Friday Chat Day

 Hello friends

Sun!
Hasn't it been lovely to see some sunny weather?

Admittedly (and typically) after a couple of warm days I did say,

'phew it's a bit hot'! 

But it does feel like we've finally moved into summery warmth, 

long light evenings and plenty of birdsong first thing,

 although we do have to wait until 21 June for the official start of Summer.

Over the long weekend Elliott and I built this.

A new wall unit for his flat - he is hoping for that TV to transform

into a way bigger super duper flat screen!

OK it was flatpack Ikea and we did have to enlist Mitchell's help 

in sorting the glass doors but we were very proud.

We are not exactly great at DIY.

I was also rather impressed that we carried all the boxes up three flights of stairs!

Garden:

I've got these, three of them in fact, different colours.

I've got no idea what they are!

I'm certain my clever blog readers will know...

Last year I went a bit mad with buying plants and I thought I made a list -

my list has failed me. 

I like them whatever they are and so do slugs and snails - grhhh!

I need to get my beer traps back in action.

Here is something not so attractive...

the rear alleyway to my home.

It all needs to be cleared as I'm having some work done 

and the workmen need access.

I've decided to have my conservatory roof replaced with tiles.

They are specially designed lightweight tiles.

I am very much hoping this will mean it will be a useful room 

in the winter as opposed to a walk-in fridge. 

I've got visions of a little crochet corner in there as it does look out on my

teeny weeny tiny garden which would be nice.

Crochet:

 That leads me neatly onto crochet progress - or lack of.

I've slowed up this week, work has been full on and a few nights at the 

point where I would normally pick up my crochet I've fallen asleep.

I have finished the squares for my Hello Autumn Blanket - 64 of them.

I intend to join them in Stone colour and have a mixed border,

I'm hopeful to get to that this weekend.

Telly:

 Less viewing this week too.

I do subscribe to Britbox and they have started to make their own 

original programmes - The Beast Must Die is one of them.

Gripping revenge thriller set on the Isle of Wight. 

 'Gripping' might be an overstatement!

There is an awful lost of flashbacks and the first episode feels like you are 

wading through treacle but it is picking up a pace and I feel compelled 

to continue.  Scenery is beautiful and now another place has been put on my

'to visit' list.

Lesley - I haven't tried Colony on Netflix but I've added it to my viewing list.

(I make lists!)

Charity Kit:

Charity Kit Day on Sunday, they come around so quickly.
This month's chosen charity is Fibromyalgia Action UK.
And here's a sneak peek(s) - this month it is

a kit containing two mini cards.

Blog post will go up 7am Sunday morning and

I will do my usual splashing of details on social media.

Other stuff:

No recipe but delighted to see that Tina made my

lemon and coconut muffins as mentioned last week.

This originated from an adapted recipe in a magazine back in 1989,

before you could look online for every recipe.

Oldies are always the best.

And that my friends wraps up my news this week,

quite uneventful at the moment with this full time work malarkey, 

(which could be for the long haul),

but be prepared for the shared excitement of a 

conservatory roof at some point, me attempting to empty it

will be interesting.

I know - edge of the seat stuff! 

Take care, please stop by on Sunday and

have a thoroughly wonderful sunny weekend.

Friday Chat Day

 Hello friends

It's Friday again!

How are we all?
Another working week finishes and I'm very grateful for the long weekend ahead.
I've managed to fit in some crochet...

Crochet:

This is my Hello Summer Blanket all finished.

I did struggle with selecting colours for this

one but I'm pleased with the final bright result.

I'm rather obsessed with granny squares now, such a change from my original

crochet choices of plain or stripes.

Hello Summer has been photographed and now popped into my shop.

My Folksy shop is looking better stocked now.

As one WIP finishes...

My Hello Autumn Blanket is now underway.  

I'm totally out of sync with the seasons or am I?  

The weather has felt positively autumnal recently.

I am loving the colours of this one, they eradiate warmth instantly.

(By the way, I get a lot of satisfaction from lining up the squares in this tray!)

Recipe:

I actually did some baking!

I'm cheating a little as this isn't a new recipe.

I decided to try out my Lemon and Coconut loaf cake as muffins.

It worked and, just so you know...you eat more when it is muffin shaped!

You can find the recipe here.  

The only changes are placing the ingredients into muffin cases 

and reducing the cooking time, mine took just over 20 minutes.

Garden:

I bought some plug plants.

I bought some mangled, sad looking plug plants!

