Autumn's Last Picking

Celebrating this autumn season with just not the flowers from the Garden but also the foliage, candles and a nice brew in my new pottery mug. Knitting and sipping coffee in between rows. This was a very quick make for Olivia to keep her hands warm and cosy. Perfect for the last Autumn pickings from the garden. This year I got plenty from one small apple tree but the big apple tree was a bit disappointing. Still managed to make few jars of apple sauce (hubby's and Olivia's favourite ) and had some apple crumble and apple cake.

The cable wrist warmer was quite a straight forward knitting. Ever since I saw one on the Pinterest I wanted to knit one. I put one cable in the middle but wish did three in each. Would have looked much better. We learn from our mistakes. I don't know how to knit the thumb so kept it simple. You can pull it up more if fingers get bit cold. The edging is done by crochet. I think I need to make one for myself next, I like this so much. I love the rich autumnal hue on Olivia's delicate hands. Mine would be a different story of course. 

Bell Tents and Campfires!

This is a rather late post. One fine day we went with little packed lunch for Emily to the Elvaston Castle Park. Just to spent the morning there as the weather was nice. 'Derbyshire County Council's woodland festival returned to the historic grounds of Elvaston castle for its fourth year. A celebration of traditional and contemporary woodland crafts, the festival celebrates everything woody! Here you could watch woodcraft experts at work or a chainsaw artist create a masterpiece. You could have also had a go at some of the crafts yourself, sample some campfire cooking or simply enjoy the wonderful atmosphere of the woods. There was something for all ages.'

Sorry, this should have been posted ages ago but I went without my camera, unprepared for this and forgot that I had these pictures in my camera roll until today, when I uploaded my pictures from my mobile onto computer.

What a wonderful day it was. Sometimes surprises like this one are great. We stayed the whole day instead of just the morning. My favourite bit was the wild cooking and oh, that open fire outdoor cooking tasted so yummy. There were couple of different ways for cooking. I know what I want for Christmas. I think my list is getting ready even before the kids. Ha! Why not?!

Autumn Colours

"I opened my eyes a moment ago into the maple leaves outside my window. Almost simultaneously with the act of identifying them as these particular leaves and thus placing myself, I saw them as painting, an arrangement of values." - Anne Truitt

Thank you every one for your  lovely comments on blog, Facebook and by emails on my previous post and my exhibition. They made me happy. There were some lovely emails regarding my exhibition which I did not expect.

Thank you all :)

Autumn colours are beautiful. I love this time of the year. Lots of leaves everywhere in the garden at the moment. Waiting for rain to stop. Will pick up my rake then. I have found a beautiful old wooden rake other day in the vintage shop at Matlock. I had a go at making something for the little Emily for the first time which is hanging on my vintage rake here for the display. My mother gave me lots of lovely fabrics. I was itching to make something out of them but was a bit nervous as I have never made any frock or skirt or anything like this before. I have always seen my mother stitching and knitting all sorts. Me and my sister always wore what my mother made. Then of course got caught by the high street fashion. Now suddenly I feel like stepping in my mothers shoes now that I have two girls. Just like my mum.

I hope tomorrow brings sunshine as my garlic bulbs are waiting to go in the soil. Still harvesting courgettes, tomatoes, celery and herbs from my little veggie patch in the back garden. Maybe I should bring the geraniums in now. Every year I buy new ones but would be nice to bring them in before the frost. The two chili plants in the green house gave enough chillies to make few jars of green chutney mixed with home grown mint and shop bought garlic and coriander. This is a very busy time of the year. Lots to do in the garden and house. Lots of cosy knits and my new found love for making clothes. Not to forget my paintings. Did I mention looking after hubby and kids. Oh well, they can look after themselves for little while.