French Knots

Grow Your Own

The joy of being able to pop over to the allotment and gather an armful of flowers, so glad I made a little cutting patch. My Little Helper scattered some seeds earlier in the year and we have been rewarded with lovely flowers almost for free.

 
 
Many of the crops were less successful, the slugs ate the squash plants, the sparrows had the pea seedlings, the potatoes have some sort of wormy infestation.......thank goodness for simple flowery pleasures! 

ps have launched the new Autumn and Winter Workshops over here if you fancy a nosy - crochet, hand sewing, jewellery making, sewing machine skills, photography and some Christmas goodies to make too!

Where does it go...

time, it seems to be slipping away somewhere! I can't believe how much of this year has passed already, only a few weeks till the schools break up for the summer. I feel like I spend most of my time trying to get things done, squeezing it all in. Perhaps starting a business with a two year old wasn't my greatest idea but I'm pinning my hopes on having a few free hours when he goes to playgroup a couple of mornings later in the year. Equally I don't want to rush this precious time at home together while he changes every day and being here for the big two when they finish school.

The marketing is the hardest bit of running the studio, letting people know I'm there so they can come and have a brilliant time at one of the workshops. Twitter, Facebook, training websites, posters, leaflets ....whatever I can think of. But word of mouth seems to be the only thing that makes any impact and I'm sooo impatient! We were featured in the local paper after the Open Day, lots of lovely generous people came to make bracelets to send to St Petersburg ( hello Vera, who had a nightmare on the motorway!) and we made 150 bracelets!

 
Wonderful colourful creations sending love from the children here to the children in Russia

 
Thanks to Craft Hope for letting us know about the project.   

I went to A Thrift Mrs Sale and amongst a treasure trove of goodies I brought home (purely to help her have a clear out you understand!) were some big crocheted granny squares, I've joined them into a small blanket and have been using leftover oddments of wool to make a border
When we were away in Pembrokeshire over half term the evenings were chilly so it was great to snuggle under the tweedy wooliness while hooking away.

 
The week away was wonderful, not really restful with three children but certainly a slower pace of life mooching about and enjoying the amazing weather on the beach.

 
 
We visited Tenby for a wander round the harbour but stayed mostly near to the caravan as we only had to wander down the hill to be on the beach at Freshwater East, paddling and sandcastle building. We stayed late into the evening on the warmest day, barbecuing sausages on the beach and watching the beach empty of sun kissed holiday makers.

We are taking the caravan over to the Isle of Wight during the summer holidays, another adventure to a place we haven't visited before - it's the perfect way to holiday with children, all your own bits and bobs to hand and the world to explore.

And when you get home from a holiday what could be nicer than allotment grow strawberries for tea?

 
 

Soggy Sunday

I had hoped to make a scarecrow with My Little Helper up at the allotment today but as it's been raining all day we've had to put it off. He's really been enjoying helping this year and has a row of beetroot and lettuces that he's planted and is caring for. So instead of allotment pottering I thought I'd cheer myself up with some pictures of our caravan trip to Shropshire, the weather was amazing, lots of cowslips

 
 we stayed on a site near Much Wenlock which was very handy for visiting Blists Hill the Victorian town. Mr FK and I worked out that we had visited once before, about 20 years ago and naturally it had changed a lot. The children were excited at the prospect of changing their money in the bank for 'old money' and then planned what they would spend it on.

 

 

 
The children liked the sweet shop best, Mr FK was quite keen on the chippy but I wanted to stay and play in the haberdashers

 
so many little visual treats

 
and cosy corners

 
There is so much to see there, a brilliant family day out with a sawmill, pigs and horses to see, a mine to explore, space to picnic and ferocious schoolteacher to put the wind up the children!

 
 
Since we got back my workshops have been going well and I'm really enjoying showing people how to do things I love. We've done crochet and embroidery and next week we are brooch making. I've updated the Studio blog with all the new summer courses. We are going to be learning how to take better photos with Jane and how to decorate delicious homemade cupcakes with Heather as well as knitting, crochet and a special Learn to Love your Sewing Machine session.

If you are in the Manchester area next Saturday 21st May please call in as I have a Charity Open Day. I have heaps of ribbon, beads, buttons, elastic and fabric and would like as many people as possible to pop in and help make bracelets for the latest Craft Hope project. They are sending bracelets to Orphan Outreach a charity who are going to be working in St Petersburg this summer and would like bracelets to give to the children they meet. A small, simple thing to make and I thought it would be a brilliant use of the Studio. Hopefully we can get plenty made for them, so please pop in!