They arrived in the post looking weak, starved of light and water.

I couldn't wait to finish work that day and spent the next hour or so potting them up.

There's Verbena, Pelargoniums, Tagetes and Impatiens.

I purchased from Van Muewen online and just paid the postage of £4.99 -

not too bad I thought - once I got them into pots and they were looking more alive.

And this beauty cheered me up on a dull overcast day.

It is my flowering Snow Queen Clematis, the picture doesn't really show the sheer

size of the flower head - it is at least 8 inches across.

Telly:

My telly intake has drastically reduced but I have been watching...

BBC iPlayer - In Pursuit of Love

Based on Nancy Mitford's 1945 novel about an upper-class English family 

in the interwar period focusing on the romantic life of 

Linda Radlett, as narrated by her cousin, Fanny Logan.

Starring Lily James (she appears to be in everything!)

and many other well known names.

Comedy tragedy pretty much sums it up.

It is one of those programmes where you feel initially it is isn't going anywhere 

but you feel compelled to watch. I'm sticking with it.

And I did finally get around to watching ...

Rocketman - Netflix

Musical fantasy film based on Elton's John's life.

Taron Egerton plays Reg Dwight (Elton John) and goodness,

what a brilliant job he does of it too!

I was glued to this film and although they've made the songs fit around events

(the song release years are definitely out) it works brilliantly.

Elton was Executive Producer so you would like to think there's 

a lot of accuracy too. 10/10 from me!

Last weekend we had a lovely evening at my parents with a takeaway.

The whole family together and it felt so comforting and normal after all this time.

Bella was so excited!

This weekend - cabin bound, working on the June Charity Kit and I think we 

may see some sunshine so definitely some gardening.

Thank you for stopping by, take care friends and

have a lovely Bank Holiday weekend.

Friday Chat Day

 Hello friends

Welcome to another Friday Chat Day,

some random natterings from my little corner of the world.

Crochet:

A tray of brightness.

These are the squares for my Hello Summer blanket.

I deliberated on colours for far too long but I hope

they exude summer-ness. 

And I have started the joining using Soft Peach.

I'm eager to finish the joining and work on the border and that will

then be another WIP done and dusted.

Still planning on being true to my WIP list and my goal is to have

them all done by September as Lucy at Attic 24 will be announcing

a Yuletide blanket then.  

Do I have enough blankets? Most definitely! 

Garden:

The 'can't make its mind up' weather is still here.

The sudden downpours and then brilliant sunshine means everything

is growing including my Christmas tree.

Now don't laugh, it is rather pathetic isn't it.

I bought it last year and was fooled by what it could grow into,

I didn't check the small print that would be in many years! 

And look at the loo roll Sweet Peas!

I think they are nearly ready to go out, I'm just waiting on a 

trellis/obelisk thingybob to arrive which I will share with you.

(Looks quite different, more pyramid shape).

I also planted some seeds in tiny pots in my equally titchy indoor greenhouse.

All very experimental with odd seeds I've found.

Salvias, Dwarf Dahlias and Wild Pansies.

I'm getting a lot of satisfaction from seeing these little bits of green.

Even if it is just 20 minutes a day I try to do a little bit of 

gardening - whether it be indoors or outdoors.

Telly:

I've finished Line of Duty so I'm now in a position to comment - Karenlotty

(although I don't want to give too much away in case others haven't seen it).

So my thoughts initially were "Oh, really?" 

I have to admit I was bordering on being a little disappointed but then I stopped

and thought about it more and revised it to: "Actually, that's quite clever".

Will there be another season I wonder?

Baby Driver - Netflix 

Smooth faced getaway driver with just one job left but it is

all about to go wrong.

Would I pick this film? No not normally but Elliott was visiting and had

control of the remote!

Am I glad I watched it? Definitely.

I even put my crochet down numerous times as I was enthralled.

I was so surprised by this film, the main character is a music junkie

and this is relevant, it is how he times his getaways from robbing banks.

Excellent soundtrack and the action is in sync with the beat.

Other stuff:

This full time working lark zaps the hours each day, I also cannot

believe how tired I get when I'm just sitting at a desk but I guess 

I am using my brain (which is probably a little shock to it!)

On the plus side, I am enjoying my job and happy to do full time 

whilst working from home.

This week my office has been hosting a learning week with guest speakers

and we were lucky to have Jo Fairley - (she of Green and Blacks chocolate fame).

