Snail Mail

Here are some of the cards that have gone up in the Ellie And Ada Shop.  They are a fun way to brighten someone's day.


I have always loved snail mail, receiving and sending off mail.  I would spend hours drawing and colouring in envelopes.  My gran used to playfully roll her eyes and I told her I wanted to amuse the postman with the colourful envelopes as well as the recipient.  I lived a year away from home and the best was getting letters from friends and especially from my sister.  She used to include mix tapes and it meant I was listening to music that hadn't came out in Ireland at the time.

There is something lovely about a handwritten note.  It's not just about getting something other than bills in the post, it is lovely recognizing someone's penmanship and a surprise.  Cards and letters can become souvenirs also.

Thinking of You

I have a cold at the moment.  Had it for a few days now.  Thought I was rid of it and it got a bit worst yesterday and today. I didn't sew yesterday.  There was no weekend sewing.  There was only sock knitting.  It was fine.  I didn't do much walking today.  Lexi has been patient but she is looking to go out for a walk soon.

New cards will be making an appearances in the shop.  Keep checking!  This Thinking Of You card is now available in the Ellie And Ada shop.

I am going to go for a little walk with Lexi.  I am getting some cough syrup and cough drops.  Need to stretch my legs and Lexi needs to stretch her little legs.

I am going to turn a heel on the Vestigial socks when I get back.  I love the look of them.  I normally knit plain socks on 2.5mm needles and cast on 60 stitches.  This pattern is knitting 56 stitches in a rib stitch on 2 mm needles.  I am sure they will fit.  I love mistake rib.  My favourite scarf pattern.

All I want to do today is eat cake.

All I want to do today is eat cake.  You can quote me on that.

This is a picture of my brother's birthday cake that I made him.  (Technically, I made him two cakes.)

I might try and make something nice, fun and glutenfree for my own birthday.

Isadora

Looks like Isadora is dancing on a scanned page of a very old college notebook. 

Looks like there is a very strong colour theme going through my knitting at the moment.  I dyed all the yarn photographed.  One pair of socks, that I am knitting, is a pattern by Hedgehogfibres.  It is called Vestigial.  Got into the sock buzz again.  And as soon as I get this sweater done, I want to finish one of the 4 ply cardigans that I have on the go.  Might alternate Aran and 4 ply jumpers because knitting 4 ply cardigans can get a little bit boring or 'Are we there yet?'  I was very grateful for the one 4 ply cardigan and sweater that I did make for myself this summer.

I got chips last night and the man in the chipper was laughing that I was already back into the winter gear.  I was wearing a lightweight cowl and hat.  

Was walking by the donkeys in our town (few can say that I am sure) and this little toddler cut loose and just walked out in the middle of the road.  Maybe he was from Dublin and was heading back.  I was walking Lexi and saw this.  I started running towards them shouting and pointing.  "The toddler is in the road.  Baby in the middle of the road.  The baby!"  Cars were beeping.  The little fella kept on trucking.  His family realised and all is well.  The little guy must prefer Shetland ponies to donkeys. 

Halcyon Days

The sun glass case was what I sewed for my mother a few weekends back.  I only got to do some sewing yesterday.  I made 2 cushion covers, a bag and a mini pencil case for my hand bag and another little coin purse using up scraps.  I appreciate that this all may seem repetitive but I am determined to use up some of the fabric I have been harbouring for years.  The cushions are making my couch even more comfortable and smart looking.  I love to organise my life with zippered bags.  So bear with me!  I am going to sew one more cushion cover today and then put away my sewing gear till next weekend.

Lexi is growing impatient and wants to go for a walk.

Whatever Happens

I am doing quotes that I like as a personal project.  I don't want to over think the project.  I just want to do it.  I want to basically mess around with quotes and words that I like.  Some quotes mean more to me than others but I really don't want to discuss it all.  I just want to share the quotes without an explanation.

I sewed this pencil case last weekend.  Made one for my brother as well.  Don't expect him to use it but I just wanted to sew him something for part of his birthday present.  I tie dyed the fabric probably last year and still have a bit more to use.  I love dyeing fabric and yarn.  I found these pens when going through some old boxes belonging to me at my parents'.  Knew they needed a new home so I made a pencil case specially for them.

I am going to try to sew something today.  I'm a bit wrecked, it was a long week, but a good one.

