miss marie's miscellany

Saturday crochet

Getting on with making some more hexagons for my blanket.

 

Trying some different colour combinations

 

And a mystery Christmas motif.......more on that to come!

Hope your weekend was good.

Seed heads

Fennel seed heads

 

Looking delicate against the grey November sky. 

In the garden right now

There are still a precious few flowers to be seen in the garden at the moment. I found all these lovely bursts of colour as I've been tidying up for the winter; chrysanthemums, sedum, heuchera, heather, primrose and lavender with some red and orange berries too.

which has cheered me up no end, as I really thought that was it for floral happenings this year. 

Keats, costumes and crochet.

I went to see 'Bright Star', the film about John Keats and his love affair with the girl-next- door, Fanny Brawne. It's a treat for the eyes, and I enjoyed it; although the pace was slow, it depicted beautifully the stillness and quiet of how life must have been in early nineteenth century Hampstead village. Apart from domestic tasks, time is spent by the characters in contemplative, often silent pursuits; reading, walking and in particular, sewing. Fanny is an accomplished seamstress and her vibrant outfits are a real stand-out, colourful and unusual. One of the costumes has made quite an impression on me, it's the cardigan in this picture.

 

Isn't it lovely?! I've found myself thinking about whether it's knitted or crocheted, I think possibly the latter and if it could be re-created!? It looks like little flowers joined together by crocheted chains. I wonder..........!! It will have to go on my long list of things to research and dream about making. I found a nice article in the Guardian about the costumes, which are on display at Keats' House in Hampstead. What a treat it would be to see them in the place where much of the poet's most famous work was written.

Sparkling

Fun with sparklers at Sunday night's bonfire party!

Tea with John Shuttleworth

via www.youtube.com

Whoever thought of getting John Shuttleworth to be the face of Yorkshire Tea adverts was inspired. Pure comedy gold. If you aren't familiar with this gent, he is the creation of Graham Fellows, who was Jilted John in the late 1970's; why he isn't more famous is a mystery to me, especially as musical comedians seem to be in the ascent at the moment, as this article in the Guardian affirms.  Ah well, chacun a son gout, as they say, I think he's hilarious! If you visit the Yorkshire Tea website, there are several other ads to view, as well as some 'outtakes', all will bring a smile, I hope. 

Night and day

Back from my travels to Inverness. It is one of my favourite places to visit for work, as it's so picturesque there;  

both by day,

 

and by night

 

 

I find night photography difficult as the glare from street lamps can be too much, but I like the reflection of the light on the water in these pictures. The weather was lovely too (although it was -3 degrees C last night when leaving to return home- brrrrrr!)

I'm off to see some fireworks tonight, more night time photography practice- hope you are enjoying a good weekend, whatever it holds :-)

October collage

Fairly slim pickings this month, due to bad cold and busy work. But the autumn colours are rich and my crocheting is getting better, and giving me a lot of pleasure and much stress relief.

By the bonny banks

At Loch Lomond, playing at a wedding at big posh hotel, I managed to catch this lovely late afternoon view as I was leaving just before the light started to fade. 

Vivaldi's idea of Autumn

via www.youtube.com

A sparkling and stylish rendition of the last movement of Autumn from Vivaldi's Four Seasons, played on baroque instruments. I like seeing the theorbo, which is the lute-like instrument with the extremely long neck on the right. This piece, and this particular interpretation, makes me smile, it's so full of life and jollity (unlike much autumn - inspired music and poetry which seems to focus on the depressing " it's nearly winter and all the flowers are dead"  sentiments) and as we are well into autumn, it seems perfect to listen to it now. Enjoy!