Out and about...

This week we've had a lovely week off of work and have been blessed with decent weather.

After a day of rest on Sunday, we caught a bus to Cissbury Ring

It was bliss, being in the heart of the countryside, so peaceful

Just surrounded by the sounds of nature

with views of the rolling fields in one direction, and across the town to the sea in the other

We weren't just there to take in the beautiful surroundings, but we knew there were plenty of Geocaches to find

It was a fabulous place for finds, and we bumped up our total by finding 11

The next day was another rest day, but we did take a trip to the cinema to see Miss Peregrine's home for peculiar children

Midweek and we were on the bus to Brighton. I really wanted to go once I'd heard there were a trail of snow dogs

It seems we're always hunting for something whilst we're out!

It was great searching the lanes and seafront for these amazing doggies, all looking so different as they've been transformed by different artists

The following day we spent more time at home, but with lovely weather we did take some beach strolls, but can definitely feel that its Autumn now as the temperature has sure dropped

I took a trip to the hairdressers for a much needed colour. I've gone back to red to cover those 'natural highlights'

At the weekend we had a visit for hubby's sister and had a lovely day around town, stopping for afternoon tea and fun on the pier

Although we've been out and about a lot, on our rest days with our feet up in front of the tv, I've been beavering away on the mandala

I've managed to complete 3 rounds which I'm very pleased about

To give you an update I'm currently on round 94 out of 111

Despite a change of routine I've still kept on track with my eating

So a great week, relaxing and fun, but tomorrow it's back to reality and work :-/

A spot of Geo...

Just popping in to say "hello", but I have to admit that I haven't managed to achieve any crafting whatsoever! None! Zilch! Zero! I have missed it as it is my main relaxant.

Sunday we were off work and after some housework we went into town to try to do some Geocaching. We were half successful finding 2 out of the 4.

The week seemed very hectic at work, so I didn't get much time in the evenings.

Ive finally decided to join slimming world, its much needed. I'm finding it tricky so far of thinking of things to eat, but hopefully i'll get into the swing of it!

On our midweek day off we met up with my Mum, and had a lovely day out at Bognor.

The sun was shining, we had a lovely relaxing day catching up

And managed to find 3 more Geo's too!!

Fingers crossed that I can manage to juggle my week of fitting in meal planning, cooking, food shopping, work and get some much loved crafting in!!

Until next week x

Treasures and mandala madness continues...

So it was back to work this week, and the weather hasn't been the greatest, its been quite changeable.
On our day off together, despite the grey skies, we were determined to make the most of the beach.

We felt it would be a good treasure hunting opportunity as the sea had been churning well. And it was, we found plenty of pieces, but we hadn't anticipated on the strength of the wind nor the chillyness!

Apart from a lone dog walker we were the only ones braving the elements. Its normally me that struggles with the cold the most but the quantity of finds had me in a determined state of mind. We were in much need of a warm up, so we stopped for hot chocolate before we headed back.

By chance I came across some super cute mini glass bottles at The Works, perfect to display our pretty sea treasures.

              I took time out after work to visit the art instillation that's temporarily on our beach.

Its cleverly mirrored so you get to see unusual reflections.

The only problem, as they've been up awhile, they've been up against the elements so some of the mirrors are too dirty! 

I have continued to work on the mandala. I'm happy that week 11 is much less taxing

I wont go as far as saying easy, as I still managed to make a mistake!

I was so annoyed with myself, it wasnt really down to lack of concentration this time, but as i just pick it up in the evenings, I stop and start around the circle. For some reason I had the wrong stitches in my head so basically just made it up!!

                                 Looking back at my June pictures, I was shocked to see that

I hadn't made any baskets for the whole month! The Mandala and its massive rounds have literally taken up all my craft time, but also I thoroughly enjoy making it, I do though, need to find a way of fitting in some smaller projects too!

seaside treasures and mandala madness...

Very little to show you from this week.
I have worked on the mandala but I've not managed to complete even one round!!
I made a start, figuring out the very complicated section, and then I found after completing the first section I didn't have the right amount of stitches left at the end. Also I wondered why the longer stitches were pulling too much and found id worked in a row too low, so had to undo...

