Weekend Review

Right now I'm sitting here writing (wednesday 8pm ish) and I can hear the rain pouring down outside. And it's cold too. It really does feel chilly and very un May like today, which is quite a shock to the system given the delicious weekend we had. Oh the weather in our patch was divine at the weekend! It was so lovely and warm, well no actually it wasn't warm it was hot. Yes, for the very first time this year we had some serious heat from the sun and it was glorious.

We spent the weekend in the midst of the beautiful Yorkshire Dales, only about half an hours drive from home, yet it felt like we were very much further away. You can see in the above picture where we stayed :: a picturesque little campsite nestled down in the bottom of the dale, surrounded by big grassy green hills.

 

We spent the weekend away in our little caravan, oh oh oh the JOY!!!! There she is look, our home-from-home, tucked neatly into a grassy corner. The above photo was taken by J early on Sunday morning when he took the Little People climbing up the Big Hill behind the campsite. Yours truly had to stay behind drinking coffee and reading while Little B had his nap. I know, such hardship.

Did I tell you we finally named our caravan? In the end we went with J's suggestion and named her Connie (J was surprisingly very chuffed about this fact). The Little Peeps call her the Connievan, which I think is rather sweet.

We arrived at the campsite around 6pm Friday evening. Such a beeauutiful evening, warm and glowing and green and golden.

A picnic tea of crusty bread and dips, sweet little cherry tomatoes, scotch eggs, crisps, strawberries. Ice cold beer in the glow of the early evening sun. Lean back in the chair, stretch out ones legs, wiggle bare toes in the cool green grass, and reeelax. This is the weekend, and it promises to be good.

Saturday was a heat-soaked lazy day, the best sort of camping day with nothing whatsoever on the agenda other than soaking up the warmth and enjoying the day.

We walked down to the river for a mess about and it was a real delight. We paddled about, searching under rocks for fish, the sort of fish that both J and I remember searching for in the rivers of our respective childhoods. Funny how nostalgic a little fish can become, and how excited they still made us both feel. Paddle paddle, splash, splash then back to the Connievan for ice cream.

I managed to fit in a little bit of outdoor camping hooky on Saturday and it was hugely enjoyable. I sat in my turquoise chair with a glass of cold wine and made a couple more squares for my cotton cushion. All the time I was hooking I had to control the urge to leap about with excitement as the colours of the yarn looked so amazingly beautiful in the sunshine. I took lots of photos similar to the one above, oh dear me, I did get myself into quite a giddy spin over my al fresco hooky time!

I'll be making 16 squares in total for the front of this cushion, and I'm really, really, really loving how it's coming together. I'm getting me some serious thrills working with this yarn!

And just while we're talking yarn things and caravanny things, let me show you my latest purchase.................

 ...........oh dear yes we have another yarn stash in the Attic. To be more precise, it's a big bag of Stylecraft Special DK, 100% acrylic, destined to become the Granny Stripe Caravan Blankie.

Am pretty happy with what I've got, seventeen colours in total, a few of them it has to be said are borderline garish, but I think all in all it's going to work out great. Once I get going with it, I promise I'll write up a tutorial/pattern for the Granny Stripe, I'd love to have some company on my stripy grannified journey if anyone fancies joining me.

Oh yayaaayyyyy for Happy Yarn-infested Days :o)

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

Comments

[Darlene]

Love the granny squares and the colours! Really enjoy your blog, Lucy. You have such a way with words.

[The Garden Bell - Kate]

You just made my day on two big notes. One stopping by the garden and leaving me a sweet note of chuckles. And two, while you were visiting. I was back here and click on the link I missed the first time reading through. I don't know why I clicked but I did. No way were they going to ship clear across the pond. But,low and behold, I can get your yarn pack alllllll the way over here in the Windy City. I was beside myself and could barely type in my credit card. But, you know I got it in there and it's on it's way.

Off to have a brew-ski and sit by the door and wait.

Toodles,
Kate

My day has offically been made.

[Kimbles]

Lovely weekend memories, glad you went with J's idea of Connie and Connievan is brill!! Would love to join in the granny stripe thing!

[Hazel]

Gorgeous gorgeous! Your blog is so funky. I need your funkiness in my life! Loving the colour. x

[Moonie]

Yes, yes, yes!!!!! Just the project I'm looking for. I will join you in the connievan granny. Oh dear.....I'm looking for a yarn sale right now!
Moonie

[Monda]

I'm going to join in with your granny stripe for two reasons - it doesn't look too complicated (famous last words!) and I have a couple of huge balls of wendy aran which were bought for me as a gift a few years back and I haven't known what to do with them. I've just bought a couple more huge balls in contrasting colours so I'll be ready to join in the granny stripe fun.

