Friday Chat Day

Hello friends

Happy New Year's Eve!

Goodness it only seems like minutes ago I was typing 'Christmas Eve',

time has flown by.

I hope you had a lovely Christmas.

Santa filled a very important stocking,

Bella got lots of new toys and was very appreciative. 

She was so excited the whole of Christmas Day, she slept for hours

on Boxing Day.

The weather was not festive at all, grey, foggy and wet.

My garden is disgraceful, I have been very lazy in trying to 

tidy it but the weather just isn't conducive to stepping out there.

This murky greyness has resulted in very damp Bella walks.

Here is she is being cheeky and sitting on the back of my Mum's armchair

following a said damp walk.

Crochet

I was able to have some down time and picked up my crochet hook.

I'm revisiting my Hello Winter Blanket and crocheting a larger border,

this one drapes over the end of my bed during Winter and I just want it to look bigger.

It also colour tones perfectly with Bella on my lap.

She's under there, loves to snuggle.

I also got the urge to do some sorting out.

Perhaps it is the prospect of New Year, a reset button flicks in my head 

and I feel like I need to purge.

The boys bought me some photo storage boxes for Christmas

and I've been getting organised with those.

I discovered this photo which made me so happy.

My family on holiday in wet and windy
Wales in the 1970's and look...

I have a crochet bag - it must be in my DNA!

I am now tackling my yarn storage - that's taking longer!

I've put together all the blankets I currently have for sale - 

they are taking up valuable storage space so I'm 

doing a very special sale here with BIG discounts for my blog followers.

All are washable, you just pop them in a laundry bag/pillowcase and use a 

delicate cycle.

There's just one of each - free postage - please click links.

You'll be making me very happy with space to fill with...yes, more yarn probably!

Hello Autumn Blanket

SOLD!

Colours are warmer than this photo is showing (drat to this weather!)

Measures 96cm x 96cm.

***************

Meadow Stripe Blanket

SOLD!

This is a big blanket - ideal for a single bed or sofa.
Measures 194cm x 128cm

**********

Little Squares Cushion Cover

Plain reverse with pretty buttons.

Requires a 14 x 14 cushion pad which can easily be inserted.

£15

*************

Cupcake Blanket

SOLD!

Another big blanket - candy colours.

152cm x 142cm

**********

Sweetheart Rose Blanket

Pretty vintage colours with a bobble border.

96cm x 96cm

£28

***********
Hello Spring Blanket

SOLD!

The close up photo shows the colours way better, pastel Spring-like.

Measures 98cm x 98cm

As mentioned, I'm including postage and packing in the price.

Telly

Ooo I've watched quite a lot!

I do love a Christmas special and Call the Midwife did not let me down,

I sobbed a bit and then smiled a lot - all normal.

I've kept a few more Christmas specials as treats to watch in depressing January.

Charity Kits

Just a reminder that going forward kits are alternate months so February

is the next one.

I've updated the Charity Kits page here - it details the 2022 chosen charities.

There is still space for a couple more so suggestions welcome please.

I am going to have a January kit sale so please watch this space -

determined to get some cupboard space!

And that was my crimbo week - truly hope Santa was kind

and brought you some goodies.

Remains for me to say lots of thanks for stopping by

each week and reading all my ramblings.

I wish you a happy and very importantly, healthy New Year.

And if you make a crochet purchase I'll ensure to get it to you

ASAP! 

Take care friends, much love.

Friday Chat Day

Hello friends

Happy Friday - happy Christmas Eve!

I hope you are all well and ready in your own way for the festive period.

This week I received birthday flowers again!

This is the subscription that the boys bought for my birthday,

it appears each month I get the same card too which is quite funny.

Talking of being ready for Christmas in your own way,

here's a contrast for you - top pic is last year, bottom pic is this year!

It is a very very little tree but it is doing its job perfectly,

plus I get to plant it outside.

I have scattered a few more fairly lights around the house but yes,

very pared down Christmas decs.

How are you spending your Christmas? I hope you are able to 

see your families.  It all feels rather a muddle doesn't it.

Today I am working half day and then going to collect Elliott who is staying over.

I'm excited about that - I know my sons are grown men but still my boys

and it is lovely having them both here for Christmas.

Christmas Eve is by far my most favourite day of Christmas 

and Elliott and I will walk Bella this evening when it is dark to see all the lights.

Mitchell still has to work until quite late (11pm) but thankfully from 

home so I can pop some sausage rolls and a glass of something 

on his work desk.

Christmas Day...

My Mum has had a tough time with her health and it is much easier for her 

and Dad to be in their own home at Christmas so my Sister and I came up 

with a plan for Christmas Day lunch.  

