A new me

After all the celebrations this year I thought it was time I changed my profile picture. I have to admit the previous picture was rushed and not thought through.

I think the new picture is just purrrfect. It's much more in keeping with my personality. What do you think?

A big thanks to Phil. You can find more of his work on his website

Pantone Colours

     Ultramarine Green

We've had an overall look at the trending colours for autumn/winter. Now for a closer look at ultramarine green, which I have to say is one of my favourites.

For once Pantone's description is quite muted. Ultramarine is simply described as being a deep, cooling blue green. It's far more than that. I think it's more vibrant than cooling with the richness of malachite.

In Pantone's preview Charlotte Ronson describes her signature colour as 'representing the richness of a bohemian lifestyle.'

As usual, here's a selection from Etsy to make you want more.

Shock of the new

I've been a very naughty blogger. I've failed miserably these last few months. My only excuse is a rubbish, overheating computer that finally died. It will not be moaned.

I promise I'll do better when I figure out how to use my new Apple computer and my new camera.

In the meantime I'll leave you with pretty pictures of autumn in Bute Park, Cardiff.

We stared at the squirrel for ages. Beth thought he was stuffed. He didn't even blink for about 10 minutes.

I think I might have cracked it. Now to catch up with all your news.

Falling back into place

I can't believe it's been so long since my last post. No excuses except that spring, summer and now autumn have all seemed to have merged into one. The weeks have gone by without any change. With the wind whipping up a storm, now seems an appropriate time to look at those autumn colours.

This season's new stock is in the shops. I have my eye on a lovely blue coat that I might just treat myself to this week. As usual Pantone has waxed lyrical about the new shades which it has called The Magic of Colour.


'From love potions and the magical hour of sunset to witches and warlocks, fantasy and illusion are inspiring designers this fall season.
With an unexpected mix of darks, brights and neutrals, they cleverly manipulate reality to transport consumers to an enchanting place, free from the stresses of everyday life.'

That makes for better reading that any shade of grey!

I hope you Etsy sellers out there are changing your colour tags. I changed last season's Pink Cabaret tag to Pink Flambe and my scarf sold within a week. It really does help.

I've put together a taster of some the gorgeous pieces from Etsy to brighten up those winter days. Whether you're into darks, neutrals or brights, there's something for everyone here.

'Pantone Colours Fall 2012' by Baban

A preview of this season's colours

Pheasant Bodice, ha... InnerWild $99.00	Minimalist Rhapsody... SandMwatch $33.00	Purple Scarf / Rhap... DottieQ $31.50	LA BOHEME Gray Purs... ikabags $89.00
antique beaded purs... LeMollusque $128.00	Chartreuse crochet ... DirtyLush $23.00	FRENCH ROAST OOAK a... eraberashop $90.00	Chartreuse Neon Gre... DeesByDesign $43.50
Dark Ultramarine Gr... TipToeThirty $11.00	Upcycled Linien Dre... EkoLuka $78.00	1980s dress / vinta... RustBeltThread... $32.00	Leather bracelet in... TheCraftyblack... $14.00
French Roast Brown ... necklush $42.00	Honey Gold and Fren... FirstLightGlas... $19.50	Ultramarine Neckwar... smittenkitteno... $45.00	Fingerless Gloves H... handknittedthi... $25.00

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

London 2012

I didn't have tickets for the Olympics because... I hadn't applied. Way too late I got bitten by the Olympic bug. So last week we hopped on a train to London and experienced some of the excitement.

We headed for Hyde Park where four huge screens showed live action. It was almost as good as being at the real events with full commentary and front row seats.

 Alan Campbell has won bronze in the Olympic final of the men's single sculls race.

 Katarina Johnson Thompson

Katherine Grainger and Anna Watkins celebrate winning gold in the women's double sculls

Just some of the highlight of Friday afternoon.

We finished the afternoon in the Serpentine bar for a cooling Pimms wishing we'd remembered sunblock and sunhats. The next day this was to be the scene of the women's Triathlon.

The swim took place in the Serpentine and the cycling took place on the roads around Hyde Park including South Carriage Drive. I had to take this shot because I'll never be able to stand in the middle of this road again without dicing with death.

One week to go and London will return to normal. I'll miss the lovely smiling man from London Underground  who couldn't have been more helpful to travellers on the Circle and District line at Liverpool Street Station. The volunteers who tried to keep everyone happy. Even Boris who in his bumbling way has made this Olympics something so special.

My belated birthday

well not really belated but belated in telling you about it.


So the three of us; me, Rolla and Beth hit London Town. To be fair Rolla was already there but she's never set a foot in Hammersmith before. We hit the Apollo to see Rhod Gilbert in his new show, The Man With The Flaming Battenberg Tattoo. For those of you who don't know about Rhod, his style is epic standup rants about life's minor irritations. His long suffering girlfriend is usually mentioned and their relationship plays a major part of this show. He says anger management has made him a more mellow person. Not! And yes, that is an actual tattoo.

On the Saturday, my actual birthday, we kicked off at Tate Britain and took the boat down the Thames to Tate Modern. Press passes got us into the Damien Hirst Retrospective. 


