I went with the National Trust Conservation Volunteers to Kellie Castle where we regularly go to work in the walled garden (with it's organic vegetable plots, maintaining many ancient species) or in the surrounding woodlands. However, this time we were building a poly tunnel greenhouse so that the gardener can grow wildflowers for us to plant a wildflower meadow next spring. There was also the prerequisite bonfire to get rid of some of the garden waste!
I also had a chance to wander round the walled garden which looks so different every time we visit - the seasons truly reflected. It was funny to see the onions hanging on the wall to dry and also to see sweetpeas still flowering at the end of October, with the flowers intermingling with autumn leaves.
Today, after running, cleaning windows, recycling, shopping and showering I started on the crafting! There are quite a number of works in progress at the moment and a couple of things that have been lying dormant for months that I am trying to finish.
First, the grey rectangle and the blue rectangle - there are plans for this lopi (it's icelandic wool that is unspun and therefore felts very easily. Generally knitting with 2 strands on size 8mm needles is good for felting) that was knitted in stocking stitch and then felted in the washing machine.
I love working with lopi... the gingerbread men are a long time coming - I felted the lopi months ago and cut out the shapes I just never got round to sewing them together. They are stuffed with gingerbread crumbs (i.e. the bits of felted lopi that were left once the shapes were cut out, that I cut into small pieces to make stuffing!) Some of you may remember the bits being posted way back in May! Procrastination must be my middle name!!
Then there is the log - have you seen this pattern over at Knitty. I loved it the minute I saw it. Many of you will realise that I like to knit unusual things - a farm, gingerbread men - and this just grabbed me as a must! The little "woodin" creatures that live in the log are so cute.
I am knitting it for a friend's baby (due in February) so that in years to come she can tell her child that it's first toy was a log!!!
11 comments:
Those gingerbread men are too cute. I also love your garden pics.
Love the garden photos! What fancy knitting. Did you hand stitch the gingerbread men? What are you planning to do with them once created??? Love the idea!
I love that garden! My sweetpeas are still blooming too, and it will soon be November!
Fun crafting! That log is so fun and your gingerbread men are very cute! Thanks for commenting on my tomtenisse, I'm curious to see that Marie Claire picture you talked about, M C Idées is the most inspiring craft mag of them all!
The gingerbread softies are too cute! Can't wait to see the log turn out, Di. By the way, you've won my bloggiversary giveaway. The apron is yours. Can you please send me your snail mail address to jade(dot)dizon(at)exemail(dot)com(dot)au. Cheerio!
love those beautiful sweet peas and the gingerbreadmen stuffed with "crumbs". so sweet!
So many beautiful things on this post! The garden is beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing those photos. And I adore those little Gingerbread men. Fabulous!
National Trust gardens are wonderful places to be, what a lovely way to spend an afternoon. Loving your gingerbread men and of course the fly agaric from your previous post. Such beautiful but deadly toadstools.
I started some felt gingerbread boys (and girls) this weekend too, but out of prefelted sweaters. I'll post them later this week or next. Thanks for the links.
I wish we had gardens like that here. I have a decent sized yard but very little sunshine because of the trees.
As others have said, I love these gingerbread men too! They probably smell delicious if you're putting crumbs in them! You're getting me excited for Christmas!
oh my that log pattern is amazing. I can't wait to see how it turns out. My little guy would love hiding the little creatures in the holes- maybe another christmas present to try to make? Your gingerbread folks are darn cute too.
Lucky you to be able to go to such a wonderful garden!
Post a Comment