I'm sure I was meant to be DE-stashing...

I just thought I'd show you what I've been working on in my lunch hours - Vanessa's Little Squares - aren't they gorgeous? The pastels are to be used in the original pattern for a scarf, and the rainbow brights will be made into a garland for my living room, to hang across my boring brown blinds!

I did start this project as a destashing exercise, but seeing how pretty the scarf looks, I feel I may need some extra pastel coloured DK to finish it!!

A Xxx

A return to normality

Thanks everyone for the kind messages last week - I felt a bit silly seeing as it was such a minor injury, but I'd hate for you to think I had just gone AWOL! Obviously there are so many bloggers who have had worse luck than me - I should be grateful I only banged my head!

So to resume posting, I thought I'd show you what I got up to on my birthday last week. Usually I only get flowers from my boyfriend, but this year my parents treated me too, so the house is filled with blooms:

I got some lovely presents on my actual birthday (I've spent the weekends either side celebrating); a gorgeous felt-making kit and book from the girlies at work, and very pretty, very SPARKLY, Skis from my boyfriend! Plus matching poles - I can't wait to use them...even if it isn't for another 7 months until the next ski season!

I have to say the highlight of my birthday did actually precede the 22nd of March, however, as the boyfriend took me to London for the weekend. We took the train up to London, checked in at our gorgeous hotel, then did a spot of shopping at Walthamstow market. Now I'd heard recommendations on Craftster and Ravelry that this was THE place to buy fabric & swing notions, but I had no idea of the scale. I came away with bags and bags and bags of fabric, zips & thread, all for the grand sum of £20! I don't think the stallholders were that impressed with my squealing, but I assured them that it was in delight!

Just take a look at my spoils:

30 zips for £1.50 ( a whole rainbow of 10" zips plus muted 8" zips)

This gorgeous fabric, £3 a metre - I think I bought 3 metres, I'm going to make it into a dress for my uncle's wedding, possibly with this pattern!

I did grab more fabric than I could ever photograph/upload onto Flickr - highlights included a thick jersey (like rugby top material) for 50 PENCE a metre, and floral poly-cottons for £1 a metre.

No excuse to buy clothes for a while I'm afraid!

I've loads more to show you - apparently my crafting urges were heightened by the blow to the head, even if my eyesight was shot to pieces! I'm just waiting to take some pictures of my finished OPB Sew Along skirt, then that'll be posted to show it off!

A Xxx

Ouch!!!

Apologies for the lack of posts, I'm not really meant to be on the computer.

On Sunday night I hit my ead quite badly on our granite kitchen worktops whilst playing with our puppy, and I still have mild concussion 4 days later, so I'm going to take a couple of days break from blogging/commenting. The doctor says recovery could be being hindered by excessive computer use (!), so I'm giving my eyes/head a rest...see you next week!

A Xxx

A quick update

Hullo, hullo, hullo! Apologies for the lack of posts, I've been extra-craftily busy this week!

I've finally finished my red, white & blue granny square blanket, but have no one to give it to! It's going in the present drawer until I find the perfect recipient...

I've also started a new project for the gorgeous Toast jumper I picked up on my last charity-shop trawl. If all goes to plan it should end up similar to this... I hope it turns out OK!

(OPB week 3 - pleats & waistbands)

And most excitingly, I've caught up on the OPB Sew Along! Last week was pleats & waistbands, and this week, we put in our zip! Seeing as I'm more of a hands on student, I did need to mock up a few bits to work out the pleats would sit, and how the zip would go in, but I'm so pleased that it's nearly done...I'm itching to wear it!

(OPB week 4 - side seam & zip!)

Now I'm off to pack for a weekend away - it's my birthday on Monday so my boyfriend is taking me up to London for the weekend, where we'll mostly be here, here and HERE!!!! Squeeeee!

Have a great weekend everyone!

A Xxx

Happy Mother's Day...in the UK, Ireland and...Nigeria!

Hmmm, I didn't know that Nigeria shared the same Mother's Day as UK & Eire, thanks interwebs!

I spent yesterday preparing bits for my Mum this weekend...would you like to see?

Delicious coffee & walnut cupcakes (yes, I have eaten one to test edible-ness!)

And putting the finishing touches to the bag I made her in my sewing classes.

Now I'm off to help my boyfriend make dinner for his Mum, he's been slaving away all afternoon bless him!

Happy Mother's Day!

A Xxx

In which I receive my first swap gift...

At the start of the year, I promised myself more fun, more crafty things & more friends.

So I started a blog, gave myself a huuuuge list of projects to do, and joined a swap group on Ravelry. It's safe to say the blog has exceeded my expectations; I've gained a few followers and get great responses to my posts.My crafting productivity has gone through the roof; I've finished a whole bag of UFOs and added squillions of handknits to my gift drawer.

But I wasn't sure what to expect from the swap - I've seen the marvellous parcels people receive, but I was still worried I'd get the one duff one, that didn't have any thought put into it. So I put extra thought into mine, checking out my partner's favourites on Ravelry (she has a thing for dishcloths, so cotton was a no-brainer), and sewing little notion pouches late into the night. I posted mine and then waited for my own parcel to arrive.

Yesterday a parcel arrived on my desk at work, and all my fears were put to rest - Leonie, my swap partner, had done a very good job!!!

What I received:

One skein of Mirasol Qina, in Sage 912

A little bag of sparkly green beads

The most gorgeous handmade felted needle book

Green ribbon with a red edge

A beautiful little card to celebrate the swap

(Can you tell the theme was "glorious greens"?)

This has definitely persuaded me to sign up for more swaps...there's another one starting in a couple of weeks so I better get sorted!

When were you last pleasantly surprised by new adventures?

A Xxx

So I've been a little distracted lately...

Could it be anything to do with these delicious morsels?? I think so!

Enjoy your Saturday!

Hullo Spring!

It's the second day of of my favourite month of year, and I'm loving it so far! March always brings later sunsets, warmer weather & my birthday (yay!), and it hasn't disappointed thus far. I've decided to hold off writing a list for March, as I usually get tied up with events preceding my birthday on the 22nd, so I don't want to set myself up to fail already!

I've started 2 great projects that should occupy me through the month:

Dawn & Emily's String-a-long 2010, and Ali's Sew-along - both are off to a great start!

I've cast on for the Elisa nest tote, and I'm loving the way it's turning out already:

For week 2 of the Sew-along, Ali showed us how to cut out our fabric, plus arrange our darts & interfacing. She also sung the praises of the humble rotary cutter, so much so that I've bought one! And a self-healing mat to match! Photos to follow once Mr Postman delivers it...

So given that I'm not writing a to-do list for March, those are my ongoing projects.

What are your already WIP projects for March?!