Something Is Lost...

Do you ever wonder why or how you blog? I mean, how you find the time to fit it in to your busy day? I look around at all you incredible bloggers out there, and the tiny snippets of your lives that we glimpse in between the lines of loveliness you post, the little 'fragments of your days', and I wonder, how do we do it! 
And to be honest I don't know.

The week in pictures,

A poorly boy. Again.

I have lately found myself struggling to capture the everyday magic that once came so easily to me. My camera more often than not lies forgotten as I run out the door, or dash about after small people with big bellies and hollow legs that need to be filled, and then, at night I find myself lying, eyes wide on the ceiling above as I try and recall some little fragment of magic that I know was there today. If only I could find it.
And even the pictures I do take seem to me to somehow highlight what I don't know about taking pictures.  And to lack more than anything. They certainly don't inspire and excite me they way they used to.

Before the cold set in.

Maybe it's the time of year, you say. But no, it's been a long time coming. I went from blogging every day (imagine!) to three or four times a week, to now barely once a week. This is not good.
It's not that I have nothing to say, but more the beauty spins by so fast I don't have time to even try and grasp or capture it. The dizzy carousel of life I am on is just that bit too fast, it has run away from me
and I lost some things along the way.

Busy little hands at work.

And so for the last week and a half, while we had nowhere to go and time on our hands, we sewed and made for Christmas, and baked cakes and built dens, and we did our best to keep warm in an old house with no central heating, and invariably one by one we succumbed to coughs and colds.

Our time away from the world was lengthened.

What I found one morning.

I listened to music that made the snow fall, I watched films that gently pulled the blankets higher and tighter around us, 

and the snow fell. The snow fell. And the snow fell. 

Like an endless slumber we went under, we slipped away from the world...

Hipstamatic shots.

I have thought and thought about it, and no, I am not ready to give up Milkmoon. I don't think so. But I do wonder if, or how I can make all these pieces of mine fit...

The Quiet Gathering Amidst The Storm.

It has been a quiet week here, with coughs and colds and all sorts. I'm hoping we are coming to the end of it now and things can get back to normal. There was a few promises broken due to my own need to come straight home every day, so hopefully we can do some catching up over the weekend and next week. We had plans to celebrate the returning light which we look forward to sharing with you here when we pull ourselves out of the couch and onto our feet again.

So tonight we went ahead with our weekly meeting for knitting and stitchery of all kinds. I was very glad as it was lovely to see everyone and catch up. And they braved weather foul and wild to get here, for which I am very grateful!

After my disappointment that not one of the children made a Brigid's Cross in school this year, I intended making one myself with them. But then this cold got the better of me and it never happened. So I was delighted when the lovely Siofra arrived with an armful of reeds she collected locally and proceeded to make the fastest crosses I've ever witnessed!

And as she left one with us, I can now consign last years to the fire. 

And yes, though the wind and rain did beat and wail, there was the lovely quiet in the room of needles clicking, of voices murmuring and gentle laughter. There was stories told, and tips and know-how shared generously. And I was very glad to take up my needlework again, and hope to have the finished piece to show you this weekend, all going well.

And so now, I'll take myself off to my bed, to listen to the wind and rain and be thankful. For friends, and fingers and a cosy bed!

Sloth and Torpor Abounds.

Rain, rain, rain...

The country has been awash. Literally. And being so close to the sea is often cause for worry as the winter months close in. We have had the sea in around the house on three occasions in the past, but so far this year we have been okay.

But the rain... oh...

So, naturally we are indoors most of the time, and while this provides plenty of opportunity to be creative, it doesn't help with the likes of mundane things like laundry! Six people in a household engenders a significant amount, believe me, and so drying has been on my mind all week.

But the creative juices still flowed, and we were even surprised by a little peek of sunshine on occasion.

And as my 'just because' roses began to fade, (I think I love roses best as they begin to fade...) and everyone settled in to that winter feeling of pottering and musing about what to do with ourselves as the dark days creep upon us, there was a definite edge of sloth and torpor to us all. A kind of hibernating sloth and torpor. Like we need to slow down to just pottering and musing and eating for the next few months.

What a nice thought!

And I've no doubt our fingers will be kept busy, and the stacks of books will be read, and all those Christmas plans will come to fruition.

