The weekend & the challenge so far!

The weekend seems to have flown by in a flurry of busyness. Yesterday I left early to go to a Cavy Show - one of my favourite, although it was quite a drive, made worse on the way home by the fact a large chunk of the A1 was closed and I had to take a major detour, so didn't get home until quite late. Although my arm & shoulder was sore last night, in general it held up quite well so I was pleased and I have been fine today.

On Friday I managed to find three conkers! I think the childen must be collecting them to and from school as there are never any to be found.

On my way home from physio on Friday I called into the local Isobel Hospice Charity Shop and was delighted to find a coat. I've never had a 'posh' winter coat before so couldn't quite believe my eyes when I saw this.

Isn't it lovely? I am thrilled with this, not the colour I'd usually go for, but it is a lovely dusky pink and with a nice brooch and a scarf it will be lovely to wear in the winter. I would never have been able to afford this new - not that I'd be able to buy it new now I've undertaken the 'ultimate challenge'. So how much did this beauty set me back? A mere £6! So I was very happy, especially not the colder nights and days are drawing in.

I made myself a little blue crochet flower brooch on Friday night after making one for a friend and took delight in wearing it both on Friday and Saturday.

Friday also saw me dropping eight bags, 4 cosmetic/bits & bobs purses and some lavender hearts into the shop for the fair in Sunday - hopefully they have done well.

I collected some more fabric and notions and have lots of plans going on in my head and on paper.

Just a few vintage buttons that have taken my fancy.


Crochet flowers to make into brooches.

New Library Books

Making full use of our local library, I spied four 'new' books in today. The library run a 'circulating stock' scheme so there are often new books in the library that I haven't had out before which is good. These books look to have some lovely ideas in them. Whether or not I'll make anything from them is questionable, but I do love browsing through these books and getting ideas.

This sounds good - 'to make in a weekend'.

After my 'jean' bag I made the other day I thought this might come in handy for other ideas.

Only a short and sweet post today as I had rather a tough phsiotherapy session today, so need to sit with some heat on, which is difficult hunched over the computer! So I'm off to drool over my library books.

Enjoying the day and recycling!

Well after yesterday and the continual rain, what a surprise this morning to wake up to a glorious sunny day. Lovely autumn weather and temperature, just perfect for going for walks. I've been for two walks today, the usual with hubby and the dogs and then one by myself to go and post a parcel off to the lovely Floss I just wish I'd got up a bit earlier - had I known what a lovely day it was! That'll teach me...

I've taken delight in taking some photos of our garden in Autumn and the array of colours starting to appear.

I wonder what happened to this little photo? Very titchey.

This is still showing wonderful contrasts between the yellow of the flowers and the blue of the sky, but you can see the seed pods starting to form.

Out the front.

The Oak tree in our street - that doesn't have acorns!

I was quite the busy little bee last night. Peanut has been invited to a Halloween Birthday party, and whilst I don't do Halloween in any way or form, he doesn't get invited to many parties so as it is just down the road from us we've said he can go. It is the 13th Birthday of a girl in his class so I have made her a bag. I do hope she likes it. Apparently I also have to make a 'Dementers' outfit - not sure how I'm going to manage that! I only sew 'pretty' LOL

This little bag was made from a pair of jeans my MIL gave me that were quite pretty but unfortunately way too big. I was partly inspired by Sarah's post and having made a bag with this pattern before here I thought I'd make one for Peanut's friend.

I'm really quite chuffed with this little bag and can see me making more.

Birthday Boy's Blanket!

Yes I finished Peanut's blanket last night! I left it folded up for him and this is how I found it this morning - crumpled up on the settee with his cushion - one of his favourite morning spots.

It was made to his colour and design specifications, although perhaps not quite as large as he wanted - but hey, I didn't have a lot of time and it is enough to cover his bed and for him to use to snuggle on the sofa.

I've had a busy evening tonight as well, but I'll show and tell another day!

Autumn has arrived!

Setting off to work at 7.30 am this morning truely felt like an Autumn Day. In sharp contrast to the weekend when the sky was blue and the sun shining, today it was pouring with rain, a sudden reminder that Winter really is on its way! Having been spoilt by the glorious September I almost got lulled into the feeling it would last... By mid-day though the rain had stopped and we were able to go for a walk with the dogs and note the changes going on around us. Conkers are ripening and being collected by children and grownups alike. Acorns are adorning the oak trees as the leaves are changing colour and falling to the ground. There was also a freshness to the air. Certainly the ground could do with some water.

Colour

The world is full of colour!

'Tis Autumn once again

And leaves of gold and crimson

Are lying in the lane.

There are brown and yellow acorns,

Berries and scarlet haws,

Amber gorse and heather

Purple across the moors!

Green apples in the orchard,

Flushed by a glowing sun;

Mellow pears and brambles

Where coloured pheasants run!

Yellow, blue and orange,

Russet, rose and red -

A gaily-coloured pageant -

An Autumn flower bed.

Beauty of light and shadow,

Glory of wheat and rye

Colour of shining water,

Under a sunset sky!

