January moments...

...frosty mornings, tea and cake, pretty thank you cards, colourful flowers and plenty of crochet!

I'm looking forward to February now!

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I ❤️crochet books

I really love crochet books.  I'm not one for magazines and although I did buy a couple of copies of Simply Crochet magazine when it first came out, I haven't since.  I much prefer looking through a craft book even to Pinterest and Ravelry, neither of which I go onto at all now. 

I have quite a few crochet books...

...and I really never tire of looking through them! 

Having said that I did buy a new one recently which I'm not entirely sure about yet...

It's called Easy Crochet Flowers. There are a lot of projects in it but not really many that I'm inspired to make. I think it's the colours and styling of the book that are just not really my style.

Anyway, I thought I would share my favourite crochet books with you.  Anyone who has been reading my blog for a wee while will probably know that I really love the Cute & Easy Crochet books by Nicki Trench...

I have them all and just love them. I have made several things from each book but my favourite is definitely the first one which is just called Cute & Easy Crochet.  It was the first crochet book I bought and in fact it was purchased before I had even ever picked up a crochet hook! It was this book which inspired me to learn to crochet...as soon as I saw it in a bookshop in Glasgow I knew I had to buy it and learn to crochet. It's the most beautiful book, the styling is gorgeous  and the colours used so pretty, and in my opinion, every project in the book is perfect. I have made lots of things from it so far and I'm sure I'll make plenty more!

I'm currently making the Camellia blanket from Cute & Easy Crochet and I'm really enjoying it. It's such a nice pattern and the squares turn out so pretty.

I also really want to make the Summer Evening Shawl which looks challenging but is so beautiful. Maybe I will attempt it at some point this year if I'm feeling brave enough!

I have a couple of other firm favourites too...

Granny Squares by Susan Pinner is also lovely. Last year I made my Dotty Spotty blanket using a pattern from this book and there are lots more patterns I want to try too.

Another Nicki Trench book which I love is Easy Knitting & Crochet. I've also made a few things from this but I'm really keen to make the gorgeous ribbon slippers and pretty flower blanket. 

When I'm looking for ideas for a new project I love to sit with a cuppa and just look through the books above, such a nice way to spend an hour or so!

What is your favourite crochet book? Or do you prefer magazines? I would love to know if there are any "must have" crochet books out there that I should add to my collection!

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This Week

My sweet Miss M had her birthday on Wednesday...being one of the last in her class to turn 8 she was really looking forward to it. I made her the rainbow cake as requested! It took me almost the whole day whilst she was at school on Wednesday to make it! But it was so worth it as she was absolutely delighted with it. The recipe came from Fabulous Family Food by Nadia Sawalha (my new favourite cookery book!) and is called Pastel Layer Cake...

I have been enjoying a bunch of gorgeous and fragrant hyacinths in my living room this week too. I love hyacinths so much...

Miss M and I have been writing our thank you cards for our Christmas presents this week...

Yes... I have started another blanket! It is the Camellia Blanket from Cute & Easy Crochet by Nicki Trench. I'm only using 3 colours and the squares are working up more quickly than I thought. I'm also being very disciplined and sewing in the ends as I finish each square! I'm really enjoying making this...what can I say, I just can't get enough of blanket making! 

Hope you have all had some lovely moments in your week too.

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Floral cushion

Here is the cushion I have been working on recently. It's bright, very colourful and cheerful...and I love it so much!  I made it to coordinate with the granny squares blanket I crocheted last October.  I love how pretty it looks on the bed...although I don't think G is convinced! I asked him before I added the pink edging if I should leave it as it was and he said yes and that sometimes less is more! But I love pink so I went ahead and added it anyway! I love how girly it looks...it makes me happy :-)

To make this cushion, I used yarn that I had already, all DK weight and the usual mix of Sirdar Snuggly and Stylecraft Special, with a 4mm crochet hook. The little flower squares were lovely to make, although they required quite a lot of concentration! The pattern for the squares is from the Gypsy Queen Throw which is in Nicki Trench's book Cute & Easy Crochet With Flowers.

This was a quick project really as once I started making it all other wips were cast to the side! I have plans to make a few more cushions and also have 2 blankets on the go...but right now I have a birthday cake to make for my lovely Miss M who is 8 today.  She has asked for a rainbow cake from one of my cook books which looks as if it may take me some time to bake and ice!  Oh well, she's worth it.

Thanks for all the lovely comments recently and for stopping by to visit me here.

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Cosy weekend

So the weather this weekend has been really awful...stormy and cold with lots of wind, rain and hail. We haven't been outside much except to take Miss M to her swimming lessons this morning and yesterday. Well, actually, G has been out...him and his buddies went mountain biking this morning when the storm was at its worst.  Completely crazy, I tell you. 

Miss M and I have enjoyed keeping cosy indoors...we have had the wood burner on since early afternoon both days, we have made pancakes and had hot chocolate and lots of tea! I have also been enjoying some crochet (of course!) whilst Miss M has been reading, drawing and playing with her Christmas toys. I am making a cushion which is so colourful and cheerful...I am loving it! I m going to put it together tonight so will be able to show you really soon...

There are lots of benefits to grey, cold January days aren't there?!  

Hope you are all keeping cosy too.

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Fresh and new

I really enjoy the start of the New Year. Although I love Christmas, I am always ready to take the decorations down and give the house a good clean and freshen to bring in the New Year. I love fresh flowers anyway but I think in January I love them even more as they really brighten up the house....

I have really been enjoying crocheting this blanket. I love the fresh, uplifting colours...

I bought Miss M a new mug but I have to admit it was kind of for myself! I couldn't resist the sweet little ladybirds but since G has banned me from buying any new mugs for myself I bought this for Miss M instead. Naughty me. Miss M has been very kind and has let me use it though...

We have been enjoying walks along the beach. It feels good to get some fresh air...

I made a tea cosy. A fresh new tea cosy for a fresh new year...

I have lots and lots of plans for 2015! There are so many things that I want to make this year and I am so looking forward to sharing them with you...

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