Busy hands

It's been really cold this weekend, I've had a quiet one at home. 

We even had a snow shower today.

I've enjoyed lots of crafting time.

A sock completed -

 

The back finished and start of a front on my cardigan -

 

 

A little embroidery, a host of french knots added  -

  

 

I've enjoyed other stitching that I can't show as yet.

 

I thought you might like to see the nativity figures the knitting group have made so far.

 

 

I hope you had a lovely weekend too.

 

Love and blessings

 

Julie x

 

Incowrimo

International Correspondence Writing Month (Incowrimo) - have you heard of it?

Linda is doing this challenge in February and sending one of her handmade cards out to people on each day of the month with a little note inside.

There have been some wonderful cards so far, if you don't follow her blog - Linda's Looking in New Directions Always' -  hop over and have a look.

In todays post I received one - isn't it lovely

 

As well as card making and scrapbooking Linda is also a stitcher and in the past we have stitched a SAL together of a Christmas stocking for our grandchild.  It was lovely to get to know Linda better during that time.  

 

She kindly passed on some sock wool which she wasn't going to use and I in return knitted her a bunny that helps to keep her craft room looking nice and tidy!

 

Thank you Linda for your kindness in sending me one of your lovely cards.   I feel very special to have been chosen to receive one.

 

Julie x

New Toys

My trusty magnifier broke at the weekend so I was searching for a new one.

I came across the Mighty Bright Vusion and it was offered on sale how could I resist.  Even better that it was offered at a better discount price at a well know UK sewing supplier and delivered next day, it arrived this morning.

Very lightweight, it unclips from the base to clip onto my frame.  The light has two strengths and it came with batteries included.  The magnifier is a bit smaller than my last one but I'm keen to give it a try this evening.  The base has rubber stoppers on the bottom (and it's magnetic) so will stand on the table and i'll be able to see to put on those fiddly little beads around the edges and it will be useful when making up ornaments and prevent me going cross eyed.

DS bought me some new sock needles for Christmas from Knit Pro after hearing me mention that the bamboo ones I was using were getting a little worn.  He must have looked at the ones I was using as I didn't tell him the size I needed and they were a complete surprise.  I've given them a try this week with a new pair of socks with a rib pattern DH was keen to try.

 

DD thought I might like another hobby.  Peter Rabbit colouring book and pencils were a nice present for those moments when concentration is lacking.  She knows that a crafter doesn't like idle hands. 

 

 

 

I hope you are having a good week so far.  We woke to a sprinkling of snow this morning but it soon melted quickly and then again this afternoon another light covering, which has also melted. 

 

Stay warm and cosy and happy crafting.

 

Love and blessings

 

Julie  x

 

How did I do in January?

Did you see the moon last night on the last day of January? 

The amazing full moon, blue moon (with their being 2 full moons in January), super moon (closest to he earth) all rolled into one.  For those of you in the USA you also had the blood moon too but here in the UK we didn't really see the redness.

We have a National Space Centre here in my city and you can read all about last nights moon here. 

I captured this with the camera, although it was very windy and we had such cloud cover it was hard to see it clearly every time i stepped outside during the evening.  I should have taken a picture whilst it was still daylight as the moon appeared DH tells me as it was much better then ... mental note to self for next time to try that and maybe listen to DH's advice!

My almanac for February tells me that 2nd February is Candlemas, or the old celtic name Imbolc.  Burning torches were carried across the land to purify it prior to planting and symbolise the strengthening sun each day.  It is supposed to see the passing of winter and the start of the agricultural year with lengthening days, warm soil and the promise of good harvests to come later in the year.  

 

Crocus and spring bulbs should be opening their buds to bring us some much needed colour into the garden, or into our homes in the form of small planters.  The snowdrop is a natural symbol of hope and purity and links to Candlemas celebrations.  They were once called Candlemas bells and it was said to be unlucky if you brought them into the house before Candlemas.

 

Mine in the garden are just opening their buds although I think Mr Squirrel might have stolen a few during the winter as we planted many more last year.

 

 

Candlemas is the Christian festival of light and lots more candles are lit at church services. The Christians celebrate Candlemas as it is the 40th day since the birth of Jesus and the end of Marys confinement.

It just so happens that my two baby Jesus' in the crib are complete and will be handed over to the knitting group tomorrow on Candlemas.  He was a bit fiddly to sew up and its not my best work but I think he'll be ok and one of him is slightly bigger than the other.
  

A little unfinished item in the workbox has been completed for a friends birthday.  Justine gave me this complete little bookmark kit when we met last Spring. 

 

All stitched and backed with white felt this cute little kitty sits inside the little card.  I'll add a book token inside as the recipient is a reader. 

 

 

I've had 5 craft finishes in January -

 

 

I've read 6 books during January -

 

 

Not a bad start to the year.  I've got 3 WIP projects in my basket moving forward into February - the secret stitch project, the organza picture embroidery and my knitted cardigan and there will be new things to add to the list as the month progresses with a SAL and an exchange to look forward to. 

I hope your January was a productive one too.

 

Love and blessings to you all

 

Julie

Time for a challenge

Monthly Ornament Challenge :-

Who runs it?  
Christine chooses the design at Needlecraft Haven forum hosted by Clare.  A very small group of  friendly ladies, newcomers welcome.

What do you stitch?  
This year it has been decided that the challenge will be slightly different.  Instead of Christmas designs every month as previously, we will be having alternate months with other designs inbetween.  It's always interesting to see what Christine finds for us.  Next months design is posted on reveal date.

What supplies do you need? 
You are free to use whatever you like and make it up into anything at all - give the brain cells a workout and try something different.  Try out new count fabrics or threads, use up leftovers and finishing oddments.

When is the reveal? 
Reveal date is always the last Sunday of the month (that's today) ...... and there is no punishment for not completing it on time.  The gallery is open always for new finishes to be added as and when you do get round to complete it if you missed the reveal for that month.

Having told you all about the monthly challenge I had better show you my finish this month



This months design comes from La Comtesse & Le Point de Croix

I chose a simple beaded edged pillow finish.   Fabric is 18ct aida and stitched using DMC thread.  A slight change to mine from that charted as I did small one stitch random snowflakes instead of larger four stitch diamond shaped ones around the edge

Trying to be a bit more effective with pics for your viewing, I sat the ornament on one of my granddaughters storybooks that seemed to fit in with the snowflake theme of the ornament.  This finish is the first thing to go into next years Christmas gift box.

Reading challenge :-
The forum also has a reading challenge.  This year the choice is favourite childrens books.  Some you may have already read and some you might have missed out on.  Of course everyone has a different favourite and it will be interesting to see who choses what in the coming months.  January was chosen by Clare herself and she chose The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame.

I've really enjoyed reading this again, although every time Toad speaks in the book I can hear David Jason from the film he voiced when  my son was small.  He loved this movie and we watched it so many times.... happy memories.

Picture image courtesy of Amazon.co.uk

"Hang spring cleaning" said Mole......" Poop poop" said Toad as he whizzed along in his motor car after driving his gypsy caravan into the ditch ....... "There's nothing like messing about in boats" Ratty said to Mole as they enjoyed time on the riverbank with their picnic and then there's the lovely badger who takes them in when they are lost in the Wild Wood in the snow.

A lovely read, curled up on the sofa on a cold January day.  Did you have a favourite book as a child?  What would you have chosen for us to read?

Love and blessings to you all

Julie  xx