There is someone that I would like you to meet......

A few evenings ago I pottered away some time with my hook and yarn.  Something which has been missing in my life in the last few weeks. 

Since my trip to Texas, and having been spoilt rotten by my family, Mr T and I agreed that we would sponsor a child in poverty, as a gesture of thanks for their generosity.  Whilst looking on the 'Compassion' web site, a little girl jumped out as being 'the one' as she shares the same name as my lovely sister in law, Sharon.

Since her picture arrived, I thought that I would get a nice frame, in order that I could find a place for her in our home.  On Saturday, I had an hour of poking around some of the lovely stalls in Bridport, whilst Big Bro and a friend had a romp in the pool at the leisure centre, but nothing came up trumps.  

I had a light bulb moment when I thought about hooking up a simple frame.

With an empty cereal box I cut the frame size I required.  After a bit of trial and error with different yarns and different size hooks, I stitched double crochet all around the 'frame' of cardboard.

 

Once I had worked all the way round I made my way round again using a scalloped edging.  To finish I made a tiny crochet flower with a button heart centre (from Texas!)

 

So, without any further a do, meet Sharon.....



 

 

Pretty special, hey?

 

Jxxx

 



Home Sweet Home!

Hello Peeps. I hope that you all are very well.

Since returning to England I have been readjusting to home life.  Some things have fallen back into place with great ease....Mr T, Big Bro, Little Bro and, of course, both the Miss'!  However, I have also felt happier to go with the flow of things and felt more relaxed with life!  Since our last contact I have read a little, looked in both my bee hives, and have caught up with friends.

Whilst I was away one of the loveliest families that I know, moved from the next village along from us, to about 25 minutes away. I have just completed a small hand made something, for Rachel, to mark the occasion - I am sure that they are all going to be very happy in their new home, sweet home!

 

Jxxx

Holiday!

Hello All!

Today starts my 33rd year of life.  It has been a day of celebration, not only for the obvious but also because I have been reunited with Mr T, Big Bro, Little Bro, Big Miss and Little Miss after spending some time with family across the Atlantic.

I don't know about you, but I am a firm believer that there is a time for everything.  For me, the last two weeks has been a time for relaxation and recuperation. Therefore whilst I have relished the time I have spent knitting here and there, I have not strived for completion, just simple joy.

This is my family's gorgeous back garden where I spent some afternoons catching some very much welcomed sunshine.

 

 

Wine and cake was often on the menu......yum....yum....yum....yum....yum

 

 

Above is a sneaky peek at the latest yarn in use.

 

Jxxx

 

Knitting and Purling

In the past I have tried knitting but found holding the needles awkward.  This being the main reason why I persevered with crochet -having one hook to hold I found a bonus!

It was only when I came across this yarn that I was overwhelmed with the need to crack knitting.  I sooooo wanted to give it a home but the only thing that I wanted to create with it was a cardi for Big and Little Miss to share. 

You can of course make crochet cardigans but they just didn't take my fancy.

Having purchased needles, a pattern, and of course this delightful yarn, I was eager to get started.  However, I nearly stumbled at the first hurdle because upon reading the pattern I realised that I would have to knit and purl alternatively - something I had never done before. 

After umpteen times of stitching and unravelling on my own I gave up with frustration.  However, during a family get together I was given some tuition from my mother in law with an oddment of yarn and a pair of needles.  Having on taken on her advice this is the result.......  

 

...rib stitch!

 

 

This is the back piece in production.  We'll see where this journey ends....



Jxxx

Easter Making

Hello All.  I hope that you are enjoying the Easter bank holiday - we certainly are.  There has been Egg Hunting and even some sunshine, which has been most welcome!

 

A number of weeks ago I said that I would take part in an Easter themed swap. 

I've had various ideas, such as an some sort of egg cosy but then I came across this item that fits the bill.

It incorporates chocolate and crochet - who could ask for anything more?!

It starts off by looking like an egg...

 But no - chick it is.  I hope it's new owner likes her!

Here's a pic of her without the wings.

Cheep Yum Cheep!

I also thought that my craft swap would like a spring flower brooch.  These daffodils are a different pattern to the ones that I was originally making, which I have found to be much quicker to produce. Pretty aren't they?

 

 



Jxxx

Ten Hens

Last Sunday Mr T took Little Bro and Big Bro to collected their small flock of chickens. Their idea being to sell free range eggs to friends and family in order to earn some pocket money. 

Big Bro managed to obtain three customers on the first day of asking and Little Bro got one. To my amazement they have been quite industrious in revamping the hen houses with Big Bro cutting wood and Little Bro painting them.

It has been a few years since we last had some chickens and I have been surprised at how much I enjoy watching them scratching and pecking around.

Jxx

Egg-cellent Colour - and that's no yoke!

Last Saturday I spent day with a few friends at the Knit and Stitch show.

There were oh so many stands with various delights on offer.  There was yarn, fat quarters, trim, buttons, patterns, to name a few. It was difficult in deciding what was going to come back with me to 'The Woolly shed'. 

After walking around for many hours I decided upon some scrumptious cotton yarns and some Rowan double knit pure merino wool that I just couldn't resist.  The latter may become a cardi - we will see.

Here is my colour choice for the Rico cotton.

Having taken Big Miss, Little Miss and her friend, Max, to Abbotsbury Children's Farm.  I used the opportunity to start writing my first crochet pattern whilst they romped in the ball pool.  From the pun in the title I expect you can guess what it is going to be....

An egg-citing Easter egg decoration....

 

 

 

Here's the finished result.....not bad for a first go!

 

 



 

Just eleven more to go!

Jxxx