Very Lucky!!!

Hello There!!! How have you all been?
I've been great,! A tad spoiled to say the least! It was my Birthday on Sunday and I had a day full of fun and friends.
I'll be honest with you, I don't really look forward to my Birthdays, I don't enjoy the attention (sounds wierd I know!).  I like to keep things relatively small and just spend it with my close family and friends.
This year I really wasn't planning anything. I'd taken the day off from work and wanted a day of "ME". A day by myself doing the things I wanted. That's what I was looking forward to. 

So Sunday morning I woke up with my free day ahead of me. I opened up the cards and the gifts my family had sent.

As always Mum had sent me a supply of chocolate!! What would I do without her!?

Much to my delight, I also received some books.

I then sat at my kitchen table not really knowing what to do?!
Something had changed. I was no longer excited by the prospect of being by myself on my Birthday. I was alone in my apartment and it dawned on me that I was away from my family and I knew my friends would soon be heading to work. I hate to say it, but...I guess I was feeling a little lonely. Something I really don't feel often. I'm usually perfectly content doing my own thing and when I have nothing to do I pull out some thing "crafty".  Hmmmmmmm?

Thank God I got the call from work saying too many people had called in sick. They needed me to go in! I guess, a blessing in disguise.
I ended up  going to the theatre and having a lovely day with my colleagues and friends.
We played two shows and then a group of about 10 of us went out to a lovely Mexican restaurant for a Birthday drink.

We had so much fun! Talking about everything and sharing funny stories! I really felt (not only a little drunk, but also) very lucky to have such great friends.
Not only did they treat me to my yummy meal and one too many cocktails, they also bought me a lovely present!
A bag full of crafting supplies!!!!!!

Now you know when people are really your friends, when the "get" you. These guys totally "get" me. I could not think of a more suitable and perfect present! It was really super sweet of them!
I received an assortment of lovely yarn!!

Also a lovely crafting treasure chest filled to the brim with crafting treasure!!

Glitter, felt and glass beads........

Googly eyes and decorative keys....

Pipe-cleaners, feathers and ladybugs.....

 Butterflies, baskets, pots and little hearts....

It really was a super gift and I'm definitely going to be making some good use of these supplies!!!
It turned out to be a lovely day!! I am very very lucky!! Thankyou!!!
Now to get stuck into some of those books :-)
Matt xxx

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Snood

Hello gorgeous people!!! How's your week going?
I'm having a good one! Lots of fun and frolics, not to mention I'm feeling extremely energetic and motivated at the moment. My sudden spur of motivation means I'm getting lots done and enjoying the feeling once I've accomplished something.
I'm just talking small things, like learning a new German word (and actually using it), getting myself to the gym, finish of the book that's been sat on my shelf for months!! I like it when things get done. It's a rather nice feeling!

So one of the things that finally got ticked off on my 'things to do list', was a gift for my friend Andrew.
Andrew is my (just in case he reads this:-)) amazingly talented, extremely good looking, kind, considerate, humorous best buddy and he wanted a "snood" for his birthday.

I bought some truly scrumptious 'Alpaca Chunky" in a deep shade of grey which I thought would be perfect for this project.

I've worked with this yarn once before, on a similar project I made for myself last winter. The yarn is so nice to work with. It's extremely luxurious and keeps you very warm when wrapped around your neck on a cold day in Hamburg. 
Last year I simply made mine using single crochet, here's how it looked:

With Andrew's snood I decided to use double crochet. I alternated between working through the back loops and front loops of each round, giving it a ribbed effect.

This project was extremely quick to make.  Not only is the yarn very thick, but I also required a BEAST of a hook! 

I was extremely pleased with how it turned out. Thick layers of extravagant yarn ready to defend against the coming winter.

Andrew was also delighted with his gift!! He ever so kindly became my model and let me take a couple of pictures of him wearing it.

It's such a nice feeling when you give a handmade present to someone. To see them actually wearing your creation and enjoying the effort it took to make. It really makes me feel extremely proud.

Sooo untill next time my lovelies!!! Happy Friday and enjoy your weekends!!!
Matt xxx

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