Seven Days

We were completely awestruck at the most incredible Aurora Borealis, viewed right from our very own front doorstep. Photographs, and adjectives can never truly capture this amazing natural wonder, so we only took a couple, and then surrendered ourselves to the moment.

I had a little potter around the garden, tidying up, getting ready for winter, and sitting dreaming and planning for next year. My sister brought me this cheery red thermal mug, and I have used it constantly.

We really enjoyed the TV show, Portrait Artist of the Year, on Sky Arts, and were sad when it finished. Now we have Landscape Artist of the Year, and it looks to be equally as good. It certainly got James inspired to follow along.

The car was in the garage for an MOT, and so I took the chance to wander in the woods nearby for a couple of hours. It was good to be among trees, and smell that autumn scent - so uplifting. 

I started cutting out the blocks for the quilts I am making to finish off James' room. I am recycling the fabric from the old window blinds. I have a plan, just need to see how it works out...

After a shopping trip to town, I stopped in at a favourite cafe, and indulged in hot chocolate, slice of cake, and a dip into my new charity shop book.

More wandering around this stunning landscape, enjoying the big skies, soaking up this golden weather, grateful for all the beauty around us.

Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead.

Corners of my home: The Blue Room

I finally finished decorating James's bedroom; a long planned, but often procrastinated project. A few weeks ago, however, we bit the bullet, had a huge declutter, and set the wheels in motion.  He decided he wanted a blue room, which was fine, but our ideas about shades of blue differed somewhat, so we had some extensive negotiations on the final colour. I worried that the very strong blue James liked, would be too dark; he thought my pastel preference was boring.  Eventually a slight compromise was reached on James's part ( a very large one on mine), and the room was painted. And it is blue - very blue indeed - much more blue than I would have gone for. But, you know, it works! Having two windows, South and West facing, means that the room benefits from lots of light all day, and so the strong colour is not overpowering. He said he knew that, and of course he did... it is his room after all.

Anyway, with the decorating completed, it was time for the accessorising. New window blinds, bed linen, cushions, his favourite posters, and other wee bits and pieces, make this a bright but cosy room for a boy. 

I converted the built in cupboard into a desk space. I am very pleased with this, considering it was my first power tool project - thanks to Pinterest and You Tube for the inspiration and assistance. James loves it and it's proved to be a great addition to the room. 

I remembered I had a remnant of Star Wars fabric lying around in the old stash, and made a quilted seat pad. I just traced the shape of the seat onto paper and used it as a template. It was a really speedy make, and It felt so good to just have an idea, and then the finished product, in the same afternoon!

Oh, and there is one more outstanding project that will just finish the room off. I am making a couple of quilts using the fabric from the old window blinds. The yellow should give a nice pop of contrast colour. They will take a bit longer than the seat pad, but hopefully they'll be done soon.

So - that's a quick tour around the blue room. I hope you enjoyed it. I am thrilled, with the room and I keep sneaking through just to admire it.

xx

A pink dress

So, I made my Dottie Angel frock. I'm quite pleased with it. It's not perfect by any means - its fair to say that this was a learning experience all round. For the fabric, I used an old duvet cover, which I picked up in the charity shop - very pink and flowery, and for the pockets, a pretty lilac piece that was in my stash - it may be Laura Ashley.

It seemed a straightforward enough make. I had read a lot of information online, from others who had made the dress, and noted that they made a few adaptations in the making of the dress. As this was my first time using a proper pattern, though, I decided to follow the pattern exactly. I took my time and read it through several times,before I cut. Even so, I made a few mistakes in the making, but if you  screw up your eyes, it looks almost passable. I saw a lot of online discussion on the use of bias tape on the seams, neck and armholes, but I really liked how that looked. My main trouble with the bias tape was sourcing in in the first place. It seemed impossible to find the right widths and colours here. I ended up ordering from the US, so had to wait for a couple of weeks until it was delivered. I know I could have made my own, but I just wanted to sit down and get on with the job, with the right equipment. Anyway - I'm quite pleased with how it eventually turned out. It reminds me of the big, comfortable pinnies that my grandmothers wore around the house, and I'm happy with that - big deep pockets to keep the crochet in too.

