How does my garden grow, week 2

Sullivan. He's a great little boy. Great fun, always wanting kisses and cuddles yet very good at entertaining himself. He's playing 'This Little Piggy' in this picture.

I took these photos last Tuesday, things have changed since then. In the small yogurt pots are tomatoes and french beans. The larger yogurt pots have got butternut squash and courgettes. In the middle you can see my chillis, dwarf french beans and two herb pots. I'm really enjoying gardening this year. Nurturing these tiny seedlings is becoming an important part of my day, satisfying and rewarding as well calming and soothing.

Below you can see the children's beans and the newspaper pots I made. These pots are great, cheap, recycled and totally biodegradable (although I'm not sure about the chemicals in the printing ink). You just have to be careful not to rip them once they are damp...don't ask!

This is my little wall mounted basket, usually it has some sort of trailing flower in it but this year we have salad leaves. I thought it would be great on wet, grey days to be able to open the front door and harvest myself a sunny summer salad. The seedlings seem to like the warmth reflected from the bricks and are growing well.

I've been shown into the dark side. I've experimented with dyeing yarn using plants. Today I did my first ever dye job using dandelions, Thanks Helen. Photos to follow, along with a knitting and spinning update.

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My big girl, Emilia went on her first Brownie holiday this weekend. She was so worried that school told me to take her home after she ran out of school after I had left her in her classroom. Luckily someone we know found her looking for me and kept her until I came out of Maddie's class!

She had some tears getting on the minibus, but Maddie cried more! I didn't cry, but wanted to. She had a great time abseiling, climbing, fencing, singing around a camp fire and watching fireworks. The weekend was organised to celebrate 100 years of Girl Guiding in the UK and was attended by Brownies from all over Devon. I am so proud of her, I don't think I'd have been able to get on the bus!

Off to bed now, had too many late nights recently....

Oh, one last thing. Don't forget to vote next Thursday. It really is important to have your say.

I finished these little trousers for my friends new baby boy. The pattern is Blu

and a very easy knit. I really didn't get on with the seaming though and opted to sew the up regular fashion using mattress stitch. I wasn't very good at the embroidery either...

We have poorly babies at the moment. Emilia and Madeleine are recovering from a bout of Norovirus but Sullivan has been hit hard. I keep thinking he is better and then he is sick again.


I hope we are all better by Friday because Mum, Barry and Maisie are coming to stay for Easter :)

Make sure you visit Barry's blog - he hasn't posted since last August and writes such lovely things.

Happy Easter!

Oink.

It was half term last week and we spent most of it looking after Madeleine and Sullivan who both ended up very poorly with the H1N1 (swine flu) virus. They were both given the antiviral medication which has done a fantastic job of getting them well again. Poor Emilia spent most of the holiday being sent to friends houses to play...I bet she'd like Madeleine to be poorly again! She was very worried about her and kept asking if she'd have to go to hospital, it took a lot of reassurance to put her mind at rest.

Both girls were in their dance schools production this time round, Emilia had three dances - Ballet, Cowgirls dancing The Deadwood Stage from Calamity Jane, Tap - Penguins from Happy Feet and Modern - Catch a wave by The Beach Boys. Maddie had 2 dances - Ballet - We're off to see the Wizard and Tap - Penguins again. They were wonderful, I'm so proud of our girls having the confidence and stamina to perform on a professional stage in front of a full house. Well Done Girls! xxx

Jez is working hard, very busy with work and the gig club. He's training loads and is just about back to the weight and build he was at university.

Me? I'm okay. Not quite myself at the moment but on the advice of my Dr I have cut back the amount of hours I do at the Children's Centre. It's all voluntary so I can't be signed off and I feel like I am letting a lot of people down but maybe I should start pleasing myself a bit more and doing less to please others? Maybe, but I don't like it!

We went back to Hampshire this weekend. It was my brother Edward's 30th and my father-in-law's 65th. Crazy busy weekend, but fun. It was great to surprise Edd and to see Dad, Maisie, Laurie and Michelle too. Laurie was going to come back with us for a while but changed his mind :( I've made him promise to come down soon. We also got to meet my sister in law's new man, and a lovely man he is too. I think she has found someone who'll look after her.

We went round to see my dear friend Sharon for lunch on saturday. I wish her daughter would stop growing up, it's making me feel old! Such a lovely family, wish we saw more of each other.

