It's been a good beginning to our New Year here with lots of tidying and organizing being the order of most days! I'm feeling full of creativity and inspiration and that anything is possible at this moment! All my colourful, crafty treasures, which have been helping to brighten the grey, dull days in this corner of the world in the form of threads, fabric, buttons, beads and yarn have been tidied neatly away into drawers, cupboards, baskets and tins once again. They have a habit of gradually wandering to other more unexpected places as the year progresses...some never to be seen again!
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| Long since forgotten cloisonne beads were a happy find.... |
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Quieter moments in the holidays have been spent knitting, sewing and making plans for the year ahead and as soon as we have some lighter days I will start photographing my new patterns. As you may know, I have two little prototypes sitting in my studio who are now looking more than a little frustrated about their current situation and so this is at the top of my list....Hmm, I just hope Mr Sun will be kind to us in the coming weeks!
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Below is a little peek at my 'in-between' knitting project as I like to call it. The lovely 'Cats and Mice' blanket by Jade Starmore, using the gorgeously earthy Hebridean 2 ply from Virtual Yarns and I must say it is a real treat. You may remember that I purchased this lovely yarn quite a while ago (!) The design involves lots of subtle colour changes and is knitted on circular needles with steeks which will result in a lovely neat finish. It's only the size of a baby blanket so shouldn't take too long ....except for the border... which I have a feeling may be just a little time consuming (well, I would need an army of helpers if it were for a double bed!) but it's a special project that I will take my time over and enjoy. Just between us, I've been having to force myself to put my needles down at times, but it's such a relaxing project and I am so enjoying it....the plan is to hang it over the back of our old vintage leather chair in the living room during Winter months....I promise to keep you updated on my progress!
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| Beautiful Hebridean 2 ply |
Oh my,..and a little bit of luck too!
Just before Christmas I was one of the lucky winners of Pomona's lovely Giveaway at
(Happy dancing here at the tearoom my friends!)
My prize....
'The Ruched Happy Bag Pattern '
from
(definitely worth a visit!)
owned by Amy Friend on ETSY who also has a lovely blog here
It's exactly the style I love and is now stored safely on my laptop 'to do' list!
The little felt heart has been filled with organic dried lavender
and I made the hanging cord from my left over cotton yarn...
I'm going to make a few to pop over coat hangers and into drawers
and of course, my daughters would like some too...
which means lots of heart making over the next couple of days!
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Sadly, it's time to leave you...
I do love my blog and visiting my lovely friends in this crafty world....
definitely one of my favourite places to be
and I almost forgot to mention that we passed
our 2 year anniversary over the holidays
which means ...
we have to have a little celebration very soon!!!
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I'm planning to spend lots more time here this year...
Let's hope it's a good one for all of us!
Speak soon..
Happy New Year Susan! What a gorgeously colourful and cheerful post :) Love your little 2012 heart with it's sweet edging, bet you will need to make quite a few to keep up with demand! Hope Mr Sun visits you soon - he has just popped out here and I am hot footing it outside to take some pictures whilst the light is good - has been dreadful for days! Have a lovely rest of the week xx p.s your knitting is looking so beautiful, can completely understand why you can't bear to put it down! x
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures, your work looks gorgeous :)
ReplyDeleteBee happy x
Have a delicious day!
Whenever I visit your blog I always leave feeing brighter somehow :D And there's so much eye candy ... *love* the blanket, and I can't wait to see the new comers to the Mary Jane family.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Susan, may 2012 be an enjoyable adventure :D
I'm so glad to hear you're going to be here on your blog more often Susan, that is good news as I love to visit you! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm also looking forward to see the little prototypes.
Your blanket is so beautiful, the colours, the pattern and your gorgeous knitting ~ stunning!!
Vivienne x
Lovely post, Susan! I love the bright blue heart and the tea cup, and all your crafty pictures too! Your knitting is gorgeous, and fair isle is so addictive, I do understand why you can hardly stop...seeing the patterns emerge really makes you want to do just one more row....again and again!
ReplyDeleteI hope Mr Sun shines for you this week! I love your blog and look forward to seeing a lot of you in 2012!
Helen x
Happy New Year! We open again soon - slightly delayed because of a fire near our suppliers.
ReplyDeleteGoing back for another look through.
the bathtime team x
(we have linky parties)
I love your blanket - the colours are so muted and pretty.
