Following Orders

It was announced on Friday afternoon that as from midnight, Leeds was being placed under new local restrictions after a rise in coronavirus cases over the past few weeks. We're now unable to mix with anyone other than our own household in our home or garden, nor can we visit anyone else's home or garden, in or outside Leeds. If we go against these rules we could be fined.

We've also been told that we should try to avoid meeting people we do not live with in outdoor spaces such as parks, meeting people we do not live with in pubs, cafes, restaurants and other public indoor venues, or visit friends or relatives in care homes. We cannot be fined if we go against this advice.

On Saturday night, one of Eleanor's friends was in a bar in Leeds with her sister, her boyfriend and her sister's boyfriend, that's three households mixing together, but that's not against the law, it's only going against advice. What is against the law is if a family member visited my house, stayed in the garden and we kept thirty metres apart. What?

I'm sorry to say it but I think Boris has lost the plot. Making pubs and clubs close at 10pm, what is that going to achieve? People who are meeting there have already met and spread the virus, it's not in hiding until after 10pm. Local restrictions may work if they were lockdowns but putting restrictions on people meeting in houses and gardens but only advising people against meeting their friends in pubs just won't work. Advising people against doing something won't stop them doing it. We're never going to get on top of this with these silly non-rules in place.

On top of this, we have 'guidance' on bubbles, rule of six, travel restrictions, work restrictions, face coverings, no wonder most people are confused about what they can and cannot do. I don't have a problem at all in following any rules set out, but please, let's have rules which make sense and are consistent, which are going to achieve the aim, and proper clarification which everyone can understand.

As things stand at the moment, I'm not allowed to have a socially distanced meeting with my brother in my garden, yet I can meet with five friends, all from different households, in the pub and sit at a table together. Where's the sense in that?

We haven't seen Daniel since Christmas. They're being extra cautious as Jasmine is in a high risk group and they don't feel safe going about their business as so many people are disregarding the advice given. I don't blame them.

An Update On My Crafting Rotation

I started working a crafting rotation in August as a way to ensure that projects which were languishing without being worked on got a little bit of attention. I chose seven outstanding knitting, crochet and cross stitch projects and ensured I worked on each of them for at least an hour each week. I just chose a different project each day to pick up. Since starting this rotation I've had finishes on my Mojito Socks, my Confetti Socks, and there's been Lessons Learnt when I came to finishing off a small cross stitch. My Snowman cross stich has also been finished but hasn't yet been turned into anything.

Of the other three projects I was working on, the scrappy blanket I'm knitting out of commercial yarn has been put on the back burner as I have no more yarn to add to it at this stage, but the scrappy blanket made from hand dyed yarn and my crochet granny stripe blanket have been brought forward to my updated rotation.

I've also added another five projects into my new rotation.

After much procrastination I've finally made a start on my English Paper Piecing. So far I've cut some fabric and glue basted a few hexagons, I've still got to start any actual sewing but that bit will come once I have some more hexagons ready.

I love knitted dishcloths and my supply is now running a little short so I thought I'd get a few knitted up so that I don't run out. I usually use the Grandmother's Favourite Dishcloth pattern but I thought I'd give the Wondrous Dishcloth pattern by Jooles Hill a go this time. It's knitting up well but it looks a bit on the small side for what I like so I shall have to see what it's like when it's finished. Perhaps I'll just cast on extra stitches next time, we'll see.

I mentioned the cross stitch project I'd started when I was about eleven or twelve and never finished in my Rusty Cat post. I'd left a needle in the fabric which, over the following forty years, had rusted. Even after a soak the stain wouldn't come out and I was wondering whether to try and finish it off or not, the majority of the comments on that post encouraged me to carry on stitching and I'm glad I did as the stain has been covered. I have to say though that I now know why I put this project down and didn't pick up another cross stitch project until recently, it's so hard going with all the half stitches, it's enough to put me off it again. An hour a week is probably just enough time to devote to it and it will get done eventually.

Someone on Instagram showed a baby blanket they were knitting and I just couldn't resist. I've still got so may projects already waiting in the wings but this pattern really called out to me. It's called the Twinkle Twinkle Blanket and it's by Helen Stewart. I'm knitting it in Drops Baby Merino in the Light Beige colourway. There's no babies to knit for at the moment but I'm sure it will come in one day.

