Flowers in the Window: 2013

Monday, 30 December 2013

Christmas Crochet

What's going on? Two posts in two days?!!!

Well.....I wanted to show you my Christmas crochet and also link up to Linda's December Stashbuster Challenge.

I started my Granny Stripe Blanket in mid November......

My Granny Stripe Blanket 18th November 2013

Ever since I finished my Wool-Eater back in June 2012..............

My Wool-Eater Blanket

.............I've missed making a blanket. I missed having something that I could make whilst watching TV, keep me cosy and something that didn't require too much concentration!

My Granny Stripe Blanket 25th November 2013

The other good thing is that I can use up some of my odd balls of yarn but make something pretty and useful in the process.

I had originally started a knitted blanket....a couple of times actually! This log cabin pattern was nice to do but I didn't like how the colours looked together.

I tried a couple of times but then gave up on that idea and after browsing a few different patterns online decided on the granny stripe.

My Granny Stripe Blanket 26th November 2013

The colours seem to look so much prettier with this pattern even if they are supposed to be kind of random.

My Granny Stripe Blanket 8th December 2013

My stash was running low on some of what I call the prettier colours and I'd already raided my Mum's stash...........

.....so I went to Shaws and bought a few balls of new colours. I know....any excuse to buy more yarn......the idea is to use up my stash.......but it's got to look pretty too, hasn't it?

I'm pleasantly surprised by how quickly my blanket is growing.................

My Granny Stripe Blanket 22nd December 2013

.....and when I put my feet up in the evening I love having the choice of my granny stripe blanket to crochet...........

or George's Aran jumper to knit!

Take care 'til next time.

Happy crafting!

Maggie xx

Sunday, 29 December 2013

Christmas Knitting

I hope you've had a lovely Christmas and are enjoying the festive holiday.

This is a quick catch up to show you the knitting I have been doing over Christmas....

I am making this aran jumper for my son, George,...at his request.... and he chose the pattern and yarn....

It's quite complicated with cables and bobbles. I have to follow the pattern all the time but I'm enjoying making it.

The photo below pretty much sums up the situation here when George is home. Spencer never leaves his side! They are such good buddies.

I'll be back soon with some Christmas crochet!

Maggie xx

Tuesday, 24 December 2013

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you a very merry Christmas!

Have a wonderful time!

Maggie xx

Friday, 6 December 2013

Up the Tower!

So did you guess where I was?

Yes! That's me hanging on up the Leaning Tower of Pisa!!

The magnificent bell tower of the cathedral of Pisa....

This trip away was inspired by a postcard that I received from my dear Dad when I was just a little girl.

Here is the postcard...it's very treasured......I've kept it all these years......44 years in fact......

I can still remember receiving it and being so excited at the thought of climbing the steps to the top of this tower.....a tower that could possibly topple over at any minute!

Here's the reverse of the postcard and a few photos of me as a child that I dug out for my 50th last month. I think I'm about 6 in the bottom right pic...the same age as when I received the card....

The post mark has a little Tower mark and the date is 1969.

My Dad talks about all the steps...oh my goodness......296.....I climbed the spiral staircase within the walls....and made it to the top.....with lots of encouragement from Chris...

I then saw the lovely view of the mountains.......... that my Dad had mentioned.....

....stunning views of the Baptistry and Cathedral....

......and the seven bells my Dad had talked about.....

.......they were so beautiful......

.......it was wonderful to see them up so close at last.....

They've been there for so many years.....up so high.....

.....and visited by so many people from all over the world....

....the experience was slightly surreal and a little bit overwhelming.....

I find it rather incredible that the Leaning Tower was built so long ago....around 1172 to 1370.

We really enjoyed our few days in Pisa. It's a wonderful place to visit.

I hope you've enjoyed this post and thank you for popping by,

Maggie xx

Tuesday, 26 November 2013

My Doll's House Quilt at Victoriana Quilt Designs

You may remember my little Doll's House Quilt that I made earlier in the year whilst touring in France.

Well I'm delighted that Benita from Victoriana Quilt Designs has invited me to present a guest post on her wonderful site.

Victoriana Quilt Designs features a section called Handwork While You Wait especially for crafters who like to sew/knit/crochet whilst on the move.

There are some lovely tutorials for crafty projects such as a crocheted dishcloth, knitted socks, a hexie needlecase and now.....my dolls house quilt!......All ideal for travelling, waiting rooms, at the hairdressers......

You can see my guest post here.

Victoriana Quilt Designs has loads of lovely patterns and many are free. They include block of the month, quilt patterns, printable quilt labels and much more. There are also free quilting tutorials.

The Quilt Gallery shows some of Benita's quilts that she has made....they are amazing! I particularly like the family tree quilt...

Thanks again Benita!

To visit Victoriana Quilt Designs, please click here, or on any of the above purple links.

I will be back soon with some pics of our little trip away.......can you guess where we went?

Here's a clue.......