About Me

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United Kingdom
Hi there & welcome to Annie's Place. A place inspired by and named after my late Grandmother Annie. Somewhere I can be creative, and share my love for all things handmade. I like nothing better than sitting with hook & yarn, crafting something home spun & completely unique, or rustling up some yummy baked goodies. I live in a town with a beautiful embankment, situated on the River Great Ouse. You may know me as CosyKitty on Ravelry. Why not stop a while.....?!!

Thursday 4 February 2016

Hello February : Crafty & Cosmic Pursuits

Happy February All. It sure has come around quick! I'm pleased to say the sun is shining today, and with the days lasting that little bit longer I feel energised and positive for the month ahead. A great big thank you is in order for all the wonderful feedback you left for my granny square blanket. I love to hear from you, so do make yourself known. Yes that means YOU! sitting there unsure whether to comment........I don't bite, promise xx 






































To mix things up a bit I've been dipping in and out of a few projects. I bought some new yarn at the back end of last year from a local craft supplies store. The soft snuggliness of it and the subdued colour palette won me over. It's Jarol Shetland Mist DK, an 80% Acrylic/20% Wool mix available in 100g balls.

I'm just playing around with it at the moment, experimenting with a simple 5 round circle in a square pattern. Changing colours the first 3 rounds, with the same colour for the squaring off part, and using a join as you go technique. It's been very relaxing.



The scarf I started last year has been resurrected, with a determination to have it finished whilst there's still a need for it. Famous last words! I made a bit of an error in judgement with this one. I had the bright idea that I'd like something with horizontal stripes, but didn't factor in the hundreds of rows it would take to create something remotely big enough to sufficiently wrap around my neck. It's got to be warm right? otherwise what's the point? Not to mention the hundreds of yarn tails to painstakingly sew in, grrrrr......

This is the moment when I think I should've just gone to Primark and paid a couple of quid for a mass-produced factory made scarf. Is this effort really all worth it? Yes of course it is Sharron I hear you cry, and I agree but boy does it take some patience.

I know there's nothing like handmade and that is what drives me on, but I HATE HATE HATE tidying yarn tails. And yes you guessed it, I left them until I was some 120 rows in before deciding I really should do something about them. When will I ever learn? Like letting the air out of a big balloon, my passion for this project began to seriously wane.

But now the bulk of those pesky ends have disappeared and I have a renewed enthusiasm for it! So watch this space for the end product, it should be all done and dusted sometime soon.






































Next up I'd like to try out some cross stitch from the lovely book pictured above 'Storyland Cross Stitch' by Sophie Simpson (aka Delilah). I was super lucky to find it in my local branch of 'The Works' for only £3 (RRP UK £14.99). It's such a pretty book, beautifully put together.

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Before I leave you I just wanted to mention something that's had me gripped over the last couple of months. Some of you will already be aware of this but for those that don't know, Major Tim Peake, a British Astronaut currently living and working aboard the ISS (International Space Station) took his first space walk recently. The significance of which was massive, as it's the first time a Brit has ever walked in space.

I have followed Tim's journey, and felt privileged to watch the whole space walk live from start to finish on NASA TV which was amazing, if not a tad scary. It has ignited a real fascination in me about space, and I've been keeping up with Tim's day to day via his awesome Instagram feed.

The reason I'm mentioning this here is because last night I went out to spot the ISS as it passed overhead during one of it's 16 orbits per day. I drove out into the countryside to get the best possible viewpoint, where light pollution is at a minimum. Fortunately there was a clear sky, and I could see a multitude of stars, so I felt confident I would spot the ISS with little trouble. 

Sure enough at 6:47pm there or thereabouts I saw a bright light moving swiftly across the night sky. Quite incredible to think Tim and his colleagues were up there, flying past at over 17,000 miles per hour. Within a couple of minutes it was gone. I admit to waving though not too sure they'd have seen me, lol......

Anyway, if you'd like to see the ISS with your own eyes then you can check out when it will be flying over your part of the world here

Until next time
x x x 

32 comments:

  1. Sharron,
    At least you've kept going and it does look beautiful, I would have stopped and used the vertical striping to have at both ends of the scarf and gone horizontal for the bulk length of the scarf, that's given me the idea to maybe do a scarf that way, I do find weaving in ends kind of relaxing, but hey, I'm crocheting a king-sized afghan with vertical stripes and I do have those ends. Tory

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    1. Hey Tory,

      Thanks for the encouragement, and the compliments! A king-sized afghan is quite the task, but well worth the effort in the end. Happy crocheting x

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  2. Your scarf is beautiful!!! Ends and all! xx

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    1. Hi Amy,

      I'm glad you like it, and you'll be pleased to know the ends aren't beating me anymore! x

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  3. I love your gentle colors that you used, i don't really like tassels either they never seem to come out as I wish. I as well are crocheting a scarf but for a friend and I'm only have way there it's a new stitch and o darn I forgot the name already but it the most simple ever.. And I love the look so I'm not sure tassels will work, but yours look lovely.. Wishing you a most lovvely evening with love Janice

