January Days

Yesterday we met up with some of C's friends in Rutland, we went for a lovely walk around the water and I remembered how beautiful Normanton Church is. There was a wedding on and guests were arriving. The bridesmaids were looking pretty cold!

I've signed up to a half marathon in March which means I need to get training pretty sharpish! Today I ran for an hour and twenty minues which is the longest I've run for - it was cold and I didn't want to go at all even a little bit, but when I got back I felt great (apart from the fact I couldn't feel my legs).

We have had some decorating done and to my amazement C has agreed to a new blanket! Wool was quickly ordered and onwards and upwards with my version of Lucy from Attic 24's Cosy Stripe Blanket. It's so nice to have a new project on the go, gives me a distraction from those long ongoing WIPs! 

Some Me Time

For once I've been in the extremely unusual position of having three annual leave days left that I absolutely have to take before the end of the leave year (30th April). The original plan was that we would go somewhere sunny or off in Bonnie - with the atrocious weather I'm actually sort of glad we aren't camping - but somewhere sunny would have been nice...

With C having to work I've been left to my own devices. Again, rather unusual - and I'm not sure I've made the best use of the precious time off work, that's why I like to go away - I feel like it's been worth using leave for.

On Thursday I drove myself off to Hardwick Hall, a National Trust property I've been longing to visit for a long time, and the birthplace and eventual home of the formidable Bess of Hardwick , one of the most powerful women in Elizabethan England. She was married to George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury who was one of Mary Queen of Scots' captors, but very much a power in her own right. As a feminist and history buff it was very much my cup of tea. There are actually two Hardwick Halls - the original one where Bess was born, and later returned to and effectively rebuilt. This one is actually a ruin now - I love ruined buildings and wandering around. After the new Hall was built it gradually fell into disrepair, but is still rather striking 500 years later.

And just over the way is the new Hall. I didn't take many pictures as was very content just ambling. There are an awful lot of tapestries inside, which I think are now rather a national treasure. They must have been quite spectacular in their time, but obviously are rather faded now.

A very nice solitary day out. I also went for a run, to try and find some bluebells as it is the season after all. There were some in the wood that backs on to the University where I work, but they aren't quite in full strength yet - I'll have to pop over during the week to see if they've come a bit stronger.

And finally I've been making coasters, much to C's annoyance. We needed them in my defence! I love a bit of practical crochet...

I'm hoping it's going to get warmer this week - I'm very ready for Spring. One more day on my own tomorrow and I think I'm going to have to force myself to leave the house the weather looks so awful!

Home Made

I've had a sudden burst of making things recently - much more than recently and it's definintely food for the soul. Baking, crafting, being creative and using my hands is really helping me at the moment. And I'm even trying to branch out from crochet!!

When in Wales I bought a felt sewing kit to try my hand at something new - quite pleased with the result, although I think I'd like to try making some things from scratch! I've gifted it to my Mum and it's sitting on my parents' dresser

I've started knitting! I've found a lady who does beginners' classes and have paid for a course of three lessons - after one lesson I can cast on, cast off and knit and purl. I hate purl. It's slow and slightly tedious, and crochet is definitely quicker, but am determined to persevere.

Another granny square blanket... I'm using up some stash here so it's not as neat and planned as usual, but I'm quite enjoying it - mindless crochet and no thinking, right up my street.

Finally baking again! This is a yummy yummy carrot cake recipe - see here. I would heartily recommend it - quite easy and scrumptious.

Autumnal Scarf 2016

Since learning how to crochet it's become a bit of a tradition to make an Autumnal cowl (you can see 2015 here and 2014 here) . This year the tradition has been extended to a scarf, and it's particularly cosy.

The yarn I used was Jarol Shetland Mist which is acrylic with a dmall wool percentage - it's nice and warm and soft to touch.

Looking forward to some crisp cold weather to wear it in!

A Blanket for Laura

Laura is my friend I went to Venice with. She's one of my best friends and has been a key part of my life for years now, bridesmaid when I got married and one of the few people I know that if I ever needed her she would help me, no matter what. I hope she knows that is entirely reciprocated.

