miss marie's miscellany

Happy Christmas

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Christmas. Enjoy!

Daily snapshot:4

I have been adopted by a friendly cat who lives nearby. He pops in often for a nosey around my house!

Snowy crochet day

 

I woke up today to find it snowing again, and so it has continued all morning and into the afternoon, only stopping at about 2 pm. It's up over my ankles now! Still, it really does look beautiful

I have a few days off work, so I can enjoy pottering around at home. The house is getting a thoroughly good clean, I have sorted out piles of papers and books, done several batches of washing, made soup and cake, been out for a walk, well, more of a snowy scramble, dug a path AND have spent some happy hours doing a little hooking. A friend asked me to make a hat for his 4 year old daughter, so this is what I came up with

The effect I was aiming for was a 1920's cloche style hat - what do you think?!

I'm also making a new festive garland, Christmas roses.

These are just being blocked, then tomorrow I'll join them together and let you see them finished off.

This corsage has been a winner, I made some in this multi-coloured chunky wool for the craft fair a few weeks ago and they sold like hot cakes and I was asked to make a few more on commission too. 

It looks pretty sitting in the snow :-) 

Quiet night tonight, I think!

Comfy chair

 

Today's topic is my favourite location for a spot of hookiness. If weather is cold, it's on the sofa with all my bits and bobs close to hand, the radio or TV on, and a cup of tea. 

 

If weather is good, then I head outside into the garden, settle down just outside the back door which is a sunny spot and listen to the birds or the distant sounds of my neighbours. I have crocheted in bed, which I quite liked, in a car which I didn't as I felt car sick afterwards, on a train which was good, making a long journey pass tolerably. But the comfy chair. inside or out, is  the best!

Granny blue

I finished my latest cushion cover, a companion to the one I made a couple of weeks ago. This is a green, blue and white colour combo, I think I was inspired by the blue skies and spring greens around me when I started making it.

 

For the other side, I decided to make 9 small squares, using different combinations of the colours in 3 variations. And they were very quick to crochet up, just a couple of days to complete.

 

I used some blue buttons for the fastening, attached to rows of half trebles. I chose the buttons because of their colour, but when I looked the photo below, I realised the square buttons echo the clusters of treble stitches in the granny squares. A happy coincidence.

 

The wools I used were predominantly Sirdar;  the light and dark blue and the lighter green are Countrystyle DK, the greyish blue is Click DK and the white is Snuggly. The slightly darker green is Rowan DK. I like the cool palette  of colours, fresh and light, serene and peaceful. 

Here it is next to Granny Apple Blossom

Looking pretty side by side, bringing a hint of spring inside too :-) 

 
 
 

Ta-dah

A reveal today, I finished my round cushion cover. I used a palette of white, red, green and light browns which compliment each other well. Here it is, looking lovely!

 

I made the other side with a slightly different arrangement of the colours

 

Instead of sewing it up all the way round as the pattern suggested, I decided to make it removeable, and fastened it with some pretty buttons

 

The wool was from my stash, nearly every colour is Rowan Pure Wool DK, apart from the bright red and white which are Patons Diploma Gold and Cygnet Superwash respectively. It will probably live on the chair above but it also goes well on the sofa with the cushion covers I made last year

 

It's lovely to have all these bright colours when it's a bit grey and damp outside. Typical Scottish weather for January........ and February......and March.......etc, etc!
 

 
 

Weekend links

 A collection of random links today;  things that I've been reading and looking at in spare moments this weekend.

 

 A funny story about how the composer Elgar was not quite the accomplished trombonist he claimed to be!

I want to decorate the living room.......for the first time in my life, I'm going to paint a room  all-white, so it's bright and fresh.......with this material for curtains?

I've just taken delivery of these trainers, to compliment my winter fitness regime and get me out of my couch potato state. They are so comfortable!

Something for my Christmas list.........or yours , maybe??!

Looking forward to watching my latest DVD rental, The Duchess. I read the Amanda Foreman biography a couple of years ago, and enjoyed it very much;  it will be interesting to see how it translates to film.

If you can't afford those Manolo Blahniks, how about all these shoes instead? 

Hope your weekend was fun!

 

i heart hearts

After a little retail therapy the other day, I arrived home with 2 heart shaped items. 2 more heart shaped items to add to several already in my possession. I am drawn to the heart shape. Apart from its romantic connotations, it's such a pleasing and beautiful form, curved and voluptuous. It can be sewn, crocheted, baked, eaten, drawn and even planted in the garden.

I loved this when I spied it on the shelves. Great for all my potions and lotions.

And this little box too.  

Heart-warming!

Gorgeous green 3

Much loved tile which I bought in Lisbon 

Only water!

Seedlings for my veg patch

These trees really stand out in their urban surroundings

Gorgeous green 2

Ivy covered arch in the park

 

Put the kettle on

 

Swoon.... it was love at first sight!