Squares of Love!

I've started to crochet some little squares; they're for a baby blanket for my friend and colleague Kim who's 16 weeks pregnant. So actually the blanket's for the bump, but I know it won't appreciate it so Kim's getting it!

 I'm using the ends of Rico Creative Cotton that I have accumulated, so although I've started with a nice lemon yellow it may well get a bit random as it moves along. I'm trying to keep it neutral too, so I may yet need to visit my local yarn shop although I hear they are finding it difficult to get the CC in.

 I'm using the adapted Granny Square pattern from Mollie Makes a couple of issues back (issue 24), I think it was called something like "make for anyone blanket", but I'm making them very small and lots of them.


 Not sure how I'll fix them all together at the end, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it!

Cushion of Goodness!

Here's a little something I whipped up using remaining Creative Cotton that I had from the striped pram blanket of last year.

I need to block it a little bit, it's curling up at the sides edges slightly, but on the whole I'm happy with it.  I need to either crochet or knit an alternate side, OR make a back from all the fabric I have stashed under my bed.  This will probably end up with bits of all the old pairs of jeans that are under there.

This cushion is the first thing I've made for my own home - at last!

 . . . . . . .

And now that I've left it so long to take a picture, here's the front of the cushion on my "lawn" amongst the gorgeous springtime Cowslips!

Goooooooorgeous Cowslips!

In running as in most things, I am but an enthusiastic amateur.

Every run is a test for me; if I don't run for a week or two my level of fitness dramatically drops and the next time I do go out is difficult again. I would love to get to a point where it's no longer hard work. That said - I really do enjoy the sense of achievement that comes from completing a run, no matter how long or short.  

Rushcliffe 10km Race back in March

I've made some lovely new friends through the running group I've joined (Sweatshop Running Community), as well as feeling generally fitter and having pretty much no back pain since starting last May. Amazing I say! I've also been a reasonably regular attendee of the local Parkrun 5km runs at Colwick Park and Rushcliffe Country Park; I've even been a Run Director at Colwick which was fab.


So, onwards and upwards!

Over the summer I'll be working towards the Ikano Robin Hood Half Marathon, A HALF MARATHON(!!), on Sunday 29th September. I've already entered two 10km races to keep the impetus going; Race For Life in June and Women's Running in July.  Maybe there'll be more!

Wish me luck x

2012 in a, fairly large, nutshell

As I shouldn't think I'll get to blogging again before New Year (tomorrow night!) I thought I'd do as everyone else has and do a little round up of the year.

January/February/March - MEH.

April - London Baby!

Just walked around in the lovely weather all day basically!  Foot power is definitely the best way to see the city if you can manage it; we walked along much of the South Bank near the Southbank Centre and Eye, as well as around West Minster, Soho, the West End and all the way up The Mall to Buckingham Palace.

Southbank in Springtime

  I don't know how anyone could ever be bored in London.  If you get chance; go to the top of One New Change shopping centre for AMAZE-BALLS views down onto St. Paul's Cathedral and The Shard (not complete at this point!)  

Shard seen from One New Change Roof Terrace

Unfortunately I have now developed an unhealthy love of all things Liberty; generally out of my price range, all of it, but the most lovely place to walk around and how many places can you think of that have a 'Scarf Hall'?!

May - Benjamin, Laura & Running

Ben: my nephew was born early in May (altogether easier than my niece Georgia). He's a gorgeous bonny little boy - a miniature version of my brother in fact (see earlier blogs for pics).

Laura: my boyfriend's 17 year old cousin was killed in a car crash just before the Jubilee celebrations. I only met her a couple of times, but to say that she had everything going for her would be an understatement. Her funeral was incredibly sad as all her school and college friends attended as well as the older generations of the family and the other girls who'd been in the crash with her.

Running: did an 8 week beginners running course at Sweatshop in Nottingham, and although I still don't really get the endorphin release that I was promised, I do now run regularly with the same group and will be signing up for the Robin Hood half marathon in 2013 - BOOM!

June/July/August - 

Holiday in Norfolk; same caravan, different year!  It's a lovely place and I certainly don't begrudge going there (also it's free), but I really would like to go abroad again some time soon - humph!

