Oh, this past week has felt so long and slow! My days have been full of people and stuff and commitments and to-do-lists and yet it feels like only a scant few things have actually been achieved. Sometimes life is like that I suppose. I guess the trick is to have faith and keep going even when progress on pretty much everything feels ridiculously snail-like.
I am making gentle progress with my winter wreath, and this is one thing where I am enjoying the slowness. It's such an enjoyable process, a journey, and really I'm in no rush at all. A leaf here, a handful of teeny-tiny balls there and gradually it all begins to come together.
I did that thing a few evenings ago where I tipped out everything I have made during the past few weeks and had a little play. Arranging and pinning, getting a feel for how well my winter wreath ideas are forming in reality. The verdict? Absolutely heart-stoppingly lovely, oh this is going to be such a pretty wreath! I've still some things to make - snowy white pine cones, a couple of hellebore flowers and maybe a few snowdrops too. Oh, and a flurry of snowflakes to gently finish it all off. A baby robin hatched a few days ago, I'll introduce him to you as soon as I manage to take some photographs. He's a real cutie :)
I've been crocheting some granny squares this week as well, a contribution to a community project being organised by Lisa over on Instagram. A number of us are joining our hooky hearts and hands to make a colourful blanket in memory of Vanessa. The blanket will eventually be auctioned on Ebay to raise funds for Vanessa’s family’s chosen charity {the Mental Health Foundation}. I am enjoying the familiar, meditative process of making these squares, they have provided a simple bit of easy hooky time for me during this busy week which I have appreciated.
I am still plodding away with my studio, although it is frustratingly slow progress in this little room. On Thursday I managed to finish off all the decorating, hooray! It's been a bit stop and start with this due to having so many other things pulling at my child-free hours, but now it's finished and I am thrilled. Oh, that gentle, warm, summery, sky-blue colour is delicious!! I've now got three white walls plus one wall of glorious blueness, I can't wait to show you.
As you can see, there is still much to sort out. Yikes. I went there this afternoon with J (and the Little People), I needed J and his power tools to make my big storage shelves safe with the old uneven floorboards and wonky walls. When all was done I dispatched the family homewards and pootled around on my own for an hour, cleaning up the floor and dragging furniture about. I'm really, really looking forward to finding a place for everything and making this lovely little room properly mine. Slowly but surely I am getting there.
Life on the home front has been quiet and cosy this week, no worries about slow progress here. Spring will arrive soon enough and I'm formulating some plans to shake the house up a bit then. But not yet. It's January and I declare it's perfectly acceptable to just be.
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Hi Lucy.
Love your blog and your amazing studio.
We are visiting Yorkshire soon in our new motorhome and would love to have coffee and cake in the coffee shop beneath you. Where are you based. Would appreciate the address. Watching closely for your latest production--woolly sheep. Looking forward to your next blog. Elizabeth
Posted by: Elizabeth Gregory | February 26, 2015 at 09:24 PM
Hi, I had a go at the fern leaf, as a newbie to crochet it took me a while and it's not QUITE right,hey ho! I do enjoy your post and the wreath is looking exciting!
Posted by: Georgina Pamela Davis | January 31, 2015 at 07:34 PM
Lucy here is a tutorial for a crochet christmas tree by the lazy hobbyhopper
http://www.thelazyhobbyhopper.blogspot.in/2014/10/crochet-christmas-tree-free-pattern.html
You might be able to use it on your winter wreath.
Posted by: Robin Summers | January 28, 2015 at 09:41 PM
Hi Lucy, very keen to purchase the Craft book from Sainsburys on my next delivery and having a relaxing look at the projects. I'm finding it difficult to focus on any projects at the moment as my 31 year old daughter (who suffers from mild autism and also S.A.D.) is going through the break up of a long term relationship and has today been told her job may go in cutbacks. She's such a lovely caring girl but SO sensitive to change I worry for her. Sorry to burden you with my troubles. To go back to your news, I love the look of your winter wreath and the other additions you're planning sound gorgeous, can't wait to see the newly hatched Robin and your work room is making quick progress. xxx
Posted by: Denise Marshall | January 27, 2015 at 01:12 PM
That's some fire you have going!! The winter wreath is looking lovely.
Posted by: Gillian | January 27, 2015 at 12:10 PM
So pretty.
Posted by: Tammy | January 26, 2015 at 08:23 PM
Love the look of your wintery wreath so far, can't wait to see it finished :)
Posted by: alison willcocks | January 26, 2015 at 07:12 PM
I agree - nothing we can do about winter so we should take the time to just be. (Especially because here in upstate NY we are expecting 16" of snow tomorrow.) Your wreath is looking lovely and I can't wait to see your studio - I'm always on the lookout for ideas/inspiration for organizing my stash/stuff. :)
Posted by: Lizy Tish | January 26, 2015 at 07:04 PM
That will be truly beautiful when you are done. I think I may be inspired to do some granny squares, I can't start a whole project but maybe some small projects that will go together later on. I love that idea.
