autumn

Now is my favourite time of year. I love the red leaves and the sunny days that are a bit chilly. And dreaming of winter shoes. And thinking about a new knitting project. I can't decide whether to make this or this.

We've put a bird feeder in the garden for the first time - hoping it might stop the birds digging up our winter vegetable seedlings in their search for worms. But also to help them out with some food when there's not much around. I don't think any bird has found the feeder yet. Perhaps I need to entice them with apple. Have you ever had a bird feeder in your garden? How did it go?

Reading: Gracefully Grayson: a novel by Ami Polonsky
Eating: persimmons - from our tree

three things

1. One half of Mr Mingus

2. A new cactus cutting I planted in a lovely but badly crazed Crown Lynn cup with a pattern called 'Lilian'. Perhaps I should've divided the cactus and planted the two 'ears' separately. What do you think?

3. A batch of badges I made for winter using woolen fabrics and velvet. They add a bit of colour and texture to a dull winter outfit. My wardrobe seems to have settled on black and grey. I used a badge-maker machine but you could make a covered button and attach a small safety pin on the back instead. I think my favourite is the green tweedy one (centre left).

days of summer

 

That is Mr Mingus in the garden showing you his little golden wings.

The beach is just a ten minute slow walk from our house. We swam there on Saturday evening. It was lovely. I wish this summer could last forever.

Reading How Proust can change your life by Alain De Botton and Kinfolk magazine + Eating sweetcorn from the garden + Listening to Sarah Blasko + Online for Journal de jours

Tootie

1994-2012

Sadly Tootie passed away on Friday.
She was my son's childhood pet which, somehow, makes her death even sadder.

The scarf

The scarf is finished. It's right in so many ways. It has cables that I love. And because it uses chunky weight yarn and is really only a scarflette or 'neck wrap' it knits up quickly - great for a last minute gift. I used this free pattern from Kaleidoscope Yarns.

The blocking was brilliant. I'm a convert. I only wish I'd taken a 'before' photo so you could see the difference blocking made. It flattened the scarf out so that it didn't curl in on itself and sort of eased it into its correct dimensions.
This is a birthday gift for my mother - something to keep her warm through the end of winter.

My poor dog has not been well so I stayed home with her today and we had a really nice time. It was such a brilliant day - cold but sunny. She got lots of attention and I got lots of washing dry and even had time for a bit of quilting.

Quilt update

My good intentions and self-imposed quilting schedule flew out the window almost as soon as I started. But I've completed 24 out of the 40 rows of hand quilting required for the quilt I started in May. So I'm 60% done!

I have till October (baby's due date) to get it finished so I still have time.
I've calculated I need to complete at least two rows of quilting a week to meet the deadline. This doesn't sound like a lot - and it isn't - except I'm slow and time starved. But determined.

A bit like Mr Mingus who sits on the quilt at every opportunity. What is it with cats and quilts?

Pat and the gentle arts

My darling Pat died last month. He was almost 18. He was such an affectionate cat and I miss him terribly. Just thinking about him makes me weepy.

from 'The gentle art of domesticity' by Jane Brocket

from 'The gentle art of knitting' by Jane Brocket

So... I have let myself become absorbed in Jane Brocket's books:

• The gentle art of domesticity
• The gentle art of quiltmaking and
  
• The gentle art of knitting

I can't recommend these books enough. Not only are the photos beautiful and the projects desirable but her writing is inspirational. And I love her 'give-it-a-go' attitude.
I want to buy and possess all of her books, give up work and embrace domesticity.
See more of Jane Brocket here.

Happy New Year

Here's Eric in the (empty) paddling pool enjoying the hot summer weather. Or attention seeking. Or letting me know that he is home and therefore available to be fed. But, undeniably, cute!


And - at last - a new friend. For my Wellington friend. He had to be hers when I noticed her wearing the exact same socks! I'm not sure about the mood though. Pensive? Noble? Sad? The photo doesn't show it but I embroidered claws on this guy. Maybe he's just trying to look tough. But, really, he's just a softie.

Photo a day for a week: Day 5

Mr Mingus rolling around in the litter tray. He does this nearly every time we change the litter.

Photo a day for a week: Day 1

A photo a day for a week may not seem like much of a challenge. But, for me, I think it will be!
Here's Mr Mingus sitting in the window - probably he's going to look for birds.