In my hands

32 pattern rows completed, I'm still enjoying knitting this blanket, first row is my mixed coloured yarns, second row is plain coloured yarns, I've kept going in the cycle. The bottom still curls, hope I can sort that. I'm getting to the length I require if it is going to be used as a lap blanket, it's not wide enough for anything else.

My yarn stash is shrinking, this container is not so packed, I've been using all my small hand dyed shanks, this was the point of making this design. I'm still on my first 100grms of black yarn, all 4ply. The paper separates the yarns used in each row, ensuring I spread the colours throughout my knitting. 

There are loads of ends to sew in, I use a tiny rug latch hook, much easier and quicker, no threading yarn through needle eyes.

I have felt something was missing from my days, I do enjoy knitting and reading, my real passion is for cross stitch, last year I found a huge piece of linen, which I had forgotten about. I won't stitch it all, plans are forming for another mash up of designs, I love the challenge mixing everything up gives me, as always my starting plans are very loose, I adore this edging design, I already have made some changes to incorporate the flower motif I love, it will form the outer border, maybe a bit bigger that the original design and then have fun filling the middle. The original design can be seen here. 

I love this author, so far every book I have read has been great, a very different plot, she wakes up in a strange room, trying to piece the past few days, except to everyone else she is in a coma after an accident. I adore how she gives you all the answers in plain sight, and not until the end does all the bits fall into place. Book 31 read this year

I've had a couple of quiet days, I sat with the boys on Friday after school, whilst Molly had her swimming lesson, later daughter went out for tea with a few old work mates, both little ones went to bed and settled quickly. Saturday we had a day at home together, I did a bit in the garden, keeping on top of everything, later we both drove to daughters and shared a Chinese for tea, all three children ate well. Later at home another relaxing evening. Today I'm  doing nothing.

I'm in hubby's bad books, do you remember the fun the little ones had with the confetti balloons, they loved them when they popped over the Easter weekend, it's rained since then and now we have predominantly red and blue dots on the paving. Me saying I thought it looked pretty did not help at all, I suppose they should fade in time.

Inside

 My knitting is growing, I love the look, I have no use for another blanket, I have a few crochet ones, I will check them and maybe discard one. I have completed 17 pattern rows and used half of one ball of black, so I can do up to about 70 pattern rows, I still have plenty of coloured yarn left.

I have read books from this author before, another great book, I do love a good thriller, 3 couples all on holiday, all very different, thrown together when a woman is murdered, past lives catching up with them, lies, back home and things are still strange. Book 26 read this year.

I chose this book as it was free on my Kindle, same police officer as in previous book, a fall from a balcony, was it an accident, and why are all the new mums acting so strange, with a good insight into how the police follows through a case. Book 27 read this year.

My last magazine arrived this week, I won't renew the subscription, I have 24 copies saved for reference, I do like this practical magazine. Most of the free seeds were gifted to local schools.

17 years ago, we decided to have wooden floors in our hall and main living area, slate in downstairs bathroom, vinyl in the kitchen and laminate in our office (3rd bedroom), there was already tiles on our en-suite, these days my knees and back complain after washing them. So after a search through countless steam floor mops, we got this Shark, the two round pads spin and work together to scrub the floors, with three levels, super easy to use, every part of me is happy. This is not an ad, just my views on an item which works well for me.

It's been cooler and dull this week, so housework was done, I also got a new handheld steam cleaner, I used it on my clean shower, it got to places where my cloth could never reach, spring cleaning is going well here. For once nothing aches, I was able to do more in one session.

I did pick George and Molly up from school on Tuesday, daughter attended Will's school, his class had a project they wanted to share with parents, both little ones were good in my car, after tea mummy went back to their school for parents evening, Molly's teacher gave her a glowing report, Molly loves school and is doing well, she is still only 4 and has done so well. Georges teacher was happy with him, he is on his own path, different from his peers, he does try, but he does like to play as well. Again daughter was very happy, we chatted for ages, having 3 happy children makes her life much nicer, for now Will has stopped playing up in the mornings. 

