Crojo back?!?

September 18th

So a whole week whizzed by and I have not posted, it may take me a while to be back up to speed.  That's not all that needs to pick up speed, I have not until this week crocheted in nearly two months, let's not even talk about knitting or other crafts.  This is so unlike me.  Do you ever stop things that normally give you pleasure and just haven't the inclination as normal?  I think my 'craftiness' is luckily creeping back into my life and this week I have dabbled,  but looking at what I have made, there is no finesse and everything is large and bulky, ummm.

What have I been up to this week then...

 
After a lovely comment from Jules on my last post, and thank you to everyone who commented, it really warmed my heart no end, thank you , thank you. (Last post)  I began to think even more about why I began blogging and whether I should stop.  She reminded me that I began blogging as I wanted to share my passion and Christmas traditions with my children so they would always have something to follow to carry on our family traditions if they so wished.  Jules wrote that she was looking forward already to this years Christmas instalments.  I post every day in December leading up to Christmas Eve, this year will be my third year in doing so.  This got me thinking... and planning... and beginning to make...


 Planning
Christmas blog planning
 Sewing
Couldn't resist having a go

Oops, sewed the ribbon in the wrong place

I need to move the ribbon, the Scandinavian
influenced felt bird looks better in this orientation
 Crochet

A good friend turns 21 + 19 later this week and absolutely loves Minions, so I had a look on line to remind myself what they looked like and made her a coffee cosy.  There are in fact hundreds of patterns out there for Minion inspired makes including coffee cosies but I went off piste and made up my own.

Minion coffee cosy


And more crochet, perhaps the crojo is coming back...

After seeing others reading their latest Simply Crochet magazine, I used to be a subscriber but gave it up some months ago, I noticed someone showing some fair isle crochet which made me itch to see what it was all about.  Off to the shops I trotted and bought said magazine.  You can just spy the colour socks in the corner of my photograph.  I dashed to my fairly large yarn stash but none of the colours there sang to me for socks and I am refusing to buy any more yarn until my hoard has been somewhat depleted.  I did however have some lovely chunky 100% wool laying around, which although too thick for socks could make some funky chunky legwarmers.  So hooking I began...





Again I made it up as I went along, but did use
the ribbing instructions from the magazine

A little wonky but looks ok on




Almost finished two



Excuse the filthy boots!
 
 
Fruit preserving
 
 
My dwarf pear tree produces an abundance of pears each and every year.  It's wonderful to just pop out and pick one and eat, but we cannot eat them all.  I give many away and  make desserts with pears but this year I thought I would try drying them in the oven.  Wow.  What a success,  already today I am making a second batch and my daughter has taken some for her break time snack.

Pears before

Apples before


Apples and pears after


The smell in the house is delicious, fruity and warm



Healthy snacking jar

  I've taken 5 minutes out of my day to share with you my five this week. Joining in with Amy and hoping you all have a wonderful week.











44 comments:

  1. Yay! Following a rather stressful few years of my life it was your posts that got me to enjoy Christmas again and make it special for my little girl and for that, I thank you whole heartedly. I'm so glad your blogging mojo has returned. I'm loving your latest creations. X

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    1. So glad Jules that I was able to put some sparkle back into your Christmas'. And thank you for being part of this community helping me get my sparkle back. Sending love

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  2. I'm sorry I missed your last post & that you've been struggling. I'm glad your blogging mojo has returned again. It's great to find another person planning for Christmas too x

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    1. Yay! For Christmas. Although maybe you and I shouldn't shout it out too loud for fear of frightening or offending those less ready to begin. He he he

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  3. Hi there and thanks for the visit to my five on friday. To answer your question about apple crisp I don't have one particular recipe I use. I love going on Pinterest to make different recipes for it!
    I love all of your pretty creations you have made.
    I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
    Julie xo

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    1. Thanks for replying Julie. I love Pinterest too but dread going on there for fear of wasting away several hours....

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  4. I love the idea of drying apples and pears, I shall definitely give this is a try, I'm sure they'd be popular round here. I often wonder why I blog as well. But as you say, it will be a really nice record of life to look back on in the future. Wishing you a good weekend. CJ xx

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    1. Thanks CJ let me know how you get on with the dried fruit

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  5. I always post every day in December... At least I have for the past three years. Madness, but I enjoy it. I'm not as organised as you though and tend to think of things as I go along. I've never tried drying fruit.

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    1. Gina. I've never ore planned before but as I've not been in the blogging mood and then it suddenly became exciting thinking about Chrisas. So it's only a little planning... Promise

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  6. Love those little leggy warmer thingies poking out of your wellies, very nice. And you wouldn't have to worry if the socks were too thick in your boots. And the fruit looked amazing.

