Stay-home Weekend

Hello my lovelies, thanks soo much as always for taking time out of your day to call in to see me in the Attic. I've been enjoying your visits enORmously of late, all of your comments and continued enthusiasm and support for what goes on in my crazy little muti-coloured world is so very much appreciated. Thank you.

I'm feeling happy and refreshed today after spending a very lovely, sloooooow kind of stay-home weekend with my Little People (J was away partying with old friends for most the weekend). It was exactly the kind of weekend that I needed after what felt like a superly-doooperly long and tiring week. In fact, apart from a little jolly into town on Saturday afternoon to purchase chocolate laden Advent Calendars from here, we did not leave the house. And yesterday, with the rain pouring down for the whole day and with no intention of going anywhere or seeing anyone outside of my immediate family, I did not even get myself dressed. Yup, spent the whole day in my pj's (well, I did manage to change into some clean ones at about midday after a shower). And oh it felt good! Really good.

During the course of the weekend I took a few photos here and there, little snap-shots of our time spent at home. I really enjoy looking back at these "ordinary" photos of every day home life, it gives me a lot of pleasure to record my life in this way, to use my blog as a visual diary if you like.

The above pics are of Little Lady's hastily constructed weekend "den" made in the Big Chair :: you can see how my crochet blankets are in constant use around here, and I can't tell you how much I love that they are used and loved in this way. And although the blanket-den looks a bit makeshift and to be honest very small even for a Little Person, Little Lady did miraculously manage to crawl into it with her little pink fluffy bag of Essentials and spent quite a while in there. She could be heard from under the blanket, talking to her toys and having some long in-depth conversations with friends on her toy mobile phone. Very sweet indeed.

We had a late breaskfast on Saturday morning consisting of a huge pile of scotch pancakes with strawberry jam and syrup (fabulous recipe from here), but we were still hungry enough to enjoy a spot of Elevenses a little while later....fruit and a bun in front of some atrocious kids tv for the Little People....

....and a cuppa and a bun in front of a lovely magazine for me.

I hadn't found time to do any baking at all last week and had missed it (both the act of baking and the end results), so on Sunday morning I put my apron on over my pyjamas and enjoyed a very pleasant little baking session in my weeny kitchen.

I made some apricot flapjacks....

....and an iced lemon cake.

Both very satsifactory indeed, if I do say so myself.

There was also time during the weekend to partake in a little hooky business. Of course. Can't possibly have a stay-home weekend without hook and yarn, that would never do.

I spent a little time pinning out and spray-starching my Granny Stars...Oh-my-goodness, I can't tell you how fabulous this starchy-stuff is!!! It's the first time I've tried it out on crochet and it works an absolute treat. You just have to try it! Prior to their Spa Treatment, my stars were looking yummy but decidedly flopsy and roundy on the corners and no good for stringing into a garland really.

 

But not so any more!! Now they are all pert and pointy-cornered, crisp and flat and uncurly and gorgeous. And I'm sooooooo happy with them!

I finally took down my hanging paper hearts (the ones that've been up since Valentines Day) and am going to string these stars into a long garland to hang in their place tomorrow, to celebrate the start of Advent. Going to see if I can make some more today so that I have 24 altogether (8 more to make), one for each day of Advent. Think that would be good.

As well as star-starching, I also embarked on another Festive hooky project over the weekend. And I am SO EXCITED to share this with you all !!!!!!!

Remember waaaaaayy back earlier in the year when I was in the midst of making BB, when I made the decision to frog out the white borders?? Well as a result of all that bitter-sweet frogging, I was left with a rather giant ball of white wool, and quite honestly I was beginning to think I would never ever find a use for it. I just don't really do White creative things as a rule. Up until two days ago that is.

 

Uh-huh, you do indeed see a little stack of White things there, and they were indeed made by me.

Yes, I did indeed venture into the World of White.

I admit it did not come easy, but I am absolutely thrilled with the results.

So thrilled in fact that I spent a good portion of my pyjama-clad afternoon yesterday hooking and photographing a tutorial for this All-White project.

Yes, I did!

So if you fancy a peek at what I've been up to, call in to see me again tomorrow and all will be revealed.

You can expect a spectacularly colour-less post tomorrow.

See you then.................

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Comments

[claire]

Thank you for such a wonderful tutorial on crotchet, I have just made my 1st snowflake this afternoon after happening onto your lovely blog for the 1st time. Warmest wishes of the season to you and yours.

[Susan Hardy]

Could you tell me if you have a pattern for the smaller cushion with the small squares on that is on the chair.

