Thursday 4 December 2008

show and tell part 2.............

In trying to fit in all the house cleaning, Christmas shopping and sewing duties before I start work on Sunday blogging has taken a bit of a back seat (again).

I promised details of our trip down to London to the Country Living fair. However, pictures are a bit thin on the ground. After hauling the camera round in my bag all day and being too embarrassed to take any photos in the fair itself, we spotted this fab restaurant in a red double decker but after one very blurry photo the battery died!

We had a fab day out, met the lovely Kathy on her gorgeous stall and managed to snap up a few treats. We also visited Spitalfields and the market and then got totally lost on the way home, being totally unused to driving in a big city. So that's our London fix over until March and very enjoyable it was too.

I've also been indulging in a bit of retail therapy closer to home. A local wool stockist is closing down and everything is down 50% so needless to say I was there, big bag in hand, ready to fight off the grey haired old ladies to get to the Rowan cotton yarn - totally unnecessary, they preferred the pale blue and pink baby wool it seems! Now Rowan is a revelation, a total dream to crochet with and I've set myself the task of making my baby niece a blanket for Christmas (gulp), not being the fastest hooker in the west, it may be a tall order. Anyway, she's only 8 months, she doesn't know Christmas falls in December!

Look at those colours....................

Talking of colours, I couldn't resist these cyclamen to try and brighten up our post armageddon front garden.................

and finally, I had to take a photo of this scrumptious pea soup in a cup, easy to drink and sew at the same time!


Back soon...........

21 comments:

gayle said...

Oh, I have that oilcloth too, nice photo! I'm sure the CL fair was great. Someday I'll come over for one, though I am still bonkers about that cool lampshade in part one.

Frances said...

Hello from New York,

It is good to have some news from you, and ... I must say I would have been right with you rushing towards those Rowan wools. Are they any left? Does the shop do mail order to the States. I am joking, but only a bit!

I visit your site via Calicokate, and very much enjoy the atmosphere each of you conveys. It really does provide me a view of parts of the world that I have not visited in years, yet wish to return to.

Thank you!

Sal said...

Now then Julia..what is this 'house cleaning' that you talk about? ;-)
Glad you had a good day out!! ;-)

LinenandRoses said...

Those wool colours are yummy. Are you doing ripples or a granny square? You've reminded me that I still haven't made anything for my baby niece. When my nephew was born I had made a knitted patchwork blanket which took me from my Sis being about 14 weeks pregnant until two days after he was born. I didn't do the same for little Jocelyn so feel I really should make her something now. Must get on with it! Glad you enjoyed the CL fair. I missed it this year. Might try to make the Spring one. Happy crocheting! Oh and good luck with the new job!

MelMel said...

Yummy soup! Very warming!

Have good day....enjoy your crochet, those wools are lovely...super colours1xx

Hen said...

Well done on the yarn, the Rowan cotton is lovely to crochet with (I only have the duck egg colour - so far) and I also have some of that Patons yarn made from bamboo, which I bought half price but which I find a nightmare to crochet with as the strands keep separating! Good luck with the blanket, it takes me about 2 hours just to do one granny square!
Hen x

A Thrifty Mrs said...

I have been on the routemaster for a meal. Twas great fun.

Looks like a great day. If you want to pop over I have a little house that needs cleaning too.

Kathy said...

Hi Julia, love the gorgeous colours of the wool. I am (trying) to learn to crochet v. successfully sofar! The pea soup looks lovely, Mary Berry (my fav. cook) has a pea soup and horseradish sauce recipe which is delicious. I am going to the Cl fair in March too, as a customer this time - I have never been to this one so am really looking forward to it. Also, I have taken a stall at the next Vintage and Handmade fair; will you be in the kitchen again? If so, lots of tea and biscuits my way please! Love the lampshade too. Kathyx

Knitty, Vintage and Rosy said...

If it is possible to have "yarn envy" than I think I have it ;)

What lovely colours you have chosen. Get hooking!

Have a great weekend.

Lisa
Knitty, Vintage and Rosy

PS I have a million chores to do as well and unless someone changes it to a 30 hour day, everything is NOT getting done.

Miss sew n sew said...

Beautiful colours you must show some pics of your balanket when it's finished! I have puchased some cyclamen for our garden and I have to say they are quite hardy as I have been neglecting them and their surviving these frosts fine.
Have a good weekend good luck with your new job!
Sarahx

Lesley (Notesfrommydays) said...

so nice to see lovely colours to brighten up grey days!!! I keep wanting to buy wool even though I cannot knit or crochet! but as Ive just put on my last post I dont even use the ribbon and fabric I buy so dare not start collecting other crafty stuff LOL
got your mail thank you! and yes still want the items if you can fit it in :-) thank you!
Lesley x

Vintage to Victorian said...

Hi Julia

Love those yarn colours. They'll look gorgeous crocheted together. Good luck - once you get going it's much quicker than knitting!

Is this lovely shop that's closing down full of old shop fittings? I'm desperate for a set of glass-fronted haberdashery drawers!!

Sue x

MarmaladeRose said...

Scrummy wool. I want it, I want it! Half price too. Fab! Can't wait to see the blanket; that reminds me, better go and crochet some more of mine. x

mollycupcakes said...

Hi honey,
It was fabulous to see you again at the Vintage fair.
Hope you first at work has gone well.
Loving the wool it looks so yummy. And the flowers are beautiful, they brighten up the dullest of days.
Take care sweetie hope to see you in the new year.
Have a fab Christmas.
Lots of love,
Catherine x

Garden Girl said...

I shall look forward to monitering your crochet progress soon-hope the new job went well and they were nice to the new girl!
x

Claire said...

Hope you enjoyed your first day of work, isnt it nice to get dolled up and have a proper conversatino without being interupted? Was in the Bath store on Fri, gorgeous things to buy! Claire xx

Anonymous said...

Oh you lucky lucky thing, Rowan yarn at half price!! I adore the Rowan cotton, my hex blanket is almost finished and still have lots of yarn left so planning a cushion cover next because I love using the yarn/colours so much. And for a cotton yarn it's incredibly soft, I think a baby blanket will be beautiful.
Lx

Ragged Roses said...

I really wanted to get to the CL fair this year, maybe next year. I love all the yarn you bought, what beautiful colours, I can see why you couldn't resist. Take care
Kimx

tam said...

What a great sale to find-lucky girl! Lovin the yarn you scored!
~Smiles~Tam

Unknown said...

Yummy colourful selection of Wool, perhaps I will have to try some of that wool as I am trying to crochet and to say its a slow process would not be a fib!!!

Country Cottage Chic said...

The yarn colours are gorgeous - so cheerful!I haven't been to the CL fair yet but it looks like fun!