Plenty

I never imagine when I blog, that it will be ages until I do it again, I have loads to say...plenty on the go...good intentions.....perhaps just not the time to go with it.

I am now a month or so in on my Design Studies BA and I can't believe how much I love it....I did an art course....uuummm....twenty years ago and I loved it then, but went on to jobs, marrying, kids...all lovely things, but apart from a bit of painting here and there, art was largely forgotten.

I have been working a few relief-shifts in a local library, which I also really love....with that has come a couple of trips to other Welsh libraries, firstly a wonderful library in a beautiful old building in Llanelli.  They've achieved an amazing space, which is part of,  and being used by the community.  I'm afraid I've become a library geek and can't understand people's negativity towards libraries....some of the things I've read in the local paper this week, about a planned new library, have made me feel very sad for people who don't see what I see. In all the comments on the article, they  amounted to the same thing, libraries have no place in the now or in the future...although the commenters didn't put it quite so nicely.  After our trip to Llanelli, we visited the national library of Wales in Aberystwyth.

Wow, mind blown, and I went up a couple of levels in my love for libraries!  I had the privilege of being allowed to look in the vaults at their archives and even more excitingly their Art section. Wow!  I saw so much, most impressively the huge collection of work by Kyffin Williams.

Anyway....gosh...where was I....

So onto a few things I've been doing 

Rust dying...this is so exciting, although requires some patience...something that I'm not great at!

I know I will do more of this as my head whirs with ideas when I'm unwrapping the results.  One thing I am also in love with is dissolvable fabric which I am itching to do more with.

Always said I was not much interested in dying wool....I've changed my mind.....

I have no idea what I'm doing with a camera, but I'm enjoying the process of playing.

Hopefully, next time will be soon....catch up again then.x

Learning

So last time I blogged, I was trying to make a  decision.... and now.....I have!

I've enrolled on a BA in Design Studies, which I'm still finding difficult to  believe.  I kept thinking and saying 'but art is something I would really enjoy' which in my head meant that it wasn't a sensible choice!

My head is ticking over with lots of ideas, I'm excited to start thinking creatively again, to see the things around me....funny....it is like something once loved and put to one side, has been brought out of the shadows and remembered!

I always used to be in the habit of  photographing everything I saw, as I was always thinking about blogging, but it's a habit I have grown out of.  Now it is required of me I can't wait to get going again.

One thing I love is colour, like the purple berries I spotted among the 'old hat' red  berries....I mean these almost look 'artificial' they are such an unusual colour....like jewels glistening in the sun.

I have ordered myself some raw yarn this morning, for a few ideas spinning around in my head...any pointers would be gratefully received, but otherwise I'm going to throw myself in feet first and see where the path leads.

I had a wonderful time at Cardiff Half-Marathon, what an amazing event to be a part of....very inspiring and emotional

Plans

Tomorrow would be the day, if all had worked out, that I would have been starting in Swansea Uni part way through a BA in German (and a little French), a continuation of my three years part-time study with the Open University.  A big decision, as it was sooo tempting to finally see a degree in sight.  Reality strikes though and its not to be.

You see, the last year has made me a little fidgety and while time is flying past, I seem to have watched it feeling sad.  I've been doing a bit of this and that, but nothing that has made me feel really content.

Working a few hours in the library has given me a glimpse of being an adult again and begin to feel more confident.  Taking up running and entering a few races has done me the power of good and I've met so many lovely people (highly recommended!)

But having my hopes lifted and then realising that Swansea would not work out, was not all so bad....it has made me think about other possibilities.

Totally in reverse of where I am now, I have a real opportunity of another college course, one on my doorstep, one that feels like it might give me direction and possibilities.

Now it's just to decide....not my forte

While I decide, there's always crochet and running!  This Sunday I am running my second half marathon in Cardiff....there is a bunch of my running buddies going too, so it should be a sociable occasion...no pressure for times, it's such a big event that it's more about enjoying the experience with the other 24,000 runners (wow, I can't imagine what it will be like!)

Last Sunday, I ran a 10k organised by a local running club and held in my village.  It was wet, wet, wet, but I'm not a fair weather runner and quite enjoy the rain to keep me going. 

 I'm not particularly fast, but see a small improvement each time I race....onwards and upwards

(smiling as I'm on the last straight!)

