Hello! I was just re-reading the knitty post I wrote up last night and it occurred to me that I forgot to include The Sunflowers. I can't believe I left them out as they were one of my favourite things in the exhibition.
I just love the above photo, it sums up the exhibition beautifully. Can you see how you are immediately captivated by the sunflowers, they're so tall (as tall as me) and so striking! So clever!! So beautifully made!!! But if you keep on looking at the picture, you begin to notice other things. The birdhouse on the wall. The butterflies that have alighted on the window. The little grey mice that are scampering across the top of the radiator. The little grey mice that are scampering along the pipes just above the floor. Ahhh the whole thing was just fabulous, it really was.
Of course I am now dreaming up my own stripy hooky pot of giant flowers. A Big, tall, colourful version of the above. Something wonderful and wacky to stand about the place. I can only imagine what J would have to say about it, The Look that he would give me. It'd be worth making a crazy object just to witness his reaction teehheee. Naughty naughty me.
Some other yarn stuff I've been meaning to share with you is the knitting progress that Little Lady has made in recent months. You may remember the post I wrote in March about her learning to knit, and her very first project which came from the Made By Me book by Jane Bull??
Well pretty much as soon as she had finished her little knitty purse, she began working on the sweet little owl softie shown on page 54. She picked the exact same colour as in the book (cloud blue Stylecraft Special DK) and off she went with great enthusiasm.
It didn't take her long as each row was only 12 stitches long. But somehow the actual making up of the Owl got delayed. We kept saying we would do it, but never actually did. That little strip of cloud blue knitting sat around on my desk for weeks, it even disappeared and then reappeared somewhere else a few times.
Then one day in the middle of the summer holidays, I found it under a pile of magazines and asked her if she would like me to work on it with her.
She was mega excited (I love how she physically jumps up and down and claps her hands when she's excited), and couldn't wait to set to work.
She did all the sewing up by herself with just a teensy bit of guidance in the beginning. She was absolutely beside herself putting the stuffing in, who knew that polyfil stuffing could provide such a thrill?
She ran to her bedroom and fetched the roll of coloured felt that I'd bought her (when I was trying to convince her that stitched felty things were waaaay better than complicated knitty things), and together we selected colours.
Owly eyes were cut out, and a little yellow beak took shape.
Some glue was found and the felt shapes were carefully stuck into place.
We had to leave it to dry for a while, and it was very hard to get her through the waiting.
But later that day, we had a little look to see if it was dry (it was indeed) and Little Owl was finally held up to be admired.
Ta-dah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Awwwwwwwwww, we had a proud little Mummy-daughter Ta-dah moment together and some excited jiggy-jig dancing took place.
Love was even declared.
Little Owl was named Bernie, and there he sits on the mantel under the Love Heart Twigs. We love him very much. Bernie was originally destined for Daddy's desk at work, but actually we kind of decided we need to keep him here at number 24 for a while.
As soon as Bernie was roosting on the mantel, Little Lady moved immediately onto her next project. She is very like her Mummy you know, her Creative Mind is alive and kickin' up a storm it seems.
So after a great deal of pleading, I treated her to some posh new yarn to work with, her Very Own Stash. Queue more mega-excited jumping and clapping, I do so love her enthusiasm. This yarn is called "Snuggly Smiley Stripes" by Sirdar, an incredibly soft bamboo/wool blend. Gotta hand it to Little Lady, she has great taste in yarn.
So this is progress so far on Project #3. It's going to become a small bag so I believe.
I'm so proud of her. Like really busting at the seams with pride.
Now then........before I go off to The Land of Nod, I'd just like to say a big, huge thank you for all the lovely comments you leave at the end of my witterings. I love to read what you have to say, your collective voices bring me so much pleasure! It's hard to put into words but I am extraordinarily grateful to you all for popping by day after day in order to catch up with my potty little comings and goings. It means such a lot that you take time to write to me.
((THANK♥YOU))
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Lovely little bernie...:-*
Ur gal's knitting is sooo neat....god bless her...she ia already blessed with such a creative mom to encourage n support her in her arty learning...
Posted by: Ankita Vj (India) | September 08, 2015 at 01:44 AM
That Little Lady of yours is quite impressive! Her enthusiasm is inspiring, I'm sure, but also her knitting is splendid, especially for a beginner!! Bernie is darling. My Dad's name was Bernie, and he was dearly loved, as I am sure Little Bernie is, too. xo
Posted by: Mimzy | September 19, 2011 at 05:59 AM
I love the knitting! What a great job she did. Do you knit, too?
Posted by: Stitchy Mc Floss | September 14, 2011 at 03:47 PM
Well done little lady, your owl is perfect.
I'm looking forward to seeing your new bag with the beautiful stripey yarn mummy bought you.
Good luck at school this year!
Posted by: Julie | September 12, 2011 at 08:24 PM
this little owl is so cute, your daughter has very good taste in crafts, i think we can see where it comes from ;) good luck to her!
Posted by: Earendil | September 12, 2011 at 03:47 PM
That rainbow yarn is gorgeous! I keep picking it up and stroking it every time I'm in John Lewis but I can never quite justify buying myself any. She is one lucky little Lady. And very clever too - what a lovely owl! Clever girl!
x
Posted by: poppy | September 10, 2011 at 11:18 PM
Looking forward to seeing a giant sunflower some time soon then! ;)
What a wonderful knitter Little Lady is - Bernie is just lovely! She's obviously inherited your yarny talents :)
Posted by: Rainy Day Crafter | September 10, 2011 at 10:22 PM
How could we not fall in love with your sexy new hair-do, your bubbly personaliy, your sharing your wonderful life with us. Not to mention your creative and colorful decorated and whimzy creations. Now little lady is fallowin in your footsteps. My.......so amazed with you and all the love you give.
