Knitting - Bunting Time

I completed my promised 5 x Tour de France bunting jumpers last night.  I need to drop them at the Sheep Shop soon, there is also a link here with more info CamBunting

I'm really happy with the "King of the Mountain" one.  I worked out the spot pattern a while back when I knitted this little combo.  I now need to reverse the colourway and knit Jessica her own "K of the M" ready to watch the start of the Cambridge leg of the Tour de France, I'm sure it will pass her by but at least she will look the part!!

Weekend - YesterYear Rally

The Cambridgeshire 2014 YesterYear Rally came back through the village yesterday.  The boys got to enjoy the view from the garden wall, the main draw for the boys were the tractors. The parade had 365 vehicles ranging from old motorcycles, vintage cars and lorries, fire engines, army vehicles and of course tractors.

Even Jessica joined in, Laurie was telling her all about it

We even managed a bit of gardening when everyone had gone home ...............

The day ended thus

and the hangover was long lived .............................................................

Imagination and a few boxes

Today we have been in the land of the dinosaurs - for a change!

Take a cardboard box, 2 egg boxes, some sticky tape and a bag of dinosaurs from the charity shop and I give you Dino World

Its amazing what you can rustle up with a bit of thought.  I can't believe that its still in one piece especially as Laurie was having more fun than his brother. I think Ru was off colour today, grumpy and complaining, not his normal self.  I guess it didn't help that it has rained all day and we were stuck indoors.

At least this little one was happy

Rachel and Jessica came to visit so that brighten us up.

Pops was very late home and the boys were in the bath by the time he got in, so he was only available for story time.  I had worried that we would have trouble getting them to bed but no, all went well and its very quiet up there. Lets hope they sleep late.............. ha ha who am I kidding.

Knitting - Third time lucky

I really have a problem with shawl collars.  Twice I pinned, sewed and unpicked last night. I was so cross I nearly took the scissors to it.  Slept on it then got up early and started again.  Amazing what fresh eyes achieve.  Its still not perfect but a whole lot better than last nights efforts.  I can't see me making another shawl collar in a while (ever). Details here and here

and because its Thursday here is Miss J. We went shopping this afternoon, she slept, she fed and was very good.  Charmed all the assistants in M&S.

Knitting - Quick WIP report

There wasn't a whole lot of knitting done this past week, too much to do outside.  However the second shawl collar sweater for Felix is coming along, this was where we were a week ago. I made a decision to knit the back plain as the patterning was taking too long and I have a list of other knitting to get through.  I adjusted the stitch numbers to allow for the fact that it was flat but it has worked out fine.  Just the collar to finish then the sew up.  I am hoping this collar goes in better than the last one!

Back in February when I was trying to decide which colourway to make the Ronnie Sweaters, I made a swatch.

Its been sitting on my side table awaiting me doing something with it, so last night I decided to sew it up and turn it into a phone sock. Better than wasting it, and it fit my phone perfectly.

and finally Easter Monday......

the last day of the 4 day weekend.  Its been busy, fun and productive long weekend.

I have learnt that a lot of women have a jeans dilemma, so I'm not alone.  My daughters say go straight leg, so I guess I will just have to suck it up and take a change.

The chickens have been named Florrie and Annie - after Peter's grandmothers!!  Their personalities are starting to come out already.  Peter rigged up a temporary run extension until he has time to build something substantial.  One of the girls escaped and he found her wandering around the garden.

We have been continuing to clear up at the bottom of the garden and seeds have been planted.  Chard, Spinach, Spring Onions, Shallots, Peas, Salad Leaves, Beetroot, Courgette.  The plants in the greenhouse are coming on a treat

Beans - runner, climbing and dwarf

cutting Sunflowers

Nasturtiums

Tomatoes - late again

Broad beans

French marigolds

and the proceedings were watched over by this little chap

I am hoping that I have done enough exercise to counter all the cake, buns etc I have eaten this weekend, if not then its time to bring out the salads.

I hope you all had a happy Easter.  Roll on the next holiday weekend in 2 weeks time.  And would you believe I've done no knitting for 2 evenings, I need to rectify that right now

Easter Sunday - a birthday and a hunt

April 20th is Peter's birthday and this year it just happen to fall on Easter Sunday.  Perfect day for a family get together.  The weather wasn't brilliant but we did manage to do the Easter Hunt in the dry and get in and out for a while.  All grandchildren were sporting their hand knits which warms my heart!

I had help finishing the birthday cake. Rufus had requested that it had to have marshmallows and chocolate chips.  I added some fresh strawberries to counter the sweetness.  Candle placement was a bit haphazard

I managed to get some photos of the birthday boy and our grandchildren, as you will see its not easy to get everyone looking the right way!!!