Boyfriend on the beach at dusk

OLYMPICS, PARALYMPICS, OLYMPICS, PARALYMPICS, OLYMPICS, PARALYMPICS, OLYMPICS, PARALYMPICS, OLYMPICS, PARALYMPICS, OLYMPICS, PARALYMPICS, OLYMPICS, PARALYMPICS, OLYMPICS, PARALYMPICS!!!

Don't know who this is but it was very exciting!

The sun came out and the Torch passed through - a brilliant afternoon spent dodging rain showers and finding the best spots to take pics from. Loved the day, the atmosphere and everything that came with it, tres exciting! We even have a gold postbox nearby in Lowdham for Richard Whitehead's Paralympic gold medal.

September - Parties, Decorations & Aching Knees

Georgia's third birthday - her party complete with Jo Jingles class was brilliant!

I started making Christmas decorations and signed myself up for a stall at the Winter Minifolk Market.

The making table!

I also ran my first 10km: the Crossdale was not the best choice of event for a first-timer which Angie (one of my new running friends!) and I found out when trying to run back up the big hill back to the finish line. But, I finished it (we both did thankfully) and apart from being knackered felt that we'd achieved something neither of us thought we would or could.

October/November

Still sewing . . . . . !

Second 10km run: Spooky Sprint for Parkinsons UK at the National Watersports Centre on Halloween. We ran around the boating lake wearing head torches and apart from being knackered again, it was ace!

Running buddies - Liz, Hannah & Angie

December - 

The Winter Minifolk Market was on the 8th of December - while I had plenty to sell the attendance wasn't great and the day was a little disappointing. So, I floundered on and found another market the following weekend in West Bridgford; again the attendance wasn't great and we were tucked away in a corner but the day was bright and I had some lovely comments on my items.

My table at Melton Road Market, with Mum

Then, CHRISTMAS!

 Anyway, 2013 is nearly upon us. No New Year's Resolutions for me; I don't believe in them but don't let that stop you.

See you on the other side x

Mollie Makes & Moo & Mini Folk Market

I thought it might be a good idea to get some 'business' cards made up for when I'm at the Minifolk Market on Saturday December 8th.   Even if I don't give many out I just quite like having them!

Luckily, there was an offer in Mollie Makes for 100 free Moo cards; they have the Moo logo on each one but they're so cute and as they have my photos printed on them they're totally personal  (and they come in a cute box). Got some stickers too!  link to the free cards here

OK, advert over!!

Anyway, here's a little pic of the start of my decoration making a couple of weeks ago. 

My dining room is out of action for eating

Progress is slow, but I'll get there - just need to stop getting distracted with other things like. . . 

. . . .making a teddy bear hat . . .

Teddy Bear Hat

. . . running in 10km Spooky Sprint for Parkinsons UK . . . 

that's me on the right - ghostly/zombie runner/aerobics instructor

. . . .Getting a GLOSSYBOX full of lovely things . . . 

October Glossybox

. . . and generally working and living!!!  Anyway, off to knit a cowl rather than sew felt houses together!  

Nighty night.

Baby Blanket Update - All done bar the blocking!

Finally!  I have bought a couple of balls of the pale yellow Creative Cotton off Ebay and have complete the very last stripe of the body of the blanket. *Must leave feedback!*  Decided not to do another round of stripes; for one thing I just want to get it finished but it would also be a bit on the large side for a pram blanket if I did.

Actually done now - decided on red edging.

Next comes the edging.  The pattern I'm kind of following describes a simple shell edging but for some reason I couldn't make it work and gave up pretty quickly. I think it was just a bit tight and was making the edge of the blanket pucker.  

So, I'm doing doubles all the way round in the red yarn and then I'll decide what to do next.  I've chosen to use the red so that it's nice and neutral; the pink or lilac might have made the whole thing a more girly feel.

Cushion Loving!

I saw this in Dunelm Mill a couple of weeks ago but have obviously only just got round to sharing. So lovely with it's little strings of bunting and embroidered flowers!

I'd have a go at making something like this myself rather than spending £19.99 on it but i think it wouldn't come out half as cute and would probably cost me more than that to make a one-off.

Ho-hum, maybe another time!