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    1. Hello Janice,

      Thank you for leaving me some lovely feedback. Nice to know you've been scarf making too. Your friend will be very lucky to receive a wonderful handmade gift. Hope your enjoying the weekend! x

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  4. Don't give up on your scarf, it is awesome and far better than buying a mass-produced one. I never learn to sew in ends as I go either and live to regret it - you would think I would have learned the lesson by now wouldn't you. xx

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    1. You're so right Jan, it is better than mass produced. I shall keep reminding myself of that! It's reassuring to hear I'm not alone when it comes to those pesky ends. Thank you for coming by to share your thoughts x

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  5. Beautiful projects, as always I love the colours you use! :) Em x

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  6. Your projects are beautiful and yes the scarf will be well worth the effort when you are finished. You will never get bored with it and it will last forever. I think traveling in space is such an amazing feat.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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    1. Hi Meredith,

      You're right it is something that will last forever. As long as I make sure not to put it down somewhere and lose it! Good to hear that the space thing fascinates you too. Thanks for visiting my lovely friend x

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  7. Oh goodness yes, there must have been a lot of ends to sew in. I don't like ends either and I leave them till the end too and then feel very low at the thought of having to do them. I would say i'll try harder next time but I know I won't, lol.

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    1. There's strength in numbers Caroline, and I think it's safe to say we are amongst many who leave those yarn tails till the last minute! So don't feel too bad, lol. Lovely to hear from you x

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  8. Beautiful projects and i love your colors! Super!

    Greetings, Tinne

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    1. Thank you Tinne, it means a lot to hear from you. Hope you're having a lovely Sunday x

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  9. Hi Sharron,I too love your use of the soft muted tones,beautiful.I must be more adventurous with colour and yarn!

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    1. Thank you for your message. It's wonderful to know you like those soft colours too! I'm increasingly drawn to them. I do hope I've inspired you to be a little more adventurous?! x

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  10. Dear Sharron,
    I've seen Tim's photos on twitter. They are beautiful. I'm following all the European Astronauts since "our" German Astronaut Alexander Gerst visited the ISS in 2014. During the summer 2014 we often spot the ISS - and it was a great feeling to imagine that there are human beings in the space and we can see their spacecraft!
    Sharron, I love your granny squares and the colours you use. The photos you make are so beautiful :)!
    (please excuse my mistakes, sometimes I cannot find the right words...)
    Many greeting vom Germany, Karin

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    1. It is incredible Karin! You explained it perfectly. I agree it's a great feeling to know that our fellow human beings are up there working to help us better understand life and the universe! It's quite unbelievable to think that there are people now living in space for longer and longer. What an achievement! Alexander and Tim are heroes in my eyes. What brave men they are.

      Thank you so so much for your lovely sentiments on my crochet work. You've made my day x

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  11. hi Sharron, Happy February to you too. Some great projects on the go there. Jo x

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    1. Hi Jo, thank you for stopping to say hello. Have a wonderful day x

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  12. I really like your combinations of colors. It looks so cozy and warm. It even raises a mood :)

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    1. It always pleases me to know there are lovely people out there like you who appreciate my colour choices. If they cheer you up, that's an unexpected bonus. I love that! Thank you x

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  13. Both of these project just look so lovely. I especially love the stripes, but then again, *I* don't have to weave in all those tails!

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    1. I appreciate you taking the time to let me know you like my work. Please do visit again x

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  14. Lots of beautiful crochet. I like all these projects you have here. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. That's very kind Angela. I send you best wishes in return x

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  15. Your work is so lovely. I especially love the soft pastels of the grannys beside the basket photo above. It makes me want to cuddle up and take a nap with it. Thank You for sharing it all with us. I am a loyal reader, and I just love your color choices. I don't do well with putting colors together, I come here and it makes me want to run out and buy the yarn for whatever lovely pattern you have posted. Thank you for sharing.
    ~Crystal
    http://krystlewv.blogspot.com
    A Day In My Life, Crochet

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    Replies
    1. Crystal,

      You have brought a huge smile to my face with your heartfelt words. This is what makes blogging all the more special. To receive such warmth is overwhelming. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, I'm very very touched x

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  16. Such a fun and lovely blog you have. I especially enjoyed looking at your crochet and photos of your home town. Your use of fiber and pastels make me want to be sure to return to see what you will be up to next. Thank you for your generous offer of your patterns. I will definitely enjoy the Happy Flower Square. Here's wishing you a wonderful day.
    Reni in AZ, USA :)

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    1. Hello Reni, lovely to have your company here! So pleased you like my little blog space. I'm always keen to hear from new readers, and appreciate the time you took out of your day to communicate your very generous thoughts. Wishing you a wonderful weekend in return :)

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Thank you for visiting me here at Annie's Place, and for taking the time to leave a comment. I appreciate each and every word x x x

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