Nearly Finished and Finished

Hello, it's been a week since I wrote anything, perhaps because not much is happening here except for soaking up the end of the summer holidays - last week next week... unfortunately :(

The conservatory is in it's end stages, though it's bank holiday on Monday so not much will happen this weekend... sigh, had hoped it would be finished by today, but should only be Tuesday until it's completed.

I finished Imogen's throw, sewed in the pesky ends (my least favourite part) and she snuggled up under it while having a nap. Bit of a lopsided picture I'm afraid!

I have to mention this because I was so surprised. We were in one of the supermarkets earlier on and as we left Imogen ran up to ... are you ready for this... a grotto for Father Christmas... it's August! Don't get me wrong, I understand preparations, gifts and cards being made, but not Father Christmas in the shops yet surely! Where's the anticipation... goodness me... OK, I've finished but would be interested to hear what others think about it... :)

Take care
xxx

Happy Anniversary

Today is our wedding anniversary and it's been a lovely day.

Adam and Imogen gave us cards and bought me a lovely bouquet of flowers and Andy a box of beers... we were both equally thrilled with our presents, but I think mine will last much longer  :)

We sat on the patio last night with lots of candles flickering and stars twinkling (there were a lot of stars visible last night, and Andy nearly went in to fetch his telescope) and toasted our wedding anniversary. It was so nice to be able to sit outside even though it was gone midnight, though I did end up nipping in to fetch my throw to wrap over my shoulders. It's made us look forward even more to the conservatory being finished and being able to sit with the doors open enjoying the fresh air.

As the sun was shining we decided to jump in the car and head to the beach again (it only takes 20 to 25 minutes depending on traffic). We had chips for lunch and sat on the sand soaking up the sun as Imogen had a fantastic time playing in the sea.

Look at those waves, I'd have loved to get in there with her and jump them!

I just managed to catch this picture!

After a lovely time on the beach, we went up to the paddling pool and had Imogen had a paddle and we all had drinks and ice creams before heading off to the park.

Then home for a lovely tea followed by a few games of trumps (I taught Imogen yesterday how to play) with smarties as prizes for the winners.

Brilliant day!

Take care
xxx

Giveaway Goodies!

What a lucky girl am I! Sitting in bed this morning having a nice cup of tea when the postman knocks.
Thank you Amanda so much... my wonderful goodies from Amanda's gorgeous giveaway at Crafty in the Med... all the way from sunny Spain, how lucky am I!!!

I couldn't wait to open my parcel, and inside everything was individually wrapped with such care, little paper bags tied with pretty thread with sequin flowers on it, flowers, buttons and even a badge :) So exciting, a definite woo hoo moment as I sat and said ooh look at this, wow it's so pretty, even the postcard was so lovely!

Where to start! I think a photo would be best because there's just so much there!

The fan was wrapped closed with ribbon, I think I'd like to display it somewhere to show it off. After a lil giggle over the name, Imogen is hoping to tuck into a farton, the dish is gorgeous, really pretty and I think I'd like to keep it on my craft desk with some pretty beads in. Amanda's cushion cover can only be described as stunning, and is certainly not done justice by the photo, it really is quite beautiful and I shall selfishly not be sharing it. I am planning to have it in my chair in the conservatory when it's ready, and will post a much better photo then.

The vintage doily is so delicate and pretty, I think I have the perfect place for it, and thank you Amanda for the cotton and hook so I can try some delicate work of my own.

There is so much, what an amazing giveaway, I haven't mentioned so many things!

Feeling very spoilt... off to have a proper look at all my new goodies.

Take care
xxx

How to make a Crochet Bobble

Thought I'd make a little tutorial about how to make a crochet bobble as it's so easy even for a beginner like me once you know how! All my crochet terms are UK ones (and wasn't that something that really confused me starting off, different terms from different countries!).

With the blanket I'm making at the moment, I'm doing 3 double crochets on my first line before starting (and in between) the bobbles. The bobbles are made on the back of your work, not the side facing you.

Then wrap the yarn over the hook before putting the hook through the next stitch as though about to crochet a half treble.

