Sunburst Granny Cushion .......

In the middle of birthday planning, housework, little men & getting ready for Christmas I have still made time to crochet, it keeps me sane !!!!

I have started to make some cushions for the sitting room. Here is the first cushion in progress, the yarn I'm using is Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, which is a delight to work with, & the pattern I'm using is called Sunburst Granny Squares. They are very simple to make & you can find the pattern, which is free by the way, on Ravelry.

I love to make things for the home, & I get such a sense of achievement when a project is finished & I stand back & think to myself " I made that !!! "

I have also been busy choosing paint colours & wallpaper as I have the decorator coming next week to decorate the landing & the sitting room ceiling & also to wallpaper the chimney breast (I love decorating but hate heights so the landing ceiling & stairs are a no no for me !! ) Of course the wallpapers that I love are about £50 a roll which is rather expensive, but I have managed to find one that is very nice in B & Q for £11.50 a roll.

I am so excited about all the plans & ideas I have for the house, which I will be doing on a very tight budget, but if you shop around it's surprising what you can find for sometimes half the price on the internet, ebay, charity & junk shops & even my local tip, it's surprising what some people throw away!!! I find it great fun searching & finding bargains this way !!

Happy 5th Birthday Boys .......

Yesterday was the little men's 5th birthday. Your growing up too quickly boys !!!

After school they had a tea party with their friends, unfortunately 3 friends couldn't come due to this awful virus that is going round at the moment & one due to her mummy's car having a flat battery because she left the lights on on her car, good one Kate lol !!!!


They seemed to have a great time & they all announced it was "one of the best parties ever", just goes to show that you don't have to spend a fortune for little people to have a good time ! All they need are their friends, some toys, food & of course Birthday cake !!!

Finished Ripple # 2 & A Little Birdie .......

It's been a week of illness in our house. Little man # 1 developed a hacking cough which turned into an upset tummy, poor little thing. I was planning to paint the study, porch & conservatory, but sick little people & decorating don't go well together.

Instead I worked on some crochet christmas pressies & a couple of scarves in between being on nurse call.

I also finished my second Ripple blanket a few days ago. I used Cascade 220 wool & it's perfect for my small sofa, I think the cats like it too !!!

I found the above wool blanket on ebay & it's just the right size for the armchair. The sitting room is coming together nicely & is beginning to look really homely & cozy.

I even managed to make an Attic24 Birdie to hang on the new oak dresser using some oddments of Peaches & Creme cotton.

Eventful Week .......

What an eventful week this has been. Firstly & most importantly, after 18 months of emotional turmoil, the house is now mine!! My ex partner at long last agreed on a settlement figure & everything was finalised on Tuesday. The sense of relief is hard to explain but there is also the sadness & heartache that comes from a break up. I have tried to stay strong for the little men but at times it has been very hard.

Now I am looking to the future & have lots of plans & ideas for the house. I have been busy clearing & getting rid of old furniture, toys, clothes & odds & ends that we no longer want, need or have grown out of. I have kept a few favorite old toys that I will put up in the Attic for the little men.

On Friday my new oak sideboard & oak dresser were delivered & I'm over the moon with them. After months of living in limbo it's great to start making the house into a home. The next big project will be ripping out & replacing the kitchen after Christmas, which I'm really looking forward to. It will be the first new kitchen I've had as I have always made do with what was there.

In the middle of all this bustling activity I have snatched some hooking time here & there & I managed to finish my Ripple Blanket #2, I will post some photos soon.

Well I have housework & ironing to get on with so back to grind stone !!!

Bonfire Night .......

On Saturday night I took the little men to see their first firework display that was being held at a local pub. We met up with some friends & we all had a great evening, the little men loved the bonfire & fireworks.
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I had to cover little man no.2's ears as he didn't like the big bangs !!

After the display we all tucked into hamburgers & crisps, then it was time to head home for bed. Not a moment to soon as as we got into the car the heavens opened & it poured hard !!!


Now I need to get ready for the little men's birthday in 2 weeks time & then it will be Christmas. It's such a busy time at the moment my head is spinning !!!

What To Make With A Skein Of Silkstones .......

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Yesterday while I was having a rummage in our local charity shop I came across a skein of Rowan Silkstones. This yarn was discontinued years ago & is 50% silk 50% wool.

I snapped it up & brought it home, now what to make ....

After a lot of searching on Ravelry I decided on making some coasters as another Xmas pressie for my mum. I adapted a pattern that I liked to make them bigger as I am using a 3.5mm hook & the pattern is for DK yarn.

First Christmas Pressie Finished ........

I proudly present my first hand made Christmas pressie !!! It's for my mum & I am sooo pleased with how it's turned out, hope mum likes it too. Since I learnt to crochet properly there has been no holding me back. I find it much quicker than knitting & just as addictive.

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I have so many things I want to make and as I have rather a large stash of yarn ( about 12 boxes full under my bed, & more in the study! ) I should be busy for at least another year before I need to buy any more yarn, though I can't see that happening !!!! Some ladies buy shoes, others bags & clothes, not me, I buy yarn !!!

Crocheted Swirling Bag

Pattern : Crocheted Swirling Bag (free pattern on Ravelry)

Yarn : Cascade 220 Wool ( One skein of each colour )

Colours : Natural # 8010 / Duck Egg Blue # 9427 / Dusty Rose # 8114 / Medium Rose # 8834

Hook : 4.5mm

Now onto the next pressie !!!

Edit: This is a good sized bag, 11" high & 11" wide, & is perfect to hold a small to medium knitting or crochet project !!