Quietly Creating

Yesterday afternoon, a sweet, blissful, peaceful, Window of Opportunity unexpectedly opened up for me. A time in amongst the usual hectic bustle and noise of family life where everything hushed down and was suddenly still and quiet for a while. Both Little People were out enjoying play/lunch with their respective friends, and Little B (after a 5am start) had fallen asleep on the sofa.

I didn't hesitate. Knew exactly what I would do with my quiet little snippet of Me-time. I would make myself a cup of tea and sit quietly at the table to create. Needle and thread, buttons and bells, stitchy, stitchy.

I decided to add a little ceremony to the proceedings and went upstairs to fetch the candle down from my bedside. For obvious reasons, it's not possible to have lit candles on the table normally, but when it's safe (ie when Little B is off in the Land of Nod) I can indulge. As I was stitching, I found I was talking to myself inside my head, do you know what I mean? I was chatting to myself about my new dotty candles, bought on impulse from Cath Kidston just before Christmas. I thought about how long I had wanted these candles, how many times I had resisted buying them as they are of course a complete indulgence. Expensive and unnecessary. Leave them in the shop, step away. And yet, on balance, the pleasure they are giving me is absolutely unbelievable, and worth every penny. I chop them in half to make them shorter/safer in my little enamel candle holder, so they work out at 50p each. They are so worth it.

That incredibly pretty floral mug you can see there is also from Cath Kidston and was a Christmas present from a sweet and thoughtful friend. It's fabulous. It holds a very large quantity of tea, perfect for accompanying afternoon creative sessions.

Every so often, I would take a breather from the stitching and nip over to the sofa to check on Little B. Soooooooooooooooooooo cute. He had been sitting on the sofa watching Postman Pat, and had literally fallen asleep and toppled over to lay himself down amongst cushions and blankets. He looked adorable, all pink flushed cheeks and dear little fingers and toes.

I think I must've had about ninety minutes of sweet afternoon me-time, enough to complete all my stitching. I spent a little time last night and first thing this morning crocheting the band that runs along the top and strings all the pennants together, and the finished bunting is now sitting on the table. Yes, it's finished!!! The light here today is very poor though, it's dreary, wet and gloomy so not sure I'll be able to photograph it just yet. But a ta-dah will be coming very soon, I can't wait to share it with you.

I'm also working on my Year End Review posts to share with you over the next few days, such fun! It's something I always really love spending time on at the end of the year, it fills me with happiness to see so many visual, joyful memories coming together in one place.

Have a fabulous day, whatever you're up to and whatever the weather, thanks so much for stopping by. See you soon!

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Comments

[Em]

Happy New Year to you and your family, Lucy! You have been such an inspiration with all of your wonderful designs. Since discovering your blog, I have made a ripple blanket, the super flower cushion, hearts, snowflakes and birds. I can't wait to make the Happy Flower, once you find a minute in the day to post the pattern!
Take care and wishing you more wonderful colours in 2012! Emilie x

[Karen Fellows]

Hi Lucy
Being a newcomer to your site, just wanted to say a huge thank-you!!!! I recently broke my ankle and the stretch of 4-5 weeks at home, not able to drive etc was weighing heavily.I started to think of what I could do to keep occupied. Remembered crocheting squares for blankets when a young girl so started searching on the internet for patterns. To cut long story short, I found your site and have become completely hooked. Inspired by the 'ripple blanket', managed to persuade hubby to get me to a wool shop and lo and behold, I'm now half way with a beautiful, unique and colourful blanket. I fear it's taken over my life, even though I'm now back at work, I look forward to any spare 15mins to get back to my project. The perfect antidote to busy life and a chance to truly relax. Hope you and your family have a great New Year.

[Lauren Bittner]

Lucy...thanks for sharing your world with us. Your blog is a complete pleasure & I wish you a most excellent 2012.

[Anita Koller]

You lovely home always inspires me. Thanks for sharing.

[Jenny M]

The words 'and he was watching Postman Pat' has just taken me back to when our son who is now 23yrs old, use to love watching Postman Pat, when he was a little fella.
I also saw mention of your blog in The Saturday Age newspaper, it's amazing how widely read blogs are.
Best wishes to you & your family for the New Year.
Also from Jenny in Melbourne, Australia

[Val]

I love your blog, and the pics you post of your home and your town. I live in the States, and seeing your town makes me feel so cozy! Thank you for sharing all of this with us!

