Hello There.

Hello Folks!

Sorry, I missed another week, I'm not going to beat myself up about, it these things happen sometimes.

I have done a few bits and pieces although to be honest I seem to have lost my knitting mojo at the moment.

I've been hard at work with staple gun on our dining chairs, the fabric on them was in a bad state.

I had some blue spotty fabric which was left over from some curtains.  Master Clicky Needles complains that the chairs are 'too hard' so I added a thick layer of wadding as well.

Much more comfy.

Do you remember the baby blanket I made for my teacher back in the summer? 

Well, yesterday I went to visit a beautiful two week old baby girl. 

I was thrilled to see the blanket being used in her Moses Basket.

I have knitted a bit, a headband for Miss Clicky Needles, which at the moment she is wearing a lot, which is most gratifying.

Lastly I bought seem to have acquired two balls 400g of Hayfield Bonus Aran from Kemps.  Maybe this will bring the mojo back. 

Righto, must go, I'm in the middle of Downtown Abbey and trying to post in the breaks!

See you soon.......Clicky Needles.

Sore Throat and Aching Legs.

Hello All!

Me and Mr Clicky have had a great weekend.

On Saturday morning we toured around Gloucester's bathroom showrooms getting ideas for the en-suite.  We stopped briefly in McDonald's ~ not our usual haunt but we were out and about ~ and then went to Kingsholm for the first match of the rugby season.

The thought of watching rugby whilst the sun shone down was very appealing and it's a while since we watched a game.  Mr Clicky wanted to wear his Gloucester shirt but I put my foot down as it must be eight or nine years old.  There was, however a good selection of shirts from the years in front of us, all based on Cherry and White. 

 We stood in The Shed.  Nothing as palatial as the stand opposite us, The Shed is concrete terracing along the one side of the whole of the pitch with a tin roof over.  You get really close to the pitch although in winter it can be blinking cold.  The atmosphere within is great and a good opportunity to shout and scream loudly.  Of course I joined in with the chant of Gloooooooosssssssttttttttteeeeeeeeerrrrrrrr.

The first half wasn't very inspiring ~ if you were a Gloucester supporter ~ and Sale Sharks were playing the better rugby.

The second half was more exciting as Gloucester tried to get more points on the board but sadly they lost.  Sale Sharks 22 Gloucester 16.  We had a great afternoon but returned back to the car with aching legs and very sore throats.

Today we've just meandered around and taken the dog for a walk and I then remembered to wash Master Clicky's school uniform!  Not quite got back into the routine yet.

On the knitting front I'm halfway through some Bella's Mittens of Twilight fame.  I can't resist a cable and I'm using some Sirdar Hug from my stash.  

A nice easy pattern.

Lastly two things to show you that I have bought.

Now, I know you probably don't give a fig what I'm wearing but I had to share two of my recent purchases with you.

A poncho from Tesco. 

I saw this, um-ed and ah-ed thought 'I can make that' tried it on and decided to buy.  It was the cables that did it.  Super snuggly and warm and would I make it?  No.

Master Clicky laughed a lot when I got it home.  I don't care and told him if Clint Eastwood can rock the poncho look, then so can I.  I won't be chewing a cheroot whilst wearing it however.

 Secondly a new coat.  Now,  I'm a green anorak kinda girl.  When I saw this I wanted it.

 It has a lovely turquoise satin lining and purple velvet edging.

With the weather chilling I might be wearing it soon.
 I won't know myself.  

Righto, off to do some ironing now.

Keep smiling............Clicky Needles.

More Sewing

Hello Folks!

The sewing has continued.  I had a very annoying peg bag which spilled pegs at every use so I decided a new one was in order. 

I had a quick google and came up with these instructions which I followed loosely.  I found a set of three tea towels in Homebase; two cotton and one waffle for under a fiver.   I decided on a stripy front and plain back and set to work.

I used the hems on the towels ~ really useful, no fraying.

Firstly I sewed some ribbon along the openings;  lime green and blue with white spots which I found in Wilkinsons last Christmas.  I'm not entirely sure the spotty one goes but I wanted to use it because it was so nice.

I didn't bother to cut out the fabric.   I made a paper pattern around the the shaper of the hanger ~ age 9-10 kids from Tesco and then drew around it onto the fabric, sewed the shape and then cut around the sewing.  Then I zig-zagged around the raw edges at the top and bottom.

I didn't need to hem around the top opening - already done!  I prised off the age label.....

added a label.....

 ....and hung it on the washing line.

If I made it again I'd make it deeper.  Mine was about 20cm from the hanger, I'd go 25-30 cm next time.

So there we are, I'm rather pleased.

Bye for now......Clicky Needles.

Holidays No More.

Hello Folks!

The summer holidays have finished and I must return to work tomorrow.  The alarm will ring at 6.30am, the memories of long lie-ins forgotten.   The children come in Tuesday.  It will be great to see them all again and I will try to remember their names, after six weeks away it's not that easy!

Still, not dwelling on that too much I though you might to see some books I bought from my local Booksale shop a few weeks ago.

Firstly, Granny Chic.

Now, I know I am late to the party with this one, so sorry about that.

What a fun book!

Who wouldn't want a caravan to decorate with vintage wallpaper?

In the book we are advised to "put on a pretty frock and clogs, wrap a granny chic pinny around your waist and feel peachier about your chores."   Yes, dear reader I tried it.   It worked.

 I'm not sure that Mr Clicky would be too impressed if I tried to wallpaper a door like this, but this a lovely book, written with a good deal of humour, with some easy crochet, fabric and cross stitch projects.  Fun!

I also found Sew It Up, a sewing manual with small projects in.

I am capable of sewing, but my machine lives in the cupboard under the stairs happily without me annoying it too much other than making curtains and repairing holes in trousers.  I'm always jealous of others in the bloggy world and their sewing skills but I  come from the 'bodge it and it'll do school of sewing'.

This book has given me the inspiration to have a bit of a go again. 

It has really clear and concise instructions with good pictures.

 

I might have a go at this book bag.

A little purse.

 And I really love this quilted needlecase.  

Before I knew it I was off on a project ~ re-lining a basket I use for cosmetics in the bedroom with a grey checked fabric.  Only one sewing machine shot because I'm not sure I want you looking too close!

Anyhoo, by the end of it the basket was looking better.  I was quite pleased.

 Who knows what will be next?

I also got this lovely Clangers book from Amazon.  My intention when buying this book was a nostalgic look at my childhood friends, to have a smile and pop it on the shelf.  Mr Clicky loved it and  took it into work the next day.

 Apparently he and his colleague need a Soup Dragon for their desks.

They also need a Clanger family.

And the Iron Chicken.  (Obviously.)

 

This is a cracking little book with instructions on how to make the Moon surface, Caves, Soup Well and just about everything that was in the series.   Whether Mr Clicky and co will have any of them living on their desks I'm not sure, we'll see.

So, I must leave you know and go to bed in preparation for tomorrow.  

I've had a great Summer Holiday, I've no complaints about the weather on the whole and lots of things got done around the house.  

It's been a good one.

Bye for now..................Clicky Needles.