So, here are the second pair in my #12socks challenge – the first pair of knee-highs I’ve ever made (and possibly the last)!

They were made for my friend, Madam Salami, for a wedding gift.

She chose the pattern Lakeside by Julia Vaconsin, which was a very easy pattern to follow, and she chose yarn by Puddytatpurr [...]]]>

So, here are the second pair in my #12socks challenge – the first pair of knee-highs I’ve ever made (and possibly the last)!

They were made for my friend, Madam Salami, for a wedding gift.

She chose the pattern Lakeside by Julia Vaconsin, which was a very easy pattern to follow, and she chose yarn by Puddytatpurr of Fluffosity, who dyed up the colours she wanted as her wedding gift, and posted it off to me to be knitted into the socks.

Really hope you like them!

Now, I may have mentioned my love of hand-made socks once [...]]]> A few days ago I noticed the #12sock tag on Twitter. Following a few links I found this gorgeous photo of a drawer full of hand-made socks on 12 Sock Project Blog. The idea being to make twelve pairs of socks over twelve months.

Now, I may have mentioned my love of hand-made socks once or twice, so I decided to join in (not that I need anything more on my to do list, but.. you know…)

So, I rooted around my box of yarn I’d been saving for socks and decided to start with a purple pair, I chose to knit Monkey Socks, by Cookie A.

The first attempt were too big, the second attempt too small, the third attempt are still a little too big, but I am NOT knitting them again. I blame my cat, who chewed up the bamboo dpn’s in the size I needed. The pattern was very well written and easy to follow, the only problem I had with it was when it was very late, I was very tired, and was reading Sl1 as S11.. and wondering what on earth S11 meant.. *rolls eyes*

So, my first pair are done.. Think I will do Hedera next

This is the latest ‘in progress’ piece – a celtic knotwork design on a long tray/dish/thingy.

I used to do a lot of knotwork designs, on strangely shaped things like guitars, and could whip up pieces of celtic to fit the curvy shapes fairly quickly, so although it’s been a while since I did [...]]]>

This is the latest ‘in progress’ piece – a celtic knotwork design on a long tray/dish/thingy.

I used to do a lot of knotwork designs, on strangely shaped things like guitars, and could whip up pieces of celtic to fit the curvy shapes fairly quickly, so although it’s been a while since I did a guitar, I figured a piece to fit the simple shape of this tray would be very quick and easy to do..

Wrong..

I’m so rusty at this knotwork lark, it took 3 attempts and numerous hours, and a bit of flouncing before I was finally happy with it, but here it is in progress at last!

It still needs a thicker ‘finishing’ outline added, and shading on the knotwork, but it should be done within the next couple of days.

Once finished it will be available to buy through my FB page.

And a few shots of the colour in my garden – as the majority of it is filled with vegetables, it’s nice to see these few brightly coloured flowers appear.

There is also an enormous poppy growing, at the last count there were 30+ buds on it, looking forward to seeing them start opening up

As always, pics are clickable to view them fullsize.

We spent our day yesterday in the garden, tending our veg, mowing our lawns, digging our pond, and most importantly – loving our frogs

I remember collecting frog spawn as a kid, keeping it in an old washing up bowl in the garden, being thrilled to see the transformation from spawn, to tadpoles, to [...]]]>

We spent our day yesterday in the garden, tending our veg, mowing our lawns, digging our pond, and most importantly – loving our frogs

I remember collecting frog spawn as a kid, keeping it in an old washing up bowl in the garden, being thrilled to see the transformation from spawn, to tadpoles, to frogs, then finally releasing them back into the stream we found them in.. Am so hoping our own pond will be used by the frogs next year, and that my little one will get to see the cycle for himself

This day in particular.

Balloons, banners, presents, new and exciting plastic tat, sweets and E numbers galore. A riot of colour and excitement, and a bit of wall bouncing

And The Cake..

I follow ‘HomeBakedOnline’ on Twitter and her profile picture made me really want to make the Rainbow Cake.

I changed a few things, owing [...]]]>

This day in particular.

Balloons, banners, presents, new and exciting plastic tat, sweets and E numbers galore. A riot of colour and excitement, and a bit of wall bouncing

And The Cake..

I follow ‘HomeBakedOnline’ on Twitter and her profile picture made me really want to make the Rainbow Cake.

