Three generations of Knitters

My Mum, Leiny, and I enjoyed a day together at the Knitting and stitching show in Dublin last weekend. We loved all the exhibits and restocked our stashes.

The knitting group completed 90 preemie baby hats. Photos over at Margie's Crafts The Vintage Store

Big hugs,

Margie ❤

Celebration

Mr. Margie and I met each other for the first time on August 12th 1986 (photo of me above).  We were both 22 years old.  We had plans to celebrate 26 years of knowing each other on August 12th, however Mr. Margie suffered a stroke on August 7th. He suffered a spontaneous carotid arterial dissection, he spent two weeks in hospital, and is currently recovering really well at home. We have been told that his recovery was aided by the fact that he is very fit and active, cycling 300km each week, with no cholesterol problems. His vision returned to normal as has his balance and co-ordination on his left side.  He was an in patient at the local hospital, where there is a designated  Stroke Unit. The team there provided excellent care and now he visits every few days to give bloods as the team regulate his intake of warfarin, in an effort to keep his blood from clotting while the artery heals.  It has been a really difficult time for us, but both he and I are happy with the prognosis of the artery healing itself within three months. We finally went out to celebrate last saturday night, glad to have so much to celebrate.

Big hugs,
Margie

Premature baby knits

Margie's Crafts knitters are joining in the Irish Premature Babies, Knit for Prems Tiny Togs Knitting initiative marking the 17th November World Premature Awareness Day.  Knitting patterns can be found at Carissa Knits and Ray of Hope. You are all welcome to join in and pass on the call for support.

Big hugs,

Margie

Surfing UK and Tiny ponies

I just adore the beach huts in England, the charming colours are such a welcome treat for the eye, amid various shades of grey and sand.

 Isla tries out a surf board, Charlie and Ollie made it look so easy.

Pipps stays behind "guarding" the rugs, jackets, and footwear while the rest of us take the trek to the water edge.

A visit to the Minature Pony Centre was the highlight of the trip.  It only took Isla a minute to get up close and make some new friends (She reminded me of her mum who at her age, twenty six years ago, was a real life Doctor Dolittle, talking to the animals at every oppportunity).

Big hugs,

Margie

Holiday Time

 

Having worked full time and completed my HDip during the year, I was so glad when study was over, all assignments complete, and a months leave from work finally came round. In May I went to Dartmoor in the UK with Mel, Chris and Isla, we were joined by Maria, James, Ollie and Charlie.  We stayed Rock Barn in South Taunton, and made some wonderful day trips, when we visited Port Issac,Tintagel, Dartmouth and Brixham and Croyde surfing beach. I enjoyed quality family and friends time together, we ate well, walked, chatted, and the highlight of my day was being woken by Isla each morning.

In June Mr. Margie, Mel, Chris, Leiny, Isla and I had our family holiday together in France, staying at La Yole Camping Lodge, swimming, running, reading, eating great french food, all together in the sunshine.

I got my exam results while I was in France and I obtained an First class Honour, we celebrated visiting Carcassonne and Domaine De Rombeau, I adore being in France, I always feel at home there, and it was all the more special when my loved ones are there with me.

Big hugs,

Margie

Shoes and knitting

I started a new project with some blue and some pink and some green and some grey.

I wish I could wear heels confidently and comfortably. I love shoes, especially dune, and irregular choice, but unfortunately my feet are more at home in birkenstock, ecco and clarks shoes.
 

 The weather has been so wet and windy, it is almost impossible to get out for a cycle. I keep checking outside to see what the sky looks like.

It is mostly various shades of grey, except when lightening flashes during a thunderstorm. I have been making the best of the brighter evenings indoors, drinking tea, and working on craft projects.

Big hugs,

Margie

Crafts and Cars

This week my Landy broke down in the centre of town, the clutch went while Edel and I were parked at the traffic lights.I am so grateful to Edel , she stepped out and was in control of the situation in minutes, directing traffic safely around Landy. Within three turns of the light Landy was parked off the road waiting for the recovery truck. Morris has been dusted off, topped up with water and oil, and is now my number one mode of transport. I expect to have Landy back next week.

 

Last weekend while Mr. Margie and I were at Heywood Gardens, we found this folly on the walk past the orangerie.  The garden was designed by Sir Edwin Luytens and it is assumed that Gertrude Jekyll was the landscaper.  Unfortunately the house burned down in the 1950's but the gardens are currently under restoration.