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    1. Thanks so much Chris. Am thinking about knitting a pair next for comparison

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  7. Hi Selma, one just needs to read your blog to know why you must continue blogging. You have such great ideas that you pass into us your readers. You have a talent and I love seeing what you make. The little bird is adorable. I do hope you had a wonderful weekend. Pat xx

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    1. Pat you are so kind. Thank you. Hope you have a great weekend too

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  8. Love the felt bird!!!!!!!
    (not that the rest isn't great too mind :o) )

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    1. The bird is my favourite too. Have lots of idea with this type of design in mind for Christmas. Thanks Val

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  9. So much yummy goodness in so many ways!!!! I love the minion, too too cute!!! I know someone who would love him! Thank you for joining Five on Friday. I hope that you have a great weekend!!! Sorry to be late visiting, we have been away and just got back today. xx p.s. yes, meet soon, will e-mail next week! xx

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    1. Would you like me to make you one Amy? Just say the word.

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  10. Oh I do like your little birdy and those leg warmers look toasty! I understand what you mean about suddenly stopping things, it happens to me sometimes, bang in the middle of a project, other things take over and life gets in the way. Then a random thought triggers something and I'm off again! Creativity is a strange beast, isn't it? Nice to see you back, though xx

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    1. Alison, so glad I am not alone. Thank you yes, you're right creativity is a strange master and beast

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  11. Your leg warmers look really snazzy with those lovely colours. We'll be needing them soon. I also like your idea of drying the fruit, something rather different. My freezer is full of cooked pears! :-)

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    1. Exactly about pears and apples in freezer. So thought I would give it a go and see. Not sure how long they will last preservation wise but they really are tasty

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  12. A visit with you today was for me sort of a visit back in time.... I used to love to crochet, and dry fruit and do all sorts of things. It was a fun time for me.

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    1. I'm so glad it brought back good memories Latane. Any good tips to share?

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  13. Such a fun post! You have some great crochet talents. And I've always wanted to try drying fruit - you're inspiring me to want to give it a go. Happy weekend! Xo

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  14. glad you find your mojo.
    loving the sound of those dried fruit slices x would love to try that!

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    1. Ooh do give it a go. The children may even like them I know mine did

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  15. You have been busy so many lovely things, I love your leg warmers and I bet that your dried fruit is yummy. Keep on blogging your blog is lovely! have a great weekend. :) xx

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    1. Thank you Linda. I must confess all these lovely comments are carrying me along. Thank you

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  16. I like the idea of drying fruit and using it for lunches and nibbles. Also love your Scandinavian style bird decorations and your leg warmer welly socks - practical and pretty:)

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    1. Thank you Rosie. It's been my best creative week for a while. Hope it continues

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  17. You have been very bus and I love everything you have made. Blogging takes so much time and thought, I am glad you are still here with us.
    Meredith

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    1. Thank you Metedith it does take a lot of time and sometime I wonder if that's right...

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  18. Lots of interesting things in this post! I love the little felt bird :) And the minion coffee cozy is perfect for your young-at-heart friend! Christmas brings a lot of mixed emotions for me, but this year I'm participating in a fun swap that I've really enjoyed making things for. I wouldn't have had that to look forward to without my little blog. I too find it difficult sometimes to come up with a post, and daily stuff does compete with computer time. I've only been posting maybe once or twice a week lately, but trying to visit more people again. I hope you still enjoy the blogging, take care!
    Wendy

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    1. I love the sound of your Christmas swap and glad that's helping the coming season seem a tad better. What have you made for the swap, will it go abroad? Sounds fun

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  19. Welcome back - I missed you! Jeb

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    1. Thank you Jen. It's comments like that that keep me going. X

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  20. Hurray for Christmas planning! I'll admit I've started it too! I love that Minion cup cover. Those minions couldn't be any cuter!

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    1. Hurray indeed Brownyn. Love thinking about December. Let's chivvy each other along.

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  21. I loved reading this post! Where to start... those leg warmers are amazing!! They looks gorgeous and snuggly :) and the minion is brillant! Fruit preserving is an excellent idea, very healthy snacks! x

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    1. Helen, thank you so much. The leg warmers are so toasty that I'm going to make more!

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  22. I loved reading this post! Where to start... those leg warmers are amazing!! They looks gorgeous and snuggly :) and the minion is brillant! Fruit preserving is an excellent idea, very healthy snacks! x

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  23. Oh I love your original idea of using your blog to preserve and pass on your Christmas traditions to the next generation. What a lovely way to do that.

    Loved the Scandinavian bird you were working on.

    Brenda

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