Fabric Scrap Sorting (again), A Giveaway and George's Cowl

After the hustle and bustle of Christmas, I'm enjoying a few days relaxing, watching movies and sorting my fabric scraps!

 

 

We walked into town earlier today to return a game to Blockbusters. We took Spencer, of course, who enjoyed the walk along the canal.

 

 

 

The restoration has really progressed since we last walked that way.

 

 

We had lunch at the Lockkeeper's Cafe.......

 

 

 

I had a Stilton and Mango Chutney Panini - Mmm absolutely delicious!

 

And then home for more fabric scrap sorting!!

 

 

 

Thought you'd like to know there's a fabulous New Year's giveaway going on over at Amanda's blog Crafty in the Med.

 

Especially if you like crochet and yarn :)

 

Look! You can win this crochet book or this gorgeous yarn stash!

 

 

 

Click here to pop over to Crafty in the Med and enter!

 

 

...........And last but not least!

 

You may remember just before Christmas, I showed you a cabled cowl that I had knitted.

 

Here's a little reminder!

 

 

Well, I knitted one for my son, George, for Christmas, in a black and grey fleck yarn. He was really pleased with it so much so he even let me take a photo of him wearing it!

 

 

 

The cowl is really enjoyable to make. I'm halfway through another one for my other son, Will.

 

You can find the pattern here on Amy's lovely blog, Fearless Homemaker.

 

 

That's all for now.

 

Happy Holiday Crafting!

 

Happy New Year!

 

Maggie xx

 

Dog Christmas Tree on the Common

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!

Whilst walking on Rodborough Common a few days ago, in the distance we spotted a tree decorated with festive tinsel.
Chris said he thought it was the 'Dog Tree' that he'd read about.

We went to investigate and found the tree had been decorated by a local animal shelter. There was a box where you could leave a donation to help to care for the animals.

Apart from the pretty festive tinsel, the tree was also decorated with cards and photos of dogs that have enjoyed walking on the Common.

 

Enjoy the rest of the holidays!

 

Maggie xx

The Frozen Common

The start of last week was extremely cold.

 

Rather reluctantly, we left the warmth of the woodburner and ventured up on to the Common to give Spencer his daily scamper around.

 

Wrapped up in my winter coat (and several layers underneath), hat, gloves and my new cosy cowl, I prepared to brace myself against the icy blast.  I was ever so slightly surprised to find our familar walk looking even more beautiful than usual.

 

So much so that I hardly noticed the freezing temperatures!

 

I took some photos so I could share it with you.

Maggie xx

Knitting and Cows

I've been busy knitting again....in between the Christmas shopping, dog walking, making baby quilts....

 

I love it!

Here are the moss stitch hand warmers I mentioned last time....

They're really nice to knit and didn't take long... you can find the pattern on the CreativeYarn blog here.

 

You may recognise the yarn - it's Robin Paintbox - the same yarn that I'm using to make my poncho (WIP - haven't picked it up for a while!)
 

 

 

After I'd finished the moss stitch hand warmers, I decided to try to make a cowl. I found a lovely chunky pattern on Amy's lovely blog, Fearless Homemaker. I'd been wanting to try cables as I haven't done any for years and this pattern looked just the job....

You can find the pattern here.

 

 

It's lovely and cosy for this cold weather and I love the self patterning chunky yarn.

 

Thought you might like to see this....we were walking down the lane the other day and those cheeky Belted Galloways are back in the field...

Enjoy the rest of Sunday!

 

Maggie xx