A whole new world of crochet...

A friend of mine has just announced she is 12 weeks pregnant. So of course this is opening up a whole new world of crochet possibilites for me.... blankets and hats and baby moccasins!

Still got horrendous weather here :-( made it in to work today, but only really because I was able to stay at my other half's house last night :-)
I drove home in horrible hailstones and snow tonight,  but when I got home my mum had bought 2 massive bags of grit (rock salt) so I have surrounded my car with it. Hopefully I can get out in the morning! The forecast is dreadful, as the temperature is dropping even further so we are expecting lots and lots of ice :-(
This weather really depresses me :-( I love autumn and winter so much, they are my favourite seasons by far, but I really hate heavy snow and ice :-(

oh well, its the first day of my Hello Kitty Advent Calendar tomorrow!

Louisa xx

New look blog....

Still being snowed in (though not as bad as yesterday!) I decided I didn't really like the design of my blog...

So here we are with a new look blog! It's probably still a work in progress (I'm not 100% happy with the background)
What do you think? :-)

Louisa xx

Little Granny Bag....

After reading the fabulous tutorial over at The Royal Sisters, for the most adorable little granny bag, I decided I had to make my own! So I chose some pretty colours of yarn and started this morning with 2 plain granny squares. I then joined them together with the picot edging, and lined with felt before hooking a couple of handles. I've just finished it, isnt it cute? and so easy to make!

Off to make my cupcakes that I mentioned yesterday.... still snowed in here i'm afraid, although the main road is now clear and it looks like its raining or sleeting outside rather than snowing...

Louisa xx

Snowed in...

It's been snowing here since Wednesday evening. It got lots worse on Thursday morning, and even worse is yet to come on Monday apparently. I hate the snow, I hate being snowed in. I'm miles away from my other half and I'm missing him like mad :-(
The only thing consoling me is the fact I have a pretty view from my bedroom window.

 

This was half an hour ago...

and this is now.... just after it stopped snowing.

Pretty isnt it? If I wasnt so depressed about being stuck in the house, i'd be wanting to make christmas cards out of the view ha ha 

Oh well, i think i might go and bake some cupcakes in my new animal print cupcake cases (pics will be posted!) and maybe get some hooky time in while watching Gilmore girls (I love that programme!) 

What's the weather like in your neck of the woods?

Louisa xx

Urban Craft Collective!

Evening all!

I was given a page from a newspaper today, featuring a certain website - called The Urban Craft Collective. It's fabulous! You should all go and look right away! ha ha! Especially those of you who are fans of PDC's (Public Displays of Crafting!)
They are having a Crafty Commute Day next Wednesday, 1st December. Unfortunately, although my commute is a long one, I actually drive, and crocheting behind the wheel is not recommended! (by the way, I have my car back, all fixed and lovely!)

I do have to go into town from work for the afternoon on that day though, so I may get the bus and get some PDC's going on...

And for those of you that want to take the Crafting Pledge - here it is!

Another website I would like to mention, which I feel is just as awesome as the UCC, is Newcastle Craft Mafia. This is a fabulously talented bunch of ladies, and I have had the pleasure to attend one of their craft fairs this year at The Cluny pub in Newcastle, and bought a gorgeous necklace made out of a scrabble tile and a postage stamp from the lovely Emma Louise :-)

And one more website to check out.... Made in Newcastle

Well that is all from me for tonight, go have a look at those fabulous websites!!

Louisa xx

Super stressful times.... (warning - rant!!!)

You know sometimes, stuff happens at the worst possible times and it's all you can do to stop yourself crawling under your duvet and hiding there for weeks? Well that is my week so far. I've been having problems with the acceleration on my car for a couple of weeks, so today I took it to a garage. Turns out I need a new clutch. Which is going to cost about £300. This had to happen just before Christmas didn't it? Plus I need to go and renew the photocard section of my driving license tomorrow, and also hope my car will get me back over to Newcastle on Sunday night so I can take it to be fixed on Monday morning.
Things have been stressing me out at work too the past couple of days, and I've had to cancel a photoshoot with my photographer friend tomorrow for my other hobby website because I don't have my car to get to her house.

Plus I don't get to see my other half till Sunday night :-(

Apologies for the rant, I just needed to vent somewhere before I broke and did the duvet thing :-(

Hopefully my lack of transportation will enable me to get some crochet action in this weekend and I may have something new to show you next week! (nothing too exciting though!)

Louisa xx

The Holy Grail...

I have just arrived home after a very long and stressful day to find that the gift guide to end all gift guides arrived in the post today...

Thats right - I have the Cath Kidston Christmas Gift Guide 2010!!

 

(I made the picture extra-large so everyone can get in on the loveliness!)

Isn't it pretty? with the sparkles, I love sparkles :-)

I'm off to get into a nice warm bed and have a flick through :-) (I can never afford anything good, but its nice to pretend for a little while ;-)

Louisa xx

p.s. A friend of mine is the assistant manager of a CK store... I am rather jealous ha ha :-)

For The Fallen

For The Fallen
With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.

- Laurence Binyon

Weekend Crocheting!

Hello!
After my awesome trip to Manchester, I was more than ready for a relaxing weekend! Unfortunately Saturday was a busy day, but Sunday was much more relaxing.... I managed to get a bit of crocheting done!
I did a bit of this....

And then I made these....

following the tutorials by the lovely ladies at Yvestown Blog (for the star) and The Royal Sisters (for the tree). Thankyou ladies!
Aren't they cute? I love them!!

Anyway, thats all from me for tonight!

Louisa xx

Things I Love Thursday

Hello!
It's time for another Things I Love Thursday!

First up we have:
1) Deciding what to do with present from Australia...
You may remember last week I mentioned a ball of wool that was sent to me by a lovely Ravelry member? Well I am having trouble deciding what to make with it! I have made one small thing so far, which isnt finished yet, but I have loads left over! Isn't it beautiful?

2) Pretty Views.

I love looking at beautiful views. My house overlooks fields, and we get some pretty spectacular sunsets in the summer!

This is a pretty view from yesterday - I went Christmas shopping in town (Newcastle Upon Tyne) and I took this photo from the rooftop car park in Eldon Square...

3) Trips away...
I love going away to different places. 99% of the time it's to see a band somewhere. Today is no exception - me and my other half are off to Manchester to see Linkin Park tonight at the MEN! I'm very excited! We've been to Manchester twice this year already, and are going again next month. It also gives me a chance to indulge in one of my other loves - Krispy Kreme Doughnuts!!!! Manchester is our closest place that sells these, and its 165 miles away!!!

Thats all for Things I Love Thursday. Hope you all have a great weekend, whatever you are doing!

Louisa xx