Jules Sew Pretty

Rio de Janeiro in the Spring

2011-10-14T17:38:00.001+01:00

I'm about to head off again for Malaysia and Australia so thought I'd better get a bit up to date! I've only been home for 5 days and I've been non-stop all week. Today I've been doing my bit for the war effort baking cakes and brownies for the Whistle Stop Cafe at Reed's for war weekend.

I'll miss it this year as I have to leave very early tomorrow but in true Brit fashion I'm doing my bit. I nipped into Pickering today for supplies and the place was already teeming with soldiers and folk dressed up in their 1940s finery.

Last week I popped back to Rio for a week - as you do :) It was a much quieter trip and I limited the number of Caipirinha I imbibed and also the amount of food I consumed as I really cannot afford to buy a whole new wardrobe in the next size up! I have to tell you, I felt a little like a celebrity as I sat in the airport waiting for my flight home - two little girls, after casting surreptitious glances in my direction for some time they sidled over and gabbled away to me in Portuguese about the crochet I was doing... and then, someone else took my photo! Clearly, crochet is mych celebrated in Brazil as shown by the wares on the street market on Copacabana beach

Maybe I should make myself one of these... certainly wouldn't miss me in a crowd!

I did treat myself to an original Panama hat though

I was very glad about my purchase as we strolled through the botanical gardens as it was baking hot, despite being mostly shady. The orchid house was like a greenhouse despite being open sided

I took a bazillion photos but I won't bore you with them all but I would recommend the place for a visit. Plenty to look at and a lovely atmosphere

Gorgeous palms and clear blue skies

I love the way the trees grow along the beach front - I guess they are searching for sun as they are mostly in the shade of the high rise buildings that line the beach

Another very familiar site in Rio

Graffiti on every available space - most of it very artistic if sometimes a bit gruesome at times when depicting the problems of the drug trade.

And of course, Christ the Redeemer is looking at you from wherever you are - there he is just a spec in the distance on the top of the mountain

I took a long walk along the beach and around the back streets on the Sunday morning which was very colourful - chillies anyone?

Fruit and veg...

oh the sea.... so inviting

The place is so mountainous that land is at a premium but they make their gardens wherever they can

I loved this doorway which also quite typical of the older buildings

This is where all the rich and famous stay in Rio - I tried to find out how much a room is but there were no tariffs on the website.... Justin Bieber was there this weekend although I didn't see him - just hoards of young girls milling around wearing Justin t-shirts

All I managed to do in the way of crafting were a few granny squares for a Christmas blanket. Now I have to decide what to take with me to do on the long, long flights I have over the next three weekends.... maybe some sewing this time as it'll be a bit hot for crochet.

Wishing you all good health and happiness.

Jules

How sad am I?

2011-09-27T23:45:00.000+01:00

Thank you all for the words of encouragement. Just a little addendum:

Anne - I did go and buy some lovely wool (and a new vacuum) - have a couple of cushions to get on with now - should have one of the made by the end of the Rio trip.

Francine - I wish it was a break but it's another work trip. There are worse places to go in the world though and the weather should be warm.

Missy - I got a new Dyson - no Hetties or Henrys in my local electrical store and although I am having a little trouble with the tools I realise how badly my old one was behaving. It didn't owe me anything after 10 years of very hard service. I have lovely clean carpets now!

Bibbitybob (so sorry but I don't know your real name - must have a read through your old posts) - see above. I already spent £50 replacing the clutch last year and I thought it might be better and safer to invest in a new one as the old one was pretty much held together with electrical tape. It's a bit sad but it has given me enormous pleasure testing it out throughout the house.

I'd post a picture of my very perky looking carpet but there's a limit...

Hope you are enjoying some fab weather like we are here in North Yorkshire!

Jules

Seven years bad luck coming my way :(

2011-09-26T21:37:00.000+01:00

Thank you ladies for your kind and thoughtful comments. I may be very much in need of support in the coming months, nay years.

When I got home from work tonight I thought I'd do a few jobs to try and get the upstairs back in some semblance of order. I should have opened a bottle of wine and put my feet up with my crochet but no ....

.... instead, I decided to put the bathroom cupboard back up - no idea why because I don't even really like it that much. I took the mirror off the wall, removed the toothbrush mug from the glass shelf and hey presto, one cupboard on the wall. Mirror back up on the wall... then I'm not sure what happened but the glass shelf collapsed, the mirror fell off, made a nice dent in the loo seat, shattered into many pieces and the toothbrush mug also shattered.

Ho hum, resigned to my bad luck I started to clean up and phut, drrrrrr, pop, funny smell of burning and one dead Dyson stood forlornly on the bathroom floor. Sigh. I hope that counts as three bad things.

I do have one small tah-dah moment though ... hot off the sewing machine yesterday just seconds before big sis came through the door, one homemade gift to go with my birthday purchases from Finland for her..

I wasn't allowed to take any close ups or any of her face because she said she had .... very dirty hair!

So, I have 3 days to buy a new vacuum cleaner, sort the bathroom out and gather something together to occupy me on the long flight to Rio. Ash - yes, travelling and seeing new places, different cultures, nice people - all very lovely but completely and utterly exhausting. I'm getting too old for this game!

Note to self: put more than one lucky dip on the lottery this weekend.

Jules

Another week, another country...

2011-09-25T09:40:00.000+01:00

I've been in Finland this week as my favourite work colleague is leaving and going to pastures new in Helsinki so I headed over for some meetings and her farewell party. I didn't even take any wool with me such is my lost mojo status!

However, before I went I spent a few hours with my sewing machine to take my mind of Will going away to uni. I made this bunting on request for one of my sister's colleagues whose daughter was going away to uni too

reversible

Those are my new bedroom curtains - also hastily made!

Will's girlfriend was also off to dance school in London and had been looking for a laptop case. I wanted to get her something to go away with so I made here this

using lovely Tilda on one side and some fabric I picked up in the States on the inside

I didn't have a pattern so made it up as I went along and think I made it a bit more complicated than it needed to be, with a lot of hand finishing but she was thrilled with the result and it has been much admired she tells me so I am happy.

I'm sure that like a lot of empty nesters around the country there has been quite a lot of soul searching going on, taking stock and wondering what to do now. I am at such a crossroads and really don't know what I want. I did have a long chat with my boss this week though so now have some things to think about. I was even brave enough to tell him that I was sick and tired of this kind of attitude:

It's a bit small but the caption reads:

'that's an excellent idea, Miss Triggs, perhaps one of the men would like to make it'

I used this as the cover for a dvd I put together for Ulla of all our travels we'd made together with work since 2007. She totally got it!

Only a few days at home for me this week and then it's time to pack my bags for Rio - but I get an oernight stop in London do I can see how Will is getting on in his new digs. But first, I must go and make a belated birthday present for my favourite sister....

Hope the world is treating you well.

Jules

Light and fresh...

2011-09-13T18:01:00.000+01:00

That's not describing the wind that is currently battering the UK with gale force but my new window treatment. Since my creative mojo seems to be absent without leave I have turned my attentions to the home. Instigated by the sorting and packing I've been doing for my two younger sons - one as he leaves uni and sets up in his first home and the other as he makes ready to go off to uni, and the knowledge that I will have to down size I took to the decorating.

The bathroom is always the easiest to do as it's pretty small and can be done in a day. As I took the old blind down for a wash I was horrified at what lay behind it. Out came the cleaning products, the elbow grease and a lot of sneezing! Even after a wash the blind wasn't really fit to put back up - well, the bits you can see look fine but I know what lurks on the back so I had a little think and then knew I had the perfect place for the bit of cotton heart crochet pelmet I'd been making with no real idea as to what I would do with it.

A bit of snipping from my fabric stash, a length of ribbon from my extensive ribbon collection, a pleasant evening spent hand sewing the edging on whilst watching last night of the proms and hey presto....

light and fresh I think you'll agree?

I've also given my bedroom a bit of an overhaul - Will declared it very nice and much warmer feeling than before - praise indeed. I'll post some pictures when I've finished it. In the meantime, it's on with the hall, stairs and landing in between shopping for 'uni stuff'.

Hope you are all staying safe, warm and well.

Jules

Changing times....

2011-09-03T16:04:00.000+01:00

Thank you for your lovely comments. My flu is on the wane thank goodness - a couple of days in bed and several days doing very little indeed seems to have put me on the road to recovery. I even managed a little time out in the garden to mow the meadow and do some much needed weeding, snipping and pruning. My crafting mojo has not returned at yet so I'm just going to seek inspiration and bury my nose in a book for a while. I think I'm hanging fire starting anything as I know I have a lot of things to do round the house. Once Will heads off to Uni I need to get the house in shape for selling and will be spending most of the autumn away from said home on some pretty long haul trips. I can't see past that at the moment.

My god daughter posted this on her facebook wall. I thought it was really nifty so wanted to share it with you if you haven't already seen it.

Times, they are a-changing.

Have a lovely weekend.

Jules

Here comes the Autumn

2011-09-01T18:55:00.000+01:00

and there went the 'Summer"! As I write this the sun is actually shining but I have been laid low with a nasty virus I brought back with me from Rio. Their Winter was pretty nice apart from the wind and rain triggered by the earthquake and hurricane Irene in the second week of my stay. Fortunately, no flight disruptions ensued and I got home without incident apart from the inevitable jet-lag.

I did a tiny bit of crochet on the train and plane on the way over but after that the hook and wool stayed tucked up inside my suitcase as the Brazilian team were very welcoming and sociable so much eating and drinking occurred. I did no shopping as the place was very expensive but did manage to get in some sightseeing - a very nice bonus for a work trip.

View of Copacabana from my 23rd floor hotel room

and at sunset - the clouds were gathering and since it was dark by the time we got back from Guadalupe each evening we didn't get much chance to enjoy the beach (I did dip my toes in though).

A high rise ride on the cable car up to the top of Sugar Loaf mountain - no sign of James Bond or his enemies fighting atop the cars thank goodness.

A chat with the big man to see if he could possibly keep the clouds off until we had finished our sight-seeing. It kind of worked - the rain held off but the wind got up so we didn't do the helicopter ride around Sugar Loaf and Corcovado (I was secretly pleased as I had the kollywobles at the mere thought).

Followed by a mammoth meal complete with 'mixed at the table' Caipirinhas (falling down water to you and me) at Por Cao where the waiters basically fly around the restaurant practically force feeding you various cuts of meat. Suffice to say that after a couple of hours here we all needed a lie down and never made it out that evening!

After many evenings eating meat, meat and more meat, Tatiana and I went for pizza in an Italian restaurant just along the beach from our hotel. By this time I had lost all interest in food but loved the tiled floor!

Then for a little shopping at Leblon - just of the window variety as the prices were almost as staggering as the views in Rio!

I met a couple of interesting chaps on my trip ...

this one, Carlos Drummond de Andrade wasn't terribly interested in my blogging chat

This one was a little friendlier - he let me sit on his lap but wasn't interested in a night cap...

Oh well, back to the crochet but before that, mental and emotional preparations are under way for my last baby to fledge ... maybe it's a good thing that I have a lot of travel coming up so I won't have time to think about my empty nest.

Jules

Where has the time gone?

2011-08-12T20:34:00.002+01:00

It seems to be whipping by at a rate of knots! I haven't been idle whilst I've been gone all this time, far from it. I was in London moving Michael from Kingston to Camberwell - a hot, sweaty, exhausting and expensive few days but well worth it, especially the day spent with Ben and Michael having some R&R in the big city. I've also been sorting and chucking out - or rather, re-homing 'stuff' and clothes as the house was bursting at the seams. I've been making a few bits and pieces and finishing a few projects - none of which are photographed as the boys condemned my camera as a pile of poo!

Now my time off has come to an end and there's not much to show for it but at least my knicker drawer is neat and tidy! I'm off to Rio tomorrow - a work trip but hopefully with a dash of fun too so I will leave you with this little nugget. I reckon this is the way to go rather than diet - if I end up with thighs like her's I'd be very happy!

Take care

Jules

Two bags full...

2011-07-20T18:56:00.001+01:00

Time as been at a premium just lately and I was putting myself under a bit of pressure to make a couple of birthday presents. I fondly thought I'd have loads of time during my week off..... ha ha ha haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

Michael's jean bag has been much admired so I thought I'd make one for his lovely boyfriend, Andrew for his 21st birthday. I used a pair of my eldest son's old black jeans, an old Paul Smith shirt, some grey shot silk I got from a car boot sale last year and a teeny, tiny piece of fabric I bought of eBay (not realising how small it was so I had to use it carefully). I had to present it to him unfinished and then whip it back off him so I could add the embellishments. I could have finished it on time had it not been for some very crappy quality cotton which kept breaking in the machine (along with several needles too so maybe my machine is sick...)

Front

Back

Little card pocket

Phone and wallet pockets

He liked the unfinished version - hope it still likes it.

Lacking the energy to do much else on Sunday after reclaiming the house and garden and doing a bazillion loads of laundry, inspired by the beautiful bag my sister made for my birthday I managed to rustle this little bag up for my friend's 40th birthday. It's pretty eye catching - just the job for the lovely Summer evenings.... I'm sure we'll have some more soon...

I added an interpretation of the Swedish flag (yes, she's Swedish!)

and some bits and pieces of crochet and a few buttons

and a little pocket inside for her phone

I'm happy to say that she was very happy with her gift.

