A quick catch up and a busy busy summer

gardenjuly1It has been far too long since I visited my little blog space. Lack of activity on the blog usually signifies busyness in life. Well we are in the throws of the summer holidays. Set before us, I wondered if we would fill the weeks with enough activity for Little B. Now the days seem to be romping by and the summer days seem to pass far too fast. In the other part of my working life I am the busiest I have ever been. I have never known a season like it. So days, evening and weeks run together and before I know it I have not carved out enough time to wash clothes, feed the family, let alone compose a few random thoughts here.

We have been enjoying the garden and I step out most early mornings to see what is growing, what is flourishing and dreaming dreams of little alterations at the weekend. I am fortunate that our little space of green is not too large. Just manageable. It is never big enough for both my boys, a frisbee would soon find its way into the neighbours plot, but it is a pretty haven.woolcake1

So let’s skip to the good bit. What is on the hook and needle? Well I have several WIP (work in progress). I have been trying out this lovely yarn sent to me by Rooster yarns, it is Manos del urguay Alegria. Alegria means joy – and the colour combinations certainly fit the bill. These tones reminded me of certain Disney film, popular with all the young girls in my life, (Frozen), so I decided to try and make a few accessories using the gorgeously soft yarn. It is work in progress, but when I have more to show you I will blog about the finished items.woolcake2

I have been working on two book projects, one very much in the development stage, and another where I have contributed a few items. Lots of fun, but certainly not for sharing yet.gardenroutereview1

The Garden Route Blanket which I made on our South African adventure has been popular with customers at Black Sheep Wools and it even got a lovely mention in Inside Crochet Magazine. I also had another blanket pattern published in the latest issue of Homemaker magazine, a lovely treat.homemaker1

My spring and summer challenge to myself has been to create crochet accessories which enhance outdoor living. I think by the end of the summer I should bring each part together in one blog post. Languishing by the side of the sofa, is a very slow progress tablecloth. This is for our table outside in the courtyard. I contemplated making a perfect circle.

tableclothjuly1For almost a year I have even idly cruised circular tablecloths on the web and then one day I woke up and thought. ‘What is your problem? Just make a square!’ So I have and I am in the process of giving it a pretty cotton edging. Quite slow work, but I must finish it before the summer is out. What have you been up to? If you finish sharing then please do. Some lovely people have begun sharing their projects on the facebook page and it is a delight to see. Happy summer.