Monday 17 October 2011

Monday blues...


I've been feeling a bit down today. Karl has had to go away for work this week so am home alone. I do usually spend a lot of time by myself and normally I'm pretty good with my own company but somehow it's different when you know that there is no one coming home at the end of the day!

Anyway, I wanted to get out and get a bit of fresh air this morning so got bundled up in my winter coat and gloves (it's got really cold!) and took a little walk to town with my weekend orders, passing Bruton's one little charity shop on the High street as I went. I had a little glance in the window as I always do and what did I see looking back at me... a lovely retro looking enamel bread bin... oooh I thought, that's nice! Not that I need another bread bin, I have a perfectly lovely one already... I couldn't see the price tag through the window but I knew it would probably be expensive. So off to the post office I went, but on my way back, I just couldn't resist popping in to check the price. I told myself that if it was anymore than £10, it wasn't meant to be. It was £12.00. I picked it up, walked about with it a bit, put it down again, picked it back up...


I think it was the mood I was in but I found myself reasoning with myself as to why I deserved a little treat in the shape of an enamel vintage looking bread bin! I knew that it was one of those things that if I walked away it would be gone tomorrow. The little tag on it said it had only been put out today and since it was only just gone 10, then it can't have been there very long. Also, there is a very nice antique/junk/vintage shop right opposite and I know the ladies who run that would have snapped it up in an instant if they had seen it first. I didn't want to regret it if I had gone home without it, so home with me it came :)
 

Now that I have it home, I'm not entirely sure if I will use it for bread or not! As I said already, I have a perfectly good bread bin, which also matches some of my other kitchen tins so I don't want to replace that one. And our work surface isn't really big enough to have it on display. It was 100% an impulse purchase, (most unlike me, I am normally super careful with money!)... BUT I am sure it will come in handy, and in the meantime, it is looking nice on top of the fridge! It is a really good size and a really good heavy weight too. Actually, it also has this on the bottom...


So I assume it can be used for cooking bread too?? Does anybody know anything about making bread in something like this? My breadmaker and I aren't really the best of friends, and I can usually never be bothered to make it by hand so I don't tend to bake bread much anymore. But I do love bread, so it might be worth an experimental go if anyone has any advice or knowledge on the subject? :)


Anyway, enough on the bread bin for now! As I knew Karl was going to be away this week, I told myself that I really shouldn't spend the weekend working away upstairs in my studio but instead, should spend it lazily on the sofa working on my new blanket! This was a good plan in theory, and we did have a really nice weekend, but I did also feel horribly guilty at times for spending so long on it. I'm not very good at taking time off from thinking about my work and commissions (though I am getting better). As my 'work' is essentially my hobby too, if I don't have another project to concentrate on, I do tend to be thinking about it and working on things all the time. Because I work from home, 'work' life and 'home' life aren't really separated for me as they are for a lot of people with normal 9-5 jobs. It does have a lot of bonuses too, but I am trying to keep them a little more separate at the moment and have proper time off in the evenings and weekends, to relax and work on projects just for me....

Anyway so back to the blanket, it is growing so fast I can hardly believe it!! So many stripes... but I can't tell you how much I am enjoying this one. I originally was going to make it the same size as my other one (approx 100cm x 150cm), but now I think it is going to be slightly larger, one for snuggling in bed! It isn't quite big enough to go over the whole bed, as since I planned for it to be smaller, my initial chain wasn't really long enough - but this is probably OK... I am the only one who really gets cold in bed, so it will be fine for just covering my side!



 Isn't it pretty?


Ahhhhhh.... it does make me happy to see it all lovely and colourful laid out like that. Every time I catch a glimpse of it, it makes me smile! I like the fact that it's bright but not garish, just nice and rich and warm and cosy. Though it kind of reminds me of the seaside for some reason - think I am thinking of sticks of rock! I am quite relieved actually that I've decided to make it bigger than originally planned, as I really don't want to finish it! As I've worked on it pretty much solidly for two whole weekends now, it has really grown, and I need to eek it out a bit more I think! I think from looking at it, I must be a third of the way there though on the stripe front. I must order some more yarn soon!



On a different note, earlier in the week, before my blanket become all consuming, my new Christmas fabrics eventually arrived, so I did a little more festive mirror making!

I also completed a new magazine commission and did some Thanksgiving  invitation Pingg designs too (see I do actually do some work, I don't just crochet all the time, though it may seem like that if you read my blog!)


I found these Thanksgiving designs quite challenging actually. Maybe it's because we don't celebrate it over here, and also the Autumnal colourway is really not my cup of tea. I just found it hard to come up with ideas, and equally hard to execute them, but in the end I am happy with the few designs I did manage to do! 

Anyway, so that was pretty much my week! Oh, I also reached 1000 likers on my facebook page over the weekend... a good reason for a giveaway I think!! Actually I've been promising a giveaway since I reached 300 blog followers a while ago too, so hopefully I will get myself organised this week and there will be a giveaway post coming shortly!

Thanks for popping into my little bit of blog space as always, I love reading all your comments, they really do cheer me up if I am feeling a little low! Back soon xxx

20 comments:

fee @ chipper nelly said...