So for a special birthday I wanted to make her something special. In my books a crochet blanket is pretty special, this is only the third one I've ever actually completed! I chose the colours before I chose the pattern, I just went crazy for bright and bold colours and once I looked at what I'd chosen I thought solid block granny squares would be the best option.

I love the final result, and she seemed to too, which made me super happy. Giving gifts is one of the best feelings. Although, I have to confess, at one point I realllllly wanted to keep it ;) I may make a similar one for myself ;) Once I've finished some other blankets I've started and abandoned that is....

Baby Blanket Number 2

C's brother and his wife welcomed another daughter into the world last month, little niece is now a proud big sister. Unlike my failed attempts to make little niece something I was determined I'd manage a little handmade gift for littlest niece, and I decided on a crochet blanket.

They knew they were having a girl, but I wanted to try and make something reasonably 'gender neutral', something just bright and happy.

A big granny square always fits that remit I think :)

A simple half double crochet border has become my favourite blanket border. I should probably get a bit more adventurous at some point but I really like to keep it simple.

Ta Dah!

Peaks Revisited and Summer Crochet

My amazing talented wonderful husband fixed my laptop! So here I am again back in my bloggy space, oh how I've missed it.

We've been quite busy the last few weeks, some camper trips, seeing friends - all nice summer activities. I've even been managing to do a fair bit of crafting which didn't seem to be the case last summer! At the end of June we headed back to the peak district, to the same campsite (ever creatures of habit) for one night, and managed a nice long walk in what is possibly my favourite place to walk. I used to find walking challenging, and I'm not good at heights, so managing to climbing some peaks has felt like an achievement and I can't wait to explore more of the area.

It was not the best of weather, a bit drizzly and overcast, but that was actually quite nice to walk in. We headed up to Mam Tor and the ridge, and this time made it across and up to Back Tor and Loose Hill, it was really lovely with the lower clouds and weather front moving in.

Good old Bonnie was waiting for us when we got back, always a sight for sore eyes and weary legs. This trip the weather was bad enough in the evening for us to have to cook in the van - a cramped experience but an adventure!

And here is my favourite summer crochet accessory so far - another cowl, but more lightweight than usual!

I wear it for work a lot, it's super comfy and goes with most of my clothes! Pattern from here.

My First Baby Blanket

The first of our friends to travel the path to parenthood happily announced the birth of their son a couple of weeks ago. Now these friends live in Australia, so we wanted to send out a few gifts to greet the new baby, and I actually managed to make a crochet blanket! Said blanket was finally posted last week so is hopefully not too far away from its recipient.

The yarn was all cygnet chunky, which I hope will wash well and be nice and warm for the Australian 'winter' (I've been assured that without central heating it can actually get a bit chilly!)

I used Bunny Mummy's 'Sunburst Square' pattern, which I would highly recommend, it can be found here. It didn't take me too long to make and I loved selecting the colours - they didn't find out the sex and I chose gender neutral colours, which to be honest I think I would have done anyway.

So with husband's brother and wife expecting another baby I've decided I shall venture back to baby crochet. Just don't mention that cross stitch picture I still haven't finished for the baby's two year old sister!!!

A Bank Holiday on the Beach - A Return to Pembrokeshire

Last weekend we headed down to beautiful Pembrokeshire to spend the Bank Holiday in, much to our astonishment, glorious sunshine. We stayed in my parents' static caravan, with my parents for the first time in a few years and had the most perfect few days. As regular readers know we are often in this part of the world and faced with glorious sunshine we just pottered around our usual haunts. Dad and C played some golf, Mum and I went to our usual spots and a wonderful time was had by all this. 

We bathed in sunshine in wonderful Amroth

Mum and I wandered around the coastline in Wiseman's Bridge, a little hamlet round the coast in Amroth

and admired the beautiful habour in Saundersfoot, a small coastal town

Of course we returned to Tenby

found my crafting mojo again, I often do in South Wales. I made my parents a cushion for the caravan last year, a simple granny square affair. Mum got some more wool from the little craft shop I always visit in Saundersfoot and I started work on the next. Here's the one I made last year

Wishing you all a happy June!