I have picked up bugs again, George has a cold, he is a cuddly boy and loves his nana, I'm hoping I can shift the bugs quickly, I'm cold and tired all the time, yesterday was a lazy day and should be the same today.

Scrappy blanket

 I'm rather pleased with my knitting, it's growing, I still have a few different shades to use, I have completed 7 sets and will do another 2 before reusing shades. This is one end, the clips are only used to hold the ends flat for these photo's. 

The middle section

The other end.

I am enjoying the colours on this, normally I would stress about placement of colours, this time I'm relaxed about them, there are 10 coloured patches on each row, with 26 stitches, I knit and turn on decreasing stitches to make the design, on the second row there are 9 full coloured patches and a half design each end, I am doing the half sections in an off white yarn so they all match. I am using all my 4ply stash yarn, only balls which have been started, I'm knitting using 3.25 circular needles, I have worked a system to ensure all the different yarns don't get too tangled. I've been really good and stitch all the ends in after each row, this is 8" or 20cms, so a long way to go. The real pleasure in this design is allowing me to use all of my 4ply yarns, some are slightly thicker, but it does not matter.

The boiler service man arrived at 8am on Thursday, we were ready for him, we always have to move the fridge/freezer to give him room to work, it was the same guy as in previous years, he was quick, clean and tidy, happily no issues to report. I had a sleepover at daughters on Thursday night, helping out with bedtime and breakfast on Friday morning, I missed this month's WI meeting, family will always come first.

Friday Will was happy to go to school, no disliked lessons that day, sadly George has mirrored Will's behaviour and daughter struggled to get him in the car, at school his 1 to 1 will come and help on bad mornings, they park in school grounds. Having a second person to help makes all the difference, both little ones get their me time and settle quicker at bedtime, George is at a stage where he knows what he wants, sadly he's not always able to achieve it by himself, he is mirroring Will, who at 9 years is going through an independent stage and not liking a couple of his school lessons, some mornings he can be difficult. Molly is still only 4, she is independent in most things, but still wants and needs her mum. As I have said before both schools are brilliant help, together we will get through this, we just need to support our daughter, I never want her to feel alone.

I'm posting this on Friday evening, I plan a lovely lie in tomorrow morning and have a me time, it's much needed.

Saving Doug

I brought Doug (from UP), home, he's a favourite of George's, he came here in a bin bag with all his stuffing separate, George and Molly were playing in their bedrooms quietly, mummy found the poor thing in bits, another job for Nana. I have done major surgery on his face he is all stitched up and back home, I did check all his other seams as well.

I do love this author, always a very easy read, Life can be good, but what do you do when people start hurting your family and yourself, well she does fix other peoples problems. Book 20 read this year. 

Another good read, I love how this author always has the answer in plain sight, so far I have never worked it all out until the reveal near the end. A couple goes to remote Scottish location to help save their marriage, will it work. Book 21 read this year.

It was world book day again this week, Molly has a growing set of books, all focused on people through modern history who has changed our world, she loves the book Queen Elizabeth by Racheal Riley, so here she is all regal, this girl loves to dress up, George went as Batman, Will went for an army costume. Molly has been queen before, seen here with George and Will as her guardsmen.

Will wanted a Hussars jacket for his costume, we used a blue fleece, I added golden stripes to the front, decorated the collar and cuffs, no swirly decorations on sleeves or buttons, I added epaulettes. I could only get cheap gold tape, which frayed and was a nightmares to stitch, I hate the finished item, Will loved it, most stressed I've been in ages. Far to ashamed to post any photo of my work here.

I have done more on my knitted blanket, I now need to stitch the ends in, I am keeping to my promise to do at the end of each colour section, as I have said before there is no rush to get this done, I am enjoying the process and that's the main point. It's not a project I enjoy doing in the evenings, I need to be able to focus and count without interruptions. 

I have watched Small Prophets, just 6 episodes, I really enjoyed the simplicity of the story, this weekend is the final of Pottery throw-down, we have enjoyed it again this season, we don't watch much TV. Hubby has enjoyed Silent Witness, which I never watch, I get annoyed how the main two, know almost everything and solve the mysteries, they just irritate me.