ReplyDeleteooh a lovely bright blog post on a grey day, just what I needed :-) Love the heart by the way, i can just about smell it from here :-) x
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty lavender heart
Julie xxxxxxx
The heart is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThere's something so satisfying about re-organizing a craft room, isn't there? And what a lovely find in those beads. Can't wait to see what you do with them. You have such beautiful color sense and I love the blue/red heart -- exquisite!
ReplyDeleteVERY envious of your cat/mouse blanket. It's gorgeous. Slow knits are often the best. Take your time. You've got a whole new year ahead of you!
Oh I can't wait to see what you come up with. I am also full of creative inspiration and ideas lately that I can't wait to do. Unfortunately the basement remodel needs to be finished first. I wish it was done so I could get to the fun stuff. I am hoping to finally get some patterns done this spring. I'll cross my fingers for both of us. I just need four more hours in each day!
ReplyDeleteHappy new year to you, and thanks for sharing all your lovely projects.
Julie
Happy New Year to you. Those hearts are such a lovely idea.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely bright post today Susan. Your knitting look SO difficult but will be gorgeous. Have a great 2012,
ReplyDeleteJane x
I am in complete awe of your knitting skills. Your work is so beautifully neat and precise. I have set myself a challenge to learn to knit and crochet from patterns so that I can start to knit some little bunnies and friends from your designs. Big hugs for a wonderful 2012 for you and your family. (I'm glad you like my new blog design, and my chandelier drop earrings. )Em xxx
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you! Your colorful pictures brightened my day. I love the beads you found. It's amazing what gets to lurking around the craft room!
ReplyDeleteHi dear! It's always delightful coming here because everything is so lovely! I wish you, dear, and your family a marvelous New Year, full of many blessings and joy! May your year be a fountain of love ! Lots of kisses, Rachel :))))
ReplyDeleteI'm in the process of organizing my supplies, too. I love finding little surprises that I'd forgotten about, a button or some ribbon. I've also found several patterns that I have to move up on my to do list. Have a wonderful, creative week.
ReplyDeleteSue
Mr Sun seems to have disappeared from here too, much to my frustration I have to say. Oh well, lots of cheer in your post today.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you.
Kate x
Sweet Susan!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful array of colorful goodies to keep anyone happy by a cozy fire, CREATING!!! THANK YOU DEAR for coming to read my post. May all that you do be a blessing to others; the work of your hands ALONE is enough to bring a smile to anyone's face!!
Anita
lovely photos. happy new year x
ReplyDeleteWishing you the Happiest of New Years!!
ReplyDeletehugs, Trish
Hi Susan i have to tell you it was such a pleasure reading this post, i don't even want to pick anything out & say i loved i,t as i loved the entire post!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have a lot on the go & so much more to come, can't wait :D
Have a sweet weekend
Lol Karen x
Your cheery colored heart in the perfect blue tone is very beautiful, Susan. A lovely and smiling making post, as always.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day, keep warm and cozy xx
I love coming to visit you my friend...your photos and words are always so cheery. Thank you for a great year! I am off to visit that etsy store...your giveaway win looks amazing. Hugs and love to you. xoxox
ReplyDeleteSo glad you like the pattern! I hope you are able to sew it up soon!
ReplyDeleteOh Susan, Thank you for dropping by Margie's Crafts and leaving your lovely comment, I do so love to hear from you. Congratulations on reaching the 2 years. I was singing your praises today at a shop in Carlow, Ireland, I saw some knitted rabbits in the window of the shop and I wondered if they were your designs, the owner told me they were not, so I found you on line and there were lots of oohs and aahs when they saw your work. I really love the blanet you have been working on, I really do enjoy every visit to your blog. big hugs, Margie.
ReplyDeleteYour colors and makes and all the things you're accomplishing are very inspirational. Thanks for sharing. Teresa from Oregon USA
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely colourful post! I love those beads, I need to sort out my crafty stash and always find things I had totally forgotten too.
ReplyDeleteThe blanket is gorgeous! Wow such detail and beautiful colours too, I love it!
I look forward to seeing the new projects when the weather is less grey.
Lori xx
Hi Susan, Great up date love the beads and your knitting project looks great cannot wait to see the finished article. Happy New Year. Jackie
ReplyDelete