the gardens are beautiful and stylish and amazing; up there in my top three now, especially the vegetable garden.