Last night I completed the 48th rows on the granny square I began last september while in Majorca, and I am considering putting a border on now to complete the project.

Leiny and I started the bank holiday weekend with tea and biscuits by the fire, it seems so odd to have the fire lighting in may.  The weather has been unseasonally cold with temperatures below average, and highter rainfall averages. The forecast for the weekend is no better (much the same as it was at Christmas!). However I plan to read, cycle, craft and create.

Happy weekend.

Big hugs,
Margie

New knitting project and inspiration

Inspired by my mum's beautiful wash cloths, I started knitting this hand towel in grey dk cotton.  I put a moss stitch border on with weave stitch main section.

Last sunday, Mr. Margie and I took a stroll in the bluebell woods at Mass Lough in Ballinakill Co. Laois with some friends, the carpet of bluebell leaves were dotted with vivid deep blue flowers. 

On our return home I noticed the wisteria is just about to flower, a more subtle hue than the bluebells, I have been challenged by nature to begin a blue project next.

        Happy May Day

 

Big hugs,

Margie

New shoots and buds

This tree peony is happy with all the rain we have been getting.  It seems to be very happy with where it is sited, and the flowers have multiplied each year.  This is a prolific time in the garden, each morning when I feed the hens I am delighted with new shoots and new buds.

I have completed the Post graduate Higher Diploma.  It has been a real challenge to work full time and study these last few months, however, I am happy to have been on a wonderful journey of personal and professional development, and it was worth all the hard work.

I am too tired to celebrate at the moment, but I am planning to fill the month of May with celebrating in the form of crafting, getting up early for the dawn chorus, walking in the bluebell woods (photo:pink bluebells, they seem such a contradiction, but we do have them in the garden) gardening, travelling, reading a book, and leaving lots of comments on all your blogs.

Thank you for continuing to visit my blog and leave your messages and comments, despite the scarcity of my posts, during the last few months.  Your visits are all very important to me.

Big hugs,

Margie

Check out the two very generous and absolutely beautiful Spring Giveaways (click the image below)

Happy Easter

Wishing you all a very Happy Easter wherever you are in the world. I hope you enjoyed your favourite treats.

Leiny made vanilla cupcakes with orange buttercream frosting. A tasty afternoon tea treat.

Big hugs,

Margie

Knitted Dishcloth

My mum knit this dishcloth, I love the colour and the weave stitch is so pretty, she did a moss stitch border.

Big hugs,

Margie

Baby shower gifts

My niece Daisy is expecting her first baby in May, a girl. Her sister, Rommeij, organised a surprise Baby Shower party on March 18th. I tried my hand at a basic baby shower "cake" and put together this pack of towels, baby shoes, socks and a cute little toy sheep.




Leiny made this diaper stacker "cake" she added two Cath Kidston baby bibs and she knit this mouse hat for the topper, so sweet.



Mel put together a basket of baby vests, wash products for baby and mum. It was fun putting them together and Daisy was pleased to receive them.

A big thank you to everyone who continues to visit my blog despite my limited posting, and a special thank you to those who do take the time to leave me comments, I appreciate each and every one. I have only one month left on the postgraduate Higher Diploma, and I do look forward to catching up with you all in May.

Big hugs,

Margie

Wash cloths

A while ago I introduced my mum to knitting cotton washcloths, when I made two, a pale blue and a yellow one. She began knitting with great energy and experimented with various patterns, colours, and designs. As a result her washcloths have been in great demand. She has made washcloths for all our family in Ireland and the UK.


She came to visit a few days ago and brought two, a pale blue one, and a white one. They look perfect in the bathroom and are just lovely on the skin. Thank you Mum.

Big hugs,

Margie

I just love crochet, particularly these granny squares, just when I think I am finished, I keep coming back and adding another border row. It really is great for de-stressing, or am I procrastinating. Back to the study so, I promise to tell you all about it in a future post.

Big hugs,

Margie

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day

I have not had any time to visit blogland, studying and working is taking up nearly all my time these days. Missing you all.

Big hugs,

Margie

Cupcakes

My Kitchen Aid does not get enough use, I tend to use it for pancakes, however when Leiny is home she puts it to work, making cupcakes.

Today she baked honey and vanilla cupcakes, she found the recipe on here, she is putting Betty Crocker frosting on them....yum, yum. The perfect pick me up for the January blues.

What is your recipe for beating the January blues?

Big hugs,

Margie