Sunday 25 August 2013

August :: Pick and Mix


It's pick and mix time again here at the Summerhouse, Summer's still hanging on but the nights are starting to draw in and there is a nip of Autumn in the air. It been a mixed month with the highs of a holiday and the subsequent crash of a relapse of my ME/Lymes, yes it would seem the bugs have got the better of me for now.

 So before I get started I just thought I'd do a quick public service announcement and just warn anyone that's out and about in the countryside or even the local park to please be tick aware.  Lyme Disease is  not fun, it's a world of pain, heartache and exhaustion,  Right so that's the serious bit over with, on with the Pick and Mix. Who like me wants to disappear off over the horizon on the stunning sail boat picture above?

The view from the window:




The fields were looking so golden the day I took this picture, I kept thinking I really must take a photo and then forgetting to bring the camera upstairs.  So it's a good job I finally remember last week as I caught the view just on the cusp of Summer as that very night they started the harvesting.


So by the next morning, it looked like this, very Autumnal, as I said earlier there has been a feeling of Autumn in the air for about a couple of weeks now, just every now and then, like it's lurking around the corner. The harvest is a sure sign of this, yes the next day when I looked out the window, it looked like someone had been playing a giant game


of jenga or a giant toddler had scattered there building blocks across the field.


Even the Horse Chestnut tree by the Summerhouse is showing signs of the season turning from Summer to Autumn


I don't mind so very much though, as Autumns one of my favourite seasons, with leaves changing, bonfires and snugly blankets, so many Autumnal things to look forward to.

Yarniness



I've not really manage that much crafting this month with my health so bad, but I did manage to have a sit out the other afternoon and do a little bit more of my latest crochet project.  It's taken four days so far but I've nearly finished this little make. ( you could probably make one in about half an hour, it's just my energy levels are so poor right now)  It's for craft club, can you guess what it is ? think summer meadows and remembrance, and you'll be on the right track.  I'll post a pic once it finished

Out in the garden :



Yes out in the garden the flowers are blooming, it cheers my heart so to see them, I've been snapping away over the month and had enough pics to make two mosaic's, so much colour everywhere.

Such a wonderful feast for the eyes, they speak for themselves, I don't think I need to say much more.

Buttonbag Birdie :


 
Seeing as I rebelled a bit  the other day while making my Little Gingham Bird
and went off piste on a creative little Clare wander. I thought I should maybe make another bird to show you all what the birides turn out like if you follow the instructions that come with the kit. I still think I prefer the raw edges not be visible on the little birds but I think it turn out OK, I made this birdie purely with the contents of the kit, see I can be a good girl, no adding of buttons or beaks, strictly following the kit instructions (but boy was that a struggle though !!!)

Over in the wildlife strip :



Yes I know what you're thinking, this pick and mix has gone a bit overly floral, but you can never have too many flowers even if  like me you have hay fever and besides come the winter we'll all be longing for flowers and summer days.

  August has been a bumper month in the Summerhouse garden.  I'm so glad that we planted the wildflower border or as 'P' calls it the weed patch !! How can you possibly call these little beauties weeds, I just love them, as do the butterflies insects and bees. I'd love to be able to identify a few more of them, so if you know what any of them are please leave a comment.


Just two more and I'm done for this months pick and mix, I promise, there were just too many for one mosaic again.

Lady bug :



All this wild life gardening has certainly encouraged some little critters to the Summerhouse garden.  Seeing as I had the red yarn out, I spent a little time making this cute little Ladybird.  It another fab pattern created by Lucy over at Attic24 A perfect low energy make, I even learnt how to make french knots for the spots and I stuck some tiny pearls beads on for eyes.

I managed to make this over a day, (slow coach me again) I'm thinking it would make a great brooch or as a friend suggested a fab fridge magnet, which  I think is what I going to make this little ladybird into, it's a  tiny 5cm, so I think it'll make a perfect magnet.  They would be great on the radiators and metal bed frames in a child's bedroom.

