Lilys House

slowly getting back in the groove

Well almost.....The general aura of poorliness is lifting slowly thank goodness.

Its half term and all the usual routines are completely out the window...no school runs (yay!) after school activities, no having to be somewhere. BUT I am finding that maybe a little routine isn't a bad thing. With nothing major to get going for in the morning, we have just tended to sort of drift.

Of course, there is tons to do, oh my goodness there is tons to do.

Finishing off all the little odds and ends we said we'd do when the builder left (painting the skirtings, sorting the cupboards that I literally threw things in whilst the work was going on, attaching the wires hanging out of the walls to some lighting - you get the picture). We had quite a bit of work done over the summer, nothing too fancy, just necessary. It now looks lovely but needs just a little finishing - enter Nick and I. Or not, as the case may be........Oh well it will get done eventually. Family coming to stay in mid November may galvanise us into action!

Meanwhile - I have been using the downtime to knit a little - and its GREAT...(stop feeling guilty asti, stop feeling guilty.....).

Isn't this just the most gorgeous colour wool you have ever seen? Noro I love you (thanks Nic..).

a picture speaks a thousand words

We've had a bit of a day on the sofa. I wasn't allowed to move from her side. Now anybody who knows Maddie recognises that this is unusual behaviour - poorly behaviour. Whirlwind is the normal mode.

We are not always ill!! Honest, we're not. I just started this blog at a bad moment it seems. Thats real life I guess.

Anyhow, Nicky arrived with her children and lots of tea and egg custard tarts were consumed.

Not much got done, which was lovely in itself. This sort of mess - knitting, tea cups, bits of cake - I can handle.

bug busting

The 'change of weather' bugs that always seem to hit at this time of year, have taken hold of us all and energy levels have plummeted. Harry, on the other hand was gagging to be taken out, having been a bit neglected. Yesterdays 'walk' consisted of the little one and I staying in the car whilst poor Lily threw the ball around for him half heartedly. Well at least we made the effort.
So, some fresh air was in order, then back to the house to snuggle and stay warm. Not a lot is being done outside of the strictly necessary - eating, drinking and sitting - lots of that. Oh and some very simple knitting in the round, just right for the current state of mind . More on that later.

a little progress

Firstly those blankets!

I am so pleased with the way they turned out. Dyeing in the machine or by hand can be unpredictable, but thats half or even all of the fun really! The way I go about it is a bit hit and miss, even completely haphazard..........not a lot gets weighed or measured - a glug or six of vinegar, 40 or 60 degrees, lets mix up those two completely different packets of dye, anything goes really. I did wonder if I was going to melt the washing machine with some horrible chemical reaction, but no, only glorious shades emerged.
Apart from the deep purple which is just determined to stay that way.
Hence the purple bag:

Nicky and I have been working on a few of these little bags. They are so slouchy and the ones made from the beautiful recycled blankets are so soft and tactile.
The one above was a labour of love. Made at the weekend in a haze of head cold, the seam ripper was working overtime and much huffing and puffing accompanied the sewing. The adjustable knotted handle was an experiment - I'm pleased with it.

Also on the agenda was this sweet hottie cover. Being that time of year I couldn't resist.

Am sooo tempted to keep this one.....

love wool

Today I just happened to go into one of our local charity shops at just the right time. I came a away with the biggest pile of super blankets, just ripe for dyeing and turning into the most lovely things.
So this afternoon I have been playing about and waiting with anticipation for the finished results. The first one's out - an autumnal leaf orange, attempting to dry on the line. Another to go in soon - will be experimenting with a grapey colour. I'll post a pic of the finished article if it comes out ok.
The blue one is just fab as it is - cant believe my luck. Hee hee! Hope its not too sad to get excited about such things but I just love the idea of giving these poor old unloved blankets a new life as something different.
Yes, there is some sewing going on (lots of talk but no photos, I hear you muttering). Its just slow progress at the mo. Will hopefully have a few things to show soon....

sunshine makes it all better

Today it was hard to get out of bed. Actually thats not true. Thats how it would have been if I'd not had a 0530 work call. Head pounding with a cold and generally feeling like curling back under the covers for ever, I downed some painkillers and headed out. On return the house was awake and the morning routine needed attending to, no time to be ill (mums not having that luxury of course).
Sharp cold and strong sunlight greeted us as we left for school. I love mornings like this and could feel the black cloud over my head melting away.
The best bit though was this beautiful sight - the lake in all of its misty glory.

Positive vibes are now back in place!

cosy

Wet but mild. Perfect for staying in and catching up with some sewing projects. Maddie had all of the buttons out and she had fun counting (up to 3, bless her). I on the other hand had fun cutting into the stash of dyed wool blankets.
Ideas are forming for Christmas items, trying to get the colours just right is sooo hard! Nicky , my lovely kindred spirit and I are going to be working around the clock soon to stock our stand at Westpoint .
I am her partner in crime in this little operation The Vintage Magpie. Inspired by her lovely blog I felt I should take the plunge and start my own - plus shes only over the road if I get stuck........;)

For starters

Well my first post of many I hope - in private at first though (need to get the feel of this thing first, its all a bit , well, scary..make sure my pics aren't upside down and the like......).

I hope my blog will help me to focus and get back in touch with my everyday, down to earth, run of the mill stuff. To help cultivate mindfullness - I find this hard.To look at our days and pull out the positive, the lessons, tricky though that may be sometimes! To keep a record of our lives for us to look back on, so precious are these days with our young daughters - one growing up into a gorgeous young woman and the other younger and cheeky, demanding and loving.
So - there may be crafting, thrifting, cooking (not enough according to hubby - I tend to like the fun stuff ie 'theres no dinner, but I managed to make muffins' . Hmmm), photos, life with the kids, pets and all that goes with it.

We walk a lot , the little one and I - and the hound of course. Not massively energetically, but a slow amble most mornings after the school run. If its raining well then I must admit that its purely dependant on how hard the dog stares at me and how sorry I feel for him. We usually give it a miss.
We are lucky to have beautiful places all around us to walk. Its easy to take it for granted and not notice. Im trying to open my eyes a little more.