Loop … A Cautionary Tale

A Julie Arkell figure.  The first I've seen 'in the flesh'.

Oh beautiful cardigan.  My wardrobe needs you.

That outfit, right there.  Oh yes.

Flowers AND yarn?  Really?  Be still my beating heart!

Misti Baby Alpaca.  Like clouds from heaven.

If I am ever lucky enough to own a yarn shop, I should like it to be exactly like Loop in London.

If you ever get the opportunity to visit, I promise it is extremely well worth it.  I would, however, suggest that you exercise the following cautionary measures ...

♥  Don't go on a Monday.  It's the only day the shop doesn't open.

♥  Use public transport to get there.  It's a very short walk from the Angel at Islington underground station.  Do not, under any circumstances, turn up in a car with a roomy boot or, worse, a van or lorry.  Knowing that you will have to carry your purchases along the streets of London and through thronging crowds will help deter you from buying too much.

♥  Browse the website and write a shopping list before you go.  Believe me, on crossing the threshold, your mind will go blank.  It will then take off like a rocket and you'll suddenly be overcome with the need for absolutely EVERYTHING.  And when I say 'need', I mean really need, like your life depends on it!

♥  Have a thorough browse and then LEAVE the shop.  Seriously.  Go and have a cup of coffee and a little 'time out'.  Perhaps enlist a shopping buddy who is bigger and stronger than you and have them physically drag you out if needs be.  Allow your heart rate to return to normal and your mind to clear before you venture back.

♥  Familiarise yourself with Madeline Tosh yarns BEFORE you go to Loop.  If you don't, the positive kaleidoscope of colours will render you incapable of making any rational decisions.  Not only is their founder, Amy Hendrix, a colour genius but I have a strong suspicion that she sprinkles each and every skein with magical 'wanties' dust.

♥  Familiarise yourself with the feel of baby alpaca BEFORE you go to Loop.  (Preferably Misti Baby Alpaca Chunky.)  The temptation to grab an armful, hurl it onto the floor and writhe around on it is almost too much to bear.

♥  Take only the money you can afford to spend.  A credit card with leeway is a definite no-no.  A small photo of your children/partner/pet in your purse (preferably looking peckish) will act as a handy reminder that they will actually need feeding for the weeks ahead.

♥  Ask a non-yarny type to accompany you and instruct them to whisper sensible and rational thoughts in your ear as you look around.

Just saying …!

xxx

So September

I've noticed a distinct air of excited anticipation in Blogland about the onset of a new season.  Me?  I'm hanging on to what's left of summer with an iron grip.

Grim-faced weather forecasters starting their bulletins with "it's all set to change" are either switched off or met with fingers in ears, "laa laa laa, not listening".

I love the light and warmth of summer.  I love having the doors and windows flung wide open, bringing the outside in.  I love the sounds, the colours, the long days and drawn-out alfresco meals.  I'm not ready for it all to change just yet.

So, I shall continue exposing my not-as-taut-as-they-were limbs in pretty dresses and wearing flip flops for a little while longer!  So there!!!  Oh yes, I can be a stubborn sod at times.

That said, it's pretty much been a week of settling back into the old routine.

Blondie Daughter has enjoyed her first full week in Year 7.  It's her second year at high school (the children start at the age of 10 here, a year earlier than most) and she and her friends sashay up the path to school with an air of confidence far removed from the wide-eyed terror of a year ago.

Blondie Son, now in Year 10, has moved up to senior school and embarks on the two year journey to GCSEs.  I have to keep pinching myself.  Is it really ten whole years since his very first day?  He towers above me now and, when we hug, his arms have to go on top.

I've been sprucing up the house and garden this week.  Doing lots of those little jobs that have been sidetracked for the last six weeks or so.

Sassybelle Blooms, I've finally hung up your beautiful string of happy (forgive the less-than-beautiful photo) - it's above the doors in the lounge and, each time I see it, I think of you.

I do so love my brooch too.  Thank you xx

I had just the loveliest day on Wednesday.  I met up with one of my first bloggy friends, Lynda.  While still being on Instagram, Lynda is taking a break from her blog, Hookin With LaaLaa, and concentrating on her new needlework kit and chart design business.