[MARIA JOSE]

They're really wonderful your blog and your home. Your home is like a paradise full of colour.
Thanks from Spain.

[DJ]

the granny stars are great ! is the pattern available ?

[Mildawg]

I do love lounging about in pjs :)

[Shelly]

Ok now you really need to make some Snowmen and Stockings!!! I am busy doing some right now and would love to see some Attic 24 ones :-) Love your Snowflake! Finally a pattern I can understand! Thank u thank u thank u

[michelle]

Luce...
Thanks so much for sharing your starchy goodness...
I have found my stars sit really nicely when I have made them from "harsher" yarn...When I have made some with my oh so super soft yarn they do go a bit floppy...
And I do starch them if this happens...
Thankyou for putting this up on your post as I know lots of lovely girls have been very busy making them and this will help them out...
Michelle...

[Kelly]

Ooo, lovely. But it's summer here. Might have to make some of those stars though. I've been wanting to make some stars to hang...have I told you this already?......

[Peppy]

Oh, I can't wait!

[lykkejoe]

i agree with the snowflake-theory, but oohhhhh the suspense. i´ve checked with your website at least five times today already.
you brighten up my days!!!!!!

[jamila-casablanca]

Good day Lucy, I very touched my self by your creations beautiful , I loved your work, I liked your nature colors that are there with an art beauty, here you deserve a soft kiss to nectarine flavor.

Ah I forgot to present me: Here I am; Jamila, Moroccan, elderly 48ANS, unmarried, direction secretary, I spend my days: the correspondence, the reading movie, travels, sport, the stamp collection, the soap collection, nature, brodery, crocheting, the kitchen and I very much like to be a day decorator.I launch myself in of other leisures to break the rhythm Daily life. To soon
[email protected]

[Lucy]

Lovely post, full of everything one could wish for: Crochet, cakes, colour and a surprise!
The Hobby Room in your magazine looks amazing, do you mind me asking which magazine it's in?
I can't wait to see the surprise unfold later today.

[Claudia W]

Your wool maybe be all World of White but your descriptions will bring in the colorful!

[Tara]

Oh I DO hope it's a perfect snowflake pattern, because I've been looking for one for WEEKS, I tell you......But I'm sure we will all be thrilled with it whatever it may be....=D

[Freakish Lemon]

I can't wait to see the strung up stars and... mysterious white things. XD

[Maddy]

Snowflakes. Nearly positive. At some point, could you create a basic crocheting tutorial(or suggest some ways to learn)
for those of us who are new to the wonderful world of yarn and hook? You are so very inspiring, and its making some of us want to learn!

[audrey]

I so love those jammy days even if I do have to put up with some withering stares from my teenage girls! Doesn't seem to bother my boys, though! Very much a winter thing for me..... although we have just embraced the first day of summer, here! I love the snowflakes, too (well, I hope that is what they are!)and even better; they would survive our harsh Aussie heat!

[Beth]

White!!? That's a surprise. Do you like Kaffe Fassett. You and he seem like kindred spirits, with your layers of color and pattern, as you have on your comfy chair! Beth

[leilani]

Well now, who can say it better than Lori?

Thanks for bringing tons of color to our worlds.

[Aussie Maria]

Wow - that first photo just made me say "Wow" Love the colours
And the stars will be so sweet in a garland

[Shelley(crochetedsass on crochetville)]

Those apricot bars look scrumptious. I might have to give them a try. Your stars are adorable & I can't wait to see what you have for us tomorrow.

[judy]

thanks for your wonderful blog Lucy. you are a truly wonderful and inspiring person. thanks for making my day so much brighter. looks like you are making snowflakes. sure wish we could have some of that rain you are having there we are back into drought over here in nsw australia.its just awful, so dry and hot

[Sarah west midlands]

Dear Lucy I think snowflakes!! Can't wait to find out. I've been getting into bed at night
with thoughts of crochet, sewing and now deco patching! Made a dozen christmas
trees on Friday for a school craft fair and they all sold in about 10 minutes. Hoping to make some for home as well. It is all down to your blog which as spured me ever onward and rekindled my creativity.
Love Sarah west mids

[Alex Mason]

what a great weekend! Im thinking of spending all week in my pyjamas :) xx

[Peng Peng]

gosh lucy i am finding it hard to 'catch up' with you (am not complaining though)

love love love your post as usual...

bought some lovely yarn over the weekend in hobbycraft (haven't even thought of what to make but just love the yarn)

i might follow your tutorial and make some lovely fingerless gloves..

will keep you posted about them :)

can't wait for tomorrow's post...

xxx