Cafe Morning

 

Good morning! Yesterday was such a good, happy day for me :: that coat! Yes, that coat, I still can't quite believe it belongs to me. I tell you, I am so NOT a garment person, I just don't usually bother very much with clothes. For example, I can tell you that during this year, the most expensive thing I've bought for myself is a new pair of linen trousers for twenty pound  :: every other item of clothing has come from charity/thrift shops. So spending Fifty pounds on a coat kind of went off the scale for me. Big time. But the result was that the pleasure factor also correspondingly went off the scale too. Crikey, I was fit to burst yesterday!

I pretty much ran/skipped from my house up through the high street to the cafe yesterday morning, bright green coat flapping (with mmmmmmmmm that jazzy red lining, gosh I just love getting a glimpse of that lining) and flower scarf flying. I was late (as usual) for Knit and Natter. Arrived all hot and excitable in my new coat, face beaming.

Knit and Natter, as ever, was pure pleasure. I asked Lovely C if she wouldn't mind me taking some photographs of the cafe to show you, because it's looking absolutely stunningly scrumptious, all decked out for the Season. I find it hugely inspiring to see such beautiful Hand Made Goodness about the place, I really do appreciate the homespun, creative look. And Lovely C's decorations have it in abundance...

...see the gorgeous knitted "paper" chains hung on the peg rail up above there? Well Lovely C made them, and it's wonderful to see them up now after watching them grow on her needles during the summer months. I would love to crochet some for Attic24 in time for next Christmas (just found this), hmm better start around about February for that then.

In fact, Lovely C is a bit of a crafting dynamo. Her fingers have been very busy of late, making the most gorgeous items to decorate the cafe. She has made the most beautiful Christmas hearts from old vintage blankets, hand embroidered with wools. And Angels :: Oh! You have to take a closer look at one of the Cafe Angels....

....Isn't she gorgeous? She's made from vintage fabrics, and is just sooo pretty.

And there are hand made stockings too look, I especially love the red one with the hand embroidery and the vintage buttons. 

Lovely C (Carole), you know already I expect how much I love our weekly meets at the cafe. It's the warmest, friendliest, most inviting,  inspiring and uplifting place to come to and I love it. Thank you for your generous and creative friendship over this past year (xx), so very much appreciated.

Do you know what folks? Seeing all these lovely hand made decorations yesterday really made my heart do that flippety-jumpety excited beaty thing, made me feel creative and inspired and excited to try new things, do you get that too? I LoVe that feeling, that feeling when one gets hit by creative inspiration and overcome by the need to stop what ever one is doing and go like Right Now to create something. Immediately without delay. If I wasn't so damn behind with the business of getting presents together and writing those blasted Christmas cards, I think I would be found hidden away up here in the Attic making little coloured stockings, an angel or two, a crocheted wreath perhaps (I've this GREAT design for a wreath forming in that whirly-gig brain of mine) and some yarny paper chains. Yeah, thats what I would surely love to be doing, but oh poop.....I need to go shop first. Need to get the Little People's presents bought and wrapped. It's weighing on me like a tonne of bricks, can you tell? Why did I not do the bloomin present-buying a month ago????

Anyways...I refuse to get all weighty with my own lack of organisation, sorry about that, I almost had a little self-pitying whine there didn't I? Almost.

Did you notice that amongst all the Christmassy decs in the cafe, there is some beautiful everyday crochet too, did you see? If you look at the above photos, you will spy some old granny blankets about the place, and some of Lovely C's crocheted wool cushions as well. And I love that there is crocheted goodness here in my favourite cafe, love that gradually over the last six months I have helped bring about some hooky inspiration here. Seeing these cushions when I walk in makes me sigh with pleasure, truly.

 

I was busy yesterday at the cafe with my own hooky business too. Busy hooking some small granny squares in shades of greens and blues :: my current project. Colours look quite muted don't they, quite restrained? Not my usual brights? Are you curious about what I might be up to here? weeeeeeellll, you'll just have to be patient and wait till Monday.

This afternoon I'll be putting on my green coat (with red lining to die for) and trotting off to the church for the Little Peoples Christmas Carol Concert, which I'm really looking forward to. Then it's full steam ahead into holiday mode...also very much looking forward to that too. If I can get present-shopping and card-writing outta the way, I'll be up on Festive Cloud Nine. Drinking Champagne. In my Pyjamas. ahhhhh what a wonderful thought!

Have a fabulous weekend one and all :o)

xxx

Comments

[Ankita Vj (India)]

Oh yes i know this feeling...i get it everytime i m in attic24....love ur etsy banner..its amazingly gorgeous...

[KayElleC]

Oh Lucy....beautiful. Just reading thru some seasonal stuff for heart warming inspiration. But what made me laugh was your reference to wishing you had done the LPs Chrissie shopping earlier and not being organised!! Have you got FLYLadys Journal this year!! After you mentioned her, I went and joined up....I'm as hooked on her as I am on hooking! And made some lovely friends across the pond too. Thank you for the new worlds you have opened up for me and others.

xxx

[Merry Susan]

I
LOVE THISBLOG

[Kathryn]

What a divine place to meet for your knit & natter. The knitted chain is going to catch on, might start some for next xmas. Hope you and yours have a lovely Christmas & New Year Lucy.
With Smiles
Kathryn
Kathryn in the Loft
Australia

[Marianne Penner]

Hi Lucy, I've been reading your blog daily. I came across your blog by way of Anna Maria Horner's blog. You two are my favorite crafting bloggers. You have inspired me to crochet again, I haven't crocheted since I was 7, that was 34 years ago, and I'm having so much fun with it. I love your flower tutorial, I've already made 6 of them from my wool scraps. I have been knitting many felted bags and was getting tired of only knitting so your blog and crocheting have brought excitement for yarn back to me.

