Crochet side table

Oh my!  Isn't it beautiful?


I want one...

Source

If only I could afford one!

Available at Occa-Home.

Saturday outing :: Stockley Farm

It's the first dry day for ages... quick, think!... what shall we do?... where shall we go?... Somewhere outdoors?... Yes! 

So off we went to Stockley Farm. 

There was lots to do.

There were animals to look at, including a just-born-this-morning calf...

as well as kids, piglets and lambs... 

There were ponies to brush and horses to stroke...

lambs to feed...

and pigs to race...

There were tractors to ride...

hay bales to jump off and sand to dig in...

Thankfully, there was also copious amounts of tea...

and some of us went home with straw in our hair...

The children didn't want to leave...


I think this counts as a Good Day. x

This afternoon I am...

~ sewing in some ends on my granny square blanket ~

~ nursing some callouses on my hand, caused by weight lifting and sore thanks to swinging around some hefty kettlebells at the gym this morning ~

~ glad it's not raining and wondering whether I can go out without an umbrella this afternoon (I think it's rained every day in April where I live) ~

~ thanking my lucky stars that our council has a sibling rule when it comes to allocating school places - at least 5 of the nursery children that live closer to the school than we do haven't got a place in reception ~

~ wishing you all a great weekend ~

Off the hook :: Sukie

This is Sukie...

an amigurumi style doll from a pattern by Michelle at the Royal Sisters blog. 

It was me that suggested her name and I received a copy of the pattern in return. I must say she's been a delight to crochet and she's helpfully evened things up between the siblings. #2 declared that it was 'just not fair' that #1 got a panda as well as a Spring Bunny.  Although it's not as if he is short of bedfellows...

I've just changed his bedding and this is who was in it. Every night they all have to be firmly tucked in, at both sides, to make sure no-one falls out during the night.

Here are the details...

Hook :: 3.5mm and 4.0mm

Yarn :: acrylic dk (stylecraft, I think)

Pattern :: 'Sukie' by Michelle Kludas of The Royal Sisters blog


I hope you all have a great weekend x

Easter holidays - part 2...

Hhmmm, I'm a bit late posting this, but never mind...

The second week of the holidays was a bit of a wash out which meant much time spent indoors playing this...

Moshi Monster Top Trumps

 and this...

and splashing about in a swimming pool...

and monster doodling (these are Usbourne 'Monster Doodle' cards and are fabulous if, like me, you have a 'reluctant writer')...

I managed a bit of crochet making dresses for these lovely ladies...

Patterns from here

and there was the odd rain-soaked scooter ride because having a small boy is a bit like having a puppy and they need exercising whatever the weather. At the start of the week, the children took it in turns to have a sleepover at Granny's house which was a treat for all of us. It was lovely to spend time with each of my children individually - not something that happens very often.  

But, now, if I'm honest, I'm glad they're back to school - towards the end of the week there was a bit too much bickering and a bit too much listening to the Moshi Monster 'Music Rox' CD. Seriously, I am word perfect on some of the tracks!

x

Easter holidays - so far...

~ Those weird looking Easter chicks ~

~ Crochet flowers* to adorn the Easter tree ~

~ Lyme Park ~

~ The floor of the orangery at Lyme Park ~

~ Cadbury's mini eggs because it's just not Easter without them ~

~ Easter nests ~

~ The most beautiful orange tulips... ~

~ ... and ranunculus ~

The first week of the holidays has been fairly uneventful... the weather has been bad (cold, wet and windy in turns), we've been to the pictures to see 'The Pirates!', the children were away at the in-laws for a night, we've done a little Easter crafting and cooking and had a couple of trips out... 


I wonder what next week will bring. The only thing I can say with certainty is that it'll feature more chocolate!

Happy Easter!

* Easy crochet flower

1: starting with a magic ring, make 1ch and then work 12 dc into ring, join with a sl st to first dc and fasten off first colour

2: join second colour in any dc, work 1ch then 1dc in same dc as join, *5ch, 1dc into each of next 2 dc* 5 times, 5ch, 1dc into last dc, sl st to 1st dc to join round  (6 5ch loops and 12 dc worked)

3: into each 5ch space work (1dc, 1htr, 1tr, 2dtr, 1tr, 1htr, 1dc), join with sl st to first dc and fasten off. Weave in ends leaving a loop for hanging if required.

I used 4-ply cotton and a 1.75mm hook. This is a fairly generic flower pattern, I can't claim it to be unique.  Crochet terms are UK.