But I'll need to keep myself on my toes, because I have a feeling Christmas is closer than I think...!

Something Lovely.

Well, today was a blast of summer if ever there was one. Almost felt like a trip to the beach but yes, those early mornings are killing me. And I also have an extra toddler to mind these days, which makes my days lots of fun, but oh so tiring. Two two year olds...

Anyway, as the evenings draw in, from next week I'll be gathering together again with a bunch of friends for an evening of stitchery around the fire. It's always fun to see what projects people are planning.

So with that in mind I thought I'd share this wonderful idea I found months back, though how I found it I can't remember.

It's a French site called Golden Hook that offers a service for people who wish they could knit but know they never will. You go onto their site, choose a hat design you like, choose the yarn you like, and then you choose the Grandma you'd like to knit it!

How brilliant is that!

~*~

I had an extra spring in my step today, all because of the wonder of human loveliness.

If you want to know why, take a peek at the footnote on my most recent post over on ~Carnival~!

~*~

Something Lovely.

Here's something that caught my eye in a catalogue my Mum and Dad brought back from Kilkenny last weekend. It's an exhibition of contemporary Norwegian arts and crafts taking place at the moment in the National Craft Gallery in Kilkenny. 

It seems to be a really interesting collection of artists, but this one in particular appealed to me. Her name is Anne Lene Lovhaug and I do especially love her 'Trophies' collection, which these images are from. Aren't they sweet?

A Bird in the Hand is Worth Two in the Bush.

Passengers.

Sweet Little Sister.

You can check out more of her work here. I'd love to see it myself, and you never know. But if you are in the Kilkenny area do check out the show, which runs until the 26th of April. 

Something Lovely.

First of all, thank you all for your kind and sweet words on yesterdays post. We have Jay home for the weekend and then he's off again on Monday for the week. We survive. We always do. It's where the phrase 'your other half' makes sense to me!

***

So I reckon it's time for something cheerful.

I love knitting but I don't do very much as it's too slow (or I should say I'm too slow) and I get impatient. But lately I've been inspired by all this 'Guerilla Knitting' that's going on around the planet. Small things that make a statement? Sounds right up my street. And the whole 'graffiti' element appeals to the latent anarchist in me. I would have loved this as a teenager, when I rediscovered knitting and knit giant black mohair jumpers on the biggest needles I could find. And then wore them to death.



Has anyone seen any? Or done it? I can't find much evidence of any in Dublin, but I bet someone is doing it. These images are from flickr. The fact that meet-up's of all sort of crafty-ness are happening all around the place convinces me. For example The Loft Market in Powerscourt had a Sew and Tell meeting last Thursday where people shared their know-how. And I know there are various knitting cafes going on around Dublin, and I'm sure other parts of the country. My own group is still in the fledgling stage, but I can see potential, and hopefully we can help spread the crafting love!



It's great to read online and increasingly in the media about the growing world-wide knitting and stitching that is going on. I love seeing it become the norm. Every second person I know does something, even in a small way. And I celebrate the online/blogging world that brings all these people together! Isn't it brilliant.

Have you any stories, groups, meetings to share? I'd love to hear.

And finally, there's even a documentary film about it. Check out the trailer for Hand Made Nation here. Has anyone seen it?

I'm off in to Dublin today, camera in hand. You never know what I might see.

Moomin-Stitches.

Well, I received a lovely email from Rima, so it arrived safe and sound before they took to the road.
So, here it is. My first attempt at Redwork. Not traditional I know. Red thread on a piece of softest wool blanket. I took my inspiration from Tove Jansson's Moomintroll. Somehow these little creatures just scuttled into my head and would not hear of leaving. Persistent I think was the word I used.

(Apologies for the dodgey quality of the photos. Cliona? Jeannie? We need to talk!)



I can safely say, I am a convert. At any given moment of non-activity I am rummaging in my enormous and bottomless bag for my little tin and away I go, needle creeping in and out, slowly making a new little world,



Last night Jay stopped and looked at me curled up on the red couch, stitching away on the next piece under the light of the lamp, a big blanket over my legs.
He said: I love the way you are sewing what is covering you!
Yes, there, at the end of the blanket, a big gaping square has been cut out!



