moss stitch

love/hate

2012-01-29T15:13:00.003Z

I have a love hate relation with the magazine Inside Crochet. Its full of good information, new yarns out and quite often good patterns and I have done many like this hat, and there are many other patterns pending!

But then you turn the page and this is what you are faced with...

Now pretty flower crocheted earmuffs, err yes ok... But WHY do they have to be tied under the chin? Not a good look for anyone.
Then there's this shocker...

There are no words.
Neither models look exactly happy with what they have to work with... earmuff girl is most certainly thinking 'why me/let this be over soon/this won't be going in my portfolio'

I really like the blanket and really want to give it a go but am dithering whether I 'need' another blanket and if to use the same coloured yarn or go for a different colourway. Wish websites would knit a decent swatch up to show the colours when the yarn is variegated.

Of course this is only my opinion, you may rather fancy a very heavily fringed, short poncho - or is it an arm warmer? And often tie your earmuffs under the chin!

One of the better patterns I'm following is for a lovely cobweb shawl, except I've used a heavier wool that I bought.

On my way to see a dear friend before Christmas I called in at the The Handweavers Studio, I've been meaning to go ever since they moved to Finsbury Park with new owners. They used to be in Walthamstow and its one of those places you can't help but leave with a much lighter purse but it is a very inspiring shop. I left feeling the need to do more felting as I haven't done any of ages and have a stash of fleece I bought many moons ago. An excuse for another visit to restock tho and plans for some felting with the children over half term!

I haven't forgotten a give away promise. Its been in the making and I slightly self doubted whether anyone would like it but I think it's ok now!
Watch this space!

new things

2012-01-23T12:59:00.003Z

It feels odd to still think we are in a 'New Year' but its only 3 weeks old. My New Year has so far brought -

A new job, as well as my Art teaching job. Still haven't quite got into the swing of things but it seems to be going OK.
Wilma started laying again, quickly followed by Myrtle. So most days we have eggs! Yay!
I finally finished what has now become known as 'the big pink thing' it has taken a heck of a lot of wool, but I'm very pleased with it and glad I pushed myself through this pattern.

Also finished is the crescent moon scarf. I didn't add the tassel edging as I'd run out of wool! Moo followed me round all morning and put herself into every picture! Think she was trying to get some attention!

I have now completed the top and back of a quilt, just need some time to lay it out and put the layers together. Have no idea about which way to quilt it, whether to tie or hand quilt. It's quite big so think some tying will suffice or maybe a bit of both!

Franks quilt has also been started. He's been after me to make it bigger, luckily my stash had some ready made bits left over from the making of it. So have managed to utilise them.

And then there were some Birthdays... F+T's who are now 12. 12?! How did we get here?
Feeling poorly. I haven't had a cold for, I think, over a year. So not bad going, trouble is I think it has all come at once. Feeling a bit pathetic!
With the start of a new school term for F+T came a new way of homework - projects. A big project for every subject and they both feel overwhelmed by it all. But I keep pointing out that they are not all due in at the same time and we have to do a little, very often! The usual preteen groans, moans and everything else are usually well aired. Part of the homework is to make models... one an instrument the other a body organ. This is where I groan and mumble as I have to help both come up with something that is different from each others...

2011 in pictures

2012-01-04T13:39:00.001Z

As usual this time brings the needs for clearing out, sorting and planning. My world changes next week when I start another job, just mornings but adding to my other job. The balance should be just right as I'll have 3 afternoons off, that I hope to manage better than in the past. Its exciting but a little daunting as it will be a completely new direction.

Sadly the London Walks will end, although we will try and get a few in on the odd weekend and maybe some local ones in the afternoons, I shall miss them so much. As well as the walks I will also miss my knitting group too.

So this was 2011 in pictures...

Hope yours will be happy, healthy and prosperous!

The last post.

2011-12-31T16:47:00.000Z

This Christmas was spent with M's family in Scotland which was lovely. Christmas, I believe should be spent with family and we have stuck to this every year. The trek up only took 7.5 hours with an hours stop at our favourite Westmoreland Services. They have an amazing food shop there!
Christmas was lovely but we didn't get our white Christmas like last time, instead it was wet and windy. M's Dad was quite poorly and we were very concerned, he's 80 now and went downhill very quickly but he got up on Christmas Day to be with us all. We had to leave for the home on 27th and he seemed to be a little better.
The trek home took us a whopping 11 hours. We crawled all the way from Liverpool to just before the Toll road at Birmingham for no apparent reason!
By the end we were all a bit tired and grumpy except Moo who slept the whole time. She too had had a funny turn at Grans, as too many walks seemed to be causing her to have laboured breathing and panting while resting. She has a heart murmur but not bad enough to need anything for it. Since her lazy car journey she seems to be fine!

Some things while we crawled along the M6:

We lost count of how many people were on the phone.
You could tell those who were texting but pretending not to.
Cars boots very full.
An old fiesta car totally full of small logs.
A huge ginger cat sitting on the back shelf of a car.
Spotting a car with The Isle of Man number plate - don't know why we thought it funny but we just did!
Listening to Gangsa Granny wrote and read by David Walliams - hilariously funny and great light entertainment.
Munching on chocolate with sea salt - it shouldn't work but it very much does!
Catching up with the same people - over and over!

Ted posing for next years calendar!

So this will be my 250th blog post and the last for 2011!

To celebrate there shall be a giveaway but not until next year...

Wishing you all a very Happy and Healthy New Year.

Gill

xxx

ow - my eyes!

2011-12-19T14:28:00.000Z

During our trip to the seaside last weekend we spotted some very nice fleece lined knitted snoods which Ted really liked. I promised him I'd make him one as I have loads of left over fleece from making the inner bit for the pouffe. He made me promise to use his luminous yellow wool he has. Now the photos do not do this colour justice!

I started it in the evening and using up left over wool - Ted wasn't over awed by my left over stash... it was no where near bright enough for his taste but I continued on.

In my mind it would look wonderful - a bit like the gorgeous blanket here. It wasn't till daylight that the true colour shows... blimey it burns into your eyes!

Ted loves it and has worn it constantly... quite often as a hat too!

I've been trying out new crochet patterns, this one is a Treble Fan. I re-jigged it so it continued in the round as I wanted it to cover some tin cans.

I thought they'd make good presents but once I finished I didn't think people would appreciate an old tin can covered in crochet! Maybe a glass jar?

This idea is now in the 'pending' pile for further development!

The Crescent moon shawl is now coming along nicely. I'll admit to ripping the whole thing back and starting again as the part of the pattern overlapped as it has been printed over two pages in the book, I thought I could cope but clearly I couldn't! So photocopied each page and stuck them together - without the repeated bit.

We are heading north to Scotland in a few days to see family for Christmas so hope you all have a wonderful Christmas.

No more madness

2011-12-15T09:38:00.000Z

Its the last week of school and I've just realised that I am really missing the usual madness that happens around now. F+T are in Secondary school now and there are no Carols by Candlelight nor Nativity plays to attend to watch my little people with tea towels on their heads or such like.
Its very sad and I hadn't realised it would all come to such an end.
Boo.

Long shadows on Dunwich beach

Last weekend we took off with friends for a weekend by the sea in Dunwich. It doesn't matter what time of year - I just love being by the sea. There wasn't much lingering to be done along the beach, you had to keep moving to keep warm and keep scanning the beach for good finds. Then return for mugs of hot chocolate and lunches at the pub.

Shopping trips to Southwold and walks along the very windy pier, we bobbed in and out of shops to keep warm (good excuse!) and the children had fun playing the many unique games at Under the Pier Show. Tired but happy after all the walking and sea air we had tea on our knees watching Strictly while shouting/screaming/whooping!
It was heavenly and should be done more often.

Moo

Moments from this week.

2011-12-09T09:01:00.000Z

The car had to have two new front tyres.

They are not any ordinary tyres they are special 'run flat' ones and very expensive. While ~~in shock~~ they were being fitted I ventured out onto the High Road of where I used to live. I mooched about killing time in shops I used to go to reminiscing about when the children were little. It was too flipping cold so went back and sat in the gloomy waiting room which left me feeling equally gloomy and very much empty pocketed!

Moo got the munchies.

She riffled in T's bedroom and managed to find a bag of bonbons in a draw and ate them all. She then helped herself to a loaf of bread I'd just bought. The next day she rooted around in my Christmas presents bag that where waiting to be wrapped. She dragged it around the room to get at a box of Black Magic. Then ate the lot and left the ripped box of evidence outside T's room. I thought chocolate was bad to dogs?

I'm sorry

Wilma has a fancy bird.

We have an exotic bird that visits us from time to time in the garden for the last 18 months or so. It spent a good half an hour wooing Wilma, singing and flapping its wings at her in some courtship ritual. She ignored it.

Wilma just out of view

not the best picture but look at that red!

There was an egg laid this week.

I haven't had any since August. This one was in the run and broken so we still really haven't had any. Wilma, who probably laid it, sat on the nest that day looking extremely gloomy. So gloomy that she let me pick her up - which is unheard of! Maybe she too was in shock.

A doodle child.

Finding little things written in T's school planner that make me smile. (He won't be happy about this so keep it under your hat!)

In the post

My humongous borrower like ball of Aran wool arrived to finish off my shawl, the sheer size of it is quite daunting. But I'm pleased I can finish it and will hopefully have enough wool left over to make something else.

Never enough - I'd say.

2011-12-05T14:15:00.000Z

I think I'm addicted to Japanese crochet books and shawl's. I can't seem to have enough!

I finished this one off a while ago using up Rowan Tweed from my stash. I didn't have enough of the main colour to finish the border but luckily had another colour in the tweed, I think they go well together and I wouldn't have gone out and bought them to make this.

This beautiful bobble shawl has come to a halt. I bought the biggest ball of wool ever, which made me feel like a Borrower working with it! It was a whopping 500g ball of Wendy's Traditional Aran wool and I've ran out - how could this be?

I'm on the last of the repeat pattern but still have to do the borders. I'm finding it hard to read the Japanese books about quantity - will this shawl really use up more than 500g??

Following this pattern has been quite an event. At one point, near the beginning, I nearly flung it across the room at my Knitting morning! Each section is made up of 6 rows, each being very different. You really have to think about it and not make a mistake as it really throws it - usually you find out too late and ripping back can be so frustrating.

