a day to remember

One of the main reasons for starting this blog was to try to remember all those days and moments that fly by in fun and life. Today was just one of those days that I wish to savour forever. It was a beautiful hot and sunny day full of fun and creativity.

We started with a walk up the hill to a field which is just starting to fill with spring wildflowers, with a lucky find of some twine in the grass, faith decided to do some flower weaving.

So we spent a morning in the sun making flower wands with a full contented baby sleeping beside us.

Afterwards we walked down to the sea and cooled off with a paddle in the freezing cold sea!

Later that evening faith got herself all ready and headed out to her dance performance.

Truly one to remember.

Jo x 



stretching those sewing muscles

There are certain crafty things that are quiet and meditative and relaxing that go well with new born babies (I'm thinking knitting here), and there are others which are altogether noisier and involve more bustling around finding things and gathering supplies. Because of this the sewing machine has been dormant for a while but we wiped off the dust and stretched those sewing muscles out again the last couple of days to make a sweet little sunhat for Roghan.

Pattern from the book Oliver + s, little things to sew.



back to the beach

Been a while since I blogged but we have been busy enjoying the return of the sun here. We made it back to the beach for some digging, collecting and building fun.

We are so lucky to live near the coast, I will always appreciate it and feel grateful to be here.

this moment

Inspired by Soulemama, a moment to pause and remember.

yarn along

Joining in with Ginny from small things for the yarn along today.

After seeing another yarn along post recommending this book I went for it and read the whole thing in less than 24 hours. Its amazing, it completely sucks you in and there was no way I could stop reading until I found out how it ended. Well worth a read I think and now I'm anticipating the release of the film in a few days.

I have almost finished the sparkly shrug I was making last week but I'll post pictures next time when it's done.

Yesterday I started making these little finger puppet gnomes so I thought I would put instructions up here. They are super simple -

Cast on 10 sts,in body colour. I used a DK weight yarn and 4mm needles.

St st 10 rows.

Change to a face colour. 

St st 6 rows, next row, K2tog across (5 sts).

Break off yarn and thread through the remaining sts.

That is all I've done so far but I plan to make quite a few and I'll post finishing them and making hats and cloaks next week.

Happy yarn along.

Jo x 

at our place

This week has been, assault course building, glittering, sibling loving, swinging, laughing, see-sawing, dressing up, posing, hoola hooping, and first eatings.

Jo x 



this moment

Dressing up for a bedtime story!

Inspired by Soulemama, a moment to pause and remember.

make: felt ball chicks

These were really quick and fun to make and are getting well played with. Start with a simple needle or wet felted ball. There are many many tutorials around for this or you can buy felt balls ready made. Then just cut out little felt shapes to sew on. Papa chick has beak, tail, comb and feet, Mama chick has beak, comb, and feet (and is a little smaller), and the baby chicks just have beaks, (and are much smaller). Eyes are simply tiny embroidered lines. Bury thread ends by doing a couple of tiny stitches to secure and then taking your needle out the opposite side of the ball, pulling the thread taut and then cutting off really close, the thread will spring back inside the ball and be undetectable. I made mine stand up a little better by just gently needle felting the bottoms a little to make them slightly flatter.

Jo x



yarn along

Joining in with the yarn along today.

This week I have been working on this shawl for a friends birthday, I can't remember what the pattern was as a just jotted it down on a piece of paper, it was off ravelry but as I can't remember the name I don't seem to be able to find it again. It is crocheted and is sort of half a granny square so you turn at the corners instead of going around and around. It has some variation in stitches but the basic idea stays the same. It has been really enjoyable and I have been able to work on it while reading a book or something as it is not too demanding. Also, I have had this beautiful silk yarn in my stash for ages just waiting for an opportunity and it is a pleasure to use.

This week I started a sparkly knitted shrug for faith too. For years I have made faith things that I think are nice out of lovely 100% wool yarns and traditional patterns and she has liked them and worn them (a bit!), but this time I decided that that is me, I'm into the natural yarns and things and that she is my little disco girl and what she likes is sparkle. So... I find myself with this 100% acrylic yarn in hand and I know that she is going to love this better than anything else I have made for her. What can you do?!

Not much reading for me this week as I have been diving into my homeschool planning for next year. Anyone else into this yet?

Happy yarn along x

Jo x 



at our place

This week has been, first swings, muddy ponies, rolling over practice (complete with knitting!), strolling along, important experiments (swimming goggles compulsory!), more knitting, group hugs, exploring grass, playing, water balloons and wary bunny!, stone sculpting, leaping and bounding, climbing and swinging, laughing and fun with grandparents. Phew... busy week... on to the next!

Jo x 



at the park

Here are a few shots from our day at the park, it really felt like spring had come. The ground was dry enough to lie on and the sunlight was warm enough to take layers off and soak it up, still a nip in the air but more fresh than cold. It was great to run about and work off some energy too.

Faith really is the greatest big sister, she holds Roghan so securely and confidently and he feels so happy and safe with her. It is a beautiful bond that I hope will last through their lives.

After playing in the park we took a scoot down to the seafront to see my favourite thing of all ...

... the horizon. I'm so happy to live in a place where I can see that long curved line, it is really peaceful and reassuring to me. I grow claustrophobic in cities because of the lack of this line and as much as I love the woodlands, I still get drawn back to the wide open space of the sea after a time. I have only ever seen the long uninterrupted horizon line over the sea so I would love one day to go to a desert or huge flat grassland to see it somewhere else.

Jo x