Getting excited again

I think the anxiety caused with waiting for 'the phone call' regarding my Grandad has now disappeared meaning I'm getting excited about Christmas and crafting again. We still have the funeral on Thursday but I think that the waiting period is always harder somehow. Anyway, I knitted this hat on Sunday evening using the Twilleys blue and some other Twilleys brown that I had left from last years hat. This wool knits up very quickly at it is knitted using 10mm needles - just the sort I like ;-). No pattern involved - just measured my head then used the gauge on the label for the amount of stitches I needed. When I'd got the length as I wanted it I started to decrease, but kept it going so I ended with the pointy bit. The tassle-ly bit is made with the strands left from sewing up, with a couple of extra ones threaded through the end of the hat, and then plaited together (and knotted at the end). Easy peasy.

I want to make some more bits from the shop now that I've finished the 2 bag orders (I added the yellow liner but then forgot to photograph it before it went), so last night I sat and made two flower brooches. I'm spending this afternoon (hopefully) making a simple curtain for my Dad, then updating the website and shop. They have been rather neglected of late, so fingers crossed.

Bits from the week

Currant buns - although I forgot to glaze them as I was messing about slicing oranges for drying at the same time. Recipe from the talented Shazronnie.

A bargain picked up from a bootsale by the mother-in-law. Small crochet basket with threads and lots of tiny hooks - fantastic.

The log cabin bag so far. Just need to add something (not sure what yet) to the right hand side then I'll be happy with it. Got to finish this this weekend.

Twilleys wool for my new hat - gorgeous colour.

Thank you all for the lovely comments regarding my Grandad, they mean an awful lot to me.

Grandad

Grandad died Tuesday evening, very peacefully.

Comfort food

Homemade butternut squash soup with homemade bread and butter mmmmmm.

More off the lists

Here's the Christmas puddings and mincemeat that I made the other day. I forgot to photograph the cakes before I wrapped them, but needless to say, the house smelt gorgeous the day I made it all.

I've been doing more on the crochet blanket (when I probably should have been making the log cabin bag) but I just need something at the minute that doesn't need too much thinking about. I've now got enough squares to make 16 blocks containing 9 squares each. This leaves 5 skeins left to make my edge. I did want to make 20 blocks but then I would only have 1 full skein left and I don't think that would have been enough to do it justice.

I've also done the felt food order, so that shall be posted tomorrow.

Grandad is now off the machines - we are waiting.

A little update

Thank you for your comments with regards my Grandad. He is still no better/worse, but he is comfortable. If there is no improvement over the next couple of days they will turn the machines off as this is what is actually keeping him going. I feel quite numb really, he is a good age (81), and he hasn't really had a good year because of his alzhiemers, the deterioration is terrible - but, he is my Grandad, and he is another piece of my Mum that is disappearing. Ummm.

Still keeping busy. I quickly made the above card for my BIL's 40th yesterday and then last night I sat and crocheted some more of the green granny blanket as it's repetitive and doesn't really need thinking about. Today took ages for me to get going but then I decided I really must get the Christmas cake started, so I wrote my list then peddled the 4 mile round trip to the shop to get the extra bits I needed. When I got back I made a start on the 2 cakes (1 is a gift), the mincemeat and the puddings. The house is going to smell gorgeous tomorrow when they are cooking.

Keeping busy

Well, Friday turned into one of those days after I posted on here. My Nan rang to say my Grandad had been rushed to hospital as he had had a massive stroke. He already suffers terribly with alzheimers and is in a care home...anyway, we are now playing the waiting came, so I am keeping busy.

Above is the sewing I managed to do Friday afternoon - 3 cloaks and 1 bag inner. I'll show you the finished articles properly once I had added the elastic and finishing touches.

A flower can for an order.

JJ didn't have a tin for his pencils so I asked him yesterday what colours he would like and what he wanted on it. No stereotypes in this house :-).

My sister wanted two pen/pencil pots for her house warming gift, so I did those last night.

I have also been looking at order books and things for logging commission orders that I get. I couldn't find anything that was exactly as I wanted it so I thought I would design my own.

Right, back to waiting, and keeping busy.

And the winner is.....

.......Dawn. Thank you so much for the lovely comments everyone - they mean a great deal to me. I've contacted you through GP.

Not like me to be organised

I have an order for a blue bag with a log cabin on the front, but where I order my cloth bags from don't do blue (or green or yellow). So I got some dylon handwash dye yesterday then set to work this morning dyeing 3 of my white bags (and half the kitchen, my face, etc) blue.
I'm really pleased with the finished colour as it didn't want it to be too dark.










I'm actually going to have the house to myself tomorrow afternoon (all being well) so this evening I've been extremely organised (not like me) and cut and pinned 4 items ready for stitching. Very excited as three of them are from the Christmas pressie list.

Last chance for you to put your comment here for the draw tomorrow. Good luck.

Starting to get that Christmas feeling

I have spent the last two evenings (and some of the afternoons) making these felt hanging decorations. I've really enjoyed making them, and now have an idea buzzing round my head for an Angel. After photographing them I then spent a very frustrating 40 mins trying to put them in the shop - anyway, they are there now.

Don't forget to leave a comment here for a chance in the draw.