Slowly but surely......

Hello lovely readers! It sure has been a while.....a very long while.

I'm pleased to say that I am now resting up at home after having an operation two and a half weeks ago. Over the past few days I've managed to pick up my knitting needles again and have made a start on some Christmas gifts. Think cosy, warm slippers and snoods.....yum!

Here are a couple of pics, especially for you:

My very happy feet and slipper socks

Using a multi colour wool created a lovely multi tonal design 

I've also made these in a couple of other colours, ready to be wrapped up for Christmas and given to their new owners :)

I'm also making some baby clothes for a special friend who is about to become a mummy for the first time. I love making baby items and especially love making things for people I love. 

Hope you're all keeping well. Pop back soon for a sneak peek at some of my other new makes.

KnittyNora xx

Birds of prey, visiting friends, a 40th birthday and a hospital visit.

It's been a busy week or so for me......a hospital visit to see my consultant, a lovely visit from some friends and my husband's 40th birthday.

As I'm sure you can imagine, this left me feeling more than a bit tired :) Here's a little sneak peek at what I got up to...........

A gentle stroll around Ennerdale water

A ride on L'al Ratty

Delicious and homemade (gluten free) birthday cake 

A visit to the Penrith birds of prey centre..........

Very beautiful Harris Hawk.....

..........and very well behaved too 

Otto the owl enjoying a tasty chicken bone

Beautiful close up of Otto the owl

And some new makes...........

Bow detail for my new jumper

My new chunky knit jumper

I love oversized jumpers......getting ready for the colder months already :)

Love,
KnittyNora xx

Well, hello there!

Over the last few weeks I've been trying to keep myself busy with lots of crafty projects. Since I'm not able to climb or go out walking I've had to find lots of other things to keep me busy..........

Project one: Cable knit cushion

Here is a little look at the cable knit cushion I've been working on....

Triple cable 

Up close

I've made this from a pattern I designed myself. This can be tricky but it also allows you to amend and tailor the pattern as you go along, which is great.

If anyone would like the pattern details once I've finished please get in touch......

I've made up quite a few of my own patterns and would love to know if people would like me to share them.

Project two: Make do and mend.....continued.

And so, another pair of cords get a make over.

Here they are before:

Plain old cords

and here they are after I went a bit crazy with them :)

My (almost finished) dungarees

What do you think? 

Project three: What to do with all this fabric?

A selection of my new fabrics

A nice little close up

And so.....what does a girl do with all this fabric (and a few more pieces stashed away!)?!

I'm thinking a couple of new skirts and possibly a dress....... what do you think?


I'm off to play with my sewing machine......pop back soon for a peek at my complete cushion and perhaps a peek at something new :)

Best wishes,
KnittyNora xx

Boungiorno! Come stai?

Ciao!

.........don't worry, you haven't clicked on the wrong blog..........I'm just practising my Italian :)

Given that I'm off work for the time being I thought I should use the time wisely and productively. Yes, I always have my crafty creations to keep me busy but I wanted to learn something new and exciting. For me, that is a new language. Now, many years ago I used to sing in many different languages (when you're a classically trained singer you kind of have to) but I never really learnt a language properly, or well enough to hold a proper conversation......besides from a bit of French and German at school. I've always loved Italy and the Italian language, so..............here goes......wish me luck! :)

Can anyone recommend any resources for learning languages?

I'm currently using a combination of BBC CD/book combo, a phrase book and an Italian dictionary.

On the craft front

Well, it wouldn't be an All You Need Is Craft blog post without a little bit about my crafty makes.....

I'm finding knitting in this weather rather difficult......never thought I'd say that! However, I'm trying to persevere with the cable knit cushion I'm making for a friend. I've also been sent some lovely cotton yarn from Kollabora which should make a lovely vest style top for the Summer months.

Just the right colour for me too! :)

And here's what I managed to make with some scraps of material and a few other bits and bobs I had lying around...................

Flower power brooch

Pop over to my Facebook page for a few more pics and further details: All you need is craft Facebook page

Out and about in the sun

Watching the fishing boats...........

.........checking the nets for a catch

When I'm not making, creating and trying to learn Italian, I've been trying to get out in the sunshine. A few days ago my husband took me to one of our favourite beach spots. It's completely shut off from anywhere else which means that it is the perfect spot for a quiet picnic and a nap (yes, I did say nap!). It's also a popular climbing spot, so whilst my husband climbed some boulders I took the time to lie in the shade, watch the fishing boats and have a lazy, sunny afternoon snooze.........perfect! 

Hope you've all been enjoying the weather, wherever you are :)

Ciao!
KnittyNora xxxxx

Summer crafting

Sun, sun, sun! It's everywhere!

I LOVE a bit of sunshine, especially when I've got nothing else to do but relax in my little garden and eat ice cream......and not forgetting a bit of alfresco crafting. As you will have seen from a previous post, I have been busy altering some old clothes into new, summer friendly outfits.


Here is a picture of my finished skirt............I'm actually quite proud of this :)

The finished article

As modelled by me

As well as being on a 'mend and make do' mission, I've also been creating some new knitting patterns. I really enjoy making up my own patterns. They can take a while to work out and I sometimes have to make adjustments (as I change my mind about the finished item) but find the whole activity really fulfilling. There's nothing quite like receiving compliments on an item you've designed and created yourself.

Here is a little something I've been working on....................

A work in progress......... cable knit cushion

Have any of you ever designed and created your own crafty creations? I'd love to hear about them and/or see some pics :)



Lots of love,

KnittyNora xx

As time goes by..........

And so......another month has gone by since my last post. Unfortunately this is because of poor health rather my being too busy to post :(

Another trip to the specialist resulted with me spending another week in hospital...... I think I may need to start another blog for just my hospital visits! :) Thankfully, it seems that they may be closer to solving my health issues since the new team I've seen seem to know what's wrong......somewhat of a relief!

With feeling poorly much of the time I haven't had much energy for making. I have, however, done my very best to fit in some making when I can. This has mainly taken the shape of some baby bits and bobs for my friends who have recently had their first child. He is so sweet. I really love making things for other people.


Here is a little snap of one of the items:

Super cute little baby hat

With the weather changing here and there I've been making the most of sunny days by sitting in the garden and getting some help from my husband to plant some seeds and new plants. He is great at carrying pots and compost and I have the patience to sit and watch the plants grow....perfect combo :)
(I posted some pics of my plants in my last post....)

Unfortunately, some very naughty slugs and snails have decided that my little plants are so tasty they have decided to eat most of them :(

Anyone got any tips for keeping my veggies safe??!!



Speaking of projects....

Here's what I did with an old pair of cord trousers that were too big......

Cutting off the legs.........

Opening and restitching the seams around the bottom area

As you can see, I've chopped them up and made a low waisted skirt. Perfect for any season and great with a chunky belt. Just need to finish the hem :)

Not much to do now......

and so........off I go to pin the hem of my new skirt.....

hope you're all enjoying the sunshine :)

KnittyNora xx



P.s. The hat was made using a pattern from Debbie Bliss's 'The knitter's year'. The pattern is called 'Striped baby hat'.

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 :)