By Helen

shop, shop, shopping...

My post is slightly late today, because I have just got home from a truly fabulous day out.  Me and my friends have been to the Knitting Show in Harrogate where we have, quite literally, shopped until we have dropped.  Here is what I have bought...

A lovely selection of sparkly wool, wool to turn into Christmas decorations (I will, will, will find the time to make, for this Christmas), an embroidery kit, a crochet kit to make a bag, a magazine and a scarf. 

What was wonderful was seeing the vast amount of yarn that there is out there and thinking of all the possibilities of what can be made.  It was also fantastic to see so many people there and seeing their inspirational work, some of which I will post here later in the week. 

For now, it is time to settle down with my very tired feet and lots of cups of tea (thank you Si) and look at all the amazing purchases I have made. 

A very happy place...

crochet sneaky peek...

I thought that I would give you a sneaky peek at some of the crochet projects I am working on at the moment.  Don't want to say too much about them, as many are Christmas presents...

Will share the finished projects with you very soon...

back with images....

I am sooo happy!  I am back able to share images with you.  A BIG thank you to the Typepad team for giving me the fix and to Si for bearing with me, holding my hand, etc, while I talk about technical things which we have little idea about.

Where was I?  Oh yes, domestic goddess in the kitchen.  Here, with a massive ta-dah, are the fruits of my labour...

Lovely chuntney, made from apples, dates, tomartoes and onions...

Perfect for eating with a large piece of cheddar at Christmas.

Lemons...

..for my favourite cake...

Only problem with this cake: I can never get it to look great, but the taste...

a day in the kitchen...

Yesterday I decided to be a true domestic goddess and spend the day in the kitchen. I'll post some images here very soon: just sorting out a few technical gremlins - as Si and I enter the 21st century!

 

a little treat...

Normally by mid-November Si has placed a ban on me buying books, CDs and DVDs without him knowing: this is so I don't end up buying something he has bought, or is going to buy, for my Christmas present.  To date this hasn't happened.  Now this is not because Si isn't putting thought into my Christmas present: it is simply because this year I am getting something other than a book, CD or DVD. 

So, I am free to buy myself the occasional little treat...

I am a huge Kirstie fan.  Remember how excited I got at the Yorkshire Show back in July?  Needless to say I have been watching her new show, where she is entering craft competitions at local shows, like what she was up to at the Yorkshire Show.

The TV show is great and the book is just as good.  What I love about the Kirstie's writing, is that she writes as she speaks.  The book is crammed full of ideas from baking, to things to make for the garden, to gorgeous gifts to make for friends.  There really is something in here for everyone. 

Knowing where to start is the real problem: a problem which I'll tackle in the New Year once my Christmas making has finished.

The book has just one negative:  there is no crochet...but it is a beautiful book, so Kirstie is forgiven (just).

quick crochet project...

I thought that I would share with you a really quick crochet project: one that only takes an afternoon to complete...

...a cover for a smartphone. 

I love how the double crochet is dense enough to make a thick covering, protecting the screen. 

It is worked in the round, so no need for counting stitches or rows, just keep crocheting until it is big enough for the phone.  Then add what ever embellishment you like - in my case flowers, always flowers. 

Perfect for an afternoon spent with your hook!

shopping for crochet...

I think that one of my favourite parts of crochet, aside from the excitement of starting and finishing a project, is shopping for yarn.  You find yourself in a shop surrounded by endless choice, inspiration and possibility.  You find yourself in awe of the colours and textures and your mind whirls with thoughts of the creations that you could make...

This time I was good.  I was focused.  I had projects in mind and I went and bought only for those projects.  Why the restraint- I am saving for a BIG treat at the end of the month!

Here's what I bought...

I don't want to say too much about the projects that these yarns will be worked into: as many are Christmas presents.  I'll let you know how they turn out after the presents have been given.

Happy crocheting!

crochet hats...

Last year I crocheted my friend's little girl this lovely pink hat...

It went down so well that I made her another this year...

This went down so well, I have to make another five: yes FIVE.  Not for my friend's  little girl - though I happily would: but for other people to give as Christmas presents. 

Better get crocheting..!

NB - the pattern for the hat is taken from (and modified from) the Pull-on Hat in Melody Griffiths' Crochet In No Time.

remember, remember...

The world turns to November, it is time to put the garden to bed. The jasmine has been cut within an inch of it's life, the pots have been emptied and the decaying summer plants are returning to the Earth.  Some planets are coming into their element.

One of my very favourite things is to open the curtains and see the cheerfulness of brightly coloured cyclamens early on a morning...

I love the way they are all twisted until they are ready to show themselves to the world...

The garden this time of year always looks better having winter-flowering pansies...

Now that November is here, I feel justified in getting on with my Christmas crochet projects: I can't wait any-longer...