Crafting

 This is my starting point, these are the part used balls of yarn from socks, plus a couple packs of hand dyed yarn which I have had for years, it's a nice mixture of colours, I hope to use the smaller balls mainly and add colours where required, each of the new shanks should make 3 different colour patches. 

In here are the rest of my 4ply yarn, there are only a couple of full balls, all the random shades are on the right, these are going to be my first choices along with the yarn in the above photo, the plain colours can be added if I require a different shade. I have pulled out 3 full balls which are handy to keep.

I decided on black for the contrast, so many of my random balls have grey and blue in, so black stands out. I could not find any locally, so I had to wait for delivery, I'm not in any rush with this, I can take my time and enjoy the process. The first row I have used my blended yarns, the second row plain colours, I think I will keep this mix, gives the blended colours space to shine. 

The smaller balls shown in top photo, are in my workbasket next to my chair, handy for me to use, I can also pop the balls I am using in as well, they can roll and jump as I pull on the balls and hopefully not fly onto the floor for Lilly to chase. The yarn in the second photo is in a plastic propagator lid from the greenhouse, it's big, so it can stay on the spare bed, we don't have anyone due for a visit in the near future. 

I got in a terrible mess with 11 different balls of yarn on the first round, by the second I had worked out a method which stopped most of the tangles, I am packing the colours for each row after use together so I can use all the different colours. I am stitching in all the ends after each 'row', it makes my work tidy and saves the horror of doing it all at the end. 

I will still have loads of yarn left over, I really want to shrink it more, these are mainly sock yarn, so tough and not so fluffy, there are some baby yarn which is soft and fluffy. I have seen a circular blanket which I am considering as well.

Yarn

 She is doing something different, loads of these coloured balls everywhere, some on the floor, are they for me, NO, I'm not to touch them, Ohh, I want to.......

One moved, it rolled, everything on the floor is mine, that's been the rules so far, they both throw things for me to chase, again she called NO.

I'm just a small cat, how can I resist something so playful, she was laughing when she caught me, it's still NO, I can't play with them. I heard him say it was her fault for letting them drop on the floor. 

....................................................

I have finally found something to use some of my huge stash of bits and bobs of 4 ply yarn leftovers, I saw this pattern on Pintrest, I do love to knit, but I'm not so good with long rows of stitching, this design is made knitting each colour segment in one go, only when the colour blocks are completed on the row do I need to knit two contrast colour rows. I purposely mixed different thickness, it's all 4py, some brands are spun closer making them just a bit thinner, this is my test piece, it will look better once it gets to a good size, the weight will pull it flatter.

Doing the test piece has helped, firstly the yarn from each of the colour rows stays attached until all the colour blocks are finished, so there are ends and strands I'm knitting with, I will need to sew in ends once they are finished, other wise I will get into a right mess. I have already worked my method of making this, I need to mark the main 18 rows once done, it's not easy to find my place if I lose concentration. I can also work out the number of blocks I require in each row, it's not a bulky, and I have no use in mind for it, being pretty is enough for me to make. I intend to use the smaller scraps, I have sock yarn and various other 4ply from jumpers knitted. I don't have enough yarn for the contrast colour, I will purchase a couple of balls, can't decide on grey or black, either colour would work well.

It's great to finally find something to do, I had been looking at the 10 stitch scrappy blanket, but the deign was too blocky for my taste, I had started crocheting squares, again no a favourite thing for me to do. I toyed with another Tunisian blanket, I have made 3 already, it's a good way of using scraps, using 4ply is not the warmest, they are too light weight for a lap blanket.

This did lead to me having a mini sort out of my craft bits, loads of books to try and sell, whilst they are great craft books, I have not looked at them for years, I tried an online scheme, which gave me their prices, a couple of books sell much higher on ebay, maybe time to list my books, if they don't sell them I will go back to the site. 

It has been months since I last did any craft, I'm not sure why, this winter I had closed myself down, again I'm not sure why, I kept saying nothing is calling, but in truth I stopped looking. I will need to have things to craft in advance of the later months of this year to try and avoid becoming inactive. I am beginning to believe I suffer from SAD, I have always required an outside space for balance, in the past few years as I get older I am not liking going out on wet days, which is many days each week inside.