I've been trying to get hold of the pattern for the crescent moon shawl after seeing it on Ravelry. After much deliberation I bought another book...

The title of this book is 'Easy Crochet Complete in 3 days'

Ha - if you work at it solidly then maybe yes.

So how many shawls/wraps does a girl need?

making in secret

2011-11-24T09:20:00.001Z

I've been busy with secret things over the last few weeks...

An owl cushion for Frank....

(he was waiting for his feet to be put on)

A squirrel cushion for Ted...

(just waiting for eyes and a bit of tartan)

And a jumbo crocheted pouffe for my brother.

Ssshh, don't tell.

yearning

2011-11-11T11:46:00.000Z

I haven't made a quilt for ages but have had a long, long yearning to do so.
Sometimes the ideas in my head need time to mull over and sometimes along the way they get confused and muddled. I really want to push my quilting ability and do some complicated stuff, maybe this is what's scaring me.
I yearn to try a wagon wheel type pattern but with ultra thin and long, thin triangular pieces radiating out from the centre and a postage stamp quilt with teeny, tiny squares - possibly combining the two.

Fabric has been gathering in all this time for such a quilt. Today I pulled it all out along with all my other fabric. This, I have realised, is the reason it has not started. Its all wrong. The fabric that has been gathering in this holding pile would not work and I now remember my idea for a 'tea and cake' quilt. Another idea from way back long forgotten and muddled into the ideas of others. I pulled out more and more fabric in a vain attempt to save the situation.

So I headed to the bookcase armed with a coffee to trawl through books for ideas and have come up with something that will use these wrong fabrics to make a much simpler quilt. Maybe with a teeny tiny sugar cube like stamp sized border.

For the 'long in process' quilt I need to think of fabric and colour and gather inspiration and so the wagon wheel stamp quilt will wait another day or so. With a new 'holding pile' to begin.

Introducing...

2011-11-07T11:44:00.001Z

Meet Myrtle and Hattie.

Wilma is not happy.

And paced around the run the whole afternoon while they got used to their new home. Now she's in with them she is being mean and they are refusing to come out.
Hopefully calm will resume soon.

cobweb blowing

2011-11-06T15:34:00.000Z

Last week I was still on half term, the half term week with the children flew by and we spent it half going out on trips and the other half just being at home. They both needed those quiet days more than ever.

So last week I had no big plans just coordinated it so that the first two days were the out and about days while the rest of the week was spent at home.

I spent a whole day reshuffling the back room as it was still not right. Moving furniture by yourself is hard going but I rather enjoy it.

As a child I spent many weekends reshuffling my bedroom which also meant a good clear up too. I loved it at the end when everything was spick and span!

So once furniture was moved I sorted and cleared out mostly my wools which had gathered into 2 large baskets (there are a further box and 2 other baskets in the front room!) So you can understand my need for stash busting!

I found things long forgotten and unfinished, one being a stash of my very first granny squares - I made loads (71 squares in total) but never put them together. I can really see how my crochet has come on and at the time putting them together probably seemed impossible!

So what to do with them?

Do I crochet them into a blanket or just do yards and yards of bunting?

Nancy and I decided a quick local walk was in order to blow away some cobwebs. I was beginning to think how easy it would be to become a hermit, 2 days seeing no one but the family, just me and Moo with the odd visit from Ollie cat!

On my doorstep is Wanstead Park - a beautiful place with ponds, open fields as well as forest. There is now nothing left of Wanstead House which once stood within the grounds although the Temple still stands as does a very derelict Grotto which is slowly being saved.

So we ambled around the park following the paths around the ponds, we decided not to get too close to a massive swan who stood his ground. I'd seen him earlier in the week with Moo and he stood his ground in exactly the same spot!!

It was beautiful and just what was needed. This week will be different as there is much more going on - particularly 2 new hens to our household. I shall be fretting for the next few days while they battle out the pecking order... but that's another post!

Pixie

2011-11-01T12:58:00.002Z

Pixie had to be put to sleep yesterday as she has been poorly on and off for a little while, the vet thinks she had tumours. I didn't think I'd cry at the vets but I did and again at home... a few times.

This was her on Saturday after a bath, she happily let me blow dry her and promptly fell asleep on my knee.

A lap hen - how lovely.

stash busting

2011-10-25T11:47:00.000+01:00

Over the last few weeks I've been cracking on with some presents and stash busting while doing so. I decided on some Toasty like fingerless gloves as they use approx 50g balls and amalgamated some patterns off Ravelry.

Rowan Lima yarn

Noro yarn

Getting the size right proved tricky for these 2 pairs (below) as I found out after completing one and trying it on.

It didn't fit! This was because there wasn't as much stretch in it as I'd done it in a crochet moss stitch as opposed to a double crochet or half treble in the previous ones. So I had to rip back to the rib and make a little bigger.

Very annoying.

Rowan Lima yarn

Unknown yarn but super soft!

I bought a new book which I have been pouring over for days and trying to suss out Japanese. All my efforts translating my other two books did not help with this one, mostly with deciphering which weight of yarn was used. This book obviously didn't list as yarn type (DK, Aran etc) but a specific yarn.
A photograph of the page that lists the yarn and a plea for help on Ravelry's Japanese crochet forum proved great help and a lovely lady sent me links to all the yarns used in the book - I couldn't thank her enough!

The book has only 4 shawl patterns but each is changed by putting different edgings on. It also has full scale patterns printed on a pull out in the back of the book so no guessing now I can just count on the diagram!
But which to start first?

ambling with Degas

2011-10-18T15:17:00.000+01:00

I've been missing my walks with Nancy these last few weeks so I went to see the Degas exhibition at the Royal Academy and to just amble around London for a few hours.

I had a 10 o'clock slot and was actually the first to go into the exhibition, so for a good few minutes I had Degas all to myself.

It was very dark in there especially after waiting in the sunny courtyard and it took me a while to get used to such a dim and dull light. I love Degas' work it made me want to start painting again and to dig out my pastels.

Afterwards I ambled around London, trying to avoid the main roads - although I did pop into Anthropologie - this is my all time favourite shop. I head straight downstairs to the home and kitchen section - oh and the sale room! I love all the plates, cups, glasses, pretty tea towels etc.

I bought a door knob...which I spent ages over, thinking where I could fit more door knobs into my house! Wish I'd photographed them all now.

I didn't really take any pictures, I was just happy to look and be inspired.

sidetracked

2011-10-14T13:32:00.000+01:00

I got a little sidetracked from the list of things I have started and from those that really should have priority - the Christmas stuff.

In my stash I found some tweed yarn in a lovely colour - my guess is its Rowan but they don't have their wrapper. So I started another Japanese shawl from my book, but I don't think this will be for anyone but me as I can't imagine anyone else liking the colour!

I also did this hat for some friends who've just had their 3rd baby - Imogen. A beanie hat that I made up as I went along. I like the shift of changing stitch style to give a brim like affect and the slightly over big flower for a baby.

This enormous bit of crochet will be a pouffe, now this is a Christmas present and its growing quite quickly but at the same time swallows balls of wool. I've actually done most of the sides now but haven't photographed that bit of growth.

I started to follow a pattern off Ravelry but it wasn't working out and kept waffling which meant there was too many increases going on. So I started again this time following the basic circle pattern - the magic number in crochet for such things is 12, something I sometimes forget. I didn't question it when following the pattern when it told me to start with 7. I also wanted to do it as a continuous round, spiralling so it was important to use markers!

I'm hoping I will be able to complete it in one by decreasing a circle for the base - not sure yet!

Anyway its working wonderfully so far but I must remember to stop at some point to get the stuffing in!

This was my homework from work...

...to dry out the papermache faces that were taking way too long to dry! It took a whole day on a low setting!

Renegade

2011-10-11T08:23:00.000+01:00

Frank and I are always searching for something to do on Saturday mornings as M+T go off kayaking every week.
Sometimes we are happy to stay at home doing the usual homework, baking, lego building, housework etc.
Sometimes Frank goes off to see a friend who lives up the road from us.
But sometimes we get bored of this so when I read that the Renegade Craft Fair was in town at The Truman Brewery in Brick Lane - we had to go.
It was full of very high end handmade crafts which was very inspiring and a vast array of goods from jewellery, textiles, paper goods, art work to bath and body products.
There was also quite a few stalls to 'have a go' but Frank was feeling bashful and refused to make a corsage!!

But he was keen to do some needle felting that was being offered as a taster on The Make Lounge stall. I've done needle felting before and those barbed needles damn hurt - we stabbed ourselves a couple of times.

The aim was to make little woodland creatures. Frank decided on a fox and I went for a hare.

I think we did quite well! And who'd a thought two Saturdays running at The Make Lounge!

Being in Brick Lane we had to stop off for some tasty goodies for lunch on Sunday before heading back towards Liverpool Street tube via Spitalfields market.

We walked down Fournier Street which had the most beautiful houses I've seen in London, it felt like we'd stepped back in time.

A small road but so full of history.

A day at the V&A in pictures

2011-10-05T08:07:00.000+01:00

Timber Wave outside the V&A

Coffee break in The Morris, Gamble and Poynter Rooms

Silver spoons of all shapes.

Tapestry room

Theatre design

I ♥ Adam Ant - once upon a time!

Iron work

Glass chandelier by Dale Chihuly

Textile Field by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec

The reason I went but no photography allowed inside.

cupcake galore

2011-10-03T09:01:00.001+01:00

Just look what Frank and I got up to on Saturday morning!
It's addictive and Frank loved it as I did. I've been searching for a course for him to do but there is nothing for 11 year olds - there is a gap in the market there!
The Make Lounge where happy for Frank to come as long as I came too, we were excited by what was to come!

before final decoration - less is more? not when there's glitter on the go!

decoration commences!

We learnt about butter icing and colouring it then how to apply it with a palette knife.

Next came roses - yes those roses are handmade using marzipan then carefully dropping them onto our waiting cupcakes.

Next was the fun bit how to pipe icing - not only with one colour but with two!

I could have piped the whole day it was addictive and not as hard as I thought!

Once all our cupcakes where piped we were shown how to use the plunge cutters and glitter.... oh my, glitter!