P.S. Mustard turned out grand.  I am going to try messing around with the recipe and other recipes.

Made the courgette loaf by Nigel Slater again.  This time I skipped adding the apple and raisins.  Didn't have either.  I probably added more courgette because I had it and wanted to use it.  I didn't have just raisins.  I had a bag of mixed fruit for Christmas cake making.  I felt citrus peel would have spoiled the party so I skipped it and didn't feel like going to the shop.  I like using up what I have the most in cooking and baking.  I also like adding more of what I like, so I added more cinnamon.  I put in almost a teaspoon.  Happy enough with it.

Edge of Edges

We had company today and a fabulous day!  Tried to get the blog done earlier today but the morning wasn't having any of it.

I'm going to keep this short and sweet because I am tired and going to find something to watch as I knit my jumper. 

Also now, I kind of want to reread some Tom Robbins.

Eleanor

I don't know what kind of mind discusses cake because that is probably what I will be doing today.  I am baking my brother his 'real' birthday cake.  I am going to make another chocolate jam cake - glutenfree for myself to eat whilst everyone eats birthday cake.  August is a time of many cakes.  I used to make cupcakes and cakes with icing.  One year, I'd say we went through a serious amount of sugar and icing sugar.  I'm not going to lie.  I was buying the big 5kg bags of sugar.  My family and I had problems sleeping at night due to the crazy amounts of sugar.  Molly, the dog was given a teeny amount of cake and even she was up at night howling.  The icing recipe was too hard core.  I should look for another one.  I have just been making chocolate icing and cake since.

Can't wait to blend the mustard and see how that turned out.  I'll see if I can cut the mustard or not.

This bag above I sewed the weekend August 9-10, 2014.  I also made few other items.  I have a busy weekend this weekend.  Hopefully, I will get some sewing done on Sunday.  Might make some cushion covers if I have the right zippers in my stash.

Better start baking the 'real' cake.

Lao Tzu

Trying to think what to write!  Lao Tzu is a hard act to follow.  I'm telling you!  I am grateful for the love and support that I do get.  Also I think we can do the unthinkable when taking care of and protecting loved ones.

I did make the courgette loaf/zucchini bread and it was a hit.  Lexi tested a fallen raisin from a slice I was eating and she looked like she fell in love herself.

I'm making progress with the hand spun, raglan top down sweater.  I separated the sleeves from the body and am now working on the body of the sweater.  I'll share photos as soon as I take some.

A Creative Man

Sad news to hear about Robin Williams.  I adored Mork and Mindy growing up. Robin Williams had immense talent and it is so sad to hear that he suffered such depression.

Happy Birthday to my brother!

Let There Be Cake

Tomorrow is my brother's birthday and today, I am baking him a teacake - Chocolate jam gluten free cake.  It's actually Nigella Lawson's Store Cupboard Chocolate - Orange cake.  Don't think calling it chocolate jam gluten free cake would sell many slices.  I really like making it and using raspberry or strawberry jam instead of marmalade.  Never was that big into marmalade.  At the weekend, I am going to bake him a proper birthday cake.

Also we have a lot of courgette/zucchini on the go so, I would like to make some courgette loaf (zucchini bread).  I am going to use this recipe.

Must get a move on!  Hope your Monday treats you well.

Jumpstart

Sometimes, it seems that there is always so much to do.  I know someone who is near and dear to me and she says when she walks in a room she only sees what needs to be cleaned and tidied.  I will not compare myself to Marie Curie but I always feel that there is a lot that remains to be done.

I am going to start a hand spun, top down raglan sweater with this hand spun yarn, I dyed.  I think the wool is Falkland.  I'll have to check.  I love knitting simple sweaters.  Not smart to start new sweater, when I have so much to finish but I like to have a simple sweater on the go when I want some auto pilot knitting, especially when I am so tired.  I always like having a seamless, top down sweater on the go because when you don't feel like trying things on and figuring out when to stop decreasing for sleeves, it's great to knit these great big seas of stockinette stitch without worry.  I was so wrecked last night, I only managed to get a few lines of a swatch done before falling asleep.  My big feather cushion, that I sewed the cover for, was my accomplice.

I'm going to tidy up a bit then maybe do a little bit of sewing and then I am going to swatch for my new raglan sweater.  I will restart that scarf.  I'll work on the scarf in the mornings instead of socks until I get the scarf finished.  