At school her careers advisor told her she would not amount to much,

in fact went so far as to say she would be lucky to even become a 

Girl Friday in an office.

This resonated with me.

We had a 'careers advisor' at school, we queued up outside and had a maximum

10 minute interview.  I remember it so clearly.

I sat on the plastic creaking chair and before I could say anything, she said 

"Do you want to be a secretary or a nurse?"

I replied saying I would actually like to be a writer or get into advertising and

she tutted and said "stick to being a secretary then".

Don't get me wrong, being a secretary has held my in good stead for 

nearly 30 years but I often wonder...what if?

Did something similar happen to you?

And that has pretty much been my week.

This weekend I would like to visit my sister, I hope to get into the 

cabin to start June's Charity Kit and on Sunday we are having a takeaway

with my parents - which will be lovely and feel like some normality is returning.

Talking of charity kits - 

I still have some April kits available and the price is now reduced to

£3.50.

Please visit the blog post here if you would like to purchase.

Take care friends, wishing you a lovely weekend.

Friday Chat Day

 Hello friends

Happy Friday, let's see if this week my blog post goes to plan!

For early birds last week (and thank you to Michele for messaging me)
you will have seen the bare bones of my blog post - just pics and notes.
It was a little insight into how I write the Friday post. 

As my week ticks along I upload photos and notes otherwise I sit down the day before 

to write and I just cannot remember what I've done! 

Pretty easy to remember my week this week - 

it's been work, work with a topping of...work!

I'm not complaining as this current full time lark is paid overtime - 

it may pay for some long overdue renovations to the VT. 

Crochet:

It's finished!

The Spiced Biscuits Blanket that I was pattern testing.

It had to be done by this Sunday so there was some speedy crochet. 

There is the option to make the border narrower - I was grateful for that.

The final border round was berry stitch - little bobbles, I like those.

If you follow me on Instagram I went a bit made with photos there.

I will be putting this one up for sale in my Folksy shop shortly.

My mission now is to complete all my WIPs - honest I really am!

I've written them down and there is five blankets partially started.

I MUST NOT start anything new until they are done.

I will then be able to work through my yarn collection...

Garden:

I have a sickly palm!

Any advice greatly appreciated.

I'm wondering if it doesn't like being in a pot?

Sweet Peas are sprouting - not sure if that's the correct terminology.

My Montana Clematis showing off.

The flowers are opening daily.

I like the bench but still wish I had my old wicker chair,

that  seemed more nature friendly.

Telly:

BBC1 - Line of Duty

The twists of turns of a specialised Police Anti-Corruption Unit.

I am SO late to the party with this one.

I have watched all the previous seasons but I was waiting until 

all episodes of season 6 was available so I could binge.

At the points when I'm supposed to be gripped by intrigue

I'm looking at the TV screen and thinking...

I'm not sure a beard suits Steve Arnott! 

Saying that, it is a telly show that doesn't disappoint,

I did find myself having to Google previous episodes just so I 

could place names. I've just got one more episode to go 

and amazingly I've managed to avoid spoilers on social media.

(Karenlotty - I'll let you know what I think of the ending).

Other stuff:

Pleased to report Elliott is well again after feeling poorly from his

second vaccination.  Mitchell has been in training for his new job,

there appears to be quite a bit of downtime between calls,

the man who is training him paints Warhammer figures and does cross-stitch! 

I may get Mitchell crocheting yet.

My Mum has just undergone some eye treatment, lasering,

she also has lots of other appointments to deal with.

She is still quite frail but managing to potter in her garden and 

plant up seedlings in her greenhouse. 

Littlelamb - pleased to hear you are out of hospital and hope you are recovering

well at your son's home.

And that's my week - apologies again no recipe,

we are freezer foragers at the moment!

This weekend I think a roast dinner might be on the menu with Elliott visiting.  

I'm deliberating whether to pop to the garden centre,

I need some large pots to go with the other dozen or so large pots I have,

I fear it is a little like buying yarn!

Take care friends, wishing you a lovely weekend.

Friday Chat Day

Hello friends

Happy Friday (or not so happy first thing here when realising 
Blogger had not published my updated post!)
I typed a super long FDD in my lunch hour yesterday

that has now disappeared. 
I'm thinking it was because I had it open on both my laptop downstairs and
PC upstairs that it chose to save and publish the wrong version - grhhh! 
So let's try again...

How was your Bank Holiday?

I must admit it did not feel like a Bank Holiday but I was grateful

for a longer weekend.

