Wednesday 28 November 2012

Bookmarks and Hobbits ~ Sophie

 
This is a busy week!  We have made a start on redecorating Gaby's bedroom in the daytime and during the evenings I'm trying to make a few more bits for the Harriet Davis Trust fundraiser.
 
I've been doing a few of these bookmarks.  I really like the pattern and I can get them done quickly.  They need their tassels adding but here is a finished one I did last year.....
 
 
As far as reading goes, I made a start on 'The Hobbit'.  I can't believe I've never read this.  It's been sat on my bookshelf for over 20 years!! I just never got around to reading it.  There's nothing quite like a film coming out to motivate me to read the book before I go! Actually, I downloaded the audio as I knew I wouldn't have time otherwise!  I also realised recently that I have never actually read 'The Lord of the Rings' despite loving the story.  It's because I have the radio dramatisation on cassette - remember those?! 
Here are 'my precious' tapes :) 
 
 
Linking up with Ginny's Yarn Along
 


Saturday 24 November 2012

Star Decoration ~ Sophie

 
 
I new I had to try making one of these as soon as I saw the pattern which can be found at
I'm really pleased with how it turned out and may do some others.  I have A LOT of the little bells which I'm reusing from a broken jiggly heart decoration.

 
 


Wednesday 21 November 2012

Lavender Sachets ~ Sophie

Today I've been hiding from the rain. It's been constant and there are floods everywhere so I thought I'd stay home and start to make a few things for the fund raising event that my mum is organising for the Harriet Davis Trust.  We holiday in their house in Pembrokeshire with our boys and it's great :)
 
So in between allowing a lot of time for the school runs today, I've made lavender sachets and a scrappy bookmark.
 
 
 


Wednesday 14 November 2012

A Little Different ~ Sophie

 
I'm knitting and reading things that are not my usual choices this week.
 
The knitting is a mesh triangular scarf which I'm doing with a yarn which my mum bought back from one of her crafty outings.  The colours in it range from browns, yellows and greens into turquoise and lavender.  I like it but I would have never picked it up myself as it's not a combination I would usually be drawn to.  This is excellent as my collection of greeny/purple scarfs is probably in danger of getting out of hand!  When I am knitting it up against my turquoise cardigan it looks great. 
 
I am also reading books which are a little away from my usual choices.  I tried a Terry Pratchett book years ago and couldn't get into it.  Someone recently suggested I try, 'The Wee Free Men' so after having it sitting around for ages, I'm giving it a go.  I'm still not sure to be honest!
 
The audio book I have on the go is called 'The Garden of Evening Mists' by Tan Twan Eng.  I am very excited to say that I chose this from my library's free audio book service which has been going for a while but I have been unable to access.  They have updated their system and it's now easy to use.  I am really enjoying this so far, it is incredibly atmospheric.
 
I also just finished listening to 'The Woman Who Went to Bed For a Year' by Sue Townsend.  'Nuff said!!
 
Gaby and I started listening to this at the weekend......
 
 
 
.....I love Jacqueline Wilson's books.  We found this and more whist having a mooch around the charity shops the other day.
 
 
I was really pleased with myself until I got home and realised that I got rid of the cassette player in the kitchen!  We do have one in the house, just not where I'm usually listening to books, but they were a bargain!
 
I'm linking this post to Ginny's Yarn Along
 

Monday 12 November 2012

Back Again! ~ Sophie

Half term finished,  poorly children all back to school, new laptop purchased.  Finally a bit of time and decent equipment to actually post on our blog :)
 
So a few little random things we've been up to....
 
Going to see Gaby's favourite author, Darren Shan, talking and signing his new book, 'Zom-B' at our local Waterstones....
 
 
Using up my mum's blackberries.  I made jam and blackberry vinegar this year (and crumbles of course)!
 
 
 
I have got into the Lifebook course I started at the beginning of the year again and have also joined another Art Journal/Mixed Media Group, Wild Soul Arts.  I don't know why as I'm really behind with Lifebook, but it seems like my sort of place!  Here's a few random pages I've done this year. 
 
 
 
 
 This is the first 'art' I've done since leaving school so my confidence is not great but I feel like I've learnt a lot already.  I'm definitely going to sign up for next year's course and maybe some other online courses too.  I'm enjoying it a lot.
 
We have started having whole days respite for the boys so in half term we went to see 'Skyfall'.  I think this is the first time I have seen a James Bond film at the cinema since I saw 'The Living Daylights' with my Granny when I was about Gaby's age.  We all enjoyed it and it's nice to have a longer day to do things. 

As usual, I also have several different knitting, crochet and patchwork projects on the go as well as reading 5 different books at once.  Hopefully this laptop will last and I will be able share them soon and keep things here more up to date :)