A Year of Projects Update - week 14

 It's been a week of trying to get back to normal!  I do feel much better this week - perhaps as I am not taking the antivirals this week!

Anyway I have only make a little progress on my projects this week. 

I have done a little on my Tolsta tee. 

Upside down but there we go!

I have also started some socks.

I have made reasonable progress on these as I am on a deadline!  My mum requested them and I will be seeing her at half term so I have about 3 weeks to get them done!  Yarn is the leftover Fine Fish Yarn from my last pair of socks as she didn't want me to buy any!

I have also done a bit of mending and am waiting for a couple of zips to change a couple of bought pullovers into zipped tops.

Next up for sewing - I would like to make a yoga top and a  pair of trousers from The latest Fiber Mood magazine. 

I have the pattern just need to get the material.

And that is it for this week.  Hope everyone is well and has a great week 😊 

A Year of Projects Update - week 13

 I missed last week - not because I didn't have much to report (although I didn't have lots) but because I have shingles!  It's not been too bad, but it started painfully and then developed into tiredness!  Anyway, I've done a bit now and am feeling a bit better.

I actually have a finished object.

I started and finished this in the last 2 weeks.

I really wanted one of those little scarves to tie around my neck.  So I made it up myself and finished - it was very quick.  I used some Zooming home for Christmas,  which was a Christmas yarn from Standed Dyeworks.

I have also put a whole load of rounds on my Tolsta Tee. 

This is made in some leftover Navia Duo from my Christmas dress.  I am nearly there and then I need to make my mum some more socks. 

And that is all I have been doing - my walking has stalled for a moment but I will be back on it soon.

I hope everyone has had a great couple of weeks. 

A Year of Projects Update - week 11

 I'm back to work properly this week, so what with that and Goodwood last weekend, I have not done a lot crafting wise

I have put in a bit of time on my Tolsta tee this week.

I took this first thing this morning, so the light isn't good, but the colour is about right.  I am knitting this in leftover yarn (Navia Duo) from a project last year.

I have spent a bit of time in the garden this weekend as we have just had a bit of our fence and the back gate repaired.  So I have done some cutting back and some weeding.   Next weekend I hope to dig the last of the potatoes that are in the ground.  Leaving the bags for a bit after!

I also went for another walk this morning - I hope to try and write a post for the last two in the week. 

And that is it for this week.  I will catch up with everyone before I post this time!  Hope everyone has a great week 😀 

A Year of Projects Update - week 9

 And with that, the holiday is over!

This week's post is a bit of a round up of the last few projects.  I did a post of our holiday Inn Sweden here.

And a post of last week's walk is here.

I did a further walk this morning and so, may pot that one in the week.

I finally got a picture of my Tonight Top by Lily Kate France. 

It's a bit crumpled and my hair is sweaty from the walk, but you get the idea!

I  will do more of these as I love it - this one is in Scheepjes Catona, so the next will be a wool.

I  also started another Tolsta tee. 

A nice stripy one to use up some stash!

I have done no more on my Emotional support chicken which a couple correctly guessed last week!  But I did finish my socks.

This week, I will write up my last walk and make a real effort to comment on everyone's posts - I'm afraid I have been slacking lately!  Next week I am unlikely to post as I am going to the Goodwood Revival all weekend so will have little time.  I hope everyone has a great couple of weeks.

My Mighty Hike - prep week ?5

 Obviously,  I have not updated for a while!  However, preparation has been going well.  From practice walks to investing in some kit.

So far the kit I have got are:

The Tamara Way guide

Thousand mile socks - recommended by my friend - if I get on with them I will get more!

Walking boots - purchased from Vinted - I tried them out this past weekend and they were brilliant (in conjunction with the socks!)

Walking trousers - bought a couple of pairs from Mountain Warehouse from  lightweight easy dry fabric  - I also have a couple of older pairs one of which is water resistant. 

Walking tops - I want a couple more of these  but also want to make a couple of these from thicker fabric to take me into the winter.

A couple of backpacks - one for short training walks and one for longer ones.

Small easy dry towel just in case I decide to take a dip enroute.

In terms of walking, before we went on holiday I did lots of daily short brisk walks.  Whilst in Sweden we walked about 30 miles and having come back I did a longer training walk.

This past Sunday, I went out with a friend.   We walked from her house, across playing fields, passing by the park out to the forest behind.

From here we joined the main road and popped into a little antiques shop.  This shop was in the middle of nowhere, but my friend knew the owner and before we knew it, we were sitting in the main room with tea and biscuits!

The owners were lovely  - they also had a converted van (like my friend) which we had a look at whilst there.  From here we rejoined the off road track and returned to her house via the park.  Here we stopped for a drink and flapjack.  All of which was lovely.  In the end we walked nearly 8 miles which is a great distance at this point of the training.

And so that is where we are now.  I have done a little this week,  but intend to do another longer walk on Sunday  - just have to decide where to go!

Sverige

 Or Sweden!  

On the instruction of our elder son, we went to Sweden for our summer holiday this year - it wouldn't have been our first choice, but it was amazing!

