Porch Rippling ~ An Update on Crocheting the World's Largest Ripple Blanket

I have spent a few days here and there doing some Porch Crochet. The problem is it cannot be too warm as the darn thing is getting fairly large and hot. The last few days seem to be cooling down so that has allowed for some serious rippling. The shot below is the "Pretend it is Totally Done" shot.

This next shot is the "Holy crap, that is all I've done?" shot.

Twenty-four stripes thus far. I have been using Paton's Merino and the most lovely Cascade 220. Really mad at myself for stupidly ordering only four skeins when it was on sale for just over $4.00. It is now 7 or 8 dollars. One colour takes me about an hour. That's while watching television. If this or that is too interesting, it may take longer.

I am also trying to quickly knit some umbilical cord hats and gum-nut hats for a baby just born at my husband's office. We will see how those turn out considering I haven't knit in months. Rippling is all consuming.

The Three P's (Picnicking, Plum Cake Eating, Picking Fruit and Veg)

Picking the pears from our garden yielded me a small load today. They should be dropping off by the dozens by next week. My husband brought home goodies from his parent's house last night. More green beans, lovely Roma tomatoes (long gone) and some cucumbers. Much, much more to come, I am sure.
I have been picnicking with DN3. It seems the appeal of watching goldfish in the pond, running the dog at top speed and bird watching is lost on 16 year olds and 19 year olds. But the 10 year old loves it and asks everyday, "are we going to the park for a picnic today?"

And I made a plum cake. I always want to show you how brilliant my culinary endeavors turn out but, alas, I am greedy and always dive in before a proper picture can be taken. But can't you see I loved it? I poured some double cream on top of it. Is that bad?



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I will be giving you an update shortly on the Ripple Afghan which is coming along nicely, just so terribly wwwwide. Whose idea was it to make one of these in kingsize anyhow?



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Oh, and silly me, I forgot to mention in the set design post which movie I was showcasing. It is The Holiday with Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet.

While Surfing on Laptop Late At Night...

I really think I need these items. Especially the dressing gown. I could flow through the garden in the mornings wearing it while sipping my tea. And those heavenly pillowshams...

photos :

Garnet Hill

Pinecone Hill

Bella Notte

I Felt Alone Til I Found You

Honestly, I'm not kidding. Before I started blogging, I seriously thought I was one of the very few that watched movies just for set decorating. The list is sooo long I really can't post them all but do you know how many times I watched "Dennis the Menace" and "101 Dalmatians" with the kids pretending it was for the stimulating dialogue and the crazy antics?
Then I found you. People like me. Those that love detail. That revel in English style, cosy wing chairs and down filled cushions. It has opened up a whole new world for me. So when I came across these pictures I just had to share. This movie was one of my favourites to watch over and over again. How delightful are these rooms?

That wood and wicker table is to die for. And the stone work for the fireplace, how comfy looking is that?

So perfect. If you are interested in set decor you should visit The Set Decorator's Society of America. Wonderful pictures and links. For those that are just as crazy as I am. While I'm on the subject, I had a comment from a blogger that wanted to use a few of my pictures and after visiting her I realized there are more just like us. Marcia has a very comprehensive list of movies in her sidebar that is just the ticket. And the china and teacups are scrumptious.

I Lied

I know I said I would post yesterday but problems ensued. We have been without phone service for a week and a half (Bell Canada I hate you) and the new guy (Rogers Home Phone I love you) came yesterday. Well it took much longer than anticipated and the day kind of went to hell in a handbasket if you want the truth. But enough about me.

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Let's talk about the lovely Leisa. I won a contest from her blog and didn't she send me the prettiest goodies? The cutest candle cupcake, a charming heart and from the Queen of all Good Things, Cath Kidston tissues. Many, many thanks, Leisa, to send me all this loveliness all the way from Australia.

And a few bits and bobs I picked up on vacation. A Limoges saucer, another rosy saucer, a candle with, what else, roses, a duck egg coloured pot and some pillow ticking that is ages old but adorable. There were pillowslips as well, but they are already ironed and on beds.