These are two of my favourite designs of hers, aren't they stunning?

So, with knocking knees and a fluttery tummy, I caught the train to Birmingham.  Funnily enough, Annie recently posted about meeting up with online friends - it seems to render the most self confident of us, gibbering heaps.  Why is that I wonder?  All my nerves completely disappeared the minute I saw Lynda though and we spent a wonderful few hours gossiping, shopping and gossiping.  She's a minx though.  She positively forced me to buy a new Cath Kidston skirt.  (Do you hear me D?  FORCED me she did!!!)

To the lady who wrote the very disparaging feedback on the CK website about this skirt being more suitable for a 10 year old than a grown woman, I know a certain 11 year old girl who wouldn't be seen dead in it and a 41 year old woman who bloody loves it.  Different strokes for different folks eh and thank goodness for that.

Before I sign off, are you going to Yarndale?  I am!  I'm going with two gorgeous online friends (Cuckoo and Emily) who I've known for a while but never met in person (you see how I'm all au fait about this meeting up business now?!) and I'm suuuuper excited!  Do come and say "hi" if you see us.  I'll be the one with the mushroom skirt and flip flops!!!

xxx

PS.  Beautiful wildflower posy at the beginning of this post was from a charity stall at a local fayre.  Best £2.00 I've spent in a long time.

Just Add Cream

I'm decorating like a mad thing at the moment.  The weather doesn't lend itself to venturing outside for long periods of time so, here I am, wielding my brush and roller.  I've nearly finished the lounge.  It was a pale green and is now a very grown-up cream.  Gosh it's so lovely and light.  I get terribly immersed when I'm decorating and very boring conversationally.  I fear if you and I bumped into each other on the street, I'd have very little to say of interest.  I'm sure you'd shift uncomfortably from one foot to another and then make your excuses before legging it!

(A bit of a rushed and grainy photo but it hopefully shows I'm getting there!  Yup, the telly's on - can you tell it's half term?)

As I say though, I am now nearing the end and my mind is turning to accessories.  I am not afraid of whimsy and find it's presence in my life very pleasing indeed.  I'm thinking jaunty strings of (naturally) crocheted bunting (using my own pattern with the addition of easy peasy daisies), jugs of spring flowers, framed prints and postcards, strings of fairy lights and stuffed hearts.  They all delight me.

I particularly adore tulips.  When I saw this post of Lucy's, I fell head over heels in love with her new mosaic tile and hotfooted it straight over to Felicity's shop on Folksy for a look see.  This morning, my very own tulip tile came thudding through the letterbox.

I'm tickled pink with it.

On the crochet front, I have quite a bit more to show and tell but will save that for next time.  What I will say though is that I haven't been able to stop popping back and looking at this gorgeous blanket.  Everything about it appeals to me big time and I may have accidentally-on-purpose made sure my aran yarn stash is fully stocked.  Just in case ..!

Hope all's well with you.

xxx

Crochet Scarf And In Praise Of Others

Just before Christmas, I rather fancied swaddling myself in some festive colours.  I really don't suit a harsh red so this 'very cherry' shade by Sublime is perfect!

The scarf is simply alternate rows of trebles and doubles to give a ribbed effect, with a cream scalloped edge.

By the time I'd finished it of course, Christmas was over and done.  I don't know about you but my thoughts are most definitely leaning towards Spring now.  I hope the addition of the Attic 24 May Rose has made it a little more blossom and birdsong than Hohoho!

It looks lush with my new coat, even if I do say so myself!

One of my many New Year's Resolutions is to keep my crochet and yarn more tidy.  I admit, I am a messy creature and tend to leave little piles of yarny detritus in every room.  It's not such fun when I'm desperately looking for my 5mm hook or tapestry needle.

I stumbled upon a much-longed-for handled basket whilst shopping in Mevagissey.  Just the job for my current works in progress!

My hooks?  Well, I now have the prettiest hook roll ever.  Look ...

It was made for me by one of my lovely new Instagram friends, Rachael.  Rachael sews so beautifully and has a Folksy shop here.

