Happy Holidays

Thank you to my readers and followers, and those who leave comments. I wish you all a peaceful and quiet time over the next few days.

I have ripped out my crochet blanket, (see previous post) and started again,,, with better results!! Making slow progress,, but getting it right this time.

                                                      Merry Christmas!!!
                                                                   XxX


 

New Years Resolution,,

At the beginning of 2013, I set myself a New Years Resolution to learn to crochet,, I never did,,, but I have now, sort of.

The yarn is from Hobbycraft, and it their WI acrylic yarn plus two balls from my stash. The pattern is the Cosy Stripe Blanket from Attic24. I was crocheting merrily along until I noticed that one edge was going wonky,, not sure why,, being a novice. So,, I have put it away for now and may rip it out and start again in the New Year. Besides,, I still have a scarf to finish and have just cast on another pair of socks.

I have been baking a little,,,

 

I haven't made shortbread for ages,,,, and hubby fancied a Barra Brith. The Barra Brith looks burnt,, but it wasn't.

Four of these chickens are winging their way to Germany, for my mother-in-law,,, and one has a new home with my hairdresser.

Made a visit in to Bristol the other day,, to have a look at the christmas market,,

It was a small market, but nice to see.
We also went to the Exeter one,, that was a bit bigger, in the grounds of the Cathedral, but no pictures of that one.

I have next years resolution sorted,, should be able to stick with it!!!!!!!
                                                              XxX
 

Stourhead,, again!!

DH and I decided to visit Stourhead again,, as we wanted to see the changing colour of the trees,, plus it is so peaceful there. When we got there, the car park was busier than I thought it would be.

We hardly saw any one else, until we reached the Temple of Apollo.

 The Watch Cottage had a fire going, and looked very inviting from across the lake. The day itself was not a cold day,,,,

The Temple Of Apollo

We had a very nice walk,, and in the New Year will be treating ourselves to a National Trust membership,,, as this place will be visited again!!

I have started my fourth Hitchhiker scarf,,, just love this scarf.

 I am using the same yarn that I used for my Midnight Hoot hat.

                                       
                                                                              XxX

Malvern and other things.

It was the Autumn quilt show at Malvern last weekend,,, and I went. I bought a few buttons for a hat, and some fabric,, no photos as it will be used in a gift for some one and not sure if they read this. It was a busy day for the traders when I went on Sunday. I had a look around the stalls,, and then the quilts. Here are a few that caught my eye,,,

 This one is so much better to see 'in the flesh'.

I have finished my DHs' Beanie,,,,

                                                 It has yet to be worn!!!
And this is mine,, the buttons are tiny,, but they are needed for the full affect.

The pattern is Owl Hat by Jennie Powell,, from the Ravelry website.

And because I like the 'frames' on my camera, this was a picture taken at Chepstow Castle,,,,

I think it makes a wonderful magazine cover.

                                                                             XxX

Second Week,,,

It was my second week off work last week,,, and I have only just finished knitting a hat for DH. No crafting was done as DH and I went to Wales for five days.
We stayed in Caernarfon Premier Inn,,,, but stopped of at Chepstow and Raglan Castles on the way.

Chepstow

Raglan

Day 2 was to be a busy day,,,

Caernarfon

View from the highest tower at Caernarfon

Harlech

Portmeirion

The clock tower at Portmeirion

It was a long day,,, a lot of driving by DH,,,

Day 3,,,,,

Beaumaris Castle

And a nice long look around Anglesey,,,,,,,,,,

Day 4,,,,,,was another busy day,,

Conwy Castle

Plas Mawr

Conwy Castle from Plas Mawr

Plas Mawr is the oldest Elizabethan house in the UK.

I took loads of pictures,, too many to put on here. I did venture up all the towers of the castles,,,,

Rhuddlan Castle

That was the last of the castles,,, then we had a quick look at Llandudno,,, we got there quite late in the day and I didn't take any pictures.

Day 5 was travelling home day,,,,we stopped off at a cafe that sold little wooden moving 'toys',,,

I loved this guitar man,,,,,                                                               

                                                                               XxX

ps, thank you for your lovely comments.