Sunny Sunday - crafting in the great outdoors.

Let me set the scene for you.............

The sun is shining, the husband is out walking up mountains and I'm home alone with my crafting goodies.

Sounds good....?! :)

As some of you will be aware, I have been rather poorly recently and so my ability to go out chasing my husband up mountains is zero. Rather than dwell on my lack of energy for the outdoor activities I love so much I've decided to make the most of today and my brighter mood by doing the following:

1. Writing an update to my much neglected blog
2. Get back to some knitting and finish a top I started a while back
3. Sit in the garden with a glass of cloudy lemonade
4. Eat dinner in the garden

Well......why not combine the lot?! 

Great plan, KnittyNora! :)

And so, I'm off to sit in my garden, finish that knitted top and drink cloudy lemonade. When the husband gets back I'm sure he could rustle up something on the BBQ....... sounds like a great day!

Speaking of my garden.........



.....here is a little pic of my 'developing' wild flower patch in the corner of my garden - my little contribution to encourage wildlife to come and visit my garden.

We've since added some wild and fragrant flower seeds to the patch and just waiting for them to grow

 

....and some pics of my brand new veggie grow bags :)

New veggie grow bags

Tomatoes just starting to pop their heads out

Carrots

I'll be heading south later in the week for another investigative operation.....wish me luck! 

Wishing you all the very sunniest of Sundays,

KnittyNora xxxx



 Some happy stuff:

I recently entered and came first in a competition run  by the lovely folks at 33Hearts (http://www.etsy.com/shop/33hearts) 

Here is just one of the lovely items I won

Please pop over and say hi to them. They are very friendly and make some very cute items :)

A birthday, some new toys and a little inspiration.

Goodness me, it's been over two weeks since my last post.......... Ooops!

As many of you may already know, I have been rather poorly over the last few months and still have to juggle the good days (when pain is low) and the bad days (when all I can do is sleep). Since I'm unable to work at the moment I have been making the most of my time by reading craft blogs and seeking out inspiration from other makers and some beautiful new books I have recently acquired.


Yesterday was my birthday - happy birthday me!

I'm absolutely rubbish at asking for things so this year my husband got me to save weblinks to anything I liked in a special folder on the computer so that he knew what to get and could help friends and family decide what to get me too - GREAT idea! I don't feel awkward for asking and I know that people will be able to get me something that means a lot to me - in my case that's knitting books!

This year I also added a sewing machine to the list and a fantastic sewing book that I came across thanks to Kollabora (I LOVE that site). I didn't want anything too fancy since I am basically a beginner.

My tick list consisted of these main points:

• Cheap
• Suitable for a beginner - easy to use!
• Fairly lightweight so that I can move it on my own. 
• Basic range of stitches covered.

Thanks to my husband and Beldray, we found just that.......................

As a little treat on my birthday my husband took me to a fabric shop so that I could find some delicious fabric for my first official make on the new sewing machine. I found some beautiful material on sale - £5 a metre!

To start though, I thought I'd start with some fabric my husband's great aunt (Auntie Pat) gave me to play with.........so that I could practice my stitches and measuring skills :)

Pinning my seams

Beautiful floral fabric from Auntie Pat

Neat little side seam

Here is a link to the skirt I'm going to make:


http://www.kollabora.com/community/sewing/projects/one-hour-skirt

I'm so glad to have my hobby to keep me company whilst I'm at home. I'd love to hear if any of you have a new projects on the go.....??


I'll be back soon with some updates on the skirt :)

Love and best,
KnittyNora xx

Cushion or strapless top?........you decide

Here's a little something that I started on recently. It's a pattern I've created myself and therefore leaves lots of room for alteration and experimentation - my favourite!

A few cheeky snaps:

Simple cable detail

Hmmmmm.....what should it be?

Well.......it began as a cushion but I have to admit that I am very tempted to turn this little number into a strapless top for moi too :) Although.....could be both! A perfect excuse to go out shopping for more yarn.

Old skool sexy back sweater

I'm pleased to report that my old skool sweater (above and previous post) was featured on the Kollabora Facebook page. I was so pleased when I found my little top highlighted on their page......I was just a little bit proud and very excited. If you haven't discovered Kollabora yet.................do it!