Spring memories

Thank you to everyone who gave their thoughts on my workshop post, I'm going to follow up on them later this week. And do the draw for the World Book Night book. Just a quick post today..... 

 

A lovely bright morning today so The Baby Brother and I headed to the allotment, it was tranquil and pretty much deserted. I felt so lucky to be there on a Tuesday morning rather than sitting at a desk in a dull office watching the sunshine longingly through the window.

We passed the only other person there as we wandered down to our plot,an older lady hoeing, she smiled and we stopped to chat, no need to rush when the day is your own to spend as you wish. She commented on The Baby Brother wonderful blonde hair and how like her own little boy he looked and a look of such longing appeared on her face. Thinking of time long ago that she spent with her son, seeing the wonders of nature through his eyes, his pleasure in a stone and a bit of soil.

We did a bit of digging on our plot then sat in the sun on the path to eat a biscuit and chat about the birds we could see.No need to rush anywhere, time to sit and just be with him. I stored up the moment in my heart for the years ahead when I gaze longingly at sweet little blonde haired toddlers and remember......

Of course after a morning hard at work with the spade it's no surprise he's a bit tired

 
Even if I don't grow a single pea or potato on my allotment this year it has already given me the best of gifts.  

Autumn Days

 
We squeezed in a weekend away at Carsington Water in the caravan, left home in the pouring rain on Friday and got home in another downpour on Sunday - but in between it was glorious sunshine. We walked from the campsite around the reservoir enjoying watching the boats, someone found it a bit hard going and his legs were tired......

 
What a hard life!

 
We have gathered most of our crops from the allotment, our single pumpkin is now on the kitchen window sill ripening and My Little Helper has plans for it on Halloween. Still some leeks in the ground for later in the year.We've also been planning all the extra things we want to grow next year - more fruit and veg, more flowers for cutting and a herb patch are all on the list. Well we'll see what next year brings, I've covered the parts I cleared this year with old carpets to try and keep them weed free for the spring.

 
Such wonderful colours, they remind me of the gorgeous wool felt I bought from Treefall

 
wonderfully thick yet soft. 

 

I think I might use it to make some more brooches in autumnal shades, such fun playing with pretty fabric and buttons!

 

 

Summer time

This was how I spent the journey home from Norfolk, using Bella Dia's Vintage Vertical Stripe Pattern

just whizzing back and forth in pinky blue hues, eventually it will be a long, narrow scarf , a project that I can pick up and put down.

Isn't the arrival of summer wonderful, life has a happier feel, people smile more and meals eaten outdoors seem more enjoyable.

 The first crop from the allotment! Luckily the slugs didn't spot the strawberries! Some goosberries and pea tops, delish! I'm struggling to get down there often enough to water but am happy to accept some losses and smaller onions than my neighbours! There are only so many hours in the day and I want to enjoy my visits there rather than it becoming a chore.

Hope your weekend takes you somewhere wonderful! 

Sunny Spring

The garden and allotment are bursting into wonderful spring life, sunny days and rain showers are encouraging everything to grown like mad.

Poppies ready to burst open with vibrant blooms

 
Oh yes, the weeds are romping along too! But very pretty and photogenic!

I've squeezed in a little sewing, recycled jeans become a little birthday present backpack, just right for summer.

And now it's half term so of course it's raining! Hopefully the sun will come out later so we can try out the new play equipement in the park. We are off to North Norfolk soon in the caravan staying on the Sandringham Estate, I'm really looking forward to some relaxing days and tasty BBQs. It's not an area we've been to before so please let me know which villages are the prettiest,which beaches are good for paddling or which shops I should visit with my holiday spends! Amanda Makes says we mustn't miss Wiveton Farm Cafe and having looked at their website I can't wait to visit.

I'm risking another dose of crochet finger! Grannies are so quick and easy to do I couldn't resist creating some squishy cushions for the caravan and next I want to try Attic 24s Granny Stripes. I bought some cheapo acrylic yarn in some wonderful colours and will be able to granny along to my hearts content. Hopefully it will grow as quickly as my weeds! 

Catching up

The last few weeks have been busy, nothing major, just general five-person-family-busy.

The Baby Brother celebrated his first birthday in style with not one but two birthday parties, the sun just about shone and it didn't rain on our bbq, the bunting fluttered and The Baby Brother blew out the candles on a fantastic cake made by his Big Sister. She baked some light as air victoria sponges in my Gram's lovely old cake tin, covered them with jam, wedged them together with oozing butter cream then decorated it with icing wrapped parcels.

