Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Slow Progress


Moving on with the blankets that I am enlarging for my friend. It doesn't do to hold your breath while you wait for me to get through a project as I work very slowly due to my arthritic thumbs. At this point I could probably issue all sorts of dire warnings to crafters about overusing their hands but if you're anything like me you won't listen. Sitting with idle hands, for me is not an option; I get really fidgety and if I'm watching television I just fall asleep. I've thought of other crafts that I could do that might be less punishing to my poor old hands but I don't find them as satisfying as knitting and crochet. I learned both these crafts when I was 6 and 10 respectively and I have never tired of doing them. It's that Capricorn practicality, I just have this urge to make something that's useful and needed. So now I'm learning to slow down and not overdo the work I love. It took the message a while to get through, didn't it?
Anyway here is my latest effort. The colours are prettier than the photo shows and I'm quite pleased with it. That dark blue is actually mauve. Only another 5 to go but I think I'll take up some knitting for a few weeks as a friend has given me enough yarn to make a little cardigan for a toddler and I've found just the pattern for it.
I hope you're loving the things that you're creating.
Bye for now until next time.

Friday, April 13, 2012

Shared bounty.



One of my favourite trees in our garden is the fig tree which produces masses of lovely big juicy figs every year. As it is with most home-grown food, we are able to share the fruit among friends as well as put by enough to last us for about half the year. Well actually I am the one for whom they're being put by; the man of the house dislikes figs and has been known to make derogatory remarks about them. This means, of course, that the load that is half filling our freezer is mine, all mine. (cue maniacal laughter) I must be quick when picking the fruit however as the birds enjoy them too and the picture shows what I find if I'm tardy. Birds need to eat too and so I'm happy to share because I enjoy the birds in my garden.
For me netting is out as I once found a little deceased blackbird entangled in the netting. I love the song of the blackbirds and I was upset for days afterwards. I removed the netting and have never netted the tree since. There is plenty of fruit for me and my friends to share, including the feathered variety.
I hope the coming weekend will be a good one for you. Bye for now until next time.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

One step further


Those little medallions that I showed you a couple of posts ago have grown to become the twenty squares that I need to enlarge the little blanket that I have been working on for a friend. All I have left to do now is to sew them together - not my favourite job but it means that soon I will have a nice knee cover. I decided to keep to the colours in the original blanket and I will alternate the squares as I sew them up.
I'm still beavering away at that stash pile. I'm sure there is at least another blanket's worth in there. Back to the hook for the next one.
Must go now; we are Pepper sitting again and he needs a walk. Our evenings are drawing in with Autumn and it's nicer to walk in the sunshine than the dark.
I hope you will all have a happy and blessed Easter.
Bye for now until next time.