Small Hello

My latest crochet project....nothing too difficult beyond making the decision of which colour to use next.  Feels about the best thing right now, as typically for the beginning of the academic year things are  'full speed ahead'. New classes for the boys, new commitments after school, new races to be run (and the training that goes with them), new plans to be made.  I like all the newness, although it can become a bit difficult to prioritise.

I have been doing a few hours working here and there at the library and I picked up a crochet book which contained lots of ideas, none of which grabbed me, apart from the above pattern which, although not complicated is effective I think.

The library is such an amazing resource and so underused....(I might actually be becoming a library-bore).  I find new books each time I'm there....shame that when it comes to book-reading time at night, I can barely keep my eyes open.

Small hello from me anyway...hoping to be back here more 😊

March

It has been a busy month....again....but now things are beginning to settle.  So many new things, setting myself a few challenges....the stirrings of spring have made me feel like taking on new projects....it's all good!

I had a mission to undertake recently, a painting commission that required me  going on a bit of a recce to take some photos.  The place wasn't really on my doorstep, so I decided to combine it with visiting another place I was keen to see.  The panorama view above and the view below are of Llangrannog, a small coastal village with the most stunning coastline.  This gentleman overlooking the sea, is Saint Carannog, 

I am very blessed to live right by the sea and the coastline is breathtakingly beautiful in Wales, I do rather like the more mottled colours in our landscape during the colder months, there is definitely something to see all year around.

Ends can only mean one thing...a finished blanket....a stripey blanket at that.....this is my Attic24 Moorland Blanket

It has been a lovely project and fairly easily done.  Two of my boys have recently been in a stage show of Oliver with the local operatic society.  My oldest took the part of Oliver, so for the past five months I have carted him back and forwards to lengthy practices, sometimes three times a week.  My trusty project bag has come with me every time, much to the amusement of the rest of the cast, but there was suddenly more interest as it looked more 'blankety'....some even sounded envious that I had something to show for my hours of sitting in the back of the hall.

Last week was show week and I got to shed a few tears at both my boys on the big stage....I am so proud of them both, especially the oldest having the courage to sing solo in front of  a sold-out 300 seater theatre.

Thinking of it still now makes me emotional, the music, the orchestra, the costumes....it was a fantastic opportunity I won't forget and certainly the boys won't.

Finally, I've been running again, this was a charity race for a Neonatal ward....it was muddy and steep, but a lot of fun!  Look, I'm smiling, but most likely as I could see the finish line!

Walking, colours and crochet

Recently it seems, we've hardly had time to stop, I've been fetching and carrying a little more than usual and everything seems to be squeezed in.  Thankfully, on two recent Saturday afternoons, I've managed to get all boys and dogs walking in the same direction and been out for a ramble in our wonderful surroundings.

This first walk was best part of an hour away from us, but a place we often drive past and think of planning a walk.  From the road, the rocky outcrops look like three wolves, and I'd often wandered what they were like close up.

The day was clear and crisp, perfect for appreciating the panoramas and seeing the landscape's rich colours.

All happy boys....one not so happy a little later on, when we got a bit off-map and ended up with a couple of extra miles under our belts ;-)

Here, if you look carefully, is our collie Ned, watching his master, who is seeing what it would be like to sleep on top of a rock......hhhmmmm....

Some curious ladies also enjoying the dry day

A view from the other side....the light was beginning to fade (after our de-tour!) and it was satisfying to feel like we had earned our supper after a half day walking.

On the second Saturday, we ventured out in the same direction but to another rock, this one I can remember visiting when I was small child.  

The day we chose to walk, was bitter and threatening rain, so it was rather shorter than the previous walk.

We did picnic on this walk, but it wasn't quite as successful, as we were all pretty cold and fed up. 

The colours of the hills and bracken in the back ground did remind me a bit of my Moorland Blanket.

                                      

Which is coming along nicely, as I have had to attend a lot of practices  with my boys for a play which they are involved in.  Initially I think that people thought me a little quirky with my crochet, but now they are seeing it grow it seems to be making more sense.  In fact one of the ladies in the cast, came over and said she was making one too....it's a small world!

New Projects

First finished project of 2017...

This was a kit bought for me by my in-laws for Christmas, it is gorgeous... a quick make and great finished bag.  I haven't done yet, but I intend to sew some bias-binding along the handle to stop it stretching, but other than that, it is good to go.

 Attic 24's Weekend Bag in Heatwave

Somewhere between Christmas and New Year's day, I finished off the last few remaining squares of my Last Dance On The Beach (Under the Stars colourway).  I admittedly didn't follow it to the letter, there were two squares I just couldn't get on with (and a colour I disliked) and I swapped things about a bit.  I'm quite pleased with the end result, its a colourway I normally wouldn't go for, but I really like the darkest brown against it and it somehow works ok.

