February 2011

Wouldn't it be fabulous if you could put your nose close to your computer screen and take a deep long sniff of the above picture??? Well I suppose you could sniff your screen if you wanted to but sadly you wouldn't be able to actually inhale the amazing scent. That is my little personal luxury and it really is amazing, take my word for it.

Actually, I don't need to go anywhere near these flowers to get a whiff of them, their scent fills the whole room. Open the door, walk in, breathe in, ahhhh happy, happy, happy! I don't think I would ever go without hyacinths now, I will have them in my life year after year after year for as long as I live. I know lots of you feel the same and I've been enjoying yours too here and here and here...marvellous little things aren't they?? I usually pick mine up from the supermarket, a pot of three bulbs for £2 or so, and they never fail to deliver. Wonderful.

Anyhow, hyacinths aside, lets talk monthly things shall we? January has been and gone, and already I'm loving that it's February. Cos February contains hearts and pancakes, both of which I am quite potty about. My calendar pages for February are lovely...hearts and lovey-dovey things....

....and pretty utilitarian things. Smashing. Gosh I would love a utility room. Seriously I would. I don't do an awful lot of ironing, but I love the idea of having somewhere pretty and orderly and purposeful to do it in (I actually iron on my bed, which is far from ideal). I'm really looking forward to getting my laundry flapping outside on the line again too, it seems like an age since I last pegged out. As you probably know I am not a very good housekeeper, my methods are very sporadic and slapdash. But I do take a pleasure in getting our clothes clean and dry and I love folding and stacking clean laundry, especially when it's been line dried outdoors. I do a lot of sniffing when I fold and stack laundry. I use eco products to clean our clothes and as they're not overly scented they leave the fabric smelling clean and natural. Mmmmm laundry sniffing :: another one of my secret little pleasures revealed!

February so far has been veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery breezy and very changeable here in my patch. Scudding clouds, gusty winds, at times incredibly wet and stormy, at other times surprisingly sunny and lovely. I took the above photo from the attic window on 1st february around 4pm in the afternoon. The light and colours of the landscape were so lovely that day, very soft and pretty for wintertime I thought.

February is still very much a winter month, and indoor activities are firmly on the agenda. Lots of baking, indoor games, cosy fireside pursuits and reading. The Little People both requested some new reading matter last week and so we treated them to their very own Amazon order. They were SO excited about the idea of having their very own books sent to them through the post, the anticipation was huge. It was very sweet. The parcel arrived yesterday morning, and it was a delight watching them open it together (hooozah, no squabbling over it either which was a minor miracle!) I would love to boast about them being avid little readers, but truthfully neither of them really are. So yes, it was wonderful yesterday to observe them curled up on the sofas amongst crochet cushions and blankies, noses in their books and seemingly enjoying the experience.

Postal delights all round yesterday cos there was also a sturdy flat package that arrived for me, all the way from the other side of the world. The excitement of the Little People over their package was quite huge, but mine was even Huge-er I can tell you!! My purchase came beautifully wrapped in an old map of Australia secured with blue and white string and a paper crane.....oh my, the LP were mega impressed by the paper crane, they could not believe their little eyes. I'm afraid you will have to wait to see what was contained inside the mappage, I'm saving that for another post. It'll be worth the wait I promise.

I've also been occupied with reading these past few days, curled up with blankets and busying myself inside the pages of my favourite magazines. I've had fun! Just had to share the above image with you, gosh my heart went whhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee when I turned onto that page!! It shows the interior of a shop (a strong candidate for The Shop Of My Dreams) called Home Sweet Home, absolutely wonderful. I would love to go there some day, I think I'd make myself right at home beside that fabulous rack of ribbons and refuse to leave.

My blankets are receiving a lot of use and appreciation at the moment, stormy February weather is just made for snuggling. I wanted to say a HUGE THANK YOU for all your wonderful comments about my sweet flower granny, I've had a fantastic time reading them all (and yes I promise you I read every single word of every comment, I really do). You are so generous with your words, I appreciate it very very much, thank you.

I have already gleefully moved on to my next project, oh yes. Already flying with it and having an amazing hooky time with myself. I wound my new alpaca/silk yarn into balls just over a week ago and have been busy with it ever since, I am so excited to show you what I'm doing.......

......there look, a sneaky peek before I go, more coming very soon I promise.

And on that warm and woolly note, I shall love you and leave you for now, I'm off to light the fire, make a cup of tea and settle down for a spot of Sunday afternoon hooky. Bliss.

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Comments

[CRAZYJANE]

I popped in to Home Sweet Home on Tuesday and mentioned your link to the shop, I've sent them a link to your blog and shop mention, hope you don't mind!!

[Beth]

Can't believe I've been away for so long! Your blog is really 100% eye candy.

Now I will always come back and visit, I just put a special link in my own blog to come and visit your Attic 24! (see if you can find it).

greetings from Amsterdam...