Like most people I knew about his work. It's difficult to miss some of the more derogatory reviews in the press. The impact of scale and detail is something reviews don't prepare you for. Some of the pieces in the Retrospective are huge and made a lasting impression. It was Lullaby, The Seasons that stood out for me. Four stainless cabinets with mirrored backboards and thousand of hand crafted pills lined up on shelves almost mesmerize you. The mirrors create a kaleidoscope of angles and colours in a display that initially appears formal and precise.

The short walk from Tate Modern took us to the Oxo Tower and my real treat in the shape of Summer Not Afternoon Tea.

Beth had Flower Power with the most gorgeous lavender macaroon. Rolla chose Berrilicious complete with strawberry and yoghurt ice lolly, dunked in white chocolate and sprinkled with dried strawberries. While I had Chocolate Madness complete with a coffee chocolate shot topped with advocaat foam. Each one came with a different cocktail.

Our waiter Mario was delightful and brought me a complementary chocolate ice cream complete with a candle and piped 'Happy Birthday' in chocolate ganache.

Another cocktail later we headed back to the hotel for champagne. As we walked along the Southbank we had an amazing surprise in the, now not so ample, form of Bryn Terfel. It was the closing free concert of Brynfest which formed part of the Southbank's Festival of World Music. It was a little Welsh sing song of 500 choristers and the Cory Band. I really didn't think I'd spend my birthday singing Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau along with Bryn Terfel. Thank you my lovely daughters!

They did say they arranged it just for me. They did, didn't they?

When Posie met Tufty

There I am sitting on the step minding my own business waiting for mum indoors to let me in when I spot this in the weedy place at the bottom of the garden.

The next thing I know the door opens she lifts me up and drops me on the kitchen floor. Wagging fingers and no, no, no, not, don't, naughty girl, right to live, rubbish, rubbish, tosh, bosh. No good words, cwtch or food. Only one thing a cat can do. Sit on a chair and sulk and doze and nap and still keep that eye open on the great view of the garden.

Mum's doing something with the big noisy white thing that splashes water and I'm not allowed to sit in it. Now she's got the wet things in the basket and is OPENING THE DOOR!!!!

Through the feet, down the garden, up the tree!

There I am!! Hiding, lurking, sulking.

  There he is grinning, laughing, smirking.

I'll just wait here. Show him I mean business. 'Til the next time.

PS

Should I show Mum this?

Wasn't me. It was Dizzy. I'm a good girl.

Introducing Dan

Meet Maudie's new friend Dan, the fisherman.

Since Reggie's move to Hong Kong, Maudie has been quite lonely.  She's got a new friend now. I've got a feeling that he's not going to stick around long.

Not only is he ruggedly handsome with a spiffy cabled jumper and roll down sou'wester, the girls will be impressed with his full organic beard.

He likes to stand at the harbourside and show off his catch. Today is not a good day. He's managed to trawl in one tiny fish, a family of starfish and a couple of strands of seaweed. The girls won't be impressed with his fishing skills. Dan said, 'You should see the one that got away.'

Maudie replied' 'So should you!'

We all remember how dapper Reginald was.

If you want to find out more about Dan you can find him here.

Crochet Suffolk puffs

I know there are fans of crochet yoyos out there. It's time for another fix.

I had wool left over after making my MHZZ blanket and used  it up making yoyos. The best thing about crochet is watching the piles grow. When you run out of room in the box you know it's time to start to lay out your random pattern. Random is not easy when you only have four colours.

If you fancy having a go there is a free pattern here. It's a how I do it rather than how it should be done. For that you'll have to buy "Crocheted Throws and Wraps" by Melody Griffiths.

The finished blanket can be found on Etsy

Crochet cookies

Happy Saturday! After two days of gale force winds and torrential rain the sun has finally come out. I tell you, I'm not enjoying this drought!

This week I've been mostly decorating and flicking through Pinterest to cheer myself up. Love the pins of some of my contacts. These are simply too good not to share. They made me look twice because I thought they were some new type of granny square and I got really excited. Better than than they're biscuits and truly are good enough to eat. You can find them and lots of other great ideas on I Feel Cook

I have to rush off now to buy square biscuit cutters! Where are my wellies?

Happy Saturday

My blogging has been sparse since the whole Blogger update. For that I'm truly sorry. As a way of making it up to you I give you a little vid.

The first film made me smile when I saw it on Fondant Fibre. Thanks for sharing, Deborah.

It's the story of sustainable wool production. Here's the final cut from Wools of New Zealand. 

Art Party - May

This month's Etsian Artists Art Party theme is cyberpunk. Cyberpunk is not a concept that I'm familiar with. Punk to me is the Sex Pistols, Clash et al, spitting and pogoing. Not easy to portray through crochet!

I watched Blade Runner, again, was very tempted to watch the Matrix but it still hurts my brain. In the end I came up with two creations. One was more successful than the other.

My eyebot was top heavy even though he's reinforced with metal legs. He's going to be minus legs cos that's the way he rolls!

My second is a little punky, goth, emo. You decide! You can find him here on Etsy

You all know my love of amigurumi. He was more fun to do. I might end up hooked!