Hello! This Saturday morning post is brought to you by strong coffee, autumnal morning light streaming in the window and a vague sense of guilt that it's been ages since I last wrote here. I hope you are very well and have found time for the things you love lately.
Here are a few snaps from my February and March life, the season of dried hydrangea petals - aren't they beautiful? I started a new job at the end of January, and it's been taking up nearly all my energy and thoughts - even dreams! But it's wonderful to have a new challenge and I'm getting to know some excellent and interesting new people and ideas.
Sock knitting has been my crafty companion over this time - I made a pair for my father-in-law's birthday. For these, I used my usual favourite 'sock recipe' - a 3 x 3 rib, Kitchener toe and heel flap and gusset. I almost always follow the largest size in this free pattern (Ravelry link) - it's a classic and hard to look past, in my opinion! Here's my Ravelry page for this project. I used good old Regia sock yarn and some leftovers in different colours for a colour block effect.
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It's been a year since I started watercolour painting classes and I'm trying to keep up my practising when I can. I find it so relaxing to do in the evenings. I've included photos of a few of my paintings from this month above - I'm still trying to capture the sky outside my bedroom window, and documenting places and plants in my watercolour journal.
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A new job means a few new office clothes, too - I recently made a Hope Woven Dress, which is a pattern from Style Arc. I used a black silk-cotton blend from The Fabric Store and made a few changes, including a longer skirt and a tie at the back neck (rather than zips or any other fastenings). The dress is slightly sheer, so I wear a black slip underneath (made using this pattern from Papercut). I have plans for a few more handmade work clothes this winter - watch this space!
Another thing I've been loving lately is listening to records (the picture above shows my Kate Bush collection - how lucky am I?) We recently got our turntable repaired after a few years of it being out of action. There's something so luxurious about putting a record on and sitting down and listening properly all the way through, in a way that Spotify playlists can't really match. I went to see Kae Tempest when they were in Wellington a couple of weekends ago. It was an amazing concert - completely absorbing. I had to buy a copy of On Connection the next day - it's a longish essay about how creativity helps us be less alone. I recommend it!
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Wishing you a very happy weekend, and thank you for visiting me here.
XX M
