A visual little Christmas

This is actually my first post for December, it gets too busy towards the crazy season working in retail and something has to give.

So for a quick summary.

I did make a couple of presents (another reason why I couldn't log my progress on here) 

Firstly a hot water bottle cover for my Dad, made from different shades of stylecraft acrylic, surrounded by a lovely grey Noro.

I didn't have a pattern to follow, and there would be things I would do differently if I were to do another, but i'm still pleased with the results...

I also made a mini one for a colleague. I made it in a different way, as this was all one piece, in a multi-toned yarn, with a soft ribbon for a finishing touch.

Hubby celebrated his birthday and we were able to visit his sister and see her perform in her groups pantomime

and after a trip round the shops we stopped off for a lovely Indian meal

Christmas for us was a quiet, relaxed affair. 

Now my focus has turned back to my mood blanket 

I've completed the last two squares

The penultimate is a memory square, for my Mother-in-law, who died last year on Christmas Eve, 

and the last one has a traditionally Christmas feel

I'm looking forward to seeing how it all comes together, and fingers crossed I can get it near to completion by the end of the year...

 ** happy new year **

Time flies...

This week has flown by in a whirlwind of work...

On one of my days off my Mum came to visit, which was lovely to have a catch up, as I've not seen her for a few months, and it meant I got a belated birthday present

I've managed to make a couple of mood squares this week.

First one with a sparkly birthday flower in the middle

And the second was another learning square for me.

I have seen pictures of people's c2c blankets. So instead of working in either rows, or from the centre outwards, this is worked from corner to corner. I thought it would be quite complicated, but once I got in to the rhythm of the pattern I enjoyed it. So I think I will be using this pattern again in the future...

Short and sweet this week, but here is a look back at November...

Gallavanting...

Sadly, I have no crafting to show this week...
Other than a packed work schedule, we have actually ventured out!
As you know I was celebrating my birthday this time last week, and we finished off the day in style, eating out at our local Italian restaurant. We shared some garlic bread to start, as it was quite large.

I tried something new, as I have a tendency to steer towards the same things

I had a mushroom risotto,

whilst hubby had Parma ham and rocket pizza

Of course it was washed down nicely with some white wine...

On my day off during the week we took a trip up to London.

The reason for going was, last year as a present I had given hubby tickets to go and see Lee Evans.

We made the most of the day by stopping off at Camden. This is one of  my favourite old haunts that I have been going to for many years.

It has changed an awful lot, in some ways good, with permanent, lock-up stalls and an overall make-over, but for me I find it sad that the original vibe has gone. It used to be the place where 'alternative' people could go, who weren't into mainstream music and fashion, where new designers could showcase their designs and become discovered, but it's lost it's edginess and become a little too commercial, which kind of defeats the object as the tourists used to come to see the sights, I just hope it doesn't lose its way too much as the same happened to Carnaby street.

On arrival we had much needed drink and food.

Had a look around the clothes stalls.

And round the various craft stalls, and even managed to pick up a couple of Christmas gifts.

Then it was back on the train to Wembley arena.

Hubby was amazed at the size of the venue!

As there weren't many seats left when I booked, I was worried it would interfere with our enjoyment, but despite being high up and to the side, we had a great view of the whole arena, could see the stage, had view of the screens and the sound was clear. I've been to many gigs and theatre productions before but not comedy, and I have been amused with clips of Lee Evans, but he completely surpassed my expectations. I thought he was funny in the first half but by the second I literally had tears streaming down my face. He was hilarious with his observations, was as energetic as ever, and quite humble.

I can thoroughly recommend to see him if you get the chance in the future...

Virtual doors are open...

This week I concentrated on getting my little online store back open again.
I set up my mini blank backdrop to photograph my products, with the little bit of morning light.

Then it was to the editing to make the white background actually look white!

Then it was to the shop, adding each item and writing descriptions.

It's all very time consuming but fingers crossed it will be worth the effort.

Once all the cushions were relisted, it was the same process to get the baubles that I made last year, getting hubby to pick a sprig of holly for the finishing touch.

I welcome you all to my newly open store. The ribbon is cut (but not a celebrity in sight!), the trumpets are blowing (a party popper might have to do) and the doors are finally open (even if they are just virtual doors!)

I also went back to my mood squares as I'm determined that I will be ready for the unveiling at the end of the year!

I made another couple of squares. The first I had a test of the pattern that Attic 24 made for her new blanket.

The second, well I just made it up! I worked through the back of the stitch only, so it had a different effect. Adding a couple of normal tr stitches in a contrasting colour.

Once I'd  finished I decided it needed a little something of interest, so a few little embroidery stitches later and little rows of tulips were born...

I've spent plenty of time edging my previous squares, and getting those pesky ends sewn in.

I do feel like I'm getting somewhere, but the biggest test will be as I get busier at work and it eats into my time more and more, which is why I need to make sure I'm not trailing behind...

Today I have a rare Sunday off work, why?, because i'm creaking my way into being another year older!

I was treated to coffee and breakfast in bed...

Followed by opening cards...

And presents. 

I was completely spoilt!!

Tonight, I am looking forward to celebrating with a meal at a local Italian restaurant

Felted flowers...

Over the next couple of months im not likely to get much crafting done as work will be busier, as we get into the throws of the season, but it becomes more important as its my way of relaxing...

So for this week ive been working on embellishing my latest cushion, but this time instead of crocheted flowers ive gone back to needle felting for a different effect.

I love the texture and look of these flowers, and that you can blend your own mix of tones and colours.

I think I may need to add some embroidery to enhance it, which means sewing, but if I call it 'painting with yarn' then maybe I'll find it more enjoyable.

For this weeks mood square, I thought I would try the Linen stitch, ive seen a few quite a few images, and wanted to give it a try. I really like it and think it could be a good possibility for the next cushion background as its a great solid stitch, and easy to do.

Behind the scenes. ...

Ive not got much to show you on the crafting front this week, but it doesn't mean ive been idle!
Mainly, I or should I say we, (as I'm a complete technophobe hubby has been helping out with pc bits so I dont completely lose my mind, and temper!!) have been working behind the scenes as I'm determined to get my Folksy shop back up and running again!

         

So, we've been working away adding backgrounds, titles, widgets and goodness knows what else and trying to link Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter and every other medium we can think of!

• Contact
• Buying from me
• Favourite

• Blog
• Twitter
• Facebook

I also think I have found a solution to the background when I take photographs of my products. After reading someone's blog they stated they used artists canvasses, so after a trip to the works I purchased some white artists boards, so I need some bright daylight which is a bit infrequent now the nights are drawing in!

At the start of the week we had a beautiful sunny day, so I took my latest cushion for a walk round the grounds for its moment of glory in the bright light.

This Saturday I did manage to get another weekend day off of work so i took the opportunity to go to the local craft meet up. This is pure bliss to sit in a relaxed atmosphere, talking with like-minded people, and can focus on any craft that we chose to take in...

I started with making a couple of squares for my mood blanket to try to catch up. 

The rest of the time I finished my next cushion background, so now I can focus on the decoration.

In the evenings I have continued with joining my mood squares, and I've completed another two rows.

This week hubby has started back at work, only starting with two hours a day, but its start and now hopefully we can now progress, he just needs to work on daily exercises to get the strength back in his leg muscles.
Last night we went for our annual trip to the local firework display, and it was spectacular as ever, and the perfect, mild, dry weather for it too...

We've flown through another month. This is a look back at October