I changed a few things, owing to my lack of preparation and having to work with what we had in the cupboards – I had to stick it together with buttercream instead of the gorgeous sounding white chocolate ganache, and I also had a layer missing (due to burning it..!)

It was a bit of a faff, and my food colouring wasn’t quite bright enough for my liking – I had serious doubts as to whether it was going to work at one point, but I think it turned out ok – and was certainly well received

HomeBakedOnline website

HomeBakedOnline on Twitter

A special, precious, fabulous day.

We spent the afternoon [...]]]> Today was a very special day, and it didn’t fail to live up to expectations..
Even if it started at 4.30am – it just meant we could pack more into one day!
(Almost) everything that was wanted was received, the smiles on small faces will remain with me forever.

A special, precious, fabulous day.

We spent the afternoon at our local castle, watching ‘The Vikings’ battle.
You can find out more about the group >Here<

“Rhuddlan Heritage Society with the support of CADW are staging a celebration of the events that took place in the year 1075 AD. The conflict between the Norman Lord Robert of Rhuddlan (a veteran of the Battle of Hastings) and the Welsh Prince, Gryffydd ap Cynan. Over the Bank Holiday weekend (Sunday & Monday) you will be able visit both the Anglo-Norman and Welsh/Viking encampments. The Battle finale, on both days, will see the Anglo-Norman army take up defence on the original battlefield site at Twt Hill Motte & Bailey. Prince Gruffydd will then march his Welsh/Viking army out of the Edwardian Castle to give battle.”

We wandered around the castle, marvelling at the sites, wowing at the walls, staring through the windows/arrow slits at the beautiful scenery beyond..

We live in such a beautiful place, with mountains, and beaches, and fabulous scenery, we’re so lucky. We may not appreciate it enough, we really should..

I am proud, honoured, grateful, happy, fulfilled, content.

And really tired

And I wish I hadn’t bought MouseTrap. Setting it up sucks.

We got a Horrible Science Blood Bones and Body Bits (minus the plaster of paris, which we have lots of, so no probs) I got a bag full [...]]]> Please click on my photos, they’re lovely full size! We are often to be found mooching the charity shops, here are a few of our latest finds!

We got a Horrible Science Blood Bones and Body Bits (minus the plaster of paris, which we have lots of, so no probs) I got a bag full of buttons for 50p and a lovely vintage book of doll dressmaking – costing 25shillings.. I <3 it

The package arrived and the first thing I noticed was the lovely address label. Upon opening it there [...]]]> The lovely Jane, of Snapdragon has been running a few giveaways lately, clearing out old stock, one offs, items that didn’t make the final cut etc, and I was lucky enough to receive some goodies

The package arrived and the first thing I noticed was the lovely address label. Upon opening it there was a beautiful catalogue, full of colourful, gorgeous photos, which made me long for the day that I am so organised with my own, very new, business!

Then, unwrapping the tissue paper, there was my lovely machine embroidered piece, complete with black cat strolling across it.. I don’t know what I will make it into yet, but it will be something for my bedroom, something just for me

There was also a piece of fulled wool, for me to have a go at machine embroidery on. As this is something I’ve been thinking about for a while, this seems like the perfect push towards it!

Thank you so much Jane, I really appreciate your generosity and your lovely work, you’ve inspired me to try new things.

You can find Snapdragon on Facebook
Or take a look at the Website
Or the Blog

So we set off to the Post Office in the rain, wellies on ready for puddle jumping, to send the little stripey sockmonkey on the left to his new home – he is to be a birthday present for a little girl, and I hope he makes her very happy!

On the way we called into [...]]]>

So we set off to the Post Office in the rain, wellies on ready for puddle jumping, to send the little stripey sockmonkey on the left to his new home – he is to be a birthday present for a little girl, and I hope he makes her very happy!

On the way we called into a local exhibition space, to enquire about having my pyrography on show/for sale there. It’s a lovely space, and has some brilliant works of art in there, amongst those were some bizarre/macabre dolls and horses – wish I’d got photos and the name of the artist, they were amazing! Had a lovely chat with the lady in there, while the Boy tested his voice in the echoey surroundings

Also booked an exhibition space in the local library for next year, so should give me plenty of time to build up some more work!

So, off little monkey went.. His friend, on the right, is a little lonely now though, hopefully he’ll find a new home soon

Other available creatures can be found on my Facebook page: >Here<

Edit: I have found out the creator of the dolls/horses is an artist called Badge

You can see more of Badges work >Here<