I asked Who Fancies A Bit Of Stitching? when I came across the Twelve Days of Christmas design by Plum Street Samplers. I've now made a start on this and I'm pleased to say that Marlene from Poppy Patchwork and Linda from Linda's Crafty Corner are stitching along with me so do keep an eye on their blogs for their updates. If anyone else fancies joining in, it's not too late, do let me know if you decide to stitch along with us. It's a lovely design which I know I shall enjoy stitching.

Of course, you'll notice that I haven't got a pair of socks on the needles at the moment and that's unheard of for me. Well, it isn't actually true as I have cast on a new pattern but as I'm joining in with the Strictly Knitalong hosted by Ali on her Little Drops of Wonderful podcast and as I'll be knitting these whilst watching Strictly Come Dancing I haven't included them in my rotation. The first of the Strictly Specials was on TV last weekend so I cast on then. I haven't got much done yet but I'm sure now they're started I'll see some progress each time I pick them up.

My crafting rotation seems to be working well for me so far and I'm enjoying having so much variation in my crafting at the moment.

Lessons Learnt

 I've finished a project, isn't it pretty?

Take a closer look.

Okay, you can stop laughing now. It just goes to show that not everything I make turns out well. Actually, the photos make it look even worse that it is, and that's saying something. This was a cross stitch I started ages ago, just a small design from a magazine and they'd shown it turned into a card. In hindsight I should have finished it off in a similar way but in my wisdom I thought it would look nice turned into a stuffed ornament. Never mind the fact that my sewing skills leave a lot to be desired and the fact that I've never in my life attempted anything like this before. I even had a go at putting a trim around the edges.

The back doesn't look quite so bad.

Lessons learnt:-

1. Make sure that everything is lined up and centred properly.
2. Find a way to stop the edges fraying. Leave a larger seam allowance?
3. Don't attempt things which are out of your skill set. Okay, this is probably wrong. How else am I supposed to learn if I don't give things a go?

Actually, I should have taken more time over it. I was in a bit of a rush to get something done with it so that I could start something new and I knew at the time that I wasn't in the right frame of mind to take proper care over it, so I think I could have made a bit better job of it if I'd tried, though I'm not making excuses, it's pretty bad!

This little heart will sit in my craft room where I can see it. It will remind me what happens if I don't take care over things and it will encourage me to do better next time. Let's see if my next finish is an improvement on this one.

A Birthday Gift From Australia

I had a lovely surprise last week, a parcel arrived all the way from Australia. It was a birthday card and gift which had arrived late. The postal service, although going a little haywire during lockdown, has worked pretty well through the pandemic, but you never can tell how long a parcel will take when it's being posted overseas. Anyway, it's always a lovely surprise to get something after the big day when you think it's all over, it extends the celebrations a little.

The gift was from my lovely friend, Susan, from Granny Smith's Quilting blog. We've met a few times over the years when she's been in the UK on holiday. She sent me the most perfect card, we both love animals and she'd selected a card for me with a koala on the front, and what I believe to be Rainbow Lorikeets. You'll have to correct me if I'm wrong there, Susan. She also sent a beautiful gift. I'm always admiring her husband's fabulous woodwork when Susan shows it on her blog and I'm now the very proud owner of the most exquisite pen which has been made from the wood from the olive tree in their garden.

I can't tell you how tactile this pen is, I keep picking it up just to stroke it, it's a beautiful object to hold.

The clip shows that the pen was made in Australia and there's a thingamajiggy on the top which is for use with a tablet, such a great idea.

Thank you so much, Susan, and thank you to your very talented hubby too. It's the perfect gift.

Tenth Blog Anniversary Giveaway Winner

Thank you to everyone who entered my giveaway. I would love to give a prize to each and every one of you but unfortunately, funds won't allow that so the next best thing is to draw a name from a hat.

The name chosen at random is Anne from My Blethering Blog. Can you please let me have your name and address details so that I can get the prize sent out to you. You can find my email address by clicking on my name in the About Me section at the top of the sidebar.

