Long time no hear... and no see... yes I'm alive and well but overly busy as usual.
In the lead up the Christmas I attended a few craft markets with my yarn. It can be a lot of fun but it involves a lot of work getting ready for each market and a fair amount of time. As we all know Christmas is hectic in itself anyway so when I added the craft market circuit into the mix I got a bit exhausted. I didn't even have the energy to decorate a christmas tree last year... the first year ever that I haven't had a tree. So with a new year well underway what am I up to...
going to craft markets again!
This past Saturday saw the Martinborough Fair take place. It's supposed to be the largest craftmarket in the Southern Hemisphere with over 480 stalls. I booked a site and shared it with two friends of mine who also had yarns for sale. Nanette of YARNZ and Sally of Verandah Yarns. Despite some un-summery weather we all had a great day and I sold more this year that last year so I went home a very happy camper.This is a shot of my yarns ready to be fondled by all the yarn lovers at the Fair, ready and willing to take their place in someone's yarn stash.
So when you sell yarn... you have to replace it... and here are the fruits of my dyeing effort today.
So after a few evenings of hard graft I'll have another thirty two skeins of yarn ready to tempt unsuspecting knitters.
When you're a yarn lover you tend to appreciate the efforts of the humble sheep... and then you get tempted into buying sheep related items... well at least I do!
I couldn't resist buying this sheep themed set of a sugar bowl, milk jug and mug... and the fact that they were on sale at less than half price made it easier for me to justify the purchase... as if I ever need to justify my purchases! The cook book was a tasty treat of a Christmas gift from my friend Sarah who lives in London. I'm itching to make the grashopper pie featured in the book... don't worry... no actual grasshoppers will be harmed in the making. I'm also getting excited that I'll get to catch up with Sarah... in London... in April! That's right, I'm heading off to Europe for a holiday in April along with Mum and Ian. It's going to be a blast and if I make it to Liberty of London again I probably will have to try and justify any purchases I'll make... last time I bought handkerchiefs which cost ten pounds each... but it was Willian Morris fabric... and I know I'll never be out of debt... but that keeps me going to work!
Summer has been a write off this year... and the strange weather has affected the garden here at Scarlet Oak Cottage.
The plums are only just starting to ripen on our old tree and as you can see the insects have been attacking the leaves because the fruit has taken so long to ripen this year.
The lace capped hydrangeas have put on a great show...
The Japanese anenomes have grown even taller this year and are finally starting to bloom. I think all their energy has gone into their stems instead of the flowers... but then again there are plenty of buds out there about to open.
My favourite showstopper in the garden has always been the fuschias and I'm smiling now that they are working their magic in the garden once again.
and this morning Ian and our friens Marnie gave the front hedge a much needed haircut... speaking of which it's high time I gave Ian and myself another haircut.
Don't worry... it won't be more than two months before I post again.
Nice to read honey. Hopefully catch up soon.
Luv Dee
Posted by: Dee Dawson | February 06, 2012 at 07:38 PM
Welcome back! Missed you. I especially love seeing your seasonal posts - that are opposite of ours. It's so nice to see flowers when we're in the midst of winter. Wish I could have gone to the fair. Your hand-dyed yarns look wonderful!
Posted by: Jennifer | February 07, 2012 at 12:57 AM
darling, PLEASE don't make us wait so long to hear from you!
our winter in philly has been anything but typical. we have had 4 inches of snow TOTAL this winter. it's been spring-like warm, with temps in the 60s F. no flowers blooming yet, but...
and baseball season starts in 13 days (or a fortnight) from today - YAUZ; that says spring to me!
thanks for your updates and your flower pix and the welcoming shot of scarlet oak cottage. london in april...interesting!
smooches and hugs and love to all of you!
Posted by: anne marie in philly | February 07, 2012 at 12:51 PM