Slugs on the Refrigerator

Something For You, Something For Me

Chunky Wool from Texere for an upcoming project...aren't the colours beautiful?  I have matching merino tops as well!

Just a quick post today, as I am in day 1 of a 5 day stretch to work my fingers to the bone.  However, I have a bit of a favour to ask...

 

When I started running crochet workshops, I pulled together a "Cheat Sheet" of different terms and helpful materials for beginner crocheters.  Largely, this is because I think in American crochet, but teach here, so I needed a handy translation guide.  The Cheat Sheet has always been well received by beginner crocheters, but I wanted to throw it open to you all for your comments as I am looking to revise it for the Open Studio event. 

 

Please feel free to download and share, but some feedback would be really appreciated!

Download Cheat Sheet

 

Ok, off to write lists, order stuff, practice my rusty spinning skills, eat fresh scones with homemade strawberry jam, take photos, make postcards, write a book, clean my house, edit photos and drink LOTS OF COFFEE!

 

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Red

 

Pop

 

There are only a few days left to vote for the MAD Blogging Awards and I would really, really, love your votes. I am a finalist in the Photography and Craft categories!  Thank you!!

Light Work

Ellis crossed a big-boy milestone on Saturday night by staying at his first ever sleep over. Kevin and I hardly knew what to do with ourselves only being responsible for 2 children!!  Lest we make anything easy for ourselves, we took the babies on a walk so that I could get some final pictures for Capturing Childhood's first session that starts today.

And really, a walk with 2 toddlers is:

a lot of stopping

a lot of coaxing

a lot of carrying

a lot of dirt

a lot of mess

a lot longer than it was supposed to be

 

Where We've Been

 

If summer only lasted for 4 days, we have lived it well.

 

 

Making a Rocket (and a Splash)

Recently, I have been doing a TON of product photography.  Almost every day, something arrives in the post for a quick photoshoot.  I love it.  Its like a beautiful combination of getting cool stuff in the post, a nice change from my normal and we get mailing tubes. Mailing tubes are awesome.  They are car ramps and telescopes and (probably much to my neighbours' delight) trumpets.

I currently have 27 mailing tubes.  So, I did what everyone else would do in that situation...made rocket ships*. 

I put them together, as it seemed like a good idea that I be the only one horribly burned by the hot glue gun, but then I let the kids paint them.

Here is how Ellis paints:

Notice the serious look of concentration, the deliberate brush strokes?

 

Here is how Georgia paints:

 

She then stripped naked and painted her entire body. It seemed fitting that my wildling be painted like one. Oh and did you know that the paint from Tescos stains EVERYTHING? So, she is green. So I hosed her off.

She is still green. I find it funny (obviously).  Kevin doesn't find it AS funny. Meh. Who cares if she's green.  Apparently you grow a whole new covering of skin every 7 years. And, did I mention we have sun?  So at least my house isn't green.

* I didn't follow any instructions for the rockets. However, if you want to make some, here are my top tips:

- Hot glue is your friend

- Cut slits in the bottom of the tube to slide the fins in for security (I just freehand drew ours)

- Th nose cone is 1/4 of a circle.  to get it the right shape and size, I just measured around the mouth the of the tube, and opened up my compass the same length and drew a half circle (for 2 rockets).  You could use string to measure the circumference and then attach it to a pen to make a compass yourself.  I learned this technique in the 15 minutes I wasn't goofing around in Mr Bunting's Geometry class. 

 

Oh, Sunshine!

There is nothing in this world like Scotland when the sun shines.  Nothing. The greenery, the sky, the hills, even people in the street are nicer when that big orange ball is in the sky.

I love it.  I love how comments about the weather are about "getting the laundry out".  I love how my 5 year old thinks that 65F (18C) is skin-melting hot.  I love how we can do all of the things we normally do, but outside so I don't have to clean up.

And so, if you need me, I will be outside. In the sun. For as long as it decides to grace us with its presence. 

 

Made

 

Some days are filled to the brim with making.  Its the side of my work that I love most (of course) but its actually a smallish part of the whole picture.  I spend much more time answering emails, writing, planning, calculating, and reading than I really do making.  

But then come those pockets of time where I *have* to spend hours upon hours crocheting or sewing.  For some reason, I find starting nearly impossible, but once I am in my groove my heart sings with it.  And then I get to look back on an hours' work and think "I made that and I'm getting paid for it!". What a privilage.

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Top: examples of granny squares and ripples for my crochet class in Wendy Merino Chunky and Texere Chunky Wool.

Middle: child's apron out of Quentin Blake fabric

Bottom: granite stitch crochet

Today I Am

- Eating the last piece of this delicious cake.  Its Orgettes everyday cake with a 1 1/2 cups of blueberries tossed in with a lemony drizzle on top (icing sugar + water + a few teaspoons of lemon juice).  Totally yummy. 

- Enjoying the quiet of an empty house.  A LOT of children have spent time here this week.  At one stage, there was a 1 adult to 6 children under 6 ratio.  I am certain we were breaking some laws on that one.

- Ignoring the lego-strewn mess that is the aftermath of that ratio.

- Making a second breakfast, after Kevin used the sweetened soya milk for the scrambled eggs.  Bleurgh.

- Getting ready for tomorrow's crochet workshops.  I have set more dates for over the summer.

- Desperately wanting to read my book: The Firestarter Sessions.  Chances are if you have even made eye contact with me in the last week, I have told you how much I LOVE this book.  Really.  Buy it. Download it.  Go forth and fall in love.  

- Smiling about the guest posts coming in for Capturing Childhood's {The Story Behind the Photo} series. I can not wait for them to start going live!!

Wishing you a full and enjoyable weekend! 

I Think I Might Be Part of the Problem

 

I am beginning to think that getting my camera out all the time may be contributing to the exponential growth of chaos.