Out of the loop

After an enforced absence from the internet, normal service is now resumed. Goodness me, have I missed this place! To think only six short months ago blogging was just a fleeting idea, and here I am now well and truly enveloped in it. I've missed visiting you all, and will endeavour to catch up with everybody's news as soon as I can. Funny how you can feel completely out of the loop, after only a few weeks offline.

I'm celebrating a mini milestone of sorts, I've reached 100,000 page views since my blogging journey began back in November. I'm really rather chuffed that so many people have taken the time to pop over for a wee look. Can't wait to get well and truly stuck in again,  there are lots of crafty pursuits on the agenda. I've just picked up my hook again recently. I started to seriously worry whether I could remember how to crochet, after my brief hiatus! I know, stupid eh? I can't tell you how good it feels to be a happy hooker once again! 

I'm looking forward to sharing some colourful crochet with you in my next post. But for now I'd like to share some snaps I took down at the riverside. Between the clouds and showers, we've had some welcome sunny intervals, so I donned my comfy converse to stroll along the pretty embankment. I just love living by this river. The floral displays on show this time of year really are breathtaking. 

There's always plenty going on along this lovely stretch of the River Ouse. I especially love watching the rowing. A regatta was held here last weekend, but sadly the weather was horrendous. Torrential downpours, even hail was thrown in for good measure. I felt for the young men and women taking part.

I see these youngsters rowing up and down, and I often wonder if I could be watching the next Olympic champion in the making? Another Etienne Stott maybe!?

Well, it's just a quick hello from me for now. 

I shall be back in a few days no doubt, with some hooky updates. 

Hope you're all well, and have a great start to the new week

x x x x x x 

Bring me sunshine....

After nearly six months of Winter, Spring has finally decided to put in an appearance. But as my father pointed out whilst chatting on the phone with me this morning, someone needs to tell the trees. They are all still looking rather depressed, devoid of any leaves, just plain old naked. Every branch empty, waiting for nature's permission to get dressed. I can't wait to see them flourish with new life, the greenest of green foliage, feeding the atmosphere.

The sunshine we've been afforded this weekend has been most welcome. I felt really motivated by it's arrival,  so decided to head out for a wander, destination unknown. There wasn't a cloud in the sky; just beautiful. I headed across country from Bedfordshire into Hertfordshire, travelling through some very picturesque little villages. Up over the Dunstable Downs, where kite flyers were in abundance as usual, and gliders took to the air, taking full advantage of the perfect conditions. Oh it was glorious to see so many people out enjoying the break in the weather. 

Instead of stopping at the 'downs, I decided to drive a little further on past Whipsnade Zoo, into the Ashridge Estate. A place where as a child, I spent many a happy day out with my family. Walking amongst the trees and eating the obligatory '99 from the van positioned conveniently by the Bridgewater Monument. A nice little earner for the Ice-Cream Man me thinks!

I had a lovely stroll, happily snapping away with my camera. It's a fantastic spot to picnic in the Summer, totally free and accessible to all. It was well worth the trip.

After getting thoroughly worn out with all the fresh air, I headed home to take up my usual position on the sofa for some hooky time. My patchwork is slowly but surely growing. I'm adding a few squares here and there. Bit by bit, I'll get there.

Isn't that the perfect spot to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon?! 

I think so.........

x x x x x x x

Going colour crazy, again....

Well hello everyone! Goodness me things have been hectic this last week and a bit. Feels like I've been M.I.A. or should that be A.W.O.L? Either way, I've returned to find an abundance of wonderful messages, and a flurry of lovely new followers. 

Thank you all SO much! x x x x x

On the hooky front, I've (yet again) found myself going 'cuckoo' for colour! I had a scoot through my 'go to' book for inspiration, Jan Eatons' 200 crochet blocks, and stopped on Page 76. I was instantly drawn to this lovely Sunray pattern, one, because it looked doable, and two, because it had a sunny theme. I did a tester in blue first, framing it in White. You may remember seeing it sneak into the frame in my last post.

My intention was to use a light colour for framing, but because I have a stash of Navy cotton to use up, I decided to go with that instead. I must admit I had my reservations about using a dark colour, but it's somewhat grown on me. Especially as it allows the colours to really 'pop'. What do you think?

Seeing as I've gone a bit bonkers for brights this week, I thought I'd add in a picture of some of my colourful crochet cushions, all sitting happily together. Each one part of my crocheting journey, all just waiting to be lovingly placed into that Split Screen V-Dub I've got my heart set on. 

Well, a girl can dream can't she............?

x x x x x x

A breath of fresh air......

Hello friends, do you ever get those moments when you want to scream 'Stop the world, I want to get off'? When everything around you seems to be moving at a hundred miles per hour, but in reality it's all just a state of mind? Well it's been a bit like that round these parts lately. I feel like I'm mentally moving at high speed, but physically can't keep up? I need to take a 'chill pill', as my friend Claire would say.

So what's a girl to do? Well, first up I thought a bit of much needed exercise wouldn't go amiss. Despite it  still being decidedly nippy outside, and there being zero motivation to leave the comfy confines of my humble abode, I made the effort. The idea was to take a short drive out into the countryside, stop somewhere pretty and take a walk. So with camera in hand, I braved the icy chill, and believe me it was f-f-f-freezing. The wind was howling! Why I bothered to brush my hair before leaving out I don't know. Let's just say I looked a little Worzel Gummidge by the time I got back.