And remember, never buy cheap thread - it is evil and will make you crazy!

Jules

Fridge magnets

2011-07-18T18:57:00.000+01:00

I was just reading Vicki's post about her messy yarn room which brought to mind this fridge magnet I found in Asheville, NC a few years ago

This is so true, don't you agree?

I daren't photograph my dining/craft room at the moment - it looks like it's been trashed by burglars! I was so defeated by it that I didn't even clear it for the return of the prodigals and just closed the door instead. It got back into this state because I had a frenzy of tidying a while back, so much so that when I came to start a new project I couldn't find anything. When it is a bit messy I work better as I know where everything is but it's now to the point where I just can't face it.

The pea magnet was sent to me by my son's girlfriend as she hates peas but she was tempted to taste one of the fresh ones from the garden at the weekend. See, she did... give peas a chance :)

Every now and then I think I should go a bit minimalist and clear lots of stuff away, starting with the fridge magnets

but each one tells a story so I think they have to stay. Maybe I'll start with my clothes mountain.... or then again I might just get my crochet out instead!

Hope your week has got off to a good start. I consider mine a great success as I did manage to get to work... almost on time.

Jules

It's been a busy old week..

2011-07-17T13:15:00.001+01:00

.. this might be a very long post!

Sister Anne and I went back to the lands from which we hail and spent a couple of very interesting days near Stoke-on-Trent. I forgot my camera so only have mobile phone shots but really, I can't put it any better than Anne did in her post here.

I loved the Burleigh shop and tok ages deliberating over what to buy. I restrained myself knowing that we would be spending the whole day at Bridgewater.

Oh to have a dresser like this.

or this!

The building was lovely, retaining most of the original features

After our little sojourn to Burleigh we braved a trip into Hanley and did a good impression of Cinderella as we tried on posh lady shoes in M&S - the little toes were protesting and not at all happy about being squished into high heels

We went back to our hotel and had a budget version foot spa - Anne sat on the loo and me on a chair with our feet in the spa bath with a glass of wine in hand pretending we were at Ragdale Hall instead.

Despite our reservations and this warning sign we did enter the establishment and partook of a very good steak and bottle of house wine. A lovely and unexpected bonus.

Feeling in good spirits we wondered if we should round the evening off with some clubbing but decided against it - afterall, a girl can have too much of a good thing!

The day at Bridgewater was an absolute delight. I am absolutely convinced now that I am living the wrong life!

Although I am grateful that I don't have to spend my day working like the clappers to make half pint mugs

or fettling, dibbling or wiping said cups bottoms before they go to the kiln

I wouldn't mind spending my day sponge painting beautiful works of art though (you get to sit down to do this bit)

This is a bespoke range for Conran

The tour was really interesting and very impressive as they recycle pretty much everything, from the reject firings that are sent to make plasterboard to the heat from the kilns to warm the green houses on top of the factory roof where they grow tomatoes and such. I'm sure factory life is not that much fun but it certainly seemed like a nice place to work with very much a family feel.

I hope we'll go back again if only to spend some time in the cafe

heated by this gorgeous Aga

Lovely bits of memorabilia on the walls and home grown sweet peas in jugs on the tables

A very nice lunch followed and also a talk by 'the very nice Matthew Rice'

a very satisfied looking sis :)

I spent a frivolous amount of money but justify it by adding that since my youngest son is off to uni in September and my middle son is moving into a new place soon I can bequeath my slightly battered old china to them and replenish my empty nest with some beautiful things.... did that work, are you convinced? Well, William Morris must be right and who am I to argue with him? I'll post pictures of my purchases later as they deserve to be staged properly. I wasn't about to get them all out whilst the house was full of partying young folk.

We had a civilised family get together on the Thursday evening. The sun was shining, the wine was flowing and the garden was full of laughter - perfect.

Michael and Andrew

Liz and Ben

The next night wasn't quite as civilised although I am sure it started with good intentions. The day was spent shopping, preparing and cooking for an ever increasing number of guests

Ben the chef, Liz the apprentice

A rare event and one worthy of a photo - Liz in an apron, being domestic!

I didn't take a picture of my lovely little oasis of a summer house when it was full of sleeping drunken young men - five in total and then more in the lounge but all very grateful for scrambled eggs on toast and copious cups of tea the next morning. When your home has been voted the best place to have a hangover in it's hard to be annoyed at the carnage - ego be gone!

I think Fairy washing up liquid must have changed because believe you me, these hands are not soft! The fridge is bare, we were down to half a loo roll out of a pack of 12, no washing powder left and enough empty cans and bottles to warrant several trips to the bottle bank in the dark.

The house feels empty now with just Will and I. It's back to work tomorrow for a rest and maybe a chance to get back to the crafting before the travelling begins again. I was catching up with blogland with my feet most gratefully up last night when I saw Amanda's post and was inspired to get my act together and finish a few of my own on-going projects and then I saw Lynne's post about a hexagon quilt along so I'm now torn!

Hoping you are all enjoying the rain and the reprieve from gardening as I am!

Jules

They may mock...

2011-07-11T09:07:00.000+01:00

..my love of crochet and the granny blankets but it's a different story when they are tired babies and a little chilly...

Will and Megan finally convinced that they DO keep you warm even though they are full of holes!

And I'm not averse to putting my feet up now and then either

There won't be much of this going on this week as I am in full on Mummy mode. All my boys and their partners will be here this week - the fridge is groaning, the bank manager is groaning but I am happy, happy, happy!

Jules

My doesn't time fly?

2011-07-10T06:15:00.000+01:00

Just like me. I seem to have spent a little bit too much time on planes of late and it's made me cranky. It's the delays, missed connections, lost luggage followed by the manic catch up on housework and stuff which has left me feeling a little deflated. Not much time for crafting and the garden seems to be running wild what with all the warmth and the rain.

I realised I never showed you my goodies from the US of A so here goes. Do you remember this?

Well, I know I showed you the finished article but here it is being put to very good use

I was quite restrained I thought - only the top shelf and the middle right pile is new from the States. The yellow on the left middle shelf is from York and newish I must confess.

From the top: some foxy material which I have in mind for a Christmas present and the one below is also foxes and owls so just perfect for Michael; some black and white - birds and also Dr Seuss which I am sure will come in handy - Marijke's wedding quilt inspired me to make some more black and white as it was so striking and a real change from my usual choices.

A selection of pretty pastels and modern brights - no idea what I am going to do with them but I am sure inspiration will strike at some point.

These three I have in mind for some tops for myself. The top one is lawn and I am thinking of using some of my Liberty lawn stash to make a patchwork strip top of some kind. As you can tell, it's still very much in the 'thinking about' stage.

Inspired by this gorgeous scarf with dangly lace trim that a dear friend bought back from Spain for my birthday I have been on the hunt for some similar lace trim. When I was in John Lewis in Kingston the very nice lady in the haberdashery department suggested I tatted my own as she had done the same upon not being able to find this sort of trim herself. Lordy, that's all I need, to take up a new craft! I did manage to find some very nice but rather expensive trim though so I may have to give her tip some thought.

All I managed to make when I was away were these dishcloths.

but now I wonder if they are too nice to use!

I added to my book collection

Now if only I could buy some more time I might actually get around to making something from them!

I am still on with the stool cushion covers, making slow progress around the edges now that all four tops are completed and I'm working on a black denim bag for a present. Three sewing machine needles and two very sore fingers later it's on hold as I have run out of black cotton, grrrr.

Last week I was in Finland but this week I am at home and off work - yippee! And double yippee because my boys are coming home for a while. And triple yippee because Anne and I are off on a little jaunt to Stoke-on-Trent this week for some pottery therapy. It's going to be a busy one so I am hoping my cup of chamomile tea will lull me back to sleep after my 4.30 am awakening to the fairy elephant steps of my youngest coming in from a night on the tiles. I've got baking and cleaning to do, no time for being tired!

Hope all is well in your world and if you have a drop of sunshine to spare could you send it my way please?

Jules

Car boot heaven

2011-06-28T17:59:00.001+01:00

Big sis and I were up way, way too early for a Sunday morning but we'd decided to head to car boot pastures new - Whitby. It was well worth it. With the promise of a heat wave ahead of us we thought we have better get cracking so we could enjoy the rest of the day in the garden but as we headed over the moor the clouds were gathering and it looked decidedly stormy. Over the other side of the moor things were different and the sea was glistening in the distance.

There were lots and lots of sellers and buyers from far and wide - overheard one couple setting up with the dear lady wife saying to her long suffering husband 'now if it's not priced, DON"T GUESS' and another lady complaining at length about all the 'foreigners' (not from Whitby) 'coming here, telling us what to do and what we should be asking, throwing their weight around willy-nilly.....' and on and on she went much to our amusement.

Buying got off to a slow start as the first stall we came to had some lovely things for sale but no owner in sight. We hovered, and waited, took off further down the field, looking back to check on the seller's whereabouts and when she finally appeared she declared the lovely cloth that Anne wanted to buy as not being for sale!

It was really warm and we were starting to flag when I thought Anne was going to pass out with delight at the sight of this beauty

Now even I might be persuaded to take to camping if this was my mode of transportation.

Among my purchases were this lovely blue glass dish to replace the one that broke the day before

this very delicate set of 1950s Poole Pottery cups and saucers which reminded me of gulls eggs

I loved the colours of this old dish

and despite having more buttons than some haberdashers I couldn't resist adding to my collection with this assortment of old buttons

So after all that shopping

Anne with her bargains and 20p shopping basket

and an early start we felt that this breakfast was very well deserved

It was so hot that I just had to spend the rest of the day in the garden reading and not doing very much at all. Too hot even to crochet!

Jules

Random Acts of Crochet

2011-06-24T14:50:00.000+01:00

I've been making 9 round granny squares for some time and finally had enough to put together as a blanket. It's funny though, isn't it, no matter how random or how 'matchy' I try to be - moving squares round and round, over and over again yet the finished article rarely looks exactly as I imagined or hoped. Same applies to my patchwork.

I do love the cheerfulness and depth of this blanket but looking at it now in the photograph I think I should still have made a few more changes before crocheting it together. Not sure if it's my eyes or the photo which is a bit fuzzy - maybe both - but jetlag is abating now so I'll put it down to my crappy photography skills!

I didn't expect to be able to do much work on a blanket in 'the Summer' but it's been so nippy these evenings it's been rather nice having it piled on my lap as I worked my way round and round the edge (three rounds of trebles to balance out the 9 rounds in the squares). My eldest, Ben will be home in July - better hide this blanket from him - he already thinks I have a serious addiction to fabric and crochet and I'd hate to see him rolling his eyes in dismay!

Now to finish some crochet bar stool covers I've been working on as a very belated present for Jan and her African themed bar. Woman after my own heart - the home bar, not the African theme :)

TTFN, wishing you a great weekend wherever you may be.

Jules

While the cat's away...

2011-06-23T22:07:00.000+01:00

...the mice - or in my case, the garden goes bonkers. I left Will in charge of watering all my cuttings and pots but it seems he watered the whole garden whenever it wasn't raining - my complaints from pervious trips has finally paid off, sort of. The grass hadn't been cut for over two weeks - too much rain apparently so it wasn't a case of one man went to mow a meadow, more one woman. I felt a bit guilty as the lawn was mostly clover and the bees where having a lovely time.

The veg garden seems to be competing as the venue for the next 'I'm a celebrity, get me out of here' jungle setting: the chard was attempting to masquerade as rhubarb and who knew that spinach could be a small shrub?

The peas and potatoes are coming on nicely though!

I had to pull all the spinach and chard out but at least the compost should be nitrogen rich. Despite all the rain the raised veg beds were still very dry so whilst trying to find my courgette plants I unearthed the first harvest of the year like dipping into the bran tub at the school fete - lovely first earlies and then I pulled some rhubarb to have for pud.

I've been struggling with jet lag all week but haven't been idle after all the washing, ironing, unpacking and working. I'll show more later and in case Julie is reading, I haven't forgotten about the lovely award you bestowed on me - I'm just trying to get my brain together to give it my best.

So much to post, so little time at the moment!

Hope you are having a good week and keeping dry if you are in the UK and especially at Glastonbury.

Jules

Honey, I'm home...

2011-06-19T14:35:00.000+01:00

Feels like I've been gone ages when it's only been two weeks. It was hot, hot, hot over there in the old US of A. North Carolina was very hot and humid but the office, hotel and most shops were pretty chilly, You know you're on the other side of the pond (but not sure in which era) when you see one of these in the hotel car park

I'm often at a bit of a loose end when my trips span a weekend but I went on line and quite by accident found a little gem. I'm both thrilled and disappointed that in all the time I lived near Asheville and all the weekends spent in search of treasure I never knew that behind this unassuming little store front

lay this!

It is no mis-noma either, take a look at this .... Loop was good but not this good.

Ladies on hand to help, give advice, sit and knit with..

I confess that I did buy several skeins of wool for various Christmas projects I have in mind and the very nice lady even wound it for me while I toddled off to do some other shopping (Foam & Fabric but that's another story).

After my later than planned arrival I had 8 days of meetings, training and more meetings to get through and then I headed home, stopping for a flying visit with my dear friend of 28 years, Nancy and her family in Philadelphia. It was even hotter there - almost not worth bothering to have a shower as five minutes later you needed another one. We talked, we shopped, we drank, sitting on the patio late into the night putting the world to rights and reminiscing. It's rarely peaceful or restful at Nancy's but I always come away feeling recharged somehow. It's easy to be with good friends.

