Big Freeze

We continue to shiver here at the Fairyglade due to the fact that our heating is not what it should be and we can only actually heat one room at present. It is mighty uncomfortable to say the least and we have taken to wearing thick jumpers and woolly bedsocks 24/7.

I have rung family and friends to make sure all is well and that they are warm and have enough food to be going on with. It is a mixed blessing really. One the one hand I love the stuff, I could sit and watch it fall from the sky all day. On the other hand, we are cold, particularly at night and the drive to work is fraught with danger, especially on the side roads.

I'm beginning to feel how he looks!!

(Elmer our resident gargoyle)


The lane is like a skating rink. Ice hidden under fresh snow makes for a treacherous combination and not one to be underestimated. Absolutely lethal. I am amazed at the amount of vehicles that have tried to drive up the hill outside our cottage.

The littlest fairy and friend had a lovely time playing in it all though. The picture doesn't really show the steepness of the hill..but take it from me...its STEEP.

This is one of our many log piles scattered here and there in the garden. Luckily we also have a log shed that keeps some in the dry too. It is hard work for man person keeping us warm.

It has been nice though, just staying inside, in the warm and reading and crocheting and catching up on films and such. Do you want to see a finished project, one that has been worth it's weight in gold under the present circumstances...well I am going to show you whether you like it or not.

Remember this???




Well it is now finished and looks like this..

It is as warm and snug as only a pure wool blanket can be and much fought over by the littlest one and myself. I have loved every minute of making this blanket in all it's hooky glory. What do you all think? Do you like it?

I couldn't end without showing you my xmas goodies. I may have mentioned the CK bag that I have coveted for ages and ages and ages, well here it is courtesy of my wonderful Mum who gave me a wad of cash for Christmas...ta very much ma! Little fairy and a friend bought me the lotions and potions which smell divinely of summer roses.

On that note, I will say goodnight as it is nearly my bedtime. Fingers crossed for a snowless night, though there is more forecast.

Take care all of you and keep warm and cosy.

Dev x

EDIT: Has anyone managed to get hold of a copy of the new crochet magazine that has been advertised on tv recently. I think it's called The Art of Crochet? I have looked everywhere and can't find it?

EDIT again: I have since been told by a collegue who made some enquiries that the first edition has now sold out around these parts, how can that be? So if there is anyone out there who is able to locate a copy for me and would be prepared to buy it and post it to me I would be ever so grateful. I can send you a cheque or pay through paypal if it is easier. Pretty, pretty please.

Yo Ho Ho !

Hi there, just a quick post to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and hope that you all have a wonderful and peaceful time.

A few days ago our world looked like this........... Tonight it is absolutely pouring down.

So are you all ready for the day ahead? As I said last year at this time, if I have forgotten something or somebody, then it is too late now. Everything is wrapped, cards sent, turkey defrosted, wood piled high and a sherry or three has been consumed in front of the fire, along with a chocolate or two.

All that remains is to wish you all a fantastic time, enjoy yourselves and remember...this time tomorrow, it will all be over!!

Dev X

Writers Block

I am struggling to find anything interesting to say at the moment, I suppose it is my turn for writer's block! It has been a rather mundane sort of week, you know the sort I mean, where you just drift along living your life with nothing in particular happening. Perhaps that's not such a bad thing, just plodding along, minding your own business and getting on with things without worrying or having to think too hard about things.

I have been crafting a bit here and there and have been asked to sell some of my things at another coffee morning at the beginning of November. Not really sure what to do, the last one knocked my confidence a bit. I have that age old problem of setting prices that reflect the work that I have put into something against what people are prepared to pay for it. The two never seem achievable to me. I am usually out of pocket or I take it all home with me! Decisions, decisions!

So what have I been up to I hear you ask? Well I bought this pretty panel last year but unfortunately didn't have time to do anything with it. I draped it over the sofa anyway.

This year I decided to dig it out and, get stuck in, and hopefully get it done for this Christmas instead.

I love it, and the snowmen are just so cute! I am using a variety of coloured threads for the outlining and then sequins, buttons and beads for embellishing certain elements like their hats, scarves, shoes etc. A really "jolly" project.

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without angels and so I have begun making my pretties out of old linens and lace. I have made so many of these as presents over the years, all hand sewn too, no machines here. Each one is totally unique.

And finally, I couldn't possibly leave this post without a picture of gorgeous, rippley, woolly goodness.............my mystery project, which I am guessing, that you are guessing, what it is going to be when it is finished.

There are no words to describe how much I am loving this piece, the look, the feel, the warmth. I just can't stop looking at it. The design is just so addictive and lends itself so well to whatever colour scheme you choose.

On that note, I will away and maybe do a couple of rows before bedtime. Hope this post hasn't bored you all to sleep!

Dev x

Frosty Winds Made Moan

It has been freezing here for the past few days, so much so that it has made going out very hard indeed. However, it had to be done and today was as good as any. The early morning horizon was shrouded in dense white foggy clouds, the sky tinged with pearly pink. The ground hard and unyealding, but glittering in the first rays of sun to peep over the hill, each droplet of moisture a fiery crystal, blazing with a rainbow of colours. Breathtaking, and sadly beyond my capabilities to photograph. Maybe that's what makes it truly magical, because you can only see it through your own eyes.

The landscape is sleeping...dormant...faded.

But if you look closely, there are plants clinging to life and plants bursting into new life. The wheel turns....eternal..life giving.

I didn't venture far or stay out long, but it was good to behold the joys of nature and feel a luke warm sun on my back.
Dev X

Sing Hosanna!!

I was recently asked to name my favourite Christmas Carol and I chose Silent Night. It is such a beautiful piece and sums up what Christmas is all about for me. A few days later, I went to Isabel's School Bazaar and found this lovely little book.

It is a really nice little book and the illustrations are so pretty don't you think?

I would love to hear from you all what your favourite carols are, so drop me a comment and let's compare notes!

The holidays really started in earnest today. Work and school finished yesterday until the New Year..yippee! I have been so lucky in my working life over the years in that I have always been able to have time off. Today we had a lovely meal with friends at lunchtime and then back to theirs to watch a dvd and open a few early pressies. Well at least the children did, mine being 9 and hers being nearly 40!

Friends are coming to exchange gifts tomorrow. There is now the beginnings of a pile of brightly coloured, sparkly papered presents under the tree. Each one a jewel to be shaken, sniffed and then reluctantly placed underneath the green branches, for the most part still a mystery, but for the odd one, a suspicion forming as to its contents. All part of the fun I think.



The weekend will be spent with my family. I am spoilt rotten by my Mother who insists that I just chill out and recharge my batteries. I have new wool to knit with and a pile of gorgeous magazines to drool over. For me it is the calm before the storm, for Isabel it is a chance to see her Nanny and open some more presents!


I will return to the madness just before the big day and then the countdown starts. We have a wonderful crib service on Christmas Eve and I will hopefully be able to post seperately about that later. Our is a bit different in that the Nativity is built up by the children as the story is told. Isabel loves to take part in this ritual and over the years has placed Mary, a King, a camel and the baby Jesus into the tableau. Another memory in the making for her and an essential part of our celebrations. I say different, but maybe it is not, perhaps your congregation do this as well. It's just that I have never seen it done this way in any other church that I have attended.

I hope that all your plans are coming together and all your lists have a least got one or two things crossed off by now because.... and I don't want to panic anyone but......there are only 5 days until Christmas Eve, yes that is FIVE DAYS!

Bye for now. Dev x