Here I go again

This is now the width I require, I used a much bigger hook for my chain, it allowed me to keep it neat and loose, so I am now very pleased with the first row, it's not tight and lays flat to the width I require. Just waiting for my yarn to arrive, on reviewing the amount of yarn required, I have placed a second order, and added the extra cost to my stash list.
I have booked myself on a needle felting course near Oxford, it's something I have wanted to do for ages, I even have items in my stash for this craft, and a nice book for reference, it's shown on my side panel, under things to try. It's not until April next year, but I am excited to be going. The last craft I want to do more, is tatting using a finger shuttle, I was shown how to make lace this way a couple of years ago, but I need to practice more, I again have everything I require.
Hubby is now going out and about more, we try and go to supermarkets when they are less busy or visit the smaller ones. At this time of year it's hard to get out and walk without getting wet, the weekend and last few days are a perfect example of the heavy showers about. He is pottering around the house and garage, which helps keep the boredom at bay. I am keeping an eye on him to ensure he does not lift anything. But it is really nice to see him back to himself, he is also making lunches, just simple things, we keep a stool in the kitchen so he can sit. Anyone who knows me, will understand I am not a domestic goddess in the kitchen, I don't enjoy cooking, I would rather clean and tidy, but it has been fun cooking meals for us both, and once hubby is fit, I hope to cook more often.
This morning I am going to sign class, it will be nice to catch up with everyone, I have a few thank you cards to give out.

Almost there.

Another nice mixture of colours and shades

 This is almost as tall as I am, so not too much more to do

 Not many of my yarns left, enough to finish this blanket

 I purchased extra colours, but these will be left over for another project. 

 Another good book, I have a couple titles left to read. 

We are still not doing much, I drove to our village yesterday in between the showers with hubby, he walked to post some cards and we popped into the Co-op, it's nice to see him out and about. We have no plans for today, but he is getting bored, so I think we will probably go out somewhere.
I am reading again, and enjoyed another story in the Roy Grace series, I have another book to read which is on my iPad, then I just have his newest book to get. I have also seen a few other authors I like have books out, so a trip to our library is planned.
Yesterday afternoon I did some more to my ripple blanket, I love the colours in this blanket, but as it gets bigger, I find myself wishing I had made it wider, it does cover the spare bed, but I just wish it was bigger. When I did the chain, I forgot to allow for the ripple effect of the chain, which made it smaller.
We are waiting for a PPI pay out, from a bank we used years ago, they have confirmed all the details by letter,  until recently we did not have any details for this mortgage, but a couple of months ago I found some old paperwork and sent it off, the banks pay interest on the amount being refunded and they deduct tax, but as I do not pay tax, I will be arranging for a refund of that as well, at the time the mortgage was only in my name. A nice windfall just before Christmas, but I won't be using it for presents, it will booster our savings.

Normal life

My flowers are still lovely

 Not sure if you can see it

but there is a 3rd stalk with babies growing
this spider plant loves it's new home

 1st run for my Christmas cards

I'm pleased with my Christmas card, it's not quiet there, but a good start, I am going to add some more snowflakes, some will be raised from the card. I have a few special ones to make, each one made for the recipient, I have some special thank yous this year.
I have also purchased the ingredients for our Christmas cakes, I just need to soak the dried fruit over night and bake.
I am thinking now of knitting a couple of jumpers for Will, I already have the yarn in my stash, enough for two jumpers. I have yarn for fingerless gloves, and some hand dyed yarn which I would like to make a soft light shawl.
Do more to my ripple blanket, I have neglected it for a week, I am again near the finishing line, also it keeps me warm as I am working it.
My sister purchased all my bags, she had her first craft stall last Friday, so I now have some cash for other stash purchases, at this time there is not much I need, so it can sit in my bank account until required.
I am cutting out bags, these are smaller, simpler, with just one strap, when hubby was attached to monitors and drains, he was given a bag to put everything in, which helped with going to the loo, and walking about, the hospital is always in short supply of these bags, so I am making some to send in.
I drove hubby home yesterday  it was the slowest drive of my life, 20 miles, most of it motorway, he's happy to be here, so it's not the end, its the start of his recovery, and bless him he understands he is to do nothing. I am just so pleased to have him at home. My support network including my blogger friends have got me through the past couple of weeks, it's lovely to know you are reading and understanding everything.

In the pink

Brilliant read.

I am enjoying using 4DPN's and I never thought I would say that, now I have sorted my tension and I'm knitting tighter to the needles my finished knitting is looking good. This is my 3rd pair of socks and I really pleased with the heel, everything is looking tidy. I knew using the two colours would highlight any faults with my work, so I knitted without any distractions when I was home alone, and it worked.
In truth I'm not sure about the colours, I'm not a pink and red person, so if I can finish these as neat, they might become a gift for someone close.
I am also thinking of knitting my husband a pair of socks for Christmas, his shoe size is 11/12, which is huge, I have found a pattern and have wool, I just need to knit when he's not around.
I'm not reading much at the moment, I'm enjoying my crafting, well knitting.