On the spur of the moment we - Nancy, her eldest daughter Maureen and I went for pedicures while the second pitcher of margaritas was chilling. We spent the next few hours admiring our spiffy toes and super soft feet. A mini holiday all in itself.

Just time for a Gelati for me and a Slenderita for Nancy (she's sooo slim these days I almost want to hate her but she looks amazing) at Rita's, THE best place for water ice and frozen custard, before heading out for a quick dinner and then the airport.

Am I sorry I'm missing this event?

I don't think so!

I didn't have much time or energy for much time with Mr Hook but am happily ensconced on the sofa now and about to fight off the jet lag with a bit of me time with my hook and blanket. I'll catch up with blogland tomorrow when I have a few more of my wits about me.

Jules

The glamorous jet-set life....

2011-06-10T11:33:00.000+01:00

.... I think not. As I have posted about different places I visit with work some of you have commented on how lovely it must be and how envious you are. Well, whilst I do appreciate that I am lucky to travel to some interesting places and sometimes I do get some down time so it's not all work and no play but let me just share this week's journey as this is more like the reality....

Got up at 5.30am on Monday, taxi picked my up at 6am (me having been in bed for just 5 hours as I had to wash, iron and pack after being away at the weekend - but I confess that I am always a last minute packer anyway). Got to Manchester airport to find the longest queue ever in the departure hall. Unbeknownst to me the Sunday flight to Philadelphia had been cancelled so all the poor people delayed from Sunday were checking back in as well. Seeing that the on-line queue was much shorter I asked a colleague to check me in on line which he duly did, bless him. After an hour and a half I finally checked in only to be told that the flight scheduled at 11.15am would be delayed until 5pm. No worries, I had some crochet with me but the connection to Charlotte looked very unlikely. 5pm came and went and we boarded the plane at 7pm. Sat on the plane for some time, taxied to the runway, hobbled back to the stand as a warning light had come on and we had to wait for something to be fixed (I thought I heard the pilot say something had to be wired shut but I was trying very hard not to think about that and remain in my happy place). We took off at about 8.30 I think (I was struggling to keep my eyes open to be honest).

When we landed at Philadelphia about 50% of the flight had missed their connections so were being put up in hotels courtesy of the airline. I had been chatting with another lady on the flight who was in the same boat as me so once we had our voucher and new boarding passes off we trotted to await the hotel shuttle bus. Half an hour later we were checked in to the hotel, agreed to have a bite to eat and then get to bed. I'm just about to step into the shower when the phone rings and it's the front desk calling to say we were checked into the wrong hotel and had to leave. Dawn (my travel companion) rang me to see if I had received the same phone call, exclaiming that she was in her pjs and this couldn't be happening. Well, it was so we got dressed, checked out, got back on the shuttle bus feeling very Cinderalla-ish as the clock struck midnight, toddled off to the correct hotel which in fact, we could have walked to from the airport if we had been a bit more with it when we'd landed! We were both verging on hysteria by this point - you had to laugh otherwise you'd have wept! So, finally, into bed but knowing we had to be up again in 2 hours. I spent the first hour checking the clock to make sure I hadn't overslept.

I knocked on Dawn's door and we made our way bleary-eyed to check back in, hoping and praying that the flight would get away on time (5.30 am). It did, we went our separate ways - Dawn to meet her new boss (I told her he'd have to be impressed that she had endured such a trip and still looked bright-eyed and bushy-tailed) - me to pick up a car so that I could drive the remaining 2 hours to Asheville. I got to the office at 10.30am a day late and managed to conduct a whole work day sounding like I knew what I was talking about! Checked into my hotel at 7pm on Tuesday.

So there you have it, a typical day in the life of me but I must confess that I am fairly laid back when it comes to waiting in airports and such - there's just no point in getting annoyed or stressed - it doesn't get you there any faster. Thank goodness for crochet.... keeps me busy and is usually a talking point. The quality of my workmanship gets a bit dodgy the longer the trip though!!

It's Friday already and I have tomorrow to look forward to - going to Yarn Paradise at Biltmore Village (never been before so am hoping it will be worth it) and also a few hours spent at Foam & Fabric - well, I think I 'need' to christen my newly renovated shelf unit with something pretty from the USA... don't you agree?

Have a great weekend, I know I will!

Jules

Just a quickie..

2011-06-05T23:30:00.000+01:00

It's been a bit of a whirlwind here of late and although I have been busy crafting I just haven't had time to photograph and upload everything! I've been away this weekend to see Michael's graphic design degree show in Kingston Upon Thames. It was fabulous and so nice to be amongst such vibrant and talented young folk - made me feel more than a tad envious and even more old!

I shall share more with you on that in a later post as I've just come back from seeing Elton John in concert at Scarborough's open air theatre (yep, it was a little chilly but worth it) and now I have to pack for my trip to the States tomorrow.... it's all go!

I've just time to share a little project I've had on the go. A little bit of a pick me up for this charity shop find:

aw, poor little thing...

that's better

I couldn't decide what colour to paint it and white seemed a bit boring so I used four of the many tester pots I seem to have accumulated to paint each shelf. Then I waxed them to make the emulsion a little more hard wearing. It will soon house some of my fabric bundles...

Until I return I wish you all a happy, healthy, sunny and creative time.

Jules

Hot Knitting

2011-05-26T19:17:00.000+01:00

Finally, I can share this with you as I wanted to wait until Michael had handed in all his work for his final degree show. He wanted a knitting project in his portfolio and after a disastrous attempt at knitting with wire (he just wanted a metre high anchor knitted in steel wire 3D style.. nothing tricky) he (thankfully) abandoned that idea as my mock up was, quite frankly, pitiful. So, he asked if I could knit him a piece with some writing in it and sent me a draft of the text and style he wanted.

I was very relieved to find that he was very happy with my first attempt as he only gave me 2 days in which to do it! Kids - pwuh! This is what he did with it...

What do you think? Not bad?

The knitting's OK too, for a rush job! He had the needles made out of steel and one of his fashion student friends modelled for him. Kaffe Fassett eat your heart out!

I've been having a slump week - the most I've managed this week is to make a couple more granny squares for an on-going blanket. Maybe the bank holiday weekend will rejuvenate me. I hope so.

Happy nearly Friday.

Jules

A little trip to Tampere, Finland

2011-05-22T20:18:00.001+01:00

Thought you might like a little look around Tampere, Finland’s second city. I was there this week to meet with the sourcing and procurement teams from all of our factories around the world, the only contingent missing this year was from Malaysia.

After a full day of presentations and meetings and enormous attempts to keep my eyes open, look interested and stay focussed we walked for about 45 minutes to Nasinnneula – a revolving restaurant on the 20 something floor of a tower. Here’s some of the 360 degree view:

Lots of apartment blocks, trees and water as far as the eye can see….

The meal was very posh – a different wine with each course (made me realise how enormous my glasses at home are!)

Lasimestarin lohta (Glazier's salmon)

Parsaa (Asparagus - just the one spear chopped into 3 pieces)

Kaldoaivin poronvasaa (Reindeer from Kaldoaivi)

Lahijuustoa (local cheese - or rather teeny tiny local cheese - and nary a cracker nor grape in site)

Lakkaa ja valkosuklaata (Coudberry ice cream and white chocolate soup)

I forgot to photograph the artichoke soup we had to start after our aperatif of Anna de Codornia Brut Rose - it was too small to capture!

It was all very delicious and we had a fine time on our table as the wine flowed quite freely – very nice whilst you are looking into the distance or directly at your neighbour but not so handy if you moved your head too quickly since the restaurant was revolving while the central kitchen/bar was static – vertigo or the effects of alcohol? Who can say except I felt absolutely fine the next day after another trek back to the hotel so I’ll put it down to vertigo! Dan, our Supply Chain Manager from Oz declared the sampler dishes very nice but when was the main course coming!

It wasn't all eating and drinking, honestly, I mean this was very hard work:

No idea what this game was called but it involved a relay race with a broomstick-cum-wooden horse and chucking a tennis ball into a bottle crate - simple on the face of it but after the ball bounced in and out several times the competitive streak in all of us was fully out! We played golf frisbee, the traditional game of Mölkky, among others and although I don't 'do running' I did break into a fast trot and my shoulder was not impressed with my frisbee throwing prowess - my team members being unimpressed by the lack thereof! This was followed by a sauna and a quick - and I mean quick - dip in the freezing lake. Slept like the proverbial log that night. I think one of our American colleagues thought she'd died and gone to hell - miles and miles of walking and activity and getting naked with your colleagues - HUGE culture shock!

So, that’s the forum over for another year, a list as long as my arm of things that need to be done before the Finnish summer holidays begin – the tradition being to take between 4 and 6 weeks in one stretch which makes the work days quite challenging between mid June and August and a fairly heavy travel schedule ahead of me. Must get my creative brain in gear so I have plenty to take with me on my travels.

I was very excited to get my hands on the first issue of Mollie Makes at Manchester Airport but am not sure if it is just me or if my excitement and expectation set me up for a smidgen of disappointment but can someone tell me, when and why would I need/want to crochet covers for my apples? Is it me?

I'm sure it must be me.

Hope you've had a great weekend and if you've been experiencing the high winds that we have I hope you had your wigs glued on firmly!

Jules

www part 3

2011-05-14T17:51:00.001+01:00

I write this post a tad gritty-eyed and with a slight headache - that's what happens when you stay up far too late chatting to a brother you haven't seen in a very long while. I am too old a) to drink more than 3 glasses of wine and not feel the affects and b) stay up past 2 am, especially after consuming more than 3 glasses of said wine. When are you ever old enough to know better????

OK, so, as we leave the Ws with a nice shot of the view down Romsey road, heading for Winchester High Street...

I promised to show you a few of my purchases: some lovely new oil cloth from C&H Fabrics and a coupe of Orla Kiely mugs (neither of which purchases I needed but I felt as though I was on a mini holiday and couldn't help myself)

and of course some fabric.... what can I say? It's an illness...

I bought a little bag of sample scraps from Susie Watson too and I made this out of them:

I can't afford £29.50 per metre fabric so this was a little taste of Susie on a shoestring.

It's been a busy work week - what a shock to have to work five days in a row! My week was interrupted by a trip to the hospital for cortisone injections in my knees so when the doctor told me I should do nothing for the rest of the day ... well, I can never 'do nothing' so I took the opportunity to bind this quilt with some red gingham bias binding. I'm so happy with the way this quilt has turned out - fresh and cheerful.

Wish I was feeling as fresh but am at least cheerful!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend. Finland beckons for me next week so that concludes the WWW posts: Wedding, Winchester and lots of wishing and waiting.

Jules

www part 2

2011-05-11T19:34:00.001+01:00

Oh ladies, thank you so much for all the comments. They did make me smile. I stand corrected and want to put the record straight: I did not buy my first born child - he was bRought home to that lovely little flat way back when in 1986. No, I didn't make it to Chandler's Ford or Eastleigh (although I did pass through the latter on the train to Southampton) as I only had a short time there. Lynne, I did shave my legs but only because I thought I might go bare legged - then I decided this wasn't quite proper for church and it was a good job as I ended up sitting next to the priest throughout the reception dinner. Minded my P&Qs fairly well but could see the look of disdain flicker over his face as I, first, told him I was divorced and second, told him I was the bride's godmother, of whom he had never heard and he'd been her priest for over 15 years. Yikes, reckon it would be a lifetime of hail Marys for me and I wasn't sure what to think when he asked me if I had ever considered going on a retreat! The thought crossed my mind that the present would be a good time .....

So, for Winchester fans here's a little bit more nostalgia - the first house we brought Ben home to :) It is an end of terrace Victorian house which had been rented by an old lady for over 40 years so it was in an almost original state when we bought it. Bakelite 3 pin sockets, picture rails, dad rails, slate and marble fireplaces downstairs, cast iron ones in the bedrooms. Lovely tiles in the porch and on the pathway. It was a labour of love to renovate it, stripping back all the stair spindles and doors to their original pine, honeyed and reddened over time. It broke my heart to leave this house and move to Camberley. Life all went a bit pear shaped after that.

The Medieval Pentice in the High Street

the Butter Cross

The Museum

One of our old drinking haunts, the Eclipse Inn dates back to 1540 though not as nice as the Wykeham Arms

the Gate, part of the old wall which I used to walk under every day on my way to work or to town

the bank where I had my first 'proper' job, appropriately enough located on Jewry Street

and a little glimpse of Alresford - such a pretty, tranquil little town, full of pastel coloured houses and lovely little shops

one of my favourite's being Susie Watson Designs. Here's my friend, Gill partaking of an imaginary cup of tea at an exquisitely set kitchen table (almost an ex-friend as she had lost loads of weight and not told me! My friends seem to have a habit of doing this - I wish I had their willpower). In the background lots of lovely, lovely, gorgeous, lovely china

and for any cat lovers out there, here's one of Gill's cats having a drink the yobby way - straight from the tap!

We've been internet-less the past couple of days - thought Will was going to have a stroke but all has been restored today with the help of a new cable for the router and resetting the Airport - phew, we almost had to 'enjoy' each other's conversation and company for a while there!

Later I'll show you how much shopping I managed to squeeze in to my very expensive parking time in Winchester - I amaze myself sometimes (and my bank manager a lot of the time).

