Should I

We went out for tea Saturday, at a local to my daughters house, out of town shopping centre, it's very family friendly, safe for the children, with loads of things for them to climb on. This bear has been a firm favourite for years, 3 happy children, who enjoyed ice cream with their tea, daughter and I happy, no cooking.

I have finished the felted daisy, it's big, but I wanted it a good size, so it would show when I wear it on my coat, I did not make the petals to dense, I like the softer look. The orange I used for the centre looks great, and brings all the shades together. I was really pleased this time, I did not prick my fingers once and I did not break a needle, so that's a positive win.

I have printed off this design, I've had it saved for ages in my Pintrest files, I am looking to start another cross stitch, I have one pack of Evenweave 28 count in antique white, which a stitching size of 350sts x 450sts, small cushion size. I don't have a finished design to make, just another idea forming around shapes and patterns, and this heart is my first choice, I will again be using from my huge stash of silks (floss). 

Another good book from a new to me author, a slow start, but good enough to keep me reading, a very different location and story, set in a 'village' in Scotland, the main narrator was amusing. I am getting my books again from our library, using their popular fast back section, you loan the book for just two weeks, they always have a great selection. Book 7 read this year.

 I started to read Apple Never Falls by Liane Moriarty, but gave up, it's one of her off books in my view.

My title 'Should I' be starting a big project, well at this time of year it's a perfect time, I want to be growing in the garden, sowing seeds, but it's too early, so now is a good time to keep my hands busy. I have already done some stitching, I will show photo's soon, when you can see the design. I have also been looking at the second shape, a circle, not yet finally decided on which design. 

My weekend has been truly lovely, I arrived after George and Molly were in bed on Friday night, so they would settle, had some time with Will, sat and chatted with daughter, sharing a glass of wine. Saturday as predicted was an early start, both Molly and George were excited to see me, we had a morning at home, daughter decided not to go out on Saturday night, so a second evening in together. It is great to have our time, rather then the children being front and centre. 

With regards to my friends, the lady with the broken ankle is starting to walk again, the lady with a broken leg had to wait until Friday for her operation, their schedules are ridiculous, all these strikes are killing our NHS, hubby's brother is still in Spain, hopefully he will be home soon, daughter's FIL now has Covid, he is on the mend, just slowly. Getting older is no fun at all. 

Books and thoughts

 I have had this book since 19th October 2017, it's been a fun, clever thing to do, it has space for you to record answers to the same daily question for 5 years. It was purchased as a bit of fun, but I tried to ensure it was done probably weekly rather than daily.

Most days I answered the questions, occasionally some more defined was written, some things can not be just forgotten. Now its finished I will leave it on my bookcase, maybe for others to find in years to come. I have another book called Dear Mum, which I am starting to focus on now.

Baking on wet days over the past weekend left me with plenty of stitching time, I filled the space on the left of the purple roses using more patterns from the same designer. I then did a simple red design to complete the top line, I'm not sure about the design, but it will stay. The top line is completely straight, it looks wonky, but it's just the way the fabric sits in my frame. I have started a last minute addition, I loved this small design. The green motif is placed in a central position for a special addition, I am adding loads more to this project. 

I have been thinking about my blog books, I am behind, working on 2020, I am struggling, reading my words as Covid was devastating our world, normally I work on the previous year to have it printed in November, when the printers have their best deals. I do want to print a few more years, so Molly our youngest grandchild and only grand daughter is featured, I do often look through a book, I love to see the photo's and it's a great way to look back on our changing garden and home. I am making a promise to myself to continue working on 2020 and get it finished by the end of the year.

I have been working on the book for hubby, I have been sorting photos from my blog in date order, I have added them to the book and will add photos from hubby's Facebook. I have an idea on how it should look, very few words, maybe just events and trips taken with dates. We have already got a few gifts, seeing things at a good price and purchasing them, and spreading the cost. 

Had fun in sign group on Tuesday, we are learning multi channel signs, using one sign for a saying, ie, grin and bear it, I'm not bothered, it's fun and will help in conversations. I do like 'not bothered', I might start using it loads. I have almost finished knitting my second sock, just the toe shaping to do, then I plan to sew in all the ends for both pairs, after I will cast on a pair for SIL for Christmas,  that's the last pair needed this year, not necessarily the last pair I will make.

Daughter is due this afternoon with all 3 grandchildren, if the house survives, and us both, we will need an early night, going to spend an hour outside this morning. 

Bottom line

My work as a whole photo, I've mainly stitched the left side, ensuring the top designs tumble into the lower ones, I feel it works for me. The whole design is clear in my mind, the only issue is if it fits as well as I think, I have room for change as so many of these designs tumble into each other.

I love these red squares from my cushion, I hope to have a line of  designs along the bottom, I'm not sure if I will sew all 10, I do also want some more lace falling to the bottom, one to be in front of the squares and another falling behind.

I have been counting, recounting and working where to place the next design, should the edges butt up nice to my existing work, or tuck behind, I am worried I could miss count and have silly gaps. The design is not a simple one, lots of fine lace panels and not easy to stitch from outside in, it's a case of which keeps me happy and not concerned as I am stitching. I'm off to count again.

