Stocki's Beautiful Bloggers' Blanket

Thought I'd show you the squares I am about to send (I know Jill, I am cutting it fine!) for the Beautiful Bloggers' Blanket for 2013.  Do you remember last year's blanket?  It was stunning, loads of colourful cotton crocheted squares, lovingly and painstakingly sewn together and offered as a prize to the lucky blogger picked from the hat.  As you well know, blankets really make me tick....and this one...made by so many different hands, is really special.

Anyway, although time is short, there is still time to join in and be in with a chance of winning this year's blanket.  Pop on over to Stocki, read all about it, and get crocheting.

My first square is called Impossible Hexagon, made in four different colours of Sirdar Sublime cotton.

The second square is called Alter Ego, again using the same sirdar cotton.

The third square has the same designer as the square above, this one is called 'On the huh'.  I did really enjoy doing this one, I thought the pattern was really clever.....something a little different.

The last square was just crocheted as I went.  This was made in some beautiful variegated cotton, Katia Samba that I bought from Stocki's new etsy shop.....you should check it out, she has some gorgeous handmade things, worth bearing in mind if you have a special gift to buy.

Anyway.....why not get your crochet hook out, find yourself some cotton.....and join in the fun!

Reasons to be cheerful.....

Well, here I am, linking up with Planet Penny for the last time for a while with my

Reasons to be Cheerful!

As the weather is beginning to show signs of improving, the reasons for being cheerful are maybe more obvious....not so hard to think of.  I have to say the weather has been drab and rainy around here, but saying that it is lighter for longer and definitely milder.......so think spring and what do you think of......

These are our first arrivals for 2012, twin lambs born yesterday..and another set of twins has come since. 

We sold most of our flock last year, so we only have 40 old girls due to lamb this year, and most of them will at least have twins, maybe some trips among them too, but being scanned so late made it hard to decipher. 

Our sheep are a unusual breed in that they shed their own fleece so therefore no need to shear....although the yarny lovers among you might be horrified at this idea, shearing is an expensive job with little return, wool production takes the nutrients to the wool not to the ewe's milk, and our ewes don't suffer with some of the horrible problems that woolly sheep do.

I love to see the lambs, this particular breed has thrifty lambs which stand very quickly to feed, and grow fast.....they will soon enough be out, running around the field worrying their frantic mums!

I have done loads of cooking and baking this week as we have had lots of family gatherings....I find the whole process of baking sooooo good for the soul.....the aroma of the above cake and a batch of blondies is filling our kitchen as I type......yummy!

I've finally sent off my squares for Stocki's Beautiful Bloggers Blanket.

You still have time to join in too if you're a fast crocheter........


Anyway, I have thoroughly enjoyed my taking part in the Reason's to be Cheerful each week....much thanks to Planet Penny for hosting it each week and bringing such cheeriness to our wintery days. 

Please do know that I will continue to be cheerful!

Reasons to be cheerful!

Routine? What's that? I know I used to have one, but somewhere just around Christmas I must have misplaced it, because we are now half way through January and I'm far from back in the swing of things. Littlest started part time school yesterday and yes....we have a puppy!

I've been enjoying doing something a bit different on the crochet front, making a few squares for Jill from Stocki, this is for the Beautiful Blogger Blanket that I told you about last week. It's been nice trying something different, a quick fix on the satisfaction front. Do check out this brilliant idea, you still have time to add your squares in and have a chance to win the final blanket, the closing date is January 31st.

You know that list of most stressful things..... you know.....divorce, buying a house....tell me...... where does house training a pup come on that? Don't get me wrong, Chester is a fun and cute family member, but boy did I not realise how upside-down he would turn everything!

Second reason for being cheerful we have knocked a week off the time needed to toilet train a mischievous beagle pup!

As I said, routine has gone out of the window and even the 'taken for granted' time I used to have for baking, has disappeared. I'm an old fashioned kinda gal and take seriously cooking and baking for my family. This morning, out of nowhere I found some time.............. and baking occurred!

I've just been for a quick peek, and I am not too late to join in PlanetPenny's

Reasons to be Cheerful

Why don't you  join in too with your reasons for feeling cheerful!

Reasons to be cheerful!

I'm hoping I'm not too late....although I'm definitely cutting it fine.  Despite my lateness, I haven't been racking my brains for

Reasons to be Cheerful

I have been too busy being cheerful to blog!

I have a blanket on the go! My favourite thing to do as you all know!  This one is for a new little baby boy, Kester, born just a few days ago.

The second thing I don't have a picture for, but it is the light streaming through the windows (and my house isn't too dusty for a change) I'm not one who suffers in the dark winter months, but the sunshine streaming through the window is great for the soul!

The third and maybe the most exciting one is that we are getting one of these.

This is our new beagle puppy who we are going to collect in an hour and a half........I am quietly excited and nervous all rolled into one!  He still doesn't have a name, we have a long list, but can't agree......any ideas?

I have so much running through my mind and haven't found time to blog at all.......please check out Jill's (from Stocki) Beautiful Blogger Blanket.  It is a simply brilliant idea that I can't wait to get going on (I know.....I know I must get on with it) .....its all about blankets, so you know I'm in don't you?!  Why don't you join in too, the closing date is 31st January.

Anyway.......I'm certainly very cheerful about that too.....why don't you pop over to PlanetPenny and join in the fun and spread some cheerfulness too.