Beryl The Knitter!

Why is it?

When we are snowed in and it is an ideal day to sit by the fire and do whatever crafts I choose - all I want to do is go outside and play in the snow!!!

–        yes,! Age 50+  – and I want to play in the snow!!   

So, I made a snowman – well woman actually – would you like to meet her?…

Beryl the Knitter

 She's standing right outside our kitchen window.

I would offer her a cuppa but I don't want her to melt just yet...!

Well I enjoyed myself anyway!

The snow is very picturesque where we live and we've been out and about taking a few photos - 

 Below - some photos taken in our garden -

Our Garden

The Holly Tree In Our Garden

Our Garden

Below some views from our bedroom window -

Queuing for Breakfast!

Queuing for Breakfast!

Lovely, crisp white snow.  Very cold though.

You may remember that we got a new addition to the family over Christmas.  

My daughter and her fiance got a chocolate brown Labrador puppy.  They called him Robin and he is adorable.

However he does get up to some mischief!

Robin And His Naughty Antics

Robin managed to get to the post before anyone else. 

He knows he has been naughty and it is very wrong to do this - 

We only laugh about it amongst ourselves when he is out of earshot.

On Sunday he enjoyed a walk around Easby Abbey with us.

Robin & Bobby

Bobby is Robins best friend and they had great fun playing in the snow! 

We had great fun watching them as they chased balls and slid on the snow but it is rather difficult to capture the moments on camera as they were too quick for us! 

Easby Abbey Walk

Keep warm & safe

love Cx

Saxon Cross

Yeah!

Got a blog in before Janurary is out!!

Other things got in the way a bit over the last few weeks!

I don’t know about you but I can happily go to bed at 7pm at this time of year!

And, the rest of the time (apart from going to work, doing the ‘big shop’ and eating) I’m going through a new fad  -  A fad of doing nothing – oh bliss!!

Curling up in my little corner, pondering, pondering, pondering over 2012……..

It was about this time last year that the Handicraft Group in the Village invited me to take part in making a Wall Hanging to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee year. 

The Wall Hanging would depict aspects and images of our village in a variety of textile media.

I offered to do the Saxon Cross from the church as no-one else seemed keen. I could see why – it was very drab looking..…

When an extensive restoration was undertaken a Saxon carved stone cross was discovered in the church wall, which is now on display above the pulpit. 

 I agonised how I would do this cross and took along to the meeting a selection of brown & red threads for advice.  When someone asked me ‘how do you see a cross?’ My first answer was ‘gold!’ And, so it was decided that I would do it as I see it!

The ladies were aiming to have this project finished for MAY!

 

We all set to work like busy little bees – it took over my life to be honest!

I drew the pattern on graph paper a first for me – I’m more than happy to follow a pattern thank you very much!

I agonised over colours. 

Now if you want gold - you really need to use metallic thread to give it ‘bling’.

Metallic thread – now there’s a challenge!

Lost count of the times I pulled it out, screamed with frustration and scoured the Internet for tips. 

Some tips I found useful –

• Use shorter lengths of floss
• Knot thread at eye of needle to stop it slipping off
• Use thread heaven or bees-wax to strengthen the thread
• Stitch slower and have some patience

Variation thread – another welcome discovery!

I decided to use variation thread for the knot work. I just stitched away and waited in anticipation to see how the finished colour design would turn out.  I was pleasantly surprised -

My Cross Stitch of the Saxon Cross

I am pleased I only did an A5 size and not A4!

We all did something different, using different techniques and imaginations ran wild -  

Village Wall Hanging

The Wall Hanging was officially unveiled on the 4th June and now hangs proudly in the Village Hall.

Stay safe and warm

love C x