Celebrations

It was my birthday this week and my friends made sure that I felt special. Julia made me the most amazing lemon drizzle cake which tasted every bit as good as it looked. I was bowled over with all the detail - the balls of yarn, the cotton reel and needle, the buttons and the tape measure. It must have taken her hours to make it - I'm very lucky to have such good friends. 

On my actual birthday, Julia treated me to a fused glass taster workshop and we spent a very enjoyable couple of hours each making a coaster. I dabbled in stained glass a long, long time ago, but still have a couple of boxes of bits and pieces of glass tucked away in the garage. So now of course, I'm wondering if it would be possible to fit a small kiln in there too!

The rest of my week has been very lazy, and I've been working on my Attic24 Hydrangea blanket and my Opal Advent calendar Madewell cardigan. I'm pretty much up to date with them and all being well, they should both be finished on Christmas Eve!

Flo has been very pleased that I've been taking things easy, although not that impressed about having to share my lap with a big blanket! She has swiped me several times to show her disapproval! 

I've still got some gifts to finish too - sewing, knitting and crochet! Nothing like leaving things to the last minute! I'm enjoying unwrapping my miniballs of yarn from the ThreeBagsFull Advent yarn swap too. I'm wondering about the possibility of knitting a stripy jumper with them, although I guess I will wait and see how the colours progress. I'm loving how they look so far. What would you make with them? xxx

Advent Challenges

Goodness, in two weeks it will be Christmas Day! How did that happen? I'm not feeling terribly festive at the moment. I think it's partly because I'm unwell and also because I've missed the build up to it with all the Christmassy activities I usually do with the children at school. My house has no decorations up as they are all stored in the loft and it's too hard for me to access at the moment. But I am lighting tealights fragranced with cinnamon and spiced apple so that will have to do for now!

I have been working hard on a couple of Advent projects - one crochet and the other knitting. I'm making another Attic24 blanket. This one is the Hydrangea blanket and it's looking lovely. I'm trying to hook four colour stripes each day, which should leave me with two days to get the border done. I'm being a good girl and dealing with the ends as I go too!

The knitted project is a cardigan designed by Joji Locatelli, called Madewell. I'm using the mini balls from last year's Opal Advent calendar, as well as a few left over from the previous year. I'm trying to knit one ball a day and to pick out the next ball of yarn so it has at least one colour in common with the previous one, to try to get some sense of blending. I'll probably be left with all odd ones at the end and my plan will go totally to pot! I do really like how it's looking so far, it's very bright and cheery, which is just what's needed right now!

I still have some gift knitting and crochet to finish too, so I shall love you and leave you for now so  I can get on with it! Keep warm and make sure you have some yarny relaxation. xxx

Another week of wellbeing

Another week of being kind to myself and enjoying the simple pleasures in life.

*** Monday ***

I sewed an Advent calendar for my friend Julia using a pre-printed panel. I love the little animals, it's a really sweet design. I filled each pocket with sweet treats. I think Benny is hoping that I've put a doggy treat in for him too! (I haven't!!)

*** Tuesday ***

I finished my Marie Curie socks and posted them to Sarah; she is a doctor working at a Marie Curie hospice and her goal was to have enough socks to be able to give a pair to each patient. I knit lots of positive thoughts into every stitch.

*** Wednesday ***

A lazy sofa day with a cup of tea, chocolate, my Kindle and candles. 

*** Thursday ***

I won another competition on Instagram and my prize arrived. Two mugs and two tea towels from a new homeware range of one of my favourite authors, Katie Fforde. Oh, and a signed bookmark too, dedicated to me! I discovered Katie's books way back in 1994 and have enjoyed them ever since. 

*** Friday ***

Helping my friend Julia to sew cosmetics bags as Christmas presents. It's so much fun being able to share a love of creativity with someone and to be able to pass on skills. She's done a fabulous job!

*** Saturday ***

Setting myself two challenges for Advent - another Attic24 blanket, this time Hydrangea, as well as a cardigan designed by Joji Locatelli - Madewell - using mini balls of yarn from last year's Opal Advent calendar. I still have a bit of gift knitting to do too, so it's probably a totally bonkers idea to have, but all these things add some structure to my day.

*** Sunday ***

My darling cat Flo is never far from my side. Either curled up on my lap, or snoozing on the back of the sofa, she discovered a new sleeping spot today. I ordered a pack of yarn ready for the Attic24 Sweet Pea blanket CAL which starts in January. Flo is taking possession already by sleeping on the yarn!! So I have no hope - fingers crossed she will share it with me!

I hope you've had a good week too. Let me know what little things have warmed your heart. xxx