It was well worth it though as I really felt the benefits afterwards, not to mention capturing some rather lovely piccies on route. All photos were taken only a few miles from home, but I can tell you I felt a million miles away. The temptation to stop in at the first watering hole was overwhelming though. A cosy corner in front of a roaring fire was very enticing, however I did not succumb. My plan was to make the most of the blue skies and sunshine while it lasted, so I dare not deviate and waste the opportunity.

I really felt I freed my mind of all the clutter on my wee meander, and once my little legs were thoroughly exhausted I made my way home. And what was the first thing on the agenda upon my return? Yes, you guessed it, a nice cup of 'Rosie Lee' (tea), served up in one of my lovely fine bone china cups, and some crochet of course. 

Just the ticket! 

x x x 

Happy Flower Block Tutorial

Hello lovely readers, before I jump into today's post I really wanted to thank you all for the wonderful comments on my last post. My rules seemed to resonate with a lot of you, especially number 3.Thou shalt not feel guilty for having too many wips on the go at once.There's no shame, we're all the same! (sorry, been watching way too much embarrassing bodies it seems. Those of you outside the UK probably won't have a clue what I'm talking about and may think I've lost my mind completely, don't worry it's just my silly sense of humour) 

It's a common side effect though of being addicted to yarn. It's impossible to solely concentrate on one project at a time, so let us rejoice 'we shall no longer worry about all the ufo's we have languishing at the bottom of our baskets, or hidden away in a drawer or cupboard. We are now liberated! Fear not hooky friends, no more will we allow ourselves to be judged for buying more yarn than is necessary, and flitting between projects. Agreed?

Right, down to today's business. Over the weekend I was doing my usual browsing online, and came across two awe inspiring projects here and here. I was knocked sideways by the gorgeous palettes chosen by both these very talented crocheters. I couldn't find a pattern, but as it looked like a fairly simple concept and with the visuals to guide me, I decided to try my hand at  working up one for myself.

I grabbed some yarn, (yes you guessed it) my trusty Catania Cotton and a 3.5mm hook, found a comfy spot on the sofa and proceeded to make my first block. One turned into two, turned into three, four, five. I got quite carried away with it. I was so happy with the results I took the crazy notion that I might try and write up a pattern for it to share.

So without further ado, I hereby present my very first attempt at a Crochet Tutorial. I've decided to call my interpretation the Happy Flower Block. Please bear in mind I'm completely self taught and have limited ability in this area, therefore if there are any mistakes I can only apologise. I've tried to be as detailed as I can, combining written instructions along with a pictorial guide. Please let me know how you get on? It would please me no end to hear you've given it a go, and it worked *fingers crossed* x x x

Just click on the images for a larger, more detailed view.

Please Note: 

Rounds 6&7 do not start in a corner space.

I begin the round where the previous finishes.

Also, pictures are as a guide only and do 

not always correspond exactly to the 

written instructions beside/beneath.

Thank you.

Ok, here goes *deep breath* x 

Foundation Ring

Round One

Round Two

Round Three

Round Four

Round Five

Round Six

Round Seven

Colour Therapy

How to make a dull day brighter?

Rule No.1 - 

Cover the sofa in a pile of the most 

colourful crochet you can find

Rule No.2 - 

Marvel at the expanse of yummy yarny goodness

you've managed to create

Rule No.3 -

Never feel guilty for having too many wips

on the go at once

Rule No.4 -

Always have a jug full of 

fresh flowers on display

That should do the trick!

x x x 

Overindulgence

I think it's fair to say that over the past few months I've well and truly overindulged on the food front. How many of you are (like me) starting to panic about the impending spring/summer months? With rising temperatures comes the inevitable shedding of layers and exposing of skin, which will undoubtedly uncover the true cost of all those extra portions I've consumed over the winter period. Help..............?!!!! 

I could reconcile all the grazing I've been doing whilst the days were darker & shorter, and the weather miserable, but now the sun is more frequently peeping it's head out from behind the clouds, I'm reminded that there's little time to waste if I want to shed a few pounds.

Thanks to my lovely Mum introducing me to the delights of M&S Jam Bakes recently, I've managed to find a new addiction. I generally do all my own home baking of cakes & biscuits, but I happened to try one of these yummy little bites whilst visiting my parents and that was it, I was hooked. 

Unfortunately I'm not one of those people that can eat what they like and avoid putting on weight. Sadly, I just have to look at a cake and I put on half a stone. A slight exaggeration may be, but truth be told I only have two vices, yummy food & yummy yarn! I don't drink, nor smoke, so I think it only fair that I should be able to indulge in the odd cake or 2, or 3.......

"Everything in moderation Sharron", I hear you cry. You're right, and I shall endeavour to remember that next time I reach for the biscuit barrel. 

One last thought before I go, for those that watch 'One Born Every Minute', don't you just love that bit in the opening sequence when the lovely Linda Abbott, long serving midwife at the LGI say's in her broad Yorkshire accent "we keep calm and eat cake". That was my mantra, guess I'll have to find another one now............

x x x x