Music corner :

 Just before I go I thought I share with you a little bit of music.  I've not been up to much musically this month with feeling so ill and a slight guitar tragedy, yes my guitars is broken and needs to go in for repair  No I didn't go all rock and roll !! and smash it up, I just discovered a big piece of wood has come loose and was rattling around inside the body of the guitar one morning. So I'm  not really sure what happened
 

The above clip 'Hey There Sunshine' is the debut single from the talented Dani Nicholls's first album 'A little redemption' a wonderful mix of Country, Folk and Americana. I saw this clip on Facebook last week and was singing it for the rest of the day, I've put a link 'here' to her website if you want to find out more.  

I hope you've had a wonderful Sunshine filled month. Before I go I just wanted to say a warm welcome to all the new readers that have been stopping by lately and a big thank you too, for all the wonderful comments that have been left, I love to read them all.

Linking this post up with Frontier Dreams Keep Calm craft on  and Made by Hand so why not check out what everyone's been up too.

Happy Crafting

Clare x

14 comments:

  1. I'm sorry you're still feeling poorly and I hope your relapse ends soon. I understand how bad Lyme Disease can be. I grew up in the northeastern US, where Lyme Disease was a very serious threat. In fact, I went to school with a girl who was one of the first people ever diagnosed in North America. Your photos are lovely. I always enjoy seeing what you've been up to. :)

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    1. Thanks Jennifer, I often wonder if I'm putting too many photo's in my posts, but I just find it easier to write the blog this way. The whole spread of Lyme disease is so scary, so many people in the world are struggling with it and try to get effect treatment and all the while nothing is being done it's a worry how far it's spreading across the globe. xx

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  2. Beautiful photos, I'm envious of the view from your window. I hope you are feeling better soon. Julie x

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    1. Hi Julie, thanks for your comment, I do love my view but I'm treasuring while I can, last week we had a letter through saying they are planning to build over 200 homes in the fields, it's such a shame, it my little bit of counrtyside.

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  3. So sorry to hear about the Lyme relapse. It's a insidious disease, isn't it?
    We live in a very high risk area. My brother and I both have it and most people we know have someone in their family with it. Some people get it and get over it quickly, others have quite a struggle.
    I wish you tons of strength. And I'm glad you have these lovely things in your life. It's good to acknowledge them, to see the good things around you, when you're not feeling well.

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    1. Hi Thanks Liesl, I'm sorry to hear both you and your brother have Lyme's here in the UK getting a diagnosis and then treatment is quite a battle, So I'd been ill a very long time before getting any treatment, but I'm determined to get well and stay positive, your blog is such a lovely, calm and restful place to visit. x

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  4. Your pictures are fabulous. The views are amazing. I can't wait to see your autumn views. Hoping you slowly get better. What region of the country are you in. The pictures remind me of Nantucket. I went there with my sisters and daughters two years ago and it was heavenly!

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    1. Thank you, I'm in the South East of the UK, we're so fortunate to have this lovely view, thanks for stopping by my Summerhouse.
      Clare x

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  5. I've heard some horror stories about Lymes disease, fortunately we don't have it in NZ. The view from your window is gorgeous, is that a windmill i can see in the distance?!! visiting from made by hand x

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    1. Hi Max, thanks for stopping by, yes I'm very lucky to look out on to the fields and windmill. x

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  6. All those flowers have me anticipating Spring all the more here! Lovely! Hope you are feeling better and are being kept occupied by your beautiful crafting. Thanks for joining in this week. :)

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    1. Hi, thanks for stopping by my Summerhouse, hope you get a wonderful Springtime. x

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  7. I've never heard of Lyme Disease before and have just been reading up about it on Google - I do hope the antibiotics get on top of it soon. Your photos are lovely. Kx

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    1. Thanks for your lovely comment Kylie and for stopping by the summerhouse. x

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