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| Views across to St. John's Town of Dalry |
Hi everyone. Thanks for joining me once again in the beautiful Glenkens of SW Scotland.
Who jinxed summer?
Being British I have to talk about the weather. Its in the genes! Well, previously lovely warm and sunny days gave way to wet, windy, dull ones for the last couple of weeks. There have been odd nice spells but reaching back into the cupboard for woolly jumpers was not in the plan! Also, the dampness heralded the emergence of the dreaded and fearsome midge (the insect, not me!!). I have been tending the Guinea Pigs and pegging the washing out at record speed whilst being nibbled relentlessly. Still, at least in the Glenkens we have not had the level of rainfall experienced by other parts of the UK where sadly there has been flooding. My heart goes out to the farmers who have been busily trying to get the grass cut for winter feed in between heavy rainfall. Luckily the weather has started to improve and today I had a lovely walk out with Alfie the wonder Collie. I felt I needed a longer walk today to get past the bittersweet emotion of waving my youngest off to her first transition day from nursery to primary school - complete in uniform. Where has the time gone? I think I am feeling it more this time as I know in a couple of weeks nursery time will be over forever. A chapter in both my children's and my own life closed. Goodness knows how I'll feel once all three of my girls are grown up!
I have taken a few pictures of the local faces that greet me on my walks. I think the sheep are also enjoying the warmth and sun. The lambs are all so big now. I tried to take some pictures of the beautiful cows on our neighbour's farm but they ran away as soon as they saw the dog!
The colours in the hedgerows are stunning due to all of the wildflowers and different types of grasses. I noticed wild peas in abundance and the huge variance in the ranges of green based tones in the leaves everywhere. So pretty and the local bees and butterflies all love it. So good to see when we hear about the loss of important bee populations. Encourage them by leaving some of your garden to grown wildflowers (if you can) xx
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| Kells Church |
My crafting world:
Since my last blog I was filled for a while with a sense of panic. What shall I do if I have nothing new to show my readers? Can I get anything finished in time? I felt a bit creatively stifled with no real sense of purpose. I kept looking at my crafting corner (oh how I'd love a proper dedicated craft room) and thinking it needed re-organising. As it turns out it was a great plan as it fired up new ideas as I came across projects, sketches, yarns and fabrics that had been put to one side for 'another day'. I also bought myself a new planner book so that I could consolidate new ideas, ongoing projects, crafty contacts and business planning into one place. It has really helped.
I have also started to join a few more groups on Ravelry to see what the wider crafting community is up to. I decided to join a few Kals/ Cals/ Mals (Knit/ Crochet/ Make Alongs) and this has spurred me on to complete some of my WIPs. I have also been enjoying the Ravelry chatter groups when I get a chance to sit and read through them (not easy with a busy family). There is such a lovely community out there in the world who are so supportive of fellow crafters. I am finding this with my growing Instagram following also. I never thought that over 270 people would be remotely interested in my crafting, but they are and I am making new contacts and being inspired so much by others.
(i) Work on the Attic 24 'Dune' crochet blanket continues and I am only about 4 colour rows away from starting the border. It is getting quite reassuringly heavy now but that has been quite nice in the damp, cool evenings as it has kept my legs warm. I am looking forward to my 'ta-dah' moment to show you on the next blog. I am planning my next blanket already!
(ii) I have started watching the Crochet Luna podcast by Claudia on YT. Like me, she has struggled in the past to make garments that come out looking good. I decided to work alongside her podcast suggestion to make 'The Bobble Crop Top' by Rachel Misner (free to download via Ravelry). I discovered in my yarn stash some lovely Sirdar DK cotton/ acrylic blend yarn in enough quantity to complete this nice summer top. Wish me luck and I look forward to seeing how Claudia's turns out.
(iii) A while back I was very kindly gifted a large box of cross-stitch odds and ends. It was a wonderful surprise and I loved delving in to discover little kits, threads, fabric, patterns, etc. Amongst the items was a part made kit called 'The Angel of Cross Stitch' by Joan Elliot. It is worked on 14 hpi Aida fabric with cotton floss. I enjoyed sorting through the jumbled threads and have re-started it. A few sections needed a re-stitch but nothing major. It will be a long-term project but feels so nice to re-love an item and hopefully bring it to completion.
(iv) I am about to embark on re-learning tatting. This lesser known craft falls into its own category but has similarities to crochet, lace-making or even macrame (on a much smaller scale). By making use of fine cotton thread and a small hand-held shuttle it is possible to create miniature knotted stitch embellishments. They were traditionally used on collars, cuffs, or handkerchief edgings. I will share much more about this in my next blog once I have a few examples to show you. I last tried it as a child but I have a feeling it will come back to me. I have a great idea to use the tatted embellishments to re-love a patchwork quilt that was also gifted to me. This picture shows examples of tatting shuttles and the level of intricate work that can be achieved with them (not my work I hasten to add!). I have a very old book to follow to learn the basics.
FIs:-
(i) I was thrilled to complete my 'Basic Socks' (pattern by Winwick Mum). Once I jumped off 'one-sock island' I actually completed the second sock in about 3 days. To boost my confidence and to give me an incentive to finish I had decided to enter my socks into a couple of Kals on Ravelry. The closing date for the #socklandkal by Caz of the Wee Sew N Sew podcast is on 30th June. I also discovered the Summer of Socks Kal 2019 #SOSKAL2019 being run by Nikki of the Tea & Possibilities podcast. Because socks are so popular there are plenty of Kals being run so I suggest heading over to Ravelry if you fancy joining in on one.