We all cooed and gasped when Louise, our instructor, showed us the technique and then that was it, we didn't want to use the silver balls nor the hundreds and thousands - it was all about the glitter!

My finished cupcakes

Frank's finished cupcakes

close ups!

As you can see it was hard to stop !

Market Walks Petticoat Lane & Spitalfields

2011-10-02T09:07:00.000+01:00

Heading out to meet Nancy at the station I walk through a bit of forest land. It wasn't as early as it looks in the photo, with the low autumnal sun burning away the misty morning, but it was certainly warming up!
This weeks walk took us to two markets and an exhibition, all a very short distance from one another.

We started at Aldgate and headed to The Women's Library to see Françoise Dupre's exhibition Autres Mers. She uses everyday items - woven shopping bags, wire, yarn, bottle tops, and strips of fabric etc. The bags had been cut up and appliquéd together to produce a variety of affects.

bottle tops

canes + fabric

handles from the shopping bags

stretchy fabric wrapped around discs

Made out of woven shopping bags

Literally round the corner we headed to Petticoat Lane Market. This market is at it's biggest on Sundays but today it had quite a lot of stalls - mostly clothing with a variety of brand names with their labels snipped out at knock down prices.

Petticoat Lanes vast clothing selection.

We resisted.

Great art/graffiti on shops shutters.

A little further on was Spitalfields market, I haven't been for probably a couple of years and it has changed so much. It has many, many restaurants which both of us could have quite easily have eaten at - if only we could make the choice as to which one!

Like the previous market, Sunday is the best day to come as it is much bigger but today just a portion of it was open and concentrated on Fashion. We are considering a Thursday walk back here as its Antiques Day.

Gloves to suit all.

We decided to try out Leon's, which is a bit chichi I agree but really nice. Greasy spoons will resume on our next walk!

Latte with a lemon ginger crunch.

used stash

2011-09-28T08:01:00.000+01:00

This is so lightweight and soft and quite an easy pattern to follow. I just wish I had more lace weight yarn in my stash as the result is so nice. I really don't want to buy more as I need to use up so much!

This year quite a few people will be the lucky recipients of something crocheted for Christmas. It's one way to use up yarn bought on a whim but of course there's the fact I need no more scarves/hats/wrist warmers myself.

So that is what I shall be making from now on. I know its that word already but it will creep up and be upon us all too soon as September has just flown by!

I started a beret out of some lovely sock yarn, that was never going to become a pair of socks, but I hadn't followed the pattern quite right and also thought the hook could have been smaller but it was a bit too far in so I kept going.
I decided I would do a second one switching to a smaller hook and following the pattern properly as my first one didn't spiral out from the centre as it should have as I wasn't placing the stitches right.
It is much better but has used up more yarn and now I've run out. and I have nothing in my stash to go with it. I'd even weighed the beret and what was left of the ball and it should have worked out!
Darn.

I think I'll undo up to the turning of the first beret to finish the second, as that one is much nicer and hope that a bit of something turns up to complete the first.

Market Walks Bermondsey

2011-09-24T11:16:00.002+01:00

Our walk this week took us to Bermondsey Market. We'd skirted this area doing the Thames path walk and it's a lovely area with some pretty beautiful buildings. The hustle and bustle of London Bridge station and Tooley street soon turned calmer once we got onto Bermondsey street. It was a busy road with lots of little offices, shops and cafes. We also noticed that it was constantly full of delivery vans... many white van drivers!

We stumbled upon the London Glassblowing workshop which used to be in Rotherhithe, we were too early in the day to see anything in action as they were just getting started.

old sign outside a pub

Once at the market we were surprised at how small the market was. I'd been before many, many years ago and remembered it a little bigger and fuller. Not that it mattered as we somehow spent a few hours bending over the tables cooing and pointing things out. My back and neck felt it a little after!

There was a lot of silver at the market which I'm not that keen to own but it's lovely to look at with some crazy things, we had to ask a few times what things were.

These thimbles in their boxes were beautiful, some were well used and had worn away.

somebody's sausage fingers didn't fit any ~ she moaned! ~ mind you I only managed to fit one!

We have decided to incorporate a cafe during our market walks - greasy spoon kind not the chichi kind. For a bargain price of £1.20 each we had a mug of tea and two slices of toast. Although Al (we think) muttered and pointed to his watch about it being lunchtime but it was hardly busy and once revived we didn't hang about.

Back towards the station the Shard came into view down a side street. Many of our walks have been in the shadow of it and we have seen it from most sides... I think but hard to tell!

At the market I picked up 2 beautiful engraved knives with bone handles for a measly £1 each. We use bone handles knives every day that M's mother gave us, one is always on the breadboard for buttering so I think one of these will replace it.

before

after

I gave them a good clean with soapy water but had to resort to silver cleaner for the blades. They have come up beautiful, I'd love to know where and who they came from.

shopping city

2011-09-23T18:27:00.000+01:00

Westfield Stratford City has now opened and with a hop and a skip away (3 tube stops) I am there.

on the platform looking up at the big iron bridge that takes you to Westfield

It is the biggest shopping centre in Europe but somehow it doesn't feel it, maybe because it is spread over 4 floors and there are outside bits too.
Marks + Spencer is huge but John Lewis isn't as big as I'd hoped! The haberdashery department is tucked away at the top of the shop and its range is quite small - only stocking Rowan wool and a few others but no Debbie Bliss etc. The quilt and dressmaking fabrics is also small but maybe ample. I do hope they extend their range as it felt like they'd opened with 'what they had' as opposed to a full stock.
I wonder.

The centre itself is very glitzy with lots of big comfy sofas dotted around. Outside there are marble seats around some planting that emit strange sounds and have tiny screens within. This I realised is meant to be water - without water! There was even a huge water feature... again without water just the little screens changing colour with the sound. There are lots of restaurants and shops outside the centre too but still lots of empty shops, although I'm sure they'll fill up soon.

There was also lots of glimpses of the Olympic Park so you are able to get close but not quite! I had never realised that Stratford station was so big.

I met F+T after school today as they were keen to check out the shops, it was heaving but not too bad and they were keen to spend some money!
I treated them to a huge freshly baked pretzel, T had a nutella and F a parmesan cheese one (opposites again!) They were yummy as I sampled both.

I'm happy to have John Lewis, M+S, Uniqlo, Lakeland, Paperchase and Foyles on my doorstep.

Where's the week gone?

2011-09-16T17:21:00.001+01:00

We are now pretty much settled into our new routine and we're all really loving the extra time. No more big journeys to school - it's local and this makes our days much, much longer and nicer. My day isn't shortened by the school pick ups making it feel very harmonious!
Not only did F+T start secondary school but I started my new job. It's great and I love it. I come home with paint/glue/clay etc on my hands and usually in my hair too. We've had to get some pretty good art work out of Years 3,4,5 and 6 as the school is having an open day tomorrow. Not giving us much time to cover the display walls but we have achieved some great results in this time.

F+T are also into the swing of big secondary school. They continue to be poles apart, with Frank loving the new responsibilities and change while Ted has struggled. It's been tough playing to two needs - being excited with one yet massively supporting the other. A real rollercoaster.

Lovely friends have been a great support letting me whimper on them and occasionally reducing me to tears with their kindness. But it meant so much to receive their texts of support every morning when things were at their darkest.

Have a good weekend. x

rethinking energy

2011-09-13T15:22:00.001+01:00

I've been giving a lot of thought on how to reduce our bills this year. The electric and gas bills are going up and I think it's time to cut back.
Being around at home more has allowed me to hang washing out far more than I used to and grab those drying few hours before the heavens open. We've had a few mad dashes out to save it!

I have a clothes horse but not a great one that I can get lots on. So today I bought a new and bigger model that will hold lots more. Trouble is I hate seeing the clothes horse full of drying in the house but to save using the tumble dryer its well worth it and I'll just have to get over it!
Then there are the light bulbs. How I hate the light that those new eco light bulbs give - I need to research into it but we should change over as they say you save up to 80% less energy and that can't be bad!

It's a tough time ahead. Being at home I try and not put the heating on at all but just sometimes I need to flick it on for an hour.
We must also try to close more doors and turn lights off, something we are incredibly bad at!

Nor have I been buying clothes as much - when shopping I think first if I really need it and will I wear it often. Also I've been going through my wardrobe and wearing stuff I seem to be 'saving'. What I'm saving these things for is unknown. I sometimes buy clothing off Ebay and have been very lucky and won some great stuff that is new and really cheap.

And then there's my stash of wool. I haven't bought any wool for ages, instead I have delved into my stash and used what I have.
I started another shawl from my Japanese crochet book using a gorgeous Kidsilk Haze yarn I have no idea what colour it is as both balls have lost their label. It crochets nice and lacy but its an absolute bugger if you need to rip back as it gets itself very tangled. Luckily I learnt quickly and got into the swing of the rows so as not to make mistakes!
I'm already thinking of Christmas and making lots of lacy shawls for everyone!

Better get a move on I guess!

Market Walks Walthamstow

2011-09-09T18:02:00.000+01:00

Resuming our much missed London weekday walks, now that the children are back to school, we decided to keep within a theme. We loved walking along the Thames and wanted a similar sort of idea and decided London Markets would be ideal.

For our first we kept it local and went to Walthamstow market, which is apparently the longest outdoor market in Europe. It's a lively market that sells pretty much everything you could want. Lots of fabric shops from saris to upholstery - unbelievably no two selling the same, which kept us busy and talking of various projects we could do. There were a few stall selling sewing cotton, lace, knicker lace elastic and all sorts of haberdashery - we were both drawn to those sorts of stalls and shops!

One amazing shop sold an array of beautiful Indian trimmings. Sequinned, woven, tassels, bobbles and best of all binding in beautiful jewel colours and gorgeous bags of sequins, diamanté zips and buttons . We didn't buy anything but vowed to go come back with a project in mind.

We stopped of at L. Manze, a most beautiful old pie and mash shop for a well deserved cup of tea and a pie. It was the best cup of tea and the most delicious pie and I think we will head back there again!

Did I make any purchases? Ha, well of course! Although I was restrained until I have proper plans for things but at least I know where to buy the lovely trims for them!

