Up and down, and round and round...

So last week was a bit up and down.
We started with a lovely day out with hubby's sister Claire. Rather than just staying in her local village, like we normally do, we thought we would take her out on the train, to Croydon, the nearest town. This is somewhere I know well as i spent many years living and growing there, but I haven't been back for a few years. It hasn't really changed much, other than a few shop names, but I didn't like being back in the hustle and bustle again...
But Claire enjoyed the trip and to get to explore somewhere different, so that's what mattered...

The following day, I had to venture back to Croydon, but on less happier terms, as I had the funeral of my best friends husband, who lost his battle with cancer.

Despite very foggy mornings, the days have broken out into lovely, warm, sunny days, oh the lovely feel of spring...

Crafting wise, I have been really bad, I haven't touched my cushion at all! Yes I went and started something 

new!

I have made this Owl pattern before in the past

After making some more mini squares in a different colourway I had the urge to make a round of this multi-toned yarn.

I wanted to change the pattern slightly as I wanted my owl to be a bit bigger plus I wanted to make an edging so hopefully the creature will be able to sit flat. Its not yet finished, but the body has been made...

Just need to put together the band between them and then make the features...

So, to this weeks mood square...

Purple = Funeral

Yellow = fun day out with family

Jade = relaxation with husband and steady days at work

Until next week...

Remembrance and learnings...

Thank you for all your kind words last week.
It has been quite a heavily emotional week. We have had a positive step forward with the finances, and the house clearing did finally come to an end, although that was a heavy emotional pull for hubby to say goodbye to the family home. Final plans came together and Friday was the day of the funeral, and thankfully the rain held off. The day went smoothly and it was a good turn-out. We certainly felt very drained after such a long day, with the journey, the poignant service, and socialising with family at the wake.

We had booked the weekend off, and this was set aside purely to shut ourselves away from the world, to rest and spend some much needed time together.

There was no decision to be made for the colour of my mood square this week, it had to be purple. This was Tisha's favourite colour and the main shade at the funeral.

A bit of sparkle mixed with the plain. This shows the mix of mood and personality.

This is how the first four weeks of my mood blanket are looking. Just hoping now that the colours can start to get a little lighter and brighter as the weeks progress.

My mini crochet squares are still travelling round with me, and the pile is growing...

Back at home the joining process has started. I was unsure what I was doing, and it's been a bit trial and error. I tried to combine the edging and joining together but i didn't like the ridge showing on the front and i felt the crossover joins were a bit hit and miss and were turning out too lumpy.

So I unravelled, and this time i'm doing all the horizontal edging first, before joining.

I''m still learning as I go, but hopefully I can manage okay when I come to do the verticals. Only time will tell.

Crochet stars and squares...

It's been a busy week this week.
I had a trip up to Derby for my annual work conference.
This coincided with my 3rd wedding anniversary, so we just had time to dash to a local restaurant for a celebratory meal, once i arrived back.

I was also lucky to receive this lovely bracelet from Hubby. I had spotted it months ago, when we were holidaying in Cornwall, and he bought it without me knowing and snuck it away!

And at the end of the week unfortunately I had a family funeral to attend.

So I haven't really been in work much at all, which felt quite strange...
Any spare time my fingers have been working away...
Now my patterns are sorted, i've just needed to crack on with the making.

I've been making my my Star squares, in the cream, grey and red.

But alongside these I have also started the daisy squares. These are quite a simple and quick make, rather than the stars which take a lot more concentration.

These are a in a mix of pastel shades. Its been unusual working in both the neutrals and the pastels as I wouldn't personally choose either, I'm more of a rainbow brights kinda person!

The yarn I'm using is New Fashion acrylic from Woolcraft. Its a lovely soft yarn to work with, and doesn't split unlike some other acrylics, but is still affordable. I came across these from the lovely Angela on Instagram and her @Mycraftlife store.

The star squares I will be making into a lovely winter scarf

And the pastel squares I will be putting the daisies into the centre and making into a cushion

I have a week to get as much of these done as I can, as this time next week we will be on holiday, in Cyprus.
I'm counting down the days, I cannot wait. Our time to be together, to escape everything, and to relax in the sun... Heaven!...