Trying Again

I have missed blogging so very much, but a few months 

out was a must for me this year.

Its been a hectic summer & a busy autumn start

I've hardly had time to scratch.

Also my crochet, sewing hand has been incredibly sore for months.

I was real worried as to the problem, so after a brief GP visit & some

 strengthening exercises its all good again.

I haven't crocheted for months, not much sewing either

so now I'm so excited about getting to finish somebits & pieces I started 

way back in May, yes thats the last 

time I posted.....so onward at last!!!!!!!

There photos were taken in May back when I thought it was time to use 

up the far too many different colours of yarn in my possesion......

& there are many, way too many.

Anyway in the last few days I've managed to bring the number of squares

up to 100. These are small three round squares

& I want to make a good size blanket, I'm thinking

300 squares or so.....does that sound about right?????

So lots to do, but its so good to be able to crochet again

I sure did miss it.

Also to get me back in the saddle I hooked up some

pretty doilies just to nibble up my fingers.

I love how they look around the home....random touches of 

prettiness here & there.......

little glimpses of color with cups of coffee

crunchy cookies & my favourite yankee candle

I think I need at least five or ten more.

Some new fabrics to play with not to mention the two 

quilts I need to  finish....all in good time

Did however not neglet the art of baking & of course eating

said baked goods....not alone though.

But my absolute highlight of the last few months was

Sophie's graduation from university

I felt so proud, such a great day.

She's a titch just like her mom, maybe an inch taller

but no more than that.

I have so much catching up to do, not just on projects 

but with all your blogs...i have missed it all 

Have a wonderful weekend

Lots of love Karen x

A Mommy Blanket Finish

Its done....finally, I actually can't remember when I started this wee

Throw, it was definitely well before Christmas.....Ohhhhh

the shame!!!!!!!

I'm such a bad, bad crocheter (was gonna say hooker....but had a 

very quick change of mind )

But anyhoo it's done, its really done, I'm kind of giggling here

with a giddy, stupid, silly laugh cause I  thought I'd never finish it.

I got bored at times, lazy at times & just too darn busy at other times.

I've stitched in all the ends....which is a mini miracle because  (confession) 

I've done reveals before & just hid the ends.....not this time though

No cheating....no ends :)

Just real good ol fashioned finished blanket

I love the border, found the link for a pattern on this wonderful 

blog  Coco Rose Textiles.

I'm packaging it up tomorrow & sending it to my Mom in 

Australia along with a lot of Butler's Irish chocolate for my sweet 

toothed Dad (it's def the best choc ever)

Hope she likes............

By the way I should say this more often...thank you so much 

for the lovely comments you leave, I get excited & thrilled by each one,

a real genuine encouragement....Bless you

Lots of Love Karen xxxxx

A tasty little cake

Lauren bought me a new cook book last christmas

"Cake" by Rachel Allen.

Now I've tried many a recipe from it over the last few months

but yesterday I tried this one

Swedish Almond Cake

Oh my goodness what an absolute treat & I swear so simple to make.

Here's a link for anyone who would venture to test it out

Rachel's Swedish Almond Cake

Seriously yum, with a nice cuppa of whatever 

you fancy...... tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cappucino!!!!!

This one is all gone, we pigged out....total gluttony.

Think I'll make another :)

Have a sweet YUMMY weekend

Lots of love Karen x

A Sophie Quilt

YaHayyyyy I finished my first full size quilt this year, I am so 

pleased I put the commitment in  at long last.

Its been thrown in a basket for almost a year & Sophie's been 

minus a much desired new quilt on her bed.

Well no more wishing she got her quilt & even slept with it last night.

I think it was a successful sleep

I was tempted to keep it for my wicker chair'

but sure that would be totally selfish...wouldn't it ??????

I kept the quilting nice & simple, straight line, no hassle, no steam coming out my ears

just sew handy lines back & forth accross the quilt

Easy peasy.

I finihed with a cute green fabric for the binding.
Actually it was all I had that looked any bit decent & I just was
not going to wait while I ordered something else.
Works ok though.....doesn't it :)

 I am super pleases to have done it, kind of gives me incentive to finish

more of my WIP's.

Finished painting my kitchen  today, think I'm on a roll.

This is next, just gotta weave in a few hundred ends

So another  finish on the way in a day or two. depending on my fingers.
Off I go.........
Have a sweet week
Lots of love Karen x

My Lil Birthday Girl

Happy birthday Ella, she had a real fun party yesterday, food, friends & pressies......twas great

Pizza Party Yum (these are in uncooked stage) such a lovely day
Karen x

Ready to quilt

Just a quick post to show you what I'll be doing this weekend besides Ella's birthday party tomorrow, I've basted Sophie's quilt & am just about ready to quilt......really hoping to get this completed soon, its been on my to do pile for such an age

All pinned & stretched (enough I hope)..............................

Rolled for less bulk & all set for my machine :)...........oh JOY I'm so dying to finish a quilt this year, it really has been a bad sewing, crocheting, crafting one soooooooo far & now I' feel a new lease of life to finish all my unfinishes!!!!!!

Must be the sun which has decided to shine over Ireland for the first time in ...............I really can't remember, but oh it just makes everything glow with colour when it does

Hope it stays for the birthday bash
Will pop in with pics
Have a wonderful; weekend Karen xxxxxxx

Hi There!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi there, very long time no see. I have a last found a wee bit of time to check in & put up a lil post on this long neglected blog of mine. To tell you the truth I thought I was finished with blogging, but after a two month absence I have found myself missing it a lot.
Its been a busy few months with our wedding anniversary, Easter, a trip to Australia to visit my parents & family & just life in general which has been busy, busy, busy.
I haven't done much in the way of crafting, but am determined to rectify that over the next while.

Am at the moment putting a border on this blanket........

Almost there after months of ignoring it, I finally got the finger out & am very much wanting to have a new blanket to send to a special someone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also am almost finished collecting & piecing blocks for this bee quilt ...........

Not too sure of the layout yet but def getting there, hope it'll be as sweet as I'd imagined in this sometimes way too overactive lil brain of mine & its sooooooo not as easy as I'd thought it would be, isn't that always how it goes :)

A few new cushions on my sofa......am working my way through redoing my much in need of a lick of paint sitting room, walls are a disgrace, but hey at least the sofa looks some bit presentable eh !!!!!

Then my next crochet project, which quite simply is gonna be a whopping great big throw made up of the far too many leftover colours & types of yarn cluttering up my already much too cluttered house, I'm hoping it will be colourful, eclectic (sounds hopeful) & a bit nice when its done (gotta use the waste)

So that's it, all I have to show for a whole two months............I'm determined to finish the border & stitch in ends, quilt a quilt that needed quilting for a year now .......& all this by Monday (yeah right) so stayed tuned please.........

Missed you all so much, am off now to catch up with you guys, can't wait
Lots of love Karen xxxxx