An update after a long long break...

It's been so long since I've blogged that I actually had to think to remember my blogger password. It's been been a tough couple of months in our household, with illness and a very very sad bereavement. As a result I've just got utterly behind with blogs & forums, and my online life in general. What I have managed to do is a bit of crafting - it's been so good to sit down with a hook and a bit of yarn - crochet and reading have been my saviours at times like this...

So, I'm just to try and get back in the swing of things for now & post a few pics of the things I've been working on. In the mean time, to all my friends in the craft blog world - I am so sorry to have been out of the loop for such a long time, but will be back reading, admiring and commenting very soon.

A couple of log cabin-style patchwork needle books. Made with Kaffe Fassett fabrics, vintage buttons and crochet closures.

A couple of new designs for brooches/corsages, based on my tiny crochet flower pattern. The yarns I've used here are Debbie Bliss Cashmere Cotton in the 1st pic, and some of my favourite Mirasol T'ika 100% cotton in the 2nd pic. I love those colours, and I've actually made something that isn't purple..



An old favourite brooch/pin design that's always sold well for me on Etsy (thanks to all my lovely buyers!). I think the yarn in the 1st picture is Debbie Bliss Rialto, and the 2nd is some RYC yarn, but I have no idea which one... I really need to get more organised with my stash storing!

There's a few other things to come, but that will do for now.

A quick post before I go to bed...

This is only going to be a short entry because Mr Seasonal Matters & I have just had a chat about our garden plans for this year & now I need to REST in preparation for it!

I am also dead keen to push off to bed and finish off Our Mutual Friend - which has proved to be a riveting read. I used to think that Dickens was ludicrous but I have recently developed a taste for the stuff... That should keep me occupied for a few years!

Back to the craft!!! I've been crocheting away and I've completed a couple of new brooches, using a different pattern to my usual. I think they are gorgeous & it's really nice to have a change of style. The purpley one is made using Colinette Prism in Fruit Coulis (great yarn) and the second using something by Noro that I've forgotten the name of (woops). Sadly, these weren't on my "50 Things" list so I need to do some updating... I've also got 3 other brooches all ready to be listed in the shop which I made sometime last year but somehow never got round to putting up for sale.

Other progress to be reported: I've made a start on one of the slouch bags, decided on what I'm going to make for the new baby present, and I made a great find of some gorgeous woolly tweedy material & great buttons at our local Oxfam. Oh yes, and my Ravelry invitation just came through so when I get a chance I am going to be having great fun on there. All in all I've had an excellent few days.

I've also just found out who my partner is for Meridien Ariel's Owl Swap - it's Yvette. I've just popped round to have a look at her blog & I think we have a fair bit in common, and it will clearly be a really good experience. Hurrah for swaps, and for Apryl for organising it.