Busy yoyoing

I've been very quiet on the blogging front for the last few weeks. I can't believe it's been so long. For the last two weeks I've been surrounded with crochet yoyos.

It's nearly finished. One last push over the weekend and it will be cot size.

Have a great weekend everyone! You can guess what I'll be doing!

Art in Wales

Kevin Sinnott is an artist whose work can be found in several leading galleries in London and major galleries in America and Europe. His work is featured at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. One of the most popular paintings at the National Museum of Wales is his large canvas, Running Away with the Hairdresser.

I might not be lucky enough (or rich enough) to have an original but I do own a signed print of this particular painting.

Kevin trained in Cardiff and at the Royal College of Art. He spent many years in London before moving back to Wales. His new paintings can be seen at the  Martin Tinney Gallery in Cardiff. This collection has brought back so many memories. The paintings capture a moment in time, a fleeting look at life against the backdrop of the crumbling coastline near my home. The figures in the paintings appear carefree but they are too close to the cliff edge. For me the paintings represent that fine edge between life and death.

I know these cliffs so well. I fear that drop where many lives have been lost. I can hear my voice now as I've shouted to my children, 'Stay way from the edge!'

Your allegories might be completely different.

The last painitng I love. The young mum with two children, the crochet skirt from this year's collection. Kevin Sinnott does high fashion.

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Pantone colours

Orchid Hush

It's rather a sad day as this is the last offering of the Pantone fall 2011 series. The new colours for spring/summer have been released but I won't focus on those until the new year.

What does Pantone say about orchid hush?

Orchid Hush, a unique tone of gray with complex orchid undertones, blends well with any other color in the palette.

Another informative description by Pantone. It has a definite undertone of lavender or lilac making it a warm grey. It hasn't the coldness of an ice blue.

I've put together my interpretation of it. Included is another print by gorjuss because this one reminds me of Beth.



Have a great weekend! I'll be off to London.

Do you know, I've got an awful feeling that cat has been in this room.

Psst! Oi, you!

Do you like my shiny winter coat? Nice isn't it? It's the best I've ever had!

You don't know me but my name is Dizzy. It's a stupid name I know but it's better than the last one, Sunny. Now, come on, do I look like a Sunny? I don't remember the one before that or the one before that. I do remember the one before that but I'm not allow to use bad words.

That Cat, the one that's always blathering on, well, we played a good game the other day. She didn't enjoy it much but I thought it was fun. Shall I tell you how to play it?

You need a very tall tree and a very stupid human. Tall trees are hard to find. If you haven't got one use a roof or a post or something high as the sky. You can find a stupid person anywhere. Maybe you even own one.

First thing. Spy on them. They're used to it. They won't notice.

 

Next climb the tree.

Higher than that!

 Can you still see me? Yes? Not high enough.

Higher! They can still see you!

 Nearly there!

 

Gone!! Now when they pass the tree in their muddling thoughts you do this. Drop and land on them! You won't hurt. They are stupid and soft.

If you can go RRRAWRRRRR! They'll think that you are a lion or a panther or something and they'll really squeal. Just like a big mouse!

I've got other good games. Have you?

Hello, October

I knew if I waited long enough September wouldn't disappoint. Three days of blazing sunshine more than made up for hurricane Katya. October has started off at its most brilliant if not a little bizarre. Crochet in the garden with the leaves falling around me, primroses flowering and sycamore helicopters whirling around. It's almost a scene from a good, old fashioned Disney film. The seasons have mixed and blurred and that's a good thing.

A ladybird is the only thing that ruins my day. It lands and is blown away home. It comes back and is blown away home. It became irritating. I had a break and reached for my camera. I stalked it until it landed and then snap!

Can you see it tucked up in the rose? Mmm, I don't think it's a 'normal' ladybird I think it might be a harlequin ladybird. These are native to Asia, and were introduced to North America and continental Europe as a biological control agent because it eats more pest insects than any other ladybirds. Sadly, harlequins will also eat the larvae of other ladybirds and the eggs and larva of butterflies and moths. We have 45 species of native ladybird in Britain and they play a key role in our ecosystem, but the harlequin has the potential to ruin this.

I didn't realise what it was until I downloaded the photos last night. I've sent the photo to the survey website. Perhaps it's an innocent native and not a nasty foreign invader.

On the work front I've joined the Folksy daily listing club, October Owls. I won't be posting everyday as I did in July but I'll give you a taste of my listings.

Those of you who remember Bill the burglar will be pleased to know that he's still living in London with Edward. I've listed two of Bill's friends, Maudie and  Reginald. They're cwtched up in their favourite blankets.

They're also available on Etsy here and here.

Have a good week!

Pantone colours

Nougat

Last week's colour, quarry, was one of my favourites but as Kris of Cat House Prints said, 'Pantone must have been in a hurry the day they wrote the color description!'

Well, this week we have an even shorter description,

A deliciously warm camel tan, Nougat, is tastefully embellished by Phlox, Emberglow or Honeysuckle.

Pantone probably doesn't have to enthuse about these colours because they are staples. The more unusual the colour the more it has to be promoted.

I've been knitting furiously in the glorious, warm weather. Nearly finished are a thick cable scarf and matching headband. Just what you need, not today but in the months to come. Excuse the shadows. It's the blazing sunshine!

It's often very difficult to get exact matches when doing treasuries but this is my take on nougat. Enjoy all the lovely warm caramel on Etsy.



I hope the sun continues to shine for you. Have a great weekend!

PS
Did I mention the sun is shining?