Dusting off ....

.... the desktop, after a week and a half of no crafting.  The weather has been beautiful for the start of the holidays - we've been out in the garden, went to the beach (where we saw a school of dolphins right in by the shore), daughter went to a festival in Belfast and had a blast, and I've caught up on the ironing too!!

I had to make a sad sad card, for an old friend whose beautiful wife died recently at the absurdly young age of 36.  She was an avid gardener (and cook, and decorator - her friends used to joke that she was the Irish Martha Stewart!), so I thought I'd base the card around her favourite hobby.  Here it is:

Recipe:

Papers: October Afternoon "Weathervane" and Basic Grey "Nook & Pantry"

Stamp: Hero Arts "Jamaican Forget-me-not"

Other: Distress Inks, Perfect Pearls, needle + thread

I used the sketch from this week's Mojo Monday, and am also entering it into Simon Says Stamp (check it out), Creative Card Crew (die-cuts) and Creative Cottage (summer).  The photo is very dark, 'cos summer is over again, it might be back next week though!  The card is not as "muddy" looking in real life.

I am about to start knitting again, haven't done any in about 10 years, but my fingers have had a funny itch lately that I reckon can only be fixed with two steel needles and a ball of wool!!!  I went on line for inspiration, and before I knew what had happened, the postman brought this mad stuff:

It's silk thread with a steel core, and it knits into a kind of strong mesh (allegedly).  I found a pattern for a nice sort of cable/lace jumper so that's my aim.  Hmmmmm. Will see how it goes.

Thanks for looking!