Catch Up!!

Hullo!!! I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to be gone for so long or so randomly, it just got very hectic after my last post, with packing for university and getting drawings into my sketchbook. Then, before I knew it, I was in Leicester!! With no Internet... So I apologise and hope you'll forgive me. (The above photo is what I discovered when repacking my bags from last year, I had stored some bits at my Grandmother's house and mice had nibbled into my cute little pot of piri piri flavouring!!!)
Anyway, I'm sure you are all dying to know what my new room looks like!! I spent hours and hours decorating it; bought two new bookcases (broke four screwdrivers...oh don't ask!), pinned lots of pictures and fabrics on the walls, hung up bunting, bought a gorgeous new rug and spent a while faffing around draping blankets artistically over my (double!!) bed.

So what do you think? It has a very handmade and personal feel to it which I really love- when my friends come to visit they wrap themselves up in my blankets and make themselves little nests with the cushions which always puts a smile on my face!! We sometimes even have to get the blankets down off the top of the wardrobe too!!
Speaking of blankets, I have just finished a new addition to my collection! You may remember that I started this project waaaaay back in July, when I bought a crochet book with my birthday money and was inspired!! I chose four different square patterns and made twelve of each, learning all sorts of new techniques and ways to bring texture to my blankets. Finally, at the beginning of this week I began to put them all together, I finished the edging yesterday, and.....voila!!!!

 

I had an inspired moment whilst doing the edge, put bobbles in the corners!!! I think it really ties the edge in with the rest of the blanket and adds some much needed texture to the outer section. I only have one quibble, and that is that because the different square patterns are not all the same size, I've had to squish and stretch in some areas which means the blanket doesn't lie flat. However, I have been assured by various people that this doesn't matter and adds to the general patchwork feel so I am happy with that!! So then, some details for you all:
Four different patterns of square, times 12 each, makes 48 squares. They are organised in a diagonal pattern across the blanket, and attached at the front with double crochet to make a ridge. Each 'line' of crochet is attached vertically, and then the individual squares in the line are attached horizontally- if that makes sense (you may have to zoom in on the photo to get a closer look).
The edge is made up of a random series of double and treble stitches, with 6 bobbles in each corner.
I started it in the end of July, so it has only taken me about two months to complete- possibly the quickest time ever!

Last university year, myself and housemate Lucy bought a 'grow your own herbs' kit from Wilkos, although we never actually got round to planting them until last week. Look how fast they have grown!!

We have basil, chives, coriander and parsley!!

 

Although these little plantlets are late bloomers!!

Before I left for university I was half way through a post about my sketchbook, so I will post that up after this one!! But for now, I think that is all!!! Ta Ta for now!! =D

Beach Huts!!

Hurrah!! My Beach Hut ATCs have arrived!! Excitingly, there was a cheeky fourth one as an added surprise! (Usually it is a three for three swap) Check these babies out!

 (By Hazel- loving the little net curtains!!)

 

 (By Sam)                                                  (By Carol)

 

 (By Linda- I find this one creates a bit of an illusion when you look at it- the sand and the wheel are 3D, but the shed is just a printed image, even though it looks 3D)

Summer ♥

Greetings Chums!!! Would you look at that sky! The bluest blue you ever saw. Marvellous. Do help yourselves to coffee and cake- coconut sponge (shop bought- I cheated). What's that you say? The cute little elephants at the top left of the above photo? Why, they are from my latest Glazy Daisy endeavour. Would you like to see more?

I am very much in love with the bright colours, the stripes, the spots, the elephants! Who, by the way, are inspired by these guys...

...you may remember them from here and here.

The plate is full of summery colours, the sky, the sun, the sunsets/rises, flowers in the garden/house....

My Gladioli have opened up a treat and look absolutely stunning in the kitchen. The colours are just so wonderful, that no photo can really do them justice!

Last night was fun too. It was Crowborough's turn to host a carnival, although this time I was a spectator rather than a participant. The best bit is at the end, when all of the flaming torches and banners reach the green and light up the giant bonfire. The heat is incredible!

Tra La La La

Hello! Hello! Hello!! How are we all this fine day? I have been up for ages being a domestic goddess!! I've done the washing, hung it out on the line, made cheesy bites for tonight's picnic, packed most of said picnic, sorted and packed everything needed for tonight's stoolball game, done the washing up and the recycling, tidied the kitchen, gazed at my new gladioli and am currently boiling eggs to put into sandwiches later on! Talk about being organised!!

And somehow, in amongst all of that, I have completed my French Knot ATCs, packaged and sent them out with a sibling to be posted. Really, I don't know what's got into me!!

I think it must be the weather. I hope everyone is enjoying the glorious sunshine we've had ALL week!! Summer has finally made it. Better late then never I suppose. We have a lovely little Budlia growing outside the kitchen window, which recently has just been absolutely covered in butterflies!! A really lovely thing to watch whilst you are doing the washing up!

Did you like my new Gladioli? Buy one get one free from Tesco!! (Bit of free advertising there) How could I resist?! And they had a really lovely range of colours too, white, cream, peach, pink, red, deep purpley/red etc. I went for the peach and the deep purpley/red colours- the photos don't really give them credit. They are velvety, rich, exuberant and drop dead gorgeous!! We have so many flowers in the kitchen now as we still have the two bunches given to the Mother. Colour galore!! Plus, the wash basket is giving out some bright happy vibes this afternoon because it contains one of my NEW double duvet covers!

 

Honestly, I'll tell you now; my university bedroom is going to be so bright and colourful and happy you will have to wear sunglasses in it!!

And I can't write a post about colour and flowers without mentioning the garden- Dad's pride and joy. He has been working very hard landscaping a new patio and step formation. It's taken him a while, and he isn't finished yet- the final idea is to put decking over the top with table and chairs, but the general idea of the raised flower beds and curved steps down to the lawn is there. Very impressive.

And the flowers are already in!

Hope you are having a happy and cheerful day where you are!

Last of the Summer Inchies

Finally, we have reached swapping out day for the summer inchies. I received the last two sets in the post this morning so could finally sit down, spread them all out and get down to the business of sorting them all out.
Here are the last few sets (one I received a few days ago but haven't yet shown you):

 (By Debbie)

 

(By Linda- who made two extra for me to keep!!)

 

(By Paula)

 

So there you have it, you've now seen all six sets! Weren't they lovely, gorgeous, smoochy, delightful...?? It is so difficult to give them all away again, but somehow I managed. Here are the ones I have kept for myself (including the extra two from Linda).

 





Carnival Fun

Hellllooo!!! It is absolute mayhem in the house this morning. Various siblings have returned from various holidays and the noise and commotion is really quite wearing after a week of general calm and quiet.

Ah well, the weekend was noisy anyway as I was in the Uckfield carnival!!! Yay! It all went swimmingly I have to admit, although the feet did suffer terribly and I have had to spend a lot of time lying down to let them recover....
Our float won a first place award though!! Would you like to see it?

 The Back

 

The Front- the truck and all technological gadgets were lent to us by the Rotary Club

 

 

 

The two sides. All of the big drawings were done by one of the Brownie leaders and then coloured in by various brownies, guides and senior section girls who did a sterling job. I especially loved the Policeman and the Royal Guard- they were just fabulous!!

 

We had some pretty cool costumes going on too..

I'm on the far right, and do have my face painted but you can't really see in this photo. Like my hat?

It was a really good night overall; whilst waiting for the carnival to start and getting the float to the starting point there was flag dancing, riding around at breakneck speed, balloons flying everywhere, ducking tree branches... and when the carnival had started there was dancing and singing and giving out flags to the watching crowds. Fantastic fun!!