To Bunt

It has been an age since I last fired up the laptop and got to this point of sitting down and preparing to write. It's also been an age since I turned the laptop on and was able to even get to this stage. First, there was a mountain of photos to sort through and edit, then upload. And then I actually have to remember what has happened over the last couple of months, and what I even intend to say... so here goes!

Somehow time has skipped to mid-September all of a sudden, and a whole summer holidays has been and gone. It was indeed nice, had a few days out - rock pooling on the North Norfolk coast, wildlife parks, boating trips on the Norfolk Broads to name but a few. Oh, and the family trip to London - Little Lady's first 'proper' holiday. 

She was not much into the idea of going away anywhere (a summer holiday-long problem, some insecure phase she went through!) but nevertheless we made our way out of 'the Bump' as she calls it (that's East Anglia to the rest of us) and ventured to the Big Smoke. It was a home from home really, as we stayed at my Auntie and Uncle's house, so plenty of home comforts and toys for Little P to play with. And she did. We got out and about a lot too, showing her the sights, travelling by as many means as possible - underground, overground (wombling free), boat, bus and cable car. We had a lovely time, my particular favourites were the Emirates Airline cable car-thingy and seeing the memorial poppies 'spewing out' around the Tower of London...

It really is quite a sight. I didn't take too many pictures as I really couldn't be bothered to keep getting the camera out on busy streets whilst trying to juggle a buggy too, but this is one of my faves I shot, looking down Whitehall back at the Houses of Parliament, and the sun catching it just right...

I love London. I couldn't live there as the business frustrates me, but it's such a great city and I never get sick of visiting it!

Amongst all the frivolities of summer, there has been much crafting. New endeavors, old favourites, and plenty in between.
My favourite makes recently have been for a delightful little arrival - a new baby girl cousin for Little P. I met the little cutie the other day for the first time, and was able to deliver my presents to her and her big sister. I had made a baby blanket for her a while back, but can now show it off! I used Lion Brand Baby's First chunky cotton yarn and 3 colours plus white - I love the palette, babyish but without being wishy-washy like some baby yarns can be...

It's very chunky and soft, but at the sametime breathable as it is cotton. Perfect for the upcoming colder months. I used the free pattern by The Stitchin Mommy as a guide... super easy to follow and with chunky weight yarn, works up really quick too.

I love it, and want to make more of these, quick, fun and very pleasing! Here she is in her full glory...

I hope little Cora enjoys this blanket as much as I did making it! I also made some bunting for the girls - as I knew their Mummy loves the crochet bunting! Some for the newborn...

and for the big sister...

I made this using Lily Sugar 'n Cream Solids - 100% cotton worsted weight yarn. I love this yarn, the colours, the stitch definition, the way it doesn't split hardly at all when crocheting. I also love playing about with the colours when designing bunting - the last few I have made have all had 'neutral' triangles with coloured edges, so it was fun to reverse it this time!
This is also when Little P, whilst studying her bunting above her bed asks 'Mummy, why did you bunt my name?' Yes I thought, what a good verb - to bunt. It should be added to our language. I often find myself bunting names right now.

The little piles of freshly pressed triangles melt my heart!

I have also had more fun with Lily Sugar 'n Cream - making more moss stitch covers for iPad and iPhone. I call it 'moss stitch' as that was what the pattern I first followed called it, and if you search for moss stitch, it comes up with that, although someone has informed me that this is in fact 'linen stitch'. Apparently moss stitch alternates between single and double crochet, whereas linen stitch uses single crochet and chains only. Whatever it is truly called I love it - works up quickly and creates many different effects depending on how you use the colours. For example, working alternate coloured rows and white rows gives you a 'spotted' effect...

That's from my bolster cushion I made a while back. Here is the first iPad cozy made from my own free guide available here. It is made with tropical summery colours in mind...

It has a reverse single crochet border and double button detailing to fasten...

And another, using colours inspired by this piece of art by Her Art. Summery goodness...

I wish I used a smaller hook for this one though, as you can see there are a few gappy bits when the iPad is in, but I do love it!

I also toyed around with a smaller one to house my phone if I sling it in my bag - it just gives a bit of protection...

And a mossy-montage...

Also on the crochet front, the 'as we go stripey blanket' as striping as it slowly goes. I have been picking it up in the evening again recently, and it has started growing after somewhat of a break. It is a love/hate blanket. I love the colours and different stitches, and it looks pretty. But on the other side I can't deal with the 'wavy' edges that using all these different stitches creates. I have read that when the border goes on it does pull straighter. I shall continue to stripe away and see how it turns out!

Other crafting adventures have included painting old furniture and flower pots - pictures next time! And making this card for my brother and his girlfriend who have just bought their first house together...

It is made with different papers, a Copic Multiliner and POSCA glitter markers. I had great fun making this one afternoon whilst Little P was at nursery... which has been an eventful time in our lives! 2 weeks in and she is getting better there - gets upset leaving me but then has a great afternoon playing and joining in with everything. She just likes to make it hard for me dropping her off!

I have also been playing with the camera in the garden as usual. I love patterns and design in nature. This sunflower head sums it up...

and this dew drop covered spider web...

We also met these creepy looking characters in the garden one afternoon - a sycamore moth caterpillar I have since found out. Would make sense as they were on our little maple tree!

Now I must be off, a bit more flower pot painting before Little P returns and is a bit too helpful! Until next time..