A present? For moi?

The Postman delivered a wonderful parcel yesterday.

At first I thought it was yet another Christmas present for Violet, but no, it was for yours truly.  

You see I'd won a prize over on Kathy's lovely blog.  Aren't I lucky?

Everything was wrapped up so prettily.

A Gisela Graham snowflake for our Christmas tree.

This delicate white bird, which clips nicely to a tree branch - though it only stayed on our tree for as long as it took me to take this photo, as Violet took a shine to it and has been playing with it ever since.

My first ever Yankee Candle - this one is called Sparkling Snow, I'm sure it'll smell divine.

I've had to squirrel the chocolately goodies away before they're claimed by other members of this household.

Kathy had also included a pretty little handmade lavender bag and a heartshaped notebook.

I can't thank Kathy enough - everything is just lovely.

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I finished my last Xmas scarf last night.

I'm in love with this Rowan Big Wool and this colour, which is called Wild Berry (shade: 00025).

I really wish I could afford to knit a jumper in this exact same wool for myself, but the cost would just be ridiculously high.  When you think it's £8.49 for each ball of wool and I'd need between 6 and 9 balls, depending on the pattern I'd use, that would work out at between  £50 and £76. A big snuggly blanket or throw would also look fabulous in this wool, but it scares me to think how many balls of wool I'd need to make anything of a decent size. I can only hope that it'll be offered in the sales in the new year.

I'm keeping my fingers very firmly crossed that the roads will stay clear enough for us to travel up to Derbyshire tomorrow, as we're planning on paying a visit to Chatsworth House to look at their Christmas decorations.  I really can't wait, I'm soooooooo excited.

Wishing you all a very lovely weekend.

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I'm churning presents out like Santa's workshop.

Good morning all.

It's a beautiful morning here today.  Everywhere is covered in frost and the sky is a brilliant blue.  

I've been visiting a few of you this morning, and it sounds like the snow is still causing quite a few problems for you still.  Fingers crossed that things start to improve soon.

So, what have I got to show you today?

Another Xmas present finished, ready to be nicely wrapped  and put under the Christmas Tree.

I started this pattern exactly the same as my last one, with the star shape in the middle.  However, this time, rather than draw a design out on graph paper first, I thought I'd just let it evolve.
This is the result. 
It reminds me of those thick jumpers people wear when they go skiing, and it looks quite Scandinavian in design. I'm beginning to think that I may have some Scandinavian blood in my background.  

It measures about 11cm across and this time around I've attached some Swarovski beads to each corner, which look very pretty.  I'm now thinking of creating a design just using beads - perhaps it will be too much, but you don't know until you try it do you?  I've done bead-work in the past, but I'm not sure whether my eyesight will cope with it these days.

Here are the details if your interested:

Material: 100% Belgium Linen (32 count)

Thread: DMC (shade 3809)

Beads: Swarovski

Red Ribbon

Lavender - purchased from Daisy Gifts.co.uk

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I also started, and finished, another leaf pattern scarf last night.

This one is destined for one of Violet's little chums.

(Sorry the photo isn't very good - it's difficult trying to take a photo of yourself).

This scarf is also knit in Rowan Big Wool.  The colour is called Glamour (Shade 00036).  I hope the 3 year old likes it as much as I do.  It's a fabulous colour.

Both of the Leaf Pattern Scarves I've knit over the past couple of evenings have only required one ball of wool each.  So, if any of you out there need last minute Xmas presents, then I can highly recommend knitting a scarf using this simple, but effective, pattern. 

Wishing you all a lovely day.

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