I love the cafe with all of the crafting inspiration. It's just beautiful. It's so nice that we can see another part of the world through the computer. I'm from Canada and have never travelled outside of North America, so I really appreciate seeing parts of the UK through your camera lens.

Thanks again.

Marianne

[greedy nan]

I love the look of the cafe - all that beautifulness and knitting too - almost heaven! Loving your mooted colours and will be back again tomorrow to see what they're for.

[Umm Hibaat]

What a beautiful blog you have here! I came across it last week and have been going through the archives since! I adore it! The beautiful crochet, the vibrant colours, the view from your lovely home, the wholesome, delicious recipes, the flowers … You’ve made me miss the English countryside even though I was born and brought up in London ;) Thank you for giving me great moments of inspiration as I relax with a cuppa. I loved the blankets exp the Hex. Can't wait to see what you'll get up to with those grannies!

[Rebekah]

I just love your blog! The cafe was so cute! I wish I could visit! :) And that new jacket of yours is to die for! I love it! It goes so well with all of your happy creations. The photos were so fun to look at!

What kind of yarn do you prefer to use for granny squares? I know you mentioned Rowan dk handknit yarn before, which is so hard to find in the US. At least in my area. I found one shop an hour away that carried some..I might just have to try online shopping.

[claire]

That's a lovely cafe I especially like all the differnet stockings hanging up. My wee boy has the bug now and was upp all night last night it seems to be doing the rounds of the UK! Still better now than christmas day! Have a lovely weekend cc

[Laura Fortune]

Isn't it amazing how a new garment can lift one's spirits? I love your new coat. And I love those chairs in the third photo. If only I could get some of those for my kitchen, alas they are not available on this shore.
~Laura
PS - Your blog is such a day brightener for me. Thank you!

[gardenymph]

Oh how I wish I could spend a morning in that cafe. Please tell your friend that she has a lovely, cozy, wonderful place, and that I love her creations.
I've bookmarked that crochet paper chain for myself too. Thanks!

[Val]

Your work is beautiful and you give me lots of ideas. Thank you so much !

[Janneke.]

What a fantastic cosy cafe for your knit & natter .... i would have loved to be there !!!
Have a great weekend :)
Janneke.

[Liz]

What an AMAZING cafe! (and a great coat too!)

[carole]

The cafe looks great Lucy! and thank you for all your wonderful comments - I couldn't have done the crochet without you! one of the best things about '08 has been your friendship! I can't beliveve how lucky I am! to know you in the flesh so to speak!
have a great christmas and wishing you a healthy, happy and creative '09 lots of love C

[Josie-Mary]

What a lovely cafe, I'd love to join you one day for knit & natter. I have a feeling you like your new coat...is it green with a red lining?? I thought you mentioned it!!!
I'm glad to hear you like being in your PJ's, I'm not the only one then!! On my day off I sometimes don't get dressed & I've also been known to do the gardening in them!!
What are you making???? Something green with flowers.... mmmmmmm maybe something for the spring??? Can't wait to find out :)

[Tilly Rose]

I blame it all on you.... the fact that I too have now bought that fab green coat from Boden..... when it arrived I will tell my husband that it was all your fault..... Fab price toooo good to miss. I love all things green and I too have drooled over that coat for a while....I have been pondering on what you are making in those muted colours..... baby blanket ????

[Helen Lambert]

Hi...where is the cafe ...we may take a trip to skipton in the holls...we love the market...I know what you mean about the inspiration buzz..I am going to make some paper chains ...along with the scarfs that i have on the go (3) and the humungus jumper waiting in a big big baket an the Maggi knits shawl...better get knitting...I hope you dont mind me asking but could you give me a simple blanket pattern..i am dying to make one but I need something simple..love H

[Cat]

The colours are wonderfully calming. Looking forward to seeing the finished project. And what a fabulous cafe! I wish I had one like that near me!

[cathleen]

What a cozy morning you had at that lovely homey little cafe. I still want to come to Knitt and Natter too...especially to drink one of those luscious lattes. I am loving the colors in your new granny squares...they would match my home perfectly. Have a good weekend, Lucy dear, and don't stress too much about all things Christmas.

[mandy]

thanks for the lovely pictures of the cafe, it looks like the perfect place to go, so cosy looking, I have to do christmas shopping as well, and will be glad when it is done,
enjoy your weekend, by the way is that a scarf you are making ????? now we are all curious.

[frances]

Lucy,

That cafe is a gem! It must be quite an incubator for lots of creative folks.

And your green coat with that splash of red ... what a merry wrap for this season. I know you will feel merry every time you slip it on, and add your own hand made accessories.

Happy Christmas!

[Deb]

Goodness, how does she manage to run a cafe and do all that crafty stuff? Wish there was such a cafe near me, it's mostly costas and neroes.

Although do have lots of independent ones too (17 coffee shops I think at last count), none as lovely looking as that one.

I would love to go to a Knit and Natter but time prevents me. Oh, and the fact I can't knit and natter at the same time!

[Hen]

Looks like a great cafe, I do like those round cushions I spotted. Now your new project is very un-Lucy, colour-wise, what are you up to???
Have a great weekend.
Hen x

[Devon Hanna]

Oh Lucy,
You have a right to be happy between getting your coat and going to a sweet cafe like that,,how can you not be in a happy mood...have fun at the little people concert..I miss those days...and thanks again for sharing your world with all of us,,I hope you have a wonderful weekend,,,,

Devon