And then I remembered. The five of us fighting over who got to sit on the couch with Mum, snuggled under whatever quilt she was working on. And the groan's and mutterings when we had to move it as she stitched her way around it...

Something Lovely.

I'd like to share with you my latest favourite obsession. Something I'm amazed I haven't discovered before now. Ok, I've seen it but it didn't enter my conscious brain, if you know what I mean. And now, I have dragged myself away from my couch and the complete addiction that is Redwork. I'm sure a good number of you are familiar with it, but I will be forever grateful to my friend Joan who casually mentioned it to me the last week whilst looking at something I am working on. It was like someone handing me a very large light and saying 'Here! Look where you're going!'
Magic. That's all I can say. When I googled it later I nearly fell off my chair with excitement. You know that feeling? This is what I was looking for and didn't know it!
The best description of it is that it is a form of embroidery that uses only red thread. For a potted history of it, look here.
There is some incredible stuff to be found on the internet, and on Flickr, and I particularly love the vintage pieces. Just look at these.






Isn't this last one adorable?

I do find a lot of the contemporary work is very traditional, and I'd love to see people who are being a bit more adventurous with it. I have so far completed one little piece which I will show in a day or two when the person I've made it for receives it, and then I will have to warn my family to all stop checking in to Milkmoon until Christmas day...!

Edit: I pulled theses images from the internet, or Flickr maybe, and I can't remember where exactly. I'll keep looking to see where so I can properly credit them.

Away We Go.

It's sad to say, but the weather has been quite autumnal here the last couple of days. Across the country there's been crazy rain and flooding. The school holidays are nearly over and it feels as though we've hardly had a summer. I could count on one hand the number of sunny-days-at-the-beach we've had.

But we're hopeful. May and September are generally the best months of the year. There is often a frenzy of beach days in September when they are already back at school and there weather turns golden and we just can't let them pass us by.



But in the meantime, the knitting has started again. And socks are going on in the evening, and I find myself eyeing the fireplace. But not just yet. No. I'm holding out for an 'Indian summer'. (Why is it called that exactly?) And most importantly, we're heading west for a few days. In Sligo, we'll be meeting our newest family addition, Thomas, for the first time and, oh, the excitement! And then we'll be heading down to Galway to see some more cousins, and we just know fun will be had. And we'll have Jay with us, and there'll be no distractions of work.

So, I'll be back blogging on Monday, or maybe Tuesday, and until then I hope you all have a wonderful end-of-week, and weekend!

Abundance Abundance Abundance!

Well, what an amazingly wonderful few days I have had. Jimmy-the-postman must be rolling his eyes at this stage at the thought of having to make his way down our lane with yet another parcel. (I secretly believe that he holds onto our post until there is enough between the few houses here to make the trip!)

First to arrive a few days back was this beautiful print by Rima over in The Hermitage. I am surprised that I chose this one and not one of her illustrations when buying my first one of her prints, but I found it very difficult to choose! I'll just have to go back for more.



I didn't realise it was a quote from Roald Dahl, who is a great favourite in our house. You can click on the image to see it better.

Then, what should arrive in our little wooden box on the doorstep but these gorgeous measuring ducks, all the way from Buenos Aires. Yes Marta, we will always think of you and Sam when we make our muffins! Thank you!



And then, I get a lovely message from Sarah over at Little Paper Bird that I had won a prize! Wooo! And what should arrive promptly in the post but one of her beautiful handmade notebooks. And I can tell you it really is simply beautiful.



Doesn't that all add up to a very satisfying week of abundance?

Yes, I thought so. But the icing on the cake? It gets even better! Late last night I got news that I have finally, at last, become an Aunty for the first time! Yippee! If you could see the smile on my face!



Baby Thomas was born late last night to my brother Andrew and his wife Fiona.

WELCOME TO THIS WONDERFUL WORLD THOMAS!

And congratulations to you both! The fun starts here!

Something Lovely.

Well, although the sun peeked out briefly this afternoon, the rain has returned with determination. I love the rain. I love perfect clear-blue days of sunshine too. But I love the fact that the weather in Ireland can jump seasons overnight. I appreciate both. And it often feels as though we have more summers and more autumns because of this. I've learned to not complain about the weather. I've learned to love it. Just so long as there is variety!