Happy Wednesday (over the hump day as we call it in our office).

Jules

www part 1

2011-05-09T21:10:00.000+01:00

It’s been a long and happy weekend with a wedding, Winchester and wishing and hoping galore.

This post will have to come in 3 parts as there’s so much to show and tell! I had a glorious drive down to Winchester on Thursday – sunshine, blue skies, green fields, not too much traffic and only a couple of minor detours as I got out of synch with my Google driving directions! One day I must get sat nav but think I may still go wrong and get even more flustered if there is someone other than myself telling me I had gone wrong.

Thursday evening was spent in the company of my friends Gill and Jane – no matter how long it is between meetings (and we’re talking years, not months) we manage to take up where we left off and have to speak a mile a minute to get up to date – with quite a lot of ‘what was I saying?’ as we each break off on tangents of one sort or another. It was lovely and I felt like I’d come home.

Friday got off to a bad start with this:

a very expensive 10 extra minutes parking whilst feverishly looking at fabrics in C&H Fabrics! That'll teach me!

I took a rather emotional stroll down memory lane which was perhaps not a good idea right before going to a wedding alone. This was where we bought Ben, my first born's home from hospital up the road (not the whole thing - just a little flat on the top floor)

Winchester holds so many happy memories for me.

As I got ready for the wedding I agonised over what to wear, wondering why I hadn’t been dieting rigorously in preparation and why I had been so lazy in keeping in touch with some very special people.

The weather was glorious and the whole day was fabulous – a relaxed service (lots of upping and downing in a Catholic service and my knees were complaining about that as well as the stupid heels I had decided to wear – when will we ever learn that no one cares what you have on your feet – wishing I had enough brass neck to wear flip flops! Marijke very sensibly had little ballet pumps on unlike her sisters who had heels to rival Victoria Beckham's

Left to right: Saskia (youngest sister), Tony (father of the bride), Marijke, Troy, Nel (mother of the bride), Oma (mother of the mother of the bride, 81 - I have no idea what her real name is as she has always been Oma (grandma) and very trendy), Aniek (middle sister). The bouquets were white tulips - what else for a half Dutch wedding?

There was a lovely meal, speeches, dancing, eating and drinking (enough drinking that the knees were not complaining at the dancing but I had changed into some flat shoes by that point). My legs were killing me the next day and I wondered why until I realised that I hadn't had that much exercise in months.

Saturday was spent in Alresford and Winchester before heading home on Sunday via Kingston to see son number 2, Michael to deliver a bit of knitting for his degree show. More on the rest of the trip later but I was very happy to be greeted by these lovelies when I got home.

I only planted this last year so I am both happy and impressed - it must like this spot.

Hope you all had as fabulous a weekend as I did.

Jules

Living in hope...

2011-05-04T18:56:00.000+01:00

I'm very excited at the prospect of a few days down south for the wedding of my god daughter in Southampton and visiting with my old friends in Winchester. The wedding quilt is about to be wrapped and I don't think there'll be any time for crafting this weekend so in the meantime I shall leave you with these gems

In the likely event that no millionaire crosses my path...

and just in the very likely event that the getting rich part doesn't happen ... I do like a good fairytale and Alice in Wonderland would approve of this one..

It would be rude not to, wouldn't it?

Fingers crossed that Marijke likes her wedding gift and wishing you all an early happy weekend.

And thank you to all for the welcome back messages, very much appreciated.

Jules

Slaving over a hot machine...

2011-05-02T18:14:00.000+01:00

Well, the wind had died down a little but it was, as Pooh would say, rather blustery out there, so I decided to sew instead. Do you remember I said I had tidied my dining room and was going to use the smallest bedroom as my work room? Well, the tidy dining room now looks like this!

Will was sleeping late so I thought it best not to wake him to the thrum of the sewing machine so I made merry with my fabric, rotary cutter and ironing board downstairs. Whoever would of thought it possible to make merry with and ironing board?

Inspired by the pomp and ceremony of the Royal wedding and feeling rather patriotic I ran up this little number in red, white and blue which I shall call Britannia...

I had to take photos inside as it wouldn't stay still long enough on the line to take a non blurry shot.

I finished this one yesterday which is also an homage to being British and I shall call it Royal Guards

I'm rather attached to this one as it contains pieces of Laura Ashley fabric I used in my eldest son's nursery 25 years ago - it might have to be an hairy-loom.

After all that blue and red I felt in need of a little bit of girlie pink so put together this quilt top of pinks, white and duck egg made up of 2 inch square 9 patch blocks set on their side. It remains un-named as yet but will be finished off with a strip of white edging and then a border of pinky something... not sure yet but I'm all sewed out for today. I did discover that I can neither count properly nor sew in a very straight line so the quilt ended up a bit larger than intended and there was a fair amount of seam ripping going on!

Before I go I just want to show you this gorgeous little jug that Anne bought me for my birthday. She sneakily bought it for me from the car boot sale last weekend. I love it, it's soooo pretty.

Work tomorrow... groan.

Jules

Loving family support...

2011-05-02T09:45:00.000+01:00

I have been busy with my rotary cutter and machine (don't tell my physio), chopping up little girls dresses from the car boot sales and old shirts, adding a bit of new here and there. My living room floor is covered in scrappy nine patches, this body hasn't eaten a proper meal in days (cheese and crackers have been the order of the day and night) and I haven't seen much of youngest son. So, upon his return last night there was no 'hello Mum, how are you' just two comments - 'you're up late' as he hung up the car keys followed by 'more quilts!' as he entered the living room.

The sun is shining again - miracle of miracles and the wind has dropped a little so I might have to retire to the garden with some crochet and top up on vitamin D.

Pictures will follow shortly as believe it or not, the eiderdown quilt is actually Finished! My mother did remark that there were a few loose ends (the knots I had used to tie each corner to the quilt inside). Sigh.....

Happy crafting all and Happy May Day!

Jules

Easter, Birthday, Royal Wedding, May Day ... it's quite a busy time!

2011-04-30T10:41:00.000+01:00

My boys were all home for Easter weekend which is a first since they were tiny as they are usually at their Dad's but this year it was my turn at last. I was very excited about them all being home at the same time but as always the time whipped by too fast and went in a blur of cooking, washing up and comings and goings.

It was my birthday on Easter Monday too so I was spoilt with both chocolate and lovely gifts. I find that the older I get the more embarrassed I am about being the centre of attention so the actual day was spent preparing for a meal with friends in the evening and a glass of champers in the sunshine in Anne's garden with Jan and my Mum.

I had some lovely, lovely gifts but the piece de resistance had to be the lovely bag my sister made for me...

blowsy and rosy on one side

cool and ethereal on the other

and more bag love from the boys in the form of a CK satchel.

I'm spoilt for choice!

Jan bought me this lovely felted bowl from the lovely gallery on South Street that Anne posted about here

I have to thank HRH for the extra day off yesterday. I think most people would agree that it was a perfect wedding and I felt a swell of British pride at the sheer majesty of it all and the understated elegance - what a gorgeous family the Middletons look. Thanks to being glued to the telly my feet got a much needed home pedicure - don't know what the Queen would think if she knew I had my feet stuck in a bowl of water (rose scented, mind you) during the ceremony - best not tell her, methinks. Then, still in my pjs I managed to finish the quilting on the eiderdown quilt I started an age ago. I just tied each corner of the squares.

Now I just have to edge it all and then I can call it complete ... at last!

The wedding quilt is finished and ready for the big day next Friday, edged with Moda spotty fabric all the way round and backed with a king size sheet. I ditch quilted round each square and then quilted inside the white squares to add a little detail. I wanted to keep it fairly simple as there was enough pattern going on I felt, even though it's just black and white

T for Troy, the groom and M for Marijke, the bride and two simple embroidered hearts around the centre square.

I've also used up a lot of my cotton yarn to make this cot blanket. I scared the bejesus out of my eldest son by telling him it was for his first baby!

It's just single trebles (US doubles) in lines and edged with two rounds of single crochet to finish it off. I did enjoy putting the muted colours together.

The sun is shining, the washing is blowing on the line and the garden is beckoning me after a day spent inside in front of the telly yesterday.

Wishing you all a happy and healthy weekend and more than a little drop of sunshine and mirth to boot.

Jules

It's been a while...

2011-04-20T19:06:00.001+01:00

... since I blogged but I didn't really have much to say, couldn't do much and was in a bit of a post-op funk. So, rather than droop about feeling sorry for myself I gave myself a little retreat and took stock.

While I've been gone Spring has sprung, the garden is burgeoning and I have been doing very little - comparatively speaking - as it's a tad difficult to garden with crappy knee knops and added to that I've been having physio for my tennis (er... stictcher's/traveller's) elbow and rotator cuff inflammation in my right shoulder. I am falling to bits and feeling very frustrated that the experts keep telling me to rest and keep off the knitting, stitching, crochet, gardening ... basically all the things I love to do.

I had three weeks off work, kept my feet up and got ever so slightly addicted to Psychic Sally, DIY SOS and Extreme Makeover - also went through quite a lot of tissues! Anyway, snivelling over, here are a couple of my current projects...

This one is a gift for my god-daughter who is getting married in .. two weeks ... yikes - better get on and get it quilted!

I've almost finished the quilting but can only do a bit at a time so it's proving very frustrating!

This one has been patched by hand from old shirts, dresses and fabric from my stash. I had planned to put it on the single bed in my spare room but have decided to turn that room into my home office so I might have to hang it on the wall instead!

I've been following my favourite blogs and am in awe of how talented you all are.

This past Saturday Anne, Mum and I hobbled off to the Homespun and Vintage fair which was a lovely way to fritter away a couple of hours and more than a couple of pounds!

Wishing you all well for the forthcoming Easter weekend, may the sun shine on you but not melt your Easter eggs.

Jules

Post op creations - part 1

2011-03-12T11:39:00.000Z

I'm getting a little insight into what my life will be like when I am retired - at the age of about 99 at this rate - life is slow, things are taking a lot longer than usual and my mental faculties are not that sharp. I blame the codeine but maybe it is just me these days!

Daytime tv holds no appeal but it has been on 'for company' and I have managed a couple of little creations so far.

I had a lot of grey cotton that I didn't know what to do with so made up this little cushion, lined it with some lovely raw silk I picked up at a car boot sale last year and finished it off with some mother of pearl buttons. Anne declared it 'very boudoir-ish' - I think it was a compliment :)

In the spirit of 'using things up' I made this little crochet bag from some leftover pink cotton.

It's sweet but totally not worth the time taken to make it.

Lastly, whilst watching disc 2 of Downton Abbey I made up this little crochet bowl, being inspired by the little amigurumi owls I made for Michael (which he loves, loves, loves and wants to learn to make himself - woohoo).

It's sitting in the washing machine now waiting for some company to be felted. My knees are looking similar in colour in fact. I might have to dig out some of my other pure wool odds and ends and make another one whilst watching disc 3.

It's a grey day here, feels like a Sunday but so has every day this week. I do have lots of lovely flowers to cheer me up though - daffs, tulips, roses and lillies - lucky girl, am I.

Wishing you all a crafty weekend.

Jules

R & R

2011-03-10T10:48:00.001Z

Well, the knee ops are over so I have some time with my feet up to look forward to. All went well apart from a rather spectacular bleed in my left knee which worried the nursing staff rather, especially the rather cartoon-like spurt across the room from one of the keyholes! It was a bit like an Itchy & Scratchy sketch without the chainsaw.

I asked the surgeon if I should be worried that he had to draw on my legs to show where my knees were (what kind of training do they get at medical school?) The lovely Malaysian theatre nurse didn't have to shave my legs - I was prepared. No 'Jules Hairy Legs' in that theatre, no sireee, Bob.

Tubi-grip bandages and surgical stockings - a very sexy look, don't you think?

I was only supposed to be in for the day but had to stay overnight. I finished Stephen Fry's second autobiography (excellent, beautifully written, witty and poignant), managed to make a complete mess of a hat I was knitting on double pointed needles so pulled it all back and will have to buy a circular needle as the stitches kept falling off the dp ones and it was making my blood pressure go up. Not good when you are being monitored every 30 minutes!

So, I have some time off, am not logging on to my work laptop and have already completed one crochet cushion cover - not ready for a reveal but this is one of my Mum's patterns that I managed to finish last weekend.

It'll be going into Anne's shop or on her website soon.

I have a big box of chocolate Brazils (courtesy of my Mum), a stash of wool, a plan to finally finish my quilt using the tied method as it's too bulky to hand or machine quilt, Stephen Fry's first autobiography, Ian McEwan's new novel, Solar and some of my favourite films to watch - Tea With Mussolini, Love Actually, Meet Joe Black and Cinema Paradiso to name a few.

Life is good.

The wind is blowing furiously here so I hope you've all got your wigs glued on tightly!

Jules

If there's a bustle in your hedgerow, don't be alarmed now ...

2011-03-06T20:57:00.000Z

..it's just a Spring clean for the May Queen. The sun shone, the wind didn't blow and Spring seems just around the corner! I have spent most of the day in the garden shifting a tonne of soil from the drive to the raised veg beds. It's been sitting there since I moved the old compost heap and dug the pond! No more Gypsy encampment here (apologies, no offence to Gypsies). I can now hold my head up amongst my neighbours (who are all seriously ancient and have obsessively tidy gardens - we are the bad neighbours in the hood!) Well, I would hold my head up high but I think I have done serious damage to my back. When will I ever learn? A nice deep bubble bath has helped but I think I'm going to have trouble getting up tomorrow.