The two of us are splitting the cooking and we will meet up at

my parents, grandchildren as well, for us all to sit down and eat together.

It will not be glamorous china, there will be quite a bit of foil!

But we will all be together and that's important.

Oh yes, Bella will be there too, she's rather excited - can you tell! 

Crochet

I am very close to finishing this baby blanket.

The original plan was for it to be all white but I couldn't resist a bit of colour.

Also working on my scarf - it would be wise for me to finish that in Winter.

If Santa has read my Christmas list I suspect 

I could have a few new yarn goodies soon - I will be in total flux 

wondering what projects to do! 

I would also be speedier if I didn't have little 'helpers' interrupting me for fuss,

Lily is our most timid cat - she looks like she has a pin cushion on her head here.

Garden

I still haven't got out there to prune back various plants,

each time I try the weather is just wet and awful so I scuttle back indoors.

I did remember that last year I had a bowl of hyacinths and 

ventured to the shed and found them, they are trying to sprout.

I think I read somewhere that they may not flower again

unless they are planted outside but I've brought them in as an experiment.

Telly

 It has been a mishmash of viewing this week but 

I have been watching the Spiderman films (a mother of sons can you tell?!)

Reason being, Mitchell treated me to a trip to the cinema to see the latest

Spiderman film - in IMAX (that's a first for me) and big recliner seats. 

I was a little worried I may doze off as it was so comfortable

but the film was all action so no chance! 

Such a lovely treat from Mitchell.

And keeping in theme with super heroes I binged the entire

season of Hawkeye on Disney+

Again, all action, totally incredulous and thoroughly entertaining.

I am planning to watch something more realistic soon

but this escapism stuff is rather nice.

In other news a builder has been round to view the kitchen and conservatory.

I contacted five builders and only one responded.

I am awaiting his quote so fingers crossed although he will not be 

able to carry out all the work and install kitchen until end of March.

That isn't so bad, I can wait before everything is topsy turvy again.

And that was my week.

Very relieved we have gone past the shortest day so lighter evenings

are on the horizon.

Just remains for me to wish you all a happy, wonderful and healthy Christmas -

I shall raise a glass to you for being such lovely followers.

Take care friends.

Friday Chat Day

 Hello friends

Eek Christmas is around the corner...

and here's a squirrel!

(Photo looks hazy as taken through my grubby windows!)

I have no idea what this one is doing - part relaxing, part exhausted maybe?

The school behind my house has closed down so the field is becoming

overgrown, it is now a haven for wildlife which has been lovely.

Although not the mice - we have one cat that is on hunt alert 24/7.

Instead of pretty festive photos which would be normal at this time of year,

let me share with you a plastered conservatory.

Not everything went to plan last weekend, unfortunately the electrician 

couldn't do the work in the conservatory on Saturday and instead arrived on Monday.

My schedule to move everything back, reclaim the lounge went out the window.  

Instead, I attempted to tidy the garden, it was very wet but managed to

make it even more accessible to squirrels.

But when the electrician did arrive on Monday, this felt magical.

We haven't had lights in here for ages.

We then spent hours putting everything back in the conservatory.

It is just piled in boxes as we no longer have units but at 

least the lounge is back in use for Christmas.

I then remembered back in 2019 that I shared this nugget of info with you...

But my boxes are temporary so I'm going to keep telling myself that.

I did have a big sort out, because 32 dinner plates here are totally unnecessary! 

I'm feeling a little anxious at being behind with all things Christmas, 

but I've decided to be kind to myself 

(and my family - they don't want a grumpy Mum at Christmas) so... 

for the first time ever I am not putting up my Christmas tree and spending 

hours decorating it.  Instead I've bought a tiny tiny potted real tree and added lights. 

It looks even smaller in this photo.

And outside is the Christmas tree that I bought online a couple of years ago,

(it arrived no more than a twig) well look at him now!

I shall pop up some garlands, decorate the fireplace and probably add more 

lights and that will be fine.  

I am my own worst enemy in that I give myself tasks and deadlines, 

I must do something about that in 2022.  

Anyone else do that?

So with the electrician delay there was another positive, 

I was able to book an appointment and look into a new kitchen.  

It is rather flash nowadays, you get to see plans in 3D

and even in VR - that was weird but interesting.

A chap came out and took measurements first, I was mortified

when I got to the showroom and realised he had also taken photos -

typically it was the day I hadn't had time to empty the dishwasher and tidy up -

mugs and plates stacked on the draining board along with 

pet bowls all over the floor.  The designer promised me she had seen worse

but I bet she's seen better! 

