A kit review and some crafting

I was disappointed not to get tickets to the Cath Kidston Christmas workshops despite phoning repeatedly for ages :-( .  Never mind! I bought these instead - lovely little Christmas decoration kits...

The gingerbread man kit is my favourite but there weren't any to be had when I first went shopping so I bought my next favourites...

The kits themselves are very generous with lots of thread, the pre-cut felt is quite nice quality too and enough to make two ornaments. The £2.99 price tag is also very reasonable. The kit also comes with the template so that you can re-make the ornament if you would like to.

I am really pleased with my snowman and can't wait to start the others.  If you see these kits when you are out on your travels then be tempted!! 

As well as some sewing I've also been doing a little Christmas...

Get in quick!

http://madaboutbagsuk.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/a-cracker-of-swap.html

Don't mind if I do!!

A few makes...

These makes have not been counted in my 'to do' list as they were finished almost before they were started.  My lovely class were going away on the ferry to Belgium so I made the noughts and crosses game the night before they went -it takes no carriage and is good for on-the-go.  

I nipped to a craft shop at the weekend and was very tempted by some new wool that they had in.  This is my new scarf...

 and this one is a gift...

Rose Tutorial

Just a quick tutorial to make a knitted rose...

Use 3.25mm needles and cast on 80sts with a DK yarn.  I always cast on with the thumb method because it makes for a nicer edge.  Purl 2 rows. Then work 12 rows of ss beginning with a k row. Next row: (knit 2 tog) repeat to end. 40sts. Next row: (purl 2 tog) repeat to end. 20sts. Next row: (knit 2 tog) repeat to end .10sts.  Leaving a long length of wool thread through the ten stitches.  Pull up quite tightly and stitch to hold.  (I always have the purl side outwards when I roll up the rose but this is preference - it has a different effect if you have purl side inwards). Roll up the rose starting at an end (making sure the two purl rows are at the top) and stitch along the bottom to secure.  Hope this is not too confusing!

For the love of fabric!

One of the lovely ladies that I work with went to Ally Pally at the weekend to the Knitting and Stitching Show - she brought these fantastic fat quarters back for me!

Which goes well with the bundle that I bought from CK...

Which goes with my Ikea fabric...

I feel a new project about to emerge! Because the twenty five that I have already started can just wait! ;-)

No 4 played football near the seaside on Saturday.  She managed to score and as a treat we visited the beach.  We saw a skip of a blue sky...

I was surprised to see the donkeys on the beach...

The weather was beautiful on Sunday and we managed to get lots of niggly jobs done.  A sad sign for us is when we move the trailer to the pig gate.  It was time...

I think that we all struggled to say goodbye to these ones this morning.  They have been lovely.  We now have three left which will go next Monday.

They have had a good life and we must now look forward to our rewards.  We are back to our original butcher which we are very glad about.

I normally really, really dislike photos of myself and the majority of time I press delete - it can be quite satisfying! One of my children took this when I was unaware and I really rather like it, wrinkles 'n' all.  So in a moment of sheer indulgence I'm going to share it...

Now that should scare the lot of you come Hallow'een!

Get me and my uptodateness with technology! Had a productive day today, I've cleaned out the chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys. Such a good feeling when it's all done. No 4 supervised - she's been poorly all week with a temperature of 39.4, it's been a real worry. I was also supervised by the pigs but I still can't upload pictures from my phone so I can't show you. Two of the pigs are going on a magic trailer ride in a week's time. It will be a very sad day as this batch of pigs have been particularly lovely. I recommend Oxford sandy and black pigs as they are extremly friendly and easy to keep and also buying rare breed pigs helps with the conservation of the breed. We won't be eating these ones as they are going to someone at husband's work. We will have to wait for the following week when the rest of them take their last journey. This also gives youngest daughter time to try and persuade her Dad that we really NEED to keep a couple...

Laptop has given up the ghost so I'm feeling bereft. So, here I am trying to use my phone. These new fangled contraptions are too much for me! I've had this phone for a while and was persuaded to choose it because the very nice man told me that I could blog on it...hmmm. For some reason I can't upload my photos from it so I'm not feeling the love at the moment. Here goes! Hold on to your hats I'm about to publish!

What's in your project pouch?

I always love to have small projects in my handbag for those moments when you're hanging around. These are my current projects to go:

The beginnings of an embroidered doll, just needs to sewn together.

 A hexi cushion to be.

 Some stray hexies.

Some knitted roses which I plan to make into a cushion. 

And no this isn't a project, but I bought it from Morrison's tonight.  It's a sweet pizza covered in custard, chocolate, marshmallows and strawberry sauce.  It was a step too far for me but the kids loved it! I think Laura G would love it!