Doll TA-DAH!

Well today started off the complete and utter correct way.

Just look at my breakfast!



Oh how can you not lick your lips when seeing that. I wish I could have it every morning. Tropical Goodness! Passion fruit and Grapefruit!

I then went to coffee with my mum and sister and my mother and sister in law. After the wedding we all got on so well so its nice to meet up every couple of months and catch up!

This week I have finished two projects. A doll and a mouse. Both knitted.

I am going to post about the mouse separately as I would like to share the pattern with you as it is cute and quick to make.

But here is my doll.

At my knitting classes we have all been tasked to make one for "Every Child Deserves a Doll". So she, along with about ten others, will be going over to Africa to be loved and cared for by a child.

If you would like to do one then let me know and I'll point you in the right direction!

I also saw my granny today which reminded me I must share with you the card I gave her for her birthday. She loves pin wheels so I had to get it her! It had a lovely reading on the back.

Oh it makes me long for the beach!

So finally as promised, I have two weeks of Reason's To Be Cheerful. I am really enjoying seeing all of yours and if you want to join in then is super easy. Just read this post.

  

   
Kate xxxxxx

Antique's Emporium

As I sit here writing this post I am sipping the most glorious glass of Sauvignon Blanc and eking out every last memory of the most perfect day.

It is very rare that both Craig and I have a Saturday completely free with each other. Craig plays for a cricket team and most summer Saturday's are spent hanging around with friends waiting for his return ... and hoping he has won! But this summer has been different. The rain has cause water logged pitches, slippy grass and miserable weekends which has all contributed to the cancellation of many of Craig's games.

At times this is annoying because I have already made plans but today I had no plans and we woke up with that precious and luxurious feeling of ... "what do you fancy doing today?".

Usually we are commited to decorating, but next weekend we have planned to gloss the bedroom, so today seemed like the perfect day to do a little bit of what we fancy. We decided to do the chores early (shop, clean and hair cut) and then head of for a day in Leek in the Staffordshire Moorlands.

Leek is the most wonderful day due to it being a market and antique town. Every where you go is antique shops full of stunning furniture and beautiful old trinkets. You could spend thousands and thousands and still want more. But today I invented the most fabulous game .... look at everything, but spend only £5.


That's right, I only took £5 spending money. And it was so fun.


So, it was onto the first antique shop of the day. The outside of the little stall displayed an array of vintage sides. A little weakness of my husbands. Even he would admit it. Our kitchen is full of signs and post cards that he has collected ... I will show you sometime!

The Lime Cordial one happened to catch his eye. Even the screws holding it to the wall didn't deter him from asking the shop keeper if he could buy it. The answer was no though. Not For Sale :(

We then got in the car and went onto to destination two. On the way Craig pulled over the car so I could take a photograph of this roof and the sky. I love the symmetry of the chimneys .... I love it more that there is four chimneys on one side, and three on the other .... a misbehaving kind of symmetry!

At the traffic lights was a sign for the place we were heading.

The Antiques Centre.

A huge disused textiles factory which has been converted into an emporium selling everything old.

It is literally room upon room, corridor upon corridor and stair case upon stair case of different showrooms.

I took hundreds of photos of objects that caught my eye but I have narrowed it down to my favourites.

A huge (and I emphasise huge) chandelier.

A lovely collectors item .... the Snap Dragon Fairy (mum .... this made me think of you!)

Another couple of ornate and simply gorgeous plates that caught my eye ..... the duck egg blue and gold one was priced at £30 so wayyyy out of my £5 price range!

I just loved the way all the light shades were displayed. Swaying in the cool breeze created by the open window. Twinkling in the intermittent sun rays.

 
Hello Fur Coat .... where have you been all of my life .............

 And a few more items which caught my eye.

 

So there was the trip to the Antiques Centre, and I bet you are all wondering what I purchased with my fiver.

This beautiful little rose candle holder. Look how sweet it looks on my dressing table among my perfume bottles. I am in simple love with it.

The we visited the market. They have kept all the jubilee bunting up for the Olympics and it looks so wonderful.

Craig (who was kindly doing tea tonight) collected some fresh fruit and veg.

I then found a soap stall and revelled in smelling each and every soap. Craig then let me choose one so he could save it for my birthday. I went for the blue one. It smelt like the most beautiful sun tan lotion ..... not my usual choice but I think it reflects my longing for a seaside holiday!

Seems like we could all do with a little bit of the soap right now, huh?

On our way home we stopped off at an open garden. Or should I say my dream garden!

They even had chickens!!!!! Look how cute these little chicks are. Look at first one. It has an Afro!

And these are my favourite hens. I am hoping to hatch some during spring next year. All I have to do is smile sweetly at Craig and fingers crossed he will let me!

I don't know what it is about them. I think I just love their plump bodies and plumes of feathers. Possibly I love the lack of visable chicken leg?? Hmmm!


Now for an evening of cheese, crackers, wine, knitting and crocheting.

Relaxed. Warm. Loved. And. Content.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

London Weekend Away

This weekend I went to London with my darling husband and went to stay with our friend. Before we set off though I had to capture the two most amazing poppies in my garden .... in case they weren't there when I got back!