So now I am considering all sorts for a new kitchen. 

All going well (and the bank robbery goes to plan - just kidding),

I am having it installed in March.

Crochet

Whilst waiting for the yarn to arrive for my scarf I started

something new, this is going to be a baby blanket.

I wanted a subtle rainbow look going through it so hopefully 

I am achieving that.

Then the scarf yarn arrived so I'm in a nightly dilemma of what project to do.

This baby blanket is a definite telly project.

Telly

Kirstie's Handmade Christmas - Channel 4 

Kirstie is back!

It is time to make some pretty, often impractical things,

or things that require 30 years experience in metal working!

I jest - I do actually like this programme a lot and I will always be thankful

for Kirstie introducing me to pom-pom makers many years ago.

And that was my week and this time next week 

it will be Christmas Eve.

I will be posting, I cannot guarantee scintillating content...

I really do appreciate those of you who stop by and read 

my natterings each week.

Take care friends, keep well and have a perfectly brilliant weekend.

Friday Chat Day

 Hello friends

Welcome to another round of natter - Friday Chat Day.

Compared to previous natter days this one is shorter as 

it has been a work work work week.

Let me start by sharing some flowers which are the nicest thing in my
conservatory right now.

For my birthday, the boys bought me a monthly flower subscription.

Such a nice idea, the gift that keeps giving.

These are already a few weeks' old so lasting amazingly well.

Conservatory news (thrilling!)

I am doing a happy dance today as the plasterer is coming and tomorrow

the electrician.  I will no longer have just plasterboard,

dangling plug sockets and no lights.

By the weekend (once I tackle the dust) I should be able to move stuff 

back into the conservatory (piles of boxes) and at least get the 

Christmas decorations up, I am very late this year.

It is hard to feel festive when the house looks like something out of Hoarders!

This has helped me feel a little festive though,

one of the decorations in our reception at work - adore the animals

at the foot of the tree.

I'm not sure I'll be returning to the office now until next year after Boris' announcement,

very sad for all the venues that were hosting Christmas lunches, parties etc.

Crochet

I'm making a scarf - shock it is not a blanket!

I needed a smaller project to concentrate on at the moment.

I have only got this far because I ran out of yarn -

words I did not think I would utter for a long time.

Truth it, it is specific yarn in a specific colour (Stylecraft - Peony)

so waiting for it to arrive.

The pattern is from YouTube and is a lot easier than it looks.

Once finished I am returning to blankets - of course.

Charity Kit

Just a few kits remaining if you missed out on this month's kit,

please pop across to the blog post here.

Also thank you for your understanding moving the kits to 

alternate months, next one is February. 

I am still happy to receive charity ideas too please.

Telly

It is definitely that time for trashy Christmas films on

Netflix and Prime - they are so bad they are good!

They all follow a similar pattern which is laughable.

A Castle for Christmas - Netflix

This one definitely tested me - really not sure what to think

of Brooke Shields in this.

But the set designers are amazing, possibly some of the best 

Christmas decorations and bucket loads of fake snow.

And that rounds up my week, they go by in the blink of an eye

at the moment.  

I hope you are all keeping well and your 

Christmas plans are on track.

Take care friends.

Charity Kit Day - December 2021

 Hello friends

Charity Kit Day - goodness how did we get to December so quickly?

As always, thank you for stopping by and taking a look.

Each month a donation will be made to a different charity.

This month it is The Donkey Sanctuary who are discovering

many ways to make the world a better place for donkeys.

Without further ado, here is this month's kit:

a festive decorated kraft gift bag.

Included in your kit: 

Kraft gift bag

Patterned silver and white paper

Die cuts – Christmas Tree, Reindeer, Rabbit, Tag, Mini Poinsettia

A Gold mini peg

Felt leaves

Full instructions

(Items you will need: adhesive, foam pads/tape, inks/pens, pearls/gemstones)

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 £6.25.

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

(A little higher price this month I'm afraid because they need to be 

posted out as Large Letter) 

Payment is via the PayPal link below.

£6.25 - Now £3.50!

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.

It is truly a great help so lots of thanks to those who donate.

So going forward with the Charity Kits I have some news...

with working full time I do find it a bit of struggle to cram everything 

into weekends but I do not want to stop the kits.

Instead I'm going to be switching to alternate months, that's six kits a year

instead of twelve - I think that will be a nice balance.

That means the next Charity Kit will be February 2022.

I will need your help again with selecting charities so please email me

your suggestions to hope-chances@live.co.uk  

As you know I pick both people and furry charities.

Take care friends - have a lovely Sunday.