Saturday 18 August 2018

Hello


How time has flown, sorry I've not been about in blogland very much lately. Thank you for taking the time to stop by at Hooks and Needles, I'm pleased you're still here. I've enjoyed reading your blogs whilst trying to keep up, though I've not always left a comment. 

People come and go in blogland and for myself it would be so easy to say I've been too busy. That isn't totally the case, I think I just lost my blogging mojo. I seem to spend ages choosing photos, cropping pictures, editing texts - repeatedly. Then it's looking for references on-line and generally faffing about before posting.

The Homemade Heart blog that hosted - The Cookery Calendar challenge and FAST - Homestead blog that hosted Five on Fridays, have both stopped for now. I enjoyed reading these but... life goes on and other interesting blogs pop up. There has been an increase in very suspect followers with the same address details through Bloglovin' which makes for more checking of personal info before posting. 


April

Much has changed since I last sat down at the keyboard. I may have mentioned before that teen 1 has now turned 18 years old. He's finished college and is finding his way in the world of employment. Temporary work, interviews and hoping for positive news, life can be stressful but good too. His birthday cake (Easter time) was gooey chocolate and delicious with obligatory Easter eggs.

My homemade laminated cake band (covering imperfections) reflected Guvna B's opening line to one of his songs - 'Fear is a Lie' with 'Allo Mate'. We'd seen him as a supporting artist at the Rend Collective concert in Huddersfield. Teen 1 saw NF live in Birmingham shortly after his birthday with his school / college friend.
                                 




Some flowers from springtime, left ready to post in drafts.

April also saw the launch of the local Knit & Natter group which has been great. It's nice to catch up with like minded ladies in the village and chat over our projects. Usually everyone brings their own things to work on, though twice there's been a specific project to all 'have a go at'. One of these was knitting socks another was some quilting. 


May

QT at the salad bar, crazy cat! Eat it, roll in it and gently dozing on it. Strange lad.




What do you mean it's your chair

It can't be, I'm here - it's mine!

As the sun warmed up, I'd moved the fireside chair into the lounge so I could crochet in the warmth with my feet up. QT however had other ideas.

July

Using the leftover yarn stash from the Attic 24 Moorland blanket that I'd crocheted last year, I made some bunting to match. I like to put bunting up when we have a birthday in the family. I was too late for my own birthday which was a shame but... it was a significant birthday and though at the time I felt miffed at being 50, I honestly don't feel any different, though I still think 38 years sounds a lot better.  

August

The bunting, now complete is still up at the moment as we had our open home this Saturday. We invited people from church to drop in for cake and a cuppa. There's something very enjoyable about throwing open the doors and windows, putting the kettle on, plate-ing up cake and getting out the lego for little people. We did a few last year as well, though we may just do the one next year or possibly one a month from May - August.

I can't remember everything thing I've read, listened to, made, baked and seen so I'll just mention a few:- 


Two weekends ago we went to stay with my Mother-in-law, whilst there we saw my parents in their new home too. They've recently moved back to Hampshire near my Nan and Brother & his daughter. It's strange with them all moved south, suddenly it feels almost alone without family nearby.

I've been reading books for the book club, the group recently decided to cap numbers which will help with seating arrangements and book choosing. My book for this year was How to Stop Time by Matt Haig. Apart from being featured on the Richard and Judy book list it was also on the Radio 2 book club. We had a very good discussion about the book which is always encouraging when you've chosen a book.

I've purchased material to sew some nightdresses. If you're new to dressmaking do checkout this youtube video of JessalliHandmade. At the moment the fabric is awaiting ironing and then pattern prepping. Honestly, I'm just putting off the tracing of the pattern etc! Is this even essential! I will try and get a move on with these.

I've started crocheting another blanket which I hope to take some photos of as it progresses.

The socks I'd knitted and put away for M Christmas present took an airing at the WI BBQ / Horticultural show. I was chuffed to bits as they won 2nd place in the sock knitting & crochet category. I've never entered before and will definitely enter again!



I'm going to post this now before I change my mind and start faffing about with it. I'll take some photos of the finished bunting and blanket progress for next time.

Thank you for reading and have a good weekend whatever you're doing.
Cathy x






16 comments:

  1. So nice to catch up with you. I love the idea of having an open house for church friends, although now that we live in this small cottage not sure we would be able to host many.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thankfully each time we've hosted an open home, the weather has been good. We only sat outside once though but it's nice to host on a dry day. We live 11 miles from our church, so it's nice to invite people round. You can feel a bit left out being so far away with comments like - 'oh you live right out there, that's a long way' lol, not helpful x

      Delete
  2. Hi Cathy. Good to see you here. I hope your blogging mojo comes back. Happy belated Birthday to you. I hope you had wonderful celebrations with family near and far. Congratulations on your price of the lovely knitted socks. Lots happening in your life, I get the impression that you feeling a little unsettled but hope that I am wrong :-)

    I never edit any photos, just post and write and press the publish button. It is easy to get too worried about "that perfect photo" or that "well phrased sentence" but I try not to fall in the trap of aiming for perfection but it is not easy. I also don't put pressure on myself (at least with relation to my blog), if I have nothing to say than I don't.

    Hope to see you soon again. x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Christina, yes I had a lovely time. Sound advice too, thank you. I'll definitely keep that in mind. I think it can become a pressure when it shouldn't, it's supposed to be fun. Cx

      Delete
  3. It's lovely to catch up again, and in spite of what you say, you've been a busy lady.
    I love your idea for the bunting and how considerate of you to hold an open house for your church.
    I hope your mojo returns soon. X

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jules, I'll try and get writing again. It should be fun and not time consuming. Cx

      Delete
  4. So nice to see you posting again! Enjoyed all your photos and love the ones of the cat. Those socks are great and look so cozy. Congrats on winning 2nd place with them. Happy Belated Birthday! Post again soon, I miss reading your posts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jean, you are very kind. I need to take some more photos, especially of QT. Though he doesn't do a lot bless him lol. Cx

      Delete
  5. Awww Cathy,it's so good to see you posting again.I really love your blog.Great photos as always.Love that yummy cake.QT is looking his usual Handsome self.Hugs xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Lee, that's really kind of you. Glad you're back with your blog too, lovely blankets you've made. Cx

      Delete
  6. What a lovely newsy post, I'm glad you've popped in for a catch up as I always enjoy reading your posts, and of course, seeing photos of QT. The birthday cake looks delicious.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jo, that's very sweet of you. QT is well loved so he tends to be snapped a lot, bless him, even though he doesn't do much. Cats sleep an awful lot. As he lay sleeping on my bed today, I asked him if he was having a rest? My son on hearing this shouted - he doesn't do anything! He has a point, of course. Cx

      Delete
  7. I'm glad you posted and said hello to all of us. I hope you stick with it! :-) I'm home from the lake and resting up before jumping back into daily life. I am hoping for rain! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Teresa, thank you. I've enjoyed reading everyone's blogs but it's good to be back. Take care and have a good week. Cathy x

      Delete
  8. Congratulations on the sock competition. I enter things into our show too. Jo x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jo, I'm hoping to enter in future shows too. Cathy x

      Delete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...