Good morning, how are you? How was your weekend? Ours was good, full of the necessary sort of laziness that flops in at the end of a busy half term. I feel so relieved that half term is here, that homework, timetables, packed lunches and sports kits can be dumped to one side for a week. I am relieved that we've got a break from the strict get-out-the-door-at-eight-fifteen morning regime. I don't care for the start of our school days much, no matter how hard I try I generally find them stressy. But with three Little People all at different establishments I don't think we do too badly really. We are only ever very slightly late, and I only ever shout loudly when absolutely necessary.
The weather here has been (and continues to be) dire, as is the case across much of the UK I think. There has been the odd fleeting chink of blue, but mostly grey, blustery and wet-wet-wet. Perfect hunkering down at home weather. I nipped into town on Saturday morning to run some errands, stopping on an impulse in one of my favourite feel-good shops to buy myself a new candle. I mentioned these little "Pintail candles"
No self respecting Hunkering Down weekend would be complete without a bag of gorgeous yarn to play with, and I certainly had that covered. This is Drops Big Merino, the most beautiful scrummy, squidgy, soft aran weight yarn.
I've picked out nine colours to start making my Autumn wreath base. I wanted to capture something of the Autumn skies, moss, fruit and berries as a background to all the brightly coloured leaves and flowers I'm making.
This yarn is seriously delicious to play with, it works up so beautifully on a 5mm hook. I keep finding myself daydreaming about wrapping myself up in it. A shawl perhaps? Or a big generous cowl/scarf type creation? But mustn't get distracted, must stick with the wreath for now. It would make a great blanket too.....;o)
I put my apron on over my pyjamas and baked yesterday morning, when a late breakfast/mid morning coffee accompaniment was needed. I made apricot and apple muffins using my no-fail Easy-peasy muffin recipe.
Best eaten while still warm, these muffins are seriously yummy, and ridiculously easy to make.
Whilst slurping coffee and stuffing warm, moist muffins into my mouth, I simultaneously crocheted up some florals for my wreath. Sunflowers to be precise. I adapted a pattern I found online here, changing the middle bit to use popcorn stitches. I would love to write up the tutorial for this, but am waiting to hear from Cindy first as the petals are her design and I don't want to use it without her blessing. Will keep you posted, as it did work out really well and I would love to share.
I also had a little go at creating a marigold type flower. I think it came out OK, but maybe needs a little bit more work....
....but looking suitably Autumnal don't you think? I am very excited about this wreath, I am enjoying the slow, creative making process very, very much.
J is home this week with us, I love that he takes the half term holiday weeks off work so that we can enjoy family time in the different seasons ( February, May and October). We opened a bottle of my favourite tipple last night, and sat chatting round the fire with the Little People which made such lovely change from the television/internet. Flame-gazing is just soooo pleasurable and mesmerising, and we have some of these Colour Changing Fir Cones
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Does anyone have a link to the tutorial for the sunflower? I've tried to follow the original pattern from skip to my Lou but it's very difficult. Someone mentioned that there was an easier version to follow on here but I can't find it. Desperate to make them as button holes for my wedding!
Posted by: Kiyoko | September 23, 2017 at 08:34 AM
Lucy...feel so lucky to have a Drops yarn shop here in San Luis Obispo. I can go and squidge it any time I feel the need. Am making something with baby drops Merino right now, sort of cornflower blue. Fingerless mittens.
Re: marigold flowers, they don't have any sort of dark, flat center petals like sunflowers do. They are just tiny up-and-coming petals ready to unfurl. Maybe that would help in shaping? Can
t wait to see your wreath. Happy,
happy fall to you.
Posted by: sue | November 08, 2013 at 12:38 AM
Oh I love that Drops Merino, I knitted a stack of little people beanies in it, and they were soooo soft, and super stretchy!
Posted by: Elke | October 30, 2013 at 05:22 PM
Nice, Lucy! Can't wait to see the wreath finished. The flowers are gorgeous, and the colors perfect. I love a fire also. Nothing like sitting in front of a fire with hot chocolate, a cup of tea, or a nice glass of wine. And some kind of yarns work, of course! Or a good book, or just snuggling with the kids, or hubby. Oh, I am getting carried away. Love your post, as usual. xxoo. JO
Posted by: Joanne Retzler | October 30, 2013 at 03:04 AM
I absolutely love the flowers---the sunflower and marigold are beautiful, they look so realistic! I will be looking for the tutorial in case you can post it. Happy Fall! I love the cozy pictures too!
Posted by: Lea | October 29, 2013 at 08:16 PM
que bonito los paisajes, su casa sus coloridas mantas, me encanta su casa y el sitio donde vive, tenemos la misma hora ahi que aqui,solo que aqui el clima cambia pero me encanta todo lo ingles, muchos saludos desde canarias.
Posted by: nieves rosa | October 29, 2013 at 06:48 PM
Loving the sun flower. Looking forward to seein the wreath finished. Enjoy the rest of your week off together.