Counted cross stitch is my love, these charts fill me with joy, even ones with so many tiny different shapes and colours, as the design forms I am always happy. 

I still have loads of designs to finish off, but I am focusing on ensuring the bottom and sides look good and not just where the stitching stops. 

Thank you for your kind comments I have received as I am stitching this, I am not sure if this will be my last fine work, my eyes are not as good as they were, I love the smaller work using just 1 strand, it sits smoothly, using 2 strands  can often lead to them twisting and the finished work not looking as smooth. You all know me by now, in everything I am a neat tidy freak, I like control, but also freedom when it comes to my craft. I always struggle with random, I'm not good at just adding anything, I have to know the whole design, each design on this work is thought about, shape and then colour, the balance has to be there, even any mad contrast is always thought about, it's who I am.  

With all the cold weather back, it has given me loads of stitching time, most afternoons and evenings I stitch, having such a huge design helps eat up so much time, stops me thinking about life and everything. This again is growing, I would like to bulk of it done in the next few weeks, once the warmer weather is here the garden will call and often win my time. I've again not read much, this project has taken over and is timed to perfection keeps me feeling calm and busy and not bored at all. 

I was home alone most of Sunday, listen to the radio, lots of reference to Prince Philip who passed away on Friday, our thoughts are with our Queen, anyone who has lost a partner will understand her loss, it also focus our minds on all those passed away in the last 12 months, far too many. 

It's a wrap

No it's a lap blanket, but it is finished.

I'm teasing you now, the edging is my 3rd attempt, I just could not get the balance right, the colour was perfect but the design did not sit right. All I have done here is single crochet, as suggested by my niece, she said to do rows until it felt right, I stopped at 3 rows. 

Lovely neat boxes, Tunisian crochet looks like knitting, but as you make a colour square at a time, there are no huge rows to knit. 

I have not blocked it as yet. 

Front

Back

Back as a whole

Left over yarns

Enough to make me a bright summer top.

I used 4ply yarn, the plans shades were Drops Baby Merino, but I added some hand dyed yarn from Burrow and Soar just to lift the colours, all the colours and placements were my own design. 

I really enjoyed making this smaller blanket, using a new to me stitch, it's going to be my warm comfort blanket this winter, I don't need a blanket here as we have stopped most of the draughs, but it's lovely to be able to snuggle. 

The hardest part now is to pack it away, it's too beautiful to hide. I started making this in April, alongside knitting other things, so I pleased to have it finished. 

For details I did 20 squares wide and 33 squares long, each one is almost 2" (4.5cms) square, perfect for me. I always use 4ply on all my crochet and knitting, I just love the weight of the yarn, I do not use cheap yarn, and keep the sheep's wool to a low % as I have difficulties with the lanolin in the fleece, I find baby yarn great for me. 

Now to finish my cotton top, I only have the arm and neck bands to do. 

Stage 1 done

The Tunisian crochet is done, 

this is a perfect size for a lap blanket, 

I have most of the joins at the back to sew in,

I have done a row of single crochet around the outside of the blanket in a new contrast colour.

I decided to make a knitted edge for this blanket, I used this style on my hand made cardigan seen here, it's a lovely neat finish which looks good on the reverse, it's a fiddly thing to do, but worth the effort. I have just started, so still loads to do. 

Lovely neat lines

I have 360grms of left over yarn, I purchased 100grms of the edging yarn, so I will have some of that to add to this pile, that's enough to make myself a colourful summer top. 

I have done the main body of this top, reaching 16", I now have to divide for the armholes, but first I am trying to work out how much yarn I need to finish the top, I am happy with the length, but if I am going to have yarn left over, I would rather use it now and length it by a few rows. If I get it wrong and run out of yarn, it will mean unpicking, but it's a risk worth taking. 

I did start the edging on my blanket and made good progress, but it was not neat enough, so I unpicked and decided to make a row of chains before knitting the edging, I am still not sure if this is going to work, if it does not work I have no idea how to finish it. I will have to speak to my niece who is a whizz at all things crochet.

It's raining again, all good for the garden, I managed to get the herb bed finished yesterday, I have also been reading, so plans for a couple days inside, only plan is to pop to greenhouse a few times to potter and smile, I love it in there. 

My lower back is sore again, not too bad, but enough for me to slow down, I have to learn I am not able to do the heavy work outside any more, starting to dig the passion flower out was too much for me, hubby did finish the task but I already had pulled it again. 

Hubby had an eye test yesterday, so I popped to town with him, I looked in TK Max and Wilkinson's, where I got loads of seeds for next year, they already had some reduced. I also got a lovely fake eucalyptus for £3 for my flowers vase, it looks perfect and finishes the display. We also managed to get hand soap, I have very sensitive skin and can't use loads of brands. Town was very quiet, each shop asked you to cleanse your hands before entering, I did not wear my mask, I always carry my homemade one with me, but it felt safe, most places were empty, it was early, but no plans to pop back.  

Finishes and busy bee

I pulled out the 2 baskets of fabrics from the back of our wardrobe, 

gave them a good sort, moved a few things.