[jeannette]

i've decided that quietly creating, including reading about yours, may be god's will for us. thank you for all the ripples.
xxx

[Anna]

Love you Lucy.
You've inspired me for lots of crafty things.
New Year is coming!!!
Greatings from Russia

[Teresa Kasner]

Hi Lucy.. hello from Oregon.. what a nice quiet time you had. I ordered those candles too, I got 2 packs of the white with dots and 2 of the multicolored ones - and I adore them!! I also got the red floral chamber sticks from CK and gave them and a candle to my 2 sisters for Christmas. I kept 2 for myself.
*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*
  *H*A*P*P*Y* *N*E*W* *Y*E*A*R*!*
*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*
((hugs)), Teresa :-)

[Taylor]

What a wonderful peacetime tranquility. I agree with you...those candles are cute and comforting! I look forward to seeing your bunting.

[Issy Gardiner]

Flags look amazing Lucy!!!!
As does your 90 mins of 'me time'♥
Gotta love the little people lol!!!
Best wishes
Issyx

http://hookytime.blogspot.com/

[ZebAlex]

Crochet smochet - ohhh those toes! That's the kind of photo that gets me broody again....

[Jayne]

Lovely, colourful post, and here's to more 'Lucy time' in 2012 x

[Marbada]

So cute these little toes!!! and surrounded with all the bright colors.

Happy New Year....

[Jane Whalley]

I just love your blog. I have commented once before, as I have only recently discovered it. However, I have now become hooked (quite literally as I have been crocheting myself for a couple of months) and love it. I find myself checking out your blog daily. I love everything about it, your descriptions, the pictures and especially your lovely colorful home, they radiate warmth and love. I actually live in the ribble valley near Clitheroe and it makes a change to have a Northern blogger!!! Are you anywhere near Skipton and if so have you visited the Fent Shop for material? Keep up the great work and I am looking forward to your blogging in 2012. I wish you and your family a very healthy and happy New Year.

[Pom Pom]

I love what you are working on and I LOVE CK!
Yesterday a pretty print package arrived from London: MY NEW CK handbag! Such delight. I'm saving the sack.

[piabiddle]

Happy New Year wishes
from Norrköping
in Sweden.
Your blog i fantastic!
Love,
Pia

[amanda]

I adore your blog, it brightens my day every time I read about you and your goings on.
My wonderful baby (25 and a half) and his beautiful girlfriend are off to India next week at the starts of their 18 months of travelling.
I will so miss them so much... what am I going to do.....make a quilt and a crochet blanket for their return.
Oh and save little penny to go visit them next summer.
Enjoy every moment with your little ones because times goes to quick.
with love

[angela-southern USA]

So glad you had some Me-time.The bunting is looking great can't wait to see it finished.I worked on projects yesterday too.Made eyes and beaks for my owls.covered a couple of crochet hooks.LOVE them!(Will post on Flickr).Also working on a couple of wreaths,with crocheted flowers and spool birds.I love to watch a baby sleep.My Youngest fell asleep once at the table eating.Looking forward to the next post.Have a great New Year!!

[Giesta]

Hi Lucy. It´s been so long since I follow your blog and I think it´s the first time that I post a comment.I love your blog with all the colours and the cozyness of your life. I am starting a blog too. When you have a litle time, please come to visit me in giesta-giesta.blogspot.com

[saskia]

thanx for sharing all your beautiful creations. I am busy making the big flower cushion. Love doing it and i couldn't make it without your instructions :)
and it makes me happy to see my daughter play with all my creations :) (she's almost 2 years)

[Justine Anstiss]

I love your spotty candle and so worth the money you spent and isn't your new cup just delighful! Looking forward to seeing your ta-dah moment soon!!

[sew]

I'm running out of things to say (not like me!!) to praise your fab blog and the joy it brings.
I hope 2012 will bring joy to you & your lovely family.
xx

[Hahnsmum]

l am always facinated that you manage to find time just for ''me-time'', as when my lot were small wee things, l had no time at all.. l have a ''Me-Tuesday'' now ..Every Tuesday, or almost always, l drive into our nearest BIg Town & have a look thru the big stores, cappacino coffee at Maccas, a little crochet time at Maccas, whilst having my cappacino.. Its great. Best Wishes,, Hahnsmum.. New England , Australia..

[Sarah]

Hi Lucy! I really enjoy reading your blog...find myself smiling each time. It's so full of color and creativeness. Your hooky project looks like fun. I'm trying to figure out what to do next - now that the Christmas projects are done.
:)
Sarah