Thank you once again to everyone who has visited my blog over the past ten years, for reading and commenting, I really do appreciate it, and I hope you'll continue to visit over the next ten years!

The Chain

I don't tend to read many thrillers but it's a genre I do enjoy. I visited The Works recently (a book and stationery shop which sells books at hugely discounted prices) and came away with a few books, The Chain by Adrian McKinty was one of them. I thought it sounded like something I'd enjoy and I was right.

"Your phone rings.

A stranger has kidnapped your child.

To free them you must abduct

someone else's child.

Your child will be released

when your victim's parents kidnap

another child.

If any of these things don't happen:

your child will be killed."

It was such a good plot and I enjoyed getting to know the characters. I found the book fast paced and it kept my interest the whole way through. Apparently, The Chain is being made into a movie and I'm not surprised, I think it will translate well onto the Big Screen.

This is the only book I've read by this author but I shall look out for more. I'd definitely recommend it.

Don't forget, if you haven't already entered my giveaway, you've got until midday on Wednesday the 16th of September 2020 to do so, just leave a comment on my Tenth Blog Anniversary Giveaway post. I also just want to mention that some comments which have been left on that post have not shown up. I've gone back through my emails and added the comments I'm able to, but unfortunately, I don't get an email for every comment which is left and so I'm unable to track down two or three missing comments. Please check back on that post and make sure that your comments is there, if not, please leave another comment in order to be entered in the giveaway. I'm sorry to have to ask you to do this but I can't see any other way round it as I don't know whose comments are missing.

Preparing For A Sockalong

I've been gathering supplies to start a few new projects just lately but one regular event is creeping up on us once again, the Strictly Sockalong which Ali hosts on her Little Drops of Wonderful podcast. This will be the third year that I've joined in with this sockalong and each year it just grows and grows with more and more people joining in and it becoming a bigger and better event.

When I attended Yorkshire Yarn Fest last year, I came across a yarn dyer who I hadn't heard of before, Noodle Soup. She had such beautiful yarns on her stand and many were really sparkly. Last year's Strictly Sockalong was in full swing at the time but I couldn't resist buying a skein of a colourway named Disphotic Zone in readiness for this year's sockalong. I thought the sheer sparkliness of this yarn would be perfect for Strictly. No matter how or where I take a photo of it, I can't get all the sparkles to show up so you'll just have to take my word for it when I say this is the sparkliest yarn I've ever seen.

For the past two years I've knit the Cha Cha Chevron Socks by Sandra Paul from the Cherry Heart podcast which was designed especially for the sockalong back in 2018. This year I fancy a change so I've been looking for a different pattern to knit and I've finally decided on Aava by Heidi Alander. It seems a straightforward pattern with a lace panel on each sock, it should be easy to knit without having to concentrate too much whilst watching Strictly.

It was my birthday last week and I received a gorgeous new project bag from my friend Maggie who blogs at BlackCountry Wench. As soon as I saw it I knew I'd use it to hold my Strictly Sockalong project.

So that's another project all prepared and ready to go, though I'm not sure when Strictly is actually starting this year. Due to the coronavirus pandemic it's been announced that it will be a shorter series than usual, though there are going to be some 'Strictly specials' on TV prior to this year's series getting underway.

Will you be watching Strictly Come Dancing this year? Will you be joining in with the sockalong? Do let me know.

Don't forget, if you haven't already entered my giveaway, you've got until midday on Wednesday the 16th of September 2020 to do so, just leave a comment on my Tenth Blog Anniversary Giveaway Post. I also just want to mention that some comments which have been left on that post have not shown up. I've gone back through my emails and added the comments I'm able to but unfortunately, I don't get an email for every comment which is left and so I'm unable to track down two or three missing comments. Please check back on that post and make sure that your comment is there, if not, please leave another comment in order to be entered in the giveaway. I'm sorry to have to ask you to do this but I can't see any other way round it as I don't know whose comments are missing.

A Crafty Birthday

It was my birthday on Thursday and I received lots of crafty gifts this year so I thought I'd show you what I got. As I'm starting a new sewing hobby, there were lots of things on my wishlist for everyone to choose from.

