Thank you, you've made my week!

First of all, I'd like to say a huge thank you to anyone who has read my blog and especially to those who left comments. It really makes my day when someone thinks enough of what I write to comment on it. I am enjoying myself so much reading everyone's posts and it's really inspiring me to craft away.

My Gran and Step-Grandad were meant to visit us for Christmas, but it all got cancelled because of the snow. This weekend we finally all got to meet up and have Christmas II! We had such a lovely time and I received some beautiful gifts, which I will have to photograph for you and show you in my next post. Even my Christmas Cactus has got confused and started flowering again. Hmm, maybe it's a Christmas/Easter Cactus.
Anyway, this is just a short one because I have discovered a local wool shop and can't wait to go and have a good nose.
Hope you all had a great Valentines. I got a bottle of my favourite perfume. I'd been really organised and had my partner's card sorted weeks ahead. When it came to the actual day I couldn't find it anywhere. I found it hidden (in a safe place) then next day. Oops!
Sorry this is short, I just really wanted to acknowledge your comments and how much they meant to me. I promise to do a longer post soon.

Anna x

No snow!

This week I've really enjoyed the fact that there isn't a snowflake in sight. I've never naturally been an outdoor person, but a couple of weeks stuck inside with two little girls is enough to make anyone appreciate being able to go places without the worry of falling victim to the evil that is ice. So, on Sunday we visited the local urban farm.

I've created my first sewing project since I was a child. It's a bag made from a CK sewing book. I changed the button loop, to make it easier, but I'm quite proud of myself and it's made my fingers itch to do more creating on my sewing machine. Hmmmm, what to do what to do?!

On the crochet front, I made the discovery I am a ball short for finishing the cream on the blanket I'm making, so I have done an emergency ebay order and hopefully crocheting will be able to resume tomorrow.

This morning, to my delight there was sun streaming through my living room windows for the first time in ages. This gave me a thought that maybe, just maybe Spring may be thinking about coming to the England instead of the snow we are told we are to look forward to. So, armed with my trusty camera I went out to the garden still dressed in my PJs to prove my theory and I found proof. Well, at least the garden agrees with me anyway!

Not all of us are ready to come out of hibernation just yet though.

Being new to this whole blogging thing I have spent many hours blog surfing the last few weeks and it's amazing to see how many people out there are so creative and make such beautiful things. I have really enjoyed myself and feel so inspired. I look forward to getting to know you all.

Crochet Hearts & Roses Blanket

Happy February everyone! The last week has been busy for me, but I did manage to start a blanket for my Mum’s birthday. Her birthday is at the end of June so I’m giving myself plenty of time to get it finished. I have taken the pattern from Melody Griffith’s book Crocheted throws & wraps, which is great for beginners like me. The pattern is called Scandinavian Sampler Throw.

My Mum and I are into everything heart shaped at the moment, so hopefully she will like it. Isn’t it the law that mothers have to love anything their children make anyway? I’ve finished all 15 heart panels so far and just have three more roses to do then it’s put together time.

On another note, my youngest daughter and I made peanut butter cupcakes today. The smell has filled the whole house, can’t wait to try one, off I go. Hope you are all good. Speak soonie. x

Fun in the Kitchen

What do you do when you know you should loose some weight? Bake cupcakes of course.

This week I’ve been starting loads of little craft projects and not finishing any so when I found myself with a free Sunday and two bored little girls I decided to put everything down and bake some cakes. We made vanilla cupcakes with lemon butter icing. The girls had great time piping the icing on in different patterns. I don’t own a piping bag so we filled a sandwich bag with the icing and then cut a small whole in one of the bottom corners. I think it worked well and the girls were pleased with the results.

P.S. They taste good to. Healthy diet tomorrow maybe. Ho hum

Haiti Earthquake

Sometimes it takes a natural disaster to really put things into perspective in life. This week has been a reality check in how lucky all of us who only have the ‘normal’ day to day worries are. My heart goes out to all those caught up in the Haiti earthquake. I am so amazingly humbled by all those who have gone out there to help in the rescue and anyone who is providing any sort of aid.

Please support Haiti in anyway you can. Every penny counts. Donate here.

Snow!

Well, along with the rest of the UK and other parts of the world we have been snow covered for four days now. I find it amazing how many emotions snow can bring. The children are excited and happy - theyhave built a snowman. The landscape looks so beautiful and I love it the whole time I don’t have to go anywhere, but it’s also frightening and frustrating when you do have to go somewhere and you either can’t get there or it takes twice as long.

I have taken the opportunity to do a bit of knitting. I have been making a knitted tea pot for the girls. Nearly finished and I’ll post photos soon.

My partner has invested in an embroidery machine for me, in the hope I will be able to make a bit of

money with it. That should be here in a few days (weather allowing), which is all very exciting. I’ve never used one before, so practise shall be needed.

Happy New Year!

Well here it is, 2010. I went to bed last night (or rather in the early hours of the morning) with the same disappointment I feel on 1st Jan every year. I have this childlike expectation that everything will feel different after midnight, new and cleansed in some way and it never does.

However, I am now somewhat more refreshed and awake and am determined that this year will be a huge success.

My four year old got a ‘My First Sewing’ kit for Christmas and this morning we made a photo frame and notepad cover. She’s caught the bug and is waiting for me to get off here to start the next project!