escape to the country

spending a few days visiting my folks in the country {not as relaxing as it might sound as i'm spending far too much time trying to stop Barney dog eating all the rabbit poo in the field!} but really looking forward to a visit here, to see a little of this

image from here

more celebrations as G turns six this weekend! & after a few ups & downs i've also gained 200 followers along the way, so think a little giveaway will be in order next week

afternoon tea

i had the best day out in London as part of my extended birthday celebrations, we went to the lobby lounge at the Corinthia, what a stunning hotel, we took at look at one of the suites & the spa whilst we were there {i can dream!} the tea was just lovely but the violet éclairs were just the best

teachers pet

i know lot's of other crafty peeps have used this idea for teacher presents this year but i just couldn't resist, they look so sweet together, i used the mollie makes pattern this time, but think if i am ever to make more, i would go back to the other one i've used in the past, as i had to make a few mods as i went along to these, i used some of the rowan handknit cotton from my odd ball stash to make them, the cards were fun to make too & i was really pleased they turned out how i have imagined them in my head!

puppy love

this little fella is settling in well, sometimes i still can't quite believe he's ours, he's also {slowly} becoming Barney

i have kind of taken this week off, making plans are happening but that's all they are - plans,  i would be kidding myself to think i'm going to get even half of it made over the holidays, but that's okay, i've managed to finish some teachers gifts, just in time as it's the last day of school tomorrow - hurrah!

emmy the great

well i rather think she is, i'm enjoying listening to the new album {thanks hun} but this is still one of my favourites

birthday season is open!!!!

we've kicked off birthday season in our house with mine, the sun shone for a few hours {before the rain returned & we all got wet doing school pick up!}

i've had a lovely day & been spoilt with lovely gifts from family & friends, presents to make me smell nice, presents to wear, read, listen too, encourage me to get out in the garden more & to help me keep organised {that's you Julie x} i feel very thankful,

& of course no birthday would be complete without something yummy to eat

i'm also really looking forward to a trip here with my mum & sister at the weekend, for an afternoon tea {i even brought a new dress to wear}

on another note the schools summer fair came {along with the rain} & went {unfortunately the rain stayed} despite the bad weather the school raised a load of money, my stall wasn't a wash out either, but i forgot to take my camera so no photos i'm afraid!

the newest addition

not a new baby on the way unfortunately  {but my substitute}

the juries still out on what his name is, Barky is the children's choice & seems to be sticking! i'm trying to change that to Barney with limited success!

he's getting used to us & we're getting used to him, he's a total time waster, so now i'm getting nothing done

he's a border terrier by the way

another pebble

this little pebble was finished last week, i love this pattern & really must get some more of the rowan cotton jeans, a great go-to baby gift

details not up on ravelry yet, but will get them up asap!

pointing the finger

of blame! this is the reason why i am so behind on making things to sell at the school summer fair!

it's finished now so i have a whole week in which to flick the switch onto crazy sewing lady, it's going better than i had thought & i;ve got quite bit made in the last couple of days {but will be taking the rest of today off as it's our wedding anniversary}oh & tomorrow i'm throwing a whole heap of trouble into the mix, but you'll have to wait to find out what it is {can't believe i've kept this one quite though!!!!}


back to the knitting

i'm so very happy with how this turned out, i love the pattern & the yarn worked out great {as did the price as the yarn was on sale from kemps}

it's the twenty ten pattern from Veera Välimäki, i made a few changes, the most obvious being i made it long sleeved, mostly because i'd got enough yarn left to do so, i would love to make a short sleeved version too, i also shorted then neck by a couple of inches,

i used sidar tweedie yarn, it's labelled as a chunky but i really don't think it knits as one, more of an aran weight really, it's a colour i will wear a lot, just hoping it will wash well!

more details over on ravelry

fun filled weekend

a very full, busy & fun weekend, catching up with family & friends, most of our time spent outside, i really didn't get enough crocheted, sewn or finished off but i did have a great time! we went to Winchester festival / hat fair on the Sunday,which is always a great day & the sun shone on us for the third year in a row!