Catching up ...

♥

 

As much as I love going away for a few days doesn't normal real everyday life have

a nasty habit of pushing its way back in too quickly ?

We were only away for a week but as soon as we got to Nursery on Monday morning it was non-stop, feet not touching the ground manicness until pretty much the end of the week. Probably my own fault for saying I was ready to go back to work as we were driving in - I should know better.

But in amongst all the invoices, database, registers, new enquiries, fire drills, nappy orders and three year old funding forms ....... big, big excitement on Wednesday afternoon when the postman delivered a parcel from Australia.

It was the Giveaway prize that I won from Jules at Little Woollie.

Once I had stopped squealing and calmed down a bit there was a very reverential opening of the parcel, making sure I remembered to take photos to show you all of my lovely Jules goodies.

It was all beautifully wrapped up and whilst the Giveaway prize had been for some gorgeous balls of wool Jules had sneaked a couple of other things in too...

 

 

 

... some beautiful, tiny crochet flowers ...

 

 

... and one of her much coveted Star kits.

♥

As you may know, having made no secret of it on my blog, I am such a huge fan of

Jules' work and to find all of this inside the parcel was beyond exciting.

I am a very happy bunny.

 

 

I am also a tad nervous that I shall not be able to do Jules' Star pattern justice,

but I shall have a damn good try !

I'll let you know how I get on.

Having not really given Giveaways much thought up until now I cannot tell you how lovely
 it was to receive such a generous and special parcel through the post.

It really made my day,

and for this very reason I immediately made the decision that I too would put together a little of box of Giveaway Goodies on my first Bloggy Birthday which is coming up at the beginning of June.

I am already having lots of fun thinking of things to include.

♥

Of course having had such a busy week at work my top priority when I got home was a bit of crochet and for some inexplicable reason I suddenly had an overwhelming need to make a mat to put my teapot on.

I don't know why, I didn't really need one, haven't ever missed not having one and could actually use one of the table mats we already have, but there you go.

An hour later, job done ! Ta-dah !

 

 As we had family to stay this weekend I probably should have been rushing around doing far more important things but you know what it's like, sometimes the world just needs to stop for a spot of calming crochet .

The rest of the weekend has just sort of flown by in a whirl of food, cups of tea, more food and more cups of tea but I did manage to sneak in a little bit of blocking while everyone was otherwise occupied.

 

 

Having originally been a little nervous about blocking I am finding that I really love

the whole process of it now.

There is something deeply satisfying about the soaking, the laying out and then the careful

smoothing and coaxing of everything in to shape.

 

It's really very pleasing.

 

I'm not sure I have blogged about this project but its a little wrappy shawl knitted

in Aran wool in a simple garter stitch.

 

Its called the Victory Wrap and is by Erika Flory

These pictures are from the pattern on Ravelry.

It knitted up so quickly and although it should be lovely and warm being made in this chunky yarn I love the way it also looks really delicate.

Mine is currently still pinned out like Gulliver after his encounter with the Lilliputians but I will make sure I take a couple of pictures when it's done.

And now, the other side of the weekend, guests having departed, I think a quiet evening of therapeutic double crocheting on Immi's Uni blanket should get me nicely set up and ready for tomorrow.

 

Monday morning ?

Bring it on !

Have a good week everyone.

♥