Back to Normal.

I took these photos yesterday when the temperature had plummeted overnight.  Even the weeds and untidy dead bits in the garden looked pretty with a dusting of frost.  The pond was frozen over and the bird bath was solid.   About 20 miles north of us they had a light fall of snow and freezing fog, turning everywhere into a winter wonderland.

The heuchera leaves are beautiful without any frost but those frilly edges look wonderful with a bit of 'icing'.

As I said, even the weeds look attractive.

And the dead bits - this is an ice plant seedhead.

No apologies - another heuchera plant - I love them.

I think the hellebores had a bit of a shock and looked rather bedraggled.

Even the snowdrops were a bit sorry for themselves, but both are quite perky this morning with a 10 degree rise in temperature.   Today is damp, dull and dreary and all the magic has gone but I am sure that winter hasn't done with us just yet.

A few days ago I printed off one of the free tutorials from Maggie Grey's latest book 'Long Diaries and Tall Tales'.  I was looking forward to trying it out but must have put it somewhere safe.  I have looked everywhere, even in the recycling bag for paper.  It must be here somewhere.  Any ideas as to where to carry on searching?

Feeling Miffed!

I was given this beautiful scarf for Christmas and haven't been able to wear it yet as the weather has been so mild, and the scarf is really warm.  I has all sorts of textures woven into it plus little pleats here and there giving it a stretchy feel.  The photograph hasn't reproduced the colours at all well as the light is poor today.

 

I also received a skein of what I, at first, thought to be some fibres for working on the embellisher.  It turned out to be 50gm of mohair laceweight yarn - a blend of alpaca and silk.  It didn't look like yarn in the skein and is so fine and soft and also beautifully warm.  I have never knitted with such fine yarn and had to get used to it - it felt like knitting with cobwebs.   Again, my photo hasn't done the colours justice - it has a delicate variation of sea blue/green with a hint of pale lilac.  Very pretty.

I was amazed at the length it knitted up to - over 2 metres long.  Two totally contrasting scarves but I can feel that the temperature is gradually dropping, so maybe it wont be long before I am trying to decide which to wear first as I moan about being too cold!

I also received a very robust garden trowel which I haven't christened yet as the garden is so waterlogged.  More rain today and a very poor light for any kind of art or craft work.  Never mind, I am occupying myself by turning out cupboards and filling boxes to go to the charity shop.  Not looking forward to the cupboard under the sink, or the larder.   Who knows what horrifying sell by dates I will discover lurking at the back!

Goodbye Christmas.

Normal service has been resumed, albeit a day early as I am out tomorrow and Wednesday, and Christmas is tucked up again in it's cupboard for another year.

This was our landing two days ago during which time another two large bags of fabrics joined the pile.   I have been collecting all sorts of fabrics for making rag rugs for several years, but the process of rag rugging is quite hard on the hands and I don't think I shall be making any more.  Everything is now with the local secondary school art and textile department.  I was delighted to find it all a good home and they were delighted to accept it.

There are still some general books to be packed up but they will go to the Lion's Club book shop.  After that I shall turn my attention to the kitchen cupboards - I shudder to think of some of the sell by dates that might be lurking in the back of my larder.

I feel so sorry for those affected by floods - it must be truly awful.  The forecasters keep saying that the weather will remain changeable.  I don't think changeable is the right word for it - it seems to be stuck in a rut and we keep getting the same, over and over again.

It isn't cold, so I won't say 'Keep warm'.  Just keep dry and roll on some seasonal weather then perhaps we can all look forward to proper a spring.

I've just had a lovely thought.  Now I have cleared out so many books I have room for some new ones!