Sunday 22 March 2015

Sophie's Universe CAL and a Spot of Bird Watching

I do hope you have all had a good week, don't they just fly by? I have had a lovely time, a session of reflexology - very enjoyable, coffee and lunch out with friends and a mooch around Totnes - also very enjoyable and sandwiched in between ..... my quilting workshop (more about that next week) and some crochet, a visit by my eldest daughter and her boyfriend and some more meeting up with friends this weekend.

Unfortunately, the crochet workshop I talked about last week didn't go ahead although I was not totally surprised.  Beginners is very popular but not so much the 'Follow On'.  I think maybe I need to create a theme for the day so people have a definite idea of what they are letting themselves in for going to be doing! What would you like to make if you had just learnt crochet and wanted to move on a little further?  All suggestions gratefully received.

As you may have heard me mention in a previous post back in February, I have been joining in with a CAL over at Look At What I Made so I thought I would give you an update on how I've got on so far. I have a small confession though - that is to say I am running about 5 weeks behind!!! It's getting bigger and bigger and bigger and taking me much longer to do each round. It's about 4ft square already! I am still enjoying it though and am really pleased with the way it's turning out especially as all the yarn was free so it's not costing me a penny :)






It's been a beautiful sunny day here in Devon but very chilly.  We thought we would pop out for a breath of fresh air and go and watch the birds from the bird hide up in Yarner Woods. Unfortunately not all the close up photos of the birds came out particularly well but I managed to capture a few.



Can you spot anything in the picture below?


If you look closely, you can just pick out a tiny little mouse.
What a cutie! He was busy picking up all the seeds the birds had dropped.


Here is another visitor beneath the bird feeders




He was so alert

and a couple more clearing up the seed crumbs


Just before you return to the car park you come across this lovely pond


on which we saw three of these strange looking ducks
But aren't they beautiful?
He almost looks like he's been carved out of wood and painted!


I do hope you have all had an enjoyable time this week.  I'm popping over to Lucy Blossom Crafts now to join in with Handmade Monday so I can find out what everyone has been up to.  I'm also looking forward to joining in with Happy Friday over on Planet Penny's blog.

Thanks for reading!

40 comments:

  1. Wow, I love that picture of the Mandarin Duck, the colours are brilliant. I love watching the wildlife.
    It's a shame about the class last week, I can't help with ideas for the follow up class I'm afraid other than to suggest that the second class would be something to add to or compliment the first item, if that makes sense!!
    Jan x

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  2. Oh my! 4 feet square??!! No wonder it takes you so long to do a round now. It's absolutely gorgeous. Looks like you are having lovely weather for wandering, my favorite thing to do to commune with nature. A shame about the crochet class. I think a project each time would definitely keep some coming back. I love making small things so that I have a sense of accomplishment each and every day. :)

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    1. Thank you for popping by. Yes I always like to achieve a finished article at the end of a workshop as I know once I get home I'm unlikely to finish it.

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  3. What a beautiful crochet piece you are making, the colours look stunning together. Love your photo of the Mandarin duck, they are usually found in wildfowl collections but think some of them have escaped. They are stunning aren't they. xx

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    1. I'm so pleased now I know what type of duck this is, I hadn't realised how beautiful it was until I got home and saw the photo. Glad you like the crochet :)

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  4. Amazing colour on that duck - it does look like a model and not real! I think 'follow on' isn't specific enough for people to commit money - how about a detailing the stitches to be covered - like star stitch? Or 4 different granny squares to start off a collection for a blanket. Joining squares can be a challenge so that too might entice people?

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    1. Yes maybe a specific stitch would be a good idea. Thank you for your help :)

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  5. Your project looks amazing, I'm not sure I'd have the dedication to do anything that big.

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  6. Such lovely crochet work it's beautiful. Lovely photos I do like blue tits. Can't help with the lessons sorry.

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    1. Not to worry. Glad you like the crochet and thanks for your comment :)

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  7. Your Sophie blanket looks amazing! After you mentioned it last week I followed the link to the website for the CAL and I'm thinking of doing one too. It's such a beautiful pattern!
    And more gorgeous bird photos! We don't have squirrels here but I was lucky enough on saturday night to take a photo of a sweet little Ringtail Possum who was eating pears from one of the trees in my garden.
    xox louise

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    1. I would love to see your Sophie's Universe if you do start one. The instructions and the photo tutorials are so easy to follow (I still make mistakes though!) Your little Ringtail Possum sounds cute - something we don't have here :)

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  8. Your CAL is amazing. I love the design with all the different stitches and textures. The beautiful colors remind me of an Native American blanket.