Next, my favourite ladies, I have a challenge for you. Specifically those across the pond. I had a reader email me asking where she can purchase some sticky back paper in the UK. She loved the ones I showed you from the laundry room, however, she cannot seem to find it anywhere over there. Here we call it MacTac. That is a brand name that actually is no longer produced anymore. I do not have the packaging from these ones and am not sure who the manufacturer was and if it was Canadian or American. In the UK I believe you refer to it as ?Fablon? If you know where to get this or similar could you let me know? Thanks a bunch.

I still have so much more to tell you. I have had pictures stored on the computer to show you, more vacations pictures, websites I have come across that I know you will love and so many other things but this life thing is just getting in the way. I will be back shortly, and have I told you lately?

Thanks for taking the time to visit, your comments always make my day a little better.

Back

Hope you are all having a great summer and keeping cool any way you can! I will be posting tomorrow with news and thrifting goodies.

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Til then...

Our Vacation Thus Far...

The beach homes along the shore.

This one is lovely.

This is the little turn of the century home we are staying at.

Another home right on the beach.

This one is so wonderfully maintained. Really stunning.

I had to show you the most charming taps in our washroom.

Our cosy bedroom with the original chintz linoleum.


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We are returning there today or tomorrow for four or five more days of rest, reading and eating.

I Won!!!

I won! Tracey at Funkymonkey emailed me with the most amazing news a little while ago. I won her blog contest, can you believe it? I never, ever win anything. Ever. But I did. And do you see what I won? The most gorgeous blue spotty bag from Tesco. Remember the Tesco that would not open a store for me in Canada when I wanted to buy a gazillion Cath Kidston Marie Curie bags?

Not only did I win the blue spotty bag but on the same day I won an ebay auction for the floral one. I won't say how much I paid for it but I do hope some of the proceeds went towards the charity.




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So please go visit Tracey and say hello. She has the most wonderful blog. Lovely pictures, beautiful garden, I just know you will enjoy it as much as I do.

Thank you so much, Tracey.



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PS I did have two more pictures of the spotty bag but blogger did not want to upload pictures today, I am quite lucky I could post what I did.

I am here...

But I have been sooo busy. Crafty and busy. We have had rain here almost everyday for 2 weeks now so I thought I would give you a shot of the only plant that looks good. I tried my hands at some Cath Kidston clothes pegs. What do you think?

I think they're sweet. And they will make hanging the washing out so much more enjoyable. If we ever get to hang it out again with all the rains we've had.

I finally lined the picnic basket. It had to be done all by hand. I now know I am terrible at gathering. If you see any tutorials on these let me know. Please, please do not look too closely at the sewing.

We are leaving to get away for a few days and I want to take this with us so we can use it for picnics and at the water. We will be coming home for a few days and then returning. I will leave it with my mum and dad that go off on drives, not knowing where they are going or how long they will be but they always take a packed lunch so it is theirs for the rest of the week.

All ready. Just fill with wine and food.

I have been tagged by Julia. I am to post 5 interesting things about myself that you probably didn't know. My question is do you really want to know? I will think about this while I am away. I do have so much more to tell you but I haven't the time right now as I must pack. My DN3 is finally feeling better. A sore throat for almost 2 weeks. A virus the doctor said. My goodness.

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Oh, and I went away last weekend to Buffalo shopping. You are allowed $400.00 worth of stuff for 48 hours to cross back over without penalty. Who thinks I was a good girl and stuck to my limit? Did I mention there is a Macy's and Lord + Taylor there?

Most Humbled

The lovely Dawn at The Gahan Girls has honoured me with this award. A few words about Dawn. I came across her blog a few months back and it was one of those blogs you love instantly. You know the ones where you immediately begin looking through archives because, alas, you have met another soulmate? That was how it has been ever since. Soulful moments, charming thrift finds and delightful photography. Did I mention the dog? One of the most handsomest fellows in blogland?

A most profound thank you, Dawn.

Here are the rules:

1. Please put the logo on your blog.

2. Add a link to the person who awarded you.

3. You must nominate 7 fellow bloggers for this award.

4. Add links to the recipients.

5. Leave a comment so the recipients know they have received an award.

These are the bloggers I am nominating:

Sairer at Vintage, Pretty and Shabby. And not just because she leaves me beautiful comments. Her blog epitomizes comfortable, shabby decor and I love it. Not to mention some very heartfelt posts.

