Blowing the cobwebs away

We've had a couple of beach days recently, where if there were any cobwebs about, they were well and truly blown away by the end!

I think the god thing about having dogs, is the necessity to be aired on a regular basis.

I don't often finish up a walk where I wished I had stayed at home.  More often than not, I more likely to be disappointed I didn't take my camera as I missed a great view.

The rock formations on this  beach are just amazing.  We visit here less often than the other beaches, and it has normally been when the day is sunny.  By the end of this walk,  we all had to totally strip off and change into dry clothes.

My camera is not water resistant, so it needed drying out after this venture!

Littlest boy never misses a photo opportunity!

 The wind was bracing so everyone just kept their heads down and plodded on!

This is a different day, a different beach....I love the way the rain drops on the lens distorted the view.

Out of focus, but can't you just taste the wildness of the day!  This is my in-laws dog who is holidaying with us for a few months.

And totally off topic, but it was at least worn in the above pics.  I made biggest boy a woolly hat, he chose the pattern from ravelry and the colours.  My first piece of stranded work, very simple but enjoyable....I would like to try something more difficult next time.

Year of projects - 23.03.14

I've been meaning to do a post about my makes for a couple of weeks, but as you can see, it didn't quite happen.

My temperature blanket is on going, I must not rest on my laurels though, as I will find myself with a back-log of 'days' to catch up on.  It does seem that the weather has brightened a lot, so it doesn't look like I'm going to get any freak lows (dark blues) unless I make them up!

My wonderful hubby on his return from South Africa, well trained that he is, came back with two beautifully hand-dyed skeins of Merino...and a shawl pattern to go with.....now what more could a woman ask for....he knows what makes me smile!

I finished the shawl yesterday and blocked it overnight.  It's a simple small triangular shawl called Sunny Days Shawlette, designed by Carle' Dehning. The shawl was made in her own Nuturing Fibres yarn in a blue/purple/turquoise colourway. I used a darker blue for a couple of garter stitch rows at the end to accentuate the design.

I'm not sure I had the whole of the pattern, as there had to be a bit of guess work at the end, but I'm pleased with the shawl, and the simple design sets of the colours perfectly.

A few weeks ago, obviously when I was feeling a little chillier, I decided to make myself a Capucine, a lovely hat with bags of space for a big haired lady like myself!  The design is worked from the rim up, and unfortunately that was my undoing!  There's a lot to be said for something you can try on as you go....mine ended up being pretty big (even for me and my hair!).  I have still got a pom-pom to put on and some plaits at the sides, but with the sudden cheeriness in the weather, I think it may well wait for another season.

A couple of weeks ago, I introduced you to a new knitted teddy, the library book that I got the pattern from, also had some clothes, so I whipped up a hooded cardi for him to keep warm, (and to cover up those squonky ears!)

One last make, from a few weeks ago, was littlest boy's World Book Day costume.......its always the boys' choice, and this year, littlest said he wanted to be The Gingerbread Man (thankgoodness not too difficult!)

I was rather pleased with my more methodical approach and the finished costume.  I made this with a cheap fleece blanket, and plenty of patience.....it is now in use as a warm onesie for bedtime.....I'm tempted to make one for myself!

Anyway....I'm on to the next thing......another shawl wouldn't you know!  I couldn't stop myself, although I made a concerted effort for a while there.  I've decided to join in Sarah's (Crafts from the Cwtch) knit-a-long......more about that next week!

To see other Year of Projects work,  check out the ravelry page here.

Year of projects (wk14)

Christmas is drawing in and on Thursday next week we have middle boy's Christmas fayre which we have been crafting for.......it's not like me, but I've found this really stressful.  Both my older boys transferred schools in September and I feel like we've all been on a bit of a campaign to get every one's approval (probably also because it caused quite a stir when we left the little village school.)

Anyway, next week I will hopefully be revealing a small offering of glittery Christmas makes from the fair hands of all three of my boys (and even my husband too on occasion, this goes to show the level of dedication in this house!)

So crochet? There's been a good bit of that too...........

Went off track a little this week after some friends had their first baby.

I made this with stylecraft, however the stitch and colour I think make it look like it was made with expensive yarn.  I worked two colours at once with a size nine hook. Just plain old single crochet, with I think, nice results.

I've also been making a hat for my father-in-law as they are away for Christmas so presents are being done and wrapped now........not entirely sure what he will do with a snuggly woolly hat in S.Africa though!

This is a Robin wool mix and it's gorgeous, so soft and warm. I can't say I am otherwise taken with Robin as I find it to be a little squeaky?

I've been hooking various portable projects too, on the school run etc.... So I've kept myself busy!

Yesterday we all went out for a walk around the local lily ponds. After walking through wooded paths there is a wonderful beach........I'm afraid I don't believe that anyone else lives in a prettier place than I do.......can't be possible!

The boys walked their legs off and I must say last night I was finding it difficult to crochet with heavy eyes!

Do you know.....I feel quite overwhelmed by all of my bloggy friends.....who knew when I started all this, I would feel like I do now! I sooo appreciate the compliments, the inspiration, the giggles.......thank you so much to all you lovely fellow crafters and bloggers.....you make this Little Welsh girl very happy indeedy!

To check out other lovely Year of Projects work.....see ravelry here.

Year of projects (wk7)

.................And there was another week and we're now into October.......................

Today we have had a braai  in the sunshine with my in-laws..........not bad going for the UK in October.  It is my Father-in-law's birthday today, so we have all well and truly filled ourselves with good food.  My poor hubby in the meanwhile is hauling our straw bales in before the rain comes and missed the whole thing.....ah, well we can all tell him how nice it was and he has a plate piled high with food when he turns in for the night.

This week, among lots of other things, I took my boys to a local newsagent, where they have a rack of acrylic at the back of the shop, and let them pick out some colours for a hat each.

Then when they chose their colours I made them change their minds to something more suitable!

The littlest's hat is unfinished, but he was itching to try it on.  It is supposed to have more scales and a few spots, so we'll see what gets added on.

It seems like it could do with another couple of rounds, but then all my boys have good sized heads, so I should have thought to increase it a little when I was doing it.

Now there's a cheeky face eh!

Both hats were super-quick, although the dinosaur one probably needs a few extra bits, and middle's hat may well end up with a bobble on it.  Both were Ravelry patterns which you can find here and here.

My granny stripe is growing well and looks more wonderfully stripey everyday.

So what does this week hold? 

Well I treated myself when I was out with the boys yesterday to two new books, I never buy crochet books, and even now I am amazed I did, but sometimes it is nice to actually see something in print isn't it? 

I am still feeling I was a little frivolous, but I could not resist the Christmas one and the other one came along for the ride

Anyway, I have a tonne of housework, washing, clearing...etc...etc...etc... to do and here I am rambling on again.  I am looking forward to my Sunday evening of browsing through other people's blogs with a cup of tea in hand. 

To find out about other Year of Projects updates, look here.