Being tempted by other things............

Thank you everybody for your helpful and supportive comments on my last post!

Your comments have really helped me focus on this project, which I am now wishing was finished:

- partly because I like to get a project finished, 

- partly because I'm getting a little bored of crocheting the same pattern some days (other days I'm loving it) 

- partly because the mother-to-be is getting very near her due date

- and partly because I'm excited now to see the finished blanket! 

I have decided to stick with my original plan of having all pale pink flowers, despite liking the effect of the other, stronger pinks coming into play I think it will be better left simple.

Still a way to go though, only 16 pale pink ones finished as I had been busy getting on with the other pink ones at the expense of these......also nearly out of pink yarn so waiting for delivery, hopefully tomorrow.

And now my forever busy, forever designing mind is already mapping out the next projects, already being tempted by other things.

I have more crochet projects in mind, and did allow myself a little break from the blanket to try out this pretty Maybelle flower.

The original pattern can be found here .................and I found it via Annette at My Rose Valley blog, who has crocheted lots of these little beauties.

So a first practice one with a view to a new but hopefully quick project..........the pattern is beautifully simple and straightforward, and you can download a printable PDF version from Ms McKenna's blog - just click on the link above.

....................and, of course, more sewing projects for my Etsy Shop (which for some reason is not loading properly at the moment - not just mine either) using some of my wonderful and ever-growing stash of vintage and antique linens, laces and crochet pieces.

The weather here has been changeable, from Spring sunshine and blue skies, to heavy rain and even hail showers.........this is the view of my front garden yesterday afternoon after a bright sunny morning..........

But luckily there were Blueberry and Blackberry Cinnamon muffins indoors to distract me, made specially that morning because my good friend Jane from the flowerhouse blog came to visit, so lots of crochet chat and sharing of ideas - perfect!

Hope you have a good Friday and a great weekend!

Of Crochet and Marmalade Mostly

I rediscovered a couple of crochet cushions that I made a few years ago. 

The hexy one I made not long after I first got the crochet bug 5 or 6 years go, and taught myself to crochet from Lucy's Attic 24 detailed tutorials after a quick basic lesson from my kind Mum. 

It is different on both sides, and I remember being quite chuffed with myself at the time that I was able to stitch it into one whole cushion - it kind of folded up and slotted together, although looking at it now I must have done something with two of the corners as they are smaller hexies or half-hexies - it's amazing what you can do when you are fired up and the muse is upon you! 

I'm not sure I could work out now what I did, but I do wish I'd written it down.

I remember I used a hexy pattern (for a blanket) from an Erica Knight book, and then just went for making a cushion as I thought I would never finish a blanket.

The pink and deep reds granny square cushion I made about 3 or 4 years ago, and cheated by stitching it onto the front of an old pink cushion.

Those who have read my last couple of posts will know I am in the process of making a baby blanket using a pretty pale pink popcorn square.

I decided to see what it would look like if I introduced another couple of darker pink shades.

one is a deep rose pink............

....and the other is a peachy pink

 What do you think?

Is it better with the additional randomly placed pink squares or should I keep it all the same pale pink?

I can't decide at the moment!

Edited to add : thanks to my first commentor Andreia, pop over to her lovely blog here and see her beautiful finished daisy blanket in same colours but in reverse - it is gorgeous, and I wish I had seen this before I started using the other pinks, as my only reservation to adding the extra pinks was that it might lose that overall impact of having the same block repeated - so now I really can't decide!

Sometimes things are best kept simple................

I also made two batches of marmalade last week. After I made the first batch and had given a couple of jars away I realised I needed more!  

These are photos I took in the kitchen after the first batch - they are still awaiting the finishing touches of labels and covered tops, and there is now a second tray - I made about 20 pots in all.

 I had a lovely walk yesterday, Monday, in bright sunshine, and then spent an hour or two in the garden tidying up - tomorrow we're supposed to have some sunshine again here so I am planning on my first cup of tea or coffee in the garden, which I know a lot of you have already done! 

There is something so hopeful and promising and happy-making in that first hot drink sat in the warm sun, thinking of the warm Spring and Summer days to come, planning the garden - simple pleasures, everyday magic!

Thanks for all your comments on my last few posts, I hope you all have a good week!