TV is not enough.........

....I always have to have something to occupy my hands while watching/listening also in the summer we had the long journey north and I wanted something to do to pass the time.  I found this pattern on Ravelry, a Drops yarn design, here and it was perfect.

Each element is quick to finish and the whole blanket/throw grew quickly.

A closer look

My other TV companion is a hexagon patchwork,.  I have no idea what it is going to be and having started out as a stash buster I am now happily collecting small pieces of cottons from friends. the hexies are an inch and a half.  I wanted it to be as varied as possible as I am not a fan of the traditional "hexagon flower". This is a scan of part, those aren't clever half hexagons it is just a bit scrumpled on the scanner.

My daughter said the wrong side looked more interesting, I am inclined to agree.

How on earth......

......did I ever find the time to go to work?  This month has flown by with visits to The Knit and Stitch, a visit from my sister-in-law, a couple of theatre trips and yesterday a work shop with Cas Holmes at the lovely Sew Not Strawberry Jam. Not to mention my own knitting and stitching while feeding my two addictions American Football and Strictly Come Dancing.

For the first time ever I didn't take my camera to Ally Pally but if I had I would have taken photographs of the work of the wonderfully imaginative work of   Ann Small. and the delightful whimsy of Catherine von Isenburg

While my SIL was visiting we took a trip to Scotney Castle which hadn't quite donned all it's autumn glory but still looked beautiful.

 The theatre trips were to see two local amateur societies excellent productions of "Half a Sixpence" and "Hairspray". 
Yesterday was a real treat, a workshop with Cas Holmes. The lovely Sam welcomed us with coffee and I could see her wonderful ginger lemon cake so I was happy. Sew Not Strawberry Jam is becoming one of my favourite places, I just wish it was a little nearer..  I love the workroom

 

As does Sam's cat.

 Out side there are geese and hens and sheep and a lovely little garden, Didn't have time to take many photographs as the workshop was full on, took this through the window,

The first thing we had to do was go outside and draw, scary, I do not do drawing from real.  First surprise of the day, I managed something that looked like something. This is it after adding another element of the lesson and a serendipity meeting with my wet work on the way home.

We went on the compile the pages of a book based on our original drawing.  Because of the time constraint of the day I will have to finish my book here at home but I really enjoyed the day and found some of the techniques and ideas exciting. This was part of my work in progress.

Cas brought some of her own beautiful books,

You can see more of her work here

I'll get round to talking about the knitting and stitching later in the week (I hope).

More excitement.......

.....a surprise invitation to watch Strictly Come Dancing live.  Talk about excitement.  I dug out my sequin jacket and went and had a great time. Just fascinating to see how it all comes together. the dresses are even more sparkly than on TV.   Much pausing of the recording at home to peer at little glimpses of us. My thanks to the dear people who made it possible.

My workroom is still tidy...but that doesn't mean no production.  Today I tried out a Christmas decoration....yes I know... but there is a reason.  More of that some other time. I did have a lovely play.  I have decided to start a new book to hold whatever happens to come off the desk.  The book is called

 

 

 

(in response to the question "Why has she done that?)

Made with a Gelli print (must have a session as stock getting low) and letters from Memory Box Alphabet dies this will be the cover.

The first page is called "Autumn"

I love the way the crackle paste worked through a stencil of the leaves. Which was really what I was trying out and then it just grew.