oddment granny square blanket

I always have a bit of a problem getting the last bits of a project finished. I was steaming ahead with this blanket at a rate of 4 or 5 squares a day... Should have been finished within a month. It ground to a halt once I had joined all the squares and was faced with weaving in all the ends. It's been languishing in a basket for weeks. I finally tackled it over a few evenings, and this morning I was able to block it. Done!

The project was originally conceived as a way to use up some of my huge stash of oddments and half balls. It's mostly double knit (with a little bit of 4 ply doubled up), and machine washable. The off white border colour is Debbie Bliss Cashmerino dk.

The square pattern is Summer Garden Granny Square by Attic 24

scissor skirt

Another skirt for myself finished. I cut the pieces out over two years ago and they've sat in a drawer ever since. Spurred on by the success of my cloud skirt, I cracked on and got this one completed.

The pattern is New Look 6594. (It's hard to ignore the revolting picture on the front of the packet, but do). Again, a very easy one to follow. I do prefer the cloud skirt pattern (Simplicity 2226) to this one though, mainly for the fact it has pockets.

The lovely border print fabric I got from Superbuzzy. Bit naughty, as it costs so much to have it shipped from America.

camping... and the British summer

We've been camping in Devon for a week.

Surely the wettest, coldest July ever...

But we stuck it out, and really did have a lovely time.

liberty blouse

I made this with the intention of keeping the sun off Betty. Have we had any sun? Nope.

It's a made up pattern that closely copies a favourite top of hers. I simply drew around the bodice pieces, enlarging them to make a template. The sleeves are slightly tapering rectangles with elasticated cuffs, and the main body is also two rectangles with gathering at the centre. I made my own bias binding with a rather handy little gadget . All we need now is some sun!

Columbia Road

I've been super busy these past few weeks. Lots of pots to make for various orders. Here are some drying in the studio.

Today I delivered some work to the Columbia Road Gallery on Columbia Road, Hackney in London. I fancied going along on a Sunday as that's the day the street is transformed into a flower market. It's a bit crazy but an incredible site to see. Dozens and dozens of plant and flower stalls line the narrow road; the barrow boys chanting "everythin' a fiver!" People squeezing onto buses with armfuls of peonies, and attempting to cram 10-foot banana trees into taxis. There are lovely independent shops of all descriptions along each side, antiques and vintage clothing, cafes, bakeries, skiffle bands. Every inch of space utilised; take away food stalls crammed into stairwells and galleries popping up in corridors. 

Here's the Columbia Road Gallery which is run by hannah Ludnow.

After I had off loaded my pots I thought I deserved a visit next door to Beyond Fabrics, and chose some fabric for a skirt.