Whatcha doing?

These socks have been in my kitting work bag for over a year unfinished, pure laziness, they were not alone I had two other pairs there, all three pairs are now finished and these this week will be winging their way to a new home. The design is mine, I have used left over yarn from other hand made socks, using 4 different shades and the multi coloured

Another good book, a simple task leads to a discovery, you know you are adopted, but now you have a huge new family, with secrets, should you dig deeper. A plot with a double time line which worked well. Book 6 read this year.

I have often said the buds on an amaryllis when opening look alien, this bloom is dark red, I can't wait for these loud blooms to show themselves, my hyacinth is in circle photo, I do not know what colour these blooms will be, they are forming. January is a good month for inside bulbs, I do love to watch their growth, the hyacinth bulbs will go outside in garden once finished. 

I spent some time outside, my main job was to cutback the fleabane daisies in this bed, I did the same last year, keeps them at a tidy size, you can see lots green new growth at the base of the plants. Now I can see the spring bulbs shooting, I also removed 3 clumps of primroses, which were completely hidden, they are now in new spots, they fell apart so I had 5 plants.

Saturday was dry, sunny and not too cold, an hour in the garden pleased me, I managed to weed my side bed, the weeds are tiny and easier to pull, soon spring bulbs will cover the bed. The bed above is looking a bit ragged, my two snowberry plants are doing well, I will cut back the right hand side to allow the other newer plant to grow so they match size. Hubby renewed the wooden perch on my fork handle, I've never seen a bird on it, but I do like to see it. It's a bit like Triggers broom (Only Fools and Horses), the handle was replace a while ago and now a new perch, it belonged to my mum, so it is years old. 

Molly brought home a reading book with words in on Friday, already she knows them, she was very excited to read to us, all three children have a love of books, just like their mummy and me, Will has been unwell this week, he rarely has time off school sick, so they had a lazy weekend at home, George is happy to be together with them all. 

Easter

Our knitting ladies have decorated the village for Easter, lots of colourful displays.

We booked a table on Friday, painting pottery, sadly it was not the experience we hoped, George was not happy too many people and kept running to the door, and Molly had a huge melt down. The staff and other parents were all so lovely, by their actions, they fully understood, we did manage to get all the painting done, just not the fun start to the weekend.

The children loved their egg hunt, Will again was in the veg section, George and Molly in the front, they have to be separated as the little ones are dairy free. We get them sweets as well as chocolates, plus a few bits not edible, we set Will a challenge to find his larger egg.

We always put two eggs together for the little ones, they share so well, Lilly followed them around, George decided he wanted to wear his tutu, it's a dressing up item he loves. 

Daughter stayed with us for Friday night, the little ones were with their dad, we had a perfect lazy Saturday, resting most of the afternoon in warm sunshine, hubby made a curry for tea. Sadly instead of staying a second night, so she could have much needed rest, her soon to be ex, called, George and Molly were both very upset, daughter went straight home, spent time redoing bedtime, lots of cuddled and kisses. It's very upsetting how disassociated he has become with his own children.

Sunday we had Grandpa and Grandma (daughters MIL and FIL) over for the day, it was dull and cool, so most of the time we were indoors, the children did play outside for a couple of hours, giving us time to catch up. Hubby made hotdogs (the little ones favourite) and burgers, and we shared a red velvet cake again made by hubby, the children went home full and happy, George and Molly with a sticker and colouring book and crayons each and Will had another book in his favourite set, Captain Underpants. 

Today was dull we did not see the expected rain, housework was needed and done, one task completed in our bedroom before hubby starts painting this tomorrow, he went out playing Petanque in the afternoon. Now relaxing for the rest of the day, busy tomorrow. 

Back home

 This is our haberdashery Christmas window, the ladies of the knitting group worked with Sarah the owner to create this unique display.

These are locals featured to give the window a true local feeling, it has been very popular on Facebook.

