Pheewwwww...4pm and I am jiggered. I was at the cafe for my regular knit and natter this morning, and even the waitress there remarked on how tired I looked as she passed me my cappuccino. So I must look like I feel then, oh dear.
I shouldn't really be up here at this time of day, but well, I do so love coming up to the top of the house, up the creaky wooden stairs to the Attic. It relaxes me to touch base with my little messy space and to catch the beautiful afternoon light glowing on the hills. The Little People are happily occupied downstairs and I felt like popping in to say hello to you all quickly before I have to go prepare dinner.
At the cafe this morning I was happily making some summer garden squares for another little project, a new hooky WIP (WIP= Work In Progress, just in case you wondered but didn't like to ask). I am really LOVING this little project SO very, very much. Ahhhh, such happiness in these itty-bitty flowery squares, such joy!
And see what I discovered only a few weeks ago?? I experienced a total EUreKa moment folks, as it dawned on me that it might be possible to join granny squares as-you-go, same as you do with the hexies. WoW, what do you think?? Did you know about this?? WHy did I NOT have this information before, why has this miraculous discovery eluded me until now???
So I am honestly thrilled that this little project is going to grow in this way, how bloomin' wonderful!!!!
I took a little time today to photograph a tutorial for this joining method, it should be en-blog tomorrow if I can find time amongst everything else that needs to be done tomorrow.
Another hooky WIP above there too, I finished the ripple stripes for my cushion cover a few weeks ago now, and managed to find a beautiful pale blue lambswool jumper in the charity shop to use for the backing. So now the two just need to be pulled together and a cushion will be born. Couldn't resist photographing these two together, scrummy-yummy, aren't they just?
Wanted to show you this chair too, recently bestowed upon us, it's an inherited chair that holds many sweet memories of the wonderful lady who owned it, and of the house where it used to live. And now it's come to live here at Attic24, awaiting some tlc. It's a most beautiful duck-egg blue colour (it looks a bit grey in the photo because the light wasn't so good), and the seat is fully sprung too so it's really comfy to sit in.
I'm visualising a brightly coloured patchwork seat cover, a crochet/patchwork cushion or two, and the above summer-garden squares throw to fling over the back.
Isn't Creative Imagination a truly great thing? I can picture this chair so completely in my mind, can see it all decked out in it's colourful creative finery, can't wait for it to come to fruition.
You going to be here tomorrow with me then?? Popping by the Attic for the Big Blogiversary Giveaway?? Oh I do so hope so, I am incredibly excited about it!
Later this evening, when I've finished cutting out the last of the butterflies, and baked and iced twenty four buns for the school cake sale tomorrow, I'm going to be finishing off the posie-brooches. Its all go-go-go around here these days.
See you tomorrow
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Wow....so so gorgeous. Can't wait for the turorial on joining them. You are so talented and I enjoy your blog very much. Thank you for all you do.
Posted by: Lora | March 24, 2009 at 04:57 AM
Hi Lucy. I've just learned to crochet summer garden squares using your tutorial. Thank you so much. I've been wanting to learn to crochet for a while, and have been completely fascinated with your wonderful colourful hooky WIPs. Your tutorial was easy for a complete beginner like me to follow. Once I've practiced making squares for a while I'm going to give the pot covers a go as I really love them. Thank you again for a wonderful blog.
Posted by: Jane | March 23, 2009 at 09:47 AM
Hiya
Thankyou so so much for popping over mine with your lovely comments, I am always really delighted to see you. And so sweet that you took the time when you were in so much upheaval. Bless
x mwah x
hope you are having a wonderful mummie's day and are much more rested.
take care
and lots of love
Sumea
Posted by: sumea | March 22, 2009 at 05:40 PM
Hooking the squares as one goes certainly changes the game! I love granny squares but hate the thought of sewing them all together. Hooking as you go makes complete sense.
Posted by: Michele C | March 21, 2009 at 06:18 PM
Beautiful colours as always. Gin may not be the answer, but how can something that tastes so good do any harm? ;) Best wishes, Pj x
Posted by: pj | March 21, 2009 at 11:26 AM
Lucy following my discovery of the Yarn Barn where I can buy beautiful bright colours I have decided to join you in making a summer garden blanky. I have found though that I need some finished only to the round stage then the rest at the sqare stage or I am not able to join them. Isn't it amazing how quickly the number of flowers grow. Thanks for the inspiration. Oh and I couldn't help myself I'm back blogging hahahahaha!
Posted by: Maddy | March 21, 2009 at 12:39 AM
it's wonderful !
I love it !
Posted by: stef et sa belette | March 20, 2009 at 10:37 PM
Just wanted to stop by (again) and thank you. Your blog inspired me to try again with the granny squares, which I have given up on MANY times, but last night I did it!!! I made 3 perfect granny squares, a bit messy and raggedy round the edges, but I love them the same!
