Friday 12 June 2015

Five on Friday

Hello and happy Friday I hope you have all had a great week, mine has been good because the sun has actually been shining for most of it, here are five things that made me smile this week...

Rippling Shells Baby Blanket



This lovely sunshiney blanket was made by my friend Mary who is also a member of the North East branch of Loving Hands.  Mary started this at our last meeting and finished it really quickly she is such a fast crocheter, I'm not in fact I'm quite slow, I don't know why that is I can't speed up even if I try, anyway I love this blanket I always think that round blankets are quite special. I must make one of these myself it will take me far longer than Mary's did that's for sure ( how fast do you crochet?)

It's one of Debi's lovely designs and you can find the free pattern here,  It measures 40 inches across and was made with 400 grams of Dk baby yarn.

Returning to Work

I know! that sounds crazy but it's true I was off for four weeks and that is the longest time I have ever had off work in fact the last time I was off sick was in 2002.  I need structure in my life, I know that I needed to be off to recover but somehow when I have all day to do stuff nothing gets done I keep putting it off till later. 
It was great to see everyone and do something constructive, I have done more this week than I did in my whole four weeks off. I'm due to retire in a months time but I'm not going to, I only work three days a week anyway and I love what I do. What about you guys do you love your work or are you looking forward to your retirement?

New Trainers

I saw some red trainers a few weeks ago but my usual size was too small and the next size was too big I was so disappointed because I love red trainers so when I found some that actually fit I was so happy they are lovely and comfortable and I've warn them loads already, what colour are your favourite shoes?

Plant Pot Love

At last I have managed to give some of my plant pots some much needed TLC both indoors


 and out


  some weeding and some new topped up compost a little bit of feed, I even managed to plant some annuals 



If you are wondering why I have bits of cane stuck in the pots it's to prevent the neighbours cats from lying in the pots because believe me they would if they could. 

More Twiddle Mats



These twiddle mats arrived in the post from the lovely Linda from Chalkies world.  The mental health Unit was so pleased with the first one she sent me they asked for more and Linda send two more right away. Thank you Linda you are a star they are of great benefit to the alzheimer's sufferers in our care.

I hope you all have a great weekend and that the sun keeps shining for all of us. :)

Linking with Amy's 


Snickerdoodle Sunday
Handmade Monday - Creative Tuesday -Cooking and crafting with JJ -  Eyeloveknots - Link and share Wednesday - Lunamon Designhookin on hump day




 photo e69a549e-0e33-465a-b88b-a6ebe916eaaa_zps34480328.jpg

45 comments:

  1. Lovely. I've never tried a ripple round. Not sure my brain works like that. You know how I feel about the fact that I've quit my job. Joy, joy, joy. :) Love those red shoes. When I bought my last pair, I had to settle on the fact that they were maybe a half size too big. Hard to get proper sizes in this country. Glad to see your outdoor plants have received some TLC. We will be moving some from one balcony to the other that is covered as the afternoon soon is just torture on them. The twiddle mats are very interesting. A friend left school early to attend her son's college graduation in Colorado and also to care for her mom who is suffering from Alzheimer's. Seem she hid the disease quite well and they are just now seeing how far long she really is. Hard time figuring out how to get the care she needs at this point. Have a great day.

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  2. My husband took early retirement due to ill health and I joined him, we have a wonderful life and now choose what we do and when we want to do it. My favourite colour shoes for the summer is pink but I seem to always gravitate to brown in the winter. Have a great weekend.

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  3. What a lovely baby blanket! So glad that you are feeling much better and have gone back to work. I work part time too and do enjoy it but sometimes find it hard to fit all the family needs in whilst preserving enough time for crafting! Have a lovely weekend xx

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  4. So glad you are enjoying your return to work. I find I do get more done when I'm in an established routine, although I do worry that it may become a rut if I'm not careful. It's always important to enjoy what we're doing. Your plants are looking lovely and the red trainers, my, they are so much fun.

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  5. I'm really slow at crocheting and have taught myself from YouTube still it's great fun, portable and therapeutic. I like the blanket, I haven't seen one that shape before. Have a good weekend :-)

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    1. It's along time since I made a round blanket glad you like this one😀

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  6. Lovely baby blanket !!! And garden !! And mats !!!
    Have a fun weekend with your new trainers ;)
    Anna

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    1. Thanks glad you liked the blanket😀

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  7. The baby blanket is lovely so unusual and I love your red trainers, I always like red shoes although my favourites at the moment are pale blue:)

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    1. Thanks it is a lovely blanket pattern 😀

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  8. Thank your friend for me Linda - I love when I see that someone uses one of my patterns. It came out very lovely. Love your new red shoes - my favorite shoes are blue. Those twiddle mats are very interesting - they would be great for little toddlers too. :)

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    1. So glad you liked the blanket I'm sure it will keep the baby who gets it warm . I really enjoyed making it and I'm sure I'll make more 😀

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  9. Love those red shoes. I have a big collection of coloured shoes. In fact, I am wearing bright pink ones right now. The hardest part is trying to find a place to store them all! Good luck with returning to work! It'll b e a breeze!

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  10. All such wonderful things!!!! That blanket your friend made is gorgeous, and so are those red trainers!! I love them both. It is great that you are signed off to go back to work again, you must have missed all your friends at work and the people you work with too. I hope that you keep enjoying your time working, if you want to do it and they want to have you there is no reason to stop is there! It is all about choice I think. The mats are great aren't they, Linda is such a kind person with a heart very full of love - and so are you of course!!! Thank you so much for joining in. I hope that you have a great weekend! xx

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  11. I love the round ripple pattern and made each of our grandkids one. Those twiddle mats looks interesting and I'll be checking them out. I retired 4 years ago and love every minute of it. I do miss the interaction with co-workers, but I was ready to retire and I'm so glad I did.

