My Mind Is So Full Of Ideas

I woke up this morning with my bead brimming full of ideas for designing items to crochet for my web page (still in planning). As yet everything is still in my mind and I have not done anything concrete about it yet. I couldn't wait to get downstairs and put my ideas on to paper. So why then have I spent the whole day browsing online for props and haberdashery items that I will need when I start. I have not picked up a hook or a knitting needle all day. I need some motivation and a whole lot of energy. I start the day full of enthusiasm and energy but most days that only lasts until after breakfast. I think that I will book another blood test to see if I am anaemic again. I feel very well mentally and my mind is very active it's just finding the energy to put my plans into action that seems to be lacking.

My storage boxes are still arriving. This will be my everyday work basket, I have a large wooden workbasket but it is a bit on the large side to keep in the lounge with me. This one will fit on the shelf of the coffee table and be less noticeable. My other storage boxes are great for the bits and pieces but this will hold my scissors and bigger items and stop them getting into a big jumble as they do in my present box which has no compartments. I bought this box online from Fred Aldous in Manchester.

Today I have been trimming and motif browsing. It's at times like this when I wish that I could just nip into Manchester and buy things for myself instead of paying extra and buying things online. Still it can't be helped so no use moaning about it.

As promised here are some more photos from the vintage W.H Smith baby book. There are 130 knit and crochet designs so I can only show you a few.

As there are lots more equally as nice patterns in this book I consider myself very lucky to have snagged this bargain.

I have just picked up the stitches for the collar band on the Library cape for my daughter in law. The chenille isn't as thick as the recommended yarn for the pattern but I think that just by it's texture it will be warm despite the looseness of the knitting. I always have trouble when working with chenille as I twist my yarn as I knit or crochet, and whilst it doesn't have any effect on ordinary yarn, chenille finishes up with loops as the twisted yarn untwists itself later. I will rinse the capelet through when it is finished and coax these loops back into the knitting.Well I will do that once the washer is repaired so that I can lightly spin the wet out of it before drying it flat. I don't want to have to wring it out or leave it dripping.

There is still no sign of the missing Moses Basket. I thought that now I have a replacement the other one might turn up. That is what usually happens. Maybe later in the week it will arrive.

Crochet Today

Yesterday the postman brought me the latest copy of Crochet Today. Although there is not much in this issue that I will crochet I have posted the photos for you to see before you decide to buy this issue. Everyone's tastes are different and this might be the issue for you.

The photo of the red wellingtons is actually showing a pair of socks and there is a close up photo in the magazine.The feet and legs are black whilst the tops are multi coloured.

Not sure why anyone would want a crochet tea set but I suppose the crochet croquet balls would stop any windows getting broken, The strange red thing is a mushroom pouffe.

Nothing for me on this page although the granny square sofa throw has used pretty colours.

The sheep and numbers pram blanket is quite sweet which is why I have put an single close up photo of it below. The scrubby animals would make bathtime fun for a young child.

I have finished off one front and started the back of this jacket. I have now made this jacket about 6 times and it is always a favourite and not as complicated to crochet as it looks.

This is the sweater book that I got the jacket pattern from. Although it is quite an old book I have seen it available on some book sites although I think that the cover photo is different now. I have made several 'cabled' designs from this book.

I am still plodding away on the collar of this jacket. I have knitted about 3" on the collar but it has to be 5 1/2" so I have a bit of knitting still to go. The front bands extend along the edge of the collar so they will take a while to knit. Everyday I think that I will finish it off today but everyday something distracts me. I am determined to finish it off by the weekend.

This storage box caused quite a bit of hilarity yesterday. I had never been into a newish shop on the village that sells household things. I noticed that they sold storage boxes and so went in. I did cause a bit of havoc in there as their aisles were a bit crowded and I was taking waste paper bins and trays along the aisle with me and the scooter. I got rescued by a very nice man who guided me forward and moved a few things. I saw this over sized box and thought that it would be ideal for storing the machine cones in tidily. I obviously hadn't thought this through as when I bought it I then had the problem of getting it home. Once again the same young man came to my rescue and tied it to the front basket of my scooter trolley. I did cause a few stares on the way home and kept bursting out laughing at peoples faces as I struggled to see over the box on the way home. I wish there had been a video of me, and people's faces, as this box on wheels made it's way towards them with a head poking over the top of the box. I will go up again to get some smaller boxes but next time I will take my son's bungee straps that he used to use to fasten his tent and sleeping bag on his motorbike. I might not have such an unsteady load next time.

The cat has come in for his daily sleep. I didn't see him yesterday as the sun was shining and it was quite a warm day. He usually only visits me when it is dull or rainy so perhaps he knows more about today's weather than I do. At the moment it is lovely and sunny.

Today I plan to do a bit more tidying as the postman knocked whilst I was writing today's blog and has delivered me some small storage trugs. I am going to be so stash tidy in a bit that I won't know myself. As you know I am not the most organised of people and normally find the chaos of my crafting things quite acceptable but I must be turning over a new leaf as I now want everything to be in separate tubs or boxes. I doubt if I will ever be Kim or Aggie but there is some hope for me. I belong to the Quentin Crisp school of housework. He once remarked that no matter how long you left the dust it never got any higher than an inch. I have partially tested his theory and he is quite right! I want a housekeeping fairy that does my housework overnight. Has anybody got one? Are they expensive?

I must away now to wash up the dishes. I do wish that I had a dishwasher as the sink is at the wrong height for my back and even with my perching stool my back starts to ache the moment I put my hands in the sink. Still it must be done. I will treat myself to a coffee after that and then go back to the never ending collar and bands whilst I watch Loose Women.