So like I said, we went to London and took a lovely stroll Thames and passed this second hand book stall. Rows and rows of books ....

we then reached the Tate Modern and spent a good couple of hours looking through some of my favourite pieces of art. I have been here a million times but still never get bored of it.

And I certainly didn't get bored of what was to follow the gallery ..... an ice cold ginger beer! Bliss!

I am defiantly a country lass however a trip to the city does you soul the world of good.

After our trip in Central London we then went back to Brixton where we were staying and went to the indoor market and I enjoyed browsing through all the beautiful vintage shops and lovely little cafes.

We had a lovely steak and Dime Bar Cheesecake. To simply die for!

Then it was back to our friends to get merry over some wine and Jagermeister!

I didn't seem to get as merry as some so was up slightly early which gave me a great opportunity window to get some hookin' time in. I'm not sure you'll be able to guess what I'm making here but I'll keep you guessing .... this is for another time!

The tip concluded with the most wonderful afternoon. A trip to the Farmer's Market for a delightful browse at all the lovely produce.

God I could just die and go to heaven when I have cheese!

Now this picture is special because of two things. Both of which are utterly interesting.

You will instantly be drawn to the marble brownie and cheesecake swirl with cherry's. I would have sold everything I owned to have tried this. But luckily I didn't have to. It was somewhat heaven. The most chocolaty, creamiest, tangiest little mouthfuls of delight I may possibly have ever had.

Secondly ... see the hands? They are not just any hands. They are the fair hands of my friend David. Famous hands. Hand model Hands. Aren't they just lovely! I wouldn't expect you to recognise them but I'm sure you will have all seen them during the adverts of Corrie ... on the Barclay's Advert.

We then headed of the Royal Festival Hall to listen to the Philharmonic Orchestra reciting The Planet's by Holst.

It was the most amazing experience. The first half was a lecture about The Planets and was backed up with sections played by the orchestra. It was the most amazing journey through each of the pieces and was explained in such a way that made you really appreciate it.

During the interval we stood on the balcony and gazed at the most amazing views down the river Thames. The skies were electric!

Big Ben was in the distance, in all it's glory.

Me and Craig then went in to wait for the second half which consisted of a full recital of The Planets. It was awesome. So special and all the time we were reminded of famous quotations from the symphony.

I will end the blog with my favourite bit from the whole event .... its a real treat .... please listen!

The show ended at 5pm and our train was at 5:45 so it was a hop, skip and a jump to the tube and then Euston .... very muggy and heavy weather made this 45 minutes unbearable ... but once we sat down on the train I was relived that I had some music and hooking to get me through the next two hours! Simply Blissful!

So that was last weekend .... albeit a little late.

This week has been uber busy at work. But not too busy to finish of a project and start a new one .... keep watching for more details.

Finally I'd like to thank Amanda at Crafty in the Med for the following award.


The one rule is I have to pass this on to 3 - 5 blogs I enjoy. So I am going to award it to .......

hookinwithlaalaa
woollybudgie
grayseasailor

Each blogs have their own unique charm, but are all so inspiring! I urge you to take a look!

And one one final note, indulge your ears with this beauty .... my favourite - and you will soooooooo know the last bit!

Kate xxxxx

Scarf Ta-Dah

A couple of weeks ago I promised another Ta-Dah! With one thing and another I didn't get around to it ... but in a way I am glad as today is the perfect day to share it.

My first "proper" knitting project was to make a sample scarf. I wanted a chance to practise all the different knitting stitches - but to have something to show for it at the end. And of course, there is nothing more perfect than a scarf!

I must admit it was slow at the start however once I had done a couple of hours I was starting to pick up speed.

I used the most beautiful coloured wool and once I had completed the main part of the scarf I was thrilled ... apart from three things.

It needed tassels, there were a few mistakes leaving little holes and the ends of the rows were very wonky due to the beginners tension issues and the vary in stitch which had created a wavy scarf.

How I over came these problems have not only created a professional and lovely scarf. But the fact that I identified a problem and then came up with a "not half bad" solution has filled me with confidence in this craft form.

I did a double crochet border all the way around the scarf which gave its a sharp and professional looking edge, and I presume has also prevented it from catching and unravelling. In other words its fenced it in!

I also covered the few missed stitches with some lovely crochet flowers and I think it's added a nice kinda bespoke look to it.

Anyway - here is the finished product - I hope you like it.

Oops - nearly forgot why today was the perfect day to share it...

Well I have given it to my Granny (the one who taught me how to crochet!) and it is her 71st birthday today. It's a bitter-sweet type of day. The first without my beloved Granddad who passed away in April. But also a day where we can celebrate her. And I hope she likes the scarf.

xxxxx Kate xxx

P.S sorry I haven't been around much - I have been to London, and I haven't forgotten about Reason's to be Cheerful - it's just I haven't had chance to photograph my note book .... but I'll do double the reasons next Sunday.

xxxxxxx

Reason's To Be Cheerful

Well this is a quick post as I am about to go out and see my friend. But here are this weeks reasons! Looking forward to seeing yours too .....