By Helen

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!

colours for inspiration...

Have I mentioned how much I love this time of year?  The cold crisp days, the sun which still gives warmth, the bright blue sky and the colours Mother Nature gives us.

Last weekend my friend and I decided to visit Thorp Perrow, so that we could look at the beautiful colours and so her little girl could see the birds and animals.

Here is a hint of what we saw...

So next time you are putting yarn together for a new crochet project, don't work too hard.  Look around you: Mother Nature has done all the hard work for us!

 

a super cute knit...

I had to share this with you...

 
isn't it just sooooooooo cute?

It was made by my friend Wendy.  Wendy is amazing: always busy, always knitting and more often than not she is knitting for other people and for local charities.  Last year she was knitting hats and blankets for babies in our local hospital's special care unit.  This year she is busy knitting for York Dance Works - hence the ballerina mouse! 

Super cute mouse and super inspirational Wendy!

 

no time for crochet...

...but I have got a really, really, really great excuse...

 
That's right, we have just returned from a glorious week in Florence.  We visited lots and lots and lots of museums, galleries and churches.  Ate lots and lots and lots of amazing food.  Drank lots and lots and lots of wine!  The weather was hot and the hotel wonderful (although Charlotte would not have approved: no view)!

I  managed to get Si to visit...

 
The museum of Salvetore Ferragamo which contains shoes, shoes and more shoes.  Some of you might remember the article about the museum in July's issue of Inside Crochet?

See, even on holiday crochet has not been totally forgotten about!

Here's some more picis for you to look at...

 The famous Porto-Vecchio over the Arno.

 Under the Tuscan sun, okay - moon!

Chianti of course!

I am still quite tired from the holiday, so today is a gentle day of pottering, apologising to the garden (looking very sad and neglected) and maybe some simple crocheting later on...

happy September...

I love, love, love September!  In fact I love all of the months that end with a ...ber.  But I do think September is my favourite.

I love that there is a hint of Autumn in the air, that mornings and evenings have a chill to them, but the days are warm with the fading Summer sun. 

I love that there is still the possibility of an Indian Summer, to take us to the dark nights and short days, 

I love that the leaves on the trees are beginning to dry and show us their beautiful hues of red, brown and gold. 

 
I love that when you are out in the country-side you can smell the earth, ploughed ready for next year's crops. 

I love the fact that you can still smell freshly cut grass, as the optimistic gardener prepares to rest.

I love that we can think about apple crumbles, fireworks, blankets and scarfs.

It is safe to say I am an Autumnal girl, who LOVES September.

Happy September!

a little treat...

I decided I needed a little treat, who doesn't from time-to-time, so I bought myself this...

It is brought to us by Angel Adorre from the Vintage Patisserie and I really do think that this should be on everyone's bookshelf. 

The book is full of inspirational ideas for (you guessed it) hosting your own tea party.  Many of the ideas will work outside the tea-party and soon become part of everyday life.  Or at least they will in thishousehold.  From delicious recipes, to how to do your hair (this might take some doing) there really is something in this book for everyone and every occasion.

Now I wonder, is it too early for a Tea Tini..?

a wet rainy day...

Can someone just remind me: it is August?  It is still summer?  So why is it sooooooooo wet and horrid outside? 

Here's something to make your heart sing, and remind you of those long hazy days that we should be having right-about now!

 

I love the colour combinations that nature gives us.  So very vibrant.  Perfect inspriation for choosing the colours of yarn to crochet with.

Back to crocheting my blanket.  Looks like I might be needing it sooner than I was anticipating!

a great garden to visit for inspiration...

The other day I paid a visit to the Breezy Knees Garden. 

The garden is amazing: well worth a visit.  It is full of different areas to explore and lots in inspiration for creating crochet flowers and colour combinations.

A beautiful rose...

The long borders...

 

What every gardener should have in their garden...

 
The photographs don't do the garden justice. 

Go along and visit the garden, before the rain spoils all the lovely flowers...

a grand day out...

Last week in the midst of getting ready for opening our yard we managed a squeeze in a couple of days out.  One of which was to the Yorkshire Show. 

It was an excellent day, I know this because by the end of the day I had very sore feet: a tell tale sign of much exploring. 

In the Women's Institute crafts display area I came across these adorable little mice...

 

Alas they are knitted, but we can forgive that because they are soooooooooooooo sweet looking!

A little treat for myself, form a very talented jewellary maker Jeanette Sargent.  Who took the trouble to oxide the jump-ring for me, so that is tones in with the gold chain Si brought me some years ago.  Thank you Jeanette!

 

Look who else was at the show..!

 

Kirstie was filming an episode for her new craft series.  Yippee!  Kirstie has entered a competition run by Yorkshire Country Women's Association, which anyone could enter.  I found this out after the dead-line for entries, otherwise I would have been there!  That didn't stop me looking at what you had to do, to compete.   

To enter you had to make either a cushion, wall hanging or a 3D object.  You could make your entry using one or more of the following techniques: sewing, cross-stitch, embroidery (machine of hand), quilting, knitting, applique, patchwork or needle felt. 

Can you see where I am going with this?  No crochet!  Why?

Now, I think Kirstie is great and I am sure that she didn't make the rules of this competition.  But let's give crochet the opportunity to shine amongst it's counter-parts.

I feel a campaign (or a letter) coming on!

Here's to crochet and a happy hook!

crochet and open gardens part 3

Two days to go, until open back yards!  I can't wait.  I have crocheted bees, butter-flies, lady-bugs and lots and lots of these...

Inspired by these...

 
 
Unfortunately the real roses are not in my garden: but I am happy to make do with the crochet ones!

All that is left to do is assemble everything into pots, a quick dash to the local garden centre and hope (hope, hope, hope) for sunny weather - or at least dry weather.

If you are in the Southbank area on Saturday, do pop in and say hello.

Next post, should be after the event - so lots of pictures for you to see..:-)