Pumpkin update!!

Just a quick update. Yesterday I said I would try to photograph our pumpkin creations and here they are.

 

This is a 'Girl Baby Vampire'

 

This is the 'Android Robot'

 

The happy couple!!

 

Bye for now. Sarah.

Blowing away the cobwebs.

So schools finished for half term. Hallelujah!!

The first day of the holidays and its sunny (pretty cold but never mind) so we togged up with hats & gloves and away we go. We headed to a local country park.

So can you see him, ooh no, where can he be!!!

The children love the freedom up here. The mud, the trees, throwing fir cones, hiding, running ahead, we even had ice to crack.

 

And then finally we reach the top of the hill. We are rewarded by beautiful views. With the trough of bowland in one direction and the coast of Blackpool right up to the lake district in the other.

Back to the car and all the chatter is of PUMPKINS. When we got back, out came the Halloween decorations and a bit of pumpkin carving.

This year I reluctantly handed my Daughter the knife!! she produced a great pumpkin and still has ten fingers.

 

 

My little boy always has great pumpkin ideas for Me to carve!! This year he wanted the Android logo (don't worry if you don't know what I'm talking about, I had to google it!!). He was pleased with the results so I will probably get the job next year!!

 

The children have just got back from swimming, so the quiet is over.

Hopefully the pumpkins will have there photos taken tomorrow, bye for now.

This and That!!!

I'll apologise now for the random photos below. The last few weeks have been hectic with pretty mundane things. But we have managed the following:

 

We cycled another section of the Preston Guild Wheel

 

 

 

I cleared out the greenhouse, the last of our poor tomato crop is ripening with a banana!!

 

 

 

My daughter requested a 'home made' gift for her friends birthday. She selected the fabric and did the design and I just followed orders. The gift has now been given so fingers crossed its OK.

 

We have started some Halloween crafts (a sheet of ikea packaging and some blackboard paint).  I added some coloured tissue paper to the little windows and it is now in the window waiting for halloween.

 

 

The remainder of the ikea box has been used for an 'artists studio'.

 

I love the weather at the moment, please let it last for the half term holidays!!

Wall Hanging

So today started as many days do. A bit of tidying up (nothing too strenuous, a house can be too tidy). Then I thought maybe a bit of sewing. Some of my sewing stuff was still out from my bag making the other day.

 

The book I bought a while ago, Scandinavian Stitches by Kajsa Wikman (she also has a blog, its in my list - Syko). I also had the pretty little hanger and lots of small/scrappy fabric.

 

The basic idea I took from the book then added the word 'Home' and the tabs for the hanger. All the fabric is unhemmed and sewn into position with black straight stitch (no changing cotton all the time and running out of bobbins)

 

I'm really pleased with the finished wall hanging and I'm already planning more!!!

(p.s. the finished position will be in the hall way not on the grotty old ironing board)

Seeing spots!!

Last week I called at Abakhan Fabrics. Its great for a look even when you have no projects planned. I spotted (pardon the pun) some lovely red spotted fabric, which once in my hand I couldn't put down. I had no plans for it but never mind!

 

Once home I quickly washed the fabric (a good idea with strong colours). Quite a lot of dye came out so I knew this would influence my use (you don't want the dye running the first time you wash your finished article as it might ruin it.)

 

So what to make??

 

What I like to call a 'happy shopper'. A bag big enough for my keys, purse, phone, maybe a snack, etc.

So the finished bag. I think I have a spot problem, looking at a photo of a spotty ironing board with the spotty bag, holding a spotty phone (I'm frightened to admit I'm wearing a spotted jumper!!)

Just the clearing up to do, scoop it into the bin? no there seems to be a couple of Lego men in there. I wonder who left them there????

Pockets full of glass!!!!!

I'm starting to realise I have an unhealthy obsession with the weather!!

 

The forecast was good for Saturday so we planned to go on a bike ride. Although the sun was shinning it was pretty cold, so we had a re think and decided to go to the beach. The beach always lifts my spirits, the wind in your face, the children happily running round collecting shells, what could be better.

 

 

 

 

 

Is the creature above a Cuttlefish? sadly it was deceased.

 

 

Did I say the children happily collecting shells? I meant me too, but today's challenge was coloured glass. Yes my pockets where full!!!

One or two jobs and a bit of knitting!!

 

So a few weeks ago I made a fish tank (like you do!!) to accommodate a small knitted fish. The fish was lonely so I continued to knit. The colours are pretty random as they are out of my stash. The extra fish also needed a home, so off to our bathroom (which is pretty old and mainly white).

 

Using invisible thread and cellotape I attached my fish to the airing cupboard door (it sounds easy, but invisible thread is hard to use. I looked like a mime artist, trying to find the ends and untangle the mess).

 

I'm really happy with my fish family, they brighten up the bathroom. Once again my photography skills are not great but I'm sure you get the idea.

 

 

The weather towards the end of the week has improved, so outdoors I went. After my recent post about auricula's I received some seeds from my friend with instructions included. Sow before the end of September!! Job done.

 

The next outdoor job was power washing my patio. Patio is a very loose term, the paving outside is also pretty old. It doesn't drain it just puddles, so by this time of year its very slippy. I'm too embarrassed to show you a before and after photo.

 

Out with the knitting needles and another baby girl hat. I've knit this one on double pointed needles which means no sewing up at the end. But just look at all the ends!! the double pointed needle method would have been great if I'd used just one colour.

 

 

Last job for today was a 'Great British Bake Off' challenge. Two children, two lots off cookie dough, chosen cutters and NO EATING THE DOUGH UNTIL THE END.

 

 

My little boy chose dog bones and my daughter chose ghosts. They all taste the same and will be gone in a few days!!