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  12. Great post Linda. Love the blanket and all of your lovely flowers.

    Linda

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  13. I hope you will tell us more about the twiddle mats. And, I just love that pretty baby blanket.

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  14. I am so sorry you have been sick. And retiring in a month from a job you love...that's so hard! First, I love your healthy beautiful house plants! The baby blanket was wonderful, and thanks for including the pattern! But what really thrilled me were those "twiddle mats." What a fantastic idea!!!! Not only for Alzheimers patients but also for autistic kids. Whoever came up with this idea is so clever! Just loved them. May I borrow the photo so I can show some of my quilter/crocheter friends so that this project might be adopted by a couple of groups I am familiar with?

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    1. Yes of course Marie, I will post about them again next week with a pattern link. :)

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  15. It is fabulous that you are healed up enough to get back to work. I understand you when you say that if you have time on your hands you don't know what to do, I am the same way. Hugs to you Linda.
    Meredith

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  16. What a lovely blanket! ♥ And beautiful twiddle mats (cute name!), pretty and useful in one. NIce accident: I'm crocheting such a star blanket at the moment, too! Only with 12 points instead of 9. I'm just making the border and then it's ready. The canes in the flower pots are a funny idea! Cats often have strange sleeping places ;-). Happy weekend! Nata xxx

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  17. I used to have a cat that liked to sit in empty pots. My current one doesn't, which is a relief. My job is getting worse by the week, but as I only work on Sundays I am trying to stick with it. Retirement is very inviting though.

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  18. That blanket is beautiful! I love your trainers too, I think red is probably my favourite colour shoes too. The sticks look like a great idea too. Have a lovely weekend xx

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  19. Such a gorgeous blanket, love the stripes in it, its so neat. I too am a slow crocheter, i get there in the end. Love your plants, hope the cats stay away. Enjoy your return to work.

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  20. Your too young to retire 😉 pleased to hear your back to work jus hope your not overdoing it xxlove the red trainers, plants are looking gorgeous x the blanket is stunning thanks for sharing the pic and the link xx

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  21. Twiddle mats are so interesting! I wonder if they need them at my mother's nursing home....
    I love being retired . No alarms for this late morning, needs coffee riser.

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  22. Lovely blanket and mats!! I have earlier started a round ripple but did not complete because I got the gauge wrong. Your pots are looking very nice ! Yesterday I saw a post on pinterest where they had put plastic forks to deter birds and pets from damaging the plants. Sticks are a good idea.

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  23. Oh what a lovely blanket Mary made! I love round blankets and have had my eye on that pattern for some time. But I'm soooo slow at crocheting! I'm glad you enjoy what you do; so many people don't. As I'm a self employed stay at home mom I don't see retirement anytime in the near future :-) I love your new shoes! So bright and cheery. My favorites are a pair of black and pink tennis shoes. Very comfy. Your plants look lovely. Take care.

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    1. A lovely pattern glad u like the blanket

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  24. My mum always puts cane sticks around her plants too as the neighbours cats are particularly keen on trying to snooze on them.

    I think I'm possibly the slowest ever at crochet - I'm currently making a blanket for my son. I had intended it to be a Christmas present but I'm beginning to think it won't be ready by then - it is a full size blanket to fit a double bed. Xxx

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  25. Lovely to see all the comments about the blanket thanks to Linda , surprisingly there's only 200 g of lemon and 100 g of blue yarn even have a bit of both left , used a 4.00 hook

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  26. Your baby blanket is so beautiful, Linda! I really love it. The colors are beautiful too. Your new shoes are so spiffy! Hope you're having a good weekend.

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  27. Love your red trainer shoes ♥ good inspiration to work out ;-) And congratulations to Mary for her star blanket. It looks fun to make

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  28. Wow Linda you ripple blanket is amazing and once again you did a beautiful job of making something beautiful! Thanks for sharing this at our Cooking and Crafting with J & J party!
    Julie xo

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  29. LOVE the kicks! :)

    Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!

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  30. Great blanket! I'm anxious to finish up my first and pick out yarn and another design for a 2nd. My goal is to make each of my 5 kids a blanket, something to snuggle with from home when they head off into the world.

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  31. I think ripple baby blankets are just so classic. Everyone needs to make at least one at some point in their crochet life. :D

    http://www.divinedebris.com

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  32. Catching up with you Linda! That IS a beautiful blanket and reminds me of a snowflake :) I like your new trainers and they look so comfy. I've been spending more time tending my potted plants too, and the fertilizer really helps them after a long winter indoors. Most are outside now and getting absolutely drenched with long heavy rains. I love this idea of twiddle mats!! As you know my dad is in a dementia ward at his care home, and most of the residents have some form of Alzheimer's. I'll have to inquire if something like this would be useful to them. I often see some of the ladies especially with plush toys on their laps for them to stroke and hold. I don't think my dad would benefit from one because he's not one to fiddle with little things at all now. I think he could have used one 20 years ago ;)
    Thanks for the idea, and it's great that Linda sent you a few to get things rolling. I'll be visiting her next!
    Wendy

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  33. Thank you for sharing at my link up in week 25,
    you are welcome to share again now :o)

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Thank you for your visit, I will always answer any questions but due to time constraints I'm not always able to reply to your comments, please keep them coming I read and appreciate each and every one. xx