Yarn Along, with lots to say!

Today it's Yarn Along over at the Small Things blog written by Ginny, very beautiful and worth a visit (although you have probably here via her link!). http://www.gsheller.com/2012/01/yarn-along-60.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+gsheller%2FqXrF+%28small+things%29

Big knitting plans for 2012, I have just started my first following a pattern. Everyone is so inspiring and cam knit almost anything, I'm desperate to be alble to knit something wearable for myself (no more leg warmer though!) So here it is my first pattern chosen for it's beginners capability, also I think it's rather cute.

As you can see I have only just started and I'm using the same colour as the girl in the picture.

As for books, I'm always surrounded by those to flick through, those to read more of and those to devourer!

The chakra bible is to assist with my yoga that I'm trying to fit in 3/4 practises a week. But in doing this I want to be more mindful rather than just Miss bendy sstretchy. The second boo is the Colette handbook, I got it for Christmas it is a dressmakers dream, I am planning to join a sew along that covers the whole book! I your interested please look on my sewing blog http://charlottesewfarsewgood.blogspot.com/ and follow the post or button. Finally not shown here but I am reading Possession a romance, by A.S.Byatt.

A few other bits and bobs in my life, it is a beautiful morning here so Arthur and I climbed the nearest hill called Raddon top to look at the breathtaking spectacular views. That's what you need when you've been kept awake for hours with teething toddlers, something to lift the spirits! The photo doesn't really show it's glory but on a good day and a good camera you can see the full 360 degrees of Devonshire countryside. I think those of us that live here are feeling a little proud of out Dartmoor as the opening of the War Horse opened at the cinemas a day or so ago, a story of a boy and his horse, based or starting in Dartmoor. I really want to see it, maybe next week?

And finally we have our winter king on the seasonal table, with the little addition of Jack frost who dances around! I finally finished him last week.

I hope your week is going well .

Yarn Along, a day of completion.

A day of completion! I am joining Ginny over at Small things for her weekly yarn along http://www.gsheller.com/2011/12/yarn-along.html

Well I gave manged to finish the moss stitch scarf for my Dads Christmas present (it's shorter than I expected but it will tuck in nicely into his motorbike jacket). I have also finished my book the Distant Hours this morning in bed with a cuppa, what a treat.

My managing to complete things doesn't end there, I have had a good few things hanging around and this morning I have been on a mission. I have finished another padded hanger, they are Christmas presents, also a little gnome that has a little bed which will go in Arthur's stocking. I've also thrown in for good measure the felt ball that I made at the Steiner mother and baby group I run, we all really enjoyed the felting and I think we are all hooked!

Well that's my morning sorted,now to get on and finish my Christmas party dress you can see my adventures in dressmaking here http://charlottesewfarsewgood.blogspot.com/

Hows your day going?

Seasonal Tables.

I am celebrating autumn at the moment, all those lovely tones and falling leaves, if I could be a season it would be autumn! I have created a t seasonal table, in fact I have managed to keep my table going for a whole year now, so I'm feeling a little pleased with myself.

I like to be gentle on myself whilst still encouraging my creativity, so I know my tables are not perfect yet, but I have allowed myself enough room to make something new each year to add to it! Here is a little look at the table in different seasons.

ooops sorry couldn't get it to rotate think it had something to do with size.

I know many of you out there already have your own seasonal tables but I just want to say what a joy I find them. It's a reminder of my school days when we had nature tables, it evokes the season and brings the living into the house, I feel more connected with the outdoors , which is great as I love the outdoors!

Home made.

It is likely that if you are reading this you are more than likley a crafty type, or know the benifits if home made, so I wont preach to the already converted! Although I would like to share my little homemade gnome family.

I really have enjoyed making these, this little family are for me, yes it's true! I have started a Steiner inspired toddler (mother and baby ) group and these will become my resources. I am planning a stort time and these will be my puppets for autumn. I am not so mean to say the children are not able to play but they will have some of their own and I'm hoping parents will want to make some too.

They are delightful, and a pleasure to make I am encouraging Mr PB to make a family for Arthur for christmas.

Home Corner

With the start of term in just a couple of weeks I thought it was a good time to prepare. I am a childminder to Arthur's friends, and we have had a lovely summer on our own soon the boys and girls will be returning to play with us most days.
I thought a home corner would be really nice as Arthur is really into role play at the moment. I moved everything away. I love doing this makes my living room feel new all over again! Unfortunately I had a small piece of plaster coming off the wall, by the time I had finished it was a rather big space! Knowing i don't have time to deal with this I have made the homely corner more homely by just covering it up!
When I was looking to cover the space up I found an old rag rug the I had many years ago and it fits in perfectly, Arthur jumped on it straight away.

  I think my make do and mend or rather more of the make do effort looks good. A duvet cover and a felt animal scene that I have been waiting to get up somewhere all seems to have come together. Arthur likes the home corner and rushed in to tuck baby into the crib.

I am pleased with my days work, but I feel a little something more is needed. I feel it is good that areas grow over time, I was thinking a table and chairs in the form of a tree trunk and logs for chairs all sandpapered and varnished. A little secret woodland home?

Steiner inpired table top puppets.

I would like to share my first table top puppet. I have made it by hand which was really enjoyable as I do tend to use my sewing machine alot, this gave it a real sense of slow creation, time and thought. Puppetry is such a wonderful way for children to be imaginative and use a medium to express themselves. Puppets are just so entertaining, colourful and fluid with wonderful stories that to be introduced to this at an early age is a great gift. The fact that this style of puppet is accessible for the very young too. I enjoyed this so much I am planning to make more, soon!