New Starts

I think I have a case of 'startitis'. Over the last week or so I have started  2 new projects.  It wouldn't really matter but, I started blogging again to help me get my pile of wip's down!  Instead it is growing rapidly, LOL. Being a ctive again on Ravelry has put a lot of temptations my way. So I have decided to go with the flow, they all will get finished one day.

New Start No 1

 For a long time I have admired the patterns of Jen Tyler, however as they looked very complex I shied away from taking part in her Cals.  She has a current Cal called Golden Tea Block, a part of a series of mix and match of 4 blocks and extensions.  I want to make 3 cushions (pillows) for my lounge, and decided that the Hibiscus Block would be a good start, it is the 2nd block in her series. The pattern is addictive and quite challenging, it is certainly keeping me on my toes.  Luckily she has videos for all her patterns, which is a great help.

New Start No 2 

This block is the central block for the B(lu)e Happy CAL by Ineke Mooijenkind.  It is in its 3rd week, so probably wont catch up.  However as it is for a birthday gift for a friend in early December, I wont be far behind. She adores pinks and purples and no she isnt a young girl but well into her 80's!

I have been plugging away on the Sacred Spice Afghan, and hopefully will have finished squaring it up by next week. 

This post is part of the Year of Projects Group on Ravelry, head on over there to see what fellow yarnies have been up to.

 Have a great week and thank you for visiting.

Stash Buster and Giveaways

The weather has been a bit turbulent here; a massive storm left me without a land line for a few days (made me realize how I need my internet fix every day!!).  Had some damage to the guttering and I lost my greenhouse,  it decided it wanted to fly next door!!!!  This is the second time; it got damaged in a storm last spring.  I have decided that’s it,  I am tired of being on edge every time there is a storm, the weather patterns seemed to have changed of late – more extremes.  I will make some cold frames out of the remains, and I will be able to move them about the garden.  Also I decided to have less vegetable garden and turn 2 of the veg patches into cottagey flower beds.  That will still leave me 2 beds for veg.  Being on my own I don’t really need so many veg.  Also my Rheumatoid Arthritis is starting to limit my activities a bit - got to save my energies for the crochet and flowers, ha-ha.

We have had a calm day, and after a week of being shut indoors with the stormy weather I decided to take a stroll around the block.  No wonder it is so bitter, there was snow on the Tararua Ranges.

Anyway, I have been doing a bit of stash busting and have made 2 cushion covers, the pink one will have as white backing and I have some sweet pink flower buttons for the back.  That will go to a friend’s daughter who snaffled my pink mandala in the same wool.

The next one is from the remains of the baby blanket I am making for a friends first granddaughter (I have just the border to do now).  I need to buy a backing as I want a small flower print in those colours.  This will join the blanket.

These two I am entering in Linda of Crafty Corner’s Summer Stash Buster link party.

GIVEAWAYS

This week I discovered two give-aways for wool, one at Amanda’s Crafty in the Med details here

The other at Mrs Micawber which I discovered via Linda’s blog. details here

Both have lovely colours to give away and the closing date is soon so check them out.  

The Garden

Luckily the area by my back door is sheltered and the storm did no damage.   

I am pleased that the Daphne is still scenting the area.

Under the eaves of the house I discovered this succulent starting to flower despite the cold.

Along from it I am really pleased to see some limes on the bush I planted last summer.  There are only five, but it shows me I have chosen the right spot.

Well that’s it for today, hope to see you soon.

Have a great crafty week.