I've now got into the rhythm, but it takes a lot of concentration and is very slow going, and I don't think the next round will be any easier! I will persevere as am loving how this is turning out. Unfortunately it takes up and awful lot of my craft time. I've made a couple of basket bases in preparation for the next styles. And I  did get some of the ideas I have in my head down on paper

Ive managed a couple of walks down by the sea, both of which were very windy

During the week we'd had stormy weather, so the sea had gone quite frothy

And today's walk was deceivingly chilly, with moody skies

Good for the kite and wind surfers though!

The tide was on it's way out so we did some more treasure hunting

As usual hubby helped to find a great haul, and this time had a terrific find of our first blue piece

A great mix of colours found today

We now both have a week off work and tomorrow we will be swapping one coast for another as we head to Weston-Super-Mare to visit my Grandad, and also take in a trip to Cheddar Gorge

Until next week...

Textural mandala...

Not too much to show as its been another week dominated by work.

I'm still continuing with the Mandala.

The rounds are slow now, but I'm thoroughly enjoying it! After a couple of pattern repeats, it usually stays in my head and I get in the rhythm, but at times I think I must have nearly gone fully round, only to find I'm only halfway!
As promised ive managed to get a full picture, its getting harder to do so now as it increases in size!

I am really loving all the different textures that are coming through with all the different mixes of stitches, and I'm learning a great deal, trying stitches ive not used before...

I am going to be making some more baskets. I have got a few ideas that I want to try, not sure which one will be first, ill see how it starts to work up

We managed one brief seaside walk, but it was deceivingly chilly!

The waves were crashing well and it made them all frothy!

We got a new (well new to us) piece of furniture delivered this week. Its going to be great to finally sort through all our dvds and cds and be able to have easy access to them.

Sadly I don't think ill get much crafting time the week ahead either as I'm travelling northbound for a training course, but ill see what I can fit in!

Wibbly and not so wobbly!

So this week, we've had a week off work, which we haven't had since Oct, so having worked every single season and moved house this was much needed. So lovely to not really have any agenda, and go at our own pace! Unfortunately the weather wasn't the greatest, but we made the best of it.
We had one trip planned to Chichester, to meet up with my Mum. We had a nice wander around the shops, and stopped for coffee. We were able to sit outside, and we had the pleasure of listening to a fantastic busking group Steel Strum.

We ate a pasty in the park, before the heavens opened, so we popped into a local photography exhibition, and looked around clothes shops.

Apart from tackling some more of the unpacking (the boxes have been stored out of sight in the spare room), we took the opportunity of dull days, to work through more boxes.

We did spend a day out on our bikes, this time to the South Downs. It meant a 2 mile cycle initially just to get there, before then having a steep climb up a dirt track. We'd popped some food in our backpack, and we found a bench by a golf course to stop for a breather.

We continued upwards looking for Geos which was our reason for venturing this way, as there's supposed to be a large quantity. We did find 5, amongst different bushes and trees.

The views would be lovely up there, but it started to drizzle on us and this meant a rather precarious ride back down the muddy track, which I can assure you I didn't enjoy one moment of!

We ached so much at the end of the day! I think we need to get our fitness levels up!!

We did get a little beach time, but only because we are lucky enough that the beach is just across the road, so its easy to just pop over for half hour.

Both times we ventured out it was later in the day, and the tide was way out so we were able to pebble dance over the rock pools and get a faraway view of the shoreline

I never tire of sea views, whether they are dark and dramatic or bright and sunny!

Crafting wise, I have carried on with my two projects. I made the decision to continue the Mandala Madness Cal. At moments I have regretted it, as it literally has driven me mad!

Its not the crochet itself that's been tricky, but has shown up my shortcomings of lack of concentration. Especially as the rounds are getting longer, my mind wanders off, and I think I'm in a nice rhythm but in reality I miscount and lose my way! 

So these last two rounds aren't perfect like the centre, and my circles not too circular, I guess 'wibbly' seems to be the common theme in my work at the moment!

But I will persevere as its all a learning curve for me!

I also finished my Wibbly basket!

As I had some washing line leftover of course I had to start another one!

I can see that I may end up with a constant production line of these!!

This one is turning out a lot less wobbly!! although still quite rustic.

Sadly it's back to work tomorrow. I'd just got into a nice crafting routine, working on the Mandala first thing in the morning and the baskets in front of the tv in the evening, but i'll find some way of squeezing them in!