Little time to craft...

Needless to say, there's been little time to pick up the needles in the last few days.  On Friday, Poppy made a speedy debut into the world, and things have been busy busy busy since then!

I did have time to finish sewing buttons onto E's birthday Gilet...

And since then, I have done little crafting, although I don't think I shall be able to refrain for very long...!

(Pleased to report that the knitted tank-top fits perfectly post bump!)

Until then though, I shall be enjoying snuggles with little heads, and playing trains and diggers with a very much larger lovely boy.

I hope this finds you well.  Back to milk, trains, nappies, snuggles and not very much sleep...!

C x

Little things (part 2)

This weekend has been mostly spent in the garden, making the most of the gorgeous weather.
E has been discovering the wonders of spring flowers

And ladybirds.

I have been enjoying sitting in the sun, watching my family play happily, and continuing with my knitting, hoping that I will get it finished by E's birthday next week!

Hoping you are enjoying good weather wherever you are.

C x

Blocking

Having learned what it is, I am now blocking my various knitting projects.

The gilet is coming on well, though I've not done any for a few days (hoping, perhaps that the teeny cardigan will be needed before the gilet which is for E's birthday in 2 weeks!), and my other project on the go is (another) cardigan for the bump!  I just couldn't resist this gorgeous pattern from my Little Speckled Chicks Sirdar pattern book.  It's a super-quick knit, and I'm just on the borders now, having started it on Sunday.  Having checked my gauge before hand this time, it's nice to have a sufficiently 'newborn' looking piece of knitting!

I'm doing the little cardi in Sirdar Snuggly DK in the shade "Blush Baby".  Lovely!

As I was photographing the pieces pinned out above, I was admiring again my beautiful calendar that I was given for Christmas.  I've loved my Mum's calendars for the last few years, and this year we were lucky enough to be given our own.

It's produced by the immensely talented Ed Collacott, and every year they are just spectacular!

In other news, I recently happened across this beautiful blog by Aimee.  It has some fabulous patterns available, a fascinating blog, and some very thought-provoking writing on faith and marriage.  I highly recommend it!

Wishing you a lovely week.

C x

Busy (almost spring) days.

These past couple of days I have been...

Making a favourite recipe from my Wagamama cook book...

Admiring my son's very cute pyjamas that we were given over a year ago, but which he's just about grown into...

Posting a little portable gift to a friend...

And making fairly rapid progress on E's zipped Gilet- a really fast knit after the more complicated things I've been attempting recently!

That, hanging out with an enthusiastic toddler, seeing a handful of friends and trying to fit in the odd bit of housework has kept me fairly busy!

I hope you are having a lovely week!

C x

Nice things from today, and checking my gauge.

Today has been sunny.

That meant I could hang my washing outside... and it actually dried. So lovely!

I have started a new knitting project... Always nice! This time a Zipped gilet for Elysée from Debbie Bliss' book "Essential Kids".

Not only this, but I also checked my gauge! For the first time ever before embarking on a project, I took inspiration from Fay's blog and thought I would just be good and knit a tension square. And. Lo and behold I am a loose knitter! So I adjusted down my needle size, and am now happily ensconced in the project.  Had I not checked, I'd have made a gilet considerably larger than necessary!

My little pile of crocheted Granny squares is steadily growing.  It makes for a nice thing to do when one only has a little time to spare... The basic Granny square pattern says "you might also want to block the granny square"... Does anyone out there know what this means?

Last night I made chocolate soufflé.  Again- thank you BBC Good Food for an amazing recipe!  I read the comments and reviews below the recipe before starting, and decided to reduce the cooking time as a few people said it was a little dry.  That was definitely a good move, and the resulting dessert was wonderful- nicely risen but that little bit gooey inside.  Perfect!

I hope your day has also been a lovely one.

C x