The girls were back to school today, Maddie's class are already talking about the Christmas play - I'm so excited!

I'll leave you with a photo of Sullivan and I, taken at Mum and Barry's Wedding 18/04/08.

More photos soon, and hopefully a short video or two! Have a great week - I'm off to bed ready for a busy day tomorrow.

A busy time

Sullivan is Thomas mad at the moment. He has tantrums if he has to wear anything other than his Thomas Tshirts (although he seems to be happy with Mr Men this weekend, saying Bum Bum and pointing to his tshirt with Mr Bump on it). I bought him these jimjams from Sainsbury's yesterday - it was so busy, they even tannoyed that they had every till

open and would serve us as quickly as possible. It's not even that busy at Christmas! - He didn't want to get ready for bed but when I told him he had new jimjams he was up the stairs faster than a supersonic rocket. He loves them and has been carrying them around all day today. At least we know what to get him for his birthday...

On wednesday I attended an event hosted by NiftyThrifty at Lillico's here in Barnstaple. It was a great event featuring a diverse range of Devon based designer makers. I did really well, having only 4 bags left at the end of the evening. It was the first time I had sold my felted bags down here and it was great to know that people like the things I produce. I'm surprised that this bag didn't go though, but Halloween isn't such a big even over here as it is in the States, yet!

I'm next selling at the Barnstaple Children's Centres Christmas shopping evening on 13th November at St Johns Hall by Tesco and then on 22nd November in Barnstaple Pannier Market. Drop by and have a look!

Anybody getting Christmas excited yet...?

Ilfracombe Pilot Gig Club Regatta, Fibrefest and P/hop...

Yesterday Ilfracombe Pilot Gig Club held their first regatta. Despite strong winds and a very lumpy sea everyone had a great time. The course was shortened due to the sea conditions so the races were about 1 mile in length compared to the norm of around 1.5 - 2 miles. The rowers had to work very hard to fight against the waves, and they definitely won the battle!

The Ilfracombe Men's A didn't do too well but the Men's B won their first ever race! It was Ilfracombes' first ever race win in a regatta and much celebration followed! Well done boys! The mixed team came a close fifth after Weymouth, the team really worked hard to try and edge past. It was practically a photo finish!
Daddy didn't win :o(


I loved this seagull, he (or she) posed quite happily for me before fighting against the wind to soar in the thermals. Not his thermals, it was quite warm yesterday!

Here you can see all the boats lining up for the first race. These crews are the Ladies B teams, Weymouth - the 2 green boats - came first and third, Paignton - yellow and blue - came second.

Overall, Weymouth were the outright winners. They have extremely strong crews who work with good coxswains to ensure the whole crew pull together well.

Emilia had a great day, she spent almost all day in the food tent helping to sell the cakes. She was brilliant with the money, adding it up, giving correct change and always being polite, confident and happy. It has done wonders for her confidence. In fact our Millie was back, the one who was so happy and confident before she started junior school last year. Let's just say that I will be watching the school closely this year and if her confidence even takes the slightest dive I will want to know why!

All in all it was a wonderful day. The Ilfracombe crews, committee and friends worked so hard to make the day as brilliant as it was. I hope that they are all proud of themselves - I know I am!

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Last weekend Mum, Barry and Maisie came to stay. It just happened to be the same weekend as Fibrefest at ColdHarbour Mill. Oh what a wonderful day I had. I was totally overwhelmed and overawed by the talent, beauty, squooshiness and total loveliness of the day. I bought a fair bit, some jute to make shopping bags with for £1 a skein, Araucania Patagonia Cotton to make Liesl (which I have started), some blue and red merino tops to spin into something for Sullivan and a few knitpro harmony tips. Barry disappeared when we got into the main tent and then reappeared with an Ashford Niddy Noddy for me. What a great stepdad! xxx

Mum let me 'shoplift' her wonderful fibre that she had brought down with her I've got so much lovely stuff that needs spinning but not until after wednesday when the girls go back to school :o(

This chimney is at Coldharbour Mill, it gave me reverse vertigo to look up to it!

One of the lovely outdoor stands, Sullivan adored all the animals and was answering the sheep back when they baa-ed at him!

I'm sure he wanted to get in with the sheep....

