It's been a while...

The last six weeks or so have been busy. Almost every spare moment has been taken up by "the project". (I did  have a week off when  #1 son was on school holiday.  It's his surprise).   The pile of yarn on the previous post has been transformed.  Firstly it was transformed into 927 teeny tiny squares.
This is what 927 squares looks like.

Doesn't look much does it?

Well, let me assure you, it looks very much different now!

All my teeny tiny squares have been sewn together.  I am finishing off the edging.

I've been taking "the project" to my knit and natter group.  On Friday I finally finished the sewing up and held it up to show the group.  I was thoroughly surprised when a random stranger in the cafe where we meet came up to say how brilliant it was.  I'm so excited I just want to get it finished now.  I reckon it'll be another couple of days and then I can post my big "ta-dahhhh"



                         

Wanted...More hours in the day

Busy. Busy. Busy.

As the title of my last blog said....So much to do and so little time.

The big brown blanket is finished.  Gone off to it's new home.  A quick run through the washer, and the scratchy-ness was almost gone.  A few more washes and it will be lovely and soft.

The "Secret Santa" cushion cover was made, and finished and is winging it's way across the seas.  Again, it was made from the scratchy wool, but it looked lovely, and washing instructions were included.

I managed to squeeze in a few bits for my knitting groups Christmas stall.  There were my flower pin cushions, which I forgot to photograph, Some mini santa's, reindeer and snowmen, (pics to follow) and this rather simple and very lovely cushion, which didn't even make it to the stall, but was snapped up by another group member for rather a sizeable donation.  All proceeds from the sale went to the RNLI.  A very worthwhile cause, especially for us coastal dwellers.

I also made 8 mug cosys, filled the mugs with chocolate, and hot chocolate sachets and marshmallows, and wrapped them for my daughters friends.  Totally forgot to take pictures ...Doh * slaps self on head in Homer Simpson style*  Trust me...they were brilliant!

And finally.....

Another blanket.  This took 2 weeks of solid hooking.  Every spare moment.  I did at least 4 hours a day on this.  6 or more most days.  It's a Christmas present for someone who helped us out last year when we were really stuck, and helped us out again this year.  My "good samaritan".  I hope he likes it

I've also managed to squeeze in 2 carol concerts, a class assembly and a trip to see the school choir at the library in the last week.  Daughter 2 has presented me with a latch-hook ladybird which she wants me to make into a cushion "for nanny...for Christmas..."  Right-ho....what colour do you want that in...."

Bits and Pieces

How time flies!

September seemed to be a busy, busy month.  Eldest went off to high school, the other two (who we are now referring to as "Jedward"...if you don't know who they are, lucky you) are back at Primary, which leaves me at home with my lovely smiley baby.  Baby is proving to be an absolute joy.  Seldom whiny, often sleepy, generally hungry, usually happy, occasionally smelly.

Once the older kids were back at school, I decided to check out the knit and natter group again. They are a lovely bunch, of mainly older ladies.  (Wool-crafts are still generally seen as an old-ladies pastime round here, which is a shame, I'm hoping to make it a bit more rock 'n' roll).  We meet in a beach side cafe, and spend as much time knitting as we do gazing out of the huge windows at the ever-changing view.

Anyway, I've been working hard for the last couple of days on a fairly quick easy project.

Bits and strange pieces.

As you can see from the off-cuts it's a colourful piece, and what could those strange plastic bits be for?

All will soon be revealed!

Taking the Plunge.

I'm not the most sociable of people.  I like my own company, and to be honest I don't always share a lot of interests with people, especially those my own age. I find it hard to walk into a place where I don't know anyone.  I hover on the sidelines, then slink away un-noticed.  I've spent the last 9 weeks avoiding the Sure Start people who are desperate to get me to join in with their "Mums and Babies" groups, but apart from the "Baby" bit, I can't see myself having much in common with everyone else (I have met most of the mums with similarly aged babies already. I can tell we're not going to find much common ground).
There is, however one group I've been thinking of visiting.  The "Knit and Natter" held once a week at a local cafe.
So, I lured the 2 daughters along with the promise of a plate of chips, strapped baby in his pram and off we went.  As I said, I'm not really good at "this sort of thing", so I selected a nearby table and decided to just observe for the time being.
They looked a nice enough bunch.  All of the older, retired age group, and they were knitting and crocheting away over cups of coffee.
Not wishing to impose myself I decided to come back another day, maybe when the kids are back at school...but oh...what's that on the floor under the pram....
I picked up a stray crochet hook, grabbed the baby and tentatively announced "erm...excuse me...I think this belongs to one of you..."

A stray crochet hook, earlier today.

Both baby and baby blanket were seized by enthusiastic knitters, questions were asked, and compliments paid.  I ended up staying another half an hour while blanket and baby were passed round the group.

I am going back when the kids are back at school, but the hard bit has been done.  I've said hello.