Posted by: charlie | March 20, 2009 at 07:24 PM
My, my, Lucy! Your life is like a blender right now. I am loving the flurry of activity and color, texture, creativity. I must admit though that I'm wanting to mother you and demand you curl up with a cup of tea and just rest for a bit though. Look at magazines........relax.....recharge those everready batteries of yours. :D You are such a blessing. Wish I were 40 again to just keep up. What you do in one week usually takes me a month! Ha! Love you and can't wait to see what you have in store for us tomorrow.
Posted by: Moonie | March 20, 2009 at 04:01 PM
I just found your blog too. I love it...
you inspire me to get my act together and get things organized. I have sooo many projects on the go and your blog is so refreshing.
I want to come back for more, and more.
Hope your day is better. Can't wait to see the lucky winner.
Jackie
Posted by: Jackie | March 20, 2009 at 03:39 PM
I love the chair Lucy - it will look wonderful with all of your coloured crocheted goodies :)
Can you share you ripple pattern?
Have you ever made crochet dishcloths? They are wonderful - not only in the kitchen but also the bathroom... and once you start using them you will never want to stop :)
Have a great weekend )
Posted by: Chars | March 20, 2009 at 02:45 PM
What a lovely chair, the only thing letting it down is the seat fabric. It's going to look fabulous when it's finished.
I love that picture of the granny squares on top of the ripple.
Posted by: Jools | March 20, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Looking forward to the how to for joining squares as you go, how brilliant.
We have three old Lloyd Loom chairs in the same original duck egg blue. They are the most comfortable chairs ever and we carry them out into the garden in the summer. But I look at them now and see they need new covers for the seats, oh dear! do I need to go fabric shopping :)
Posted by: louise | March 20, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Too nice!!!!!!
Posted by: giulia | March 20, 2009 at 10:13 AM
Just seen the crochet cafe pictures, I'm getting really excited! I'll be there next week! Yipee!
Posted by: marmaladerose | March 20, 2009 at 09:10 AM
Lucy, your bright and cheerful post has cheered me up no end this morning (PMT I think) Love the chair, it will be even more gorgeous after you have worked your magic on it xxx
Posted by: Trish | March 20, 2009 at 08:44 AM
adorable as always!!!
yes that chair with some fresh robin egg blue paint plus some fabric on top would be lovely for that attic of yours!!!
and yes, attaching grannies that way is something I"ve been doing..... I have problems using that method though with solid square grannies.... oh well!!!
have a beautiful first day of spring hope it's sunny in your neck of the universe!!!
HAPPY SPRING!!!!
Vive le printemps!!!!!
biz
Posted by: Potiron | March 20, 2009 at 08:02 AM
Hi Lucy
Loving the "join-a-grannie" as you go . So glad you are doing a tutorial as i was only thinking the other day that if you can do it to Hexs you must be able to do it to squares. I am currently woring on your crochet bag pattern whilst trying to decide which ripple pattern to do from Jan Eatons Ripple book. Cannot wait to see your revamped chair .
W
Posted by: Wendy | March 20, 2009 at 07:19 AM
Hi Lucy
Just love reading your blog -i love colour as much as you do and your post always brightens the day! Please, please, please can we have a ripple tutorial -no-one explains as well as you do and that ripple is just begging to be made! Hope you have had a restful day.
Posted by: leeanne | March 20, 2009 at 05:59 AM
Will you be so kind do share a tutorial on Ripple in the future? I've been wanting to ask but tell myself to finish my granny squares first! Now that I'm almost done with my squares....I'm excited to make Ripples! I gave up trying to understand some instructions i found...Your tutorial is the best so far. But yr health first, take a break and rest when yr body tells you to. :)
Have a great weekend.
Posted by: Tien nee | March 20, 2009 at 04:41 AM
I just love to follow your posties, and the colors you choose are always so happy! Thanks for posting again about the 'attach as you go', especially with granny squares.
I do have a question: when you use that kind of connecting the shapes together, have you found any issues with the tiny gaps left between the connecting slip stitches, where the double crochets meet up but do not connect?
Thank you for sharing your lovely, colorful world!
Posted by: Kris Van Allen | March 20, 2009 at 02:55 AM
Love the chair, and, yes, creative imagination is a wonderful, wonderful gift! What would life be like without it?? Can't wait to see what the new WIP turns out to be!!
Posted by: Shelley in SC | March 20, 2009 at 02:52 AM
Hello Lucy,
It's lovely to see your bursts of color at night in New York. Makes me think that tomorrow will be a sun-shiny day.
The canal reflection photos in your prior post are marvelous. As I have written before, I like the way you capture outdoors as well as the marvelous interior close-ups.
Cheers!
Posted by: frances | March 20, 2009 at 01:18 AM
I second the call for a ripple tutorial, I would love to know how to make one of those. Your colours are always so bright and inspiring Lucy!
Posted by: Sue | March 20, 2009 at 12:52 AM
your colourful images have inspired me to try crocheting. it is something i have been contemplating for some time although where to fit it in amongst everything else was the question. there will be time somewhere if i look hard enough. so the question in my mind is ... which beginners book would be the best one to get a hold of to get me started? can you help me there with a suggestion?
happy crocheting!
gill
littlehillbigsea.typepad.com
Posted by: Gill | March 20, 2009 at 12:45 AM