Our local BBC news has picked up the story, they did a feature which was on the local page of BBC news and a short film on the evening news, the best bit is loads of money has been raised for cancer charities. 

Our village has changed and has become a busy vibrant place, the newer owners of the butchers and bakers have got more people in the precinct,  the haberdashery is always busy, allowing the other shops to thrive. Having Superdrug and Iceland helps, even the Tesco express is busy. 

Tuesday we had a lazy day, we popped to Lidl to get the few fresh bits needed for the week, I managed a walk around the garden, fished out loads of leaves from my wildlife pond, no damage anywhere, hopefully I will get an hour outside to tidy around soon.

Today I want to marzipan my 3 cakes and sort the top decorations, I'm keeping it simple again the year and do more on my brother lap blanket. 

Finished

My first craft finish in ages, as the weather changes I am inside more, plenty of reading and craft time. This blanket is for a raffle prize, I used the yarn from the Christmas blanket I started last year, I had made some squares, I did not like how the different designs were all slightly different sizes.

This is made with Emu double knit, 100% acrylic, so it will be strong and warm, I used Tunisian crochet stitch, reels with instruction can be found on YouTube, you make each square, joining them as you go, I used 12 stitches and 20 rows, making 10 patterns up and across. I have made this design before using 4ply, for myself. The joy of this stitch is you do not have to turn your work, which is very handy when the blanket gets bigger. 

For the edging I decided to knit an e-cord design, it gives a lovely tidy edge and somewhere to hide the ends of the yarn, I was going to look for a contrast colour, then I had the bright idea of matching each square colour, which was fun, but gave me so many more ends to sew in. 

I think all the work was worth it as I am really pleased with the finished item, hopefully someone will use it and keep warm. I have plans to make another, my brother Martin has said he feels the cold in the evenings, so I suggested I make him one, I half expected him to laugh at me, but he said he would love and use it. 

For now all crafting has been set aside, we are in sunny warm Spain, without a raincloud in sight, it feels so good to wake up knowing there is no chance of rain, wear sandals and no coat. We are staying with Spanish friends, so lots of lovely food and laughter. I hope we can pop to Valencia, it's a beautiful city, so much to see.

Other things

 I'm not doing much craft at the moment, last year I pressed some of the flowers growing in our garden, they have sat in the flower press for months. I saw this double frame reduced in TK Max and decided its time I made a design. It's my first time of trying, I did have a very limited colour scheme, so many plants I love. I'm now pressing more flowers.

I have pulled out the knitting I am doing for hubby's sister, I want to finish it, ready for their visit next month, I do love knitting, it's a relaxing craft. Sadly I don't need anymore cardigans or jumpers, I always crochet any blankets we use. I have a nice stash of yarn, mainly 4ply, which I prefer to use. I've started on the first sleeve, I did think she had not purchased enough yarn, but I have just over 5 balls to do both sleeves and front band.

Hubby made a red velvet cake, which we both love, making the frosting using dairy free cream cheese, so the little ones can eat it, so moist, sat outside in the sunshine, sharing a special moment. The children loved it and wanted more, Will thought it was purchased from a shop. 

I'm not always sure about this authors works, she covers topics which can be thought provoking and hard, here teenage suicide or was it murder, two families lives so close, their children friends from birth. I did enjoy reading this book. Book 29 read this year.

I have a very happy husband, last December he won a raffle prize, which he was extremely happy with. This week tickets arrived for the Kings birthday, Trooping of the Colour, we have a pair of tickets, lovely seats for the event in June, we have booked hotel, coach tickets and have places at a luncheon after. Hubby has marched years ago infront of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, but never watched it.

We have been to an event attended by our late Queen, posted here, here hopefully we should see the King, and maybe other members of the royal family, would like to see William, not interested in seeing the Camilla, I have never liked her. 

Crafting

 I am pleased with this knitting, the back is almost finished, it's a jacket for my sister in law, I had to unpick her work as our tension was different. It does knit very quickly, but I find the knitting needles huge, I have one problem looming, I am sure I won't have enough yarn, I'm just finishing my 3rd 100grm ball. I have looked online and it's still sold, I will know soon how much more I will require.

