Southbound...

Last week we took our annual trip south, towards Portsmouth, to visit my Mum.
We arrived at lunchtime, on the Wednesday, after a catch-up and some food, before heading off to the local beach. With hubby's knee still not functioning properly we weren't able to explore too much, so it was about getting out and enjoying the fresh air and sunshine as much as possible.

It was so refreshing to take in the sea breeze,  when I don't normally see much daylight, and to be able to doze or read or crochet to start to relax and unwind.

Of course I had to take my hook and yarn with me, no pressure just when I fancied a little go...
Unfortunately the clouds decided to roll in...

The following day we paid a visit to some 'open' gardens (someone's own personal garden they open to the public in aid of charity), we chose a Hanging Hostas garden.

I have to say I've never seen such a jam packed garden! Hidden in the depths of the greenery is a waterfall, 

and tucked away at the back is an Islamic relaxation spot.

I didn't think it was possible to squeeze so much into a small patch!

We stopped for a much needed coffee before making our to Frensham ponds.

This is a beautiful and unexpected area. It is a green common, with woodland and large ponds, and then a man made sandy beach!

 As it was a gloriously hot, sunny day of course this little retreat was a hive of activity! We tucked ourselves away in a bit of shade to have our picnic, and chilled out watching the sights around us. We took a stroll on the beach.

 Very surreal being on a beach in the middle of nowhere, and swans wandering in between the sunbathers and paddlers. Of course we treated ourselves to a nice cream at the day, just to cool us down of course!

A massive thunder and lightening storm happened in the night. We sat up watching it as hubby loves a good storm. I have to say I've not seen such a continuous succession of lightening, the sky stayed permanently lit. Unfortunately I didn't think to try to capture any of the beauty.

The following day we took a short trip to Whitely shopping centre,  and after lunch we made our way to Emsworth mill pond.

After a stroll all around we found a bench to sit back and take in the warmth of the sun and the views around.

The next days weather forecast was for bad weather so we strolled in to Fareham town centre for a look about the shops, stopped back for lunch, then on to Dunelm mill ( I was searching for a 12" round insert for my #cal cushion) and then on to a big garden centre. Of course the predictions were completely wrong and it turned outto be a glorious day! So once we returned back I sat in the garden for a bit of relaxed hooky time...

For our last full day, we had another trip to the beach, this time in Gosport. We settled into the pebbles, and soaked up some rays. I didn't get round to much crochet as it was so hot and bright.
It was pretty busy, and lots of activity on the beach, and plenty of brave soles in the sea...

We had our picnic, and some drinks from the cafe. We watched the swimmers, and boat races and there was a rescue display too. I so love being by the sea, whatever the weather, I find it so soothing.

On our last day, we took a trip to Porchester.

We walked around the castle perimeter,

had tea at the church cafe (the church where I was christened).

So for my mood square for the week, i've chosen hot sunny colours.

As I was on holiday, I thought I would get a few extra squares to pad out the mood blanket a bit more

I also used this opportunity to try out some new techniques too

Firstly, I tried the V stitch, as this is doing the rounds in the crochet community

And secondly, I newly heard of something called Entrelec crochet. Just the blue section of this square is using this technique, but after giving it a go I definitely fancy giving the multiple squares together a go.

The yarn I took on holiday with me, I found at my local charity store,

and I believe could be drops yarn, I do really love the interchanging colours. It makes such pretty squares, and not one is identical...

Growing Owlie...

Not much crafting activity to declare this week...
I did manage to have a cheeky little catch up with my Mum this week tho, which was an added bonus..
I had to take a trip to Southsea for work to merchandise a franchise store. She met me at the end of the day and we had a few hours to catch up and i got a lovely home cooked meal! She spotted a mirror whilst out round town, so I bought it for her for Mothers day.

Another addition to the home, a lovely Orchid. I love these flowers, so i'm really hoping we can keep it alive!!

Ive made a little progress on my owl, but there seemed to be a lot of unpicking so its been slow-going! I attempted to create an edging, but started by doing a seperate piece, till I realised that it would be easier to work around one of the body edges. After making the eyes, I found the beak I made was too large and now i'm struggling to get the eyes in-line!

This is why i've not attempted any amigurumis as the thought of putting them together scares me!
Now the last problem is, where on earth have I put the stuffing!!

My mood square this week:-
Blue = Tired
Orange = An enjoyable time in Southsea
Green = An upbeat week

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...

Relaxation crochet, and corner makeover...

So this week has been a lot more relaxed and not so dominated by work. Had more time to rest and for me and my little hook... Oh and I finally got round to getting a haircut, which was months overdue!
We did partake in pancake day, well it has to be done, doesn't it!

We have also been trying to focus some of our attentions on the house.
This week we decided to change the pc corner.

Since having a laptop we rarely use this area, it's become a bit redundant. So we searched for a new unit, and I came across one in our local heart foundation store. We compared it to others in furniture stores but all other entertainment units were too low. This was a perfect size and actually matched some of our other furniture.

This enabled hubby to bring his stereo unit out of the garage. Once we are able to connect our laptop to the printer, which means finding a disk buried in the depths of the garage, we will be able to get rid of the monitor and keyboard. I'm really pleased with our find and how it looks, but the area does look a bit techy for my liking, not enough pretty things on it, but for now I can live with it..

I've had some little jars tucked away for awhile, and as hubby likes to carry less and less change with him, i thought they needed to turn into penny jars.

But we couldn't just have plain glass jars, and coins to look at, these needed a colour makeover...

Aaaah, now thats better, now its a pretty, cosy, colour corner...

I gave myself time off from joining my mini squares cushion, to relieve the boredom, but I did get plenty of it done, honest!!

 Why is it when you have to focus on finishing something off, is the time when that you think of so many new projects that you'd like to start...

So my mood square this week is made up from a multi-toned lilac yarn, for my lovely relaxation sessions, with a contrasting turquoise for working on our homely tasks.

This one will need blocking before it gets attached, as for some reason its a bit tight, and doesn't lay as flat as the others.

Hooray for sunshine this week, what a refreshing change. Although i'm sure there must be some nasty, evil snow lurking somewhere in the future, i'm happy to take the spring feeling...

PS... I've just spotted that this is my 100th blog post... how exciting!!

Blues squares...

This week has been a bit of a come down after our week away! Although it was lovely to get away, it wasn't exactly a rest, with getting up early for breakfast, and pounding the streets all day to pack in as much as we could. So this week we have felt exhausted! Its been a long week at work with extra hours. with meetings and stock take. At the start of the week I felt I was coming down with a cold, but it never quite established, thank goodness, just another sign of tiredness...
On the plus we have had a break from the rain, and the sun actually put in an appearance, it actually felt like spring was in the air for a couple of days, what a relief!

So this weeks mood square, is a mix of blues. Not that I was exactly sad, but with tiredness and feeling under the weather, and frustration, it just seems to sum it up nicely...

 

Now that two months have gone, already, I thought I would make a start with joining the squares together.

 

 

I'm really pleased with how this is looking, makes such a difference seeing them together, rather than individual squares.

 

As I've got a rare two days off in a row next week, I'm hoping to make headway with my mini squares cushion, as I'd really like to get it completed.

 

Short but sweet this week, but I hope to have some more crafty pictures for viewing next week...