 I'm glad I made this rough draft, instead of cutting into some of my precious vintage, though, and I really enjoyed the process. Will I make it again? Yes, I will, but probably not until next spring. I am determined to improve my dressmaking skills, and am already planning an attempt at another pattern. Don't wait up though... xxx

Seven Days

Living quietly, enjoying tiny glimpses of sunshine - there may be a summer yet! Good food, a little crafting and some list making - with coffee and salted caramel brownie on the side, and some early morning chess games have featured in my days this week. But then a tumble resulting in a sprained ankle served as a timely reminder that those lists might have been getting a bit too long... and so I am being still - I am just being still- honestly...

Cosy Yarn Along

We have been having a few power cuts lately and now some snow has fallen. I'ts perfect weather to cosy in by the fire with a nice warm drink, a bit of crochet and some reading.

 It must be the season and the stormy conditions, because our reading has taken a distinctly survivalist, self sufficiency sort of turn. I found this book, Self-Reliance by John Yeomans up in the loft a few days ago. I remember flicking through it years ago and didn't really take to it at the time, but it called to me from the discarded book shelf as I looked for something else. Its actually quite interesting, and having begun at the beginning, I now get the slightly tongue in cheek tone, and it seems a more relevant read. He has some great money saving ideas, and tips for coping in difficult situations (such as power failure and hurricane winds) and I like his take on self-reliance as moving in and out of the consumer society as we need to. Good for dipping into and there are plenty "why didn't I think of that" moments too. 

I am also reading Cold Antler Farm on my kindle app. Its a nice gentle read, and I so relate to many of  Jenna's anecdotes - especially the sheep ones. Perfect for dark nights with no bedside lamp.

James and I are reading Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. A 13 yr old boy is stranded in the Canadian forest and has to learn to survice with nothing but a hatchet, which we think is an axe in English. My goodness, it is so exciting! We only have 2 chapters to read and there has been much discussion on how we think it will end. Don't tell us....

Oops I nearly forgot to mention my current project. I've just been dabbling with little bits of things lately - a hat, beginning to square off the circles on my Bullseye blanket, a few rows here and there on the ripple. I have just begun to crochet another circle cushion cover to go in the living room.

I crocheted a hot water bottle cover last week. It is a very cosy thing indeed. I made it up as I went along, so it is extremely improvised. I'm not very good at explaining patterns, and I can't guarantee anything, but here is how I did it anyway:

I used 1 skein of Sublime organic merino, for the main colour and scraps of merino from my stash for the granny squares. 3 buttons

Crochet 2 sides.

Side 1 (front)

Make 4 granny squares in whatever colour combination you like - I used this pattern

Using MC, single crochet squares together. (dc UK). I like the raised edge to show on the front.

SC along bottom edge 

turning chain 1

SC 5 more rows.

fasten off.

Top edge

SC 3 rows

Sc 3 rows decreasing 1 at each edge for shoulders of bottle

fasten off

Count your stitches and  SC into middle 12 - chain 1

SC 6 more rows, increasing 1 at each end of this and every alt row to cover neck.

fasten off

SC up sides to neaten.

Side 2 (Back)

Decide where you want to place the buttonholes. I used 3 - one at each edge and one in the middle

Crochet as side 1 but work 9 rows of sc

On row 7, make buttonholes by missing 2 stitches at desired place. I think I did mine at 3, 15 and 27, but your measurements may be different.

SC both sides together, leaving top and bottom open. 

Weave in ends.

Sew on buttons to bottom edge of front, corresponding with buttonholes,

Insert hot water bottle and snuggle.

Joining Ginny for Yarn Along.

Snippets of Yarns.

Just completed this lovely hat, using a gorgeous silk/merino handspun which I bought in Skye. A great quick knit, which I actually finished in a single evening!

Because, you know, I am not renowned for my speedy knitting, or crocheting skills. Witness the Bullseye blanket, begun at the beginning of summer - the pile of circles has grown v e r y  s l o w l y. Still, I am almost ready to start squaring them off in dark brown now, I have run out of some of the colours, and I want to make 4 of each, so need to order those. Not sure about the fawny/grey colour though. Might change that - decisions, decisions.  Meanwhile the Ripple blanket is still unfinished, the odd stripe or two being added when the notion takes me, and a summer shawl languishes in a basket for another season..

