finished!

Do you ever have projects that you really wished you hadn't started or that you feel so guilty about not finishing that whenever you start something new you have guilty pangs? Months ago Daisy asked me to make her an outfit for her baby doll - Bobby. This sounded very straight forward I had already made a crochet dress and hat for her other baby Millie. I was even provided with a pattern from her friends Nana who had made a few sets of dolls clothes for her grandaughter. The pattern was for a jumper and leggings. The jumper had ribbed cuffs and panels of moss stitch and cable so not an easy knit. I started off without the doll but was assured that size 1 would fit, I had almost finished the jumper before the first fitting and it didn't fit! So back to the beginning, work ripped back and onto size two, by now I hated the pattern and my moss stitch kept going wrong on the increase rows and I have never been a fan of cable. So it was ripped back again and I decided to do a plain version, which I wasn't very happy with. So it won't be a surprise to you all that I sort of put it away and tried to forget about it. But as you know I see a lot of Daisy and have been frequently shamed by her enquiries about Bobby and his outfit - is it nearly finished Nana, when will it be ready Nana and then the final straw was when she told me she was going to ask Evie's Nana if she could knit Bobby some clothes.

The bag of hidden knitting was reclaimed and after a few false starts I worked out where I was up to with the pattern. It really wasn't that bad and with a bit of determination I have finished it - hurray.  I also made Bobby a little crochet hat with a pompom on top.

I'm not a fan of baby dolls and this one is supposed to be a new born and it does look very life like - Daisy loves him but I find him a bit spooky. It was such a relief to give Bobby back and Daisy is thrilled to have him back home all warm and cosy in his new outfit. I do feel guilty and I really don't understand why it took me so long, as when you see the finished outfit, you will all be thinking what a straight forward piece of knitting what was all the fuss about - I just didn't like it!

bye bye Bobby

Talk soon x

did I really buy that much yarn!

I had a busy morning filled with household chores and then I went to visit my poorly mother in law. On my way home I nipped into John Lewis (very dangerous thing to do!) as I needed to buy some disposable piping bags. Somehow between purchasing my icing bags and getting back to the car I managed to buy forty 100gram balls of Rowan All Seasons Chunky. It's hard to deny any knowledge of this purchase as the yarn fills two rather large carrier bags, which don't easily fit behind the sofa or under the bed, so I am putting it down to the weather, my age, or maybe Aliens but I have to say I am thrilled with my bargain and I am thinking of a lovely warm winter blanket.

The photo doesn't really do the yarn justice, the shades are much nicer in the flesh - so lovely.................

talk soon x

Daisy' s Birthday

I can't believe 5 years has passed since the birth of my grandaughter Daisy. She was born 12 weeks premature and was a teeny tiny baby and caused us so much worry. Now she is a bright, beautiful, chatty, strong, healthy little girl so full of life and mischief. More than able to keep up with her boisterous brothers and cousins.

Daisy had asked me to make her a birthday cake and cupcakes for her party. The theme was “Frozen” which is her favourite Disney movie. I was quite daunted when Daisy showed me images of the birthday cakes she liked. I decided I needed some help so I did a search on eBay and managed to buy a "Frozen Scene" made out of edible rice/wafer paper. It arrives flat packed and you have to cut out all of the pieces which is quite a chore but over all I was very pleased with the effect.
I borrowed a snow flake cutter from a friend and made lots of fondant snowflakes to decorate the sides of the cake and finished off with a piped butter cream edging.

What do you think.........................

Daisy was really pleased and if you don't look to closely I think the cake has turned out well. The biggest worry was transporting the birthday cake and cupcakes to the party; however we did manage to arrive with everything intact.

I'm glad I have some breathing space before the next birthday, it keeps me busy having 6 grandchildren, although Laura is a fab cake maker.


talk soon x

Happy Days

Few words mainly happy faces today..............

playing with cars.

once he had a bite it was gone in a flash

chip butties - what a treat

just a few special moments

talk soon x

Fun in the City - Day 2

I packed such a lot into my little mini city break with Kate and as an added bonus Laura managed to join us for a day and a night as she was interviewing in London. Poor Vicky wasn't very happy that she couldn't come as well but we bought her a present from her favourite sports wear shop - Sweaty Betty, surprisingly enough it's not a shop I regularly visit! I did visit one of my very favourite shops though "Anthropologie" we spent hours looking round the Kings Road branch. I may have to whisper this as I don't want to hurt any ones feelings and I might quickly change my mind but I think I might like Anthropologie more than Liberty - I can't believe I have just written that down!

We had a great time planning how we would overhaul our homes, especially the kitchen as they have such unusual and exquisite pieces, I pictured myself flouncing around in a beautiful long apron, so fussy and not a bit  practical ( it would take an hour to iron and who irons an apron, but so covetable). Laura and Kate had fun admiring the clothes and Kate was very tempted by a little black and white dress, we even ventured into the changing rooms which as you would expect was an uber cool distressed vintage space with a fabulous sofa.

