Miaou

I won’t reveal her age (har har) but suffice to say it was a significant birthday and therefore deserving of a significant present:

This is a crochet lapghan, and although I have dabbled in crochet before, this is the first time I have created a whole garment by this method. I shan’t be doing it again - argh!!! I have discovered that as I cannot crochet and do anything else, multitasking is out - I can’t read, watch tv, or even chat much, as I have to concentrate too hard. Shame, but there you are.

I shall stick to the odd small make, a few squares and amigurumi things, shan’t do a big project for a while! But my mum was thrilled with it and says it will come in very useful for cooler evenings when she wants to sit out in the garden.

Also, I want to say a big thankyou to Scarletti at Laughing Mouse, who nominated me for this award:

The rules are to pick 7 blogs that make me happy, nominate them in turn by posting on their blogs. Finally, list at least 10 honest things about myself.

1. I am a perfectionist. I only see the mistakes and faults with what I make, which for a long time prevented me from making anything at all. I try and let go a bit more now and enjoy the process of making as well as the final result.

2. I am not Scottish. In fact I have only lived in Scotland for eight years. People who only know me online, then speak to me on the phone, are often surprised by my English accent! I love it up here though and will never move back to England.

3. When I was a young adult I thought I was not the maternal type at all, and would only have a couple of children. Fast forward a few years and I love being a mother and now have four! I would never have predicted that.

4. I suffer from depression. I make a point of being honest about it with people and get a variety of reactions, varying from acceptance to pity to avoidance. However along the way my honesty has enabled a lot of people to be honest with me, and they talk to me about their own, or their partner’s, depression and how it affects them. I take the attitude that if it was a physical illness I wouldn’t feel any stigma about talking about it, so why should I about depression? The more honesty there is about it, the more acceptance there will be.

See? Rubbish!

5. Although I love lots of different crafts, I cannot make cards. I have tried, and I am rubbish at it. I leave it to the experts!

6. I love lolcats. Everyone needs their daily chuckle fix and this is mine!

7. I love rainbows - the colours inspire me and lift my spirits. Conversely, I do not like black. I do not own any black clothes or shoes, and have no black in my home decor. It’s a colour I avoid at all costs!

8. I hate travelling. I would love to travel - I love the idea of being in new places - but the getting there stresses me out so much that I don’t do it! I haven’t been abroad since I was first married nearly fifteen years ago but will hopefully be going to America in a couple of years, so I have time to psyche myself up for it.

9. I used to love reading but haven’t read a book now in almost eight months. It makes me sad but I’m hoping I will get over it and pick it up again. I love books and used to love reading the classics.

10. I lack confidence and constantly need reassurance that I am doing OK. That’s why blogging is so great - lots of lovely feedback from people who like what I make!

And now my nominations:

Meridian Ariel - who makes the most beautiful jewellery and cakes, and the sweetest little pictures.

Sal’s Snippets - for her infectious enthusiasm and her wonderful finds.

Gina at Fan My Flame - for her beautiful photography, wonderful makes and inspiring designs

Pipany - for her fab pictures of her children on the beach and the beautiful bags she makes

Hmm Designs - for her lovely little makes and descriptions of her life in Belgium

I’m a Ginger Monkey - for her wonderful quilts and enthusiam and all round loveliness

And finally, EthelandEdnasTearoom - for making me laugh!

I have made a couple of pairs of socks now, and just love the way they feel on my feet. I had only made plain ones so I thought it was time to branch out and make something a little more ambitious! I found this gorgeous pattern, Nutkin, and set out. I was a little nervous about following a chart but it worked out fine. Look:

Very pleased with the result. Lovely socks. Nice pattern. Easy to knit. Just one problem.

I ran out of yarn. Gah.

Never mind, I don’t usually wear them with sandals, so no one will know ;-). Well, except you lot.

In answer to the perennial question, “what do you give the teachers at Christmas?” I decided on these. Having spent time in a few staffrooms in the past, I know that they are almost always short of mugs. However to give them the personal touch I made mug cosies for them. These were really quick to knit and I like the cable pattern:

The pattern I used was originally intended for a Starbucks takeaway coffee (to stop you burning your fingers!), so I modified it slightly so it would button up through the handle:

I haven’t made many handmade gifts this year but I couldn’t resist this little hat for my friend’s little girl:

I really wanted a picture of it being worn, so stuck it on Euan. However he is not a willing model …

Tuh.

As a thank you for collating and finishing off the lovely blanket I posted about earlier this week, I received a lovely surprise package through the post from my knitter friends (you know who you are!). I was very touched and more than  little thrilled, I can tell you! In it was a box of Thorntons chocolates (mmmmmmm…), a thank you card, and this:

Isn’t it gorgeous?! What this picture can’t show you is just how soft and delightful this yarn is. I started making it into a pair of socks last night and it is a dream to knit with. I can’t wait to wear them!

I would put in a pic of the chocolates too, but … well, you know how it is …

It’s my birthday on 8th July so I thought I would have a birthday giveaway. Caitlin pointed out that you usually receive gifts on your birthday, not give them, but hey, I’m a little unconventional

So - here is the giveaway:

It is a bag, made by my own fair hands, made of some lovely dusky pink jaquard fabric. The lining is 100% cotton and was generously donated to me by I’m a gingermonkey when she heard what I was planning! The handles are lovely tactile wooden beads, courtesy of Bags of Handles . Here is a pic of the inside (sorry about the colour - I had to use the flash so it’s altered it slightly - correct colour is in the pic above!)

So - if you would like to win this bag, just post a comment! Tell your friends too, post a link on your own blog if you like, the more the merrier! Draw will take place on Mon 14th July. If it’s very popular then I might do another one when I get to 100 posts. Thank you!