Winter Project Link Party

Randomly, I'm blogging. What better way to (re)start than with Jennifer from Thistlebear's Winter Blog Link Party.
So without further ado, here's what I'm currently working on.



I thought I'd try some cross stitch. It's been a very long time since I've done any sewing and I needed a fresh challenge. I'd bought a cheap book some months ago to see if I could work it out. In the end I bought a kit from theworldinstitches and got going.
Then of course it has sat in my sewing box waiting for the right moment...and I think this is it.

Of course the clocks go back soon and I'm definitely noticing a change in my eyesight (I've not succumbed to the suggested reading glasses or varifocals yet though) so let's see how it goes.



Joining in with Jennifer.

Winter Project Link Party :: 1

Jennifer over at Thistlebear is hosting her Winter Link Party again for this coming autumn and Winter. I thought I would try join in, perhaps not with every post as the level of my progress would be painfully slow...

I'm really enjoying making this cowl (the Whitlam cowl). I received the yarn and pattern as a kit from a very good friend who is a most excellent knitter from a lovely (very) local shop Baa Ram Ewe. It took me a bit of thought at the start and continues to be more challenging than mindless stocking stitch. I've had to undo rows more than a couple of times when I've suddenly realised I've got an extra stitch!!

I think it'll be worth it though, the lace pattern might need a bit of blocking to show it off to its best.

Anyway, I'm about halfway through the recommended length of the cowl. Let's see how we go...

Creative busyness

Sometimes you just have to make a bit of time. It's busy at the mo. I've been busy with students, busy with children and busy getting ready for a much needed break. It's half term next week and we all really need it. The ABO has a couple of extra days off tagged on to his normal off days. We're heading to the North Yorkshire coast for a few days. A change of scene will do us all good I am sure. I'm preparing for poor weather but you never know...

In addition, I'm sorting things, trying to finish stuff off. I've had this in my mind's eye for over a year. My good friend had her second baby at the end of February last year. I'd planned this idea, but then, LittleR became unwell and it slipped away. I bought a gift (for ease) but as I'd made a present for her son the idea didn't go away. So in the next 2 weeks I'm going to applique and stitch her name in a hoop. And then, to go with it,  I'll buy some more plastic tat to clutter up my friend's house! 

I'm also three balls into the ABO's scarf. We haven't really had a harsh winter (so far - don't want to tempt fate for next week!) so he hasn't needed it, which is lucky. It'll definitely be done for winter 16/17!

I'm joining in with Jennifer (at the final moment...) and her winter project link.

Joining in!

Happy New Year.

I’ve wanted to join in with Jennifer’s Winter Project Link Partyfor a while but I’ve not really been working on anything substantial. So I’m submitting three small made things so I can feel like an achiever in 2016!

Firstly, two paper angels made form a tutorial on RedTedArt’sblog.  Made with two small girls and no arguments, a post-Christmas miracle. One has been put away with the decorations, the other (headless) angel has been recycled, must remember to take the bead out of my pocket before I wash my jeans! The nearly 3 year old doesn’t quite get gentle yet!

New year scones. I wanted to make this recipe but I didn’t have enough bread flour. So I made my fail safe Mary Berry ones. They were very delicious.

Finally in an effort to use up leftovers and clear the freezer I made a pie based on a Simon Rimmer recipe that’s no longer on the bbc site. I even made the pastry as I was too lazy to walk up the road in the rain and buy some (thanks to Sue for the recipe). It was delicious. I was very smug.

Finally joining in with Jennifer!!!