As we were leaving the store we spied an amazing mini ceramic exhibition, which has given Kate some super ideas for work she could do with the boys next year. (Kate is Head of Art at a boy’s school)

When we finally left the store it was way past lunchtime so we stocked up on some tasty snacks and had our lunch in a very pretty Chelsea Park which was tucked away down a little side Street just off the Kings Road. We spent a lovely hour eating, chatting and resting our weary feet, and also sampling a very nice chilled bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, very decadent to be drinking wine at lunchtime in the sunshine - bliss.

Then a little more shopping and I bought a lovely dress from COS  they have  lovely clothes, we were all tempted, but unfortunately I forgot to take any photos.

It was soon time to collect Jakey from Nursery and then back to Kate's to think about preparing dinner and starting my packing ready to go home the following morning.

I set off home around mid morning accompanied by Kate and Laura who insisted on carrying my suitcase and bags. We stopped off at Victoria to visit the newly opened Dutch shop Hema . When Kate was at University she spent nine months working at a design house in Holland and fell in love with this discount store so it brought back fond memories for us all.



Yet more purchases to add to my collection. Then it was on to Euston where I caught my train home. It was a very peaceful journey after the hectic tube rides, my carriage was almost empty. I spent a lovely few hours making some crochet flowers for a project I have in mind.

I'm home now and have been busy catching up with everything and everyone. But feeling quite jealous as Kate has sent me two amazing photos of yarn bombing in Kew Gardens. She spent a lovely day in the gardens with one of her friend's, Jake had such fun picnicking and playing in the sunshine.

Another place to add to my must do list for my next visit.

talk soon x

Fun in the City - Day 1

I spent a lovely few days with Kate and we had the opportunity to do lot's of fun things together. We visited a trade show, enjoyed a fair amount of shopping and managed to fit in some leisurely lunch breaks along the way. We were very fortunate with the weather and took the opportunity to eat alfresco as much as possible.

My journey to London on the Sunday wasn't quite as straight forward as usual due to a few tube closures but all in all it was a good journey and I managed a bit of crochet on the way. Sunday evening was spent watching the World Cup Final, and Jake won our family sweep stake with Zachy coming second.

On Monday morning we started out from Parsons Green enjoying the lovely sunshine and then tube hopped over to Angel in Islington where we visited a Children's trade show " Bubble" which was fun.

After looking around the show we had a quick coffee break and then went to find "Loop" a yarn store I have wanted to visit for ages but alas it was closed on a Monday. Undeterred we then set out to find Raystitch a wonderful haberdashery, only small but full of amazing treasures. I fell in love with the beautiful fabrics, such interesting and unusual patterns. I would love to join one of the sewing classes they offer but unfortunately a little far from home. After visiting Raystitch it was time for lunch and we sat outside in the sunshine at Planet Organic and enjoyed a very healthy lunch.

After we had eaten and replenished our energy levels it was time for another tube ride and we went to visit a lovely store called West Elm which is on Tottenham Court Rd. The shop was bursting with beautiful furniture, cookware, household goods, gifts, in fact lots of lovely things. We treated ourselves to a few bits and pieces and then called into the store next door, an amazing Paperchase with exciting goodies on three different floors - the biggest Paperchase I have ever seen with such a tempting array of brightly coloured things that you just must have!

Then it was time to pick up Jake, my lovely grandson, we had a quick play in the park and then home for his supper, bath time, story book and bed.

A lovely first day - more to tell you soon x

Good morning .........................

Good morning it’s so lovely to be back. It was hard to start my post today as I didn’t know where to begin. I seemed to have lost June completely and now July is racing away from me. I have been really busy with my family, my mum has just had her second hip replacement and another close relative is very poorly. But I have also had lots of fun things happening, my crochet groups are going really well, I have had a week away with Mr R. in Greece which was beautiful and have spent time with my lovely grandchildren.

I thought as a quick catch up I would share some photo collages of my recent activities – hope you like them...............

My grandchildren are growing up so quickly and I can't get over how grown up Zachy looks with his new short haircut.

Mandala workshop with some of my beginner crocheters who are all amazing - we have such good fun and get through quite a lot of cake..................

I'm getting through my style craft yarn so when a new delivery arrived I needed the help of my stock controller also known as cheeky Noah - I love those curls.................

I have been busy trying some new things and also some old favourites - always love granny squares but have fallen for my new teddy........................

I have wanted to make peg dolls for ages so had a lovely fun crafting afternoon making this little family - think I need to practice some more though ...................................

I'm loving all the colour in my garden and I can't believe how well the raspberries are doing this year and I have started to pick a few mini courgettes..................

I started another two beginners crochet workshops this week and I need to plan my September classes as Augusts are fully booked - I love my new business........................

Just a few random holiday shots, Greece was so lovely, nothing beats having lovely food and wine so close to the sea and in the sunshine of course..................

Today I’ve got to pack my case again as tomorrow I’m off to see Kate in London for a few days. Poor Kate had a little mishap and is now in plaster for the rest of the Summer - she has been so brave it's hard work at the best of times working full time and having a little one to look after but with only one hand it's been a real struggle.

talk soon x