Friday 23 November 2012

And some Creativity of the 'Grown Up' Sort

This is what I've been up to over the past couple of weeks on the homemade front:

More Chutney - Fiery Bengal - yummy.

Raw ingredients...
 
And the cooking chutney...

 
And it made a good few jars for the Homemade Hampers I'm putting together for Christmas presents:


Crochet Progress - I'm loving making granny squares and have been so inspired across blogland.  But I have to say - I didn't realise how much it would 'eat' up the yarn.  Not an inexpensive homespun make...  I was aiming for a gorgeous big blanket like this .  But I think I can't justify the yarn, so I'll alter my plan and enjoy fashioning these into cushion covers.

 


Some Furniture Upcycling  to come - I find this a really enjoyable bit of homemaking!!  I love breathing new life into tired and jaded bits of history.... plus more of those legs I so love!



I don't think I'll get to these this side of Christmas - well maybe that tray - I have visions of breakfast in bed with this beauty!  Some naughty purchases from the charity shop that I had to smuggle into the house! ;0)

So although I've been on morphine and steroids (due to a rheumatoid flare) and feeling much under the weather, on reflection I have achieved some home loving over the past week.  That makes me happy.  I've taken things slowly while the children have been at school - but they've still gotten done. 

That's another bit about blogging that I've found very powerful - you consider much more closely tasks of the everyday and recognise those little achievements - even if they are quite mundane and routine they become something to celebrate!!

J9 x

Today I'm linking up with these fabulous parties!



31 comments:

  1. I don't think your tasks were mundane anyway! I was impressed even before I read that you aren't feeling well. Lovely chutney and beautiful granny squares and some gorgeous furniture to re-do. You are an ambitious girl! I can't wait to see the finished pieces. Your inspiration blanket is great, but I can see it would be expensive. I can't believe how much good yarn costs!

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    1. Hi there! Thanks for such a lovely comment - I'm hoping to get to the tray this week so hopefully next week I'll do a ta da!! Enjoy your week, J9 x

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  2. Hi Janine! What lovely granny squares you have made - I absolutely love your choice of colours!! What makes your chutney 'fiery?' Does it have hot peppers or just spices?? I am sorry you have been under the weather lately. make sure you take some time to rest in between spurts of "making!" I'll gladly follow you back!
    Bronwyn from Queen B Creative Me

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    1. Hi there, thanks for a lovely comment and following me back!! Yes, it has 4 chillies in it!! 2 red and 2 green and some turmeric. It has a gorgeous spicey heat to it - not a blow your head off though!! J9 x

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  3. Sorry to hear you've not been feeling so well, but you are doing so great in your homemaking/creative projects! I'm pinning your granny squares on my "Color Happy" board on Pinterest (with a link to your blog, of course) Are you on Pinterest? Can't wait to see how you finish up that charming tray!

    Jeanette

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    1. Oh bless you Jeanette! Yes, after months of restraining from pininterest I have become thoroughly inspired by some of the Christmas craft images on the net but I'm very new to it!! I never imagined ANY of my pictures would be good enough so thank you for being so kind. I am at http://pinterest.com/j9shappiness/
      I'd like to know yours too!! J9 x

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  4. Great post! Nice to meet you! I used to do zillions of granny squares. So fun. Made afghans and a jacket, hats & scarves. But...arthritis in my thumbs stopped my crocheting. I can cross stitch though! Love you furniture treasures! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

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    1. Hello there - nice to meet you too!! I love all things creative - I can still only do basic crochet squares but also love cross stitch - anything to keep us busy and happy?! J9 x

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  5. Dearest Janine,
    I am so glad you stopped by and introduced yourself! Your comment was so kind. I have enjoyed strolling through your beautiful new blog. I, too, started blogging this past year. It's been such fun and has blessed me in so many ways.

    Your granny squares are so colorful and cheery. When my sons were little I made them granny square vests for Christmas one year. Crochet is such a relaxing and artful activity.

    I am sorry you are struggling with such intense arthritic pain. Sometime our immune systems aren't our friend. I have Multiple Sclerosis and when my immune system gets too excited my life gets a little turned upside down.

    Here in the USA we celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday. I am so truly aware of the many things God has blessed me with. And, as I found your sweet note I realized that He had blessed me one more time....with a precious new friend.!