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Julia at Vintage Heaven. Just because she makes living look so beautiful.

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Vee at A Haven for Vee. What can I say? A sweetie that always has a kind word. Those that know Vee know exactly what I mean.

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Elizabeth at Kittycafe. We have known eachother quite a while now and have been blogging for about the same time. A creative and homey blog with inventive ideas.

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Kim at Ragged Roses. Because Kim can show us beauty everywhere. In a simple tumbler, an edge of a lampshade or jug full of candy canes.

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Deborah at This Vintage Life. Eiderdowns, Carltonware and chickens. What more is there to love? Well there's a beautiful garden, a lovely shop...

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Cathy at PinkGreen. Just because everything looks fun there. And because I am insanely jealous of her 5 pound carpet. And all her wonderful Cath things. And well she's just a great read.

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I do have so much more to tell you but I have had an ill child for two days now and must get back to the Florence Nightingale thing.

Stay tuned and thanks again, Dawn.

Tidying Up

Before I forget, thank you all for the potting bench love. It really isn't much but it works for me beautifully. I am not a neat gardener and I used to make the most horrid mess planting on the patio table. Now I just hose off the dirt and that's that.

Here are some pictures of the livingroom. I tidied up a bit in there yesterday and thought it looked pretty. The sun was shining in a bit and it looked fairly decent so I thought you could have a peek. The other end you have seen before but this is the business end.
This is where I knit, crochet, read and listen to the radio. I have often thought about changing the colour in here but I can't help but still love the cosiness of the burgundy. The sun streams through around 4:00 and it is a very peaceful spot. This is the room where I hear the best stories from the girls. It is a place without the distractions of television and playstation. For some reason it opens up their thoughts and without much prodding I get to hear almost everything that goes on in their busy and exciting lives. What's that about living vicariously through others? Not I.


So this room is relatively tidy. I must continue on cleaning the rest of the house that is, quite frankly, coated in dog hair. Speaking of dogs, I came across this painting by Henry Barraud. Did you know back then they used to clip the pugs ears? Aren't they funny? But the picture is quite lovely don't you think?

Have a wonderful weekend. And thanks so much for taking the time to read my little blurbs.

xoxo

My Potting Bench, Possible Sewing Project and a Jaunt Through the Garden

I had to show you a picture of "The Fairy" rose. One of the hardest working roses. It will bloom here until November.

My little potting bench. It is a vintage enamel topped table with a little drawer. I got it at a garage sale for $10.00 and it was worth every penny.

I moved the plant in the middle so you can see the rock.

It is a very famous rock. My mother took a wee piece of this with her last time she was in England. Shhhh! You do remember me telling you it was for sale?

Oh, Elderberry, how you have grown! And your neighbour, John Cabot, so happy together.

A mix of white and blue lobelia in an old baby blue tub.

A few pots with lisianthus, geraniums, lavender...

And my sewing project. My mum and dad used to deal in wicker years ago and gave me this ugly picnic basket that I detested. Brown and beige sort of stripes through it. Horrid. Then, late one night, while trying to sleep, it occurred to me. Paint the thing. So I did. Now it has to be lined.

I'm thinking that's the hard part.

Ikea Slipcover

Sweet Julia and Kelly were curious to see how the slipcover worked out for my club chair. I kind of delayed it as I wanted to wash the cushion cover to see if it would shrink a wee bit in the wash. It did, but the over all cover is still a smidge big but I like the look of slipcovers that are, you know, loose and cosy looking.

I am quite pleased with the overall look so now the poor chair my mum gave me now seems to have a new life.

I don't think the Ikea picture does it any justice. It really is a sweet pattern with touches of blue morning glories that you really can't pick up on the camera (at least not my camera).

Oh, and all the flowers are from the garden. What I managed to pick in between the huge rains we've had over the last 2 weeks.

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Thanks for taking the time to drop by.

Cath Kidston Delights Tesco

Oh, dear Tesco, where are you when I need you the most?