Butter Wouldn't Melt...

Not sure who took this piccie of my beautiful labrador, Etta, but I found it on my camera amongst other piccies that I'd taken. Isn't she just beautiful, and such a lady with her front paws crossed.

As the photo would suggest, butter wouldn't melt. However.....

Toast would......

I couldn't resist taking this picture of her looking longingly at that piece of toast that was disappearing rapidly into my #1 son.

I'm fairly certain my son won't be too impressed when he sees this picture on my blog but hey ho!!!

Sorry, but no crafting to show you again. Still busy packing up for our move this week. I actually managed some crochet this evening but its the first for a few days. Mainly because #1 son, partner and daughter were over for a few days celebrating grandee's birthday.

On a positive note, I have almost assembled my crafting bits to take in the caravan which will keep me occupied over the next few weeks of 'confinement'. We have also taken on a secure 'lock up' for a few weeks so I will keep spare crafting bits in there which I will be able to dip into as and when.

In the meantime, I will try and pop back in before we move at the end of the week but until then enjoy whatever you have planned over the Bank Holiday weekend.

TTFN, x

In The Absence of Anything Else...

Good Evening Bloggers. I've been a bit neglectful of my crafting, so instead I thought I'd share with you this piccie of my beautiful Grand-daughter having a cuddle with my friend's new Grand-daughter back in June. The reason her hand is up is she was trying to prevent me from taking a photo with a flash in case I 'blinded' the baby. Bless her!

I say I've been neglectful but that isn't strictly true. I've been busying away in my craft room getting ahead with a few cards in preparation for our move next week. The only thing is I can't share them with you at the moment as I don't want to spoil any surprises.

The crocheting and knitting are still 'works in progress' but as soon as they are complete I will share them with you.

So apart from sharing with you piccies of our packed boxes it was either my beautiful Grandee or nothing at all. At least you know I'm still around.

Oh, and the knee is progressing nicely. Fingers crossed I am able to drive later this week.

Until next time, x

Coffee and C - - -

         Coffee and Cake Case.

Couldn't quite manage the cake but I did today, for the first time, manage to make and carry in a cup of coffee to the living room. More and more I am managing around the house without my crutches. Still need one for the stairs and using 2 when I'm out but indoors its getting to the point that I can't remember where I've left them...

Had another session at the hydrotherapy pool today, but was so shattered when I got home that I went to bed and finally woke up 2 hours later. Physio was really pleased today with my progress but has advised me to continue with both crutches when I am out of the house. More physio tomorrow.

But until then here are the final piccies of the case. You would have seen them yesterday but when I was taking the photos I realised I'd made a huge faux pas and had to redo the front.

So below we have the inside of the lid complete with little mirrors for Barbie to fix her makeup/hair. 

Here is the lid with plenty of embellishments...

A close up of the mini keyring. I may alter this nearer the time. It is only for Christmas after all.

A side view...

The final view of the other side.

I hope you've enjoyed the journey of the suitcase. Now all I need to do is make some clothes for Barbie to go inside. At the moment she has a woolly hat and a 'tube' dress.

TTFN, x

When does a hobby become a bag?

Good Morning Bloggers. We have some sunshine peeking through here in West Yorkshire. Not sure if its here to stay though.

Finally I am able to show you my finished hobby bag. I am so chuffed to bits with it as I am a newbie to crochet, thanks to the very talented Jo of JoZarty. It was actually quite easy to crochet, it was the assembling, lining etc that proved to be a little complicated to a novice. I did make one vital error but I don't think it shows.....The main body of the bag was crochet in one complete piece.

So here is the inside with the lining made from an old pair of linen curtains. The lining was stitched to the body of the bag, the end panels, and the outer pockets before assembly. The handle was supposed to be lined but I preferred it without.

This is to show you one side with the button fastening and pockets. The pocket on this side was made from 3 granny squares crochet together, stitched to the body and then stitched down to divide into 3. The other side (see photo 1) was made from 4 slightly smaller granny squares and then assembled in the same way.

