Winter Warmth

Hello! We're having a very Wintry week here in my patch, brrrrrrrr it's been sooooo cold of late!

The temperatures have been sub zero day and night which is quite extreme for us Brits :: we are more used to half measures and unpredictability when it comes to the weather and all this constant bitter icy stuff has taken us by surprise.

But no denying the sheer beauty of it as I go slip sliding precariously with the pushchair along the frozen canalside. The snow and ice has made our every day surroundings look like a Winter Wonderland.

Despite the very cold weather, I've been feeling all Wintry-warm this week, it's such a lovely time of year isn't it? Ahhhh I'm having such a lovely, buzzy, happy time, the Little People are in full pre-Christmas swing both at home and at school and it's so joyful getting caught up in their excitement. Only 16 more sleeps don't you know. Quite a horrifying fact when one hasn't actually begun purchasing any gifts, but at the moment the Excitement is managing to keep the Panic in check.

I made it slip-sliding over the ice to the cafe this morning for my knit and natter group, what an enjoyable morning I've had. After missing it for a few weeks due to germs+snow, it was extra lovely to be back with friends, doing what I love best. Slurping and nattering and hooking, it was really good. Like really good. I am still on with my Christmas Decs, I have become quite loopily addicted to making them. Just one more, just one more, I can't seem to stop myself.

I know many of you are loving making them too (yiippppeeee!), there're some absolute beauties appearing in the Attic24 Inspired Flickr group, do go and take a look if you have a moment to spare. Makes me so happy to share with you  ♥ thank you ♥

Just whilst I'm on the subject of sharing, I came across a lovely blog this morning that I'd like to tell you about if you haven't already found it :: it's written by Sara and is called Tangled Happy, it's fabulous!! Labelled as a "crochet pattern collective" there are oodles of creative hooky ideas and lots of links for you to follow. I was particularly smitten with Pips crochet baubles that Sara featured yesterday, wow, what a clever idea that is! Pips tutorials are smashing and very easy to follow, I think I'll be giving those a go when I can put my own ones down for a second.

Something about Wintry weather makes me want to stay home warm and cosy and bake things. Well truthfully my week so far has involved rather a lot of happy time out and about socialising with friends, but Little Man is keeping us supplied with fresh home baking. He baked these buns when he came home from school a few days ago, and as you can see he decorated them beautifully without the need to do boy-things with the little balls. Pheww. They will be fit to offer to visiting relatives then, unlike some of his other baked goods, that's a relief.

My hyacinth on the mantel has reached it's peak now, the fragrance is quite something. Soon be time for us to clear the mantel though and make way for all things Festive, I'm really looking forward to doing that very soon.

A few Christmassy bits and bobs have already found their way down from the Attic eaves, and some pre breakfast Christmas crafting has been happening too. Gosh. Is it really only sixteen sleeps till Christmas??

One lovely thing that has happened this week is that I've been reunited with my Granny Stripe blankie, yaaaaayyyyyy!! J went and did the necessary wintertime stuff with Connievan, prepping her for the cold weather and "putting her to bed" for the winter. I couldn't bare the thought of my beloved blankie spending the whole winter alone, so it's come home for some warmth and family loving. Right now it's being put to good use and makes up half of the roof to a Den Hotel. Apparently if you want to go and stay in the Den Hotel, it'll cost you £500 a night, although Little B is allowed in for free. It's very warm and cosy and intimately s-m-a-l-l in the blankety Den Hotel, but it does have a beautiful, colourful stripy-ripply roof.

See my new cushion up above there too, isn't it wonderful?? It was made by a friend of mine and I couldn't resist it when I visited a little local handmade selling event on Friday. I love it so much, most especially the beautiful felt triangle edging,  yeah, makes my heart go skipetty skip that does.

And looky what I found a few days ago when I was rummaging in my cupboards....my long lost Summer Granny cushion cover. My oh my, I had totally forgotten about this little thing, I started it way back in May and finished crocheting it months and months ago. I even have a delicious turquoise cotton jumper waiting to be chopped up and transformed into the backing. Need to chisel out a bit of time to do that soon, not that my sofas are short of colourful hooky goodness mind you, but you can never have too much of a good thing.

Well, on that colourful note I shall have to love you and leave you for now, I need to go and do foody things in the kitchen.