I've just realised that I haven't any photos of my newly enhanced fibre and yarn stash, maybe tomorrow.

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This a square I've knitted for a P/Hop blanket to be auctioned for Medecins Sans Frontiers. Mum has been helping knit and sew up these blankets and needed just a few more squares to finish the last one. I'm not sure what the yarn is, but I didn't have quite enough for it and the final 3 rows are knit in Fleece Artist merino sock yarn. I'll be adding a P/Hop donation thingy to my blog, please help if you can as it is such a wonderful cause.

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Tomorrow is my 5 year blogiversary. Amazing. How should I celebrate I wonder? Cake.....

Happy Birthday Mum!

My lovely Mum celebrates her birthday today. Those of you who have met her or know her as Picperfic will know how wonderful she is. Without her I doubt I would knit, sew, crochet, bake, etc etc! She taught me so much and continues to inspire me. I am very proud of how she has turned her life around and made it the life that she wants and deserves. Love you Mum xxx

This is my current project. A Tomten jacket by Elizabeth Zimmerman in Katia Mexico. This is a lovely knit and the yarn is great too. It's my first EZ project although I have read her books from cover to cover numerous times. I love the way she writes, so easily and calmly. I'm going to edge the jacket with an applied i-cord using some green handspun.

We had some sunshine yesterday and were planning to go to RHS Rosemoor but the central locking on my van has gone loopy and gives you a split second to open the doors and then locks you in. I don't feel happy driving long distances in it so we picnicked in the garden instead. The above photo is Sullivan just before he launched himself on top of Emilia and Madeleine's Barbie game. Boys!

The girls were wearing their Amy Butler Sun Surf Halters, this is a lovely pattern. I made one for myself but the fabric was too stiff and just looked yuk! I love the girls in theirs and they were them as often as possible.

I hope you are enjoying your summer!

Custard Pies!

If you ever want to get rid of pent up aggression in a safe(ish!) environment then organise a custard pie fight!

This event was organised to help Childrens Hospice Southwest here in Barnstaple. They'd also had a sponsored 24 hour space hopper-thon going on since the previous evening. Can you imagine how hard that would have been? Hope lots of money has been raised!

Before they got too mucky!


Emilia's school organised two sports days this year but unfortunately the weather wasn't playing fair and they only managed one. Emilia loves sports, she puts 100% into everything she tries and always enjoys herself. The teacher who was running the event below was brilliant, really good at keeping the childrens' attention as well as making them laugh. I hope he's still teaching when Emilia is in year 6.

Giggking away because of the way she threw the ball :o)

Cheering on the team 'Go Reds!'

On Saturday 18th July, Pilton held its yearly street festival. I love this day, it's how I imagine Glastonbury to have been in the early days. (In fact isn't Glastonbury held in a village called Pilton?). Mum and I were meant to have been spinning in the Rotary Gardens but I was told Sullivan had Swine Flu on the thursday before the festival and couldn't let Mum come down. Sullivan then sprouted two new teeth - little monkey!

It turned out fine though as I met a friend who had a gazebo in the gardens, she was making felt and her friend was making beautiful hand embroidered owl cushions. They let me join them and I had a fun afternoon answering all sorts of questions about spinning including whether I had spun cat fur as this couple had been keeping the combings from their cat...

We were in the parade for the third year, Sullivan slept through most of it, even the loud drumming couldn't keep him awake!

My next post may include some knitting or even some spinning!

Rubbish Blogger

Facebook appears to have ruined my blogging, as well as my housework and creative time. I'm going to limit myself to 15 minutes a day from now on and hopefully I'll get more done. I'm feeling quite unproductive at the moment.

Maddie had her sports day last wednesday, they all did really well. As well as the team events they have a few running races. Maddie came 2nd in hers which is way better than I could ever have hoped to have done even though I was 'a natural athlete'! fnar fnar!
On thursday we drove down to Weymouth for a camping trip and the Weymouth Gig club Regatta on the saturday. This trip was fated from the start! The van did us proud until we got to the camp site and then the gears/clutch packed up so we decided to camp where we had to stop lol! We unpacked the van, found the tent and then started to pitch it.

My darling husband looked a bit purplexed when unpacking the tent. He'd forgotten that when we packed the tent away last time he'd decided not to pack the tent poles in with the tent...