I learnt a great deal by working through my first set of socks knitted on dpns with proper sock weight yarn. I had used Drops Fabel, with KnitPro Zing dpns. The final socks were a little loose but will be perfect as winter cosy wear. I went back to Christine's site (aka. Winwick Mum) to read more of her notes about sock measurements and tension. A really great resource to use. I decided that I could knit using fewer stitches and try a decent swatch test next time (I know, we are always too impatient to swatch). A very good suggestion by one of my IG followers was to try another yarn type - for example maybe sock yarn by West Yorkshire Spinners, as she felt Drops Fabel could be a bit plumper than other types. You see, this is where reaching out to the wider crafting community helps. I have been very happy with all of the kind comments made about my socks on IG and I am looking forward to trying another pair with lace or cable texture next time (and hopefully they won't take me so long to make!).
(ii) My second FI is my 'Easy Goes It' shawl by Finicky Creations (designed by Michelle Higgins). It was completed in hand-dyed yarn by Jane at Wee Sheep Yarns and I made it to take part in her Summer Shawl Kal (which runs until 31st Juy 2019). I simply love the bright colours and the gentle drape of it. I carried on a bit further with the rows to use up my yarn. It is quite long but that makes it great to wrap around a few times so you can enjoy the different stitches and textures from all angles.
Ta-dah!
'Sharing The Love'
I call this section 'Sharing The Love'. I want to grow my blog within the wonderful crafting community I have found online on Ravelry, YouTube and Instagram. I thought that each week I would share one of my favourite sites so that you can also go and visit them. To help me grow my site (and help me in my future plans to set up an online textile design business) could I ask that when you visit them you mention that I sent you their way? Thank you so much xx
Fruity Knitting Podcast: Andrew and Andrea run this well established podcast. It has a wonderful magazine style format where you hear about their personal knitting (and sometimes crochet) projects. You are also introduced to new and established designers, yarn and textile producers from the yarn world - from sheep to finished products, as well as being taken on adventures to yarn festivals such as Shetland Wool Week. It is such a varied and interesting podcast. They have their own website and you can also become a Patron to help support their very well made and content filled channel. Find them at Fruity Knitting on YT, IG, FB. They are running a Woolly Wormhead Hat Kal until 31st July and also a Fruity Crochet Along Cal until 1st Feb 2020.
'Another Love'
Where You Stand by Travis
The book I want to recommend is actually a children's book but one that resonated so much with me as I read it to my youngest daughter that I wanted to share it with you. It converts the world of worries into a world where dragons can come when you least expect them, cause you problems, seem impossible to get rid of and hard to articulate the presence of to other people. It makes the reader understand that everyone has dragons and that is OK. What a wonderful way to explain worries to a small child. The illustrations by Nick Maland are lovely.
Thank you for joining me once again. Enjoy being creative until we meet again.
Please feel free to comment below and also visit me on my links to Twitter, Instagram, Facebook. I can also be found at Ravelry as MidgePorterDesign
I call this section 'Sharing The Love'. I want to grow my blog within the wonderful crafting community I have found online on Ravelry, YouTube and Instagram. I thought that each week I would share one of my favourite sites so that you can also go and visit them. To help me grow my site (and help me in my future plans to set up an online textile design business) could I ask that when you visit them you mention that I sent you their way? Thank you so much xx
Fruity Knitting Podcast: Andrew and Andrea run this well established podcast. It has a wonderful magazine style format where you hear about their personal knitting (and sometimes crochet) projects. You are also introduced to new and established designers, yarn and textile producers from the yarn world - from sheep to finished products, as well as being taken on adventures to yarn festivals such as Shetland Wool Week. It is such a varied and interesting podcast. They have their own website and you can also become a Patron to help support their very well made and content filled channel. Find them at Fruity Knitting on YT, IG, FB. They are running a Woolly Wormhead Hat Kal until 31st July and also a Fruity Crochet Along Cal until 1st Feb 2020.
(aka The music, book, podcast section where I share my other passions in life)
Travis have written so many wonderful tracks but this is one of my favourites. It has a wonderful flow and atmosphere to it. The acoustic version is great too. All about unconditional and constant, unending love (I am a bit of a sentimental soul - can you tell??). The 'making of...' video on YT is quite funny. Poor Fran Healy!
Released: 30th April 2013 Written by Dougie Payne, Holly Partridge and Fran Healy
Album: Where You Stand Label: Red Telephone Box
The book I want to recommend is actually a children's book but one that resonated so much with me as I read it to my youngest daughter that I wanted to share it with you. It converts the world of worries into a world where dragons can come when you least expect them, cause you problems, seem impossible to get rid of and hard to articulate the presence of to other people. It makes the reader understand that everyone has dragons and that is OK. What a wonderful way to explain worries to a small child. The illustrations by Nick Maland are lovely.
You've Got Dragons by Kathryn Cave
Hodder Children's Books (2002)
ISBN: 0340851597 (PB)
ISBN: 0340851597 (PB)
I have recently been listening to quite a few podcasts as I craft. Much as I love music some days I just like to take in some new information instead. I came across this podcast by the BBC World Service. It is all about the lead up to the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969, listening to testimony and interviews of astronauts, NASA staff, engineers, etc. Episodes take you from the initial pledge by President JFK to land a man on the moon by the end of the decade, through the many Gemini and Apollo missions, to the actual moon landing mission. The context of the era is set by contemporary audio news and music inserts and the podcast music composition by Hans Zimmer really makes it quite atmospheric. Part of Episode 6 covers the Apollo 8 astronaut's reactions to seeing the Earth rising over the Luna landscape and how, in light of the Vietnam war and the assassinations of JFK and Martin Luther King, the problems of the world appeared compared to the famous 'Earthrise' view of our fragile and beautiful world in the vastness of space.
13 Minutes to the Moon
BBC World Service: Kevin Fong
www.bbcworldservice.com/13minutes
Thank you for joining me once again. Enjoy being creative until we meet again.
Midge x
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