Day one

We just got our bearings this day as we were a bit outside the city in Upplands Vasby.

We walked to the station and the surroundings which were lovely.

Whilst there we met a man that had lived there having moved from England nearly 50 years ago.   He was fantastic and pointed us in the right direction for lots of sights and which tickets to get.

Day Two 

On the advice from the man!  We got a week travel card and travelled to Stockholm City centre to visit Gamla Stan - the Old Town.

It was beautiful with narrow streets and the Royal residence  - we happened to see the changing of the guard while there.

Day Three 

Today, Darren and Thomas wanted to see the local football team play - so we went to the Tele2 arena to see Djugardens play a European qualifying game!

Darren and Thomas loved it - me and Daniel didn't mind it and we can tick it off the list!

Outside the arena is another arena that also houses Skyview - which is similar to our London Eye but with only one pod.

Day Four 

Our aim today was to visit the Abba museum!

We trained it to Stockholm and then walked over to the museum.

The museum was fantastic with lots of interactive attractions if you didn't mind waiting a bit.  Darren and Daniel did some singing in a booth and there was a stage you could get on to become the fifth member,  but none of us were brave enough!

Day Five 

On this day we walked in a similar way to the Abba museum but this time to zn Island housing Skansen.  This is an open air museum that houses a zoo, an aquarium, vast grounds and a recreation of life in a nordic villiage from times gone by.

The zoo was amazing with the animals looking very well cared for and with vast room to move.

The aquarium was the best have visited (and Daniel likes an aquarium!)

Whilst in the old village we watched a glassblower at work, but got no photos of that.

Day Six

On our final day we took a boat trip around the archipelago.  We walked to the Strandvagen, which is basically a huge taxi rank for boats!  It is beautiful with bars and restaurants all the way along.   We got our boat at lunchtime and then toured the islands.

After the boat we went to the Vasa Museum.  This is a museum that houses a shipwreck.   The ship was a warship that sank on its maiden voyage just out of the shipyard.

And then we were home 😑.  We loved Sweden and would happily return. 

Flights were great, I think we walked about 30 miles all told.

Food was fab!

Sweden  - it was great!!  We will return!

A Year of Projects Update - week 8

 What a week!  Sweden was magnificent!

I think I might do a post tomorrow with some details, and combine it with a walking post, as we did a lot of walking.  I have also been out this morning and did a walk of nearly 8 miles, so will not be doing much else this long weekend!

I have done a little crafting since we returned.

I finished my Tonight Top by Lily Kate France,  but have not taken any photos, so will do thatater in the week. 

I have made progress on my second pair of socks this year (so much for 24!!) 

These are an improvised pattern knit in Fine Fish Yarn bought from Unravel, years ago.

I have also started a project that has been very popular that I suddenly fancied doing!

Can you guess what it will become?

And I shall leave you this week with an image from the walk this morning upon finding an antiques shop whose owners ushered us in for tea and biscuits!

A Year of Projects Update - week 6

 Well I have been pretty monogamous this week, which has seen me make lots of progress on the Tonight Top by  Lily Kate France.

I  am using Scheepjes Catona as I used for my Call of the Sea as I fancied a cotton version.  I am hoping to get to the bottom ribbing before we go to Sweden tomorrow.

Call of the Sea is finished, but still needs the ends woven in - I may do that today...

And that's all the crafting!  I went to the sea to swim on Tuesday - it was a bit chppy but we braved it and it was great!

Other than that,  we are off to Sweden for a week tomorrow.   I am not taking any knitting - just in case!  I won't be posting next week as we are away and there will be very little crafting!

I hope everyone has a brilliant couple of weeks and I will catch up on my return 🇸🇪

A Year of Projects Update - week 5

 I have had quite a nice relaxing week!  And managed to get some crafting in.

I am nearly done on my Call of the Sea by Susan Crawford. 

I obviously have the straps to finish and sew in a few ends and then I'm done!

Whilst visiting mum I wore one of my Walkaway dresses.

It's not the best pic of the dress!  But I loved it anyway.

Whilst there I worked on 2 WIP'S 

My second pair of socks from the 24 in 24 (definitely am not making 24!)

These are being knit from Fine Fish Yarns and is a made up pattern.  I've just turned the heel, so just  bit of leg to go!

I also did some more on Hitchenbrook by Martin Storey. 

This is a long term WIP that may or may not be finished by Christmas!

And finally, since Call of the Sea is nearly done  I have started another top in Scheepjes Catona.

This is the Tonight top by Lily Kate France. 

I  have one more week until my holiday - we are going to Sweden.  So this week will be mainly prepping the packing and garden for our time away!

Hope everyone has a great week 😊

A Year of Projects Update - week 4

 And breathe!  The summer holidays are here.

I've made a good start in terms of crafting.

I have done quite a lot on Call of the Sea. 

This is by Susan Crawford and I am knitting it in Catona by Scheepjes - I haven't got much more to do on this  but I'm unlikely to finish it before we go away.

