Rowan Tree Cottage

The hot weather led to the water levels dropping in the tub pond we inherited in the garden. It was clear that there was hardly any room for water where it was choked with roots. This is what the 1m diameter root ball looked like. I chopped a few bits worth saving from it, and tried to wrestle it into the wheelie bin. That is where things started to go wrong. I'm not in my 20s anymore so struggled. not only did I end up looking and smelling like a swamp beast from the dripping stagnant mud, but I sprained my wrist. So feeble! I've spent the last few days trying to do things just with my right hand, and going crazy in the 30+c heatwave. Christmas Tree crochet lap quilt got a border in sock yarn. I felt it needed a zig zag finish in red so I used stash acrylic for that. All the other yarns have some wool in, so it is very cosy. I can now officially say that I have used up my sock yarn! Challenge won! I was now bored so I crocheted an uninspiring 100% wo...

 I challenged myself to use all my sock yarn. I managed these pairs  this week. There wasn’t enough yarn left for another whole pair so I started making some Leonie Morgan hexagons from all my sock scraps Slowly they are making a blanket.  There are also some charity makes such as more lined bags, a couple of dried rose peal sachets, and 9 cup mats. My pond has some 30th Anniversary plants now. We bought 4 salvias and a lavender. The others I already had.

It's been an all sorts week for making. Another pair of knee high/ ankle slouch socks. I'm making a multicoloured pair at the moment slightly shorter. I'm about to do the heel on the second sock, so you should hopefully see them next Wednesday. This is about the only evening knitting I can do when it is so hot.  I used Debbie Mumm's appliques to make 3 more cushions for charity.  Hopefully my friend can sell them to help Cyprus dogs. It has been surreal making things for Christmas in a heatwave. Is this how Australians feel every year? Christmas lavender bags, again for charity. At least these pastel cushion covers for charity felt a bit more seasonal. I used donated fabric for the backs of all 5 cushions. That felt good. This also felt good. This pump has been waiting since my 21st birthday to be used. We've moved house with it 3x but until now didn't have the right sort of garden. I am amazed that in spite of the battered box everyth...

I've mainly been making for charity this week. I wanted to stash bust my lingering Christmas fabrics and had some Christmas dog labels, so these stockings were born. Nice size for dog treats. Tissue holders 8 westies, 8 scotties and 8 labradors.  14 Christmas themed tissue holders. This dog panel has been loitering for a long time. I was glad to turn it into a dog themed cushion cover.  I was given some fabric for charity making, so I used this vintage piece to make a pillow for the cushion cover.  Da dar! This bag was made entirely from donated fabric. I think my mother had the blue colourway of this fabric as a bedding in the 1970s! A large piece of fabric made a couple of Summery aprons last night. In the garden the grass is turning brown in the heatwave. The hounds are enjoying it however.