Happy Flower in Acrylic progress : Fixer Upper

Hey y'all*, still here, still pootling along with my Happy Flowers in Acrylic Yarn. Construction is slow, but very enjoyable nonetheless.

I've loved seeing them take shape! Messing around with different colour combinations is my favourite thing to do. 

You'll be pleased to know that I won't be doing my usual whinging about yarn tails this time, as I'm fastidiously sewing them in as I go along. Pat on the back for me!

The joining process is so much fun. I'm using Stylecraft Special DK in Parchment, and it's working up really nicely.

So here is a collage of the whole construction from Round One to joining at Round Seven. Love making these circles turn into squares. Such a simple motif. 

In fact I'm making another bag at the moment with the same pattern, but in Cotton. It should be lovely for Summer outings. 

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Source

I'm sure most of my stateside readers know who those two lovely smiley people are pictured above?! For those that don't that's Chip and Joanna Gaines. A few months ago I came across their home renovations show Fixer Upper now showing on ITV in the UK. I'm probably very late to the party, but to say I have fallen in love with these two is an understatement. 

I have binge-watched every show available and can't wait for the next season to hit these shores. They take run down homes in and around Waco Texas, and totally transform them. If any of my UK readers haven't come across Chip & Jo yet, you really must take a look! Word of warning though, be prepared to be sickened by what you can get for very little money out there in Texas compared to here in the UK. Chip and Jo would be horrified to know what we pay for property this side of the pond! It's actually a crime.....

They have created quite an empire out there in Waco, and they deserve every bit of the success they've had. Talk about workhorses, four kids, several businesses, phew it makes me tired just thinking about it. I just wish I lived out there so I could visit the Silos, their latest venture. Do let me know if any of you lovely readers live nearby there?!! I'd love to know if you've visited Magnolia Market???

Btw Joanna Gaines has a lovely blog which you might want to take a look at here......

Till next time

Much love 

Sharron x

*been watching far too much 'Fixer Upper' #shiplap #demoday ;)

Stoke Bruerne & Springtime Crochet

April has arrived, the days are getting longer, and I feel a spring in my step. I had the opportunity to take a trip out earlier this week to a place not too far from home. Somewhere I'd wanted to visit for a while, a beautiful little gem of a place called Stoke Bruerne situated on the Grand Union Canal in Northamptonshire.

After a leisurely drive west, we arrived at our destination to the sun just peaking out through the clouds. I was optimistic that the afternoon would be fine and dry for our little jaunt up and down the locks. The weather's been a bit hit and miss here just lately, so we were fortunate to pick the best day of the week. 

As I drove into the village I noticed what looked like a public car parking area, so I decided to just follow the car in front. Once in the car park I realised we'd actually driven into the parking area of one of the local public houses 'The Navigation', which sits right on the canalside. A beautiful spot to while away the hours, with a nice tipple or bite to eat.

Despite the temptation to stop in for some refreshments, we wanted to explore a bit first so drove a little further into the village to find a public car park. Sure enough we found the Pay & Display that's right next to the Canal Museum, and for £3 per car it was very convenient and reasonably priced.

Not wanting to waste a moment of the dry bright weather we set to walking along the canal towpath, following the locks downstream first, then back up through the heart of the village towards the Blisworth Tunnel. It was a lovely few hours, spent blissfully unhurried.  

There was a hint of Summer warmth in the air, a little taste of what's (hopefully) to come in the months ahead. I can't wait to spend more lazy days in the same fashion. The simple things eh?.....

Crochetwise I've been on a mission to hook up several Happy Flower Blocks. But instead of crocheting a whole block one at a time I'm deviating from my usual method and crocheting several of each round, building them in stages. After making a few in Acrylic to donate to Sally's charity project last month, I got the urge to do more. 

So here are my efforts thus far. I'm hoping this method will keep me motivated for the long haul, as I want to make a blanket. Most of the colours here are Stylecraft Special DK. I'm making the best of the limited palette I have available. This yarn does go a long way, so hopefully it will  stretch to a decent sized project.

Onto round 4...........

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Much love x x x