So I would normally be a little out of sorts without a blanket on the go, but all is well, as I quickly took up this....

Attic 24's Moorland Blanket which was also bought in kit form for me for Christmas, this time from my parents (my family know me well!!)  I'm enjoying this, the colours are beautiful.

So busy with this and a few other less exciting things.  Back to studying now and back with the running group I joined in October.  Hopefully 2017 contains a few 10k runs and hopefully I get to set some new Personal Bests.

Christmas 2016

I have spent about an hour trying to break into my blogger account....why does this happen....I blame the small boys who have been using the computer, changed everything around and then silently crept away...I have no idea if I will ever be able to sign back in again, so maybe I should just say everything I have to say now ;-)

So 2017 is well under way and the routine has become the norm again, after the bliss of the holidays. Christmas was good, although quickly over.  There was knitting

22.5 Degrees Martina Behm

and crochet, a corner to corner piece which grew and then turned into rather a nice cushion cover

 I took part in a lovely christmas present swap and received some beautiful gifts from a generous lady who had found out all about the things that made me tick.  It was so exciting opening up gifts from a stranger on Christmas night when the boys were all settled to their own things.

One brilliant gift among all the lovely suprises was a candelabra, which I know is supposed to be used in a cake, but I put it on the grasshopper pie I made on News Year's day when we had family for lunch.

Isn't that the coolest thing ever??

I sent my gifts to America, lots of bits and bobs.... my favourite sort of presents.

I knitted these mitts with some wool I bought in the Cotswolds when we were there in October....and packaged them up too for my giftee, (I'm assured by a genuine Californian knitter that people from California do sometimes have the need to wear gloves etc... (I had a small wobble half way through making and wondered if I'd lost the plot!))

I took part in my second 10k race in two months, which was a fun filled (apart from the huge mile and a bit hill at the beginning) run with other nutty people dressed in christmassy clothes.  I crocheted my hat the night before and managed to keep it on the entire  race, which was an endurance in itself :-)

After the run, the finishers were given glühwein and a christmas pudding to take home....you can't say fairer than that!

And then it was done....just like that...and me being me, started feeling the need for some fresh air and new plans....so that is what has been happening in small amounts.

 No big challenges, or difficult-to-keep resolutions, just some good intentions which will be worthwhile and reasonable......watch this space :-)

..and sew on....

Last year, about the middle of November, I decided I was going to make a 'skirt' for our Christmas tree, I had a pretty good idea, how I wanted it to look, so being the highly experienced sewer that I am (hhhhmmmm....) I bought lots of bits of pretty fabrics and started hacking  cutting and sewing.  I soon realised that although I had applied some maths to my pattern, I really had no idea what I was doing and within a few days my enthusiasm was nil and the skirt was in a project bag underneath lots of things that had suddenly become more appealing!

I'm not entirely sure that I approached the project this year with any better knowledge, or even a pattern, but somehow, grim stubbornness has allowed me to make something that is getting there (not without a few small tantrums and big headaches).   I have no clue what I will do next...but even if it's just straightening up the edges, throwing it under the tree and piling the presents on top, it feels like going forward 😉

I've finished off the second baby mini-blanket, I do like lots of bright colours, especially as it's been rather grey around here....we've had our fair share of rain over the past few days, it always seems to me,  that I'm a day behind on my choice of clothing for dog walking, yesterday was a perfect example...and then today's choice was way off!

Thanks for the good wishes for the job interview, I haven't heard back and I'm not sure I interviewed that well really, there is being relaxed about the outcome and appearing unprepared, I fear I may have come across as the latter....ah, well...as I said I'm incredibly blessed and happy with what I have.....

New Things

There have been lots of new things recently... I definitely feel a bit like I'm reflecting more....good or bad I'm not sure!  

This afternoon, I will be going to an interview for a Library assistant.  I haven't worked in this sort of environment for 13 years, although I realised when I came to put my CV together, I've actually done a lot of things which are definitely relevant.  I feel sure that if it is the right thing, it will all work out, otherwise I will not stress about it.

On the crochet front, I've been doing ripples, this one for a brand new baby boy (and I have a more girlified one on the hook as well)  These have been my go-tos when the boys have had various things to be at.