More exciting these have just arrived, and they feel and look wonderful.

Crafting

My socks are growing

 I did not knit the leg part of the sock so long, 

my first pair I made went further up my leg than I liked. 

 Using the magic loop is much neater for me. 

I may have purchased more yarn for my ripple blanket.

These are all the colours I now have, just one ball of most of them
I have extra, Black, White, Navy and Red

Plus I liked these, which were on sale, just 3 balls.

I want to make a large ripple blanket, using loads of different colours, with a random look, which for a neat freak like me will be harder. The yarn is 4ply, which I enjoy crocheting with, plus it makes a nice weight for the blanket. It's going to be a long term project for me, keeping me warm as I work on it through the winter months, not a cheap item to make, but fun.

The moonstruck yarn will make a warm winter item, scarf or hat, they were on sale at £1 each ball. 

I am loving my socks, the magic loops works perfect for me, less gappy loops to sort out, no dropped stitches, which was a huge problem for me using four needles, plus only one set of counting. After watching a couple of youtubes, everything dropped into place and I am comfortable knitting in this way. 

We had a lovely day on Thursday, afternoon tea was huge, we brought our cake home with us, which we enjoyed much later. The September sun is always welcome on walks along our coast. Thank you for your good wishes, we have been together 34 good years.

New starts

More yarn for socks

 this looks exciting

 Brighter colours to add the my stash of pale colours

Colours already in my stash

 Ready for the magic loop sock knitting

I am already a huge fan of the magic loop, knitting both socks at the same time, the rib section was a bit fiddly, but the stocking stitch is brilliant. No dropped stitches, no needle points getting in the way, plus knitting both at the same time only one lot of counting. 

I was bored on Bank holiday Sunday, so checked Wool Warehouse to see what colours they had I could add to my yarn stash of pale colours, so now I have every shade in this range, plus extra a black and white balls, I feel a ripple blanket being made, for me this time.
As for the sock yarns, what can I say, they were both on sale and brought my total to allow free postage. I was cheeky and search through Google to see if there were any discount code available, which I found and used, extra 10% off, which brought the total back into requiring postage, so add another ball and back to free postage. Parcel arrived on Thursday, such joy in a small delivery.
Will slept over for the two nights on Friday and Saturday, so we had early mornings both days, it really is good he is so happy to stay with us.
Saturday we took Will to the castle grounds, where he could ride his truck around the grass area's, we had cake at the castle tea room.
It was hubby's birthday on Sunday, 69 years young, so when mummy and daddy came to pick Will up, and we all shared cake, later I treated hubby to a meal  out together, using a voucher found on line for 30% off food. Needless to say Sunday was an early night to bed.
Mummy, daddy and Will are now away on holiday for a week, so a tidy quiet house, we are going to miss them.
I have just heard Chris Evans on radio 2 saying he will finish the breakfast show at Christmas after 13 years, who will be able to follow in his footprint. We said that after Sir Terry stepped down, the breakfast show is an important start to our day, we love the format of the breakfast show. 

Photo post.

Just a couple of photo's from our trip

I don't often like photos of myself

Will loved his new cot blanket

 I only used half the yarn I purchased, so plenty for another project. 

 

Now I will finish my 2nd sock, I marked on paper all the rows so matching the size should not be a problem, I want to do more on my cross stitch and read more.
I am spending most days inside with our doors shut, flies and smell make our garden off limits, I check the greenhouse twice a day, but gardening is on hold. I prefer to be inside when it is so hot outside, I am not comfortable in this heat, but it is a shame I can't open my patio doors.
I do still walk 3times a day, but much earlier and later on two walks trying to avoid the heat of the sun. My lunchtime walk is now always the shorter of the walks.
The garden is looking good, just a couple of small fails, I’m going to have to rethink the planting on mums old bird bath, I will look at Alpines which don’t require too much soil. My three tier planter is full of French marigolds worked well, hubby is really pleased.
Later today we are driving to Somerset, not a planned trip, but hubbies brother is requesting we meet up on Saturday, our worry heads are on alert, fingers cross it’s not anything bad.
I have finished reading The Glovemakers daughter, I have read mixed reviews on this book, but I really enjoyed it, nothing beats a good book. My youngest daughter is now reading The Handmaids Tale, I am enjoying the second series on channel 4, the story line is not unlike 1984, both were wonderful reads.

Finished

Long strap shoulder bag,

change of plan this is for a friend who asked for one of my bags. I will purchase more fabric for DIL

 Another shoulder strap bag, 

this one for daughter who is cat mad,

made from two expensive tea towels

 Reversible child's bag, for a little boy

 I love the animal print 

 Bag made from flags from the royal wedding

 I love the back

 Close up of the front,

this is a much bigger bag, the design on the front decided the size. The material with their photo on was not woven as dense as I normally use for bags, so I lined this bag fully with white cotton material, this will give it an extra strength, plus I could put a pocket inside. This is for my sign tutor, she loved my home made bags and asked me to make her this one. 