So here I am, so far across the pond in Lovely Oregon USA, crocheting along to keep myself from falling down the rabbit hole, because hearing how you keep your smile and your love of life going, it just has to do some with all those wonderfully colorful yarns.
Thank you oh so much for allowing us peaks into your life. You are special and yummy and some kind of wonderful.
Moonie
Posted by: Suzi Moon aka Moonie | September 10, 2011 at 10:21 PM
I'm impressed by your daughters knitting; it is so even; she should be proud of her work. I was only wondering the other day if your little people do any of these crafts and if so hope they will carry on these crafts . . . it is so important that these crafts do survive for many moons to come. My daughter (21) has done a little basic knitting in her life but it is not very even and it she has done so in fits and starts and as a result she has unfinished projects in her room - but then I have too! One day .......... hope she continues to enjoy and produce fine work.
Posted by: carol o | September 10, 2011 at 09:46 PM
I just discovered your blog and *love* it!!! Beautiful crochet, beautiful countryside, beautiful photography. You are making me excited about crocheting again (I had dropped it in favor of kntting) and I actually purchased 17 yarn colors last night to make a Granny Stripe Blanket. :-)
Posted by: Jamie | September 10, 2011 at 06:17 PM
I love the photos of your home and all the colourful decorations you've made but I've often wondered what your husband thought when he came home to a new hooky project.....go on, make a HUGE sunflower and surprise him! ;-)
Posted by: ZebAlex | September 10, 2011 at 10:05 AM
Wow, every time I read your posts, I think what a talented, smart woman you are. And that you really should be paid for everything you share. Your writings, crocheting, photography -- all of it is just amazing. thank you for sharing !!
Posted by: elizabeth | September 10, 2011 at 08:45 AM
Thank you so much for your blogs - they are so inspiring. Thank you for letting us into your wonderful creative life.
Posted by: Lynn | September 10, 2011 at 08:28 AM
Hello hello! I've been reading your blog for a couple of months now, but haven't commented 'til now. Little Lady impresses me with her knack for knitting. My only attempt at it resulted in needles, thread and instructions being tossed angrily across the room. I'll stick with crochet, thankyouverymuch! So, Little Lady, my hat is off to you!
Posted by: Fern | September 10, 2011 at 04:04 AM
Bernie is wonderful! You did a great job Little Lady! I love the yarn that you selected for your stash. Beautiful colors. Can't wait to see your next project. You are very talented as is your Mum!
Posted by: Cynthia in NC | September 10, 2011 at 01:01 AM
I love the fact that your little one is following in her mother's footsteps!!! And the yarn is very similar to what I've seen you post!! What a great outlet for her and I LOVE that she's starting her own little stash!! LOL
Posted by: Lynn | September 10, 2011 at 12:36 AM
Well done little lady - lovely owl. Aaaand that knitting exhibition ooooh how lovely. I would soo have enjoyed it. I knit fruit, veg, cakes, etc so just up my street - I'll have to keep going because the more there are they better they look. Don't know about a sunflower though it would need to be tall!
Doreen xx
Posted by: Doreen Ganley | September 09, 2011 at 08:36 PM
Hi
I've been really inspired by your site, I have made a few bits and always follow your blog.
Do you have anywhere I can upload a couple of pics of things you've inspired me to make?? xxx
Posted by: Sue | September 09, 2011 at 08:32 PM
Your daughter did an amazing job. I am teaching my daughter to crochet as I cannot knit, yet. I am working on it. I just love your blog you are an inspiration when I feel like not working on my WIPS, but then I see what your doing and my mojo is back , Thanxs ever so much and keep up the great work. Also if you could design a crochet pattern of the giant sunflowers, I would buy it in a heartbeat. Sunflowers are one of my favorite flowers and I have an empty corner that is begging for some color. Thanx again and best wishes.
Posted by: Misty | September 09, 2011 at 08:00 PM
So I'm going to gush a little. I love your blog. I love how you share your life, thoughts and creativity. You inspire me to keep on fitting in my little projects when it seems like I have too many other things to do. Just wanted to say thanks.
Posted by: Amy | September 09, 2011 at 04:11 PM
And thank you, my dears!That is Little Lady and Lucy!
Attic24 help me to learn English (yes indeed),a beautiful,vivid,real English and inspire me to give value to all the little things day by day...
Your owl, Little Lady is very,very pretty. I love it! I look forward to your next projects!
THANK YOU!
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Posted by: Mihaela | September 09, 2011 at 08:10 AM
The owl is so adorable! She did a very good job!
Posted by: Jess S. | September 09, 2011 at 07:06 AM
So cute!!
Posted by: Meredithe | September 09, 2011 at 04:36 AM
Bernie is beautiful. Great work, Little lady.
Posted by: Glyndalyn | September 09, 2011 at 01:41 AM
I wish we had captured the first crafting that my sister and I did as we watched Saturday morning cartoons at 7 and 8 years old. I hope she knows how much we love to watch her grow.
Posted by: [email protected] | September 09, 2011 at 01:14 AM