Little things

I've finished the beautiful little cardigan that I mentioned in my last post.  It was a delightful knit- really quick and I think it looks lovely.

Because it's only 0-6 month size, it's really weeny, and mostly done in stocking stitch apart from the little lacy borders.

And, as I said last post, I checked my gauge, so it actually measures exactly what the pattern says!  I particularly like it because I think it looks like a ballet cardi- nice and delicate.

Fun!

In other 'news'- I am loving this month's Country Living magazine (a subscription which I share with a good friend- SUCH a good idea!) and am particularly gleaning inspiration for garden projects from a lovely spread on an elegant garden make over...

It does make me want to do fabulous things to our little garden, though I know that now is not really the time! There is also a beautiful piece on a lovely Cornish-run hand-stitching business.  Brilliant!

Lastly.  Talking of inspiration, I am so excited by the wealth of beautiful craft blogs out there, and one of my current favourites is Florence's.  Do check it out!

Have a lovely weekend.

C x

Our local craft shop

Our local craft shop is rather beautiful.  There are actually three of them linked to each other, all run by the same people. There's a card making, jewellery making and ribbon shop, a fabric and general haberdashery shop, and a yarn shop.

I am a particular fan of the latter two, and yesterday, a friend and I were both lucky enough to have two baby/toddler-free hours to go for a little mosy around the shops.  I didn't really need anything beside two zips, but I came away with several goodies!

I'm not going to show all of what I acquired here now, as I hope to make some pretty things and then show some results!  However, I did acquire an interesting magazine- "Cloth"- I'd heard about it in another fabric shop, and have been interested to peruse it.  It's got lots of practical little projects and tips and advice for those interested in crafting.  Check it out sometime!

In the afternoon I made a little drawstring bag to feature the embroidery (see last post) as I knew if I didn't do something with it soon, I'd lose it and never get round to doing anything with it.  A friend I saw a few days back had a handy little drawstring pouch for her wallet in her handbag, so I thought making something of that size would be useful!

Right.  Now on with a spot of knitting, before (making the most of evenings before there's a little newborn to feed) Al and I go out to the cinema!  I may possibly have now got two projects under way again... I can't seem to do just one thing at a time.  But, I was good and checked my gauge- again!

Anyway.  Happy Sunday evening- I hope you enter the new week well-rested!

C x

Flowers

There's something fabulous about flowers isn't there? Having a little vase of them brings a ray of sunshine into the house.

Yesterday, on a little jaunt into a nearby town, I saw this beautiful bunch of anenomes sitting outside the flower shop.  They look a little wild, and they caught my fancy!

They made me want to draw flowers, and do some floral-themed stitching...

Flowers are springing up everywhere- yesterday E and I went for a walk and said hello to all of the lovely Daffodils and Narcissi.  Fabulous splashes of yellow on a slightly grey and windy day.

Today, with my Mum we visited a lovely garden centre, and I bought a few herbs so that I could start a little window herb-garden.  I was particularly excited by the lavender (one of my absolute favourite smells!) and the little alpine strawberry plant- I love the idea of growing my own little strawberries!

I leave you with a picture that makes me smile so much- the sight that greeted me when I asked my little 'un to lie down on the changing mat for a nappy-change!

As a history teacher, I'm so proud! (I should qualify that there were several pages on steam trains inside that he was particularly taken by).

Have a lovely weekend, wherever you are.

C x

Can a girl have too many shoes?

Since getting my new sewing machine, I decided that I needed a little project to get started on it.  I chose these lovely baby shoes from "Handmade beginnings" by Anna Maria Horner (who, if you are interested, has a lovely blog).  I made them in 0-3 months size, and used a Cath Kidston fabric with a white floral print inside, finished with a lovely big chunky button to adorn them.

In addition to this, I made a pair of little garter stitch silk slippers from Simple knits for cherished babies, in some 4-ply wool I had left over from a project a while back.  I decided to add a couple of odd buttons to give them a little feature.

The pattern is really simple, and they can easily be completed in an evening.  I enjoyed making them so much, that I thought I'd adapt the pattern to use moss stitch instead of garter stitch, and I used the slightly larger Debbie Bliss Cashmerino wool (which is oh so lovely to knit with!).  I was particularly pleased with the result...

Nice, and again quite simple, but in need of a little extra something, which was provided with a little bit of stitching around the edges...

So. There are still 10 weeks left until number 2 arrives, but she already has a growing shoe collection. Well, start as she may well go on I guess.....!
Happy Weekend.