Hobbits.

 We went to Hobbiton on the weekend. What a treat, something we have been meaning to do for the last few years and have only just managed to get around to.

 The colours - let me tell you, Hobbits have immaculate taste.

 The attention to detail was phenomenal. Look at this bird feeder!

 And honey outside a Hobbitsy beekeeper's house....

 Bilbo Baggin's house.

 Luckily I was on party business.

 Hobbit bunting.

 And my own little Hobbit (who is almost bigger than me).

 Laundry day.

 A Hobbit with a sore knee - he had his own personal guided tour on a golf cart.

 The Green Dragon.

Sigh.....

What a magical day!

Lots of love,

Kate. xx

A New Beanie

 The first thing I felt like doing after my huge batch of crochet was to knit. So here is the beanie I made with wool bought during my travels last year from Loop and Wool. It was a joy!

The pattern was taken from my favourite knitting accessories book, 'A Good Yarn' by Katherine Poulton.

Happiness.

I hope you have all had a lovely Easter and eaten way to much chocolate!

Love Kate. xxooxx.

Crochet Caravan Pattern News!

Thank you so much for all of your queries on the caravan pattern! Your comments have been so lovely and I am very happy to say that I have a book coming out in September which contains not only a pattern for the caravan, but also things like ice cream trucks, lakeside cabins, tents, teepees and canal boats! I have been lucky enough to have Kyle Books publish the book and at this stage it is provisionally called, "Camp Crochet: From Cabins to Caravans, Create Your Own Camping Scenes in Crochet".

 It is all very exciting but also exhausting. Yesterday was my deadline and wahoo, I made it!!!!!!

I was given the green light mid January so as you can imagine, crocheting and writing took place all hours of the day and night to get it finished. I have to admit that whenever anybody offered me any sympathy, I did have to say that it was secretly the most wonderful thing ever as it meant that I had to crochet my heart out. Things like dirty dishes and socks could slide into the periphery!

I can't wait to show you a few more sneaky peeks!

Lots of love,

Kate. xxooxx.
p.s. These photos are not official photos from the book - just ones I took from home before sending them off to the UK.

Kayak Camp!

Don't you love it when your crochet skills can help your son who is about to go off to a kayaking camp. Now he can take his own kayak. Poor, poor boy.

Safe and Sound in New Zealand.

 Just a little note to say that we are safe and sound in New Zealand and that our neck of the woods has managed to escape the wrath of Cyclone Pam. Wet and windy but no different from a winter's day. Thinking of everyone in Vanuatu. It is such a beautiful place and I have been lucky enough to go there a couple of times. Heart breaking to think of all the devastation wrought.

In the meantime, we are going to snuggle up with hot water bottles and appreciate how fortunate we are that Pam didn't decide to  too close to us.

Lots of love,

Kate. xx

Vintage Lace.

Every now and then in life we are presented with the a conundrum. This piece of vintage lace is almost too beautiful to use and yet too beautiful not to use. I think a crafty monk could spend years meditating over such an intricate and difficult problem.

By the way, before anybody jumps to the conclusion that my life must be very straight forward and simple, I have to admit I am being a little tongue in cheek. But you know where I am coming from!

Love Kate. 

xxxxx

The Birthday Season!

We are firmly smack dab in the birthday season again. Hugo turned 9 yesterday. NINE! What happened.

 Hugo had a couple of friends come over for afternoon tea and of course lots of lovely family and we ate 'Egg Cake' aka, chocolate cake with crispy chocolate eggs on top.

 And lashings of ginger beer.

And something a little different for the adults. Oh Monday afternoon - if only every Monday could be as wonderful.

 Even though Autumn has crept up on us, it was a decidedly Summer's day.

 This is Hugo when he was a little boy.

This is Hugo now he is big. Off on one of his farm adventures.

Lots and lots of love,

Kate. xxooxx.