Monda
x

[Anna-Karin, Sweden]

Hi Lucy!
What a lovely weekend you've had! Here, we had a wonderful and warm saturday, but after that, it has been sooo cold. It sounds like we have the same weather... But, just by looking at your yarn with all the bright colours made me feel much warmer! Thanks!!!
Have a lovely evening!
Love from Anna xxx

[Shanti]

Lovely Colors and great pictures as usual!!!
I'm so envy of your new yarns!!! I want, I want, I want!!!!
We'll be moving in 2 months, so can't spend a lot for now in yarn... but I dream on having a stash like yours...
:o)

[louise]

Looks like you had a fab weekend, i spent mine in the garden boys were playing in the tent and pool whilst i did a bot of crochet.
I'd love to join you in a granny stripe along! I started a granny stripe blanket in shades of blue after your last post but i could start another!

[Kelli Woodall]

I have a bunch of bags with yarn all over the place and several ufo's. That doesn't stop me from buying more, I love to feel all the yarn in the store, they are so yummy. I just love all the things you make, I am inspired by you're work. I would love to follow along on the granny stripe blanket if you do put up a tutorial.

[Nichola Hulmston]

Hi Lucy fantastic colours could you tell me what colours you have and where I can purchase the 100% no splitty wool. Fantastic blog as always. Nichola

[alisonb2]

Woo what a lovely little break you had. We are sneaking away in ours this weekend shhh! And the Stylecraft yarns are great to use. very economical and they go a long way. Just watch it though as some can be a little stiff rather than soft! Have fun!

[Barbara]

what a joy your weekend! and the colors of your cushion!
Down here in Argentina we are starting to receive your winter, and it seems that our summer is arriving to you!!
Looking forward with excitation the tutorial!! i'm still with my ripple blanket, but the truth is that my little B (not so little, 1 year and a half) is a little bit demanding.....
Love, B

[Judi A.]

I looked at your squares and saw a golden sun in the upper left corner shining down on an array of colorful flowers. :-) Love it!

[Melissa]

Lucy-isn't a garish color or two part of the whole acrylic experience? My grandmother had tons of wonderfully awful afghans spread about her house.

That being said I think all the colors you chose are wonderful as always. I didn't see a garish one in the bunch.

Thank you for all the inspiration. I have no color skill at all and seeing all your beautiful projects and the colors you use has really helped me make better color choices.

Connie is lovely and I know you and the family will be creating many more wonderful memories with her.

[Victoria]

There's nowt wrong with borderline garish! Those colours look great, although in the first photo there is one ball that looks almost florescent!!

I'm off camping (the tent variety) this half term - I can't wait to be on that campsite rippling away with my latest wip! Let's just hope the weather improves a bit...

xx

[BeBe]

Hi Lucy, it has been a while since I have visited the attic and it is so nice to be back. I have missed your very very colorful world so very much! Connievan is wonderful and the yarn is great! Thanks for letting us into your beartiful world. BeBe in very Sunny and HOT Florida

[The Garden Bell - Kate]

To be honest, as you know The Garden Bell is. The best thing I see in this posting.....is well....you sipping a brew-ski again. Nothing like a "cold one" after a day of exploring. What fun those Crocs must have had walking in the stream. Bet they were nice and cool and felt oh so clean.

Great choices on the new stash of yarns. As usual, you colors made it a happy start to my day.

Toodles,
Kate

[Ann-Charlotte in Sweden]

I had originally planned to make a baby blanket for my tummy in hexagons, but as you showed the new stripey idea, I think I have changed. Just haven't found the perfect yarn yet. I will follow you as soon as I find it! (and the aside project is my wavy striped bed spread in 14 colours for my daughter, idling along nicely).

[virginia blue]

As usual, your yarn stash and project are positively stunning!!
Am quite jealous of your lovely weekend... the pictures have only increased my overwhelming desire to travel through England!

[Amanda]

It all looks glorious and I just love the name "the Connievan" - just perfect!

[Michelle]

those colors are going to be beautiful. We are off this weekend to our camper, sewing curtains for the windows is on my list, yes I am going to be lugging a sewing machine to the camper.

[Claire]

We don't have a caravan, but are very much looking forward to getting out tent out. And it's such a lovely, massive tent, and we take duvets and everything. Glamping, I've heard it called. Have fun with your outdoor pursuits!

[Julie]

Julie again, am waiting desperatly for your wonderful pattern!!!

Thanks for your wonderful blog!!

[Julie]

Hi Lucy, just love your blog, and all your crochet, so excited for you about your caravan. I would love to string along with you with your blanket.Recently saw a pattern for a granny square afghan, the squares were joined on the diagonal, so the afghan has a sort of handkerchief edge, hope I am making some sense, LOL. Anyway really liked the look of this afghan. Julie all the way from Australia.
PS Love seeing all your photos of the English Countryside...