It's a cover up!

A young visitor came to play last week ....

After she left, on top of the Barbie toy box was something that surprised me

It was a naked Ken!

 

I looked in the box for some clothes to put on him but there were none - she must have put them in the bag that went home. 

There was a piece of material that she had used to try and fashion a wrap around dress for Barbie.  That would have to do, so he got a 'mankini type' quick cover up (he wouldn't let me show you that as he says he's too embarrassed).

Nanny found some old 4 ply sock wool (good job I have a 'little'  ermm maybe more than a little of that hanging around) and knitted him up some rather trendy trousers.

He wasn't happy with just that - although he does like to show off his very muscled body ...

He wanted a jumper to keep him warm as well - delve into the sock wool bag again for something suitable.  He didn't really like the idea of pink or bright colours, said he wanted to be more of an "action man" type if I could oblige ...

Might as well complete the ensemble with a matching woolly hat I thought ....

He does look pleased now he is fully dressed doesn't he. 
 

 

A good job I kept the old pattern my late mother in law used to make clothes for DS's action man printed in 1990 

 

Ken did say he was definitely not wearing the Starskey and Hutch type cardigan though, so please don't bother knitting that for him.  

 

Maybe if it comes into fashion next year he'll change his mind..... I better not use up all the sock wool oddments just in case had I?

Always something rolling off the knitting pins here. 

The little visitor has been again today.  The new ensemble passed inspection. 

"Why hasn't he got any socks?" she said .............

Love and Blessings

Julie

 

Gifted Gorgeousness ~ March

Gifted Gorgeousness, organised by Jo over at Serendipitous Stitching.  Details and sign up page on Jo's blog.  The link for March is also there where you can find new blogs that take part, why not hop over and have a look.

The rules are simple, it's a time to share something that you have gifted or that has been gifted to you.

DH bought me some sock wool for Christmas from Snuggly Stars Yarns.  This colour is Christmas Cactus.  It's a merino based yarn in DK and very soft.  Ideal for a thicker pair of bedtime/evening wearing warm and cosy socks.  This pair were knitted for me.

A magazine free kit, one of a few, gifted to me for the craft group sale table by Justine.  Santa Dog looks cute in his little card.

A red cardigan (yes Jo, another one!!).  Using up lots of oddments from Isabelle's school cardigans this one is also for the craft group sale table.   

I've been stitching a gift too, but that's for an exchange so I'm not able to share that right now.

Another gift that's been received this month was from a local garden centre.  They donated a whole box full of seeds for the community garden.  There must have been over £500 worth in the box.

We've shared them with other community growing groups in the local area.

That completes my GG post for this month. 

Love and blessings

Julie

To read or not to read?

Why do we continue with a book when not enjoying it?

 

The Book Borrowers have a group read 4 times a year, one for each season and then we read whatever we want at other times. 

 

Often the books we read do the rounds of the group and we chat about them in great detail.  Sometimes, the subject will open up discussions on a theme of what has happened in the book and can get a bit heated.  We have a great group of people and its a lovely afternoon each week together of people of varying ages and backgrounds.

 

For our winter group read we chose The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, the debut novel by Stuart Turton.  It won the Costa book of the year award for first novel in 2018.

 

It was said to be a take on an Agatha Christie type novel, a whodunit with a twist.

 

 

 

Evelyn Hardcastle will be murdered at 11:00 p.m.
There are eight days, and eight witnesses for you to inhabit.
We will only let you escape once you tell us the name of the killer.
Understood? Then let's begin...
Evelyn Hardcastle will die. Every day until Aiden Bishop can identify her killer and break the cycle. But every time the day begins again, Aiden wakes up in the body of a different guest. And some of his hosts are more helpful than others...
(Taken from Good reads)

 

I have to say that I found this book very long winded, confusing and complicated.  I had to force myself to read it, not very often I say that. 

 

Having looked at reviews online since I finished it yesterday at amazon, there seem to be a lot that have not enjoyed it either.  Others seem to have loved the mind bending madness of it and been blown away by the complicated plot.   Maybe I don't have enough brain cells to appreciate the intricacy of following a multi layered plot that just seemed to befuddle me and end with a very poor answer to 'Who killed Evelyn Hardcastle?'

 

There have already been a few brought back to the library from our group so i'm thinking that many have not actually finished to the end and given it up as a bad job.

 

Do you continue with a book till the end in the hopes that it will improve?

 

The weather here today is dreadful, high winds, heavy rain and its yeuck... good job i'm off to the Book Borrowers for some light relief and good company this afternoon  - and to hand over this rotten book - and find something a bit lighter to feed my happy thoughts.

 

Have a great day

 

Love and blessings

 

Julie 

 

 

 

Scavenger photo-hunt ~ FEBRUARY

Joining in with Kate for the monthly scavenger photo-hunt.  You can see the other photo-hunters in the February link up post on Kate's blog (I live, I love, I craft, I am me)

 

 

The words for February were :-

 

Sound/Hearing

Smell/Scent

Feel/Touch

Taste

See/Sight

My own choice

 

 

 

SOUND/HEARING

 

 

Even though I can't see the church from my home I can hear the campanologists (bell ringers) practice session on Tuesday evenings and also when they bell ring for weddings, christenings and for church.  It's a lovely sound that I never tire of.

 

 

SMELL/SCENT

 

 

Walking past the bakers in the village the smell of fresh bread ..... lovely - whip out my phone and take a snap of the delights on offer in the window.

 

 

FEEL/TOUCH

 

 

Jasper, next doors cat, thinks if he paws the glass in our conservatory door he might get let in.  His fur is so soft and he's such a sweetheart - he'd like to live here with us!

 

 

TASTE

 

I often have Weetabix for my breakfast.  It was a surprise when this round one came out of the packet this month.  Still tasted just as nice.

 

 

 

 

SEE/SIGHT

 

A visit to the garden centre to pick up some bright spring colour for the plant pots in the garden and these were a lovely sight to see on a dull/dark afternoon.

 

  

Whilst there we looked at the model village complete with a sprinkling of snow very early Feb - the train was not running as the lines were snowed in.

 

 

 

MY OWN CHOICE 

 

Pretty flowers that have opened on my orchid this month

 

 

Lots of other photo-hunters joining in, why not visit them in the link up to see what they chose this time.

 

 

Love and blessings

 

Julie