[Ashley]

I have looked to you for help on many things... I want to say THANK you!!!! I just started crocheting a couple months ago,... and I have started MANY many projects.. and without your blog.. I think I would be lost! Or very dissapointed with my work! THANK YOU SOOO MUCH.. and cant wait to see your next project!

[villa moraira]

Thanks for sharing such a great stuff specially the blanket of the granny.I like it and hope for getting one in my future.The yarn also looking good.

[Ana Elena Rodríguez Escobedo]

you have inspired me thank you for sharing your beautiful projects im from Mexico

[Deepa]

Hi Lucy,
I have always been a silent admirer of you and your blog, I can feel so much calmness, and so much warmth in what you write and what you do...

I just luv...

[villa lloret de mar]

I am just reading the blogs of the people having some travel experience and accidentally i found your post...First i decided to leave this one and to move further but then i changed my mind and start reading this post and after reading the post i found it quite interesting...All the pics are awesomely clicked...

[purplebird]

Hi Lucy- your posts always cheer me up- I love your way with colours!You mentioned somewhere that you were looking for a pattern for a shawl/ wrap/scarf type thing... Have you tried Drops designs? I look at this in Dutch, but I am sure they have an English language option too! Loads of FREE crochet patterns, and I think the colours would appeal to you as well! Much love

[The Dreaming Bear]

Oh my goodness....so much loveliness!!! You are so adorable...and all of your creations too! Cheers to you!

[all8garden]

I love the sheen on that alpaca/silk yarn. Makes me just want to reach through the screen and touch it. Your Feb. 1st is so beautiful, almost verdant. Makes this snowbound girl miss spring just that much more. Guess I should have planted some hyacinths too. :)

Your sweet flower patch granny looks so cozy and lovely, perfect for this time of year. She will compliment Connievan beautifully.

[Claire]

I love the halo of that new yarn, it's just gorgeous. I can't wait to see what you make with it! x

[Amy]

I just awarded you the Stylish Blog Award! Check out my blog and get the details.

http://amy-littletreasures.blogspot.com/

[Jayne]

Love the flowers, love the pics, love the blanket, I am also a laundry-sniffer! I love getting it in from the line, and sniffing every item! I remember my mum doing that too! Can't wait to see your lovely yarn grow into something special and comforting x

[Pammyjo]

I so love dropping by. You have the best posts and the view from your attic window is wonderful. I have to ask, where do you get your scrumptous yarns. Are they available in the US? Mail order? You have the best artistic eye for color. :) Have a great rest of the week.

[Tamsin Oxford]

Hi Lucy

I adore your blog. I also can't find a way of emailing you! Would you mind getting in touch? I would like to invite you to something fabulous. Sorry to come over all mysterious-like lol!

[Vanessa]

Morning Lucy

Sadly my Hyacinths have ended now. I did have to bin them before the smell got too pungent and the bears complained! They have been replaced by tulips and daffodils which are making me smile. Happy little souls.

I too would love a utility room. Like you, I i'm not sure how much use it would get, but I do have a thing about pretty cleaning stuff and would love to have a little space just to store it and pretend I love to do the laundry! I think when you have a larger family, you just get buried underneath it everyday and that's no fun!

I would have to decide what is more important though, a utility room or a verrandah. My ultimate dream to be able to sit on a flowerpot filled verrandah and sip my tea! Dream on! he he

Have a super week!

Much love

Vanessa xxx

[Karen]

Just wanted to say that your blog is amazing. i have been following you for a while but never got round to commenting before. I love colour too and your blog never fails to brighten a dark day.

Karen

[Claire]

Hi Lucy!!!

I was just wondering from your pics if you lived in skipton, north yorkshire? It's where I am from, and the photos look very familiar lol...love the blog!! x

[Bonnie]

Beautiful photos! Love the wool you are using, looks so cozy!

[Catherine]

Lucy,
I have to tell you how much I enjoy your cheerful blog! I'm making your hexagon afghan and mentioned your blog and instructions in my post on my blog today. Thanks for brightening up my life with your colorful creations!
Catherine

[linda]

I love seeing the view from your window. First thing I thought when I saw this post was Where'd your snow go? Spring is not far now. Can't wait!

[RaeJean]

you have to be the most amazing and inspirational women I have ever known...thank you for making my days seem as though I can do anything...I appreciate you sharing yourself and making me feel as though I can do the things I would like to do...you are amazing.

[Lisa]

I must say that your new choice of yarn has me a bit taken back, I love using natural fibers myself, so I can relate to loving the alpaca/silk, but what I'm most surprised about is the color palette that you chose. It's gorgeous, but not the standard 'Lucy' palette that we are used to seeing and have come to know you for! I cannot wait to see what you are doing with it! I feel some new Lucy inspirations coming in the near future!!!!

[Sara-Nicole]

...how does one go about winding yarn into balls? Seems like they take up far less space that way.
First time commenter, medium-long-ish time reader :)
<3 love love seeing updates on your blog.

[nancy]

Hi Lucy, do you think you will still do a tutorial on the Granny Stripe blanket? your patteren is really good, but the pics. help alot. Thanks