TOTALLY know how you feel! Cleggy was away all last week and I was mightly blue - made me eat bars of green and blacks! (when I say 'made'....)
As you know, I too work from home and share the work/hobby issue. I could pretty much spend all day (and much of the night) 'working' and have to be really strict about switching off. Unfortunatly Cleggy is the same so we often sit for an evening with our laptops on our knees - then go to bed realising we have barely spoken a word! Bad. Doesn't help that we both enjoy our work (I know how lucky that is!)
Anyway - glad the literal retail therapy helped (you were right to buy) - it's lucky I don't pass any shops on the daily trip to the post office!
Stay chipper my friend...
fee x

Unknown said...

I am with you Jenny, I really struggle to separate work from rest!

The blanket is gorgeous, well done you for creating such an amazing heirloom!

Helen Philipps said...

Your blanket is looking gorgeous and coming along sooo quickly! I like your new bread bin...not sure what it means about using it on a hob though! I loved your new project in this month's CB. Hope you soon lose the Monday blues and have a happy relaxing crafty week, Jenny.
Helen x

Deborah said...

Love love love the bread bin!! could you use it for huge bunches of flowers? :) not sure about cooking with it though. Love your blanket also the colours are so cheerful. Hope you're not too lonely this week, I know how you feel when hubby goes away with work I feel the same.

Bee happy x
Have a delicious day!

Anonymous said...

That blanket is just amazing - look how much it brightens everything up!
Ahhh we love colour - and that has plenty of it :)

Snuggle up with copious amounts of tea and he will be back before you know it! Get as much done now so you can enjoy time with him when he gets home...both snuggling up instead xx

Andrea said...

Hi Jenny,
Oh don't have the monday blues too long! do know how you feel though, my Carl works nights and I look forward to every Fri when I se him!!
I loved your project in this months CB and I adore your new balnket as well.
The new fabric mirrors are just lovely,
Have a snuggly week with your blanket, the weekend will soon be here,
Love Andrea x

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Your blanket is gorgeous Jenny, it's bound to help with the Monday blues!!
Love the new festive fabrics too, especially the Christmas trees. :)
Congratulations on your 1000 likers on Facebook, that is excellent!
Oh and don't worry he'll be back with you soon!!
Vivienne x

somewhere on the avenue said...

Loving all of your work :) I think you have bought a stock pot and someone has put the word "bread" on it, clever idea and it works xxxx

Biba said...

Hope you're feeling better already! I really love your blanket!

Anonymous said...

You were right to buy the bread bin - you would only have tortured yourself! How about keeping your money in it!

Caroline Lovis (Redneedle) said...

The bread bin is lovely enough to just sit on a shelf and be stared at, don't blame you for buying it! Now the crochet blanket is superb you must be thrilled, I love the way you have blended the colours. Think I need to do one of these next.

Unknown said...

What a stunning blanket!! You must have been crocheting for years I am guessing. I am "trying" to learn.

Love your bread bin too - I imagine you could make a vast quantities of stew in there...possibly even a very large loaf in the oven. Which doesn't explain the hob bit!

My dh is away for 3 days and I remember that feeling very well.. now I have an 8 and 7 year old so there isn't often a chance to feel lonely in the evenings. Reading the first comment from Fee, it could be me talking, so "ditto!"

x Gabs

Unknown said...

Love your Christmas fabrics!

I'm seriously considering giving crochet a go. I blame Attic24 and you for both your beautiful blankets. Maybe I'll start in January to keep my lap warm in the winter.

my4lilgirls said...

Great find, looks so good in your kitchen. I love your blanket the colors are a dream & your thanksgiving cards are amazing. Am a new follower :D
Karen

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

Hello jenny!
Where do I start?...everything is lovely!....Your enamel bread bin is a lovely find..I store all kinds of things in mine (except for bread strangely!)...Not sure why it would be used on a hob...(maybe you could cook a stew in it!!)
I love your crochet blanket...such beautiful bright colours...and your Xmas handmades with the lovely festive fabrics...
Congratulations too on your 1000 likes on Facebook!
Susan x

debbie @ happy little cottage said...

Hi Jenny!
Sorry about the Monday blues, but we all get them from time to time! The bread bid certainly would have cheered me up too!! Love it! And your blanket is going to be awesome! Love Love Love the colorful stripes!!

P.S. Thanks for the birthday wishes :)

Poppy said...

You have put me to shame with that beautiful blanket of yours! I really must get on and finish my scarf.
I'm loving the christmas fabrics, not long now! :-)))

I had the Monday blues! If only I could get my hands on that lovely bread bin.

Lou xxx

Emma Thomsen said...

I love your blanket and your badges are fab, they all make me feel very jolly! It is tough when they're away on business, I'm always promise myself early nights but end up staying up even later 'working' in one form or another, whether it's posting, blogging, sewing or pinning! Hope you're week alone passes quickly! X

Maria - A Playful Stitch said...

Hope you're feeling ok! I know how you feel as I was really down last week - just felt really lonely and miserable. Most of the time I'm fine with my own company, but sometimes being on your own just gets to you! I've been single 5 months now - and I definitely need a new boyfriend I think - just having difficulty locating any decent single men - they've all been snapped up!!! :o)

I love the Christmas fabrics you've used - so modern and funky!! I always find that the fabric shops near me just sell old fashioned rubbish Christmas fabric. Your ones are perfect!

And your stripy blanket is beautiful!!! So bright and cheerful, I am in love! I am amazed and how quickly it's progressing too!

Maria x

Anonymous said...

Loving you work jenny. Hope you feel abit more cheerful x

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