Time seems to move so quickly these days, but it's good to be back with a solid internet connection!
In the last few months, I've been busy with a new job, crafting and life in general. :)
I had some wonderful news last month - I entered a gardening competition as a giggle back in April and was "judged" August. I've only been here since last Christmas, so it really was just a bit of fun for me to enter. My little courtyard garden is full of containers that make me smile.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IDUuwVQrI9IbLGU5pGhmOFr00H7c7vngqp4DyD7TRgHP0t_XNHLAphV02B1CHia_nVS5pwvfITagTySmtz5AxSyH2u7AtkFyw8XBqnSSYFoOYjJY-8deq70epiB9nly-NxFDZTcrkm4A/s320/Love+my+Garden.jpg)
A dismissed-by-cat litter tray planted up with cat grass and cat mint; painted tin cans with summery flowers; old baskets stuffed with carrots; my treasured fuchsia cutting from my grandmother's plant snuggles and thrives in lego, tossed out storage tubs with beans, courgettes and sweet peas;
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8iZwc8GmwjKnMfbbzH0TWa2Axh7PGx1SHyScPvGHhfH55ygDfXFY2pwrZV80AbRIJURpVkjPcI5bl1hqdrBLUCgP20cRa0mZWyvvD9pIU4QDMOhB_EUWkcL43yBWwP9rZ2P-GwyuBYHpC/s320/Garden+Containers.jpg)
various garlands, birds, wreath and a squirrel feeder crocheted and pinned to the fences and sheds and knitted birds and mushrooms hiding in the foilage.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8I-ZgYjvxi1Cb7XN90ikzbdv9u_RB9eiJeEHpLdV9uQQyqLGd7NcrleoRaq0I3FXUanLD1-mUMX4AbKJur1-QF5sa4gkZv-n2lBmY-FWF3vLwi_cRdGifA6McK9XjOwhRelK1kBzhqM2/s320/Garden+Friends.jpg)
Not to mention my mismatched patio set and Hawaiian style umbrella! It's a garden that makes me giggle and delights my inner child.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiN9tJBKMhvBnml7TUUuf9c7tC4_abu0IJLsYCy_vh2290hI0cTgsyt4wOy32vl_XP22H1AvEvWPQyvuPv8C-qtAvMyMe7TV7PaLWxRexmqv-X7klUF08ZRuvdiaLWA4WwFNJZVF96YTJE/s320/Patio.jpg)
I was floored when a letter came in the post telling me I'd won the Best Small Garden category! £50 of gardening vouchers are now happily nestling in the back of my purse ready for me to splurge come the spring. Weee!
There's been knitting - just for me. A pair of Sourwood Mountain mittens, made in the Mode DK yarn that my son treated me to for mother's day. I've been wearing them a lot - they're gorgeous for keeping my hands warm now the weather has turned chilly. They're roomy enough with the ribbing for me to slip a pair of gloves underneath them too for extra toastiness. Perfect. I just adore the leaves on the back of the hand :) I also made a Calorimetry too, from Patons Colour Work Aran - deliciously soft and squishy and keeps my head and ears warm without having to negotiate an "up-do".
Finally, a quick little collage of the Christmas gifts I've made so far - I'm determined that I only give handmade this year (apart from a few bought bits for my son), and it's been fun to make things that the recipients have either asked for or I know will be put to good use :)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtm0blx6w2Z3O-REOH7lZnLBEUTK2SqTFFn2E8jVdQJggAAC1ekFRhhCDTOcY7pY_PXTI8miwHKLcEBDcNBdwAImV4p8O34IT8hIWX-ORAAtDdLf4KWZM1eYITBZDb_QilHiSQCAWTAGS/s320/Christmas+Collage.jpg)
Must be time for a coffee now?
Welcome back my friend and congratulations!!!!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
♥Anita
The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and be understood. The best way to understand people is to listen to them.-Ralph Nichols
http://aseknc.blogspot.com/
http://asesaj.blogspot.com/
Thank you!
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