This next photo shows you why it is called a hobby bag. It's so you can use it to store your crochet or knitting hobby in. Here you will be able to get a sneak peek as to what's on the hook and needles at the moment.
The chunky yarn poking out of the side pocket is what's left of my James Brett Marble Chunky which I used for this bag alongside a cheap chunky yarn in natural colours.

Here is a picture of one of the circular end panels. The other side is a slightly different colour due to the marbling self-patterning of the James Brett yarn. I quite like that.

Finally, another close up with the ongoing projects comfortably arranged inside the bag. Can you spot the little piece of cream crochet, which will hopefully become something really cute. Also the vibrant shocking pink, and then there's the natural chunky yarn from the bag itself.

The outer pockets are just right for holding my little 'pencil case' which contains my scissors, yarn needles, stitch markers, etc. Also my tape measure.

I hope you like this as much as I do. I can see it getting plenty of use.

Tomorrow will hopefully see the final update on the little suitcase and maybe even an update on my mobility.

TTFN, x

Something a little different

Hello Bloggers. Can't believe yet another beautiful day in West Yorkshire and these flowers look fabulously  vibrant in the sunshine.

I had a surprise visitor yesterday evening who brought these for me. Aren't they just stunning. You may remember I was feeling a little down on Wednesday and hubby had been trying to arrange a visit from our friend, so when he arrived yesterday evening I gave him a great big hug. We have all been friends for many years and he was responsible for my hubby and I originally meeting. I consider him to be my 'honorary big brother', love him to bits.

So subsequently there is no update for you today on the case but I promise to return after the weekend with the finished article.

Until then, I hope you all have a lovely weekend and enjoy some more sunshine, x

In Case you were wondering...

Good Evening and another beautiful day in West Yorkshire. I hope you all enjoyed some sunshine too.

Here are some more updates on the altered case I am doing. This is the inside completed and below are the sides and back panels.

I know its not a pony but it fell into the same category. No doubt I will be corrected by a 5 year old.

Finally, here is a snapshot of the lid waiting for further embellishment.

I hope you're enjoying the journey with my case and I'll update you some more hopefully tomorrow.

TTFN, x

A Little Case Of Hydrotherapy

Good Evening Bloggers. A day of unbroken sunshine in West Yorkshire today, hurray!

Thought I'd share some crafting other than knitting and crochet today. However, as I haven't got a completed item to show you yet I decided to start with the bare project and wet your appetites.

I was given this case by my friend Neet for my birthday last year (sorry Neet its taken so long) with a view to making a book in a case.

Yesterday I started about altering it but not to make a book in a case but as a little girl's suitcase for her Barbie doll clothes. So here's the start of the alteration with a coat of Adirondack acrylic in Mountain Rose.

This morning I set about lining the inside of the box with torn scraps of paper which I then glazed with a layer of PVA glue.

This is how I left it this evening ready for working on again tomorrow. As I said above, because I'd forgotten the original intention of the case, when I discovered my little English grand-daughter was into Barbie I decided to knit, crochet and buy some outfits and accessories as part of her Christmas goodies and present them in her own very special suitcase. Hopefully I'll have a further update for you tomorrow.

As for the hydrotherapy, well I had my first session today. I've really struggled today with my emotions and I think a lot of it was because I was nervous of my pending appointment. Anyway once I'd mastered the slippery floor and steps to get into the pool I was amazed at how different everything is in the heated pool. I was used to the pool as I'd had therapy 6 years ago following a shoulder operation but to step into a pool unable to walk without crutches and then be able to walk, march and stride without crutches and little difficulty was amazing. So roll on next week for the next session. Meanwhile, I have my physio appointment at 8am tomorrow so its off to bed for me now.

TTFN, x

Started packing and more ear warmers

Good Afternoon. Yet another day of sunshine mixed with heavy downpours, fortunately I didn't need to go out today.

