A Year in Crochet

When I saw all the posts last year reflecting on peoples years, I thought I would do the same this year.  However, I clearly wasn't that organised!  Whoops!!

So, having the afternoon relatively free, I thought I would sort through my pictures, and try and put something together - for the garden, my cards, or crochet?  Next year I might do one for all three - but this afternoon I had to make a choice.  The garden was quickly excluded - I seem to have run out of steam around August, and there aren't so many pretty garden photos towards the end of the year.  My New Years Resolution will be to keep my garden colour photos going throughout the year.

Next - looking at the cards, it would take more than an afternoon to make some collages to share, so that left my crochet.  I have finished most things this year, and will be taking 2 WIP in to 2014.  The blanket for the playroom - which is a huge project, although I haven't worked on it for ages.  I'm really not sure why, as it is lovely.  Maybe because I wish I had splashed out and bought merino rather than style craft?  But, I know deep down that acrylic is the better option as it can be thrown in the washing machine as and when needed, will dry quickly and won't need to be blocked.  

The other WIP is a new lace gossamer scarf using the silk yarn I bought at Yarndale.  I only started this a couple of nights ago and it is coming along nicely.  The longest time was spent choosing the pattern for such expensive yarn!  I do also have a few other balls of yarn (well quite a stash if I'm honest!), some gorgeous skeins purchased at Yarndale, and some ordinary, waiting for inspiration to hit me! :)

Anyway, here is my year in crochet.

Starting the year by making gifts for friends, a hook case for me, and some alpaca socks when I had a cold.

Spring time saw me make a bag and wrap to wear at my sister-in-laws wedding, a cushion to tie in with my ripple blanket in the entrance hall, and some bunting for Yarndale.

I finished Matts ripple and added a cushion to complete the look in his newly fitted room.

Then I moved on to making some bits for me!  A couple of hats, some mitts and a cowl and wrap, socks and a bag for me too.  A friend liked it so much, she asked me to make her one too.  I was happy to oblige.

And finally Christmas crochet.  I enjoyed hanging my snowflake garland again, and I made an Advent Garland this year, and small gifts for the women of the family.

I think thats about it - quite a lot I guess, but so very enjoyable.  I'm sure 2014 will be productive too.

Well, I've just about managed to get this completed before the New Year!

Wishing you a happy and healthy 2014.

Sara x

PS - I haven't had time to add links for the patterns used, there is a variety of Ravelry, Sandra at Cherry Heart, Drops, Patchwork Heart, A Creative Being,and obviously Lucy at Attic 24.  Thank you all for your inspiration. (Apologies if I've missed anyone). If you would like to know where any particular pattern came from, just let me know.  xx

Guess what I got for Christmas? ...

Hello

Thankfully the power has stayed on since Christmas Eve, and although some roads are flooded, we are all okay and can get out of the lane - one way anyway!

We have had a lovely few days, spending time with family, eating and drinking too much, and not doing very much else.  I hope batteries are re-charged.

New Years Day is my husbands 50th birthday!  Goodness how did we get middle aged?!

So, tomorrow evening we are having a quiet meal in together, whilst Matt parties.  Mark is going to collect him after midnight.  I did offer, but he insists he does it.  (I am not happy about Matt staying at "mixed sleepovers" - I just wouldn't relax!)  And then we have a family get together on New Years Day.  We are meeting for lunch in a local pub, and then coming back home for a cup of tea and a piece of birthday cake.  I am making chocolate orange cup cakes tomorrow.  I can't remember the last time I made a birthday cake - it make well have been Matt's first birthday!  I hope it all works well.  A very kind friend has given me some instructions, and leant me her cup cake stand, and icing bags.  I have bought plenty of sprinkles to cover any less than perfect bits, and a big sparkly 50 candle.  I will try and take some photos along the way.

You may recall that I was lucky enough to get a new camera for my birthday.  I love it, and I have a lens to take sports photos, but the lenses I have haven't been very good at taking close up shots.  But that has changed.  I have a new lens.  The sun shone yesterday.  Please join me on a short walk to the post box (why does the visa bill always need paying between Christmas and New Year - it isn't funny!) I took my camera and pondered and looked along the way.

 Such blue sky and red berries

 Sad to see so many bits snapped off trees - but loved how it caught the light

 Lichen - so beautiful

 Which way?

 A decaying tree trunk

 Can you spot the wagtail above?

 Interesting shadows

 Strangely there are daisies growing on one of the school fields

 Walking back towards home now

 Sunshine on bramble leaves

 A long tailed tit - but he blends in vey well.  There were so many of them flitting in and out of the bushes.  I can't recall hearing such load bird song at this time of year.

 Back home - and teasels

 Apple tree branches

 A cheery viola by my front door

 Passion flower plant tendrils

 Winter jasmine

 Pony tail grass blowing in the wind - at least I think that's what it was called.

 The garage roof

 Climbing hydrangea

Looking at the smaller details there is still so much in my garden.

Sorry there are so many photos - I had fun!

Happy New Year - hoping 2014 brings you happiness.

xx

Merry Christmas

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and hope you have a great time wherever you are. 

We've been without power since last night. It wasn't looking great - a bit like this really. Except colder - even with the fire. 

But at least my blanket was appreciated!

There's a few jobs that won't be getting done now. 

Thankfully the power has just come back on - so I've painted my nails, 

Poured a glass of wine and we are off out for supper and then to chapel for the midnight service. 

Wishing you happiness. 

Take care. Xx

A Winter's Day Walk

The first day of the holidays, and whilst last night was blowing a gale and raining so hard, today has been beautiful.  Cold and bright.  The best sort of Winter's days.

A friend who I met all those years ago at ante-natal classes, and I had arranged to meet for lunch, so we were able to go for a walk too.

We met at Wakehurst Place.  Matt took charge of the camera - you need to bribe 16 year old boys to walk with their mums!  I think he did a good job, and it's nice to see what he noticed along the way.

Back to wind and rain now - and the forecast says it's staying stormy now.  Thank goodness we were able to get out and enjoy the day.

Night x