I had already cut these bags out, so they took less than an afternoon to make, I am really quite quick at sewing them, BUT, I have no plans to make any more for a while, unless I get a request. I have in my craft room a bag for everything, sewing , knitting, Crochet, even a bag with my sign class books in.
I would love to sew other things, I have made my own clothes before, but I have a wardrobe full of clothes and really should not make anything new for a while.
I hope to use my sewing machine for Christmas gifts this year, as I do enjoy any time at my machine. What are you sewing?
Thank you for your wishes for my sign exam, it was not too bad, some things I did not know, but I joined the class later than the other ladies. We get our results next Tuesday, when we meet for afternoon tea.
Wednesday I caught the bus into town, met daughter and Will at 10am, we went for a coffee together, Will has his swimming lesson at 9.30, which he loves and is always hungry after. We then met an old work friend of mine, a quick chat, daughter took Will home for a nap and I spend a lovely 4 hours with Ann, we had lunch together, and a wonder around town, I spent nothing, not a bean, there was nothing I required, we popped into a couple clothes shop, looked at the sale rail but I passed on everything.  Both Ann and daughter loved their new shopping bags, another wonderful day.

Growing stash, growing stuff

Tea towels and half meter of lovely fabric from Dunelm.

 Two dishes and a glass pot, all below £2 each, all for plants

 Just £5 from a local fruit and veg shop

 From our local market.

 I want to try growing figs from seeds, 

and a couple of seeds from our Magnolia tree. 

I have had a good day, my daughter collected me at 10am, we went to a local village to visit the charity shop with the great craft items, nothing much caught my eye, I did get my Orchid with 4 different stems in the village.
We went to her house dropped the car off and walked to her local Dunelm, I managed to get a new super king size flat cotton sheet, which was expensive, but I am very limited to what we can use on our bed, the quality means it should last for years. I got the two glazed pots in their sale, plus the tea towels and the fabric,  I need to make our 2nd DIL a shopping bag, and both daughter and I though she would love the bird fabric.
Early this morning I walked past the market as they were setting up, I saw the Hosta's, but did not have any money on me, so late this afternoon hubby and I popped down for our fruit and veg, and he purchased this Hosta, we only have one in the garden and the slugs have chewed it right back, so we can replace it with this one, and the chewed one I will put in a pot and bring it back, ensuring the slugs are kept away from both.
I have not done anything in the garden and very little craft, I did some knitting on my socks. I do need to sort my head with everything going on, I am this week sleeping better. I have done loads of walking, it's one way to be outside.
The fruit and veg man gave me the figs, they are over ripe, I want to try and grow from seed, the two green seeds are from our Magnolia tree, I going to try and germinate them, plus I have another avocado stone balanced over water to see if it will crack and grow.
Hubby is home for the rest of the week and the weekend, we cancelled our planned BBQ on Saturday, but we have new plans for the evening. Saturday it is our local Gala, held in the castle grounds, normally we miss this event as we are often away, but we are looking forward to the parade and all the family fun.

Here comes the sun

Yellow, orange and red, few more stitches

 This is so pretty

I've got a few different colours for socks

 I love the 2 shades of pink and will use this yarn next 

I wrapped string around this pot for added interest. 

Everything is back to normal, TV switched off, dull outside midweek, so I did some more stitching and cutting out of bags, which I hope to sew later today, hubby is out on his motorbike most of the day.
I ordered two sets of small circular needles for my sock making, I hope to be able to knit each pair to the same level to help me ensure they are both the same. There were reductions on sock wool, and a few came to live with me, good prices and lovely as well, I always use Wool Warehouse, they are so quick to deliver, because once you place the order you want the item as quick as possible. I have an idea how I want the pink socks to look once finished, not to hard just different. Once I feel I have mastered socks, I would like to use thinner yarn and some hand dyed.
I have planted loads of succulent and cactus seeds from a mixed pack, it will be interesting to see what grows. I am really interested in growing my collection. I am also looking in charity shops for thick vintage jars and pots, I love adding cacti, making arrangements which are safe to have in the house.
Will was with us yesterday after noon, plus sleep over, mummy and daddy will collect him later, all he wants to do is be outside, which is good with me as we had another wonderful sunny day. We walked him to the park, yesterday afternoon, he loves being able to walk to places, how quick they grow up. He had home made shepherds pie for tea, and loads of fruit, he ate all my strawberries from my dessert, it's lovely to have a child with a good appetite. We spent the evening listening to music from down our street, a guy with a guitar at a birthday party, who played music we loved, a brilliant way to finish a nice day.
This morning we had loads of play time, cars everywhere, but Will is happy, what more could I want, he's having his nap now, he was up just after six. Later mummy will collect him, then the house really does feel empty, but tomorrow is Monday and Will comes all day.