But I couldn't resist these...

The blue,red and cream trim on the card was a mere £1! There must be about 10 metres on there! The narrow red and peach was 50p.

But the best was this waxed print fabric. Its a bit mad but I love the clam shell like pattern, the fabric is a glazed cotton so has a lovely subtle sheen to it.

I also bought some raspberries, which by the time I got home had left blood like puddles in the car. I'm now wondering if I had left a trail all the way home!

A Big Birthday

2011-08-30T13:09:00.003+01:00

It was my Father in Laws 80th Birthday on Saturday and of course we had a party to celebrate. Friends and family came from all corners to celebrate with him in Scotland. We had a lovely evening at Deil's Cauldron and he was very touched by everyone being there.

His cake was made with him in mind... the meconopsis flowers that he grows, reading the Telegraph, drinking fine wine, the Burberry tartan rug and then there's the lady in the greenhouse.

Who knew?

But F+T found it hilarious!

down memory lane

2011-08-24T14:59:00.002+01:00

For a good many years I worked at Cosprop in Camden. I totally loved my job - it really was the best EVER. I look back with many fond memories and yes there were a few headaches along the way, mostly from prima donna designers.

I spent a lot of my free time and after work drinks in Camden and knew it well but a lot has changed now. There are far more chain shops around and the market itself has had a huge injection of money and been tarted up.

The old Stable Market is unrecognisable it has quite a lot of gigantic bronze horses everywhere reminding everyone it was once a horse hospital, looking after horses who pulled the barges along the London canals.

It looks good tho, although sadly the stalls/shops are a bit repetitive and there wasn't as much individuality going on as there used to be. But hidden away (maybe for a reason) there was a shop selling fur coats, wraps, stoles and hats. It felt wrong but I couldn't help but look and touch!

These were the sort of shops I was hoping to see! With mad looking dolls wearing specs...

Photo's of the Queen...

Lunch was in an old haunt, The Hawley Arms. It was once a it of a dive but much nicer now and with a great bar menu. Although anyone selling Pieminister pies and fish finger sandwiches with a proper glass of ale is top in my books!

You don't get your pints in glasses like these any more.

some finishing

2011-08-19T15:17:00.006+01:00

It's done!

It took a while but only because some days were too warm to crochet and yarn just doesn't flow through the fingers! Saying that I did do some on the beach while on holiday!

It was very easy pattern to follow and mine is bigger than in the book - I decided I quite possibly wouldn't wear it as a small shawl and seeing as I had the yarn I kept going for a bit longer. The pictures don't do the colour justice, it is more green but still in the aqua shades.

I made these simple baby hats as there are a few little ones being born in desperate need of a cosy hooky hat! The red one started out being a strawberry but I don't think it looks like one as it needs some flecks and not a rounded green top. Then I thought maybe an apple but while photographing it I thought it looked more tomato-y! Not sure how 'tomato head' will go down so will say nothing!

I love the colours on this one but it too reminds me of a vegetable ( a gourd or maybe an artichoke?!).

I didn't follow any pattern, just made them up but I have no idea how small a baby's head is but I think these will be ok for the autumn onwards. They are great for using up left over yarn too or yarn for some ridiculous notion was bought and now sits in the stash unloved. I want to add buttons to the flowers but worry about them being pulled off by little fingers and swallowed.

So now that I've completed the lacy shawl, what next?

A quilt has been a long time beckoning me but I can't decide what one. I want to do a complicated one but then I have so many ideas about lots of different things like smocking. Hmm, maybe I should just start and go from there.

new 'craze'

2011-08-11T18:15:00.004+01:00

I've recently learnt of this nail polish, its called Barry M Instant Nail Effects. I chose Black mMagic but think I'll be getting some White Frost too.

First I painted my nails with 17's Lasting Fix nail polish, colour Mint Choc Chip. Once dry a quick coat (as it dries very quickly) with the nail effect.

And voila!

Watch it happen!

Cool eh? I love it!

THE sleepover

2011-08-08T13:25:00.003+01:00

Excitement had been mounting for a number of days about the sleepover. Lots of planning had gone into it - mostly about the amount of sweets to be consumed and all wearing coordinating black t shirts for a biscuit raid during the cover of darkness (this actually happened in the morning instead!).

They were going to camp out in the garden in a small teepee tent and F+T spent the morning putting it up and lining the floor with foam sheets and lots of blankets - for comfort.

C came over bang on the time given and they started the night off playing on the Wii - excitement reaching a new level.

We had decided to order a takeaway from our favourite curry place. Leaving the boys to eat at the table as F looked aghast at the mere mention of us sitting with them!

They all changed into their jimjams and settled down to watch a DVD after dumping all their cushions, duvets and quilts by the door. By 9.20pm the film had finished and they were eager to set forth to the tent... not before I made them brush their teeth mind (not that it was going to help with the sweet consumption)

They were still chatting at around 11.30pm and M told them to try and get some sleep. We headed off to bed too but I slept on and off listening out for them!

At 6am they crept in (did the biscuit raid) and sat lolling around, I suspect finishing sweets off too!

50 minutes later they requested to watch telly, as we have a rule not before 7.30am. As F+C rushed downstairs T pushed his luck and asked if they could play on the Wii instead - his answer was a sharp NO!

They were tired, with less than 6 hours sleep as they kept waking. It had also rained and some of the bedding had got a little wet. After breakfast and showers I made them bring all the bedding in, in return for 20mins on the Wii before we had to take C home. Never have 3 boys been soo helpful and quick - mostly by piling everything onto one blanket and carrying it in!

So today I have spent most of my time washing and/or drying blankets, duvets and the odd pillow.

We were going to head out this afternoon but I think we all might have a meltdown by 4pm - even me!

no more hoarding

2011-08-03T13:00:00.002+01:00

Since being home and fully restored from our holidays there has been lots of clearing in the house.

When I've been away for a while I often come home and see it for how it is - too much 'stuff' to much 'hoarding' going on.

The garage has been on my list for ages but its a daunting task.

The garage is also in need of repair - re-felting the roof, new garage doors and maybe some of it sectioned off and made into a work room come summer room. The sun is at the end of the garden in the evening and so we thought of replacing the window with some french doors and having a bench or my dream would be a swinging sofa outside... veranda style! Soft comfy and good for lounging!

So everything was dragged out and sorted into piles.

Keeping pile - camping, garden etc
Rubbish pile - which was later sorted into recycling piles as its hard to turn up at the dump with random stuff.
Carboot pile - there are F+T's booster seats x 4! outgrown bikes and various other bits. The children are excited to do one especially as I've said they can share any money made!
Things for Ebay.

There was a pile of stuff from the shop too and this has finally been put into order although I had brought back loads of bits that in the end I just got rid of.

By the end of the day the shelving had been put to much better use and things sorted a little better. Once the work is done it will no doubt get a second round and I must get that stuff to the carboot!

We all enjoyed sitting out with a much deserved beer afterwards and Moo showed us her new look!

It didn't end there either! Both F+T had a blitz on their rooms too - boy do the hoard stuff. I let them do the first stage and they willingly got rid of lots which surprised me. BUT there was more needed to be done and that's were I came in!

I heard Ted tell Frank to be careful as Mama's in a throwing out mood - and yes I was!

Back from our hols

2011-08-01T16:14:00.000+01:00

We spent two weeks in Sitges, just outside Barcelona, it has loads of lovely sandy beaches and is a little town that isn't too touristy. We jumped the train into Barcelona quite a few times to see the sights but didn't see all as it was a little too hot and we rather liked cafe sitting!

The pavements had beautiful patterned tiles...

The Sagrada Familia Church is utterly beautiful, it is wild to think it just might be finished in my childrens lifetime!

La Boqueria Market on the Ramblers sells the freshest fish, meat, fruit and sweets!

We watched lots of street entertainers walking along the Ramblas with its different stalls from flowers, gifts, crafts, jewellery to birds, rabbits and tortoises!

The train home was often with F+T nodding off - so tired from our day out.

In Sitges we watched the locals perform their tower of strength, the smallest of children would be the ones climbing to the top!

Then we had lunch at this little Tapas bar. You ordered your drink and then could help yourself to the tapas off the bar filling your plate as and when. This was my favourite place of all!

Best of all, for some people, was breakfast that seemed to consist of chocolate - rather too much for my liking! Especially on the last morning when the jar of chocolate spread just HAD to be finished!

Well we are on our holidays I guess.

a new chapter

2011-07-08T18:52:00.002+01:00

F+T finished junior school today. It's been a busy week that has had a roller coaster of emotions and poor Ted has had his anxieties return. He's on a the road to recovery but it is going to take patience and time. Their transition to secondary could be a little shaky for Ted but I think Frank will be ok.

Their school play was the best they have ever done. They did The Keymaster and both had 3 parts to play and played them fantastically especially Ted, who had everyone laughing. Especially when A fumbled his song and pulled a face (unbeknown to us!) which left Ted trying to keep a straight face.

I feel very proud of them that I could burst, they have done so well both receiving awards from school and ending with a brilliant report each.

But they are such preteens, when I told them this, they looked at me weirdly (in a gone mad kind of way) and queried why I was saying that... tut...

Ted also played in the netball team this week against the parents and the teachers - annoyingly the teachers won against the pupils and the parents.

So here we are. All very exciting things ahead of us and the longest summer holiday we've ever had!

However, it's not the end of this school for us as I shall be working there part time from September teaching art to years 3 - 6. I've been helping out Mrs C since selling the shop and have thoroughly enjoyed it. It's part time and perfectly fits around the children.

F+T are already planning to get the bus to meet me and see their old teachers!

Aloha!

2011-07-03T20:13:00.000+01:00

It was F+T's Year 6 leavers party on Friday and they had a great time!

I was pleased everything came together although there was a near disaster when the surf simulator kept blowing the fuse! I was panicking as this was the main event!!

Luckily surf man Pete had more extensions and we ran it to a different part of the building which to my huge relief worked.

The kids loved it and everyone had a go, even Mr Ireland!

They were dressed in grass skirts and leis, drank lemonade and coke with umbrellas in, ate pizzas and fruit kebabs dipped into the chocolate fountain and bowls of marshmallow fluff.