I'm afraid I've no photos to show you this post. My week in Finland was a blur of meetings, no time for sight seeing but I did buy a couple of balls of wool. I'm having my knee knobs operated on this week so will be putting my feet up for the rest of the week - need to have plenty of projects ready for the making. Trouble is I've got so many ideas buzzing around I can't seem to settle to anything at the moment. I've been spending too much time surfing all the fabulous blogs out there getting more and more inspiration.

Still haven't won the lottery so work will continue to get in the way but you never know what's round the corner, hey?

Hope you've all benefited from a drop of sunshine this weekend.

Can't wait until the garden is full of these

Jules

Sunday at Sandsend

2011-02-27T18:18:00.000Z

In order to blow some of the cobwebs away and make the most of the sunshine (intermittent though it was) I headed to Sandsend with a friend to take a walk on the beach and collect stones for her collection. As we drove up onto the moor the sky darkened and the rain started to spit but it was so windy the rain clouds were blown away by the time we got there.

The beach was quite crowded considering the brutal wind but determined dog walkers and intrepid parents bundled up against the cold while children danced in and out of the waves in their wellies and built sand castles.

We had a quick look round Wild Hart

Before heading into the pub for a warming bowl of home-made leek soup - just the ticket

I had planned to get out in the garden when I got back but my frozen nose and hands changed my mind! I'm away to Finland tomorrow where the forecast is lows of -16 C and highs of -2 C so I shouldn't complain and it was so good to have some fresh air.

Work has been very demanding this past week so I've done very little in the way of crafting but did want to show you some little Amigurumi birds I've been making.

They are winging their way to a new home at the moment so I hope they'll make it OK. They should do - they are wise young owls after all.

Hope you've had a great weekend.

See you next week.

Jules

Post Apology

2011-02-21T19:00:00.002Z

I have to apologise to my middle son, Michael - he is not happy with the calibre of photos of him that I have been posting on my blog (and Andrew also complained)! Oh me oh my-o.

I have changed the photo of Michael and Andrew as St Pancras as I had to agree with him, it wasn't the best one - but the best one of Andrew had Michael all blurry (and that was before I finished my glass of bubbles, I hasten to add).

So, in an effort to redress the balance and keep my favourite graphic designer happy (you might have noticed that my blog is undergoing a bit of a transformation - it's a work in progress as he is much in demand at the moment) - let's see what they think about these ones....

Andrew and Michael, New Year's Eve early on. The later photos and ones from the day after are definitely not fit for publication!

Michael, Summer 2010

Lynne is running a 'favourite things' feature on her blog so here are three of my most favourite (and most definitely my best) creations

I'm very proud of these three chaps - L to R, Michael, Will and Ben

Hopefully, these meet with approval! I shall be snapping in earnest when I go back to London to visit Ben and Michael at Easter. Ben and Will don't like having their photo taken (must take after their mother).

Hope you are all keeping warm. It's bitterly cold here and sleeting :( I'm off to make some cup cakes for work as we have a Polish visitor to the office tomorrow.

Jules
x

The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain

2011-02-19T21:32:00.001Z

... but the rain in Catalonia fell mainly on our heads! Having been reliably informed that the weather was lovely and warm in Polinya (half an hour from Barcelona) I packed lightweight clothes only to find that it was nithering! Plus 9 was the warmest it got so I spent the week with cold hands and tootsies.

I expected it to be a pretty tough week on the work front but things went surprisingly well. Ulla and I managed to stretch our legs most evenings but were usually the first to be at the restaurants - very un-Spanish. The first one we went to wasn't even properly open and they looked surprised to see us and checked their watches! I think I have gained at least half a tonne and retained sooooo much water from all the salty food that I daren't even get on the scales. Ulla and I both had swollen fingers and feet - just not used to the diet I suppose. We didn't complain or refuse any of the delicious pastries though!

This is pretty much the quantity of bread and pastries we at this week!

We also had to sample some very nice Jambon in this tapas restaurant (and some of the local wine, of course!) The restaurant had been recommended to us by the lovely Despina from our sales office in Athens - it only took us an hour and a half to find it despite it only being about 10 minutes from our hotel! We thought we deserved the wine by the time we got there and the waiter was VERY nice :)

I didn't do much crochet - just a little on the way out as the days were long and by the time we'd walked around, eaten and headed back to the hotel it was straight to bed. We did manage to go to Barcelona on the last night and had a tour of the city in the rain.

A rather blurry shot of one of Gaudi's finest... well, it was tipping it down!

THE department store of the area - El Cortes Ingles - we almost got vertigo from the one in Sabdell as there seemed to be endless floors.

We had to seek shelter in this rather nice bar and have a glass of wine (or two) to warm us up and rest our weary feet. Then it was off to enjoy a very nice meal (and a little bit more wine).

Ulla and Bernat toasting the end of a successful week (with, you guessed it, some very nice Spanish wine!)

Last time I was in Barcelona it was sunny and warm but the city is really beautiful, so much wonderful architecture and very alive. The shopping is excellent too but there was no time for any of that, which is just as well as the prices were pretty steep.

I seem to be missing out on a fortune - first I have a clothes shop in Nancy, now a chain of parfumerias in Barcelona ..

But if I had to own a chain of shops I think this one would be perfect..

It's actually a candy store but what great name!

So, a week at home before I head off to Finland. Hope it warms up a bit as they had record low temps last week at minus 40 C - yikes! That's weather for staying in the sauna me thinks.

It's tipping it down with rain, snowing up on the moors and more cold temps forecast .... guess I'll just have to stay in and stitch and stuff, shame hey? Hope you are managing to spend your weekend doing the things you love.

Jules

Whistle Stop Number 3 - London

2011-02-19T11:50:00.001Z

OK ladies, wait no more, now I have figured out how to work Photobucket (yes, I am one of the numpties to whom Lynne refers) - here's Loop....

It was lovely but mega expensive so I headed upstairs to the jumble sale for patterns and some inspiration

Too much choice!

Gorgeous buttons

Some gift inspiration

So what did I buy?

Some reduced patterns and a couple of lovely books

Love, love this book by Julia Arkell although I doubt I'll ever make any of the projects. It was all the lovely shelves of goodies that drew my eye. Oh to have a work room like this.

By now we were starving - hungry students in tow - so we took a quick look around the market and then found this wonderful place called Elk in the Wood for a spot of lunch.

Just love this wallpaper

and all these lovely fireplace tiles in the kitchen

and all these mirrors on the wall. That's Michael taking the picture for me - I haven't grown a beard, honest!

Next was a wander around Borough markets and a look at all the lovely fare.

We were in search of desert but couldn't find carrot cake so we headed to Patisserie Lila for cake and tea/coffee.... well, I had a long train ride ahead, needed to keep my strength up :)

Mission accomplished!

Did I mention that Michael and Andrew met me at St Pancreas and we had a glass of bubbly in the Champagne Bar and then went back to Kingston for dinner at Carluccio's?

Oooh, get us!

So that was London, tomorrow I'll bring you Barcelona. Gosh, my life sounds rather glamorous but trust me it's not!

Happy Weekend all and thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your comments - I look forward to every one.

Jules

Bonjour mes amies... je reviens!

2011-02-13T10:26:00.000Z

Phew, I feel like I've been gone for ages and I've only really got time to give you a whistle stop tour in this post, mention Lynne's Moda Bake Shop debut (well worth a visit to see the stunning quilt and the chance of a giveaway), do the washing and then pack again!

So, the whistle stop tour begins. Monday, Paris - just an hour but long enough to get the feel of the place and sit outside the Gare de l'Est in the sunshine (everywhere I sat smelled like a men's urinal but never mind, it was still Paris!)

Then on to Nancy. All the photos are taken at night as the work days were very long. No time pour fair le shopping as the shops shut at 7 but I managed to take a good stroll each evening just to stretch my legs (and try and combat the vast amount of bread I ate each day!)

The Theatre

See the name? C'est moi? Clearly not, they must be confused!

This type of building screams France to me - I love it!

St Sebastian Church

My kind of shop - wine upstairs and good food downstairs - my colleague and I enjoyed a much needed and well deserved glass of Palmer Brut Cuvee Rubis champers with our dinner

Plas Stanislas - very opulent and stunning, especially at night. Lots of couples walking hand in hand, friends meeting, embracing and enjoying an exorbitantly priced glass of wine no doubt.

Some of the famous glass work of the region. L'Ecole de Nancy - a famous Art Nouveau movement from the area. The pics are not great as they are through glass at night.

A fine example of the movement in the Excelsior restaurant - sunglasses needed inside as it is dazzling - mirrors, glass, marble, gilt - you name it, this place has it (plus a huge amount of oysters).

Well, my dears, I have run out of space to upload photos so will post about my whirlwind 30 hour stop in London later on. I have to tell you I was in ecstasy when I got to Loop!!!!

A plus tard

Jules

Ooo la la

2011-02-06T16:19:00.000Z

Another weekend draws to a close and instead of relaxing with my yarn and hook I'm thinking about packing. I'm off to France tomorrow for the week - going by train all the way to Nancy. It'll take all day but in between the work time on the EuroStar I should have plenty of time for crochet - if only I could make up my mind what to take with me!

My friend, Angie and I went for a walk at Sandsend on Friday - I say a walk, it was a struggle against the gale force wind on the way into the village and then a fast paced hurtle back to the car with the wind at our backs! One of my sister's favourite shops in York, Wild Heart also has a lovely shop in Sandsend. I didn't have my camera but took some photos with my phone - when I can find out how to get them from my phone to here I'll post them :)

This week's evenings have been spent making my Feb Ravelry CAL squares:

Pineapple Blossom

Grandma's Heart

Making more hexagon patches

and knitting another patchwork blanket

I've made this one a bit easier on myself - same size squares but different stitches for each one and crocheted together. I've run out of wool now so this one will have to go on the back burner until more suppliers are available.

I managed to get out in the garden for a bit yesterday - a bit more snipping and pruning and gathering of the moss from the side borders. It's tidier but still looks rather sad. Lots of shoots and bulbs poking their heads out there so that's very encouraging.

Wishing you all a good week. February is whipping by, soon be Spring :)

Jules

Come Dine with Me

2011-02-03T20:23:00.000Z

Or rather, Come Dine with Will and Meg. Just as I was feeling more than a little disheartened at the lack of interest - any interest - in my smooth and silky limbs life handed me a little ray of sunshine. I have been quite a good cook in my previous lives but am becoming more and more lazy and less and less interested as time has worn on but luckily I have passed on some good cooking genes to my offspring and they are all quite, quite talented. Even if I do say so myself.

So, diet (pah!) not withstanding I was very happy to accept an invitation from my youngest to come dine with him and his girlfriend. I had to do the shopping but since I was going anyway that was no problem. I was told to sit down with my knitting while the two of them set to in the kitchen. Who am I to argue?

Good smells began to emanate from the kitchen and once my services as goat's cheese finder in the fridge and measuring spoon finder had been dispensed with all I had to do was wait.

The menu?

Will's starter: roasted stuffed peppers (goat's cheese, chive and chilli)

with a rocket salad and dressing made from scratch

Megan's main course: bacon and mushroom pasta with marscapone and parmesan cheeses (did I mention diet??)

Will's pud: meringue with strawberries and cream (no calories when made by someone else)

Can't think why I haven't lost any lbs this week...

It was truly delicious but best of all? They cleared up afterwards as well! My cynical (male) work colleagues asked me what he'd done that needed to be forgiven!

Whilst I was waiting for this feast to be served I got to work on this month's Ravelry CAL squares.

First one done (this was my second attempt as the first one was all wrong and wonky)

I've also been busy transforming my wool stash into 9 round granny squares for a big blanket and the pile is growing nicely but I think I might run out of wool before the quilt is finished. Oh sigh, I'll probably have to go wool shopping .....

I've also embarked on a hexagon quilt made from some of the boys' old shirts. I think both projects are going to last me throughout the year!

Hope your week has been a good one so far - helter skelter towards the weekend now - yippeee!

Jules

Crestfallen...

2011-02-01T21:00:00.000Z

Had appointment with my very dishy orthopedic consultant tonight to assess the state of the knees. I have been diligently moisturising morning and night and remembered to shave extra carefully this morning. What did he say? 'You can probably leave your tights on, I don't think I'll be able to see anything different on bare legs' - first thought, phew! Second thought, what a waste of smoothness. Third thought, blimey, can't even get the man to take a peek at my legs - things must be very dire indeed!

Worse was to follow. After shunning a peek at the flesh Mr Dishy was quite keen to take a look at the inside so an arthroscopy it is (not the first time so not too worried) but, things have changed since my last visit in 2007 and it was straight off for the pre-op assessment - yikes! Blood pressure, height, wee test - no problem, now just get on the scales - bloody hell! Pounds lost since the last post .... nil.

It's going to have to be nil by mouth until I can find a window in my travel schedule to get booked into hospital. That or a serious case of food poisoning (trip to China might take care of that!)

Hope those of you who are trying to shed a few pounds are having more success than me!

