Going down a glorious path.........

...........Hello all.......hope you are well!

It seems as ever, I have a billion things to get done and the hours are just flying by. My head is buzzing with new things to make, in all kinds of crafty areas. As much as I am loving crochet....if I am being completely honest....it frustrates me that what I want to produce from crochet cannot be completed in a day!

My 2011 aim was to get re-acquainted with my sewing machine. I am a VERY basic sewer and I would love to become competent at it. My dream was always to make my own skirts and dresses. Nothing mega fancy, just plain and simple and I would be quite happy. Am I asking for too much here?!!!!

I also would love to do more freehand embroidery, and get messy again with papier mache. I went through a phase many years ago when paper mache was big for me in my little crafty world, but I dont think Mr H has such fond memories. I completely ruined a very good blender....not something we bring up!!!!!!!!

So, I have been listing little projects that I want to get done.........still on crochet for now..........and so whilst perusing through my little books of wonder, I decided I should like to try something new to me.

It was these piccies that gave me inspiration....

Don't you just love them? Ahhhh dreamy stuff...well...for me anyway.

I have actually made them, a while back now........loved them......someone else loved them too so I gave them away. Think I would like to do some more to keep, but it was not these that started me on my new little adventure.......

It was these........

Please excuse the poor quality of the pictures but they were from a book in poor dull grey light.

I thought these were really rather fun and could imagine them sitting quite nicely in my kitchen. They came from these rather lovely books....

Whenever I need a crafty colour burst, I turn to these books. Sheer inspiration and beauty.

So, anyhow, this got me thinking to what other styles I could find of the potholder variety. After a bit of searching on the internet and finding some free downloadable patterns, I thought I would have a go and see where it would take me........

...............well.........it took me to a place where the air was a tad blue I can tell you. How does following a pattern for a potholder turn into a dolls hat/bowl? No, I don't know either, but it did. A part of me wanted to give up, but the other part of me wanted to succeed. I am not great at reading patterns in written form, I find them very confusing and find diagrams so much easier.

But.....with perseverence......I made one.....or two...or several, just because I was excited and on a roll!!!!!! Woo hoooooooooo.

So, do you want to see what I slaved over?

I went a bit mad with this style didn't I?!!!!!

It was such fun to do and I loved playing with the colour combinations. My favourite is the one with the olive green in the middle and petrol blue edging. It looks like it deserves to be on a retro sideboard.

I love them so much, it seems a shame to use them to plonk a pot on, so perhaps I might go all Emma Lamb inspired, put a hook on them and hang them on the wall to show them off. Will have a little think.

I started another one last night in a different pattern which needed every ounce of concentration.....but I seem to be hooked (forgive the pun) on these little beauties and have plans for several more varieties. Certainly a glorious path to wander down!

Happy Monday to you all!

xxx

Ta-dah-ish

So...it gets to Thursday before any amount of sunshine appears to say hello my way!

Oh, and how I am grateful for it!

Today I feel bright and springy. I have on one of my flower brooches which is making me smile...all proud and in your face!

My mess is sort of nearing an end.

This was making me happy

As much as I ☁HATE☁ sewing in ends....I ♥LOVE♥ the little piles you create. Very satisfying!!!!!!

So.....what was making me laugh? Well...as you know I was doing a few of those rather lovely Japanese flowers we have all taken a shine to,  ever since the lovely Lucy over at attic24 delighted us with a scrummy post.

Now, I thought about a scarf, but decided that I wanted a shawl. So I began. Now, I have a shawl already. One that I simply love to bits. It serves me well. I have a soft spot for shawls. 

This is my shawl...

I got it from H&M about 18 months ago. The weirdest place to find it I thought...but it grabbed me immediately and the ❤love❤ affair started. Big knit, soft....perfect for wrapping around me and sitting in the garden at first light of a summers morning and last light of a summers evening. 

So, another shawl was in the making. The greeny one was a triangular shape so I thought carry on on the same theme. Just, little old me, didn't really register how big the flowers were, therefore calculating just how big the finished triangle would be! Merrily sitting each night adding a few more flowers. Lets just say it was not shawl size. It was blanket size!

What do you think? Not really shawl size is it!!!!!!!! But......I am TOTALLY AND UTTERLY in ❤LOVE ❤ LOVE ❤ LOVE ❤with it!

So...ta-dah-ish....because I need to even up the sides now to make it a bed throw. But what a super duper bed throw i'm thinking it will be! All bright and jolly and I don't think I will be able to take my eyes off it for quite a while! Gosh, this has got me thinking all spring and summer and it has lifted me out of the grey/blue days no end!

Definitely being spoon fed from the happiness jar today!!!!!!

Happy days to you all and sending bright sun bursts your way!

Much love

Vanessa 

xxx

Today......

....I am keeping myself occupied!

I am helping the bears to feed the mess pit this week. Yarn everywhere...the pic above shows the tidy stuff!

I am laughing.....at my latest hooky creation. The more I look at it, the more I laugh. The light is very poor at the moment, so photos as soon as a bit of sun pokes it's weary head through the grey drizzly clouds.

How's your day/week going?

xxx

Why is it.....

....that the third hand on the watch is called the second hand?

....that 'slow down' and 'slow up' mean the same thing?

....that 'fat chance' and 'slim chance' mean the same thing?

....called 'after dark' when it is really 'after light'?

....that a 'wise man' and 'wise guy' are opposites?

....that 'overlook' and 'oversee' mean opposite things?

....that 'abbreviated' is such a long word?

....that if horrific means horrible, then why doesn't terrific mean terrible?

..that when you transport something by car, it is called a shipment, but when you transport somethng by ship, it is called a cargo?

Thoughts for the day!!!

xxx

Colour Boost........

Yesterday was bright and beautiful. It felt like Spring had sprung. Not a cloud in the sky, mild enough to have the windows and doors open. It made a new me.

Today, grey and dull again. Weather, why do you tempt us so?

So brights today to keep me lifted. Hopefully tomorrow will be all happy and sunshiny again.

Just what my morning needed! The lovely Pip!

xxx

China love....

Morning all......did you have a fabulous weekend? Let's hope so! I can't say that mine was fabulous, but I got some great hooky time in, and ventured out on a lovely gusty walk!!!!

Gosh, what grey, dull, blustery weather I am experiencing here in my little abode. I hope it is a little better where you are. Not a day for taking photos, so I thought I would share these pics I took a couple of weeks ago to brighten up the day a little.

In my moment of spring cleaning whilst the internet was down....I stumbled upon these. Totally forgot I had them. They were moved, to make way for 'more practical' stuff.

I love this little set so much......Rosanna

I've had it for years. I really need to use it more. I do love the art of really taking time out to have a nice cup of tea in a nice cup with a nice plate of something tasty to its side. Sadly, it seems to be quite a rare thing for me at the moment. 

I do have some plates to go with the set, and that gorgeous trio of mixing bowls that were newly acquired thanks to the wonders of Flickr! Happily, the mixing bowls are in constant use and making me very smiley. Isn't it funny how something so 'everyday' can make a person so happy!

Happy Monday!

xxx

No wonder.....

....the English Language is so difficult to learn........

We must polish the Polish furniture

The farm was used to produce produce

The dump was so full that it had to refuse refuse

The soldier decided to desert in the desert

This was not a good time to present the present

When shot at the dove dove into the bushes

The insurance was invalid for the invalid

The bandage was wound around the wound

There was a row amongst the oarsmen about how to row

They were to close to the door to close it

The wind was too strong to wind the sail

After a number of injections my jaw got number

The singer had to record the record

Will you be able to live through a live concert?

Happy weekend all!

xxx