Happy Halloween

Hello........ So the Pumpkins lit up and ready to go in the window

The dec's are up too (find out more about how I made the garland 'here' )

The real Pumpkin's been expertly carved by 'L' all by himself this year

He did such a great job.

The Cauldron's stocked and ready for the Trick and Treater's having fun.

and even Merlin has his pumpkin ready

So have a Perfect Pumpkin Halloween everyone.

( Just look at this one I think it might be perfect enough to magic up a Cinderella style carriage, now where did I put those mice!!)

Clare xx

Spooky Garland

Hello......... So we are getting around to that time of the year 'when things go bump in the night,' and this year I decided to hook up a Spooky Garland for Halloween.

It all started on Sunday evening when I was looking through my stash trying to come up with ideas for a gift, I was thinking of  making Stars and found this black sparkly yarn.

Not great for what I had planned but perfect for sparking a Halloween idea.

The Yarn is Wendy Supreme cotton dk and I used this super cute star pattern 'here' , from Sandra's lovely blog, her Twinkle Star pattern is so cute, and I'm longing to make a pastel garland of stars at some point but for now it's all about the Spooky.

Next up it was time for Pumpkins, these are made from Stylecraft Special DK. I found a wonderful tutroial on You Tube which you can find ''here' it a good one and really easy to follow.  

As I didn't have any orange yarn I used Saffron Special DK so hopefully it looks close enough to a pumpkin.  Although for reader in the UK and anywhere else in the world they sell them.  I keep thinking that they look kinda like  Jacob's Cheddars Biscuits, can you see it too or is it just me?

You know the ones I mean !!

Any road back to the garland.

Next up it was time for a Spooky Skull. Which I was so happy that I was actually able to make (yay my crochet skills were up to it) I followed this great tutorial 'here'  although I did change it quite a lot to get the size perfect for my garland, trial and error really, hence there only being one, as I doubt I could make another one to match, as part way through I basically just winged it.

Not to worry though as one is the perfect centrepiece for the garland.

So I made three cute little Cheddars I mean pumpkins, I did try to add a spooky face to one but it didn't turn out so great, so my Pumpkins are uncarved.  Then three Black and Silver Glittery stars plus a Spooky Skull in white glittery yarn from my stash and that was about it really.

To tell the truth it was tough to get this one done in time as we've had a bit of a week of it at the Summerhouse. You could say we've got Gremlins just in time for Halloween as the Phones Broadband and Washing Machine have all gone on the fritz this week. 

What with that, 'P' still recovering from eye surgery and me off to the Hospital to see yet another consultant  you could say it's been hectic, but I digress.

Ta-Dah

One Spooky Garland, about as far we've got with the Halloween decorations.  I simply threaded my makes onto some fine Silver Anchor Yarn and it was complete.

Wishing you all a happy or peaceful Halloween depending on if you celebrate, I know it's not everyone cuppa tea.

Happy Crafting

Clare xx

Autumn Days

Hello........ we have had some wet and windy Autumn days this week and I have been trying my hardest to enjoy them.

If you live in the UK you'll know what I mean we've had those wet and grey November type days where if  you're like me the damp makes you're bones ache.  It's all come as a bit of a shock after such a warm, sunny and mild Autumn.

So instead of  getting bogged down by the weather I've been trying to enjoy the season, marvelling at the leaves.

and the shiny conkers falling from the tree

I've been craving and eating lots of homemade soup, this one was chicken noodle, nothing better this time of year. We've also had Butternut Squash and Carrot and Almond, the ultimate comfort food I just can't get enough of the stuff.

Then hunkering down cosy and warm for a spot of crochet.  With all the crocheting I do, you'll probably be surprised to hear that until this week I have never made a proper granny square before,  it amazing how quickly they hook up. 

I've been playing around with some colours for a special crochet project, so these squares have no other purpose at the moment other than a trial run but I'm sure I'll figure out something to use them for.

On Tuesday ex hurricane Gonzalo blew through the Summerhouse, down the South of the country we got off quite lightly.

But he did take some leaves from the tree.

and kindly blew them into a neat piles by the Summerhouse

In other outside happenings I am pleased to annouce that the Tomatoes out in the garden are finally turning red, OK so it's the end of October but we're getting there. 

Plus I have some in the house in a paper bag with a Banana and they are ripening up too, although I'm not sure how much Pasta sauce I'm going to get from the few plum Tomatoes I have.