    Blessings across the big old pond,
    Carolynn xo

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    1. Oh Bless you Carolynn - what a beautiful note! I had no idea that this blog would bring me such lovely people!! I like the idea of basic, small shapes with the granny squares like a vest - I want to use them for something purposeful now that I'm not doing my big blanket!! I hope your health is holding at a steady pace - I'm much better but just take things as it comes! Bless you, J9 x

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  6. That chutney sounds yummy! and your granny squares are lovely. They are so easy and satisfying to make. Hope you get to feeling better very soon. Tammy

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    1. Thanks Tammy!! Yes, I taught myself the granny squares on you tube so they are definitely quick to pick up - it's amazing how hard they look to make though!! Thanks, J9 x

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  7. Those home made chutneys look absolutely delicious. We don't celebrate Thanksgiving in New Zealand but I am also aware of the wonderful blessings God has given me, especially recently having lost my mother and my husbands work contract finishing. God is tiding us, my mothers many years of collecting have been supplying a constant source of income since she passed away and that is without me having to sell the good things she had, they are going to continue to be loved and used by me. Meanwhile the little things I can part with are giving joy to those wonderful people that have bought them and helping us financially.

    God is good and I just trust him for the future.

    Thank you so much for visiting my blog and following along.

    Lee :)

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    1. Hello there - that is a wonderful sentiment and outlook on life - especially during testing times. It is hard sometimes to remain positive but faith does really help. I too believe I'm meant to journey this path, that for me, a life changing accident has brought new opportunities to what otherwise would have been. I wish you lots of luck and that you and your husband remain well during this festive season, J9 x

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  8. So sorry to hear that you have been under the weather. Glad that you are on the mend. I have never made chutney. Looks delicious! What a wonderful gift. I do not crochet so I am always in awe of anyone that does. Love, love the granny squares. Thanks so much for sharing with Share Your Cup. Happy to be following you.
    Hugs,
    Jann
    p.s. can't wait to see the transformations you do on the furniture pieces.

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    1. Hi Jann - thanks for your lovely comment. I taught myself on You Tube to do the Granny Squares - so you could learn too!! I haven't yet learnt to join them even but am getting more consistent all the time!! Give it a go!
      Chutney is a super easy way of making the most of windfall apples or green tomatoes so nothing goes to waste - and is perfect with cold meat or cheese! Blessings, J9 x

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  9. What a lovely blog you have! I'm following you, too, now!
    Blessings,
    Dru

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    1. Oh bless you Dru - thanks so much - and welcome! J9 x

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  10. Hoping you are feeling better soon. Loving all of those crochet bits. Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog hop xo

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    1. Thank you for hosting! I'm meeting lots of lovely new people and finding gorgeous new blogs through the parties so thanks so much! J9 x

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  11. Oh you are so very welcome Jooles - I'm new to this but have followed many creative blogs over the past 2 years and am sad to say I have seen nasty anon comments - your blog is beautiful and I just don't understand these negative people. Keep up with the grand work! J9 x

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  12. I love all things handmade too. Love your granny squares.
    I don't know how to crochet but I would love to sometime.
    Have a great day!
    Deb@LakeGirlPaints

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  13. Thanks for stopping by and leaving me another lovely comment :) The bag will be for my Nan (my other Nan), so hopefully she'll be pleased.

    Love the look of your homemade chutney - yum!

    S x

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    1. Thanks Sandra - you're very welcome! Lucky Nan! J9 x

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  14. Hope you get to feeling better! Your projects are wonderful! Thank you for joining Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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    1. Thanks Sherry - I'm feeling tonnes better and your lovely comment helped! J9 x

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  15. Oh, I can envision that tray looking fabulous! Hope you're feeling your best soon :)
    Susan

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    1. Hi Susan, yes I love the tray too - can't decide whether to do a basic shabby chic paint job or a bit of patchy decopage (of cath kidston papers) to mix it up a bit more!! Well done on the huge success of your blog and I love to see your photos and styling!! J9 x

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  16. Congrats! Just wanted you to know you've been featured for this wonderful project. Don't forget to grab a button. Have a wonderful week! Hope you're feeling better.

    Jody

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    1. Thanks Jody soooo much - have left a longer message on your blog!! I posted my new post, then read your post and did little skips around my room!!!! I'll have a go at grabbing the button - I'm not that technical but will have a look!! Hugs, J9 x

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