WOW, I finished

Whilst I love this ripple blanket, I'm not completely happy with it, I used all the colours three times, and had enough to do more rows, I am not happy with the size. The first photo shows it on the bed it's was made for, and you can see it does cover the bed but with very little falling down the side showing and even less on the other side. When I started, I measured the chain row across the bed slightly stretched, as I thought the design would lay flat, BUT I did not allow for the ripple effect which shortened the width.
I kept going because I did not want to unpick, and I still won't unpick. I loved the random way I have used each colour, never planning more than two colours ahead, it has been very fluid all through. As the biggest project I have made, I have enjoyed every moment.
So last night I sent photo's to my sister asking if she would like to purchase it for her craft stall, for just the cost of the yarn as a one off item. She loved it and wanted it for her sitting room, she has new sofa's and would love this to drape, so I have sold it, now I am going online to order more yarn, this time I will get two balls of each colour, not including the 4 colours I already have, I am staying with Patons, Baby Smiles, 4ply, I love the feel in my hands. The extra yarn will allow me to make it much wider and the full length of this bed.
I have nothing to add to my stash list as the replacement yarns are just cheaper than the amount my sister is paying for this, because without the sale, I would not be purchasing yarn to redo this blanket.
I am pleased and excited to be starting another ripple blanket, and at this time of year it will keep we warm as I am making it.
I'm getting a bit fed up with all this rain!!

Almost there.

Another nice mixture of colours and shades

 This is almost as tall as I am, so not too much more to do

 Not many of my yarns left, enough to finish this blanket

 I purchased extra colours, but these will be left over for another project. 

 Another good book, I have a couple titles left to read. 

We are still not doing much, I drove to our village yesterday in between the showers with hubby, he walked to post some cards and we popped into the Co-op, it's nice to see him out and about. We have no plans for today, but he is getting bored, so I think we will probably go out somewhere.
I am reading again, and enjoyed another story in the Roy Grace series, I have another book to read which is on my iPad, then I just have his newest book to get. I have also seen a few other authors I like have books out, so a trip to our library is planned.
Yesterday afternoon I did some more to my ripple blanket, I love the colours in this blanket, but as it gets bigger, I find myself wishing I had made it wider, it does cover the spare bed, but I just wish it was bigger. When I did the chain, I forgot to allow for the ripple effect of the chain, which made it smaller.
We are waiting for a PPI pay out, from a bank we used years ago, they have confirmed all the details by letter,  until recently we did not have any details for this mortgage, but a couple of months ago I found some old paperwork and sent it off, the banks pay interest on the amount being refunded and they deduct tax, but as I do not pay tax, I will be arranging for a refund of that as well, at the time the mortgage was only in my name. A nice windfall just before Christmas, but I won't be using it for presents, it will booster our savings.

New start

I love flowers, and these birthday gifts are beautiful

 My sister sent my gift, all in the lovely basket

 SIL gave this scarf, which I am wearing now. 

I have started a shawl using one of my hand dyed sock yarns.

I have this year been spoilt on my birthday, in so many different ways, seeing my hubby regaining his strength, is my favorite thing. We had a lazy evening in together , a nice mug of drinking chocolate and an early night, hubby is still sleeping downstairs in the spare room, he has broken sleep most nights, he can climb the stairs for his morning shower.

Thursday morning he had an appointment for a blood test, so I drove him to the village, we walked to a couple of small shops and then stopped at our local Bistro for a coffee and cake, met a few neighbours, being sunny it was nice out, just much cooler in the shade. 

Now my thoughts turn to Christmas, I have not yet baked our cake, it's on my list of things to do next week. I have started on my Christmas cards, I am making a mixture of designs, 

Celebrations

These pink socks are finished, I am now liking the shades.

 Yesterday I wore my homemade pair, they are so comfortable and warm, these are the same yarn , but not a matching pair, which suits me. 

 Hand knitting from my friend Shelia

 A gift from sign class ladies

 Also for sign class, made by Mick, who bakes wonderful cakes. 

Hubby ordered this ages ago, it will go in the garden in the summer, I love it

It was my birthday on Wednesday, I was going to let it pass quietly this year, but friends and family made sure it was celebrated. I was too tired for sign class on Tuesday and did not go, but the above gifts were sent to me, the cake was brilliant.
Hubby's sister, brother and BIL drove over from Wales to see us both, Su and Will came for a couple of hours, so we shared the very tasty cake and enjoyed a lovely time together.
I have totally finished the editing of my blog book 2017, details of how I make the book can be seen here, a post from last year. I have started importing pages into 2018, which I will print in November next year. I take so much joy from looking back through my books, curled in a chair with a hot drink in a huge mug.
I am doing more to my ripple blanket, I spend alot of time with hubby in the afternoon, him resting me with my crochet hook. I popped to our local wool shop and purchased a couple sets of knitting needles, I have rewound one of my hand died sock yarn, I have a shawl pattern, I will start it soon, simple design, just loads of stitches. But can you picture this, one big hank of yarn needs rolling into a ball, hubby can't use his arms, so no help from him. I sat with legs up on a stool, wool wrapped around my toes, feet wide apart, rewinding the yarn, almost fell of chair a couple of times, but yarn sorted ready to start knitting.