New purchases

Ok I know it is only 13 days till Christmas but I have been buying three very exciting items to me that I would not get for Christmas.

Firstly is a practical item as I am growing my hair I wanted some nice grips to hold it up so I purchased loads of assorted colours for a mere £5!! They are housed in my lovely embroidered like bag I have had for a while now.

The next is an online purchase that I am really looking forward to starting. http://www.craftsy.com/class/Lace-Shawl-Design/86
I love Craftsy classes as you can drop in and out of them when ever you want and as one of my New Years resolutions already made for next year is to do more design work I thought this would be a good start.

Lastly and for fans like myself of Kate Davies incredibly talented work I was so very happy to come home to my signed copy of her book "Colours of Shetland". Not only are the designs within it versatile, colourful and wearable but the photography (another big hobby of mine) is truly outstanding. The book also goes into detail of the reasoning behind the designs which as an aspiring designing is such a unique insight. One day I really hope I make it to the Shetland Islands as I feel most "at home" next to the sea and for a knitter I believe it is a kind of homage that should be done.

Texture and Indie

Just some images that are depicting our current weather and also shows many shades of grey and my four legged best friend.

Colours

I love this time of year, not only do you get to wear knitting related items to keep warm, but it is so lovely to cosy up and make goodies.

I am currently working on a Kim Hargreaves jumper in King Cole Riot, am loving how this yarn knits up. Along side this I am still making my "Hugh" crotchet blanket but it has got so large I only really like to do this when I know I will stay still for a period of time.

Along with the title of colours I wanted to share the beautiful colours in a bouquet my partner bought me a little while back as they are just so define.

I was very excited when I caught up on a couple of days worth of Blog reading to see that the incredible talented Kate Davies has bought a book out called Colours of Shetland.
http://katedaviesdesigns.com/colours-of-shetland-2/ she is truly an inspiration and I have promised myself next year I will do more designing.

Finally for those that love seeing the family dog here he is now aged 16 months!!

Crafty few days.

On Saturday I had the joy of going to a lovely knitting shop in Bristol called Get Knitted.

Here I went with the mission of purchasing needles and some cable for my double needle set. However what a knitter goes for and what the come home with is not always the same thing!

I did get my needles but also came away with two sets of beautiful buttons for my stash, two beautiful magazines, one called Jane Austen Knits Summer with 31 projects inspired by Jane Austen books. It is not only lovely photography but it has really interesting article's in it too.

My second magazine of choice is Kim Hargreaves Shadows which has patterns that are classics in style so my type of knitwear.

I was waiting to meet a friend so in the interim time found yarn to be able to knit one of the jumpers in this book too.

Then we move on to the next day. It was just meant to be a routine food shop but I finally purchased my first ever Mollie Makes as I have read so many great reports about it. So far I have only got to page 36 but have found out about Spoonflower Company where they make weave cloth in the traditional method. I have also read about Jane Brocket and her fascinating craft life style. It is so nice to know I am not the only person to rip out extracts of magazines that I find interesting or make notes and design ideas.

Buttons, hats and plates.

I have surprised myself as I actually managed to finish a knitting project in a week!

I decided to photograph for reference my some of my buttons.

On a trip to town my son and I purchased some beautiful "Denby" plates that I just love.

Texture, form and colour

Today the family went to visit Westonbirt Arboretum near Tetbury to see the truely spectacular colours formed by the autumn leaves. 

Here is what we captured.