Simply Crochet Mag Winner!!!!!

Congratulations, we have a winner. I went to random.org and put the numbers in (I was going to put all of the names in a hat but ran out of time today) and I am happy to announce that W Gniasdku Na Akacji will shortly be receiving a copy of Issue 17. I just had a quick trip over to her blog and saw the most amazing bunting with little crochet balls from it. Truly inspirational.... and now could you please email me with your address!

 Now for those of you who missed out (and there were so many lovely comments) I am having a giveaway tomorrow with a special pre-release copy of my new book. So pop around and you can have a sneak preview.

Lots of love,
Kate xxooxx.

Little Details in the Stanley House.

 Here a couple of peeks into Stanley's house. Printing of the book is going well and I will tell you more about it in a couple of days.

Some toys in Stanley's bedroom. I think a horse may be about to lose a leg....

Lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.

Fresh Ideas.

 Do you ever go through times where you feel as though you are never going to come up with a new idea again. I've been going through something a little like that, brought on I think by finishing the Stanley book. I've been happy enough, busy knitting a jumper for Jonno and finding a strange satisfaction in sorting out the house after months of neglect. But goodness me, the relief of having new ideas starting to come through is wonderful. 

Look at little Hugo, happily watching 'Top Gear' on a Sunday afternoon wrapped up in crochet....

Thank you so much for all of your lovely comments below. It has been such an incredible thing to start working for Simply Crochet. I have lots more patterns coming out in it over the next few months so keep an eye out. In the meantime, if you haven't popped a comment below to join in with the giveaway, please do so.

Lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.

Simply Crochet Mag Giveaway.

 It must be about time for a giveaway don't you think? Tanya from Simply Crochet has sent me a copy of their latest magazine for one of you lucky people to win. I am happy to post it anywhere in the world so leave a comment below and I will pull it out of a hat on Wednesday 30th April. 

 In this copy you will find a couple of patterns by me! Can you remember when I was working on these roses. Look at the bicycle basket on the cover and you might recognise them. The bunting too!

 I so enjoyed working on that project as roses are my absolute passion. I've included some photos of my inspiration. There truly is nothing like a rose from the garden.

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter. We were a bit flat out with ours as this year it coincided with Archie's birthday... hmmmmm. Since then we have been taking it easy with the boys on school holidays.

Anyhoo, don't forget to enter below and hopefully this magazine (with a lovely crochet hook) will be all yours.

Lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.

Books and Boy Crafts.

 I am not featuring a huge stack of books today. Instead I am showing you two of my favourite books from the last few weeks. I had a run of reads that left me feeling a little meh. But these books had me neglecting the family, the house and the world.  

Funnily enough, I really don't want to give you the full synopsis for 'Boy, Snow, Bird' by Helen Oyeyemi. I went in without knowing anything about it and was blown away by a little twist half way through the story. All that I will say is that it's set in 1960's America with a slight air of Snow White  but instead of an evil step-mother, deeply human characters. 

And as for 'The Circle' by Dave Eggers, think of a world run by a corporation bigger than google that encourages complete transparency in everybodies' actions and transactions..... giving Big Brother (the George Orwell kind, not the television version) a friendly face. Both were completely unputdownable which can be a blessing and a curse.

 So what did the boys get up to in the meantime? Hugo had a case of strep throat and worked steadily on a tapestry that he designed (awwwwww).

 Archie stripped electrical cables for copper wire and made a forest. Apparently they are for Easter and support a mini egg in their roots. Beautiful and practical considering the season!

What have you been reading?
Lots and lots of love,
Kate xxooxx.

When Stanley was a Baby....

 Here is a photo of Stanley when he came home from hospital. 

This is Stanley in the second cot from the right in the middle row. I may be biased but I do think he is the cutest little kit there.

Lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.

Stanley is off to the Printers.

  I am so sorry for radio silence over the past week (2 weeks?). I have been flat out getting the Stanley book to the printers... it all begins tomorrow!

I thought you might like to see some photos of the sets that I used for the story. Over the next week or two, I will show you lots of behind the scenes work. For the moment, here is the sitting room. It wasn't until I took this photo that I realised Archie had been playing with his  lego hobbit and elves in the house.... 

Like all good women, Stanley's mother likes to sew. Here is her little nook.

I will let you know when the book is finished and ready to purchase (initially through etsy).

Lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.