Jules

Heart Love

2011-01-22T12:16:00.000Z

After what felt like a very long week with too much snow, not enough sleep and no time for crafting I was glad to get home yesterday. I did manage to squeeze in a little mutual adulation time with my favourite little girl, Siiri. We seem to have rather a special bond as I've known her since she was a bump but now she has a little brother competition for my attention is fierce when I visit. Siiri always wins though so there's lots of story time and silly games. I was blessed with many big hugs and kisses this time and a little memento to put on my fridge (so 'you can remember me when you go home' she said, ahh)

There are only two choices when travelling to Tampere - very early departure but reasonable arrival time or mid afternoon departure and late arrival. On Fridays I like to get home early so it was a 4am start. Despite much napping on the journey home I was fit for nothing so turned my attention to a little bit of simple crochet. The heart pelmet had taken me down the heart path - and I do have a fondness for all things heart shaped

size 1.5mm hook and thin cotton - cross-eyed job!

This taken from the Royal Sisters blogspot tutorial

This made up from the white one above - 3mm hook and some eco cotton - much easier on the eyes!

Having spent the week sitting on my bottom inside airports, planes, meeting rooms and hotels in a dark, cold and very snowy place I was in need of some fresh air. Since the sun was shining although the lawn was covered in a very thick frost I thought a little tidy up in the garden was in order. Last time I was out there to feed the birds it looked like this:

Will was most surprised to find me outside, noting that everything looked dead. Peering into the pond revealed two frozen frogs, mid swim - arms and legs outstretched, poor things. One fish was encased sideways in the ice but we did spy at least 3 fish swimming in the very bottom. With secateurs in hand I snipped back as much of the dead, decaying foliage as was sensible to reveal lots of signs of life. The ice plants are forming nice little heads close to the frozen earth and the bulbs are already starting to poke their little leaves above ground. There's hope yet... not long before it will be back looking a bit more like this:

Roll on the Spring!

Happy weekend.

Jules

Pounds lost.....

2011-01-16T11:10:00.000Z

Whoop, whoop = 3! Yes, 3 whole pounds! Unbelievable as I have not forsaken wine and have been slowly tyidying up the left over chocolates. I have been quite restrained though (for me) and have done 5 sessions of the Pilates DVD (10 minute solution/Lara Hudson if anyone is interested in having a laugh at what a young body is capable of doing) and one session of Davina's Body Buff DVD - the legs and core section, which left me puffing, panting and decidedly red of face. Even the warm up session was tough! I am sooooo out of shape.

So, with that good news I am spurred on to be even better this coming week. I'm in Finland all week where my boss informs me it is currently -20 C and snowing again - bliss. It will be hard to resist the gluggi in those temps but resist I shall (try).

I must confess that I have dragged myself through the week, lacking enthusiasm for much except sitting on the sofa with hook and yarn but even that has not been terribly satisfying. I got off to a good start with lots of Ravelry Block of the Month squares (got a nice little stack now)

Feeling rather confident my thoughts turned to Rosella and her pattern for a cotton heart pelmet curtain. Anne and I had gone to her day course over at Heidi's a while ago, having come back to crochet after many years of absence. Well, the day was really fun but reduced Heidi to tears and the need to leave to go and get her nails done! You see, Rosella has been a crochet genius since the age of 8 (quite a few years have passed since then) and she presented us with a size 1 hook and a graphical pattern. No written instructions, no terminology that any of us recognised (gates and legs being the terms used for chain spaces and trebles) - it was a challenge for sure. Most of us abandoned our pathetic little attempts and have never been back.

This is the result of 4 evenings and one afternoon's dedicated work on it - mostly spent unravelling and starting again but I think I may finally have got the hang of it now..

I might have to take something a little less taxing on the plane with me. Perhaps a few granny squares...

And in true Blue Peter style, here's something I prepared earlier, part of my Mum's birthday present. I started this last year and then wasn't sure if she'd like it but picked it up again so I would have something made to give to her on her birthday (last Wednesday)

Blue trim on one side

Pink trim on the other

She liked it. Phew!

Wishing you all a safe and happy week while I freeze my ass off in Finland!

(ooh, now there's an opportunity to drop many, many pounds if I lose my ass!!)

Jules

Better late than never...

2011-01-12T18:34:00.001Z

I've been very tardy with my Chrimble pressie post but I was waiting for some decent light. The sun shone at the weekend so I flew round the house gathering up my gifts for your perusal. I must admit that sun or no sun, the photos are still a bit naff but the pressies are lovely.

Ooh, the box I hummed and haaed about buying from Heidi at her open house. My sister dissuaded me - the crafty minx!

and inside the lovely box..... an even lovelier surprise. Tea cups and plates that I am sure Anne struggled to part with given her serious addiction to china.

another gift box full of little treasures

Sumptuous slipper socks, hand made buttons, lovely silver earrings and two skeins of Debbie Bliss Andes silk... bliss indeed. The lovely little box of silks and scissors was from my Mum.

Drool ... Jane Brocket's lovely Quilt-Making book from sis

The pictures are just fabulous and I want to make them all

Now this was just plain mean of Anne ... a book of calorie laden cup cake recipes!

I smell sabotage!

Not only gorgeous recipes and pictures but inspirational ideas too!

Much sisterly love going on here - not only did Anne give me the tea set but she also parted with some of her vintage crochet in the form of embellishment on a beautiful hand made cushion.

Gorgeous gloves from my Mum

and the piece de resistance from my sis (given to me on Boxing Day as she was stressing about getting it finished in time for Christmas Day)

Love, love, love it!

I was very spoilt with lots more gifts including a gorgeous night shirt from the White Company from the boys - it's almost too pretty to wear in bed. My Mum gave me some money too which I have spent on a sumptuous silk and velvet scarf - can't photograph it as it's so glossy it just looks like a shiny blob in the photos :( and a CK bag on sale. I'm saving these for my date with Mr Darcy once he's recovered from the work out Amanda has given him.

I'm happy to report that every single one of my Christmas Presents fit me perfectly!!

Hope you are having a good week. It's over the hump day today - hoorah!

Jules

Last gasp....

2011-01-10T18:21:00.003Z

I was clearly on Santa's naughty list this year as he didn't bring me any will power or a gorgeous hunk of a man to use for recreational exercise. My sister and I were both despairing about the invasion of the body snatchers who seem to have no intention of returning our once sylph-like bodies to us any time soon and talking about (I'm whispering this word) diets – the pros and cons of slimming clubs, exercise classes etc. (I was also ignoring the glass of wine in my hand and the voices in my head reminding me that there was still a substantial amount of cheese left in the fridge). Anne blames her weight problems on the menopause demons but since I am not there yet I can't blame anyone but myself!

Last year the boys' birthday card to me said "inside me is a skinny woman trying to get out" and inside "but I can usually keep the bitch quiet with cookies"! Now, I was most offended at such insults I have to tell you. For one, there is definitely not a skinny woman anywhere in my genetic makeup. The only times I've ever been skinny were when I was going through jaw surgery and divorce. Secondly, I do not eat many cookies. I am much more of a cake girl!

We concluded that public humiliation might be the only motivation that would work. However, not wanting to spend precious £s per week for that privilege and add another tyranny to the list of 'things to do' each week we resolved to run our own slimming club. We had our 'last gasp' last night at Heidi's for our belated Secret Santa evening – the rules being that our gifts had to be: something for £1, something from a charity shop and something we made. We were all very lucky with our gifts and it was a really nice evening.

Heidi and Anne and the lovely Laura

Heidi, Anne, Laura, Linda, Rosella and Livvy (what on earth had Livvy said to cause her mother's reaction???)

Lovely Jilly and a perhaps repentant Livvy?

Anne had also kindly volunteered me to take one of my American Cheesecakes. As we all know any dessert with any combination of the words American, cheese or cake in it – let alone all three together is not going to be low calorie. So, last gasp it was!

A few calories on a plate complete with twinkly silver stars and sparkly dust

However, I was feeling quite good as I had put on my new Pilates DVD yesterday morning (it was a little on the snug side). There are 5 ten minute workouts which you can do individually or combine. I started with the Abs - the teacher is AMAZING. I didn't realise our bodies were capable of doing such things. Well, I say 'our' but really I mean her. She may have amazing body control but she is clearly not a very attentive teacher as she said I was doing really well whereas I mostly just wobbled and flailed around on the floor wondering if I would ever be able to raise my shoulders off the floor and walk my hands up my raised (smooth) legs to grip my ankles (and breathe at the same time)! I have to say though that this morning I could feel aches in pains in a few extra places. Maybe there really are muscles in my lower abdomen!!

Let them eat cake, I say. Me? I shall be wearing black until such time as I can look at my naked form without recoiling in horror.

Tomorrow I shall show you some of the things that Santa did bring me so I can't have been too bad in 2010 (or maybe he just didn't notice!)

Red sky at night, Shepherd's Delight, Red Sky in the morning, Shepherd's warning - this morning's sky as I made my cuppa

Jules

It's all Laalaa's fault

2011-01-08T18:53:00.000Z

Since Mr Darcy did indeed seem to be tied up with Amanda and not likely to put in an appearance to examine my silky smooth shins I was at a bit of a loose end. What to do.... I know, catch up in blogland.

Lynda sparked my interest in the Ravelry crochet along and now I'm hooked too!

I embarked on this month's 6" Flower Button Granny square.... hmm, mine appears to be somewhat smaller ....

Then I embarked upon the 12" Maggie square.... hmm, mine appears to be somewhat smaller....

Then I spent all evening making the 12" filler square, Enough Love to Go Around .... there was very nearly no love whatsoever after much pulling back and zooming in on the picture to try and work out what I was supposed to be doing (I'm really rubbish at following patterns) I ended up with ..... hmm, a wonky bit of lacy wool

Ahh, that's better - maybe it was worth it after all. Blocking really does make a difference!

Must block my squares more often instead of being in a rush to show and tell!

Must dash - got a Secret Santa present to make!

Jules

Environmental Health

2011-01-07T14:55:00.000Z

Well, after the shame of the hairy-mary-scary legs I took to the bath (in candle light I hasten to add) and de-fuzzed, scrubbed, buffed and moisturised. Phew! Next job the feet....

While I was grilling my breakfast bacon this morning and wafting the door to get rid of the acrid blue smoke I was hit by another bout of shame. Cleaning the oven was on my pre-Christmas list but it didn't happen so now we were at a critical point. So, out came the oven cleaner, the rubber gloves and the brillo pads. William asked me what was going on - were we having more visitors, was I feeling OK, what made me decide to do it? Cheek.

I am pleased to report that should Mr Darcy decide to drop by unexpectedly for supper I am prepared! Should he choose to glide his hand up my flannelette pyjama leg he'll find smooth, silky soft legs (still akin to a bag of porridge but definitely not hairy!) Should he care to look he'll find my racks gleaming. No, that's not a euphemism - my oven racks really are sparkly and shiny like new.

Is it sad that I am happy that my oven is clean? I think we will be eating soup for a few weeks so I don't have to cook anything in it and make it dirty :)

Whenever you are ready, Mr Darcy .....

Oh the shame!

2011-01-06T20:01:00.000Z

I've been having a lot of problems with my knees - the right one in particular - and after much wincing, oohing and aahing at work today Viveka made me call Bupa. I've had many operations on my knees over the years so needed a referral letter from my GP to be able to go and see the consultant in York. As 'luck' would have it my doctor had a free appointment this evening so off I hobbled.

I have a great doctor, she's really caring, never rushes you and always listens. She asked me if it was OK that she had two medical students with her. No problem, said I. My opening gambit was 'it's about my knee..' and that was it, her eyes lit up 'ooh good' she said, 'these two young gentlemen are doing a muscular-skeletal rotation and we haven't had any knees yet today - over to you Tom'. So the rather handsome, clean cut awfully proper young Tom politely asked me if he could ask me some background questions.... I won't bore you with the details.... then he asked if I would mind if he examined my knee on the couch. Not at all, said I. Up I hopped - then horror of horrors, he asked if I could roll up my leggings just as it dawned on me that I had not shaved my legs! Indeed, I cannot even remember the last time I did!! The lovely Tom proceeded to prod and press my hairy, lumpy, parchment dry knees whilst I turned a brighter shade of beetroot in shame.

It didn't take long for me to realise that at the tender age of what, twenty something, Tom did not care what state my mouldy old legs were in - I was invisible and he was very pleased to be pushing and pulling my limbs around with fascination and then rather shyly and blushing a much milder shade of pink he proceeded to report his findings to my doctor. Phew - not sure if I should be relieved or crestfallen but I tell you something, tonight I'm getting in the bath with a generous dollop of the lovely Sanctuary bath cream that my sister gave me at Christmas and I shall get the chain saw out to shed my hairy old pins of all vestiges of hair and then lather on an even more generous dollop of moisturiser.

Last time I found myself in a situation where I confided in my friend that I was in no fit state to be intimate with any man in any way, shape or form she gasped in horror and declared 'Julia, one should always be prepared!' OK, so a young medical student is not exactly the same thing but she was right - one should always be prepared so I am adding that to my list of little 'promises' to myself for 2011.

Hope you are having a good week - I'm sure time is going much more slowly in 2011!

Jules

Resolutions

2011-01-04T20:22:00.000Z

Definitely best not to make any. The minute I started thinking about losing weight I headed for the ice cream! Haven't touched the stuff for months but the thought of deprivation sent my appetite into over-drive. What's all that about? But thank you, girls, for the words of encouragement. I have done the Special K diet and it worked but I am trying to avoid any thought of diet (see where it can lead me) and am talking myself into a change little by little.

