Today's Distraction

I'm not feeling too guilty about today's distraction.  After all, Mary and Jesus are more relevant to this time of the year than pigeons, so not too much of a distraction from Christmassy matters.  

Eve is home from university at the weekend but she has an extended essay to write over the holidays.  The subject is something to do with representations of the Virgin Mary in Latin American culture.  

I can't help her with the essay, but I can crochet a Mary and Jesus from a Peruvian crochet website!!!

The pattern is available for free, here.  It's in Spanish, but with the help of the photos and Google Translate, I was able to get along very nicely.  

Hopefully Eve will be so inspired she'll pick up her pen and dash off her essay in a blink of an eye, leaving us with plenty of time to have fun.  

Cute Heart

I'm not in a knitting mood at the moment.  Just can't work up the enthusiasm to pick up the needles.  The Fair Isle vest is feeling very neglected.  I need to make an effort to get it finished 

What I am enjoying at the moment is crocheting.  It's funny how knitting and crocheting vary with mood.  Crocheting is very much in the ascendancy at the moment.

I bought a copy of Inside Crochet magazine, issue 33 and felt very inspired by the patterns.

As a last minute gift for Eve to take away I crocheted the Lavender Heart pattern by Tracey Todhunter.

The pattern calls for aran weight yarn which would make a heart about 9 inches across. I used dk yarn and mine ended up about 7 inches.

It was a lovely quick pattern - very enjoyable.  I'm going to make some more because they are so cute.

I also finished off a hot water bottle cover that Eve had started but lacking enthusiasm hadn't managed to finish 

The heart is now in place on the mantelpiece in her room at university, together with the hot water bottle cover and the blanket I made for her.

It's good to know that she has so much woolliness with her at university - a home from home.

New Beginnings

Well, it's finally happened, Eve has gone away to University.  Last week seemed to drag on as we tried to get ourselves organised and packed.  It was a bit of a squeeze getting everything in the car but we set off at 5.30am on Saturday morning and arrived at Cambridge University at 10am.

Eve's room is lovely - very spacious and it was refurbished over the summer so everything looks nice and new.

Look at that gorgeous window seat.

Lots of storage space.

After we had helped her unpack we left her to settle in.  She seems to have done so very quickly and has made lots of new friends - and there have been plenty of activities organised for them.

How lucky she is to have the experience of studying at Cambridge.  I'm sure she'll have a wonderful time and  I know she will appreciate this amazing opportunity that has come her way through all her hard work - we are so proud of her.

My husband and I decided to stay in Cambridge for a further two nights rather than rush back home - our first few days of being 'empty-nesters'.

It was lovely to walk along the river and stroll through the city.

We also visited the Fitzwilliam Gallery and the Sedgwick Museum (Earth Sciences museum).

I saw lots of wonderful rocks and fossils and took loads of photos

 - but I won't bore you with them all - as my husband said, after he had to look through the numerous photos I'd taken, "You got carried away there, didn't you!"

We're now back home and it's going to take a while to get used to only two of us being here.  I'm looking at it in a positive light and planning new projects and adventures - a new beginning for me, not just for Eve.

Reassurance

As I have mentioned a few times, Eve is off to university at the end of next week.  Today her friend, Emma, who she has known since her first day at primary school, 14 years ago, goes away to Cardiff University.  They have been in the same class throughout their entire school life.

This has had a big emotional impact - the biggest change in their lives so far is now taking place.  It is a difficult time - excitement but also apprehension and even, at times, terror.

I made her this little card for some reassurance - with a simple embroidered message.

Sometimes, when you are feeling apprehensive and your confidence is low, it isn't enough to know you are loved, being liked can be just as important.

I'm sure emotional levels will reach fever pitch by the end of next week - not just for Eve - it's a big change for us all.

Fingerless Gloves Finished

My lovely new gloves are finished.

A great pattern - easy to follow and quick to make.  Full details can be found on my Ravelry page, here.

They look very dainty and feminine - just what I wanted.

Now I should get back to working on my Fair Isle - it seems to have come to a bit of a stand still.  One final push and I'll be there.

Having said that, there may not be much time for knitting though.  This week and next will be spent getting Eve organised to go away to university.  There's still so much to do and all of a sudden the date she leaves is looming closer.  One by one her friends are leaving - it's all starting to get very emotional.

No More 'Back to School'

I've enjoyed reading numerous blogs this past week on the theme of 'summer holidays are over and it's back-to-school time'.  I must admit that it has always been one of my favourite time's of the year.  A new beginning, better than New Year because it's not too cold or too dark to do anything.

This year is different.  No more back to school.  My girls are all grown up and their school days are behind them.  We are now counting down the days until Eve goes away to university.  Some of her friends have left to start their university courses already, but Eve still has three weeks to go.  What an exciting time - oh to be young again and to have all these opportunities and experiences in front of you.- I so envy her.

I couldn't resist knitting some little gifts for her to give to her friends before they left.  I used Grace's Teeny Tiny Mochimochi book again and made some human beans.

I thought they'd make a cute little buddy for them to take away.  Very quick to make and easier than you think.  I might make some for myself - to keep me company.