Stripy

From rock love to sock love…

This week I made these socks, it was my mission. I actually began them mid winter last year, and gave up a quarter of the way through the first sock.  All that yarn changing, I mean who can remember to switch yarn every three rows?

Billy though, was happy to see me out of doors after days of rain (flooding in some parts of our country).

So with almost maniacal intensity I spent this week knitting. Before breakfast, knit. Waiting for kids, knit. At swimming lessons, knit. Turns out that if you use all those pockets of time you can in fact fit a lot of (in this case) knitting in.

Deliciously soft, the blue yarn is merino -possum mix. So soft and cozy for my toes. They are, Im pleased to report, a delight to wear!

He’s a good looking cat, isn’t he? When he’s not bringing rats in anyway…

OK, enough photography. That’s his come inside and feed me face. Jxo

Rocking and rolling

Recently the children have been obsessed with painting rocks. These rocks are decorated and hidden in various parks around our city – Hamilton – for others to find, love and re-hide. Dubbed Tron rocks (colloquially Hamilton is known as the Tron), this simple process has brought much joy to our family.

And as a result, the win for me, lots of family outings on rock finding and hiding missions!

Which is a win-win I’m sure you will agree.

Somewhat more sedately my crochet project is coming along nicely…

The motif for this section reminds me of the cheery faced pansies growing in my garden.

I’d forgotten how quickly and effortlessly crochet grows, and the colour palette is gorgeous. So bright and uplifting!

So that’s how we’re rolling here just now, I’ll leave you with this pic of the kiddos and Dad at the balloon ‘night glow’ last weekend. Oh they loved it, all the way from riding their bikes there, all kitted out in high vis with their bike lights on before the sun had even set, to finding friends in the crowds and dancing crazily with their glow sticks. They really were rocking and rolling! Jxo

Oh what a beautiful day…

My Sunday was a lovely day, here’s a summary – in pictures:

Start the day with a little early morning water colour… it was chilly sitting in the shade!

My support crew went tree climbing! 

Follow up with a hot chocolate and chai to warm up:

And maybe a little more sketching… she doesn’t look very happy in this photo, but she was, sitting there happily chatting away 🙂

Back home take a wander in the garden – I made delicious fig and ginger jam last week  – might need to cook up some more before the birds eat them all…

We also have an abundance of grapes, a little later than usual…

And some color here…

and there…

Help Maia decorate the Easter tree (glitter + pinecones!)…

After dinner, time for feet up and work on my crochet… which happily is coming along nicely. No more little ‘design features’ to report 🙂

And that was my day. Lovely!

What’s happening in your world? ~ J xo

 

Hygge progress

This photo was taken a moment after I realised I am one stitch short in my shawl…

Arrrggggh!

It wasn’t until I began the second pattern of the cross stitch that I thought it was looking slightly off centre…

I now know, after counting and recounting that I am one stitch out.

When did that happen?

Right from the first row….

What to do?

Hygge

Look what finally arrived this morning…

I’m so excited to get started on my hygge, I’ll keep you updated on my progress! 

Have a great Monday xxx

Daisy

For those of you who follow me on Facebook you will have seen progress of a little doll I am making for Maia.

She is rather cute, and has been named Daisy… which suits her, I think 🙂

The pattern is a free one; Yun Shu… you can find it here on Ravelry. She is very easy to make, the pattern is lovely and clear with lots of photos. I made a few modifications to her so I could make her clothes that Maia could take on an off rather than crocheted in place.

I am working on making her a bedroom box – inspired by this lovely creation made by the incredibly talented Beth from By Hook By Hand, and Im also slowly making progress on her wardrobe. More on that soon…

Any crafting (including sock progress!) has been a bit slow going because we have had lots of bugs in our house of late, the children and I have all been sick for what seems like weeks. It’s mid winter here so I guess that’s just par for the course, but it doesn’t make it any more enjoyable. Fingers crossed we are on top of it now and will be able to enjoy the coming (and last) week of the school holidays.

So what’s happening in your world? What are you working on?

J xox