On a brighter note - and indeed, I think the best option for reducing my calorie intake - I did get Ben's blanket finished. Too late to give to him but I'll find a way to get it to him before next Christmas! This one was also a mixture of knitting and crochet in chunky and super chunky wool blends - a bit hard on the hands and hungry in terms of the amount of yarn needed but nice and manly I think, don't you? He works for London Welsh Rugby Club so these colours are perfect. Let's hope he thinks so too and is converted (even if it's secretly) to the heaven that is hand made.

Just the one photo as Michael also agreed with me that my camera is a 'piece of poo' so I am awaiting his recommendations for a new one. If I stop eating and drinking, buying wool and fabric I should be able to afford one soon :)

I'm waiting for some decent light before taking pics of some of my lovely pressies so will leave you with these - presents I made for two dear friends, Angie, who admired the cushion I made for my sister last year and her man, Ian, who used to captain a tall ship for a living.

The throw was a wedding present for Michael's friend who got married on the 27th

and very stylish she looked too

as did her bridesmaids, our very own young 'sisters', Rachel and Harriet

~ ahhhh ~

2011 ...

2011-01-03T11:33:00.000Z

Whoosh, in the blink of an eye another year over. Sorry I'm a little late in wishing you all a very Happy New Year but in deference to my advancing years I have not made any resolutions but have made a couple of small promises to myself. One of them is to take life at a slower pace so instead of tackling the ironing pile I am spending the last day of my holiday in my pjs doing things as and when the mood takes me.

Christmas was quiet since my 'boys' were at their dad's but very nice all the same. My Christmas was made by my youngest nephew on Christmas Eve returning from the pub and trying to conduct a coherent conversation in a language that only Harry can understand - he's a wonderfully entertaining drunk - a happy chap in sobriety but hysterical in his cups. We spent a lazy day eating and drinking and watching crappy tv - much like most of the nation I suspect. I had some lovely presents but more on that in another post.

The week between then and now has been a bit of a revolving door of returning sons and their loved ones - the house shrinking with each new arrival but that's what I had been waiting for - my sons all home together - a rarity these days and a house full of young and exuberant company. I spent New Year's Eve with my middle son and his friends which was very entertaining but once they had headed into town to see the New Year in round the roundabout (a local tradition) I watched a little bit of Hootananny and then headed for bed, missing all the post night out entertainment but grateful of the sleep.

The house is quiet again, Michael the only visitor left to go back (tomorrow, sniff, sniff) but I must say I am glad to be getting 'back to normal' and even feel I am ready to go back to work even though I haven't done as much creative stuff as I'd hoped this holiday.

The tree in all it's glory on Christmas Day is now bare below and will not be with us many more days. More's the pity - I do hate to lose the prettiness of the lights but can't risk any bad luck so it will have to come down on Twelfth night :(

The fridge has gone from bulging to bare, my figure quite the opposite. Another small promise I made to myself for this coming year was to try not to buy any more clothes - barring underwear and socks. I have three chests of drawers and a wardrobe full of clothes, more than half of which I don't wear as they either don't fit or don't go with anything that does fit (not to mention the boxes of clothes under the bed and in Will's wardrobe) so in order to keep that promise I will inevitably have to reduce my size. Quite how I am going to achieve that I haven't yet decided but more movement will have to play its part, along with less wine and cake :( I don't know where I'll find the will to go on but it must be done! Oh, I know, I'll spend less money on food and more on wool. Yes, that should work.

Before I go and make another cup of tea I want to show you the blanket I made for Michael. It was a mix of different knitting and crochet stitches and shapes and sizes and I am thrilled that he liked it as much as he did. I may have to make one for myself!

He has been snuggled up under it for most of the Christmas so I am very happy.

I didn't manage to finish Ben's blanket before he and Liz headed back but it's nearly there so I'll have to send it to him - would love to see the look on his face as he doesn't really 'get' the whole crochet/knitting thing but I bet I can win him round.

Wishing you all a peaceful, happy and relaxed 2011. It may threaten to be trying but I am depending on the escapism of wool and fabric to ease whatever pain comes my way - I hope it will do the same for you.

Jules

xxx

Lists...

2010-12-21T11:58:00.001Z

This must surely be THE week for LISTS. I seem to write at least 2 lists every day - the first, things I must remember to do that day, the second, the things on the first list that I forgot. I have nicely written lists - usually these are the ones for presents and food as I have my brain in gear, thinking very, very hard about all that must be done. I have hastily scribbled lists - these are the ones I write sitting in cafes drinking Earl Grey tea with my sister or Mum, gazing at said list and then remembering something I have forgotten. I have scrumpled lists sitting in the bottom of just about every bag I own - discarded and destined for the bin when I get a moment to embark on the 'mucking out the bottom of the bag' chore. Must add that to the list of things to do.

Today's list involves: going to the tip with a mega load of household rubbish (since youngest son forgot to put the bin out when I was away and it will not be emptied now until the second week in January - it wasn't on The List!!) and a million cardboard wrapping paper tubes as the wrapping is almost complete; posting off the last of the presents, finished last night at the Christmas 'Girls Sisterhood' (no photos taken I'm afraid but much gloggi imbibed and sweets consumed; nipping to the chemist to pick up youngest son's prescription before he heads south to his father's for Christmas; there's more but I can't find my list to consult!

Anne and I went to York yesterday for a day pounding the pavements in search of those last few elusive pressies. It was sooooo, soooo arctic-ly cold we had to take refuge in Betty's for a cuppa. We were amused to find ourselves seated next to four Geordie men. I was tempted to ask them if they were lost as usually the only males of the species to be found in Betty's are those that are: gay/dragged along by their wives/girlfriends/mothers or small boys who have no say in the matter. It was fascinating to eavesdrop on their - I'd like to say conversation but really it was more banter than conversation and even more interesting to see them tucking in with gusto to a full English breakfast followed by tea and cake - not a hint of guilt or stress in sight. No checking the watch to assess the parking status, no consulting of lists. Basically, they were doing nothing more than having a good bit of food and a chat. Must put that on my list for 2011.

Well, I'll leave you with a few photos of the things I bought in Finland and some of the things I wish I could afford to buy from my favourite shop there, Pentik. It's very modern for my normal taste but the shop is so inviting I always manage to find something I don't need to spend my money on.

These reindeer have been collected over the years and have also been presents for my sister in Christmases past but my budget doesn't run to the larger members of the collection.

I am drawn to the fresh simplicity of their displays and the red and white is just so crisp and uplifting.

A little inspiration for the Christmas table.

Love, love, Love reindeer and hearts!

Pretty! These are now on the tree.

The 2010 Christmas Moomin mug by IItaala

Arguably THE best chocolates EVER - a gift from the consultant I've been working with for the past few years.

Actually, I'll leave you with a little taste of reality in the hope that it might make all of you feel a little better. A lot of havoc and destruction is wrought in the pursuit of festive joy :)

I am too embarrassed to show you the kitchen table - have taken to wrapping on the ironing board as the only

clear-ish surface is the floor and that's too far down for these creaky old bones!

Time to get on with that list....

Traditions

2010-12-18T12:09:00.000Z

Definitely one of my coldest trips to Finland in a long, long time. Minus 17 C most days but warming up to minus 11 on the last day! Positively tropical. I travelled to Finland with my Swedish friend and colleague, Viveka and due to a Finnair strike we flew via Stockholm with SAS for a change and were treated to the Sankta Lucia procession at the airport. Saint Lucy comes as a young woman with lights and sweets and is one of the few saint days observed in Scandinavia on December 13th.

The candles symbolize the fire that refused to take St. Lucia's life when she was sentenced to be burned. The women sing a Lucia song while entering the room, to the melody of the traditional Neapolitan song Santa Lucia ; the Italian lyrics describe the view from Santa Lucia in Naples, the various Scandinavian lyrics are fashioned for the occasion, describing the light with which Lucia overcomes the darkness. Each Scandinavian country has lyrics in their native tongues. After finishing this song, the procession sings Christmas carols or more songs about Lucia. It sounded lovely in the echoey airport and everyone stopped to listen. Viveka was thrilled as she was hoping to be able to see it at some point on her trip.

Despite the cold it was very pretty, all of the trees are frozen over and the snow is crispy, crunchy underfoot. The sky is blue - if the sun is out at all. There was only one bright day - the rest were grey and gloomy.

The Christmas market was on in the town square. I managed to get a few (not very good) snaps before my camera battery died. I didn't linger over the photos as my fingers were turning to blocks of ice!

There's all sorts of goodies on offer from traditional hand made crafts

to the food tent with lots of Gloggi and traditional Christmas food - I didn't venture in but listened to these chaps playing festive songs - until they froze over that is :)

lovely hand knitted and felted items

and some lovely singing by these brave ladies.

now that's what you call a Christmas tree!

and my 'little' offering

I still haven't added the extra popcorn and cranberry garlands - have been too busy trying to finish my various Christmas gift projects but I have two days off work now to try and catch up.

I did do a little shopping during my trip - more on that in another post. Off to meet Anne and Mum for a cup of tea (yes, and most probably something sinful to go with it) but I am trying not to feel guilty about the added girth that is making itself at home round my middle - much needed Winter insulation I say!

Stay warm, keep calm and carry on wrapping.

Jules

The big thaw..

2010-12-10T17:54:00.000Z

... at last, some plus degree temperatures and a bit of a thaw. I can put the bed socks away, thankfully, as I have some rather spectacular chilblains. I haven't had chilblains since I was a young girl and we used to put our freezing cold tootsies on the huge heating pipes that ran round the bottom of the classroom at grammar school. They are still as painful as they were back then!

I didn't go to Finland - daunted by the snow and the thought of the trip taking twice as long as normal so I stayed at home. Quite literally as the roads round our way are not ploughed or gritted so it was a little treacherous to say the least.

By mid week I was a tad stir crazy and rather sick of trying to clear the snow and ice on the drive and having to take a barrel of brandy with me on the trip to the bird feeder lest I got lost in a snow drift!

Beautiful sunrises and sunsets. This was early morning as I was putting the kettle on for my first cuppa of the day. The bird feeder is way in the back covered in massive lumps of ice and snow.

My lovely alpina clematis has gone from this (admittedly much earlier in the year!)

to this:

Looks like Jack Frost swept both of his hands over it many, many times!

The 'Summer House' was in danger of becoming an igloo. I haven't dared go inside to check out the contents. This was taken at the beginning of the week.

Snow, we are all a bit sick of it, pretty and spectacular as it is so I have turned my attentions inwards. Needless to say I have been busy most evenings with festive makings, none of which can be revealed just yet but since my youngest shares my love of all things Christmassy we have put the tree up. I have spent the afternoon decorating the house - lights and garlands and Christmas bunting galore! I had planned to get a short, fat tree this year (much to Will's chagrin) but when I went to the local nursery to buy one there were none to be had. Apparently, they were all so deep in snow that no-one wanted to dig them up so I ended up with a tall, fat tree instead (much to WIll's joy).

I always use popcorn and cranberry garlands on the tree rather than tinsel etc but the tree is so big that last year's makings were insufficient so this evening will be spent stringing the freshly popped corn and fresh cranberries.....

The tree is all white this year. In fact, it's the theme for the whole room - to match the snow and Will declared it rather 'classy'. I nearly fell off my seat! Compliments are few and far between but gratefully received. I'll try and take a night photo but my skills and camera are equally crappy. I've put less on it this year as the tree is rather beautiful all on its own.

Wishing you all a warm, safe and happy weekend. No doubt you'll all be beavering away as the big day seems to be approaching at great speed!

Jules

Homestead loveliness

2010-11-28T18:54:00.002Z

Every year Heidi hosts a Christmas shopping event in her gorgeous home so Anne and I went along, taking a few choice items for sale and in the vain hope that there would be some determined shoppers prepared to brave the snow and arctic temperatures.

Cliff was none too happy about sharing his couch with our goodies - we had to relent and move the books - an old boy needs and deservers his own space.

Some of Linda Nicholson's fab fabric pictures (yep, just had to have one...)

Some of Heidi's lovely offerings (yep, had to have some of them too)

Charlie makes himself comfy above the radiator, having given up looking out for customers

Some of Rosella's amazing crochet - such an expert, makes me feel like a complete amateur (and yes, had to have a little shop here too)

Unfortunately, Anne wasn't feeling too well and we had already been warned that the weather was deteriorating so we headed home mid afternoon (fortunately for my bank balance!!)

Heading through an icy tree tunnel

Blurry shot from the car window as we neared home

A heavily laden sky about to unload just as we got home.

I also bought some of Jilly's all butter shortbread - I'd like to take it to Finland with me tomorrow but Will's face nearly fell a mile when I mentioned that idea so it's staying here. Might have to make a cup of tea and have a piece before it all goes!

It's a shame the weather kept the shoppers away but it's always nice to be at Heidi's - it's so welcoming and she has great taste - and in her friends too, lots of talented and like-minded ladies, always a pleasure to be in their company.

As I said, Finland beckons for me tomorrow (secretly praying for enough snow to close the airport but so far there's nothing over that way!) It's very snowy and cold there but at least it won't be too much of a shock to me.

Good luck to all intrepid travellers. Have a great week.