Mick bought me the first cross stitch design in the Jack Frost's Tree Farm series by Little House Needleworks. There are seven designs in all which can be stitched as one piece or separately. He also bought me a patchwork ruler and a breadboard needle keep from Chapel View Crafts, I've already got one needlekeep but need more now that I have more than one stitchy project on the go.

I received a double sided self-healing cutting mat and a rotary cutter from Daniel. The cutting mat is A2 size, a nice size for my needs.

I treated myself to the Luna Lapin book by Sarah Peel last year, so Eleanor bought me the kit to go with it so that I can make Luna Lapin. The kit includes everything you need to make the cute little rabbit.

I received some fabulous crafty gifts from my bloggy and Instagram friends too. Maggie from Blackcountry Wench sent a gorgeous drawstring project bag and two mini skeins. I can always do with extra project bags as I seem to have more and more things on the go, and the yarn will look lovely added to my scrappy blanket.

Di, a friend on Instagram who lives in Australia, sent a cross stitch project bag, so handy as it has a see through front so you can see what's inside, a skein of gorgeous Dingo Dyeworks yarn, some variegated embroidery floss, thread storage cards, a thread keep and some stickers which will be added to my journal. Such a generous gift which will all be put to very good use.

I received lots of non-crafty gifts too and I also received lots of wonderful cards.

I'm sure you'll agree I was thoroughly spoilt.

Mick took last week off work, we were hoping to get off for a few days out but unfortunately, I was a bit under the weather so we didn't end up going very far and stayed close to home. Although Mick's been at home all the time since before lockdown in March, it was nice him being here without having to work.

Don't forget, if you haven't already entered my giveaway, you've got until midday on Wednesday the 16th of September 2020 to do so, just leave a comment on my Tenth Blog Anniversary Giveaway post. I also just want to mention that some comments which have been left on that post have not shown up. I've gone back through my emails and added the comments I'm able to, but unfortunately, I don't get an email for every comment which is left and so I'm unable to track down two or three missing comments. Please check back on that post and make sure that your comment is there, if not, please leave another comment in order to be entered in the giveaway. I'm sorry to have to ask you to do this but I can't see any other way round it as I don't know whose comments are missing.

Who Fancies A Bit Of Stitching?

I recently stumbled upon the Sunday Mystery Sampler which was a stitch along on the Plum Street Samplers blog back in 2015. I'm really taken with this Twelve Days of Christmas design and have decided to stitch it myself.

Obviously, the stitch along finished a very long time ago but I know that quite a few of my readers cross stitch and I wondered if any of you fancy stitching along with me. I'm not going to set myself any targets, I shall just stitch at my own pace and if any of you do decide to join me, you can stitch at your own pace too. I thought it might be quite fun to keep each other company on this project.

I've started getting my supplies ready. I was going to stitch on 32 count Belfast linen - Vintage Country Mocha.

After thinking about this, I've changed my mind and I'm going to use the same colour - Vintage Country Mocha, but on 32 count Murano Lugana. I prefer an evenweave fabric to linen, and as this is going to be a large piece I've decided to stick with what I like best. The Belfast linen will be used for some smaller projects in the future.

Only four colours are required for this sampler: red, green, gold and black. I had a look at the colours in the DMC range and I've gone for 498, 367, 782 and 310. I think they should look quite Christmassy together. You can go along with what I've chosen too if you like, or choose whatever takes your fancy.

I'm stitching the sampler as one large piece so the stitch count is 237w x 166h. It can be stitched as twelve separate ornaments though and in this case, the stitch count of each piece is 60w x 56h.

If you want to see how big the finished piece will be, depending on the count of your fabric, you can use the Cross Stitch Calculator on the Yarn Tree website. You just need to enter the stitch count, 237 x 166 if you intend stitching as one piece, or 60 x 56 if you intend stitching twelve seperate ornaments, and enter the fabric count that you're going to use, click Calculate Size and it will tell you how large the stitched area will be and what size your fabric should be.

All the charts are printed on the Plum Street Samplers blog but to make things easier, I've put links to each of the charts here.