I've been going along to a running group on a Wednesday night, I'm pretty much the slowest there, but I smile all the way home (not so much when I'm actually running!)

This last weekend, I did a 10k with the running hubby and middle boy (I whined all the way around as it was hilly, muddy and puddly and I found it sooo hard!) but I did it and was smiling at the end!

(there was a huge hill at the end, which I had already decided at the beginning I was going to walk!)

At Christmas, I did a painting of the daughter of a  friend, taken from a photograph of her when she was working for a charity in Durban, South Africa.  Then a few weeks ago, I heard about a colouring book being produced by a children's charity in Kenya to raise funds, this painting immediately came to mind and I thought I'd see how it worked.

A few days later, I heard back that they liked the picture and hopefully will use it in their book.  I am so pleased, as it seemed so right to me.  The charity is called Rafiki Mwema (Loyal Friend in Swahili) and they look after both boys and girls who have had unimaginable experiences, supporting them and helping them to rebuild lives....an amazing work!

Lastly...not leastly...some knitting.  These (there is a pair, but impossible to photograph without another pair of hands) are a pair of wrist warmers made for a Christmas gift swap.  So quick to make and lovely yarn that I hadn't used before.  The yarn is Louisa Harding and I bought the ball when we were on holiday in the Cotswolds.

I discovered a lovely yarn shop (it's a knack you know!) in Chipping Norton, The Fibreworks, small but perfectly formed, offering lots of beautiful yarns and crafting classes to boot.  The lovely lady on the desk even allowed me to sign-into her wifi so that I could open my ravelry account and find out what I needed (I needed everything of course, but restrained myself to one ball!)

Birthday walk

So...a few photos from my big birthday day out.  I had a lovely birthday, the boys were in school so hubby and I planned a nice long walk along the coast path and a picnic.  The sky was blue and the day was just perfect.  

We walked a section that we haven't been to before, the coast path here spans 186 miles...all beautiful.  We are truly blessed!  

The real treat was stopping above one of the small coves which can't be reached by foot and seeing seals and their pups sheltering there.  The noise of the seals calling was quite something....really loud, in fact it stopped me in my tracks to see what it was.

Chester spent the day with us to...he is more keen than the boys to go for long walks!  It was a really wonderful day, over too quickly of course, but memorable and just the right way to mark a birthday in my opinion!

We've definitely been getting out in the mild dry autumn days.  During the school holidays we visited the Cotswolds in our caravan.  We've not been there before and it was a lovely introduction to an area that definitely needs more discovering.  The trees were what took my breath away, but the little chocolate-box villages were beautiful too...(I even found a lovely wool shop...bonus!)

It was lovely to go somewhere new and potter around.  Our caravan holidays always turn out to be super-relaxed, lots of sitting, reading, eating and chatting.  We did do a bit of walking, but honestly it was more about relaxing and not having to be anywhere else....just what we all needed!

I actually have lots of pictures and news to put on here....but it will have to wait...there's been reading, crocheting, knitting, drawing, running....gosh, it has been a busy few weeks!

Coldplay - come to my house for tea?

So today is the day before my big birthday....I know that I've been somewhat more reflective over the past few weeks and I'm sure it is no coincidence!

I rather thought I should have announced a big list of things that I was going to do before this birthday, but maybe it makes sense to look forward to all the things I am going to do, now I've reached this age :-)

I've always been one for dreaming big and have  talked about it here before.  I'm actually of the opinion that there is probably not many things that you can't dream for.  For instance, I love to bake and cook and I've always thought I'd quite like to have Coldplay come and stay at our house for a weekend, kick back, relax and enjoy some good welsh cooking :-)  I'm a huge Coldplay fan and this year finally managed to get tickets to one of their arena gigs.

It was by far and above the best thing ever!  In fact, I'm incredibly blessed as we've tried to get tickets for some years previously and never had any luck, but now this summer we went and my wonderful hubby has bought us tickets for next year too!

Call me delusional but I think there is no good reason for me not to believe that one day Coldplay may actually come around to my house, play my piano, eat at my supper table and go for a walk to the beach just behind our house..... ( I don't think that I am a 'scary' fan ;-) )... I just think 'Why Not?'

(Of course, I should go on to say, that if this should ever happen, I wouldn't tell y'all, as Coldplay would probably never come back to tea at my house again, which would be really disappointing ;-) )

My dreams for this coming year are going to be bigger and better

First dream....then dream a bit bigger, I'm telling you that you will do more, see more, achieve more when you dream big....