If I can't make my own pressies, I'm a big fan of Folksy and Etsy when it comes to gift-giving.  Here are a few of my favourite purchases ...

1. Westie Brooch from Alex McQuade  2. Flower Brooch from Buttercup Boutique  3. Christmas Tree from Raven's Stained Glass  4. Birdie Brooch from Buttercup Boutique.

So many talented people out there.

xxx

What A Busy Week!

Hello, hello!

What a very busy and sociable week I've had.  Whilst absolutely lovely, I am now craving some home time.  Today finds me with my hair scraped back, comfies on and looking an absolute bugger but I really don't care as I'm officially hiding from the outside world.  My face is scrubbed clean but slathered with antibiotic cream - horrid bumpy rash/infection thing all over my chin.  Hmm, attractive.  D has just told me I look "natural and sexy" though!  Good job love is blind.

So, this week, I've spent some time with my lovely sister-in-law and baby nephew, I've had lunch out with a dear friend, I've had supper out with another dear friend (big blow-kiss to Rebecca who tells me she checks my blog every day!), I've had doctor's appointments, school meetings, art class ...

As I say, busy.



Yesterday, Blondie Daughter's school year group trouped to a nearby college for a mini workshop on Victorian Life and Charles Dickens.  I volunteered as a parent-helper because the lady running it was Lucinda Hawksley, Charles Dickens' great-great-great granddaughter.  She was brilliant.  I gather she originally trained as a teacher which didn't surprise me - the way she engaged the children was fabulous.

Whilst on a literary theme, permission to indulge in a proud mummy moment?  If you listen to BBC Radio 2, you may have heard mention some time ago of Chris Evans' Breakfast Show 500 Words creative writing competition?  Open to 13 year olds and under, I encouraged Blondie Son to submit an entry.  We received this email a couple of weeks ago ...

Congratulations! The story you submitted, “Vaermina”, is through to the next stage of the Chris Evans Breakfast Show 500 WORDS competition.

Next, it will be sent to the National Literacy Trust for the second stage of the judging process. If it makes it into the Top 50 stories, we will let you know by the end of April. 

We received 74,000 stories and this one is in the top 2,000, which is a brilliant achievement. 

Well done and good luck!

The 500 WORDS Team
The Chris Evans Breakfast Show, BBC Radio 2

Even if he gets no further, we're chuffed to bits!  My son, the writer!!! :-)

In purchase news, I'm extremely pleased with this new rosy throw...

It's from Tesco believe it or not.

I've loved Katie Daisy's artwork for some time and finally treated myself to one of her prints ...

It's propped up on my bedside table while I decide where to put it.

Gorgeous isn't it?

In crochet news, I've frogged my spring ripple blanket (I was making heavy weather of it for some reason) and, instead, am revisiting this old friend ...

... but I'll tell you more about that next time.

D has a gig tonight so it's a deep bubble bath and an early night for me.  Oh yes, and new Primarni pyjamas ...

xxx

Edited to add ... I'm going to start replying to comments using the 'underneath' option so do please check back if you've asked a question or said something lovely ...

Spring Colours

Half term last week already seems like a distant memory.

Necessities like hair cuts, library visits and new school shoe shopping mixed with indulgent slow pottering mornings.  It was just lovely (she says misty-eyed, selectively forgetting the bickering, the mess and the doubled supermarket bill!)

One dry and bright day, the Blondies and I decided to catch the bus into town.  I thought it would be a bit more fun than driving and parking.  £11!!!  We only live about 2 miles away from the city centre.  I used to be able to catch the bus for 32p return.  And, no, that's not old money!  Honestly, no wonder people are reluctant to use public transport.

It just so happens that we alighted right outside Primark so we popped in for a browse.

I remember both Vanessa and Jane blogging about the Pip Studio-lookalike towels and tea-towels, so I was dying to have a look.  Too pretty and reasonable to resist, a couple did come home with us.  Look what else we bought ...

Candles for £1.50 each.  Aren't the tins gorgeous?  They smell lovely too.

We also picked up these canvasses for Blondie Daughter's bedroom ...

