More Inspiration from Nature

Lichen on the farm gate

I like to get inspiration from nature.  I'm not a clever enough artist or designer to have any great success, but there is a buzz when it comes close.

Decided to have a go at a small ruffle

The gate is richer in browns and blue greys than appears in the first photo, so I chose a colour rich yarn for my first shot. 

The instructions attached to my swatch

Deeper ruffle

Lichen seen on Hawthorn - now there's a challenge

Inspiration on the ground

Clitoeybe ?

On a recent walk I saw this band of toadstools.  They get their nutrients from the decaying leaf litter.  I've had a look at my Mushroom and Toadstool book and think this may be something called Clitoeybe Candicans.  Not one for the cooking pot, I'm afraid. Looks innocent, but it's not. 

I was more interested in the way it marched across the fallen leaves.  The contrast of it's pale disks against the leaf litter.  And then there are the colours in the leaf litter itself - all sorts.  And the contrast of the bright green bramble.  Lots to ponder.

There's something fascinating about these things

Spiders' Webs

My emblem

Photographed at the base of Sidbury Hill a few weeks ago.  It's much colder now and more difficult to find enough daylight to walk.  I'm resorting to walking in the dark where there are streetlights.  It's a bit restrictive and hopeless for photography.

Another view - I find these so captivating

Thoughts have turned to lighting the fire.  First we had to remove the Jackdaw's nest from the chimney.  There was a small forest up there and it was solidly blocked.  I think we wouldn't have minded so much if they had raised a family.  But they built it, then abandoned it.

Now that we have removed the blockage the chimney is drawing again at a terrific rate and the sitting room is very draughty once more.  A great gale whistles through the house and up the flue.  Such is cottage life.

Still Christmas Knitting

This is the inner pocket

I'm still managing to progress with a bit of Christmas knitting.  This week I've been focusing on an armchair tidy for Mum who, because she has very little mobility, tends to gather all her bits around her.  Lots of stuff goes down the side of the chair.  Regular excavation is required.

I'm now thinking of making one for Dad, but it would have to  be a darker colour.  This cream colour would not survive his mucky little mitts.


The outer pocket waiting to be sewn up - I do so love a bit of cable

This pattern was one I had cut out of a knitting magazine and was for some kind of super chunky.  One of the few things I don't have in my stash as I don't enjoy knitting with it.  I had some vintage chunky which I used double to get the right tension. 

The second photo is in bright sunshine and looks like a completely different colour than the first.  The first is a truer representation of the colour.  Interesting.
 I'm now getting obsessed with the different ways I could stashbust by doubling up yarns.  Hmmm

Food for thought.

Pig about town

Whilst I quite liked the pig, I felt he lacked something.  A collar and tie makes all the difference.  I think this is true of a lot of males.  You've never really seen 'em until you've seen 'em in a good suit.

Label attached to his foot