Here is another ear warmer again in James Brett marble chunky, in a lovely green mix - it also has hints of purple.

Below a close up of the embellishment I crochet.

Well, we've made a start on the packing. 6 boxes of books and hardly any are mine. What is it with men and down-sizing??? Hopefully when he finds out there isn't enough room to house them he may decide that he can part with some, I won't hold my breath...

Meanwhile, my younger son is doing a brilliant job of shredding important documents that we no longer need. Why is it it takes a house move before you have a proper clear-out?

I was hoping to have a pair of baby shoes to show you tomorrow, but having made one and stitched it up it just isn't holding its shape, so its now at the bottom of the bin and another 2 projects are in progress. Well in fact that isn't  totally correct.....there's a bag in the stitching up phase, granny squares on a hook building up to a blanket for our new home, a matinee jacket on a hook, and a pair of bed socks on needles. I have a short attention span, lol

TTFN, x

Getting Mobile and some Ear Warmers

Hello All, hope you're having a lovely day. Wanted to share one of the ear warmers I rustled up over the weekend with a crochet embellishment. This one is in the lovely James Brett Marble Chunky yarn, lovely to knit with and easy to wash.

Well, the mobility is improving. I was started on 'walking duties' last week at physio, not technically weight bearing but putting the foot down all the same. I have to take most of my weight through my good leg and crutches but its a start. I've been building up gradually and today managed quite a fair distance. Hubby follows with the wheelchair and we continue our outing on wheels, well I do, lol.

Need to get motivated for packing up the house. Only 3 weeks to removal day.....aaagh!!!

TTFN, x

Back to the Twenties

Evening Bloggers. I've seen from trawling through the blogs that others have had the weird weather today. Brilliant sunshine this morning and then a horrendous electrical storm this afternoon, and now back to blue skies...

Anyway, I'm here to share with you my first crochet hat, twenties style. Thanks to Jo of JoZart I am really getting into this crochet malarkey and thought I would stretch myself. Made the hat yesterday evening and then completed the flower this morning.

Here is a close up of the flower. I think its really effective.

The pattern was in a Knit Today magazine by Tina Barrett. There is also a pattern for a knitted one.

I used a self-patterning DK yarn and edged it with a deep cerise DK. The same colour combo from the poncho I made a few months back for my Scottish grandee.

This is just to show you the crown. I'll defo be making more of these. So easy peasy lemon squeezy.

I've also made some more of my ear warmers which I'll save for another day.

TTFN, x

The Wheels on the Bus and A Green Bag...

Evening All. I had to laugh when I realised how this photo had turned out and therefore thought I would share the humour with you. I thought I'd try and be artistic and display my latest creation in front of my rapidly diminishing flowers. Of course I hadn't realised it would look like the vase, lol.

So this is the same pattern used as the purple/grey one from the other evening but this time in 2 different shades of green - James Brett Marble Chunky again.

I expect you're wondering where the 'wheels on the bus' come into this post. Well, we took a trip out to Halifax today on the bus, complete with crutches and wheelchair. It was so nice to be able to get out for a couple of hours, browse round some  shops and have a spot of lunch in a cafe. 

Had a little mooch round the market, a good old fashioned indoor market, where we got some lovely fresh veggies and fruits. Then off to stock up on some crafting magazines to keep me amused during my 'confinement'.

My only excuse for not blogging yesterday is that I increased my activity level in the morning and then fell asleep in the afternoon....

So until next time...xxx

Pack Up Your Troubles....

....in this little bag I knitted on Monday.  Knitted in James Brett Marble Chunky yarn, a double strand of purple and grey, I think its quite fetching. Of course I had to show it off on my first crochet project, the wee blanket that's been keeping my tootsies warm.

The drawstring cord is twisted with the help of a door handle. Also inside the base I  inserted a circle of cardboard and a crochet circle for reinforcement.

Hope you like it. I've a green one waiting for sewing up. Hopefully that'll be on show tomorrow.

TTFN, x