Go through the stitch, wrap around the hook again and pull back through the stitch so there are 3 loops on your hook

Wrap the yarn around again and pull through the first 2 loops so you only have 2 loops left, this is the end of the first part.

Now you just repeat the process. Yarn around the hook, through the same stitch as last time, yarn around again and slip through the top 2 stitches.

Do 4 of these through the same stitch. This will give you 5 loops on your hook.

Now wind the yarn around again, but this time pull the hook through all 5 loops on the hook.

This makes your bobble.

It looks quite flat until you do your next small double crochet stitch, this pulls it tighter causing the bobble to appear on the other side!

I hope that makes sense especially to anyone who's a novice like myself! I found it quite tricky taking photos while trying to crochet... will enlist help if I do it again! Imogen thought I was taking pictures of my hook and wondered what on earth her mother was up too!!

Take care
xxx

An Escape to the Beach

We now have french windows in the dining room ready to lead out into the conservatory, woo hoo, it's been so nice in the evening to have them open and feel the nice cool draft coming through.. love it... wish we'd done it before.

The footings have been dug

It was all fun and games getting 4 small dogs from the house into the garden. Andy blocked up the side where the fence has been taken down and placed a couple of boards over the concrete to protect their little feet, of course it goes without saying that when dry the cement was covered in lots of little doggie prints (I'm sure I saw them signing their names).

Anyway, the house is a mess, there's brick dust everywhere and I thought we could do with some family time away from it all (otherwise more jobs end up being done) and enjoy the sunshine. We bundled Imogen into the car and off we went to Hornsea. It wasn't too busy so we found a spot to enjoy some glorious fresh sea air.

Andy dug out the beach wind tent and put it up so I could sit and do some crochet while Imogen built sandcastles and paddled in the sea.

Just above the prom where we were sitting was a small paddling pool for children, very handy for rinsing sandy feet too! Imogen had a small play before we went off to have fish and chips before coming home.

Quality time :)

Take care
xxx

Throws and Bobbles

I've made a start on Imogen's throw to go over her chair bed. So far I've crocheted a Granny Stripe throw/blanket and ones made up from Granny Squares, I'm now used to crocheting trebles and double crochet, so thought I should try something else. I flicked through my book The encyclopedia of Crochet techniques by Jan Eaton and fancied having a go at the bobble stitch, I think it looks so pretty. I'd really like to crochet bobbles in a contrasting colour, but thought I'd better walk before running! I'm really pleased with how it's progressing, and Imogen loves it - very girlie!

pale pink and green bobbles

It's about the width of a single blanket and I'd like to make it long enough to snuggle on the bed if she wants to.

Outside in the back garden is a bit chaotic. We've just had the small back porch knocked down and the fence (with gate) in preparation for our new conservatory.

Tomorrow I think they'll be taking out the window from the dining room and fitting french doors and perhaps starting on the foundations. We have all the bits and pieces from the porch (how did we fit it all in there!) in the kitchen and dining room - chaos! Imogen has a friend staying tonight, so I think we may pop them in the car and take them out somewhere, just need the rain to hold off.

Take care
xxx

Making Flowers

Sitting here feeling a bit hoarse from cheering first Jess Ennis and then Mo Farah - both won olympic gold, it was amazing! Got very involved, so enjoying a nice cool drink now.

We were having a walk, popping in and out of shops when I spotted some bargain wool. I have plenty and didn't really want to buy without a project in mind, so luckily I remembered that Imogen would love a throw to go over the chair bed Andy is picking up from Adam tomorrow! The colour choices were gorgeous, Imogen choose these beautiful candy and pastel colours.

I'm planning to start tonight or tomorrow, and hoping I might get to spend some time in the garden crocheting.

I've ordered some ring bases and spent this afternoon making some lovely flowers. My favourite is the Rose, you can't see in the photo, but the colours are beautiful, pearl with green, lush!

I'm so excited to be able to wear them, maybe with pendants too.

 Hopefully I can show you the start of Imogen's new throw next time.

Take care
xxx