Oh I do love a little shopping spree.

♥♥♥

D and I celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary on Valentines' Day.  I cooked D's favourite supper (pasta with smoked salmon in garlic, cream and white wine liberally scattered with toasted pine nuts) and he supplied the bottle of Sancerre and flowers.  We sat cuddled up on the sofa afterwards and reminisced our way through our wedding photos.

♥♥♥

I absolutely love this time of year.  Spring is lurking just around the corner.  I so want to throw open the windows and watch pretty bedding flapping on the washing line.

I'm still loving my tulips.  Indulgent or not, as soon as one bunch goes over, I buy another.  Particularly now I have my new Greengate jug ...

I managed to win it on Ebay for less than a third of it's retail price - RESULT! - it was an unwanted Christmas gift apparently (ehhh?)

The crochet you may have glimpsed in my last post is progressing slowly.  It's another cushion cover; this time a rectangle just over twice the length of my cushion which will fasten envelope style.  Well, that's the plan.  I'm having a love affair with double crochet (US single) at the moment and always adore these Sublime Cashmere Merino colours.

Have a lovely, colourful day.

Hx

When All Around You Are Losing Theirs ... Crochet!

Well, I won't lie, it's been a difficult summer.

Whilst my reason for having a blog is still a little fuzzy around the edges, I know here is not the place to elaborate fully.  I will stress though that my little family and I are all well.  We have been taught a lesson in life and now face a slightly different future to the one we had envisaged.  I'm not a great one for telling all, to my detriment I think.  Maybe I will one day; I'm so very tired of taking everyone's shit on the chin.

Suffice to say, my blog - and yours - continue to give me an enormous amount of pleasure.  Thank you so much.

Anyway, onto brighter things ..!  I've done far less in the garden than I'd hoped this summer.  It's looking very definitely tatty.  I've neglected the dead-heading and my watering has been a tad sporadic.  Hey ho, there's always next year!

Thank heavens for supermarket flowers to bring the outside in ...

How pretty are these asters?

They're sitting in the kitchen in all their pinkness and the joy they've given far exceeds the £2.99 price tag!  It's true what they say, "I'd rather have flowers on my table than diamonds around my neck".

There's been definite therapeutic hooky action.  A little iPhone cosy (the colours in the photos look a little washed out, sorry) in Sirdar Smiley Stripes and half-trebles 'in the round' which took less than an hour ...

I've also dipped my toe in the Pinterest puddle!  I'm exercising a little caution at the mo, it has the potential to be quite addictive me thinks!  Completely in love and inspired by a new-to-me blog and this pattern, a glimpse of my current scarf work in progress ...



The yellow frill is taking FOREVER.  Each stitch has three, four or five trebles in it.

I'm going to cover it in little clutches of brightly-coloured roses.

The green is a new Sirdar Snuggly Baby Bamboo shade called 'Groovy Green' and I think it is possibly one of the most gorgeous yarn colours I've ever come across.

We've actually had a lovely relaxing bank holiday weekend despite the awful weather ...

We've been shopping - the nice browsy kind with the odd school necessity thrown in - and D treated me to a new Pip Studio towel ...

My kind Mum In Law took us out for a wonderful Sunday lunch yesterday, we've watched films and pottered.

(Ooh, I've just had to break off to peer through the window ... our next door neighbours have just come home from hospital with their brand new baby!!!  Sooooo sweet.)

Where was I?  Ah yes, I've also been going through some of my photos.  My little laptop is positively groaning under the pressure of so many of them.  I took this of D on our holiday in Spain ...

I just love it.  He's so engrossed in his book, he barely takes his eyes off it to slug his beer and certainly doesn't notice me taking a picture.  Plus he is wearing his new glasses.  It's still quite a novelty to see him in them ... is it normal to fancy your hubby like mad in specs?

The Blondies are back to school on Thursday and, to be quite honest, we're all looking forward to the return of routine.

Anyway, a little chatty catch-up and a hint of an explanation as to why I've been a little elusive.

Hope you've all had a super bank holiday weekend and that August has treated you kindly.  Here's to a serene September ...

Hx