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    1. It's a gorgeous design :) I'm really enjoying it row by row as they are all different :)

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  9. Sorry about your workshop. Ask the beginners if they would like to do a follow on and what they would like to make, that way you would guilt trip them into returning.

    Love your blanket stunning.

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  10. Your blanket is looking pretty spectacular!

    I love the little mousey- so cute!

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    1. Oh I'm so glad you commented on him. I was beginning to think no one had noticed him. I was very pleased I managed to get a photo of him as he was nipping backwards and forwards so quickly :)

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  11. Your crochet is really pretty. I love the colours you have used. And so many great wildlife photos.

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    1. Thank you, they are only photos of everyday garden wildlife but it was wonderful to see them so close up :)

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  12. I love the Sophie CAL and have been watching it over on facebook with great interest, your Sophie is beautiful, I don't think I would want to make it much bigger than yours something just big enough for a throw maybe, I'm waiting to see it when it's all done and then possibly make one myself. Your wildlife pictures are lovely. As for the class I'm thinking like Tammy something small that can be made on the day and taken home maybe simple flowers that could be used as a brooch or embellishment. :) xx

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    1. It is really lovely to crochet and so well explained. Each row is different so it keeps your interest and you are eager to see what the next one looks like. I shall use mine to snuggle up in on those early summer evenings that look warm but when you sit outside are a bit chilly :) I wondered about flowers for a workshop. Thank you for your help :)

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  13. Your crochet is looking amazing!! The way the colours move into the next round are fantastic, I can't even begin to work out how you would do that!!
    I'm sorry your class didn't go ahead. I'm sure what I would want to make in a follow up, from what I remember your ideas were fab for the session so not sure why it wasn't fully booked! Maybe the second workshop could create something that goes with the first? ie flowers to decorate a basket?
    Your photos are so wonderful! I've been trying to get my youngest interested in looking at the blue tits and their daily dramas in our garden! They are plagued every year by bully sparrows (yet they still come back so I guess it can't be that bad!)

    Hope you have a lovely week xx

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    1. Thank you for your comment. It's a bit hit and miss with workshops especially if they are not held in the same environment as the subject ie. a yarn shop. I thought the ideas were great for moving on too, perhaps it's just the time of year. Maybe we can try again in the Autumn. You have a lovely week too. Hopefully we can enjoy a bit of sunshine :)

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  14. I particularly like the textures on your crochet - really inspiring. Apologies i have no idea for a follow up for your crochet class, I am yet to learn the basics!

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    1. Lol! I'm so pleased I started it , just not sure how I'm going to get it finished :)

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  15. I think your wildlife photos are great and using the colours from the duck would make a good colour scheme for a future project (mother nature always knows how to put together excellent colour combinations!)

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  16. Wow, that blanket's amazing! I have to stick to small projects or I don't finish them! For your course, what about different sorts of granny squares, then you could give them ideas of how to use them. Or maybe a bag, lots of people seem to be making crocheted bags at the moment.

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    1. I was planning on making a small bag with these squares which I thought would have been quite a nice project, maybe it was just the wrong time of year. Glad you like the blanket, this is the first large project I have done and I am way, way behind but hopefully I'll get there eventually :)

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  17. Thank you for visiting, I've just returned the favour :)

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  18. Pity about your class. Maybe a granny square cushion cover so they can learn to join as they go? Love your wildlife photos - I always have such trouble getting them in focus! Have a great weekend. x

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    1. Not to worry. Can't win them all! You'd think with a point and shoot camera I'd have no trouble!!! Have a good weekend too :)

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  19. What a fabulous post, and I'm green with envy over the crochet, so beautiful. Thanks for joining in and linking up with Happy Friday x

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    1. It would look beautiful made in your Planet Penny colours :) Thanks for hosting Happy Friday :)

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  20. Gorgeous crochet and lovely photos. I love the little mouse photo - you must've been quick to get a photo of him! Not sure of ideas for your follow on class, but it does need a focus and a project, I think. You could then maybe develop *several* follow-on classes (great for building confidence!), each with a different project (maybe using different stitches too).

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  21. Thank you for your help Wendy, I think you have a very good point. I shall have to see what I can come up with. I had to take numerous photos of the mouse and just pray and hope one of them came out well. I love his little beady eyes :)

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  22. Thank you for your help Wendy, I think you have a very good point. I shall have to see what I can come up with. I had to take numerous photos of the mouse and just pray and hope one of them came out well. I love his little beady eyes :)

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