Welcome To Narnia aka My Lady Cave

In the weekend I decided to tackle Narnia aka My lady Cave

In the year that was 2014, Narnia became nothing other than a dumping ground - whilst I still continued to craft during 2014, it was usually at the dining room table, and only a few quilts.

I used to love making myself a cuppa tea and just sitting in Narnia first thing in the weekend, browsing the many craft books on my book shelf . . . Looking for inspiration or searching for new ideas.  

Sunday morning I got up, made my coffee and ventured into Narnia, appearing out for my next cuppa, the gym or to eat.  

My swap/memento shelves . . .

Just looking at the knick knacks on these shelves brings back memories of happy creative blogging days when I joined in with craft swaps and made friendships around the world.  

Where did those days go? 

Narnia is a small space, the ironing board doubles as a cutting table (unless I have to use the dining table) and I just love my ironing board cover, which also I received in a swap.  

Narnia is named such because it literally is in a wardrobe.  A walk in wardrobe out the back of my Beauty Therapy Clinic.  (I work from home)

Shelving full of fabric.  Now all sorted back into colour order.  Beautiful Cath Kidston, Tilda and Liberty fabric.  Gorgeous vintage sheets.  So much gorgeousness waiting to be used.

Two years ago I vowed not to purchase any new fabric until I used my stash, I lasted 18 months (that's pretty good going for a sewer/quilter/crafter)

My wool and dishcloth cotton stash . . . All just waiting to be used.

I moved my sewing machine (which I have owned since I was 20!) from the dining room table and 

back into Narnia.  In the evening I sat and sewed up the hem on a skirt which had been sitting waiting 3 months.  It felt so good to be back in MY quiet space.

  

Two baskets of UFO's . . . my plan for this year is to empty these baskets! 

Narnia, my space just for me to sit, drink a cuppa and create.

Taking Stock OR What I'm Doing Right Now

Cooking : Soup

Drinking : Revolting tasting herbs which allow me to breath easier - breathing is important 

Needing: Rest

Feeling: Better than I was 

Hoping: To be back to all my gym classes soon

Considering: The importance of looking after ourselves: mind, body and soul

Smelling: Flowers from a friend

Giggling: At the hashtag #pneumoniasucks - it sure does 

Following:  The sounds of my children laughing playing fighting and arguing 

Enjoying: Fresh air and sunshine

Wearing: A jumper and a hat

Buying: Coffee 

Liking: Fresh air and sunshine

Pondering: The book I am currently reading 

Playing: With two week old puppies 

Watching: Two week old puppies feed from their Mama

Noticing: The 'look' on the dog Mamas face as her puppies feed

Thinking: I _know_ that face/feeling Mama

Looking: At my mood blanket crochet squares

Deciding: I really don't like the outside/border or the mood/random layout

Wanting: To love what I am working on 

Wondering: If it is deemed 'failure' if I change my mind
Knowing: It really doesn't matter and you won't judge _right_?!

 

Admiring: Philosopher

Reading: Geronimo Stilton

Loving: He fell asleep reading.  

Bookmarking: Where he is up to 

Opening: Baking tins to find them empty

Getting: Out the cook books and . . .

Making : Peach and white chocolate muffins 

Waiting: For the movie to end so I can finish binding the quilt  

Marvelling: How an op shop sheet and a box of scraps can turn into a beautiful quilt 

Wishing: Good health and a wonderful week ahead 

If you want a list you can get it from Pip at Meet Me At Mike's too!  

A Little Hookin Here And A Little Hookin There

Both my Crochet Mood Blanket and my Summer Project Blanket are growing slowly and steadily

Whenever I am sitting down for 5 minutes or as a passenger in the car on a journey short or long you will find me hook in hand .. .. ..

Crochet Mood Blanket January squares

Summer Project 

Champagne and China Tea Cups

Friday nights have changed somewhat over the last 20 years

I still get together with my girl friends

I still drink pink bubbles

Last Friday night you would have found me  sitting on the couch eating chocolate brownie and cream drinking pink champagne from a china tea cup and crocheting chatting with 3 of my dearest friends.

These moments fill my heart with joy

I've now completed 4 squares of my Crochet Mood Blanket and can admit to being 'hooked' on the pattern 

LOVING

I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something you can be thankful for..no matter how simple it is.

Herbal Tea - YES I do !

My newly discovered love is Pratty's Feel Good Teas

Completing unfinished projects!  

SWAPS!  

This year was the 3rd year I participated in Chookyblue's Secret Santa Swap

The gorgeous table runner in the background in shades of pink blue and red was my main present opened on Christmas Day sent to me from Jeanette
I LOVE it and it is for everyday use!

My partner was Fiona and you can see what I sent her HERE

Thank you again Chooky for organising a great swap I know how much time goes into hosting them!

Conquering a new crochet block

This was my original idea for my mood blanket, I'm still undecided .. .. .. If I'm to stick to this ~ 52 weeks ~ do I need to stick to a plain easy to whip up block?

LOVE - I have absolutely cherished these past 10 days just me and my Mr, however, I'm also beside myself with excitement that my babies (8 & 5) come home today!

Last night I turned off everything and slipped into total relaxation - it's good for the soul

Linking in with

Crochet (or Knit) Mood Blanket

I have been inspired to start a new blanket in 2014

A Mood Blanket

It will be a blanket of squares, made in colours which will represent my mood on that particular day. The idea is from instagramer mummy_stacey.

So, really the only rule is that you crochet/knit a square or stripe everyday (or once a week if that suits you better) in 2014 using a colour that you feel reflects your mood. The colour choices are totally up to you! I think it's important that you use colours that you like so that it doesn't get boring. Plus you'll want a blanket you'd like to keep after all that hard work!! The amount of rounds is up to you! I think I'm going to do 4 rounds as I think I'll find that manageable! Most people doing the 365 are doing 4/5, the 52 people are doing more rounds so they get a big blanket too. 

I'm committing to the 52 squares challenge, however, will try for 104.

These are the colours and moods I have chosen and each square will be framed in cream

There are so many colours and moods  

I am going to post once a month with my progress, I will have a minimum of four squares to show you and I will be using the join as you go method.   It will be really interesting watching the colours pop up on my blanket as it grows

If you are on Instagram and you think this is a cool idea and want to join in, pop by mummy_stacey's Instagram!  (Last night, on Instagram Stacey had 312 people saying they want to participate!!)  Or if you are on Facebook search Crochet Mood Blanket 2014

Hashtags are #crochetmoodblanket2014 and #nzcrochetmoodblanket2014

Will you be joining in/participating?