My personal "lockdown" diary.

I am a very visual person and when it was announced that we would be firstly having a "lockdown" to try and stop the spread of Covird-19 from 23rd March I decided  I decided to keep a visual diary. 

I use Pinterest for many things one of which was to take and save a picture each day so I could reflect on what I have done and achieved during this time. 

Almost without fail every day that my partner is working at the hospital I go to meet her when she has finished her shift. 

I have Strava'd my walks and was surprised how many miles I have clocked up. 

I have been able to photograph the beautiful cherry blossom and take time to notice details that often would be over looked and missed be it a flower emerging or the architecture of buildings here in Cheltenham. 

For me personally I have loved the far quieter and slower pace of life, taking time to slow down and notice things or "just be" is very often put on the back burner in daily life.  But for me it has given me valuable time to reflect on the last year and what is important and what I want out of life in the future. 

To many many people this time of uncertainty is very hard to cope with which I can completely understand.  

But to me having come so far from suffering so much with depression/anxiety and fear after having the courage to leave an mentally abusive relationship and to realise the true joy of a loving relationship that I am now blessed with. 

Alongside this last year the emotional journey of having Breast Cancer and next week having my yearly Mammogram always having it in the back of your mind "will it come back" 

So to me taking time and appreciating what I have is so important. 

I have also had invaluable time to be able to sit knit, design and publish some patterns which I am very proud of.   My patterns can be found here. 

So if you would like to take time to enjoy my images please do, I would love to hear how your lockdown has been. 

The sheer beauty of a Clematis flower

My urban garden

For me gardening brings such joy.  I love seeing new life and every year it is always such a pleasure to see bulbs that I planted breaking slowly through and then giving such a great display.

I have lived in my urban garden in Gloucestershire fo 16 years now and I never get tired of it.  Gardening is a gentle, patient hobby that is so rewarding.

This morning I took a walk around and captured a few of the plants that are just looking so glourious.

Where is your "go too place to relax"?

Edinburgh Yarn Festival 2019

This festival has been on my bucket list of must visits for a few year's.

For me my time in Edinburgh has not just been about yarn, it has been way way more.  It has been about a journey of beginning to believe in myself as a designer. Also about overcoming the anxiety of being away from my family.
It has been about having the confidence to go up to people I have never met and talking to them.

But it has also been about gathering inspiration and learning and boy does Edinburgh have inspiration by the bucket load!!!

The architecture is just beyond what I have seen before and the colours are just such an inspiration.

So please do enjoy journey I have taken over the last few days in picture form.

Always look up!

View over the city.

History and inspiration

Talented knitters and meeting Stephen West and Kate the talent behind Knit Now magazine.

On my final day at the show I bought the Laine knitting journal, which will be so great for designing. But decided to grap the opportunity of creating the most perfect keepsake and ask people I admire to sign what ever they wanted.  The messages are so amazing and inspiring, thank you.

Kate (left) (O'Sullivan) was the first to sign and Ysolda. The dream tram.

Allison of (Yarn in the City) could sell anything to anyone, with such a great energy.

Caerthan (Triskelion yarn) who is responsible for over quarter of my stash for producing incredible yarn.

Vicki (Vicki Brown Designs) is my home girl. The kindest talent there is in Cheltenham.

Renée (East London Knits) has talent I can only but dream of 

jennie (owlaboutyarn) left and Zoe (pinsandneedles) who are the most down to earth beautiful ladies.

Angie (left) and Vykky of West Green Loft You, believed in me so much it made me cry.

Ginger twist studio has the most amazing eye for colour 

Bristol Ivy is the sweetest most approachable creative talent, who's manipulation with yarn to produce knitwear that is just on another level.

Ocean (Ocean by the Sea) just has the most gentle kind aura. 

Amelia (Woollen Words) who started my journey into designing by tech editing my most popular pattern.

These are just the few incredible people that I had the privilege of meeting.

Knitting as I have said before is so so much more than just creating a wearable object.  It is about the people you surround yourself with and the inspiration they bring with you on your journey.

Thank you for taking time to read my story.