Luckily the campsite had a whole load of tent poles that had been left behind which they let us borrow and we managed to cobble something together!

This is the reason for the camping trip - Gig Rowing . Jez is a member of the Ilfracombe team and we have had a great year so far travelling around the west coast of England for different Regattas. The children and I don't go to all of the regattas but the ones we have been to are great fun for all ages, the social-ness of them is wonderful!

Whilst Jez was rowing my dear friend S and her lovely family drove up to see us. It was wonderful to see them again if a little wet! (A LOT WET!) I can't believe how much her sweet daughter is growing up and I love how our 3 girls all get along so well :o)

Here's Dion and Sullivan, Dion is another member of the Ilfracombe along with his gorgeous girlfriend Jules. They camped with us at Osmington Mills, having recommended it to us.

When we got back on Saturday evening a couple of our sleeping bags had got wet so we decided to pack up and come home. Dion and Jules stayed on and said they had to move their tent at 2am because of the howling wind. Blooming weather!

On Sunday we went to the Big Sheep in Bideford, they've got these new trampolines called Pillows which are huge inflatable, erm, well, pillows! Great fun!

I have been knitting, and sewing too but I have no photo's of that.

This is Emilia's Adipose. Jez printed the pattern before Mazzmatazz had to take it off her site. Lovely pattern, cute little critter. Made in Rowan Soft Lux.

Sullivan adores In the Night Garden and Makka Pakka is his favourite. This is crocheted from an online free pattern. I can't remember from where but it is in my Ravelry list so I will credit her when I get back from school. I adjusted the head a little as it didn't quite look right and used buttons for the eyes as my embroidery skills are quite rubbish!

This is Sullivan (again) in his Humbug Hoody. This has become a summer staple and will probably fit him next year! Rowan Luxury cotton (I think), from RYC Mother and Baby.

Well, I have to get the girls home from school now. I hope it doesn't rain again! No promises to blog again soon as I'll only break my promise and then you'll hate me! HA!

A truly wonderful weekend!

The weather this weekend was glorious, it was so wonderful not to wear a coat! On Saturday we did the normal dancing lessons and food shopping. I did some sewing during the day too, finishing a tricornu and a landry bag to keep Sullivan's cloth nappies in.

On Sunday we all went to Ilfracombe and Jez went out in the gig boat (they had a race last week and came third! My photo's of last weeks events are here) for a training session. Emilia, Madeleine, Sullivan and I wandered around the harbour watching the men rowing and then we went to Ilfracombe Aquarium. It's a great attraction, not expensive. Small but really interesting. The girls love it there, I think we might get a season ticket this year.

I apologise for the order of the photos...

This character is on a boat on the river Lyn. Can you guess who he is meant to be?

This cheeky robin came to greet us as we finished the walk from The Valley of The Rocks down to Lynmouth. He actually posed for photos! If I's had any food with me I'm sure he would have taken it from my hand. We always say 'Hello Grandad' when we see a robin, Mum knows why xxx

We all really enjoyed our walk, I think we walked about 2 miles up and down hill. I plan to get fit this year and yesterday was day one! The girls hardly moaned at all, I think we need to get them some walking boots and then we can do more.

The Valley of the Rocks is populated by wild goats. They are very cheeky and funny to watch. These two were on a ledge above us as we walked down the coast path. They regarded us as if we were intruding on their patch! (I suppose we were...)

This is at Ilfracombe Harbour, Emilia was racing down to meet Daddy as the gig boat came back in. Both the girls helped push the gig back up to the lock up.

Here they are, my beautiful girls. We were watching the men row out to sea as we sat at the very end of the harbour wall, these steps actually lead into the sea, needless to say I didn't let Sullivan out of the back pack!

Here's my recent FO, a knitted boob! I'm going to make 1 for each of us in our La Leche Peer counselling team, the pattern is here. Before I sewed it up it looked like a little hat - I can just see a newborn wearing a booby hat! Haha! The yarn is Rowan Calmer and Wool cotton, it hardly took any yarn at all. I knit the boob in the round so I didn't have to sew it up.

I received my Ravelry £10 swap parcel today, I'll upload photo's tomorrow but I'll leave you knowing that I am overwhelmed by the kindness, thoughtfulness and generosity of my swap partner.

I hope you are able to enjoy the glorious spring sunshine,

Ali xxx