He now toddles round, at that sweet stage where they are just getting their balance and list gently from side to side, grinning proudly as he wobbles over to his goal - usually something he shouldn't be playing with!

I've managed to get a few peaceful hours on the allotment, it might not look much but I've done loads of digging! There is a strange heap at the front of the plot where some manure was dropped off years ago. It is full of twine and strangely lumps of clay! My Little Helper was 'helping' with the digging last weekend and decided he would set up a shop selling the string and clay - bless! So if you need some'wild clay' or orange string at only 10p a piece you know who to ask!

I'm hoping to press on with clearing this heap over the weekend so I can plant my flower seeds and have a little cutting garden. Happily my strawberries have survived the winter and the onion sets are doing well. You can just see them on the left of this picture in front of the heap of carpet.

My Little Helper played football in his Beavers tournament, the team really enjoyed themselves, but not as much as Mr FK who was the coach cheering them on from the sidelines and encouraging them to watch the ball rather than chat to each other!

I've been enjoying the  365 project, taking a photo a day and haven't missed a day yet. It helps with noticing what goes on around me so I don't just get lost in the daily rush of packed lunches, errands, what's for tea and must get the washing on the line. I've discovered that I want a 50mm lens but can't fit one to my camera, so will just have to learn more about what I can do with it to get around the problem.

I have noticed that I tend to take pictures around my home and garden as I feel a bit embarrassed to be seen taking photos while out and about, I'm not sure why but taking a picture in the local park or at the shops seems to imply I'm an oddball - hmm could be some truth in that!

We are looking forward to the weekend as the Big Sister is in the thick of SATS this week, roll on the last one on Friday. Year 6 have spent weeks revising for them and the school seem to put an awful lot of pressure on 10 and 11 year olds. She went rock climbing with the Guides last week ( photo is on my phone, must learn how to get it off there!) I was so proud of her, whizzing up the wall to the very top. It was in a converted church and was really atmospheric. She's growing up so fast, stretching her wings and learning more about herself. In fact all three of them seem to be growing and learning so much this spring. Special days.xx 

Weekend

Lots of little things got done and one very big one - plenty ticked off the to do list! Tackling clutter hotspots, you know those piles of things that sit there so long that you don't even see them any more, has freshed up quite a few areas of the house. Still more to do with Christmas approaching I still want to clear out some cupboards in preparation.

I planted some strawberries on the allotment in one of the raised beds that Mr FK built for me. A lovely peaceful hour in the sun, solitary work and so enjoyable. They looked a bit small and weedy once they were in and I could almost here the slugs dashing for a hearty meal.

The list of Christmas present I'd like to make has been drawn up and several designs are underway. I feel really excited about Christmas this year and suddenly we are in the middle of Novemeber so it's the perfect time to start planning.

  

Some satisfying knitting has been done, sweet little hats and some socks for me.

And a wonderful surprise from Mr FK

an MP3 for me, just need to learn how to use it!

My Little Helper and I made an autumn crown like the one we saw at Elsie Marley

 

We watched Dr Who, how scary was that episode?! I nearly had to watch from behind a cushion! The glazed eyed, water gushing people were so menacing.

And the really big thing ....Mr FK painted the hall, stairs, landing, stairs and landing! I helped by keeping the children out of the way and choosing the paint - what a team! Pictures to follow once it's all put back together.

Allotment

My poor allotment has been totally neglect this first season that I've had it, due to late pregnancy, effects of a section and a new baby and this last month a sprained little finger! Anyway we went down there the other evening,Mr FK was coerced into building me a compost bin from some palletts and we picked some blackberries for a crumble

 

The blackberries are growing in a thicket amongst redcurrants, blackcurrants, raspberries and gooseberries. An impenetrable thicket so there was much reaching with the spade to drag the juciest blackberries within arms reach. I need to thin it out somehow for next year, probably wearing a suit of armour to save me from the prickles!

I'm going to make some raised beds for next season - well when I say 'I' you know Mr FK will be wielding the power tools and doing the chopping up for me. So I'm going to use this B&Q 15% off voucher to get some gravel board, help yourself if you'd like to use it too! It's valid from today till next Tuesday. The strawberry plants have been ordered from Ken Muir so  we have a deadline to encourage the bed building!

Did you see Grow Your Own the other night? It's was about an group of refugees who were given allotments, how the locals reacted, the healing power of growing food. The only problem with it was how tidy all the plots and paths were! So unrealistic! Perhaps if aim for their perfection next year I might fall short but at least it wont be the wilderness it's been this year!