Lucy Lovin'

I've been reading the Attic24 blog for a while now, and I love Lucy's eye for colour, in fact her home is beautiful from all the pictures I've seen, and her chatty style of writing is like sitting next to a firm friend over a cuppa, both of you with hooks in hand whilst chatting happily.  Her blog simply exudes warmth.

She has some pretty damn fabulous tutorials on there, and due to being so talented has inspired online stores to sell packs of the yarns she uses.  I would have liked the Lucy pack of Rico cotton but wasn't able to find it instock anywhere and Rico have discontinued some of the colours, so instead I ordered the Stylecraft pack of acrylic that she used for her Granny Stripe Blanket.

This pic is *not* true to colour, it's my instagram pic.

I'd just like to rave about the service I received while doing so from Country Crafts, I couldn't seem to find postage information on the website so I phoned them up instead.  I intensely dislike phoning strangers, but the lady at the end of the phone was friendly and knew exactly what yarn pack I was squeaking about!  She also told me that she, herself, enjoys Lucy's blog a lot.  Postage costs were the exact price they paid to send it by Royal Mail 1st class, no hidden inflation at all.  The best part?  That was at about 2pm yesterday and before 24 hours were up I had a rather large package in my hands.

As for the yarn, I confess I was a bit dubious, my preference has always been for natural squishy fibres, but I don't find the feel of the stylecraft too bad so far, although I haven't worked with it yet.  Not sure about the colours either, I can't help but think the greens are wrong, and there should be a truer purple in there, along with another yellow.  However I do love Lucy's finished blanket, so this could just be my eye for colour not being anywhere as close to talented as Lucy's is.

The biggest bonus?  I paid less for all of these 100g balls (17 of them!) than I have for 200g of pure wool in the past.  It's not anywhere near as beautiful, but it is durable, and I do not like the way varigated yarns look worked up in crochet.  So I am happy, and will certainly be chaining a new crochet project soon!

Productivity

It's been a while hasn't it?  Let's just say, computer insurance does not always mean a quickly fixed PC...

So whilst I was computer-less, again, I've been a busy bee doing some of these pretty birdies...

And I've started granny squaring to make a blanket for my chair.

I also got some photos taken of my children by a local photographer (this is just a freebie sample one).

I did a little bit of embroidery and sorted through my floss...

Plus I had a Christmas all of my own when a very nice lady on freecycle decided to give me bags of yarn and knitting mags with patterns...

I went to my local knitting group for the first time and met some lovely folks, alongside my friends, here is one of them crocheting up a lacy blanket square

And finally, I started knitting up a shawl this weekend, a very simple one, but I can't wait to bind off and wear it!

I also discovered instagram for my android phone, hence where most of these came from.  I'm thrilled to be back though, and able to check out blogs once more.

Friday Four 17/02/2012

As I started the 'four things Friday' posts I've decided to stick with it, this week's is a list of things that have been happening lately.

1.  Embroidery!  I was inspired by a blog I discovered a few days ago, particularly this post, I just love the doodle style heart.  So I dug out my embroidery threads and aida from when I used to cross stitch, and using a book I bought before Christmas I began practising stitches.  Excuse the appalling phone snap, I will get a better photo when I complete it.  I added on another coloured section yesterday and hope to make some more progress today.  I can definitely see me embroidering a bit more, even if just to use up some of this floss that has been sitting around unloved for about 7 years *blush*  I have embroidered small things in that time and always planned on stitching truly pretty items (hence buying the stitch dictionary) but it's just not happened yet.

2.  I am feeling somewhat at a crossroads in my life right now.  I'm having major life changes thrown in my direction and I am just not sure which way to go, after an initial stress out over the thought, those same changes are now looking more appealing.  It would change everything however, and I'm just not sure I am brave enough for that yet.