Stay warm and cosy my friends, and I'll see you soon, probably with a Christmas Tree in situ :o)

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Comments

[Renee Butka]

Lucy,
Was wondering if you had a tutorial
on what is called the crocodile stitch.
I like the way you break it down and show each step in pictures.So much easier to follow.
Thank-you!

[Patti]

Sigh... I sigh a lot when I read your blog. I am smitten with your world. To wake up and see something beautiful everyday; this is a wonderful thing.

Many, many bright blessings to you, my friend.

[Rachel]

I just love your countdown garland! Do you have a pattern for the stars? I looked around but couldn't find it here on your blog.

[Andrea]

I have hyacinth envy. When i lived in Europe i used to buy hyacinths all the time in season. Now i live in the sub-tropics.....I don't even know if we can get them and if it is cold enough. I must live vicariously through the photo of yours!!

[paula]

Beautiful pictures. Cold but beautiful weather.

[Anna]

I love your colourful crochet!!! :) sooo nice!

[Carmen]

Hello from Spain. Muy bonitos los diseños que haces. Me gustaría saber como haces para preparar el café con leche con dibujos. Salud.

[Emma]

Did you make that little red bird cushion? I wondered, as it reminds me of your textile pictures. It's truly lovely.

[Jessica Thomson]

Hello,
Your blog has started my crocheting obsession. You have the best patterns of any one I have seen on the web!
I also love looking at all of your pictures as I am from Canada and they are very cool...
I am still learning but I have been making both sizes of flowers like crazy...

What would you suggest next for someone very new and teaching themselves... I love your patterns with all of the pictures !! You should make a book :)
Thanks

[jacqui jones]

I got sent here by Joolz
Your crocheting is beautiful, the colours
thanks for the inspiration, it might be summer here, but my winter crocheting already has more ideas than i know what to do with now...thanks:)

[Julie]

Lots of loveliness on here to brighten a blog readers day. Nice new handcrafted cushion you have bought.

[Reina Lynn Magedman]

Happy Holidays....I love your afghans and crochet items.

Hugz, reinaknits

[Enid Stephens]

oh its beatiful here soft summer day all the roses are out sitting in the garden crochering, mind you I still miss English Christmas Happy Christmas to you and your lovely family from Tasmania

[Erin]

Hello Lucy.

My name is Erin and I've only recently discovered your blog. I've never seen such an inspiring creation of colourful cosiness! I'm a definite fan. In fact, you've inspired me so much, I'm going to start my own blog. I've also very recently learned to crochet and my crafty gene is waking up after a few years of slumber. Thank you so much. Your blog is a true delight. (And when I get my blog up and running, I'll send you the link if you have time to take a peek.)
Erin, Australia

[mare]

I love to stop by and visit with you here. Your blog always makes me smile and brightens my day! Happy Holidays!

[Amy]

I am absolutely IN LOVE with your blog & I just had to let you know how much you've inspired me in my hookiness here recently! I've started my very own Granny Stripe afghan, have made several Granny Stars, circle garlands & am proud to say that I just finished my very first little Birdie a few minutes ago thanks to your awesome tutorials!! Keep the wonderful posts coming....they truely are the highlights to my days! :-)

[kune]

another post to bring a smile to my face and make my day! thank you!

[Sherry Buenrostro]

I love your posts!! They are interesting and colorful and love the patterns you share..

[Hahnsmum]

Certainly cold over yr way- hope you all stay warm & that he snow & icy winds go very soon..
Do people still live in those dear little boats on the water where you walk past to yr school..looks pretty cold to me..
Love yr colour combinations on yr deccys & yr cushions.. Have a lovely Christmas with yr dear family.. Best Wishes,
Hahnsmum. aka Pam Clarke.
New England, NSW, Australia..

[pattie]

Thanks for the crochet blog links!! :) It's always a pleasure visiting your blog!!

[Katie]

Hi Lucy,
I was recently interviewed at Kiwi Mummy blogs (http://www.kiwimummyblogs.co.nz/our-mums/katy/) and listed your blog as one of my favoruites so you might just get new a visitor or two from down under :-)
Cheers
Katie

[lydia]

£500? You have little mini Alan Sugar's at you house, but at least they give family rates!

It all looks simply lovely at yours.

Lx

[naomi]

Ooh we are also getting christmas things out today, the tree smells so good! I LOVE that cushion, how beautiful and timeless.

[Helen]

I so enjoyed my visit to your cosy world and sharing in some of your special winter warmth.
Have a lovely cosy weekend. Helen x

[Pati from London]

lovely and inspirational as always!! x Pati