In my basket........

It has been a peaceful, relaxing weekend here, which makes quite a change.  Thankfully I have had an opportunity to concentrate on my Granny Square Baby Blanket.  

I have a few to make in different variations/colours and will be selling these as well as other items on my stall at the Norwich Crafts in the Gardens on Saturday 5 September 2015, which is being organised by Norwich Blackfriars Rotary. A percentage of the proceeds will be going to the Clare School Norwich - a Specialist 'Physical/Sensory' Complex Needs School.  Once I have more information and a link to their page I will share this.

Yarn - Stylecraft Special DK - 4 x 100g balls - can be machine washed and tumble dried;  I must admit whilst I would prefer not to use an acrylic yarn,  good yardage in 100g which helps keep the cost down and a great selection of colours to choose from.   

I am going to add a border of double crochet then a reversed crochet stitch which gives a twisted rope effect finish - will post a picture and instructions during the forthcoming week.  

Nearly finished - border to add then I will share - hope you are having a good weekend too!

Photos & Places.....

I love the SEASIDE......... still a child at heart!  Just another one of those jobs which has been niggling me - sorting out the numerous photos stored on PC - here are just a few of my favourite pictures taken from around our coastline - Norfolk to Suffolk!

Blakeney Harbour - North Norfolk

Sheringham - North Norfolk

After a week of high tides and stormy seas in 2012,  this 115 year old wreck was uncovered.   The ship named The Ispolen which was on its way from Norway to Gravesend when it was hit by a storm in 1897.  

Lowestoft Marina on a very sunny day!

This picture always makes me smile - you could imagine being in the Med - but no in Lowestoft, Suffolk on a very warm, sunny day!

Southwold - Suffolk on a very cold breezy day!

This picture was taken on a very cold, windy Easter Sunday - I had left the CB and Spike looking at cars - The East Coast Mini Club hold their annual rally Easter Sunday and congregate on Gun Hill in Southwold.  I left them to it, and took a stroll down the pier!

Aldeburgh, Suffolk

Snape - Suffolk

Thunder clouds gathering over the marshes - a rather spectacular display of lightening followed shortly after taking this picture!

Orford - Suffolk

This has to be one of my favourite places to visit -  Orford Castle - apparently it was built between 1165 - 1173 by Henry II of England.

and finally - let me introduce you to Bea, my black labrador, who enjoys a walk on a dog friendly beach and a quick dip in the sea!

Knitty Gritty!

You will see that I have started to post 'Knitty Places' to visit. Unfortunately I am a little bit of a 'yarn snob' as my husband calls me!! Having worked for Rowan Yarns as a Design Consultant in the past, based on our local John Lewis, I do love to work with natural fibres - hence the Rowan link. More recently on 2007 I opened my own shop selling luxurious knitting yarns and accessories, but when the lease came up for renewal in March 2013, as Spike was very poorly (undiagnosed with his Melanoma), I decided to let the lease lapse as could not concentrate and spend time needed on the business as well as care for him and my very elderly parents!  It was a great shame, and to this day I really miss my customers who would frequent the shop for knitting advice, workshops and knitting groups. However our knitting group does still meet regularly on a Friday from 12.30 ish in the library in Bungay Suffolk.  If any of you wish to join us, please feel free to pop along - we are a very jolly group! 

Back to knitting - I love the Drops Design site as well, great yarns for those on a budget and loads of free downloadable patterns - take a look!

Clearing & Tidying.......

It's a great feeling when you can tick off jobs on the TO DO LIST which has been staring at you for ages!  Our pond has been neglected over the past year, hospital appointments etc, have taken priority, but we have had a clear run since the end of March - back tomorrow for Spike's VNS (Vagus Nerve Stimulator) check as the battery is due to expire, so we will have to consider having it replaced.

Before.........

After......

Surprisingly it didn't take long to tidy up, once the King Cups and Blanket Weed were cleared and cut back we once again had a clear pond.  We were very careful not to disturb too much, as we like our pond to be a little on the 'wild side' encouraging all sorts of wildlife to make it their home - we had this little fellow helping us as well.....

Hello

Just a short introduction to my family - we live in a beautiful village in South Norfolk - not too far from the beautiful beaches of Norfolk and Suffolk,  how lucky we are!  I live with my husband (referred to as CB) and our son Spike.  Over the years Spike has suffered with severe epilepsy, subsequently learning disability and twenty months ago he was diagnosed with Malignant Melanoma.   

My love of knitting and crochet was kindled at a very early age, having two Grandmas to teach me! This has been a blessing for me as it has helped me through the some of the toughest times in my life.

Home.....

I will be back soon to explain more - sun is shining here today so off into the garden I go to help clear our neglected pond which has become over grown with King Cups and Blanket Weed - have a good Bank Holiday Monday.....