3.  Sadness.  I can't really explain why at this moment in time, but I am certain it shall be explained in due time.

4.  Half term.  My boys are currently off school for the week and we have done nothing exciting at all.  We've hidden in the house because my health hasn't been great, and a lack of funds means I can't just throw money at them to entertain them.  Instead we've been playing games, watching films, and being silly.  I am planning a treat for them at the end of the month though, they're really quite well behaved children and I'm very fortunate.  It feels a little bit like a waste of a week but at least they will be going back fully rested up which my youngest definitely needed.

I'm now trying to think of other week day alliterations I could do as they are quite interesting :D

FO: Posey!

Meet Posey the pincushion!

This is not a fresh FO, but rather one from just before Christmas, I made three all together, two two tier ones as gifts for a couple of friends I had just taught to knit, and this one for my greedy self.  I added the little tie on bit to  keep some of my stitch markers handy as I always find it frustrating to dig around for them in the bottom of the bag I keep my circular needles in.

It was a quick knit, sewing the tiers together was a bit of a pain and I actually managed to break a needle by trying to bash it through, but it was worth it as they turned out soo cute and used up some yarn scraps.  I found I had to be careful when stuffing them as one of them was stuffed too tight, and I was not the best at sewing the yarn around to created the petals either but I am still pleased with the end result.

I don't knit all that much any more, unless I find a must-have pattern or yarn, so once I've shown a couple of bits I've done over the past few months I can't imagine this will be a regular feature here, but I am developing a bit of an embroidery bug!

Long time, no blog

A bit of an understatement really, but I have returned to the world of blogging.  I am skipping the 101 things in 1001 days, I did achieve about a quarter of my list in the past year though... hair grew to my tailbone (then I cut it), we spent a fabulous week in Wales, I've baked more etc, but it was too unrealistic to expect my ADHD brain to stick to such a large task for such a long time really.

Instead, this shall be what it says on the tin, random.  I intend to be a dumping ground of things that are relevant to me, ramblings really, with the odd review thrown in for good measure.  It feels good to be back.  Now it's time for me to disappear and come up with some content.

Catch you later!

#51: Blog everyday for a month

source

Today I begin this task, I decided to leave until the first of a month because it would just make things so much simpler for me.  Besides I always enjoy the very start of a month for that whole 'fresh new start' feeling it begins, and I am in much need of a fresh new start.

I will be scheduling posts in advance for some days that I know I will be busy on and because February is an emotional month for me, so that hopefully I will be able to cross this one off my list at the end of February.  So here's to new beginnings and daily posts...

Friday Four

I was inspired to do this post by a beauty blog I regularly peruse A Little Obsessed who has a similar kind of idea, and thought it would be fun to share four 'somethings' with you all on a Friday.

This week I have four things I've been drooling over online, honestly if any of these made their way into my greedy hands I would be thrilled!

£9.95 from The Literary Book Company

I am a reader.  I've often had other obsessions, such as scrap booking, cross stitch, graphics, make up and so many more, but I have always, always adored reading.  Coupled with the fact that I have developed a new love of coffee makes this mug awesome for me.  Sitting down with my Kindle or a book and a cup of coffee is a perfect way to relax in my mind.

£9.95 from The Literary Book Company

 Yes, it is another mug, from the same website but I honestly cannot choose between them!  The first one would be ideal for when I need a time out from the boys, not that youngest would be able to read it yet, hehe, and I know that the bloke would get a chuckle out of making me a coffee in this one.  I know it is certainly apt...

Light up Your Mood Stickers, £6 from ycn

 Does this one really need any explanation?  Hilarious stickers for my boring white light switches that would show I do have a fun side, sometimes.  I am mad about them, and already know which eight light switches I'd funk up with all of them.  I'm finding it hard to resist ordering them right now...

Kindle Cover on Etsy

I need a cover for my Kindle, desperately, as I am a bit clumsy and like carrying it around with me in my bag. This one is just beautiful with it's bright fabric.  Etsy has a huge range of handmade covers by lots of different sellers but this is the one for me.  I don't really need it as I am more than capable of knitting one, but oh my gosh I waaaant it!  So much more attractive than the fugly leather ones Amazon stocks for the Kindle.

What four things should I share next?  Hmmm... I better put my thinking cap on...