Kollabora website: http://kollabora.com/

My featured item: https://www.facebook.com/kollabora

Please let me know what you think my latest creation should be...........

KnittyNora xxx

Putting the pieces together...........

I'm pleased to say that since picking up my knitting needles again I have been able to finish a project I started before going into hospital.

Here is a picture of the pattern.....................

and........here is the finished article!

Low cut, crossover back detail

Simple neckline. Perfect little number for wearing with jeans or a pretty summer skirt

As you can see, I have altered the pattern so that the top is sleeveless. I wanted to make something suitable for the summer months which can also be transformed into a cosy autumnal number with the addition of a long sleeve t-shirt underneath.

What do you think?

KnittyNora xxx

Hello again, lovely followers :)

Well, it's been a while! As some of you may have gathered from my Facebook page, I've been rather poorly for the past few months. After many a stay in hospital and a small operation, I am currently recovering at home. Unfortunately, this means that I have more than neglected my blog, Facebook page and crafting in general. Thanks to some very lovely friends, however, I have been able to read about other people's crafty journeys through the medium of beautiful crafting magazines.


When I've had the energy, it's been lovely to have a look at what everyone is making and have been introduced to the delights of Craftseller magazine. With pages full of tips for setting up your own craft business, beautiful (and free!) patterns and lovely stories from those readers who have taken the plunge and started their own crafty business it's sure to cheer up your day. If you haven't come across this magazine before you can find the website here: http://www.craft-seller.com/



Yesterday my husband took me for a short drive to get some fresh air and to enjoy the sunshine. Here are a couple of pics of what we saw.............

Beautiful sunny view at low tide

Spring lambs that were ever so friendly

Leaping rabbit!

And a much calmer relative of his :)

For now I am relaxing to some music from a couple of my favourite artists; Pentangle, Fairport Convention and Joni Mitchell, and enjoying a couple of new knitting books I have been gifted recently. I look forward to  making again soon, I hope!


Best wishes to all of my lovely readers and followers. I hope that you've all had a taste of the recent sunshine. It really does cheer you up and makes you feel like spring is (nearly) here :)

KnittyNora xx

Hello and goodbye to Scotland, lovely new purchases and back to the real world........

Well, half-term has been and gone. In a flash my week in Scotland was over.....but what a fantastic time we had!

I absolutely adore Scotland. The beauty, isolation and peacefulness of the west coast is like something from Lord of the Rings (minus the nasty monsters). I love wrapping up in my winter kit and heading out into the mountains. During this trip I managed to find some time to walk alone. I love walking with my other half but this was quite a rare and welcome change. Walking alone down into the valley (that I'd earlier walked/climbed up with my husband and a friend) was something quite special. In the silence I could clearly hear the running water of the half melted falls and the sound of the ice and snow cracking and crunching underfoot. It was one of those moments when you just have to stop and and take in the beauty around you. In that moment I felt very lucky to be able to enjoy such an experience.

Below are some pics to give you a taste of what I got up to.......

Beautiful day for a walk in Scotland

Scrambling up some very icy rocks

Reaching the plateau - taking in the view of the climb ahead

and what better way of testing my makes............????
 

Checking out the lower falls of Falls of Steall in multi-colour, multi-purpose snood

Of course, we had to have at least one rest day :) Off to Oban we went...........and I found not one but TWO lovely wool stores to mooch around. Purchases were made...... some new 10mm knitting needles, a beautiful hat for me (it even has bells!) and some knitted wrist warmers for an impatient husband :)

Back to work today for me......which means less time on the fells. Thankfully the nights are getting lighter which allows some cheeky trips out after school to make the most of the lovely weather we appear to be having here this week.

Love to hear from some of you soon....... 

KnittyNora xx

So many projects..........where should I start?!

After a little mooch in Oxfam last week I emerged with two beautiful patterns and some much needed knitting accessories (additions to my needle collection.....always needed!)

The patterns are rather, how shall I put this......retro...? I love them!
.............and such a bargain too!

Trouble is knowing which one to begin first. I've opted for the cheeky low cute number (top picture). Twinned with a nice little vest top this will be perfect with jeans or dressed up with some smart trousers for work. I've started making this in a soft denim blue colour.

I'm thinking bright and bold for the cable knit jumper :)

Love and best wishes,

KnittyNora xxxxx