The Anemones are in bud again, which always make my heart sing a little, as they are one of my favourite flowers, this is the second time this year, this little lots have bloomed, I've never grown them in a pot before, but it's seem to work so much better than planting them into the garden.

I've also started on some crafting for the  'C' word. I'm so far behind with my Christmas makings this year with being in relapse, but I've made a start at least.

I'm trying not to think too much about all the things I need to get done, as setting targets will just put me in a fluster.

 For example, next Spring I'm going to be having a birthday with zero and thought I'd like to try and finish my first ever crocheted blanket by then. So the other day I did the maths and discovered, that as well as all my other projects I need to be making 14 Springtime Throw Squares a week to get it finished by then let alone making the blanket up eek.  So you see, I knew it was best not to set targets I'm much better just bumbling along aimlessly without a plan.

Well wishing you all a wonderful weekend and apologies for mentioning the 'C' word to early.

Happy Crafting

Clare xx

Something new....

Hello.......... here at the Summerhouse there are new things afoot.

New yarn, for a new project.

A new pattern to try and conquer too.

It's not all new though, as well as a huge pile of WIP's, I'm still working on my flower scarf, and still just as in love with the sparkly yarn.

There is also another new top secret project too, but I have to keep quiet about if for now as it's for a crafty Secret Santa, I'm taking part in.

So new yarn, new pattern, chief crafting assistant Merlin ready to help, guess that's me set for some Autumn/Winter hookiness.

What are you working on lately, anything new? I love to hear about it.

Happy Crafting 

Clare xx

Away

Hello..... I'm back after a weekend away by the sea.

Yes last weekend was spent in a very soggy Hastings,

Celebrating my Mum's birthday, a very special one with a 0, so after having a lunch at a local restaurant with my Mum's sisters. We all hopped into the car and set off for Hastings.

We brought everything along you might need to celebrate, and decorated the caravan with banners and balloons

My sister and I even arranged for some portable birthday flowers set in oasis and wrapped in pretty cellophane for Mum, so they could travel with us.

As well as a tray of yummy cupcakes with candles and sparklers.

As I mentioned earlier the weather was not so kind to us, so we spent Saturday in Hastings old town trying to dodge the downpours.We spent some time in the Blue Reef aquarium avoiding the rain

so relaxing watching the fishes

nature really is amazing

My nephew tried to convince me it would be fun to go in the Hurricane Simulator with him, he loved it with winds up to 60 miles a hours but living here at the Summerhouse by the Sea where sometimes it's get very windy I was far too wise for that, just last winter we had a storm with winds over 105 mph in the channel.

We also did a spot of shopping, stopping off at the Jerwood Gallery, where I was delighted to find a silver colouring pencil, which I'm looking forward to trying out.

I also bought some craft supplies in the Cath Kidston shop in the Old town

and treated myself to some hand made chocolates, which so far I have resisted, how good is that nearly a week and I've not even tried one.

There was also time for a little bit of crafting, I'm still making flowers for my scarf and hooked up a few while watching Strictly Come Dancing.

On Sunday after lunch, with yet more cake. We drove home through the very pretty Weald of Kent with so many lovely villages and stunning scenery, on route we stopped off to visit my Great Uncle who's in hospital at the moment, which was quite a surprise for him, we took him along some yummy Seaside fudge, (the nice crumbly stuff not the porcessed waxy stuff, yum)  On the way home we passed Bodiam Castle and I took a quick picture in the tipping rain. It's a place I'd love to visit one day.

So this week has been spent mostly recovering and resting up, my Mum had a Op on her eye yesterday so will need some looking after and tlc over the next few days.

Clare xx

Autumn Leaf Cards

Hello....... Today I thought I'd share with you a card making post, I've not done one in what seems like an age, but I was inspired to get into a bit of papercraft, by some left over felt leaves from my 'Autumn Wreath' 

So using a wonderful vibrant orange floss I set to work

Stitching some detail onto the felt leaves

I then cut some pretty Autumn coloured paper and some ribbon and stuck them onto a cream card.

Adding a little bit of sparkle and some buttons to decorate,

Before sticking the leaf into place with glue dots, 

Just in time for a Ta-Dah

Quickly followed by another Ta-Dah for the second card.

A quick little make, all ready to go off in the post to spread some Autumnal cheer.

Linking up with KCCO

Happy Crafting

Clare xx