I made some blankets

 At long last I have managed to get these photos to upload.They are in the wrong order but so what.A while ago I started crocheting squares using the pattern from Jane Brocket's The Gentle Art of Knitting(but it does include crochet-strange).Above is the resulting blanket.I really enjoyed doing it as the different colour combinations produced different effects.They are also very quick.

 A month or so ago I was stuck for something to do so decided to make some baby car seat blankets.The intention is to sell them for a particular charity I have been following.I used Stylecraft Special DK which is lovely and soft and comes in a huge range of colours.I have made six so far,all different.

This is my favourite.A miniature version of my bigger blanket.

Emily,our middle granddaughter, is seven today so later this afternoon we are going for a birthday tea.She has had a roller disco party with friends this lunchtime and we are the entertainment for later.We always have to have dancing.Quite a sight as you can imagine at my age.Good fun though and definitely no photos!!!

Why can't I load photos?

Why can't I load photos with the new blogger?I have them in a Picasa file but can't load them.HELP NEEDED!

Japanese Style at Ruthin Craft Centre.

We had a short trip to Ruthin Craft Centre this afternoon which is featuring the above exhibition.While this was in preparation the tsunami and earthquake took place.There was doubt that it would actually happen but all the Japanese participants wanted to go ahead.There are various displays but I am just showing you two.

Shinksuke Iwami was giving a demonstration.He was born in 1964 in Tokyo.In 1995 he moved to Mashiko which is a pottery village 60 miles north of Tokyo.It suffered considerable damage in the earthquake and tsunami and a number of kilns were destroyed.

One of the things he demonstrated was how he made teapots like the one above.He also made tea bowls which were used in the home and others that were used in tea ceremonies.He obviously doesn't speak English(or Welsh!!!) and had an interpreter who had to ask for help with words like "spout".

Some more examples of his finished work which was on sale.A small bowl was £21.

In the main exhibition area there was an amazing display of textiles.So innovative.Reiki Sudo is the creative director of Nuno textiles .She gave a talk a couple of weeks ago and I missed it.Such a shame.There were examples of all the textiles around the room which you could handle and an explanation of the process and materials used.

This is a close up of one of the fabrics.They used origami to work out how to produce and weave this material.

Other things on show were the Hale Collection of Tohukuu Ceramics.Renowned in Japan it has never been exhibited as a collection in the UK before and architectural models.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter.We went over to Northwich to our daughter's and after a delicious roast beef dinner it was time for the Easter egg hunt.(When will Emily have front teeth again?!!!!)Inside,with the central heating on,lovely party dresses but outside it was cold.

That's better.Cardies and coats on and all the eggs collected and shared.Great fun.After charades and other games we went to Blakemere Craft Centre.A super day enjoyed by all with lots of laughter and fun.

Barbara has a little cat.........

Barbara has a little cat
It's paws as white as snow
And everywhere that Barbara went
The cat was sure to go
I think ,he thinks I am his mum!C has been out walking this morning so I was in the house on my own.Ziggy has just followed me everywhere.Every time I sat down he was on my knee.Every time I moved rooms he was there with me.He is like this all the time.We kept him inside until he was neutered and microchipped but now he won't go out!!

He sits on the mat and looks out but unless we actually put him out he doesn't move.If we put him out he cries to come back in.He still uses his litter tray and doesn't seem to know he can have a wee outside!He is absolutely gorgeous but is getting to be a bit of a pain.Any suggestions?

new project for charity

I have knitted /crocheted so many pairs of socks,shawls,scarves etc.My granddaughters don't need anything at the moment but I need to be doing something while I watch TV.I just can't watch,my hands have to be busy.I have lots of wool but decided to treat myself to some new colours-see above.What I am going to make are some small baby blankets for use with car seats.I am either going to sell them myself or donate them or any money I make to a particular charity.

This is the first one I made and the one below is a WIP.

I am going to go for different colour combinations and not the usual pastels.Saying all this we were out on Monday night at the film theatre to see "Woman in Black",we have Wine Appreciation tomorrow night and Friday evening we are at the theatre to see "A Doll's House" by Ibsen.Not much crochet/TV time there!!

Last Friday our daughter was 40.She just wanted a family get together and not a party.We met up on Friday evening at the Golden Lion pub/hotel in Easenhall near Coventry.What a brilliant venue.The pub was lovely.We had a meal,all 11 of us which was superb.We had an area at the end of the main pub rooms,all to ourselves.They had decoarated the table and could not have been more accomodating.The rooms were great.The two families had two bedrooms each but through a closed door from the corridor.We had our meal and then Ella went to our room and listened out for the the other four grandchildren.We stayed and had a few(!!!) drinks in the bar and we laughed and laughed which isn't good when you have a cracked rib!A great evening was had by all.

Saturday ,after a huge breakfast,we went to Warwick Castle.We were a bit disappointed that it seemed to be run more as a theme park than as an historic venue.You had to pay extra to go in the Merlin Tower,£3.60 each even for the children.The Princess Tower was free and the girls loved that.

There was a birds of prey display.This was a sea eagle(?).

Our son with four of our five grandchildren.Maps being consulted.

Finlay having a go at archery.He was actually very impressive and hit the target every time.

One last photo of the birthday girl.This was an ordeal for the waitress who it turned out was frightened of fireworks and suchlike!

This has been a superb,brilliant weekend.I love having all the family together.We started off as two and now we are 11.