Transition

HEL♥LO my lovelies, I am back in the Attic again, opening my window and giving you a wave. Hello! Home again. Home from a most wonderful, simple, sloooooow and relaxing week in Dorset with my family. I had a restful time, a complete break from cooking (yay!) the internet (hmm, kind of good), and even (unintentionally) from crochet. I rested body, mind and soul, and I feel great for having done so. My heart is still rooted beside the waves (oh how much I love being by the sea, I miss it very very much) and consequently I'm struggling a little being home. But only a little.

We are now in that transition phase, the bit where the summer holidays are coming to a gentle close, but there are still a few days left before school routines start up again. It's a period of change and adjustment, of making the very most of these final drifting days of summer before we need to snap back into schedule. It's kind of a slow time but also a frantic time with last minute school uniform shopping today, and the dreaded label sewing-in thing tomorrow.

Yesterday I baked a cake, and Little Man got to indulge his sweet tooth and decorate the whole shebang with sweeties. Well, it was his Birthday after all. Eleven. Can you believe it? Eleven years old, holy-moly, I kind of had a little bit of an internal, personal freak-out yesterday over that. But at the same time, I thought about how AMAZING this period of my life is turning out to be, and how incredible it is to celebrate eleven full years of Motherhood.

The cake was pretty damn good. I made a simple 2-egg Victoria Sponge sandwiched together with homemade strawberry jam and butter cream icing. It was a little on the flat side, but oh the taste was divine and the moist, light, fluffy texture was wonderful. Eleven. Cripes.

Today has been a day of gentle at-home pootling mixed in with visiting friends and running errands. The sky was a beautiful shade of blue this morning, but by mid afternoon a wind had blown in and for the first time in ages I felt slightly chilly. But it is still firmly summer in my book, and I took some time to re-paint my toenails today to prove it (a beautiful shade of purple). My flip-flops are still my foot wear of choice until such times as my toes begin to turn purple with cold, which will hopefully be in October some time.

The house is a mess. No, it really is, like really a mess. Some of it is the inevitable post holiday mess (dumped bags and footwear and beach gear and endless dirty laundry), but much of it is accumulated mess, a gathering of untidiness that has built up steadily over the summer months. It's quite shocking in places, I daren't show you really. But trust me, much needs to be done around here. Not now though, I can't face tackling it now, I have too much other stuff to do (only 28 sleeps until Yarndale!!). So I do the bare minimum, drink lots of coffee and head outdoors to escape the chaos within the four walls.........

....I like it out in my back yard. I have perfected the art of visually zoning out re the pots of weeds and general air of neglect, and can happily focus in on my one and only pot of flowers out here. It is my little corner of pleasure.

This morning I found time to get stuck into this incredible book, to truly devour the words and eat up the beautiful visuals. Page after page of inspiring and happy feel good. I'll be writing more about Vantastic very soon as I have promised to do A Review. Which I am more than happy about.

I interspersed my book reading with blue-sky-gazing, coffee-slurping, geranium-loving and end-darning. Tut-tut, those ends, naughty Lucy! I always tick my friends off for not dealing methodically with their ends as they go along (it's the best way!), and here I am not doing it myself.

I finished crocheting my lampshade cover last night in bed, the last final little rows of neat dc and mmmmmm it is a thing of beauty my friends. The colours are quirky and bright and extremely scummy. Cannot wait to pull it all together now and see it complete, but first just let me show you these..............

.....weeny balls of course! I have this perfectly clear visual of how the finished shade should look, my Minds Eye has already shown me in precise detail. I ruled out pom-poms (my first idea) and glass beads, and have gone with Weeny Balls. They will be dingle-dangling from some sort of fine crochet edging (I can visualise it, but need to sample it yet). Oh pffff these weeny things are soooooooo adorable to make, so quick, they come off the hook in mere minutes.

A quick pattern for you then, should you wish to fill a tiny corner of your life with weeny balls >>>>

Make a slip knot leaving a 20cm tail end (to use as stuffing). Work in a continuous round in arigurumi style, counting stitches carefully as you go.
Ch 2, work 6dc into 2nd ch from hook [6 sts]
(2dc in next st, dc in next st) 3 times [9 sts]
dc in each of next 9 sts [9 sts]
Use the end of hook to help stuff the tail end up inside the little ball.
(sk 1 st, dc in next st) 4 times, until hole closes.
Fasten off, then use a needle to thread tail end down through the weeny ball, pull gently to neaten the round shape, then darn back up again. Snip off yarn end.

I would like to share my Dorset holiday with you, if you would care to see/read along with me during the next few days? I've been trying to think if I can squeeze it all into one post, but the conclusion has been nah, not do-able. Too many pictures for that, and as you know I am also a notoriously wordy so-and-so. Can't seem to do quick captions or summaries.

Come back soon then, for sea breezes and coastal tales.

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Comments

[Gina]

Thank you for the pattern. Every year I make or crochet Christmas trees for my family members. This year I am going to make them with your pattern and attach them to a cone tree.

Thanks,
Gina, Moore, Ok

[Sheila Barrenger]

HI Lucy, do you have a crochet pattern for the Japanese flowers that were used in the beautiful scarf???? it is so lovely,I have made a couple of your rugs and the instructions are so easy to follow....Thank you your work is just beautiful...

[Angela @Little Apple Tree]

The little balls are so cute! The finished lampshade is going go be so much fun!

The post-school-holiday mess is quite something to behold in our house. I thought about doing a before and after post, but there's no way that I want the whole internet looking at my slatternly housekeeping!

