Two of us, rising moon, and together.

1) A and I went to the library, then to Hobbycraft this afternoon. It was lovely having some “just the two of us” time. And nice that he’s still at the age to be happy to chat about his day and what he’s been up to.

2) To discover that the moon, which had just risen, was now a great golden orb hovering just above the horizon, in the early evening sky. Beautiful.

3) I’ve had some fabric stashed away for ages, awaiting its transformation into a bag.  My friend also had some fabric for a similar reason. This evening she came round, and we began the tiresome job of marking out the pattern on the fabric. Somehow doing it together made it a whole lot less frustrating, and a whole lot more fun 🙂 .

Work-in-Progress Wednesday 57

There are a number of special small people in my life and, while I was visiting some of them recently, they watched me knitting and each requested that I knit them something specific.  Thus the SP Project (small person) was borne.

The first request required a departure from my normal knitting style – the request was for a knitted teddy bear… gulp!  In a fortuitous circumstance, I received this little booklet through the post recently, Knitted Bears by Val Pierce. So, here is my very first attempt at a knitted bear, ready for its clothes and to have some facial features added…

First ever teddyTeddy bear

SP Project #1 – the teddy bear

As my Clapotis is completed (alas not blocked), and I haven’t had time to cast-on for my next project, that’s it from me this week – I’m off to knit a teddy bear dress!

Head on over to Tami’s Amis, and Ginny’s Yarn Along for more of today’s Works-in-Progress…

tami_wipwyarnalong_gsheller_lilac

Walking, small things, and craft night.

1) A cold walk in the winter sunshine with a friend. We went a different route this afternoon, and it was lovely to see some different scenery.  When we were nearly home, we caught up with another of my regular walking partners – I’m going walking with her tomorrow.

2) K turned plumber this evening, and replaced the broken tap in the kitchen.  How lovely to have hot running water in the kitchen once again 🙂 .

3) Three of us have decided to start a regular fortnightly craft night, and several others have shown interest in joining us – we began tonight, even though, because of the short notice, only two of us were free. It was fab – I can’t wait for a fortnight’s time!

Comments, exciting, and home soon.

1) Lots of lovely comments on my WIP Wednesday post – they really made my day 🙂 .

2)  I had an unexpectedly long chat with a friend this morning – we didn’t just chat though, we actually moved things forward, and have made some exciting new plans.  More on that in time!

3) K arrived home sooner than I expected – a quick flight, a taxi immediately, and home thirty mins earlier than I’d originally anticipated. I’m not complaining!

Fun with friends.

1) Weekend fun with friends: an Advent Craft Fayre, a play in the park, afternoon tea out, an enormous Torchlight Procession, Christmas Carols round the tree, culminating in the switching on of the Christmas Tree Lights.

2) The kids settled fairly quickly to sleep, and we settled down with a glass of Prosecco (to celebrate our anniversary), and an evening of catching up.

3) We went to see the Prehistoric Autopsy Exhibition on Sunday afternoon – the models were incredibly lifelife, and the kids were fascinated by the whole exhibit.

WIP Wednesday 47

Well, I didn’t frog Sahara.  I completed it, and it’s now blocking…  still not completely convinced, but if it doesn’t work out this time, I’m going to hibernate it until after Christmas at least!

I’m making some progress with my FLS, completed the yoke, started the gull lace pattern, and separated the sleeves 🙂 .

I’ve also been knitting away on a secret knitting project (which is also Winter Project #3).  Here’s a sneaky peek:

That’s it from me this week…  if you’d like to see more of today’s Works-in-Progress, head on over to Tami’s Amis or check out or Ginny’s Yarn Along

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WIP Wednesday 46

Just a quick WIP Wednesday post from me today.  I’ve been knitting away, mainly trying to finally complete an old WIP (Sahara), which I’ve finished, partially frogged, and finished again several times.  Even now, I’m still not happy with it, and think I may rip out the bottom 10cm or so, and reknit… again.  We’ll see – I may yet decide to frog the whole thing!

On a more positive note, I’ve made a small amount of progress with my February Lady Sweater – on here it doesn’t look like much, but I’m about half way through the yoke section, and have just done the second of three buttonholes.  I’m hoping that it will knit faster when I reach the lace section! I’m very happy with it though, and really loving the look of the increases 🙂 .

February Lady Sweater

For more of today’s Works-in-Progress, check out Tami’s blog

Birthday weekend

1) My son made waffles for brunch; my husband made a wonderful meal for dinner; my daughter made coffee and walnut cake for dessert. We climbed Cockleroy at sunset and watched as the sun set, the sky darken, and the lights come on across the length of the Forth Valley.

2) So many posts, texts, emails and cards. I feel very loved!

3) A walk – just for K and I, a visit to a local craft fayre, an explore of a less well-used path at Beecraigs Country Park, dinner with my parents and brother.

Weekend away, morning drive, and winning.

From the weekend:

1) We spent a lovely weekend staying with friends in the Lake District. There were walks, and talks, craft, and baking, a visit to the Pencil Museum (well worth a visit if you are in Keswick), afternoon tea and a play in Whinlatter Forest and time to relax and chat after the kids were in bed.

2) A beautiful drive through morning sunshine home across the Southern Uplands – the autumn colours were stunning, especially the hillsides covered in bright rust coloured trees.

3) A was participating in a Boy’s Brigade Bible Knowledge competition on Sunday afternoon.  He arrived home happy and triumphant – his team (of three) had won!

One week in October.

In no particular order, here are some beautiful things from last week (beginning 8 Oct):

1) It was my beautiful little girl’s seventh birthday on Wednesday. We had friends round for birthday tea – after which we lit a Chinese lantern and watched it drift away across to the Ochils – the kids loved it.

2) In the evening of M’s birthday, K surprised me with a mini bottle of champagne 🙂 (after all, I was the one doing most of the work all those years ago!).

3) On Tuesday I ran away from all the madness surrounding me at home, and spent a lovely few hours in Edinburgh with a friend. It was a glorious autumn day, the views were wonderful, we had a lovely walk through the Meadows, and enjoyed coffee and cake in the National Museum brasserie.  A welcome escape from reality.

4) Before I went home, K popped out during his lunch hour, and we sat outside (yes, it really was warm enough) at Victor Hugo’s cafe on the Meadows, and ate lunch together. Uninterrupted by children.

5)To finally complete the skirt I shelved at the start of the summer – I really enjoyed wearing it for the first time.

6) I sewed three skirts for three special little girls.  And I still have Megan’s to complete.

7) Friday was hard. But in the midst of all the heartache and pain, a butterfly flitted about, and a rainbow appeared. During the church service before the committal at the crematorium, the Linlithgow Rugby Club Male Voice Choir gave the most beautiful and moving renditions of The Rose that I have ever heard.