I also finished another Butterick B4790 

I think that is the last one for a moment  - I now have 3!

That's all the projects  - me and Daniel are going to go to see mum today for a few days and then return for a wedding next weekend. 

I'm taking some older projects with me to see if I can put some time in on those. 

Anyway will see what I can do by then - I hope everyone has a cracking week!!

My Mighty Hike - prep week 1

 Of course, we all know someone that has been touched by cancer.  My great aunt had pancreatic cancer some 45 years ago and there was little that could be done.  My mother in law died 10 years ago and although treatment had moved on, she still succombed. In recent years, I lost 2 good friends far too young, and 1 that defeated it and is doing well 3 years on.  This year, we learned my mum had cancer - a blow as she had always been the strong one - she is undergoing chemo right now with the aim to give us more time.  And now  in the last few weeks, another good friend has revealed she has cancer and is about to start treatment. 

I  saw the Tamara Way on Countryfile a while ago (a couple of years ago) and thought one day I would like to walk it.

So, next year I am going to walk the Tamara Way for Macmillan. 

Thr Tamara Way is an 87 mile walk from Plymouth to the North Devon coast.  There is a 7 day route that I will follow - it involves daily walks of 10 to 15 mile walks.  So although I like walking and do longer walks, I don't regularly do such long walks and certainly don't do 7 days on the trot!  So a training plan has to happen and that starts now.

This is week one - I  have done daily walks of 2 to 3 miles - trying to improve my fitness to begin with.  I have been trying to walk at 4 miles an hour for these walks.  I have also been battling Plantar Fascitus, which isn't great tight now, but I have a range of insoles to help and hopefully,  it will start getting better.  So, I hope to document my progress here - though, to be fair, I say that about a lot of projects! 

A Year of Projects Update - week 3

 So we are nearly there!  Two more days and I am on my summer break!

I have made some good progress this week!

Firstly,  the dress I had all but finished last week.

I love this pattern - it is called the Walkaway dress and is Butterick B4790.  This is the second one I have made and.. having finished this one, have started a third 

Usually  I like to hide the tops of my arms, but having hit 50 last year I don't care!

I have also made progress on the Call of the Sea. 

Sorry, I didn't turn the photo!  This is a vintage swim suit by Susan Crawford.   I shall decide when I have finished whether I wear it as a swimsuit or just as beachwear  but I'm loving it so far - I am using Scheepjes Catona.

And so, that is about it on the making front.  I did a tiny bit of gardening but only some weeding - even though I have done more this year than ever, everything seems to be doing much worse than ever! But it has been very weird weather  - first very wet  then cold for months.  Oh well, there's still a bit of time, and there is always next year!

Anyway  I hope everyone has a great week. 

A Year of Projects Update - week 2

 I have made decent progress over these past three weeks!

I finished my Maywick sweater from The Shetland Trader. 

I knit this in various stash yarn and I love it!  I have already worn it lots as of today our temperatures are not that hot!

I have also started a second dress.  It's the same pattern as before - Butterick B4790.  I think they used it in a previous sewing bee and called it the Walkaway dress (so called as you can start it in the morning and walkaway with it in the afternoon!)

No photos yet as am just finishing it - it wi be ready for next week!

I also started a swimming costume!  A knitted one - I saw it on a Facebook group and fell for it -it is a vintage pattern by Susan Crawford called Call of the Sea.  I am knitting it in 100% cotton.

Despite loosing a little motivation in the garden, I  have been out this weekend and brought a lovely little selection of flowers in.

And I think that is it for this week.  Hope everyone has a great week.

A Year of Projects Update - The List!

 How can it be that time again?

It is the start of my Year of Projects year - I do July to July and have done for (I think) 11 out of the 13 previous years it has been running.  Everyone is welcome and, of course you do not have to do July to July - you can make the year of Projects what you want ot to be.

I have created my list in generally the same way every year although it has been  evolving to being what I would like to do this year.

This year there will not be a list as such (shock - horror!)

This year I want to really focus on producing my home-made wardrobe.  I will be doing this with a mix of knitting and sewing - supplemented by some acquisitions from Vinted (a growing addiction at present!)

So I have a few pieces to start me off and then I'm hoping to have a wardrobe cull  to make way for the next batch of makes.

At the moment I have a swimming costume, a dress, a wrap/poncho and a pair of socks on the go.  In the future I definitely want a red and a lacy Tolsta, a big red bag and at least one dress from the Gertie book I got for Christmas.

So there we have it - that will be my year of projects  and I am looking forward to it!

A Year of Projects Update - round up post

 This year has flown by and here we are again!  Rounding up the Year of Projects Year!

I feel I have accomplished a fair bit this year and a reasonable amount from my list.  Here is just a selection of my finished objects.

I think there may be some other sewing projects but I didn't find them.  I have one more FO that I finished today, but it is not photographed yet so I will reveal that in a couple of weeks!  

Next week, I will have my new shiny list for your delectation!  In the meantime I hope you all have a great week  😊