We had a Mum doing henna tattoos, some of the kids - F included, had huge ones running from fingertips to elbows!!

Another Mum made a great desert island cake with blue jelly sea filled with jelly sharks, starfish and turtles.

It's going to be a tough and emotional last week of school with plays to watch, leavers assembly to attend(which I've been informed to have hankies at the ready) and an awards evening. But roll on 12pm Friday - we will have a nice long summer holiday... September seems very far away, doesn't it?

goodness gracious...

2011-06-30T11:20:00.006+01:00

Goodness, I don't know about you but days and weeks are whizzing by. There is so much going on. The school summer fayre on Sunday was a great success but left me feeling drained and the biggest headache I've ever had. Possibly due to stress and too much sun!

I did get a beautiful henna tattoo which is the next best thing to a real one, which I really want but too much of a wuss!

Monday was sports day... it was the hottest day of the year. I managed to sit in the shade only venturing out in the sun to cheer F+T on. However I still got sunburnt, which is what happens every year. I thought I was prepared though with my sun hat but apparently not.

Frank proudly came last in everything - he's not the sporty type and was very glad to maintain his title! Whereas Ted along with his friend Henry just had fun - which I think is what it should be about. They did silly runs + air guitared their way to the finish line,even jumped in circles during the sack race while the teachers looked sternly on!

Ah well, it is their last so why not!

Tomorrow is their leavers party, which is a Hawaiian surf party. I have hired a surf simulator and there are grass skirts and flower leis to be worn. Drinks with straws and umbrellas and pizzas. A bar has been made with carpet rolls and tissue/crepe paper to resemble palm trees, with a sign say 'Ireland's Bar' (he is their teacher and barman for the night!)

I hope it goes well and will run smoothly!

Pictures to follow.

a walk in Epping Forest #3

2011-06-24T16:04:00.000+01:00

There is so much going on right now I hardly have time to think. But I wasn't going to cancel our walk as I needed air and space and a distraction.

Oh and some chat - that always helps.

I had thought of screaming in the woods to let it all out but knowing my luck a horse would appear and freak out and maybe Nancy would have disowned me too!

We went back to Epping and within the first few yards got lost and then I managed to whiplash Nancy with some holly... it wasn't a good start!

Once we corrected our direction things were better and everything seemed bigger and taller than last time we were there. It makes you feel very humble and those silly things that were bothering me faded into insignificance. I guess it put everything into perspective which was getting a little out of hand.

We refreshed ourselves with coffee from our flasks and a kitkat, sitting on a fallen log and life felt so much better.

I love these walks.

a ta dah, some Japanese and a wedding...

2011-06-14T12:17:00.004+01:00

Finally finished my shrug!

I could make so many of these and already thinking of doing one in a much lighter yarn. I am finding myself drawn away from double knit and chunky yarn in favour for lace and sock yarn more and more.

I bought myself some Japanese crochet books as I really fancied making some small shawl like scarves - inspired by the ones in Loop on my last visit.

The books are lovely but I realised I needed to know what wool was used or at least what sort and weight. I spent many an hour researching about yarn and the Japanese language and managed to cobble together from various places a pretty good guide. Don't ask me how to speak Japanese but I recognise the 'symbols'

Armed with my book and info I headed to Loop to buy some yarn. Asking one of the assistances there for help, who told me she spoke Japanese - I wish I'd asked her more questions now!!

I was restrained and only bought enough for one shawl only because I have an urge for a particular colour and they didn't have anything that came close. There are many I will be making you see!

I chose some Juno Alice Sock yarn in a beautiful green shade called Fresh Green. So far my Japanese pattern following is going pretty well!

We are off to Sweden on Friday as its my brothers wedding (I was hoping to fit in some yarn buying - maybe they would have the colour I desire! But I don't think there is time - we are staying in the Hilton - there wouldn't happen to be a yarn shop nearby would there?)

The last week has been busy getting the place names, menus and order of service completed.

So Big Congratulations to them both - It's going to be a great day!

The Last Week.

2011-06-01T17:57:00.010+01:00

Another half term - it doesn't seem long since the last one. But this one is different as its the last half term of junior school. So after this one maybe the half terms will be different and F+T will no longer need me around quite as much. Will this mean I don't get to chat over coffee with Mum friends - oh! I'll probably be spending my time getting either or both children from here to there!

We've spent days seeing friends and also enjoyed days of just poodling about at home doing our own thing.

Ted spent most of the Bank holiday kayaking with M, and yesterday he competed in the Youth Games and came 4th in the heat and 9th in the final against all other boroughs. As you can imagine we are very proud and he is already talking of trying for the slalom next year! It was a long hot day and we are all a little pink... again!

Ted, boat No 2.

We took a trip out to Tottenham Court Road to mooch about in Muji and Paperchase (for some pen love) and to spend a bit of pocket money in the sale corner!

We then went on to a strange little museum - The Grant Museum of Zoology.

It's not very big, in fact just a large old panelled room that is lined with glass cases of skeletons and preserved animals in jars. Not for the squeamish but we found it fascinating.

We also had some fun tie dying some T shirts. F+T spent a while tying elastic bands on after both wanting a striped affect. We have done some at school, using marbles and various other items to achieve circles and bullseye like patterns and they came out great.

Teds before.

And after.

Ted folded his T shirt diagonally and used quite a few bands, whereas Frank pleated his from bottom to top and didn't use as many bands. I love that they came out so completely different.

So we are now in to the last term, it will be busy with one thing and another. Time seems to be speeding by and I'm desperately trying to slow it down!

a bit of Loop

2011-05-29T18:52:00.008+01:00

I spent the afternoon at Loop with S learning all about crochet cables, bobbles, puffs, chevrons, ripple and following a diagram pattern for continuous half flowers that made up a scarf.

I have done most of this before having completed the mammoth ripple blanket and played around with bobbles, puffs and popcorns but I loved learning cable which gives a form of ribbing.

I love Loop and I was so very tempted to buy yarn. I resisted - can you believe it!? But once I have finished the shrug (which is so close) then I shall look into crocheting a small shawl.

There were lots of them dotted around the shop, just small triangles of loveliness but I need to think first and get a pattern before buying any yarn!

We both came home feeling rather shattered but after a short rest and catching up with the family about what they had been up to I picked up the half flower pattern and carried on. As I'd started the pattern with a ball of wool given on the course, I now don't have enough for it to be a scarf - not even the smallest of ones.

This photo does not do the colour justice and is in fact a teal sort of colour not blue at all - as todays photography might suggest!

A walk round the Isle of Dogs

2011-05-27T20:54:00.008+01:00

We had an almost 'closure' to our River Walks today as we have almost joined up the last few months walks. It feels a little sad as we have both thoroughly enjoyed walking by the water and finding little beaches, sometimes sandy, pebbly, made of metal, bones and all sorts.

I think there will be times when we revisit parts of the walk where the best of these beaches are and keeping in mind the tide at all times.

Today the tide was high and on the turn so we were able to explore the beaches safely!

It was an odd walk that was full of buildings which were mostly soulless and unconnected to each other. There are very few original buildings left along the stretch we walked and it felt empty and lacked any such homely feel and most of all it lacked people. We hardly saw anyone.

We often commented that the newer buildings had such small windows and yet such a wonderful view, with huge amounts of brick wall. A lot of this was gated with signs that made us feel unwelcome and also stopped us walking along the Thames.

We set off from Limehouse and followed the huge curve down and back up to Blackwall. Canary Wharf is at the centre of the Isle of Dogs with its suited folk but we didn't see one of them, unlike many of our other walks.

We marched along looking across the Thames at the walk we'd done over the last few weeks reminiscing and pointing places out.

This Traffic Light Tree by Pierre Vivant stands on a roundabout, it must confuse so many motorists!

We're not sure what the next walk will be but probably the very small link missed between Blackwall and Silvertown just to really finish the part off.

I love watching Eastenders - not a massive fan mind, I can miss episodes! During the title sequence I map our progress on the walks we have done so far... it's quite pleasing.

They say

2011-05-24T12:36:00.003+01:00

They say that dog owners look like their pets or is it that pets look like their owners?

Moo had her haircut today, she has regular haircuts every 8 weeks - far, far better kept than my own.

Today when I picked her up she looked very neat and walking her back to the car I noticed people smiling at her... or was it?

I had a thought, that maybe that old saying is true indeed.

A Walk of Near Death

2011-05-19T21:24:00.009+01:00

Looking back we were pretty naive and foolish but caught up in the excitement it was easy to do.

This weeks walk started out on the wrong foot, I forgot my Oyster card, then we started out at the wrong side of the river. Small things really.

Once again we picked up a walk where we had left off from our night time walk once we crossed over London Bridge that is.

Back on track we walked beside the river looking across to the walk we'd done the previous week.

We asked some mudlarks, who were sporting Museum of London High visibility vests, whether we were allowed down onto the beaches and were given the go ahead.

Can you see where this is going yet?

It was THE best mudlarking we had done. There were loads of huge animal bones, oyster and winkle shells. But best of all were the clay pipe and ceramic bits.

I filled and filled my rucksack with bits of clay pipe and ceramic moving along the beach - both of us were keen to get under the pier.

Once under we were completely absorbed. It was a little eerie under there and we half expected to find a body or something. After a little pottering I squealed - I'd found a whole clay pipe - well the bowl end with a bit of stem, then another and another!

Slowly heading back I came upon a wooden groyne that I know we hadn't climbed over coming in. To my horror the tide was coming in and fast. I shouted for Nancy and we pegged it - actually Nancy pegged it and bellowed at me to follow but the speed of the waves got me - luckily just my foot. As we clung to the wall the tide was literally closing in behind us.

Back out on the beach we were really shaken and shocked - neither of us realised that the Thames tide came in so quick.

We carried on beachcombing back to the steps but aware that the strip of beach was narrowing. Once off the shore we sat down amongst the crowds of Tower of London for a bit of calm.

For the rest of the walk we couldn't help but go over what had happened.

The crowds dropped away the other side of Tower Bridge and we really enjoyed the rest of the walk for it. Heading through Wapping with all its great riverside pubs we really should have stopped off in one for a tot of something to help!

We settled for lunch in a little park next to the river police - although seeing a gang of them all in black and armed climbing into black boats was slightly unnerving!