I purchased this fabric a few years ago, I had a plan, which fell through, now I have a way to use it, I had two old pillows which I have pushed down into a square, and then use the fabric as a cover, these cushions are perfect for our garden. We don't leave out any of our cushions, so they should keep looking this good for the summer, they are a huge size and very comfortable.

I got some Easter shaped cookie cutters which are brilliant for needle felting, so I made a few designs, I do love the rabbit head, I am not following any video's, just making by eye, trying a few different roving's and methods. I had hope to have a few more finished, it's a job for today, was called to nana duties unexpected.

I knocked over this sweet pea stained glass flower and the top flower fell off, I have a small craft solder iron, and had a go at fixing it, I'm pleased to say it worked and I think still looks good. If I had messed up, hubby would have sorted it for me, he was busy in garage building my huge bughouse for the garden.

Whilst I had my sewing machine out, I stitched the badges on our neighbours son's cubs blanket, it's a simple job, I keep the colour in the machine bobbin the same colour as the blanket, and match the main reel to the colour of the badge. I really had fun with my sewing machine and should use it more, but I always need to pack it away  I sew on my dining room table, where we sit and eat every day.

I am again looking at my black spotty bag, I'm still not happy, the bag section is perfect, my fix works, but the round hand stitched flap is not right, I am going to look in my scrap box to see if I have anymore spotty material, I have an idea forming.

I'm not making any comments regarding this non stop rain, I hoped our spring was going to be warm, sunny and dry, having said that we have had a few dry hours for a couple of days.

Theres no place like home.

I got the bargain of the month off local Facebook market place, all three packs for £5, these sell at £5 each pack on the site I use, I had been looking for a mixture of greens, as I didn't have natural shades. I held back from ordering them as I would need to pay postage on top. I'm sure the pinks will get used, I can make more flowers. 

These blooms are again stunning, I love the colours, most of my house plants don't flower, I love the leaf textures and shades of green inside. This sits in our downstairs bathroom and even without blooms looks lovely, daughter gave me the pot for a birthday present a few years ago. I've seen an unusual plant I want to get, called a  Albuca bracteata, or a pregnant onion, I've ordered from here.

 Another brilliant author, I don't know why but I struggled with the first couple of chapters, after that it was good, a clever story of friendship and pushing limits, how our minds work and how we perceive things, until the epilogue, which threw me, weird to say the least. It's not put me off the author. Book 23 read this year.

My SIL had this bag of yarn, she had started knitting and struggled, she offered me the yarn to use, but I promised I would knit her pattern for her, she is very happy, it does not look to difficult and I'm happy to make it for her. The yarn is super chunky, with big needles, so it will grow quickly, it is dark, but I do have a good crafting lamp.

We have in our dining room a camera, which we can view from our phones, I have always checked in our our cats when away, Grace was OK the first couple of days, but on Thursday evening and Friday morning, she was sitting on our TV unit, not a place she normally sits. She was very vocal when we got back, it has only been two weeks since Purdy went, so maybe a bit too soon to leave her, but everything had been booked for ages. She had tin tuna when we arrived home, and then went for a long nap. 

We walked to the village shops on Friday afternoon to get a few bits of fresh food, then I was sat reading, I wanted to do a few bits, but Grace wanted me, she sat on my lap for ages, so I gave in and read. It was very grey and dull and much cooler, no rain thank goodness, I want to redo my wildlife pond, the water is not staying in the pond liner, so it will be easier to take it apart and relay it, I will move a couple of grasses there as well.

Saturday was bright sunshine first thing, the laundry was on the line blowing, I had thought I would be outside, but the wind was bitter, I did manage to dead head the daffodils, and potter in the garage, I'm  a fair weather gardener. We had showers later, so other then popping to village for some veg, we stayed warm and snug inside, and again with me having Grace on my lap. 

Today we have nothing planned, it should be cold and dry, so I'm not sure how much time I will spend outside, I've had a later start to the day, catching up on sleep missed whilst away, no plans, so a lazy day. I've just had an email, my needle-felting course booked for next Friday has been cancelled, that's a shame, I was looking forward to it.