OK I know I'm hopeless

I know, I know, you don't have to tell me, it's been ages since I've blogged. I've been laid low with an unpleasant virus which has made it hard to just keep up with the essential daily tasks but luckily I'm better now and will do my best to be in touch more regularly.

I don't want this to turn into a knitting blog but at the end of a long day when you don't have much energy for anything else knitting is a mindless occupation that keeps you productive when you're slumped in front of the TV in the evenings.

And of course when you have a new grandchild there's plenty of reasons for knitting. This raspberry coloured dress is a pattern designed by Tora Froseth. I found it for free on the web.

It turned out so well in raspberry that I couldn't resist trying it in a denim blue sock yarn. It's knitted in the round so miraculously there are no seams to join up when it's finished. My knitting is OK but sewing everything up neatly isn't my strong point. This may become my favourite construction technique!

When you see how quickly Amelie is growing you'll understand why I have to knit so fast!

He who gardens presented me with a culinary treasure this week. The weather has turned so cold at night that he had to pick all the chillies before they protested, turned up their toes and threw themselves off the plants. There is a limit to the number of fresh chillies two people can eat so I've spent a couple of hours today preserving them for the freezer. Let me warn you that this should involve gloves!! My fingers were on fire for more than two hours! I won't make that mistake again!

Despite the wintry weather today's bread turned out rather well. There's nothing more satisfying than spending time in a cosy warm kitchen on a dull cloudy day is there?

Perhaps it would have been kind to issue a warning before showing this case of rather impressive insects - especially following a picture of innocent loaves! I love the winged creature top right and intend to use him in some work very soon. Apparently he is the world's largest Cicada -  a very good reason for avoiding a trip to Indonesia don't you think? Some of the critters look as though they are made of metallic foil but I would be happy to wear the green irridescent ones just like jewellery! 

When I'm not knitting I'm spending every spare moment hand quilting a project for DMTV. It's better than therapy just stitching away for hour after hour. I'll let you see the results when it's finished.

Talk to you soon - Linda