I took my shoes off to dry them out slightly and took my precious beach finds out to pack them into my now empty lunchbox for safety.

We carried on the rest of the way through Wapping and onto Limehouse - glad to be going home in one piece... continuously mumbling to each other how lucky we were.

A walk to the Market.

2011-05-17T12:01:00.001+01:00

We picked up where we left off a few weeks or was it months ago?

Starting from Bermondsey we headed along the Thames with Tower Bridge in our sights. It's beautiful around this area, with warehouses converted into apartments, offices and shops.

Tower Bridge is pretty spectacular with its bright blue paint, although brown was the original colour. The bridge was repainted red, white and blue to celebrate the Queens Silver Jubilee. Being the lowest bridge on the Thames it quite often has to raise its bascules to allow ships through.

The Shard being built and is going to be massive. It doesn't THAT big right now but there is far more height being added as it will reach up to a point. It will be 310m making it the tallest building in Western Europe It will house offices, a hotel, restaurants and a very high viewing gallery.

Back along the river we passed by HMS Belfast now a museum, its been on my list to visit for ages! And past City Hall which looks like some has pushed it over slightly.

We finally came to our destination - Borough Market! Although our walk this week was not a long one I think the amount of times we circled around the market made up some extra miles. We arrived just before the mad lunchtime rush so had time to ponder our purchases.

huge pile of meringues.

We were bowled over by some cinnamon and chocolate covered almonds - believe me words cannot describe their deliciousness. We sampled many thing - amazing hummus of various flavours like spinach and beetroot, sausages, cheeses and curry.

a whole stall of every mushroom.

We had a hard time deciding what to have for lunch, having gone planning to have a pie, we dithered about until finally deciding on pie after all.

We sat in Southwark Cathedral eating lunch watching the churchyard slowly fill with office workers all heading to some outdoor space for their lunches.

With our bags laden with bread, cheese, aubergine dips, haslet, rillet and a chicken pie and with our bellies full too, we carried on.

We didn't get too far and headed to Southwark tube.

The trouble is, lunchtime in the city is pretty full on, the amount of people that surge onto the streets is tenfold. Our bags were heavy and we were feeling sleepy after pie and Portuguese tart (N had cheesecake)

We had pigged out but enjoyed every bit of it.

A walk in Epping Forest #2

2011-05-05T11:49:00.000+01:00

It was good to get back to our weekly walks. We headed to Epping again in search of bluebells - we didn't find huge glades like I was hoping for. In fact it was just a small patch.

Everything was in full bight green leaf mode. With the sun shining everything looked new and fresh.

It is a bit disappointing that Epping has no real system of markers or tracks for the various walkways. There is the odd post with a white top and a horse shoe but it doesn't seem to be continuous. We take our map and stop often to check our progress and wonder where we are, feeling slightly unnerved that we are going very wrong!

Getting lost in Epping Forest is not an option!

We had a lot of chatting to catch up on from weddings, pondering the difference between a weasel and a stoat, wondering if weasels actually exist or just in the nursery rhyme to noodles in bags. This was something Frank wanted to take as his packed lunch next week as they aren't allowed any boxes!

Also some good hearty talks which helped unravel my mind a little!

On Sunday we went off to Whitstable as Ted + M now have their own kayaks and were keen to try them out at sea!

They have been going every Saturday morning to Fairlop Waters and Ted is now in training as he will be entered in the Redbridge Youth Games next month.

He comes home totally knackered!

some things we got up to...

2011-04-26T16:14:00.006+01:00

The children went back to school today - what a difference 3 weeks make! We came back to the grass on the Green overgrown, all the horse chestnut trees out and flowering - lovely!

It was however freezing! I did wonder if it was that cold most mornings but as we hadn't ventured out so bloomin early we hadn't noticed!!

Broadstairs was lovely and we had the best weather - I managed to get a rather embarrassing sunburnt sunglasses/panda look and even worse mary jane style croc shoe sunburn! Have been furiously sugar scrubbing them to even out the stripes.

I ordered loads of books from the library, one of them was Ruth Singers Eco Sewing Book. I had completely forgotten that I had done some pattern testing for her until, while lounging over the holidays, I realised these patterns were familiar!

Cushion cover using a shrunken and felted slashed jumper with an old shirt for the backing and back.

Layers of cut circle fabric folded and sewn on.

It was also a lovely surprise to see my name in the acknowledgements!

I'm making this shrug for my brothers wedding in June. The wedding is on a small island off Stockholm and of course the weather can't be guaranteed - the evenings can get really chilly though so I thought this would be perfect. I've been crocheting madly, even though I know I've got loads of time to complete it. I bought some lovely Rowan Cocoon in a silver grey colour called Alpine. I thought 5 x 100g balls should do it - ha! I'm halfway through my 3rd ball and it only measures 17cm (I did start with 150 stitches but still!) Going to need the same amount again which will make this shrug quite pricey - must not shrink it and wear it lots!

We had a trip out to Liverpool Street with my brother for a suit measurement. F+T were bored but sat quietly with their Ipod Touch while we looked at fabrics and discussed the angle of pockets etc! It was good fun! Just down the road from the tailors I found Dennis Sever's amazing house - I definitely want to go!

After a few years of moaning I finally persuaded M to move the bookcase - it took a lot of effort, a trip to IKEA and some planning to get it to fit around the door (which is not straight!) There are still a few doors to add to hide boring files but it looks much better. The piano was heaved around the room but ended up back to pretty much where it was.

Even the Lego had a move - which always prompts some playing and long discussions about the set up!

a scarf for a swap

2011-04-21T14:28:00.007+01:00

Before the holidays I did a Birthday Swap with Joanna.

Joanna asked me to make her a skinny granny square scarf. Now I have made plenty of scarves and plenty of granny square blankets and cushions but never put the two together.

She gave me free rein to do what I wanted a only indicating that it would be worn with a dark blue coat.

yet to be blocked scarf - photo taken by Ted (you can see his thumb!)

The only thing with granny squares is the amount of weaving in the ends that you have to do but this is easily done with the tv on. There is always a satisfying pile of threads at the end too.

I do try to catch in the ends but not enough but there must be a way. I also tried a new way of joining the squares which worked really well and I will be using that method again.

Joanna sent me in return a lavender sachet and a little wrapped treasure pouch - just need some treasure! I also have a kit to make my own purse.

Thank you Joanna, I hope you had a lovely birthday - hope the weather turns cold though, so you can wear your scarf!!

carbooting

2011-04-17T18:42:00.001+01:00

I often think about going to car-boots but never quite get round to doing it until this weekend. Little did I know that there are a few car-boots that happen very close to home very regularly! One in particular doesn't start till June but it is very, very close to where I live - how did I not know? And what have I been missing?

Miss Cupcake and I, with F quietly in tow (T spends his Saturday mornings kayaking) went along in excitement - not knowing what we would find! I haven't been to a carboot for a good few years... this one did not disappoint!

little sewing machine for £12, fully working as F tried it out!

hand done tapestry cushion for 20p!

basket for £4

tin for £2

bag of knitting needles and patterns for £4

embroidered picture for 50p

old maps for 50p each

There were also a couple of old Beano annuals for Ted but he has squirreled them away and lolled around reading them, not letting me photograph.

I shall be a regular from now on and know for sure another certain lady will be interested in joining me - Frank however shall be bored to tears.

As my Dad would say 'off buying tat'.

to the sea

2011-03-30T09:51:00.003+01:00

We are heading off to the sea on Friday, staying here in Broadstairs. F+T break up at 12pm and have a whopping 3 weeks holiday, returning to school for 3 days and then off for the bank holiday weekend. So you can count April out in terms of any schooling happening at all!

I'm looking forward to having good long days with day trips, walks, friends and enjoying the light longer days.

So I think I'm going to have a little break from blogging too and enjoy it all.

Hope you have a good half term.

a walk of strange things

2011-03-24T11:29:00.000Z

On our walk this week we came across quite a few odd things and of course photographed them.

The beaches at North Greenwich Peninsula were covered in metal parts.

So much rubbish washed up on the shores and so many plastic bottles - it was shameful.

There were quite a few concrete sections - just left and obviously not in the right place either.

Having peered through a fence to get a photo shot I saw this out of the corner of my eye - slightly freaked me out! A fake guard standing by the gate.

Love the use of tea towels for curtains but weird creepy Michelin Men.

We walked down this purpose built tunnel as we thought it led back to the Thames - it didn't. Just ended with a wall and a view.

HMS Bulwark with their crew disembarking.

Story in a wall.

It was another good walk which took us through derelict to wealthy areas but he hadn't realised how bendy our walk was it took ages to shake off Canary Wharf, who seemed to hound us for ages.

We were very glad to see Tower Bridge just a little way off at the end. We were exhausted and very hot - the sunny warm weather took us by surprise and I may have to look at walking sandals - Eugh!

mama meltdown moment

2011-03-22T18:41:00.000Z

I try not to lose the plot with F+T and M for that matter as I don't want them to think I am a shouty parent.

But it's hard.

It's hard to get them motivated some days to just get on with their homework. I know that they get a lot of homework - every day in fact - but it must be done. If it has been set then they must do their best to complete it but it drives me nuts some days as they don't have time to just be.

It's hard to get them to do any chores - I don't give them much - barely any but when I ask them to go round the house and gather their belongings (with the threat of they'll be in the bin if they are still there!) Are they just being typical boys? Do these things need to literally jump up and hit them to see it - because they miss quite a bit or get distracted and just dump the stuff elsewhere. The amount of times I have loaded the stairs with stuff belonging to them in the hope that one day they will see it and move it.

This does not work.

Sometimes I make it impossible for anyone to get upstairs by placing the stuff strategically.

Neither does this but I live in hope and continue with my quest because one day...

I may grumble because M loves to fill either the fruit or vegetable bowl with letters or his ties - this has been known to tip me over the edge.

And another thing, is it so hard to pick up the newspapers every night instead of leaving them askew all over the floor?

F+T come home from school and drop their rucksacks/PE/swimming/music bags usually at the bottom of the stairs (so making it even harder to actually go upstairs when my barricade is in place!)

I would fall over in shock if anyone took the clean washing out of the washing machine AND hung them up or put them in the dryer - without being asked.

