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!