Off my needles this week

I seem to have done a lot more with knitting and crochet over the winter months than normal and I'm asking myself why.  I love all the media I work with, patchworking, crocheting, painting, knitting (gardening too) but the yarn has won out spectacularly these past few months. My hexagon blanket is an absolute joy to work on - the colours make my heart sing:

 I finished the Christmas Scarf

 And the blanket for the new baby

I have patterns for the new baby too but none of the yarn I have matches the tension (boo hoo)

How cute??

Well the school has broken up for Easter. I'll be working the first three days of next week and then off until 13th April. I'm so looking forward to the break - it has been a mighty couple of months. I have been lolling about all weekend nursing a sore throat and stinky headache. Roll on the fresh air and light nights in the garden. I need some exercise badly.   Especially when I eat things like this for my lunch.

Excuse me while I lick my lips. Bad girl, but I needed the sugar after today's Grand Prix. Well I think I will check on our tea and then maybe squeak another couple of hexagons in. Oh yes I have realised why the yarn has won out recently. It's the getting out and putting away factor. I just pick up a ball of wool and a hook and go for it. No digging out stuff or cleaning up and putting away.  My kind of craft - I'm getting lazy in my old age.

Maybe the Easter Bunny will give me a kick up the whatever.

Whatever.

Just breathing

I'm just breathing - basking in the peace and quiet.  The weather is lovely, the chores are done and now I'm going to settle down to a bit of something yarny.  A few weeks ago I lent my camera to John and it came back with the wrong cable so I'm not able to upload any pictures.  My phone camera is ok but not that great so apologies for the quality. Hopefully the cable will turn up soon.

Ben made me some crispy cakes for Mother's Day.  He did, however, save me some calories by eating the chocolate eggs off the top of every cake. Such a considerate boy. He's had a really nasty cold this past week, with a racking cough,  and hasn't been his normal jolly little self. It breaks your heart when they are just floppy and wan. Even a cuddle from Flossie couldn't restore his spirits.

I made a little hexagon lavender bag this morning when I was having a cuppa. The fabric is some linen I bought at The National Quilt Championships a couple of years ago.  

I think I'll make some more - it only took a few minutes and it's lovely to secrete these little fragrant bags in amongst the yarn, or in my wardrobe.  I have an orange studded with cloves in with my Christmas decorations.  It's about 8 or 9 years old but still releases a lovely Christmassy scent when I open the box.

Well there is much more to tell but it would be boring without pictures - I have finished the Mystery Quilt and many of the ladies at the class are just about finished - there are some absolutely stunning interpretations of this simple little pattern.  I'll take some pictures to show you when they're done.

Steph has just past the six month stage now so I need to get going with a crib quilt.  I've seen a simple design but I have to let it call to me first!  We are having a baby shower in a month so let's hope the call comes soon.

A little quilting, some happy hooking and cooking a shoulder of lamb are the 'tasks' for the rest of the day but at the moment I am just sitting quietly just breathing. 

Til we meet again.

Grumpy Old Woman

Today in the supermarket I was approached by a young woman who said,

"Do you mind if I ask you, do you collect nectar points?"
"Yes, I  replied,
"What do you use them for? she continued,
"The yes was to your first question" I said.

She smiled in a slightly embarrassed way and just said "oh, ok".  Do I feel guilty about cutting her off? No I don't actually.  That's how I know it's official, I am a Grumpy Old Woman.  You know what - it feels good. I hate being accosted by market researchers, or people trying to sell me a new kitchen, or wondering if I wanted to sue anyone.

I've had a horrible week at work and I just want to be with my lovely family, bask in the gorgeous colours of my hexagon blanket and sleep!

I've had to make do with the hexagons though - John is on a course at a Harley Street Clinic for the next three weekends so I'm not going to see much of him. Will is very like me - just likes to have his own company and comes out every now and then for something to eat!

I'm going to make some fig rolls for the class this week - or attempt to make them, I've never done it before, but I'm looking forward to trying.

There's lots to do at work with the new budget in. I'm trying to get a quart out of a pint pot - does that make sense?

Next Friday is Red Nose day and we are having an all night football tournament- ooo I might take my Angel quilt to embroider. The kids don't usually get tired until about 4am. I was on quiet room duty last year (loose definition of quiet there).

The hens are laying more eggs as the days get longer and Will has finished another run for the (very spoiled) rabbit.  Flossie by name Godzilla by nature.

So I'll pour a stiff shandy and get my crochet hook out - 39 made and they barely cover the front of a cushion.

Have a good week everyone xxxx