Never mind. I have, this very day, cast on  the Annabel cardigan, using the grey Rowan Purelife aran, that I bought specifically for this project. Well - it's what we do... :)

I've no books currently on the go right now - other than Stuart Little, which I am reading to James at bedtime, and various magazines, but I am listening to We Were the Mulvaneys by Joyce Carol Oates. I do like her writing, and this is a good one. 

Lots of little bits this week - joining in with Ginny forYarn Along. 

Yarn away from home

We've been away for John's radiotherapy treatment, staying in a lovely apartment in Inverness. It was quite a busy time, what with the daily visits to hospital and two sets of family travelling to see us, but they kept our spirits up and happily entertained James for a few days. You would think, then, that I would have plenty time to finish my Alpinia - just a couple of inches to go... 

But, no - of course I started a new project. A trip away from home seems to warrant a new project don't you think? I crocheted big bright sunny circles, which will eventually become a blanket for The Caravan of Delight. I have based it on the Bullseye pattern, but I am going to do solid circles of bright colours and square them off in dark brown. I think it will fit in just right with the kind of 70s vibe I want to create.

Reading was mostly limited to magazine browsing - well, the World Cup is on and there have been a few late nights. We visited a wonderful second hand bookshop in the town, and I picked up a lovely book - Tideline: The Ebb and Flow of Memory and Experience, by the artist, Edward Seagoe. He painted many seascapes and was drawn to the idea of the ebb and flow of the tide in life as well as in nature. Quite apt for me just now in this strange ocean I find myself swimming in - sometimes paddling furiously and other times drifting aimlessly.  It is a book of essays on various subjects, accompanied by prints of his paintings and sketches. An easy and gentle read - just perfect for dipping into...

So - what are you dipping into these days? Visit Ginny at Small Things and share. xx

Moments from the week.

Living from moment to moment on this roller coaster week. We flew off to the hospital in Inverness on Monday, and John has had a series of tests to determine the source of his cancer. It was been so very difficult, as you will imagine, and not everything has gone smoothly. I have been sustained by knitting and the perfect audiobook, but most of all, the wonderful supportive and loving comments here, (and elsewhere) from the practical help from friends and family, and all the amazing spiritual help too. I cannot thank everyone enough. I read all your comments out to John over the week, and we have been so comforted by them.

So - where are we now?

The tests and scans show a large carcinoma in the spine, and a small lesion on his left lung. A biopsy has been taken to determine the type of cancer, but preliminary results indicate an adeno-carcinoma. If this is indeed the case, he will go to the neurosurgery unit in Aberdeen early next week, where the large tumour will be removed and two titanium vertebrae will be inserted. After recovery from that operation he will have intensive radiotherapy on the lung. It all sounds very simple.... but we know we have a long way to go yet. A precious weekend now beckons us, and we will spend some quiet family time together before jumping back on the roller coaster next week. xxx

What I am making.

I made fennel liqueur. Last August I filled a litre kilner jar with herb fennel from the garden, and topped it up with vodka. It infused for three months and the fennel liquor was mixed with a sugar syrup and left to mature for another few months. It is the most gloriously spicy, herby, warming drink you could imagine. Perfect for after-dinner sipping

I am still making this ripple blanket. It is very much a famine or feast sort of project - either I am working on it every night, or it is bundled away out of the road and forgotten. Just now it is back in progress - a row added here and there as I get a chance. I think I am probably 15-20 stripes away from it being the size I want before I attempt a border.

I am making lots of things with eggs.

I am making a tunic top in grey linen, using the pattern from here

I am making Summer plans.

I am making this cardigan

and I am making a new blog, to contain my views on the Independence Referendum. It is such an important and historic time for us, in Scotland, as we look towards September, and I want to make my own comments on the process. I have decided to create a new space for those musings; It is still very much in its early stages - only 2 posts and one is copied from here, but  I very much hope you will visit me there, as well as here. x