[The House of Jones]

11! Happy birthday to your Little Man :) Your back yard looks the perfect spot for bit of outdoor hooky - I'm also extremely good at looking beyond the weeds etc. It's amazing what you can turn a blind eye to some days ;)
Enjoy the last few days of the holidays,
Jones x

[Bonnie]

Hi Lucy. Love your back garden, so pretty with the red and blue! I know what you mean about holidays, the same routine is comforting and reassuring even though our kids are growing up!

[Wilsy-bobs]

Lucy - I've just cheated the label sewing task - I've scribbled names on labels with my permanent Sharpie. Job done in under 5 mins! Give it a go, your sanity will thank you xxx

[Anna-Marie Field]

Hi Lucy,Yikes!!!Can't believe Yarndale is around the corner!!!Nice to have you back and I am so glad you're well rested!!!Can't wait to read about your little holiday!!!Have a great day!!!
Love
AMarie

[Tonia]

Can't wait to see the finished lampshade (something I've been thinking about doing) and the Dorset photos. I'm sooo missing the sea this summer - a trip has been planned for October but this feels like a very long time away...

[Unn]

It is SO wonderful to read about your thoughts and about the family life in your blessed, happy coloured home. I love it.

[Hellie Maxwell]

I am the saddest person inYorkshire as I am off on my holiday when Yarndale is on what can I do ...................
Love your blog you have given me so much Thank you ...Hellie x

[Sabrina Khan]

The little balls are amazing....Thanks for sharing the pattern Lucy...Just waiting to see the lampshade...I'm sure it will be beautiful....

Love,
Sabrina

[Andrina T]

*waving back from my deck railing* Hellloo Lucy! Welcome back, love! And happy birthday to your Little Man! Mine turns 12 in a week. Isn't your nickname befitting for our guys...not quite men, but no longer babies? I think we both shall be wearing flip flops til Oct. Or maybe November! :)

[Jenn in Kansas]

Welcome home! Can't wait to see your highlights but no pressure. You are needed more at 24 than blog land!

[J]

My place is in the same state of disarray! And I am handling it the same way, staying out of it as much as possible and enjoying the last little bits of summer. Will be circling back to hear your tales of the sea!

[Marylin]

Welcome back traveller!!! Looking forward to your holiday photos. The weeny balls are sweet and I can envision your lampshade as well. I have a bedroom lamp that needs a revamp and this is a splendid idea! Yes, feels end of summer here to on Vancouver Island...feels like I should gather nuts, berries and firewood. :) Hugs, MO
http://moisbloggingit.blogspot.ca

[Lavendel & Papaver]

We cannot get enough of this summer, but today is the very last day of the school holidays. We do have the privilege of living by the sea, so I promised the girls we will go to the beach after school every time that it is possible.
Wish you a good start of the school season. I think it will be difficult for me to start tomorrow, missing my three girls around me.
But.. the girls are willing to go to school. And I will have time to prepare the Pumpkin fair, where I will be with my homemade crochet projects (clothes, bags, home and garden decoration).
Best regards, Nathaly - Lavendel & Papaver -

[Sarah west mids uk]

Dear Lucy the summer weather his year has excelled itself!! Alas it is back to work for me tomorrow (but oh what luck as the the new term begins my assignment will be four mornings each week!). Have started a crochet blanket for a special person-deadline Christmas. I like the idea of a crocheted lampshade cover so cosy for the Autumn evenings. x

[Hannapat]

Welcome home and a happy belated birthday to your little (or not so little anymore) man. Your little space outside looks lovely. xo

[Claire]

Lucy
Buy iron in name tapes and save yourself the hassle.
They are dead simple to do taking approx 15 seconds each.
I also just have our surname (which is not terribly common) then only have to buy 1 pack for the four of mine still attending school.

[lynn]

NOt quite sure what is happening..I have tried twice to post a comment and it has appeared to work but then when I come back there is no sign of it...Hmmm...Third time lucky? :))
I have been inspired by your facebook post to cover an old ikea shade. Happy with the results and have identified a few more in need of some colour :) Looking forward to hearing about your hols and really looking forward to seeing the lampshade in situ when I visit Yarndale :) xx

http://www.lusciouslyloopy.com/blog.html

[Cathy]

Ooh, looking forward to the lampshade!! Eleven?? That's big boy age!! Difficult :L

Cathy
http://whiskshooksandbooks.blogspot.co.uk/

[Tanya Miller]

New follower to your blog through Bloglovin. Love looking at your pictures and can't wait to see your holiday photos and read about it and of course the lampshade.

[Dorothy Griffiths]

So glad to have you back dear Lucy, have missed you but so so glad that you had a great break. It has been a hard year for you in many ways so it was lovely for you to have this wonderful holiday with your family. Love the cake, could just eat a slice now - I know what you mean about houses, ours can be such a mess that I wouldn't let anyone over the door until it is sorted. I always think there are other beings living here who mess the place up, it can't possibly be all my fault! Have a wonderful weekend and I am hoping to make Yarndale and hopefully say hello to you.
Thanks for a great post, look forward to your holiday pics
Lots of love
Dorothy
:-)xxxxxxxxxxxx

[Lisa Ferguson]

I so love your blog and the escape it brings! Can't wait to see your photos from the holiday. Happy hooking - Lisa

[Valerie Ratcliffe]

Thanks to Lucy, I took my 87 year old mother, Marjorie , away to the seaside in Donegal, where she taught me how to crochet. Was so inspired by all those lovely blankets, I now have a good stash of granny squares.
A question. How should I join them together?
Valerie.