Tuesday, February 21, 2012

A Cowl, a Snood, an Exchange, some Knitting, getting away and IHSW update!

Well the title says it all really. Lots to share but I will try to be brief. About a week ago I got a wonderful surprise through the mail. 




This beautiful crocheted cowl was made for me by my dear blogging friend Heidi. I was not expecting it and it was wonderful to receive it. It is so thick and snuggly and warm. Just to show you how it looks on....



Not a great pic of me but you get the idea.

I finally finished my own snood from the Deramore's freebie pattern they offered on their last newsletter. I changed the pattern slightly and just did  knit two together at the front instead of knitting at the back. Again, here is a pic of how it looks on.




Sticking with the knitting theme, I have knitted the back of the waistcoat pattern I bought but it looks a little short to me. I know I will have to pick up at the top at some point so will just carry on till it is done and then maybe reassess for length. 



Yesterday, I got the most gorgeous redwork exchange through the post from Cathy B. It is an exchange on the FTT exchange board which is a small group of stitchers. I just love this piece and it made me cry when I read Cathy's card attached. It was very touching and I will treasure it always. Thanks Cathy. The pattern is from Heartstrings Samplery. 



Now, I did hermit a little over the weekend. I did go away on the Saturday to Bala in Wales. We stayed in a guest house on the edge of the lake and it was beautiful. These were our views from our window. 




It was so relaxing and the breakfast in the morning was lovely; pancakes for the kids and a locally produced full Welsh for us. Yumm. We met up with some of my husband's friends that he works for on the Saturday evening and had a really great evening. They have three boys and the kids had a brilliant time playing with each other and jamming together in the studio. I definitely need more weekends like that. On the way home we went through Llangollen and this shop had the longest place name I have ever seen!!



But, I did hermit before and afterwards and have made some lovely progress on my Sampler Aux Bouquets. Here is where it is up to now. I am determined to get this finished up soon. Please excuse the wrinkles. 




So I am a bit worse for wear today after going out last night so I am going to take it easy today and be kind to myself. Thanks for stopping by and letting me share a little piece of my life with you all. 

Oh I notice I have made 302 posts and have just over 500 followers now! That deserves a giveaway so I will get my thinking cap on and get busy. Watch this space. 
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27 comments:

Shirlee said...

What beautiful gifts & stitchings of your own : ) Blessings, Shirlee

Giovanna said...

Lovely knitting and stitching by everyone! I really like the yarn you used for the scarf. How great for you to be close to Wales, I have great memories of the breathtaking scenery.

Anonymous said...

Lovely knitting and such sweet gifts!! That cowl looks so comfy. I love seeing pictures of your weekend away... Erik and I spent a few days at the perfect B&B in Llangollen years ago, Wales is so beautiful!! Your Sampler is stunning!! Nearly there...!!

Clare-Aimetu said...

Great knitting, and it's lovly to see you getting away.

Please share your Sampler au Bouquet progress on Needlecraft Haven, it's looking fab

Stitchabilities said...

Lovely gift and exchange piece.
Glad you are keeping yourself busy.
What a lovely place to visit!
Your Sampler is looking great!!

Margaret said...

Love the knitting! The crocheted cowl is a lovely gift! Your stitching is gorgeous! I love it! Looks like a lovely time getting away this weekend too. That is a funny name on the shop!

Chris said...

Beautiful stitching and knitting Hazel!
It sounds like you had a lovely little get away.
That store sign in mind boggling to me! I think I have to go back and count how many letters are actually in that sign :)lol
Have a great week!

Patty C. said...

Lovely work ;)

Catherine said...

Love all the warm goodness of the knitting! I have one of Hazel's scarfs and love it! Beautiful stitches as well! Sounds like a wonderful time away! I don't think I can even begin to pronounce the name of that shop!

Siobhán said...

Lovely progress on your stitching! You got some wonderful gifts! Love your knitting, too. I enjoyed your pics of Wales--that is one of my favorite places. I am wondering what a full Welsh is, though. I know what a full Irish is, and I know what a full English is, but I'm wondering how a full Welsh would compare... (and for the record, I go with the full American--pancakes for breakfast!! LOL)

Julie said...

The cowl looks lovely on you Hazel and the snood knitted up lovely too.
Bala lake is a beautiful place to visit, been there a few times, how lovely to have a weekend away with your family.
SAB is coming along a treat, so pretty.

Carol said...

Your knitting and stitching are all so pretty, Hazel. And I love the photos of Wales...some day I really do hope to visit!

cucki said...

wow what sweet gifts and lovely stitching..
love for you xx

Louise said...

hello Hazel,
What a lovely post. The gifts are beautiful, and your sampler is coming along so pretty!
I absolutely love it. I am glad you had some time away..the views look beautiful.
Thinking of you my friend,
Louise xx

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

Beautiful knitting - I thought it interesting how different the fibers looked "on" than they did laying flat. I'm sure it's just the photography but still, interesting. Love the pillow Cathy sent you and your stitching on Sampler Aux Bouquets is really beautiful!

jane said...

Lovely crochet gift and your snood is very nice, mine is almost finished too. Such a pretty exchange gift from Cathy, definitely something to treasure.
I love Bala - such a pretty place, sounds like you really recharged the batteries there.

Christine said...

Beautiful stitching and knitting. I love how your snood came out in the variegated wool

Heidi said...

Hi Hazel! How fun to see the cowl around your own neck now having sent it on its way. I enjoyed making it especially for you.

Your knitted double cowl looks really pretty and you finished it really fast.

You had a lovely weekend. The views are heavenly and it sounds like you had fun company. Still you had a good hermit weekend and your sampler is beautiful. Yet again...this sampler is in my UFO stack...sigh.

Hugs from Holland ~
Heidi

Ann at Beadlework. said...

Oh how I envy you the trip to Wales. It's our favourite place to visit but we've never been to that particular area.

Anonymous said...

gorgeous knitting as always, I do really love Sampler aux Bouquets, I love everything about this design, it's definitely on my wish list!

Kate said...

You have been very busy! Lovely projects and presents!

Veronica said...

Beautiful knitting. What a lovely redwork pillow. Looks like your weekend was quiet and relaxing. I wonder how that shop name is pronounced. Must be quite the mouthful ^.^ Your Sampler Aux Bouquets is gorgeous.

Hugs,
Veronica.

valerie said...

It looks like you had a lovely weekend away. How fantastic! And the cowl and snood are fantastic. They both look so warm. Wonderful progress on your JP piece and that little pinpillow from Cathy is gorgeous! I just love that design!

Kim said...

Wow! You've been busy!

I have been meaning to knit up a cowl, I just haven't found a pattern that grabs me yet. Yours turned out lovely.

Nice progress on Sampler Aux Bouquets, such a pretty piece.

Happy Stitching :)

barbara said...

Lovely mail goodies! :D

Elisa said...

Lovely knitting and stitching Hazel, looks like a great break xx

Brigitte said...

Wow, that sounds like a wonderful weekend in Wales. It's just perfect for the soul to change a bit the daily routine and to be surrounded by something new.
Great progress on your French sampler. It looks gorgeous. And so do your gifts. Enjoy everything.