So, the rain nudging it's way into our summer days has brought on itchy fingers that I usually associate with autumn. I find the summer months are slow in terms of making, simply because we are out and about so much. So the autumn brings a burst of creativity. But the last couple of days have found us all picking up some little bits and pieces that were laid aside for cooler weather. Middle Son was inspired by these baby stitches that The Eldest did when he was not much older. So we have embarked on a little project together which I hope to show you soon.



So, as I sit listening to the rain pour down, even though it's warm enough to need the window open, I do find myself drawn to cosy things. And I wanted to share these wonderful cushions I found today over at Nonchalant Mom.




Aren't they great? I can just picture where they would sit perfectly in our house.

Do take a look at their website for more beautiful things, as well as parenting tips.

Back To Work.

After a very extended period of being supremely unproductive, since Christmas really, we are all ready to start on some new projects, and finish some old ones.



They both just needed some little reminders.



Combined with a cosy fire, it's one of the best things about this time of year.

Who Is Small Family?

Aha. It has been brought to my attention that I did not explain properly the Small Family. They are the first in a series I am making. Basically, it's me, Jay and the kids. We are joind together with poppers, and we will be sent off around the world to all our loved ones who we don't get to see often. I came up with the idea when our dear friends Marta and Sam were heading off to Argentina and I was trying to think of something to give them to take with them. In the end they weren't finished on time and are due to be posted.



So, the names on them are my interpretation of the essence of each person in our little family. First from the left is Jay a.k.a. 'Steadfast.' The name is fairly self explanatory though there is more to follow on that.
Next is me a.k.a. 'Lookaftering.' Again I don't think I need to explain it! I'm holding Billy, who is 'Sweet Pea". Really he's still figuring out who he is but that name just about sums him up.
Then it's Ru, who is 'Northern Summer'. This is from a line in a Vashti Bunyan song: 'Once I had a child, took his while like northern summer...' This sums him up perfectly, from the day he was born. Really.
Then it's Finn who's known as 'Little Bird'. Need I say more? From the time she was tiny you could always know where she was because you would hear her singing. Thanks to Jay's Mum, a.k.a. Nana Anne.
Then we have Edmund,'Sol'. He is Sunshine. He is.

Christmas Hat.

A little Christmas hat for Billy. I love this pattern. The last one I made for baby Joe is the same pattern, just extended into a point for a tassle.

Tea and Cake.

There's something about slouching around in pj's and slippers on a stormy day that make you think about comfort food. I feel some buns coming on. Been thinking about them all weekend. Yes a baking afternoon is what's needed.



I just love this delicious tea cosy, a present from intrepid knitter Joan. What more does a girl need for a cosy teatime in the afternoon?

Busy Hands.

That time of year again when the boxes of christmas craft stuff get rooted out and the planning and ideas get put into practice. Over the years the Knitting and Stitching show has been an invaluable source of goodies, and we have a great collection of cool crafty things. The first thing to do is the christmas cards. I love the quiet of concentration, the light banter. This kind of project puts everyone in a good mood.

Little Knits.

This little blue hat is nearly fourty years old. My Nana knit it for my brother, and all my boys have worn it. I have finally accepted he has outgrown it and I've been looking for a pattern to knit another. You would think it would be easy enough but no. I've lots of lovely pretty girly ones that have a lace effect but it's the helmet shape that makes it a boys hat. I'll keep looking.



Here's a hat I knit for our baby cousin, Joe, modeled by Billy. Sorry about the awful quality of the picture. It was taken on my phone. I'll replace it with a better one asap.



It's knit with Debbie Bliss cashmerino wool and is lovely and soft and not scratchy at all. I got it in my favourite wool shop
This is Knit.

Working Together.

This is what I love about winter evenings. If I can resist the temptation during the week of letting them turn on the tv before dinner, then I have all these little helping hands. Cooking dinner is great fun when it's not just me all alone in the kitchen. When I suggest it, you would think I offered The Little One a lollipop!

I love His sense of colour. With The Eldest it's all about precision of line.



Don't worry, the knife is pretty blunt!



And My Girl is like me. Something to pick up and feel and form. It's so nice to snuggle up quietly on the couch and work away side by side.