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Tranquility

Tuesday 29 January 2013

FRUSTRATING !!


Remember this from my WORK IN PROGRESS - LEAF SQUARES post?

Well, having completed 35 out of 36 squares, I have run out of the appropriate coloured yarn and so I must pop over to Kemps (my most favourite on line wool shop for really good prices) and hunt out another gorgeous toning yarn. (Such a chore !!!!! - so not!!)

I still then have the borders to add, and I really want to have this throw finished to make a centrepiece for my stall at my next Hand-Crafted Home Fair which is on Saturday 9th February at, of course, Stanwick Lakes - and getting very close!

So, off shopping now - see you soon.

Ruth

Sunday 27 January 2013

GET UP AND GO


Great day, the sun is shining, the sky is blue and the SNOW HAS GONE!  

And now, again my get up and go has come back, and just overnight, I feel so much more optimistic and WANT to get in touch with people again - I confess I have been hibernating.

I've not been lazy - one huge job done - all paper work is now filed, sorted or sent for recycling as appropriate - well to the log burner anyway - more secure don't you think?  My ring binders are tidy and I THINK I know where everything is!

In this paperless society - how come we get so much MORE paper now than we ever did years ago?

However, in the spirit of getting in touch with people, I would like to introduce you to Foreva Designs where you will find a beautiful collection of bespoke personalised prints.

Foreva Designs are based in Lincoln and have just launched their website - do have a look by clicking the link - you will find the perfect personalised gift for any occasion and with Valentine's Day and even Mother's Day on the horizon, we all want something new, individual and beautiful.

Sunday lunch is calling and so I must be off.

See you soon,

Ruth

Monday 14 January 2013

LET IT SNOW!


So the snow has arrived, as promised, and is falling quite heavily at the moment!

What more could you want than a thick, hand-knitted throw in Oatmeal and Berry Red to curl up under.  My big stone teddy thinks it's a good idea anyway!


I made this one in 2009 and it comes out every winter to snuggle under when the weather gets just a bit too chilly!  

I found the oatmeal yarn in a huge bag at a car boot sale - I think it has a lot of wool content and is boucle and tweed too - and so all round - very good.  The scarlet and white tweed was in my stash and I just made large squares and put them all together!


Don't forget that super hand-mades like this can be found at the 
Hand-Crafted Home Fair which will be held on Saturday 9th February at Stanwick Lakes, near Wellingborough from 10.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. and lots of other goodies too.

PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL PRODUCERS

Wednesday 9 January 2013

WORK IN PROGRESS - LEAF SQUARES




These are the sublime yarns I am using on my current project, my Leaf Squares Throw.  


Most of these yarns were a really lovely gift to me from my son's girlfriend.  I felt like a child in a sweet shop!  She searched them out for me in a yarn shop near to her home which was closing down - the good news is that it has since opened up again!



A Leaf Square on the way in sumptuous merino yarns.



One completed Leaf Square



And 4 joined together!

This pattern ,slightly adapted, is taken from a fantastic book called 200 Knitted blocks for blankets, throws and afghans by Jan Eaton.  You can just go on for ever mixing and matching the designs and colours and if you stitch as you go, the ending doesn't hang over you - I do find that many knitters I talk to are like me, and really DO NOT LIKE sewing up!  Are you the same ?

Happy Knitting!

Friday 4 January 2013

NEW YEAR, NEW IDEAS


First of all a Very Happy New Year to Everyone and a very big thank you to anyone who has taken the time to read my blog during 2013.

I just had to show you the stunning pic above taken by my husband at the end of our last Hand-Crafted Home Fair in December, of the sun setting across Stanwick Lakes.  This gives you some idea of our wonderful venue, and in 2013 things are going to be even bigger and better.

The team at Stanwick Lakes, which is run by the Rockingham Forest Trust, are giving me their backing in advertising my Fairs within their schedules, making my stallholders and I much more a part of the whole instead of my just hiring a room from them + we will be having extra stalls in the Reception area of the Visitor Centre.

The Hand-Crafted Home Fairs will now be held on the second Saturday of every month (except January) with the first taking place on Saturday 9th February - for which I am now taking bookings.

I will also be holding a Craft Workshop on Friday 26th April for Knitting Beginners of which more later, and I will also be attending The Big Knit 2013 on 5th July in aid of Age UK organised by Innocent Drinks.




I have just popped in above a couple of pics of my Ocean Throw which I completed at the end of November.  The yarn is an acrylic/wool mix giving it softness, warmth and strength, and the colours really do reflect those of the sea.  It is super chunky and warm as I used three stands of double knitting yarn and broken rib pattern is a slight change to the norm.  Alfred Bear is quite keen on it too!  It will, of course, be for sale at my next Fair.

I would love to make more throws and do have another one in progress and I am also looking at making some handbags - and so you know where to come if you want something different!

As always PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL PRODUCERS and do come and see us at The Hand-Crafted Home Fairs.