Christmas cards for friends

Having little energy at the moment, due to my illness, I have not been able to get out to buy cards this year. I had a look on the internet for charity cards, but the ones I liked had sold out, perhaps predictably - so I thought I would have a go at making some lino print cards myself. There is plenty of inspiration on the web, so after spending far too much time searching I came up with a design idea. I have had the lino cutting tools for ages, but not had a go - so the ideal opportunity!

I wanted to use a peace dove image with a folk art feel on the cards. After making the design, I cut it out and stuck it onto a piece of wood, so I could use it as a stamp using some poster paints I already had. 

 I thought the detail would be too fine to show when printed, but it seems to have come out ok. I just need to experiment a bit more to get the pressure even when I print them.

 The other little birds at the bottom of the above photo are a carved wooden block I bought at the quilt festival last year - not sure if they are guinea fowl or turkeys, but thought they might look fun in a line running across the bottom of a card also.

Hope you have had an fun week.

Feeling a little better now

I am so pleased to say that I am beginning to feel a little better now. It has been a long 6 weeks recovering from pneumonia, and I am slowly getting a little stronger. I don't think I realised how poorly I had been until now, when I am beginning to take an interest in things again. I think it will be a while before I am back to full strength, and am still visiting the hospital for them to see my progress. I' don't think I will be out walking the dog on the fells for a while yet though!

I'm always reading from other bloggers about how therapeutic it is to crochet, so thought I would try and master the ripple stitch - using the brilliant tutorial from Lucy at Attic 24. I started a small sampler just to try out the pattern and it worked out OK! I will now drop a few hints for Christmas for an Attic 24 yarn pack. I'm still not sure if I could concentrate at the moment long enough to get the foundation row sorted for a blanket, but come the new year hopefully things will be improved.

Being ill, I also missed most of October/early November with the leaves turning colour, but at least I could look out of the window at my favourite view and see the bracken and the trees changing with the season

The girls have been home for visits and to fuss over me, which has been lovely. On her last visit Molly helped to make the Christmas cake, so at least that's ready now. 

Work on the house renovation, has really moved on since my last photo on 3rd October when the foundations were just being dug. J has taken photographs for me to see the progress and my how it has changed. This photo is of the extension, which will be the new kitchen and family room, I love how the builders have used the old quoins which we kept from when J demolished the previous flat roof extension.

 Last Friday J took me out in the car for a little trip so I could see for myself the progress. Now the scaffolding is going up and early next week the upper floor joists are going in - I just hope the weather holds and the builders can keep going - its really exciting now as I can see it taking shape.

 I hope you have had a good weekend.