 Small purple basket has all my tea towels in, I do have a few, I love the challenge of making things from them. Middle basket has all the smaller bits of fabric, which might come in handy, and loads of fat quarters, all neat in one place. The final basket has all heavier weigh household fabrics, old cotton quilt cover, 1 old linen plain curtain, I purchased second hand, I love these, it's a cheap way of keeping heavier fabrics in. On top is a pair of curtains daughter gave to me, I love the fabric, would make good cushion covers. Plus I have my pile of fabrics shown in this post. 

 I left out some fabrics, 2 shopping bags cut out, 

and 2 small amounts of fabric which is very pretty.

 This fabric is a pair of curtains, project for a neighbour, she wants her daughter to pop all her soft toys inside a bean bag..

Finished items, I always love sitting at my sewing machine, these curtains are now a beanbag, I did not have a pattern for this, I did have instructions, but the material was not enough, and I really did not want to have to purchase a 20" heavy duty zip. So the bottom has two pieces which overlap, you can stuff from the bottom, the top circle is the size of our dinner plate. I had to make so many changes to the design I had planned, it's finished now. 

 I did one of my shopping bags, I've packed away the other and the fabric, the beanbag took far to long, I do love this bag with it's huge front pocket. The pattern material was off cuts I purchased from a charity shop, the purple material, I have had for years, they go well together. I used the same design as I used in this post for smaller children's bags.

Some baking was done, fruit scones, I made them a bit thin, and totally enjoyed on Saturday and Sunday, sat outside in the sunshine, we have a few left for this afternoon. I have made a couple of cheesy scones, only for me , not had them in years.

Totally predictable end, but it was worth the read, how she told the story of 2 woman's background, whilst having a sensitive story line, I loved this book, could not put it down.  This being my 25th book read this year. I'm now looking for my next book. 

I am crocheting my Tunisian blanket, it's an easy thing to make, but my mind is thinking about knitting, probably another pair of socks, I still have a few pair to make for Christmas gifts.
The garden calls every morning, I have cut back most of the daffodils along the side bed, I can now see what is already growing in there, it's still too early to pop in any bedding plants, anyway mine are still not big enough, hopefully in 3 weeks there will be loads to go in the gardens.

Three cheers

It's finished, and I love it

 Really nice size,

I am so glad to started this second blanket

 Loads of overhang at the bottom

 Ripples are so pretty

 It must be winter, no gardening,

so I have nails with polish on. 

Bed dressed, the two cushions are handmade, cross stitch by me. 

Left over yarn, to be made into small granny squares

Just a reminder of the yarn I used, this brand gave me so many wonderful colours to use on the blanket. 

I started this on 13 November, so a couple of months to complete, I did have more time for crochet, as I sat most afternoons with hubby as he recovered from his operation, giving me at least 5 hours to work on it most days. 

Can you feel the grin on my face, this is the biggest thing I have ever made, very relaxing to do, only problem as the weather is getting really cold, I will have to find another blanket for my lap in the evenings.
On the plus side, Grace my cat can come back and sit on my lap, she knows she not allowed to sit near my work, most evenings she walks by to see if there is any chance of a cuddle.
My sister sent me a photo of her using the 1st ripple blanket I made, she looked snuggled and warm.

Finish and RAK

One large holiday bag for myself

 Two; saw this and thought of you

both hubby's oldest son and DIL love Beagles

I thought DIL would love a new bag

 Three; tea towel bag, don't you just love the colours

 I made double handle, one set shoulder length and one set for carrying, they are joined at the same spot and the longer set can be tucked inside when not in use.

 I am pleased with the burst of colour

 I have a huge pocket inside

 I was going to line with white, 

but decided the black was a better contrast.

 No lining on this bag, just a nice size for shopping

 I made French seams again, it's a much simpler bag to make. 

 This was one pack of reduced teatowels

It was always my plan to use all three. 

 You will never lose it

 The lower pink section is a big handy pocket. 

 Bags of room inside

 French seams again, just so easy and they look so good. 

Will stayed until after lunch yesterday, we had so much fun together, he got all the musical toys out and we were 'singing', me out of tune, Will making noises, but it was fun.
After a bit of a rest and a huge mug of tea, I got my sewing machine out, I had cut out three bags, of which I have stitched two, the tea towel bag I decided to start later in the afternoon, hubby did not get home until after 5pm, so I had plenty of time. I have a bag I am making for Shelia our sign class mentor, she has given me two flags from Harry and Meghan's wedding, it all cut out, all I need to do is sew it together. I have another bag I am making my daughter, using two tea towels with cats on, I made myself one with bee's on, but the bag is a bit small, so I will make daughters bigger using both tea towels.
It's such fun to have an afternoon sewing, it was very hot here, so a day inside with the doors open, was a pleasure.
The tea towel bag, is surplus to my requirements, I do not need another home made shopping bag, so I'm having a giveaway, if you would like this good sized colourful bag, please leave a comment at the bottom of this post, I'm not wanting anyone to post about this, I just want to say thank you for reading my post, I am happy to post anywhere.