Enjoy your Sunday.  I think I might need another cup of coffee to jumpstart me.

The Mountains

The mountains are calling and I must go. - John Muir

The socks that I am working on at the moment.  I dyed them and really like the colourway, more autumnal colours.  I love autumnal colours.  I used to get more socks done.  I guess we all go through phases.  Looking forward to wearing these.

This is the cardigan I am working on. It's a mon-petit-gilet-raye cardigan.  It is my second one and I already started a second one.  The blue is some vintage silk merino from Jaeger yarns and the maroon and smoky colour is Rowan Kidsilk.  It is like a soft cloud of warm coziness.  I am going to make another cardigan with whatever is leftover.  Will have to add another yarn and colour to make up a second cardigan.

Looking forward to finishing a lot of projects.  Might just concentrate on getting them finished.  Though I have to do that scarf and knit a few other gifts.  Wish there were more hours in the day.  I would spend them walking the dog, drinking coffee, reading, cooking/baking, eating, drawing, knitting and watching a bit of netflix/movies/tv.  Though on the tv front, haven't really found anything that I really want to watch.  I like to veg out a bit when we come back from a walk, I like to watch something and knit.  Should probably read instead.

I better get cracking and start drawing.

New prints are going up in The Ellie and Ada Shop.

I sent my Aunt a Ellie and Ada Birthday card.  She liked it.  I think my two grandmothers would have gotten a kick out of the fact that I named this venture after them.

Also new discovery!  I have found out that the most loveliest hat, nice slouch, smurfy- slouch, cozy hat style. The best hat for my head is a hat that I knitted John.  It was the first hat that I knitted him.  Need to make more!  In my favourite yarn, Studio Donegal!

Love All

I said Shakespeare's time would come.  I feel a little bit more interested in Shakespeare since finding out that my great great grandfather was from Stratford on Avon.  I've known for many years.  I loved English in school but I think if I knew while I had to study Shakespeare's plays, there would be even more enthusiasm. My cousin did some research and found out about our family history.  Our family owned a grocery store across from Shakespeare's birthplace on Henley street around 1860.  I should ask her more.

The photo is of me and Lexi Belle.  I noticed on our walk that we were kind of matching.  She has a purple collar and a blue lead/leash.  The black thing is the camera strap.  A large amount of my clothes are navy blue. 

Better get some work done before lunch.  Haven't touched the scarf but I have decided to rip the whole thing out and start again.

Roman Holiday

New prints will be coming into the shop shortly.  The above print is from a series of prints that are called Roman Holiday.

I made the sun glass cases this weekend along with one tote bag, a cushion cover, another sun glass case for my mother, 2 zipper bags and a dog collar for Lexi.  It was a good weekend's work.  I'm a bit tired.  Was very happy with the cushion cover.  We need a few more around the house.

In knitting news, me thinks I will have to rip back the scarf.  Think I will leave things and have a think and take serious action tomorrow.  Nothing like a night's sleep and a fresh morning to help make the right decision.  I leave most decisions for the morning.  Think I'm going to call it quits soon. 

Happy Birthday Lexi

                   She was so tiny.  This is one of the first pictures we took of her when we got her.

                                                         Our first Christmas with Lexi

                                                                        Carrot love

Regal Part Beagle

Happy Birthday Lexi!  She is two today!  I am even going to whisper Happy Birthday to her sister Milo on the other side of our hedge.

I have Lexi 2 years in November and our life has only improved since then.  Her mother was a beagle/basset hound (unfortunately the mother got hit by a car) and her father is a terrier sort from the neighbourhood. 

Lexi was a bit of an escape artist and used to climb through the hedge and come visit our backgarden.  I adored her the first time I saw her.  I used to take her home to the house she was born in and they would laugh she would be back in my backgarden as I would have the key in my door. My lovely neighbours gave Lexi to me.  Lexi sometimes bumps into her sister and they are hilarious together.  Sisterly hurricane or tornado as they play.

I better get a move on and get my sewing done because the birthday girl will most definitely want to go for a good walk.  Also we need to buy some carrots, one of her favourite foods.  I think both of my siblings would cry if I offered them a carrot on their birthday or any other day.  Lexi even got Molly Moo (my parents' dog and my partner in crime) hooked on carrots.  I love the picture of Molly and Lexi.  

The August birthday season has begun.