The Charity Kit sold out fast last Sunday, I do think the layered style 

of cards are more popular. What do you favour?

Please allow an extra day or two for them to arrive

because of the bank holiday.

Crochet:

Working full time seriously hampers crochet output!

I am pleased that I've managed to do all 64 squares of

the pattern testing project that I am doing -

Spiced Biscuits Blanket.

And the joining has begun...

There's a huge border to be added, 26 rounds and I need to have this done

by the 16th, I think I'll get there - nothing like having a deadline to 

get you into action.

I'm really happy with the colours - I see the ocean, sea foam,

Elliott announced 'they look like toothpaste colours!'

And the commission is finished, the one I called 'big and boring'.

Now it is finished I take that back, it's lovely, soft and squidgy.

Bella and the cats had their eyes on it as a nice bed so the photos

were quickly snapped before it was packaged up and sent off to its new home.

I used James C Brett Amazon Super Chunky - 14 balls in total with a 12mm hook.

I will be updating my Crochet page here on the blog shortly.

Garden:

We have had some downpours this week and everything has had a growth spurt.

And look who is back - the squirrel has buried his afternoon snacks in my 

huge tree pots (thankfully those get covered in more plants come Summer)

He goes from pot to pot and then sits on the fence and nibbles his snack.

I know my neighbour find them a nuisance but I think adorable.

Bottoms up!

Telly:

When I've sat down of an evening this week by constant viewing has been:

The Medici - Netflix

The struggles of the family who are the bankers to the Pope in the 1400s.

Three seasons to dive into.

So the Medici are real but the writers had a whale of a time embellishing

this I'm certain.  It is full of intrigue, murder, twists, gorgeous hair,

sumptuous gowns and I'm certain their teeth were never that white! 

That aside, I've found it wonderful viewing and the timeline is accurate,

the right people die at the right time! 

Dustin Hoffman stars in the first season along with Richard Madden -

Games of Thrones fame.

Other news:

I'm still being very cautious and not venturing very far at all.

My hermit status suits me, I've got very used to the food shop 

delivery once a week and walking Bella in my lunch break.

This is how she spends her afternoon whilst I'm back working -

she's not the most productive co-worker but I'm grateful for the company.

Elliott had his second vaccination this week and has been a little

poorly afterwards - the usual symptoms so I've been administering

motherly advice - plenty of fluids, paracetemol etc - he is picking up now.

And talking of poorly - so sorry to hear you are still in hospital Littlelamb,

I hope you will be home soon.

And I think that wraps up this week - sorry for the blogger mishap 

this morning.

I know my original post had a few more items but I'll save those for 

next week.

Take care friends, have a lovely weekend - let's hope it warms up.

Charity Kit Day - May 2021

 Hello friends

Happy Charity Kit Day.

Thank you for stopping by and taking a look at this month's kit. 

Each month a donation is made to a different charity and this month it is 

Caenhill Countryside Centre, a project which brings countryside learning 

to children, young people and communities.

I am so pleased we have a mix of big and little charities again this year.

To keep track of charities there is a tab at the top of my blog here.  

It details the 2021 chosen charities, clickable links and 

there's general kit info over there too

And here is this month's kit:

lots of layers of cream and with your choice of flower colour. 

Included in your kit:

Ivory card blank

Ivory envelope

Die cuts – Fabulous Fretwork x 2, Captivating Squares x 2,

Flowers x 5, Leaves x 2

Stamped and die cut rectangular sentiment

Full instructions

(Items you will need: adhesives, foam pads, pearls/gemstone, inks/pens)

The kits are packed in recyclable paper bags and sent in a 'do not bend' 

envelope so they arrive in pristine condition. 

To make up the kits you just need a basic craft kit, all pieces are pre-cut.

The kit cost this month is £5.25

that's the total payment - inclusive of postage and packing.

Payment is via the PayPal link below.

If you wish to purchase but would prefer not to use PayPal, please email me:

hope-chances@live.co.uk

I'm happy to help with alternative payment arrangements.

It is possible to purchase multiple kits,

there's an option with PayPal for that too.

If you would like to support the kits but do not need one right now,

there is a 'Ko-fi' button', at the top of the blog, it's not really for coffee...

all donations enable me to purchase card blanks, envelopes, the paper bags,

sticky labels etc used each month.

It is truly a great help each month with Ko-fi donations,

so lots of thanks to those who donate.

Take care friends, as always - huge thanks for your support

and have a wonderful Bank Holiday.