Adeline White from The Book of a Thousand Poems - For the Young and the Very Young.

This afternoon was spent finishing a couple of bags started yesterday.

Again made from vintage fabrics these bags are fun to make, combining the right combination of linings to set the colours off.

Just before I came home from work I had to pop to the bank, naturally passing some charity shops. Of course I had to have a browse - bearing in mind my challenge! So I was rather intrigued by this little rose package for 49p - curiosity got the better of me....

What do you think is in here?

Pencils!

Twelve of them in fact!

Brand new - Well for 49p I thought that suited my stationery needs very well - I always need pencils when teaching to mark up the music so these will be perfect. I felt quite justified in this purchase as even though they techinically came under my 'exemption' rules, the fact that I was able to get them from a charity shop, so in a sense 'second hand' or thrifted, and for only 49 pence for 12 pencils well it would have been silly not to. So that is one need well catered for under my Ultimate Challenge I believe.

My other purchase is perhaps slightly more difficult to justify, but I think I can for several reasons - let me know whether you agree.

This book looks brand new, and was from the same charity shop for £2.99. I felt that undertaking the ultimate challenge this book will offer me invaluable assistance IF I make full use of it and I do intend on doing so.

A quick browse through the book shows lots of helpful hints - and wonderful illustrations. It has a lovely section on flowers and herbs which I am looking forward to reading. I have always grown herbs, but that is about it, just grow them! I never seem to use them, so I am hoping this book will give me some good ideas that I can put into practice.

It is Peanut's 13th Birthday today - so now I have two teenagers in the house - goodness me, HOW will I cope? So it was a very early morning start with him coming in to unwrap his presents. I even made him a homemade card, which he was delighted with! He also loved his cushion, although I noted it has been left in our room...hmmm...

I have been frantically crocheting this afternoon and evening, taking a break to write this blog. Now need to continue as I am determined to get it finished today as I said I would finish it for his birthday. I have two more rounds to do and the edging... I've got till midnight I guess! LOL

So ta ta for now.

How did Monday get here so quick?

Goodness time flies when you're having fun - or not as the case may be.

Did we get Peanut's (younger son) room done in the weekend? Well not exactly. He must be the most difficult child on earth to do anything with and I got extremely frustrated so gave up and left him and hubby to it. We still need to swap the bed over, but the room is significantly better than it was thanks to much patience on my lovely husband's behalf. Hopefully we may be able to do the bed tomorrow when I finish work late morning before Peanut gets home from school.

The guinea pigs were all cleaned out and what felt like 152 water bottles scrubbed out, sterilized and refilled.

I'm Making headway on my room, but still stumped with where to put some things that are in boxes. I need to do the do I NEED it test on them!

Yesterday evening I sat down and crocheted a cover for my lavender jar - of course in purples.

Today I have been busy cutting out more bags and then remembered I needed to make something else for Peanut's birthday - especially as I don't think I am going to get his blanket finished tonight!

A cushion for his bedroom - in similar colours to his blanket.


Vintage buttons.

Thought this one was cute and went well with the fabric.

Wonderful invention - one step buttonholes!

Now haven't been home from work long so I must print off an amended invoice for school tomorrow - not sure where my head was when I did the last one - and get cracking with this crochet blanket!

October Gold

The last two days seem to a sped by in a whirl, and yet I can't really say quite what I have achieved on the crafting front - and certainly nothing on the housework/tidying/organisational front! I have been working on the red and blue crochet blanket for my younger son - haven't got many days left now before his birthday so I'd better get a move on.

This morning I made these three lavender hearts - they smell wonderful! It is equally satisfying to know that not only are they made with vintage fabric and buttons but also filled with lavender lovingly grown from my own garden.

With Christmas approaching, my challenge in mind and my dread of Christmas - I took Floss's advice and have started reading this book, purchased second hand from Amazon - before I took on the challenge, but being second hand I think it is worth it.

I haven't read much yet as have been finishing my other book 'The Book of Secrets' duly finished today on the train to and from London.


I have received my first ever award with thanks to the lovely funny Pam of White Morn Cottage



I understand I have to pass it on to five other blogs so here goes.... I don't believe you have to do anything else - just pass it on to those blogs you enjoy.

Country Bliss

Bobo Bun

Sharie's View to the Hill

A Bun Can Dance

Red Gingham

There were many more I would have liked to have passed this on to, but some of you don't do awards or tags anymore, but you are thought of!

I need to achieve a fair bit this weekend, so here is my list:

Clean out guinea pigs and tidy shed.

Take down high loft bed and put a 'normal' bed in younger son's room so I can change sheets and make the bed and check for 'accidents' easier.

Tidy my bedroom - yes this still needs to be done - I make some progress , never quite finish and then by the end of the week it is a disaster area again.

Finish my meal plan for the month and subsequently shopping list.

Design some labels and a poster for my bags etc...

There could be more, but if I can achieve the above, I will feel like I am making progress.

I hope the weekend is as good weather wise as it has been today as it has been an amazingly good day for October, clear blue skies and warm. We had a lovely walk just before lunch and I am really enjoying these times with my hubby.