Xx
Posted by: Jules Francis | October 29, 2013 at 04:04 PM
Beautiful colours and beautiful flowers, I can't wait to see the finished result and your lovely tutorials too. Will you be adding a Bower Bird too? xx
Posted by: Sarah | October 29, 2013 at 10:54 AM
I love how your husband takes some time off at half term for family time. My husband travels a lot for work and as a result gets some time in lieu. Our school terms are ten weeks long so we are crazily busy for the term as I'm a teacher at our local government high school. My kids attend school with me so I'm lucky that we get to spend a bit more time together than many families do.
During the holidays my husband has time off or works out of his office and we get to do lots of together things with our 13 and 17 year olds. We are making the most of this as our son finishes high school in October next year.
Enjoy the rest of your week off and thank you for sharing your life with us.
Posted by: Lisa Pratt | October 29, 2013 at 10:41 AM
How wonderful it is at your house. Cosy, warm and smelling delicious. Can't wait to see more of your wreath. Hope you all have a lovely half term Lucy.
Posted by: CJ | October 29, 2013 at 07:25 AM
Have a lovely week. x
Posted by: Jacqui Galloway (livingwithethel) | October 29, 2013 at 07:18 AM
Hi Lucy,
I also love the change from Summer to Autumn and was seriously getting into Autumn when bang!!, along came Winter. So much for dreaming about the Autumn decorating, moving on to Winter!! Enjoy your week with the family. Being a stay at home mom is the best job anyone could wish for.
Posted by: L. Wood | October 29, 2013 at 04:45 AM
What beautiful crochet work you do! I would love the pattern, if she agrees to it. A bit of wine, some yarn to work up, and the family at home......just a perfectly lovely time!
I must add, those candles look delightful!
Posted by: Marie | October 29, 2013 at 04:31 AM
We've had reports of your bad weather on our news here in New Zealand. Sounds like hunkering down is the best thing to be doing over there at the moment. Keep cosy! Katherine x
Posted by: Katherine, NZ | October 29, 2013 at 04:03 AM
Was thinking about you when I heard of the storms in the UK...hunkering down with family, fire and some crochet sounds like a plan to me. Be safe, hugs MO
http://moisbloggingit.blogspot.ca
Posted by: Marylin | October 29, 2013 at 12:53 AM
Drops Big Merino. Yes indeedy, one of the most scrumptious yarns I have used to date. I am making my son a ripple blanket in it as we speak - your pattern incidentally - and it is totally lush! Looking forward to the wreath! Jane xx
Posted by: Jane Dubinski | October 28, 2013 at 10:10 PM
We've been watching the bad weather you are having, here in Australia. Very disturbing! Love your colour card samples for your wreath! How DO you manage with three little children inside in such bad weather?!!! What do you get up to? A lot of dreaming about better weather me thinks!
Posted by: Jenny | October 28, 2013 at 09:45 PM
Your wreath is going to be wonderful. Love Autumn so much. We are in crazy spring weather here...sunny one minute and hailing the next
Posted by: Annie | October 28, 2013 at 08:57 PM
Sounds like the perfect weekend. That's the lovely thing about rubbish weather - and excuse to bed down and fire on and snuggle time without feeling guilty that you should be outside :)
Enjoy half term with your Littlies,
Jones x
Posted by: The House of Jones | October 28, 2013 at 08:43 PM
Lucy...I thought of you when I saw on the BBC here in the US this morning that England was being seriously buffeted by rain and high winds...I do hope that you and your family are safe! I placed my very first order with Deramores last week for a "Lucy Pack" of Stylecraft Special DK weight yarn for baby afghans for TWO little grandchildren due this coming April...!! In fact, I got some good guidance from another member of your Ravelry group...! Be well and safe......!!
Posted by: Corinne | October 28, 2013 at 08:38 PM
Lovely post and those flowers look great. Glad the north wasn't hit quite so fiercely by the storm. All take care.
Posted by: Susan Smith | October 28, 2013 at 08:02 PM
So looking forward to the sunflower pattern. It is lovely! You inspire me to try my hand at a crocheted wreath . . . think I will give it a go.
Love your blog!
Posted by: Holley Downs | October 28, 2013 at 07:25 PM
Lovely warm evocative post Lucy- made me want to put our fire on now! It's actually covered in fairy lights which are very pretty but make it not easy to put the fire on!
Posted by: Patchworkfairy | October 28, 2013 at 06:52 PM
Lovely post, Lucy. I love the sunflower. The weather here it's similar, wet-wet-wet, but the temperature is still high for Autumn. Enjoy the half-term with your family. xx
Posted by: Ligia Seabra | October 28, 2013 at 06:21 PM
lovely, lovely, lovely - enjoy the rest of half term week ..... my grandson got in the tree this afternoon and there are crochet balls hanging from it - 21 of them .... love, love, love - pic on facebook xx
Posted by: Joy | October 28, 2013 at 06:06 PM