And don't get me started about why I find T's dirty socks everywhere - including on his bookshelves - but not his clothes bin. The amount of odd socks we have is amazing.

Mostly I let this wash over me and it all gets unsaid but never forgotten. It is stored away just waiting and then out of the blue over something very small, like an overflowing bin that no-one sees but me, it all comes out with such a force that even Moo runs for cover. No one tries to retaliate - they know best not to.

This week I had a Mama Meltdown Moment but I'm fine now.

poodling

2011-03-17T18:11:00.004Z

I've been pondering many things these last few days and have been forced into thinking hard and doing something instead of just poodling along.

These are some thoughts.

How to edge my arm warmers took most of the week. They sat there looking at me until I decided just a simple picot edge would be enough.

Setting up something by myself - have to think of the ins and outs and of course the ifs. Not quite there yet. Have a few things I 'could' do but it leaves me feeling bewildered!

What to do with 23 balls of beautiful cotton yarn in an array of colours I bought recently, with no pattern in mind. bad girl.

Shall I wallpaper one wall of the downstairs toilet with maps and paint the other ochre yellow? I keep scouring Ebay for old maps but not bid yet - being fussy about it!

How one of the hens laid such a huge egg.

Bit random I know, I think that's how I'm feeling. Ranging from life changing to stupid nonsense! I guess the stupid nonsense is just me putting the life changing things on the back burner!

A walk in Epping Forest

2011-03-15T12:38:00.000Z

This weeks walk wasn't our best planned walk. We followed no direct route but had our maps. Both of us weren't really in the best frame of mind for it but glad that each other hadn't bowed out - it was good to get out in the sunshine and a good choice to do a forest walk. After all we had coffee and Kitkats in our bags - our survival was assured!

We are extremely lucky to have Epping on our doorstep, a mere 10 - 15 minutes drive away and you are in the heart of Epping.

Even armed with our maps we had hoped there would be some signs to follow but the only one we found was on a fence by a back gate into High Beach Visitors Centre, it didn't matter just as long as our walk looped back to the car.

Although the walk was shorter, only 6 miles, and good for our frame of mind, parts were certainly hilly - we'd not really hill walked before and both looked daunted standing at the bottom of them. Nancy showed off at one point and jogged to the top for photo opportunities, here she is at the top - it doesn't look 'that' steep but it was, trust me!

Driving home I felt much better for some air and more energized but can't wait for the leaves to be fully out. Epping is amazing the first few weeks when all the leaves are new. On a sunny day the green is just beautiful.

mellow yellow

2011-03-09T10:32:00.005Z

It is around now that my beloved Mimosa tree is coming to an end with its bright yellow fluffy flower heads. Sadly this year it never bloomed as the early winter we had was too much for it, possibly last years harsh winter also didn't help. It was full of buds in December so things looked hopeful but it never made it. I noticed someone's, much larger, Mimosa tree also suffered so maybe they aren't hardy enough..

I feel like I'm not meant to have a Mimosa tree as the last one we had snapped in strong gale force winds when we lived in Leyton. So I'm not sure what to do. Do I replace it? Or are we in for long hard winters like the last few and I will struggle to keep it going.

After our last walk we sat on the tube home flicking trough the photos we had taken that day. It became apparent that my eye is drawn to yellow at the moment.

I've always been partial to yellow - especially the slightly dirty shades right up to downright dirty ochres. I've always struggled to find a good yellow in wool - they seem to be too pale and babyish and don't have that umph of colour yellow is supposed to have.

I wear quite a lot of yellow - never sure if it really suits me but I like to wear it! I have a few dresses with good yellow prints and the odd cardi, you didn't see much yellow in the shops but when I do I'm drawn to it!

It feels like winter has been very long and drawn out, don't get me wrong I do like winter but when its just grey for weeks on end I think we all yearn for some colour. The days are slowly getting longer and trees are in bud so soon enough we will have some colour - just not with my Mimosa tree.

what more balls of wool?

2011-03-07T12:03:00.005Z

A Saturday afternoon trip out to here...

my partner in crime (she just loves getting in my pictures)

meant buying these...

I may never buy any other yarn, it is sooo lovely, sooo soft and sooo nice to crochet with.

They are Malabrigo Worsted Aran in Frank Ochre and Sweet Grape and the one being crocheted is Juno Fibre Arts Pearl in French Grey.

Other things, now neglected due to to beautiful new yarn is this twirly crochet scarf, I only have one more row to do but I'm concerned I might look like a mad Coco the clown in an equally mad coloured neck ruff! So have put myself off it.

These squares will be cushions for the, one day soon to be opened Etsy shop. Ahem, hopefully, soonish, maybe.

There might have been a little fabric shopping too. To an amazing shop in West London that sells a lot of Liberty fabric - I think more choice than Liberty itself and far cheaper. We didn't squeal as much as I thought we would, this was down to being followed around by a lady working there. We felt pretty intimidated by her but by the end she had us hook, line and sinker!

Do you want to know where it is?

Oh, go on then... it's here. Don't say I don't tell you anything.

a walk along the river

2011-03-04T08:39:00.007Z

This weeks walk left us feeling like we hadn't done too well - until Nancy checked her pedometer. Ten and a half miles! It hadn't felt so far as the others as we hadn't travelled through as many different areas of London. we where finishing off from our first walk and continuing onto the next section of Walk London.

We started at Cyprus and crossed over Royal Albert Dock and King George V Dock with city airport in the middle. On hitting North Woolwich and the Thames, to our delight there was a small but lovely sandy beach!

Who would have thought? We scrambled like excited kids down to the beach and instantly started beachcombing. Lots of sea glass and bits of ceramic bottles, I even found a coin or token - have no idea of it's origin but maybe it will bring me my fortune!! I nearly lost Nancy towards the end of the beach, as she stepped on some soggy mud and sank letting out a piercing scream!

Laden down with our finds we continued to Woolwich intending to use the foot tunnel, but on seeing the Woolwich ferry we decided to catch that.

Watching them unload and load the cars and lorries in just a few minutes, they have it down to a fine art. The foot passengers went downstairs to a warren like area with lots of wooden benches, it felt very old and Victorian.

We crossed the Thames and continued along the Thames Path and Capital Ring staying close to the Thames pretty much the whole way, apart from a couple of diversions due to building works.

Passing the Thames barrier we stopped for lunch. It was a bitterly cold day with a biting chilly wind, we were sometimes glad of the diversions as it shielded us from it.

We passed by quite a lot of aggregate, concrete and road repair companies along the next part of the Thames. Huge conveyor belts from a dredging ship carried the sandy stony mass over our heads, where it was sifted and sorted.

Soon we circled around the O2 Dome passing by Canary Wharf on the opposite side.

Our walk ended here at North Greenwich, it should have ended at Greenwich but time was against us, but we will continue it soon.

This sign is so sweet, don't you think?

liebster

2011-03-02T09:41:00.003Z

The children went back to school yesterday, slightly grumpy about the whole matter. But hey they break up at the end of March for pretty much the whole of April, going back at the end for a measly 3 days before the long Bank holiday - I keep pointing this out during their grumbles.

We came home yesterday knowing that 5pm was the time we would learn their fate about secondary school placements. Annoyingly the website crashed and the longed for email didn't reach us till 5.43pm - 43 minutes of unrest but F+T got their places at our chosen school so I am very relieved and happy.

It was my Birthday at the weekend and I have been spoilt for a few days, with some lovely presents and even Happy Birthday sung to me at Knit + Chat yesterday as S had made me Oreo brownies complete with candles.

Another little surprise was an award by Two Hippos - Thank you so much.

Once you receive the liebster award you get to award several other blogs with less than 300 followers with the award, too.

So I give this award to...

Macpurp - an old friend with a similar sense of humour!

Periwinkle - lovely park walks and cutest knitted animals.

Purl About Town - knitting lady who is now running knitting classes at CB and Mum to gorgeous Flo.

half term

2011-02-24T08:47:00.003Z

I'm loving being at home during half term - I've missed so many over the years as it was busy during schools holidays at the shop. I only ever managed a couple of days off as we split the week up. But now long days stretch before us, no rush to get up and general pottering about goes on by everyone.

The week so far has been filled with:

Lego - the village is taking over.
Day out to Kew.
Baking - Frank has so far made red velvet whooping pies and triple choc chip cookies (most have been gobbled up by the jaunt to Kew.)
More baking planned by Ted who is desperate to try out his ninja cookie cutters.
Playing libraries.... yeah really!
Wiii - need I say more?
Various model building kits.
Oh and squabbling - their favourite past time of all.

The Kew outing was part of our Walk London, although I don't think we walked half as far as last week. By the end of the day C+T were practically walking and leaning on each other with tiredness. After all they had run circles and zig zagged around us the whole day - so perhaps they had done nearer 10 miles.

They had carried around rucksacks filled with only what 11 years old need on such a walk - C's being particularly impressive - cow bells?!

What to do on busy tube home with a tape measure - why, measure your nose...

Kings Cross to Mile End walk

2011-02-18T10:12:00.005Z

This weeks walk was a whopper - practically 10 miles.

It was a great walk starting from Kings Cross down to Coram Fields. Here we stopped off at the Foundling Museum to see the exhibition Threads of Feeling.

It was quite a heart wrenching exhibition about abandoned children, some only a day old. The child was usually left with some form of token that would identify their child if or when the parent came back to reclaim their child. This rarely happened though. The token left came in many forms - coins, tiny cravings, ribbons, pieces of cloth embroidered or just simply a piece of the clothing the child was wearing when left. This would be cut and added to their form which listed their name, age, clothing list and of course their number.

From here we continued down through Bloomsbury to Holborn and on to Aldwych.

We stopped off at the Twinings shop in Aldwych and bought lots of tea bags to try - I bought some single teabags for Frank as he likes to try them out, I'm a brown tea sort of girl so don't have much else in! He was a very happy boy indeed and made himself a cup of Lavender Earl Grey when he got home from school.

We hit the city and realised it was lunch time as the streets filled with suited people dashing about - felt a little out of place and almost touristy! We stopped for lunch in St Paul's rose garden which was very quiet and serene.

