Friday night in KnittyNora's house

Wow, it's already Friday! Where did that week go?!

After a very busy and tiring week I'm happy to be spending Friday night in my pyjamas, watching the footie and drinking a nice cup of tea (yes, I'm getting old.....)

Husband is sat next to me cheering on England and I'm enjoying catching up with some 'admin' (basically catching up with the lovely people on UK Handmade and writing this blog - thanks for reading!).

Looks like it could be a quiet weekend with some marking and report writing for me. And let's not forget some lovely crafting  :) But what to make....? Some cosy hats and gloves for this oh so chilly spell? A super cute ruffle skirt for this crafty old lady? Or some new jewellery designs for my Etsy store?

Let me know what you think..... I'd love to know what you lovely people are up to this weekend so please pop by and say 'hello!'.


Sending you happy weekend wishes,

KnittyNora xxx

Find me on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Allyouneediscraft

Lazy Sunday afternoons

Feeling sleepy and oh so tired. Time to head for the sofa and relax with a glass of wine. 

Husband is out and I'm home alone. Homemade onion rings for my tea and some tasty garlic potatoes (random....but tasty!). Whilst I'm in charge of the remote control I'm making the most of watching all the programmes my husband doesn't like like One born every minute and slushy movies.....just what this girl needs!

Back to work tomorrow..... 

What have you been up to this Sunday? 

Lots of love,

KnittyNora xxxx

Making the most of a beautiful weekend

Wowee.... what a weekend! I have been utterly spoiled by beautiful weather and trips out on the fells with my husband. A long weekend is the perfect excuse to make the most of time off work together and to make the most of the beautiful countryside that I find myself surrounded by.

I have to admit that not much crafting has happened this weekend because my hands have been busy climbing rock faces. After a guided walk on Saturday and some indoor climbing on Sunday, we decided to go on a scrambling adventure on Great Gable yesterday. If anyone reading this knows much about scrambling you'll know that it's a fair mission just to get the actual scrambles. We set ourselves the mission of scrambling Threading the Needle, the Sphinx Ridge and Pinnacle Ridge and up onto the summit of Great Gable. We did it....and what fun we had in the process! :) I have discovered a renewed passion for climbing recently and have been pushing myself to do more outdoor climbs. Yesterday's grade 2 (and at times, grade 3) scrambles were both fun and exhilarating. Although I wouldn't recommend it if you're scared of heights :)

Here are some pics, just for you.....

The prize....

The view back to Threading the Needle from the Dress Circle

Making my way to meet the Sphinx and Sphinx Ridge

Today is a rest day ...of sorts. An early lunch of Venison sausages purchased from a local Farmer's market followed by a trip to the book shop for some climbing books. And later, meeting friends on the lake for some windsurfing. May have to take along my crotchet needle and some wool and see what I can dream up.
Here is a picture of my oh so random brooch design....must find a pin so that I can wear it!

Not the best picture.... aiming for abstract rose design :) 

Hope you've all had a lovely long weekend. Please pop by and say 'Hello!'.

KnittyNora xxxxxxxxx

Crotchet = new hobby!

I have another new hobby - crotcheting. Since first picking up a pair of knitting needles two years ago I have some how managed to avoid learning to crotchet. Well, that was up until recently when a pattern I was following advised a crotchet edging on a neckline. I'd never even tried to crotchet before and didn't even have a crotchet needle(!). Thanks to my favourite Oxfam shop the latter issue was resolved. I now had no excuse....well, apart from not knowing how to crotchet. Thanks to my lovely, crafty friend Emma (of Emma and Emmie fame - http://emmieandemmaathome.blogspot.co.uk/) and some very helpful tips from my Stitch and Bitch book, I finally started crotcheting this weekend. I've had lots of fun making it up as I go along and now have lots more ideas for my jewellery range.

I'll upload some pics later of the brooch design I've created.....very usual - just the way I like it! :)

Enjoy the sunshine - don't forget your suncream!

KnittyNora xxxxxx

P.s. I've also been busy scrambling up mountains this weekend. Stay tuned for more details.....

I LOVE the sunshine!

Well, if you hadn't guessed....I'm a little excited that the sun is shining. It never fails to put a smile on my face.

After finishing work yesterday I headed over to a local climbing spot. We were the only people there (apart from one man doing some bouldering for an hour or so). It was fantastic. Me, the husband and lots of lovely routes to climb. We were able to watch the sunset over the Isle of Man (it was that clear!) as we finished our last climb - bliss!

When the sun is shining it makes you feel that little lighter and just a little more hopeful. Now that the warm weather has arrived my knitting is focused on jewellery....and lots of it! After many positive comments about my knitted rings and torque necklace, I feel inspired to create some more of my own patterns and continue to develop my range of quirky jewellery and accessories.  Watch this space!


Now...I've seen another blog that lists the songs stuck in their head or on their hi-fi (ipod, cd player, vinyl...etc, etc). I think it's a fab idea. So, here is mine:

Hollow talk by Choir of young believers. Beautiful song. I discovered this thanks to the Scandinavian series 'Bron | Broen' (or 'The Bridge').

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vy7yuj-UrNI

Have a lovely day!

KnittyNora xxxx

Making the most of the sunshine

The sun is shining! Well, it is where I live :)

I always like to make the most of the good weather when I can, especially when I work inside all day. This weekend was no exception. After being busy all day Saturday with music making and attending a village celebration, I wanted to make the most of my Sunday. I was feeling rather tired yesterday but a phonecall from a friend helped me and the husband decide what to do - go climbing!

We packed up our climbing kit and lunch and were taken to a really beautiful climbing spot that we'd not discovered yet (I love it when that happens). The area was perfect for relaxing with a picnic and had a great range of climbing routes for me to try out. Shortly after arriving I soon forgot about being tired and grumpy and had a really good climb (if I do say so myself) :) Days like yesterday make me realise how lucky I am to live where I live, surrounded by beautiful landscapes, mountains and an array of wildlife.


I hope you've all been doing something equally enjoyable. I'm looking forward to finishing work and going outside in the sun. I'm thinking cold coffee in the garden as an after work treat :) (yes, I'm really spoiling myself!)

Please let me know how you'll be making the most of the nice weather.

Much love and craftiness,

KnittyNora xxxxxx

The Ullock Scarecrow festival

After much planning and fretting the Ullock Scarecrow festival came ..... and went. The two days absolutely flew by. Lots of lovely people came along and had a good look at the crafty creations of the local artists and makers on display. Some people even sampled my gluten and wheat free cakes! :)


Here are some pictures of my first ever craft stall:

Knitted jewellery, baby hoodie and my homemade packaging

A lovely ray of sunshine highlights the baby section

After the doors of the village hall closed for the evening I managed to take a look at some of the fantastic scarecrows on display.

I can't wait to see what they come up with next year! :)

KnittyNora xxxxx

P.s. Keep posted for info on my latest designs and creations..........coming soon!