Plum Street Samplers Twelve Days Layout.

Plum Street Samplers Twelve Days Day One.

Plum Street Samplers Twelve Days Day Two.

Plum Street Samplers Twelve Days Day Three.

Plum Street Samplers Twelve Days Day Four.

Plum Street Samplers Twelve Days Day Five.

Plum Street Samplers Twelve Days Day Six.

Plum Street Samplers Twelve Days Day Seven.

Plum Street Samplers Twelve Days Day Eight.

Plum Street Samplers Twelve Days Day Nine.

Plum Street Samplers Twelve Days Day Ten.

Plum Street Samplers Twelve Days Day Eleven.

Plum Street Samplers Twelve Days Day Twelve.

If you want to read more about the original stitchalong you can find all the details on posts on Plum Street Samplers blog during October, November and December of 2015.

I do hope some of you will join me in stitching this sampler, I'm very excited to get started and I hope you will be too. Don't forget to let me know in the comments if you intend to stitch along with me.

Don't forget, if you haven't already entered my giveaway, you've got until midday on Wednesday the 16th of September 2020 to do so, just leave a comment on my Tenth Blog Anniversary Giveaway post. I also just want to mention that some comments which have been left on that post have not shown up. I've gone back through my emails and added the comments I'm able to, but unfortunately, I don't get an email for every comment which is left and so I'm unable to track down two or three missing comments. Please check back on that post and make sure that your comment is there, if not, please leave another comment in order to be entered in the giveaway. I'm sorry to have to ask you to do this but I can't see any other way round it as I don't know whose comments are missing.

Tenth Blog Anniversary Giveaway

Can you believe it's a decade since I started this blog? I can't. So much has happened in that time. Mick and I have celebrated another ten wedding anniversaries, it was our Pearl anniversary this year, 30 years married. Daniel and Eleanor have left school, gone to university, graduated and both now have good jobs. Archie was a puppy when I started the blog, less than four months old. He's now beginning to slow down at the age of ten. There's been very sad times too, both of my parents have died within the past eighteen months.

There have been some quite major new stories over the past ten years, too many to mention here but a search of 'news over the past decade' on Google brings up a whole host of articles. Perhaps we're living through the biggest news story of all at the moment though, one affecting the whole world, the Coronavirus pandemic. So, I think my blog anniversary should bring a little joy and as I've hosted a giveaway on each of my previous nine blog anniversaries, I shall do the same again this year. I think this will be the last one though. Giveaways on blogs used to be a big thing when I started ten years ago, now not so much.

I've put together a nice package of gifts which, I hope, someone will enjoy.

First up is a skein of Fondant Fibre yarn in the Trecking colourway. It's on an extra fine merino, nylon & lurex base and it's so sparkly, the photo doesn't really show just how twinkly it is.

Next up is a little felt sloth kit. I saw this and couldn't resist buying it, he's so cute. In the kit is die-cut felt pieces, stuffing, embroidery thread, needle and instructions, in fact, all you should need to make this little Sammie Sloth.

A fat quarter of nautical fabric. Anything with boats and anchors appeals to me, not quite sure why but it does.

Some pretty tulips to plant in the garden or in a container ready to bloom in spring. The bulbs should be planted before December so plenty of time yet to get them in the ground.

With summer coming to an end I thought this book, Summer Under the Stars by Catherine Ferguson, might just extend the season a little. I'm not a lover of the winter months so anything to remind me of hot balmy days is welcomed here.

Of course, there has to be some yummy treats too, so a small box of Guylian milk truffle seashells and some delicious hot drinks will be added to the parcel.

The giveaway is open to all readers of this blog, old and new, near and far. You don't have to be a follower but it would be lovely if you would click on the link in the sidebar or follow on Bloglovin'. Please leave a comment on this post by midday on Wednesday the 16th of September 2020, after which a winner will be drawn at random.

That only leaves me to say thank you to everyone who pops by to read my ramblings, I'm so very grateful to you all, especially those who take the time to leave a comment. It wouldn't be half the fun without the conversations and friendships which have been struck up over the years, and continue to this day. I hope I'll make many more friends over the coming years through this blog.