Hitting Aldgate the people in suits were replaced with everyday folk and students, very East End! Aldgate runs into Whitechapel and we walked along through Whitechapel market with all the bright colours of sari's and fruit and veg. We dared to venture in to one of the sari shops and cooed over the beautiful clothing.

We continued on leaving the bustling market to a quieter Mile End and hopped back on the tube in time to pick the children up from school.

Our walks obviously have a lot of chatter between us and I always come away feeling a little more sorted in my world. We talk and talk about many different things but at the moment mostly about our directions in life. We may not always give advice to each other, but that's not what its about. Often just talking out loud about things actually helps you realise what you have to do and that some things we don't need to worry about quite as much as we thought. I also realise that I'm not going as mad as I think I am and that there are lots of Mothers out there with the same thoughts of wonder and confusion.

This is so nice to know!

not at my best

2011-02-11T10:34:00.005Z

This week seems to have flown by and it hasn't been the best of weeks.

I've had a bad cold that I can only describe as fatigue. Really, that's the only word for it. But I'm not the sort to lie down and let it take over but maybe I should just give in to it and then maybe it will go away.
I have filled cracks on the stairs with the wrong sort of filler - the one that's unpaintable - had to start again and then painted them.
Waited in for the carpet fitter to precut a piece so the edges can be whipped, this is being fitted next Friday. So that will be another home day as they are very vague on their timings and always seem to turn up at the latest time given, it would be sods law that they turn up earlier had I not been there!
Made valentines bunting for the schools Valentine Disco. Cut out loads of card hearts and using the sewing machine sewed them into bunting. Also made heart mobiles - have paper cuts - ouch.
Locked myself out of the house and had to hunt down my Mother for the keys, who was out with her mobile switched off. Must get more keys cut and spread them about.
Bought myself some flowers to cheer the week up, had to be yellow. I love yellow.
Started some chunky crochet - its so quick. This pattern is called Ringo.

No walk to report on this week as we have both been busy with one thing and another and I'm not sure I would have got very far with the fatigue cold. Next week is a busy week, including a much needed walk, so I will be looking forward to my stay at home on Friday after all.

Have a happy weekend.

threads that make you huff

2011-02-04T16:30:00.005Z

I was asked what I'd like for my birthday by my Mum. I had a think and what I really wanted was some bright sewing threads. I have quite a big collection but only what I have collected over the years so we had a day out to choose my own.

First of all we went to Kleins, I've never been there before and it's a tiny shop but full of lovely braids and bits. I found a shelf of knicker elastic with little picot edging in gorgeous colours but resisted buying as I had nothing to make with - but I know where it is if ever I need it.

Round the corner was Cloth House. Flippin' heck - I could have bought many, many things but again I resisted as I'm trying to buy only when I have a purpose for it. They had gorgeous block printed cottons (under the table in the picture) that I am thinking I must return for and make into some floaty summer tops or even wrap skirts... maybe layered. Endless possibilities.

The Cloth House window display.

Next up was McCulloch and Wallis, an old haunt so I knew I'd get what I was after. And I did.

A couple of the threads I got were Topstitch thread. I've never used this type of thread before and gave it a go on something I'm working on. I love the result but a third of the way round, the thread kept shredding in the needle.

I tried everything, changed the needle, looked at the tension, changed the bobbin. I felt the needle eye was a little small for this thread and so decided this was the reason. I bought some Topstitch machine needles online that had larger eyes for the thread and when they arrived set about finishing my sewing off.

No, the same thing happened!

I tested on a 2 layers of scrap cotton - it worked fine. Repositioned my piece (which is 2 pieces of cotton and a layer of wadding) and it shredded... there was a lot of huffing, tutting and muttered swearing. How can it be the wadding? Topstitch thread is surely made to go through far thicker fabrics than what I was using and it was by Gutermann so a good brand.

I still don't know, after a few goes, I got sufficient amount of lengths sewn but feel slightly disheartened by it.

to beach blanket or not

2011-02-01T18:25:00.005Z

This circle quilt has been made unlike any other I have made. The fabrics used were from an almighty pile of stash, some I have no idea how I came to own them as they aren't really me and downright hideous! I did however buy the backing and the binding fabric for it though, even the wadding was left over pieces which I zigged together.

Once the layers were together I cut little circles and just tied them on using thick DMC thread. This was more to cover a few mismatched corners as this quilt was very hard to keep in tack. It didn't really show due to the business of the quilt but it really bugged me and I had tried to correct many of them.

I then decided I really wanted to have spirals in the circles but the thought of hand quilting all of them put me off. So I lowered the feed on my machine, attached a darning foot and jumped straight in. I'm not saying they are all perfect spirals, the ones in the middle were really hard to do as there was just too much quilt in the way. It gives a completely different look to the quilt but I like the denseness it creates - I shall be doing some more!

I tried out a new way of binding too. Continuous binding gives a lovely, slightly rounded cornered look to the quilt and was very quick and easy to do.

The last thing I did, that I have never done before to a just finished quilt, was wash it in the washing machine. I can't tell you how many times I peered into the window of the washing machine! It came out fine, this was supposed to be our picnic/beach blanket... now I'm not sure. I think it will age and wear well with lots of washing!

wrist grips and squeals

2011-01-28T16:06:00.004Z

An impromptu trip to IKEA this afternoon with Sharon led to much squealing.

You see we have both been waiting patiently for their Rosali bedding to come back in stock. We didn't head there with this in mind, in fact I had forgotten all about it.

As we approached the bedding section I felt a tight grip on my wrist and a gasp followed, I think, by a squeal. I only think, because my instant reaction was to run to it with my trolley.

I could still feel the wrist grip while searching for the double size I needed, the near panic when we thought they only had single sizes!

not ironed - I apologise for my slovenly ways!

This pattern was out about eight or maybe nine years ago, I remember going to IKEA one night with Nancy and she bought if for O's room and I bought some of the paisley print that went with this and I still have some in my stash!

This is the spare room, which is also my sewing room, so can be as girlie as I like. It is used occasionally for people staying over. It is also used as a sleepover room as F+T like to do this every now and then. Although the last two have ended up with them arguing and going back to their bedrooms.

And as you can see someone regards this large bed as her own, that's why I put the blanket back on. She changes her favourite sleeping places quite often and can usually be found in Moo's favourite spots - much to Moo's annoyance.

a walk by the canal

2011-01-26T22:03:00.000Z

We started at Warwick Avenue, home to rather large houses. We followed our map on street level until we could descend onto Regents Canal at Little Venice. It was like another world - all those house boats. I really, really wanted to peer in and take a proper look inside. They loved their gardens and pots were placed everywhere.

We walked along past lots of moorings and stopping to take many pictures - at one point I didn't think we'd manage to walk the whole way due to so much stopping.

Walking through the tunnels of various widths, heights and lengths was a little hair raising, especially the small low ones.

Regents Canal passes along the edge of Regents Park and slightly cuts through London Zoo. We only saw peachy Pelicans though and very grand houses with high security in the grounds - wonder who lives there?

Next up was Camden, I haven't been there for a good few years as it was undergoing lots of redevelopment. I barely recognised it and it was not the same place I hung out during my lunch breaks when working at Cosprop. I think a return trip one Sunday morning is needed for further investigation! And where else can you see a life size cow on a balcony?

After passing Camden we walked through the back of St Pancras and Kings Cross. A huge redevelopment is going on in the area - have a look here. It was always a pretty grim area of London and looks set to be amazing and they are using the old gas structures as part of the architecture.

Once we hit Angel we needed to go back to street level and followed a trail of waymarkers set into the pavements as we couldn't walk through Islington Tunnel which is 878 meters as it has no towpath.

Once back on the towpath we stopped for lunch sitting on benches outside the Narrowboat pub, by then the lunchtime runners were out in abundance. We headed through Dalston and Hackney and with the runners appearing from nowhere behind us, some clearly struggling, huffing and puffing while others who were far more able we saw in both directions.

There was a stark contrast from where we started to where we finished but it was so gradual we barely noticed.

We came back up to road level on Mare street just before Victoria Park so we could catch the tube home.

We were getting tired and achy by then but it really hit us when we knew the end was in sight. Legs really aching and feet throbbing, Little Venice to Victoria Park is about eight and a half miles. It was a lovely walk with so much to see, we vowed to redo it in the summer as it would look so different with things in full bloom.

I wonder if we'll ever be able to walk these distances and not feel any pain?

Some thoughts after our walk:

we didn't fall in the canal - although I was close when getting a better photo shot I stepped onto someone's board-walk which was covered in algae!

I would buy a house boat just to have doilies at the window!

A walk in the City

2011-01-21T12:56:00.001Z

This weeks Wednesday Walk was an extra. We only plan to walk every other Wednesday but this week we decided a trip to Stanfords in Covent Garden would be good and buying maps would help set up the next few walks.

We walked from Covent Garden along Long Acre, onto High Holborn, down to Holborn Viaduct to the back of St Pauls cathedral then along Cheapside to Bank. Finally down Lombard Street before turning onto Bishopsgate to Liverpool Street station where we hopped back on the central line home.

I forgot my camera and kicked myself the whole way as it was such a lovely day.

These were taken on my phone...

There were two men working on repainting some bollards in the city.

The Pinnacle, under construction - all very blue. Blue sky, blue cranes, blue construction wrap thing - I don't know what it would be called.

Just a bit of sunshine is very good for the soul and the mind.

11

2011-01-19T06:54:00.003Z

It's Birthday time here. Frank and Ted are a big 11 years old. 11 feels like on the verge of bigger things. It means you are the oldest and biggest at your primary school but come September you will be back to the smallest in a much bigger, daunting place.

Happy Birthday to my boys... this is your year in pictures.

I have made a very special Devils Food Cake from Nigella's Kitchen book. It couldn't be any more chocolatey for my two - who above all love chocolate. They claim to have two stomachs, one just for puddings like this which of course is never full and there's always room for more!

I didn't split it between 2 tins as Nigella says to because I didn't have 2 tins that were spring loaded, just one bigger one! This cake is very runny and I thought it would just run out the bottom - it didn't - well it did a little but nothing to worry about.

So the cake isn't as deep as the picture but covered in heaps of chocolate sauce!

As I was on a roll I also made Guinness Gingerbread - oh my!