Jules

Note for Lynne, Lynda and Fee (thanks so much for your comments)

Heidi's home is delightful and lends itself perfectly to a certain kind of homespun magic. Linda's picture of hearts is made from vintage American feedsack material which Heidi bought back from the US for her. Check out her designs via the link. Heidi will soon be opening a new website under her own name - Heidi Jackson - I'll let you know when she is up and running.

Silent Night..

2010-11-27T09:15:00.000Z

... Silent Day. You know when it has snowed even before you open the curtains and take a peek outside. There's a different feel to the day and a hushed tone, as if the world has suddenly stopped. The only sound I can hear as I type this is the boiler cranking up, working full tilt to keep us warm and toasty.

If only I'd had enough money to install a sauna my 'Summer' House could have been an all season house. Could of had a proper Finnish sauna today and made snow angels in between sessions!

Will is in heaven, loving the snow - 'sweeeeet' - apparently the word on the street. He reverts to a 6 year old rather than his 19 years and is off sledding today - as soon as his hangover wears off that is.

I love the snow too - to look at. Hate driving in it and I have to go to Finland again on Monday so am hoping the Pennines are clear and the journey to the airport won't be too scary mary.

There's more snow in the sky just waiting to fall...

At least it gives me an excuse not to go out so I can stay in my pjs and as soon as I have finished my tea I'm going to indulge in a morning of sewing.

Keep warm, stay safe and have a great day.

Jules

A making frenzy and indecision...

2010-11-24T09:45:00.000Z

It's getting closer and the days are not getting any longer. I'm in a tizzy of indecision and projects.

There's the granny square blanket I'm making from all the odd bits and pieces of yarn I have. It's coming along nicely and rather addictive as I try out new colour combinations. (Not another blanket, Mum, my youngest cries - and looking around the lounge he may have a point so I have put a couple away for now).

The knitted/crochet blanket I'm making for son number 1 (he doesn't want one but I'm making him one anyway to see if I can convert him to the wonders of homespun!) It should also be interesting to see his 'thanks, I love it' fake face when he opens it at Christmas :) This one is a mixture of knitting and crochet - only another 24 squares to go. On reflection, this may have to be a Christmas present for next year.

There's the blanket I'm making for son number 2 (he does want one - he loved his Baktus scarf I made for him to wear when he goes to NYC soon) and I found some lovely wool/acrylic/alpaca mix yarn that is soooo soft and chunky. It's called Peru by Katia and is very reasonably priced which is good news for a blanket project as I am knitting this on size 6mm needles and one square has taken one ball.

There are the crochet stars I'm making from Yvonne's Yvestown blog post. I've used thin crochet cotton and a 1.5 hook and 4ply white Patons cotton with a 2.0 hook - not a project for nighttime as I go practically cross-eyed!

And the Copenhagen pillow, also from Yvestown. This one will have to be a gift - my sons and sister are afraid that one day they will find me dead in a sea of crochet cushions!

Not to mention all the yarn for scarves just waiting to be made up. Yikes.

Son number 3's girlfriend wants mittens for Christmas and I can't find a pattern I like. She's tiny so if anyone has any suggestions I'd appreciate them! Son number 2 also wants a cowl scarf - I've got the wool and the circular needles but this project is on the back burner as I really hate circular needles.

My sewing room (formerly known as the dining room) is awash with 'stuff' - lots of works in progress and ideas waiting to come to fruition.

And yes, the poor old quilt is still waiting to be finished, bless ....

How am I going to fit all this in? I'm considering giving up cooking and housework - that should buy me some extra hours. Now, if only I could do without sleep.

So, what to do? What to do?

I know....

Ah, that's better.

Now for a spot of Kirsty's Homemade Home (please don't let there be too many new ideas on tonight to add to my list of things I absolutely must make)!

Wishing you all a tizzy-less week.

Jules

Addendum: I am posting this the next morning as there was a photo uploading embago on (must have been some crucial point in the death and destruction that is Black Ops for the XBox) and then we had to interrupt Kirsty to work on Will's personal statement for uni applications. A little disappointed with Kirsty the last couple of weeks except, I may have to go and buy some fabric fixer as I used to be the queen of stencilling in a former life and have loads of lovely stencils that could be used on fabric......

Blimey O'Reilly....

2010-11-17T19:45:00.000Z

... it's cold! It's only mid November and we've had sleet, gales, fog, freezing fog and nitheringly cold nights and days - the cold soaking right into the bones. Good job I've plenty of lovely blankets and cushions to snuggle up under/against. At least my son's girlfriend appreciates my efforts:

I've been quite busy in the evenings with my wool stash but can't show anything until nearer THE TIME. Went for a little bimble around Helmsley on Sunday with sister, Anne and bought a spiced plum candle - every time I light it Will goes 'mmmmm, smells like Christmas'. I'm so thrilled that my boys love all things Christmassy as much as me. We decided to have a Sunday off from the crafting although I did make us an apron each from all the throw and bunting scraps. What do you think? I feel festive just looking at it.

Anne just wants to know if Santa's going to bring her a waist for Christmas. Me, I suspect that my waist is gone for good so I am dressing accordingly (am soooo loving the leggings/woolly tights and boots look at the moment. Long may it last, although I think the elasticated waists (both mine and the leggings) may be responsible for an ever increasing waistline). I dread the day I have to put my jeans back on!!

Thanks to Kirsty I now want to make a Kiss cross stitch cushion

http://www.channel4.com/4homes/christmas/christmas-gifts-over-50-09-10-13_p_16.html

(although Anne and I both agreed that it seemed more like tapestry than cross stitch) - where am I going to find time to fit that in?

Hope you are keeping warm and well.

Jules

Naked trees and hearty stews...

2010-11-09T17:55:00.000Z

The nights are drawing in and the weather has taken it all to heart - howling gales, torrential rain, black clouds scudding across glorious sunsets. The trees are rapidly shedding their leaves and will most likely be completely naked by the end of the week. I have to confess to rather liking the Weather - at least it is definite and leaves you in no doubt about what to wear: as much as possible! I don't like driving home in the dark but there's something very comforting about closing the curtains and turning on the lamps, lighting candles and hunkering down.

So what better way to spend a cold dark evening than with a choice of new wool?

I took a little trip to the wool shop looking for wool for making Christmas presents. I came back with some more Mirasol Miski (top of the pile in the guise of a half finished scarf), some Debbie Bliss for fingerless mitts (bright pink), some Debbie Bliss silk (pink skein, for nothing in particular, just 'cos I liked it!), some beautiful Chilean Araucania hanks - camel and silk mix (purple, grey, green mix) and some 100% Merino (purple) - all for scarves.

I'm really enjoying my knitting but do like to mix it up with a bit of crochet, making some 9 round grannies with the leftovers and Sunday afternoons are currently devoted to sewing with my sister. We had quite a family affair going on with Mum involved too. More on that in a later post nearer the time of the grand reveal although some of our makes can already be found on Anne's website. I don't think we'd make much on a piece rate but it's a lovely way to spend an afternoon.

No more photos today - youngest son had to go out at midnight to buy the latest X-Box game that has just come out and I don't think my nerves can face the possibility of an all out tizzy turn as my uploading interferes with his game! Oh, the joys of parenting teenagers.

Hoping you are all keeping warm and well.

Jules

Fall back...

2010-10-30T23:21:00.000+01:00

An extra hour in bed tonight - whooppeeeee! Although, if tomorrow is anything like today it would be a shame to waste time in bed. What a glorious day. Autumn at it's finest, crisp, fresh, sunny and dry. A true delight. After a week spent in airports, meeting and hotel rooms it was great to get out in the fresh air. Met my sister and Mum to head to Cheryl's Homespun and Vintage fair at the Quaker Meeting House - a lovely place in its own right but truly beautiful bedecked with lots of gorgeous lovely things. I didn't take any photos inside - it didn't feel right to be honest but we had a lovely hike up Brant Hill steps to get there.

Phew - managed to make it up to the top without the need for oxygen or a sit down.

The leaves are turning and looked resplendent against the clear blue sky.

How true!

Of course, I had to have a little spend. I went with a view to doing a little Christmas shopping but I ended up being the main recipient :)

This gorgeous cushion made by Gale & Temple. I don't have enough cushions.......

This vintage apron which I think I am going to incorporate into a brown linen dress that has been languishing unworn in the wardrobe as I always feel a bit like a novice nun when I wear it. This would definitely cheer it up.

The work is amazingly neat and even.

And another vintage apron - I'll be ready for next year's War Weekend!

No time to stop for a cup of tea as Anne had to get back to the shop so I walked back to Mum's. She lives near the castle and has amazing views.

Back to town to do a little mundane shopping but still time to stop and marvel at the lovely town I live in.

The station - a little bit quieter than last weekend!

Oh, what's this? Only the nicest shop in town!

We have been busy little bees, Anne, Mum and myself and here are a few of our Made creations amongst the Found

Did I mention that I don't have enough cushions? Well, here's the latest addition - a bright version of the round cushion I made a while ago.

Front:

Back:

I was just waiting for the cushion pad to complete this as I finished it a while ago. I've got a few knitting projects on the go at the moment - three scarves and a bag. I need more wool for two of the scarves, hence why I moved on to another scarf. I took the bag with me to Finland and managed to get it finished (minus the handles) on the journey.

A mixture of garter, moss, stocking and double rib stitches which should give an interesting texture once it's felted and I made eyelet holes for some ribbon embellishments later.

Just the handles to make now!

What will tomorrow bring, apart from an extra hour in bed?

Jules

Be careful what you wish for!

2010-10-26T14:21:00.000+01:00

I've been laid low with various ailments since my return from the States. I think exhaustion has played it's part and perhaps working flat out for war weekend was not the best idea as I fought off a fever. The lurgy got me good and proper last week - flu, shingles and tracheitis (infection of the trachea). I know I push myself a bit too hard sometimes and as I get older I realise that I can't do as much as I used to do - or accomplish as much in a given time but when I said to myself that I needed to rest and catch up on my sleep I didn't mean I wanted to be struck down!

I'm about rattling with the number of pills and potions I've taken and have been listening to my very sad and sorry for itself body. I didn't do much of anything but wanted to show you my latest creation - a commission for a friend's niece in Canada as she loved the one I made for Anja.

This one is made from linen with Liberty lawn for the letters and some of the butterflies and trimmed with Liberty lawn piping. I must confess that I love it and am thinking of changing my name so I can keep it!

The zingy blanket is also finished - it has been for a while but I was waiting for a sunny day to photograph it so that it would do justice to the colours. Well, I gave up waiting as it seems to have been nothing but grey of late so here it is anyway. Sideways and not very artfully displayed but I was in a rush to get the photos uploaded before my ride to the airport turned up.

The edge was a round of treble clusters and then 4 rounds of single trebles into each stitch and finally a round of doubles. It's very bright and cheerful and very heavy!

And lastly, a few cushions I made a while ago from some of my gorgeous Tilda stash. I quilted the fronts and embellished with a heart and a bird which don't show up too well in these photos, sorry. Hiding in the background is the flimsy - now edged and backed and stuffed with a duvet - it's getting closer to being an eiderdown but it's not quite there yet!

So, I am on the road again - Finland this time for the week. It's cold (minus 1 this morning) and there is a light dusting of snow on the ground. I'm taking this lot on the trip with me - I feel a bag in the making. This is the wool I bought in Finland ages and ages ago - it's knitting up beautifully but I don't think I'll get time this trip to buy anymore. (I did bring the labels with me though so I might be able to prevail on one of my good colleagues to help me out).

Wishing you all a happy and productive week.

Jules

Wartime Weekend - the professional view

2010-10-17T21:50:00.000+01:00

Really too tired and feverish to post much but wanted to share this link with you for some amazing photos of the weekend taken by a proper photographer. He took some photos of the 'girls' behind Madge's Whistle Stop Cafe - not sure if they are on the blogpsot yet as I haven't checked...

Wartime Weekend 2010

Anne and I worked alone today - almost as busy as yesterday and we were too tired to even converse in complete sentences by 6pm tonight having cleared up and put the shop back to some semblance of order.

We'd served up another load of cakes, washed up soooo many vintage china tea cups, saucers and plates, used 250 napkins and consumed one bottle of sherry!

Fortunately, we didn't need to have our papers checked by the Home Guard! (yep, same dirty windows - note to self and sis - clean windows next year!)

The sun shone again, the air was crisp with the tang of Autumn and the visitors continued to parade in honour of those who lost their lives on the railway and in battle during the 2nd World War.

Hope you've all had a lovely weekend.

Exhausted - my feet think I hate them!

2010-10-16T21:13:00.000+01:00

sooooo tired - my feet, knees and back are not cut out to be waitresses but it was a fun day all the same. A deep hot bath was the perfect antidote.

Yesterday I was elbow deep in a cloud of icing sugar .... cream cheese frosting by the tonne for the red velvet cup cakes...

but my feet were happy feet in my new slippers .... one of the best points of autumn, being able to wear slippers again...

The night before the morning after - furniture moving and a transformation from gift shop to tea room

Last minute planning ...

and ta da ... we're ready

More tomorrow on the weekend but first, a sneak preview of a special blog friend some of you may know en famille looking every bit the 1940's part

...

It was a chilly day but there was dancing in the street and the sun shone (the photos are lying, the sun really was shining - the windows are very dirty!)

More tomorrow. For now my bed is calling me.