Craft actually

Camping trip to Brecon Beacons

How's the serenity?

 

Having fun helping hand out tent pegs. "Why did you buy such a huge tent Dad?"

 

Knitting is so much better in the fresh air. It was really quite fresh in the Welsh countryside in the middle of summer ...I was getting quite cold at this point. About half an hour later it tipped down with rain for a couple of hours and we greatly appreciated our "living room" in the tent.

 

The farmer came down to collect the site fees. £3 per person - not bad. But then again there weren't any toilets! His three border collie sheep dogs came down with him on the quad bike.

We went for a very short walk across a couple of fields. Sophie kept exclaiming "WOW!" when she was up in the backpack.

Some Brecon Beacons (I guess?!)

 
 An open paddock was perfect for pushing a little buggy and Week Week the Rabbit around.

 

I think the farmer thought it was a bit weird that I took some many photos of his dogs while he and Smithy had a long conversation about rugby and breeds of sheep. What else would a Welshman and a Kiwi talk about?

Camping with a toddler was surprisingly easy and I would recommend it if you are at all camping inclined and not sure about it with small kids. Sophie loved the whole thing. I was a bit worried how she would sleep if it was still light outside but she was so tired from all the excitement and activity that it wasn't a problem. And no facilities were not a concern for her at all!

This morning we were bemused to find a wet wipe in the vegemite jar...I wonder how that got there? 

Brecon Beacons

We are heading off on our first camping trip since Sophie was born tomorrow. Wild camping. In a field near Brecon. With no facilities. 

At least the fact that we won't be able to wash will be cancelled out by the fact that it is very unlikely anyone else will be sharing our field. And my excitement about seeing Sophie's reaction to camping is canceling out my own lack of enthusiasm about the potential for that grotty feeling.

It does look gorgeous and I think it will be quite satisfying being so hard core. Hard core with a car packed to overflowing with gear and nice food that is. 

I better go pack and charge the camera. Wipes. Lots of Wipes *mutters to self*.

New Loop

 

I met up with some of the girls last Saturday morning in Islington for the opening of the new Loop store. We had to queue! Luckily we were in time for a goodie bag as they had some nice gifts in them.

The new store is huge compared to the old one although I did love the cosiness of Cross St. 

There are some steps to get into the shop and then a flight of stairs to the second level so could be tricky for some. But its much closer to Angel tube so quicker to get to - I might be inclined to visit more often now! The displays and yarns are as gorgeous as ever with some new lines in stock.

After a short visit (too many people to buy anything so good for the budget) we wandered up the road to Ottolenghi for lunch. I love that place. I made two salads from their new vegetarian cookbook Plenty today and both were great.

  How cute is the window display!

 

Ibiza Part II

Only two more days. Wishing we were here for two weeks.


 


I may never want to go anywhere else for a beach holiday ever again! 

Ibiza

Warm. Cool. White. Bright. Relaxing. Energising. Aw-some!

 
   
 

V&A Quilts Reviewed

The quilt exhibition on Friday was really amazing - well worth a visit if you're in London. It was an interesting collection from very old to a few modern ones. We got the audio tour which was interesting in itself as they used ipod touches and had pictures as well as the audio - first time I've seen them used for something like that.

I thought photos were allowed but got told otherwise after I had taken a couple of shots (Only allowed in the main museum). I was quite taken with these baby gifts from hundreds of years ago - not so different from today.

One of the most interesting and spectacular quilts was the Rajah Quilt , on loan from the National Gallery of Australia, which was made by convicts on the way from England to van Diemens Land while on board the HMS Rajah in 1841. Some wealthy ladies had donated the materials to the convicts. Some more background in Sue Prichard's blog.

I can't remember the name of the one below but the quilting and intricate embroidery were stunning.

The Friday Late event was washed out and moved from the courtyard into the cafe where there were tables of people sitting around paper piecing hexagons, making for an industrious and sociable atmosphere. Pauline and I set the world to rights but didn't get any quilting done.

I couldn't resist temptation in the giftshop and bought a few metres of the limited edition Liberty fabric for some summer clothes for Miss S. 

She rummaged in the bag and pulled out my favourite one for a picnic with Upsy Daisy. 

I hope I get some time to make her something before too long. 

Quilts at the V&A

I'm very excited to be going to the Quilts: 1700 - 2010 exhibition at the V&A tonight. I have just been poring over all the details on the website and it looks AMAZING.

There's also a Friday Late Stitched Up garden party which sounds intriguing. I can't wait!

 

At the End of the Day’, hanging, Natasha Kerr, 2007. Museum no. T.43-2008

(V&A)

Sue Pritchard's blog on the creation of the exhibition is fascinating reading if you like to get the back-story on things.

Easter weekend

A four day weekend....bliss. We didn't go away again this year but enjoyed a quiet staycation.

Friday: Easter egg hunt for the babes and bubbles for the grownups in the park followed by lunch at the Herne for all. Sophie managed to find the biggest, muddiest puddle and fall over in it. It didn't slow down her chocolate eating one little bit. Thats my girl.

 

Saturday: Swimming (for S and S) then lunch at familytastic Pizza Express. Sophie took her first bambinoccino VERY seriously. 

 

While they were swimming I took the opportunity to make up this cute Clothkits dress I've had for Sophie for ages.

 

I made it in the 2yo size with 3yo length! I'm hoping its going to last more than two months like most of her clothes at the moment!

 

Random photo:

 

In the evening Smithy and I went out for a date to a trendy Japanese restaurant in the West End and had some amazing food. It was nice to talk!
 

Sunday: A lovely Sunday roast with friends. In the evening I started this Oscar pattern from Pauline's book for a new arrival due on Friday. Am loving the design P!

 
Monday: A walk to the park for a swing. A way too short nap (S not me) so couldn't do very much and a trip to the supermarket with Daddy where S picked up a new "toy".

 

The magnolia is about to bloom! It must be spring!

  

Wet weekend

It was completely gloomy and grey outside on the weekend so we looked for bright moments inside.

A beautiful bunch of spring blooms.

 

A visit to Sharp Works yarn shop at Herne Hill and I was attracted to these delicious colours. I'm contemplating some baby knitting for upcoming arrivals.

 

My little blossom having lunch at Cafe Provencal. Where has my baby gone? 15 months to the day..

 
And for my second Ravelympics project I finished this cosy Crofter's Cowl in Malabrigo worsted in time for the tail end of winter. Unfortunately woolens are still required. This is a fabulous pattern - would make a nice gift and only took a few hours to knit up. 

 

Up North

We went up to the Lakes on the weekend to visit our friends up there. We are sick of London traffic so decided to take the easy option and train up. Its only 3 hours to Penrith and there were no delays so we had a great journey. Sophie didn't sleep much but she caught up on winter fashions. I managed a little bit of knitting.

She had a great time playing lego with the big kids and pushing their toy bikes around the living room.

It took a whole team to get her into the back pack for a walk down to the pub. Its a great antidote to living in London to get out and go walking through muddy fields every once in a while.