Janice
Posted by: janice | January 26, 2015 at 06:22 PM
I love reading your posts and see your lovely photos. They really do shine with colour and your wreath look scrummy with those beautiful pastels tones. Can't wait to see it when it's finished. Can't wait to see you new studio too! I might have to pinch some ideas as I will be converting a little summerhouse into my first ever studio at the bottom of my garden when it warms up a bit. Thank you, Sarah X
Posted by: Hula Loop | January 26, 2015 at 04:31 PM
I found your blog via Cuddlebumbs and am so inspired, thank you for so many lovely happy pictures and patterns too. Can't wait to have a try :)
Posted by: Wellpotty1 | January 26, 2015 at 03:32 PM
Could you talk a little bit about that darling little house (pin cushion? needle book?) in the picture with the gorgeous teal granny squares? I am loving it!
Thank you for your lovely blog. I look forward to seeing the "new" studio.
Posted by: Susan Conklin | January 26, 2015 at 02:52 PM
It's all coming together beautifully, as we knew it would. ; )) I look forward to all the ta-dah moments! I'm still plodding away on those home improvement/de-cluttering projects here as well (never ending it seems), and of course sneaking in some hooky therapy when I can (currently trying out the diamond trellis pattern from Make My Day Creative blog). Have a great day!x
Posted by: Angela-Southern USA | January 26, 2015 at 01:30 PM
it looks great ! that will be my next autumn wreath !
Posted by: ELDA DA FONSECA | January 26, 2015 at 01:05 PM
Just wanted to say I absolutely love your blog and your page. I'm a total novice crocheter but I managed a cushion cover and to decorate a lamp with crocheted flowers for Christmas presents. I love crochet and really want to do more. I broke my foot last week and your page has given me so much inspiration to get cracking, especially while I'm off my feet! Thank you :-)
Posted by: Jean Scriven | January 26, 2015 at 12:32 PM
Love the colours of the wreath. Hope there will be instructions for all the bits you are making.
Posted by: Carol | January 26, 2015 at 12:25 PM
Your wreath looks so beautiful! I have been wrapped up in my Coastal blanket each evening, sooo warm and cosy that I am about to start one in the cottage colours. Just need the yarn to arrive any day now and then fancy using your colour combination in a waffle stitch.
Posted by: Sally Richmond | January 26, 2015 at 10:09 AM
Lucy, yet again you've helped me to see the positive in the negative.
Thank you. Have a good week
Posted by: Debbie, Essex | January 26, 2015 at 09:52 AM
I really enjoy this blog and always look forward to reading it. The wreath is already looking great and it's not even finished yet. Have a good week
Posted by: Jean | January 26, 2015 at 09:43 AM
I always feel that we (humans) should semi-hibernate in winter. Just go with the flow, Lucy, it will all get done, and you'll be more rested and ready to face the next rush!
Loving the wreath, and a robin will be just right. I have 2 robins in my garden, who always come to see what I'm up to. Sadly, not too much gardening getting done at the moment, but spring is just around the corner!
Posted by: Kath | January 26, 2015 at 09:28 AM
Your winter wreath is looking beautiful, I can't wait to see it completed. It has given me an idea for using the crochet pansies I made over a year ago (just because I had some lovely yarn that was pansy coloured!)
I'm crocheting squares for the DoYouMindIfIKnitBlanket in exactly the same lovely green colour - it is a good project for joining people together and remembering the importance of looking after your mind as well your body.
xx
Posted by: Celia | January 26, 2015 at 07:42 AM
Did you say "few things achieved?". Your energy and commitment are amazing as is the wreath and the studio. I made a detour from the Cosy Blanket and just finished one of your valentine hearts. It is so beautiful, I am loving it sooooo much. Yet again I thank you for your generosity and the sharing of your creativity. I so look forward to your posts. Love and light to you. Liz x
Posted by: Liz Sawyer | January 26, 2015 at 07:12 AM
After 2 years in transit from one house via renting and staying over with friends/family, we have now bought this house and the BIG unpack has begun. I feel like a snail carrying too much weight in my house - craft projects are very cumbersome in a small house and while you are forever sorting there is no time to complete and use/give away... So, thanks for letting me know that you also find slow a bit frustrating. I feel better now for listening to your chat! Lovely wreath! Happy End-of January for you!
Posted by: Namari | January 26, 2015 at 06:44 AM
The wreath looks brilliant! As I'm in the southern hemisphere, it's perfect timing for me 😜. I so enjoy reading your blog :)
Posted by: Kristine Robbs | January 26, 2015 at 05:37 AM
Looking lovely Lucy and will wait in anticipation to see it in full. Decorating and tidying always takes time, so just go with the flow. Stay warm and snuggly and take care.
Posted by: Susan Smith | January 26, 2015 at 05:35 AM