The Tea Dance – a short story

Entered into a short story competition, didn’t win so I can publish it here : )

All I did was try to buy a pint of milk and the Evening Chronicle. It’s the sort of thing I’ve done every day for years and years. But the shopkeeper was hostile with me. Perhaps it was because I didn’t have any money.

I thought I had my handbag with me but when I looked around I couldn’t see it. And then someone told me I was wearing my slippers. Well that didn’t matter too much because at least I’d remembered to put on my coat.

Because I didn’t have my money with me the shopkeeper made a phone call. She kept looking at me in a way I didn’t like. And so did the other people in the shop so that was why I left the shop. I don’t understand why people are so rude and grumpy these days. It used to be different. The shopkeeper used to know my name.

Finished granny square sampler crochet blanket

A few months ago I wrote about this granny square sampler afghan project I was working on. It was a crochet-along project which I did a few months after the actual crochet-along had finished. But I liked doing it in my own time and I liked following it as it made me sit down and try lots of new crochet ideas, some of which I would probably have steered away from.

Crochet Valentine hearts

It’s the week for making for Valentine hearts so I thought I’d crochet these cute little  hearts (you can find the pattern Teeny Tiny Hearts on Ravelry).

They’re really quick to make and aren’t for anyone in particular, I just thought I’d hang them somewhere in the house. As I’m writing this it’s snowing outside so these little hearts are brightening up my day.

And with a few more days to go until Valentine’s Day I have some time to make some more : )

Flower motif granny square

I came across this granny square and really liked its floral look, but I couldn’t find a pattern for it. So I pinned it on Pinterest and then tried to work out the pattern myself. I don’t know if what I’ve come up with is exactly the same but it looks similar to the picture I found so I’m happy.

Here’s the pattern if you’d like to give it a go. Looking at the square now, I wish I’d used a different colour for the first round – to create a flower centre. I’ll try that next time I make it. I think you could make a lovely afghan blanket with lots of these, maybe mixed in with some granny squares of different designs or sizes. I think subtle colours would look lovely too, I picked some very bold ones for mine.

Crochet hats

I’ve been wanting to crochet a hat for a while and when I saw this hat pattern on Attic24 I decided to give it a go. It coincided with a £10 loyalty voucher I earnt at my local yarn shop for spending lots of money there and that meant I could buy some decent yarn for the hat too.

I made my hat in Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, olive colour.

Iris paper folding

I always love discovering a low cost craft. I did iris paper folding recently at a craft group: a few weeks ago I hadn’t even heard of it and now I’m hooked. My first attempt at iris paper folding was rubbish so I’m not even showing you the picture. But I’m quite pleased with this heart.

Iris paper folding involves folding small pieces of paper and sticking them into place to create a layered pattern. You need a bit of patience and lots of sellotape.

What happened in intensive care

First published on Babyrambles blog, 14th December 2011

I’m wearing an oxygen mask and struggling to breath. My lungs feel like broken rocks in my chest. My heart is pounding like the hooves of a galloping horse. People surround me, they put needles and wires in my arms and ask me questions. When did I start to feel unwell? Where is the pain? Can I rank the pain on a scale of 1 to 10?

I tell them 9, with 10 being childbirth. The pain is in my shoulders, back and chest. It’s excruciating, I can’t lie down. I sit propped up in a bed with machines beeping around me in the semi-dark. I can’t move. My brain is on fire. I can feel the heat and hear the crackling of flames raging through my head. Around me I see little statues made out of wire: animals, a ballet dancer. I see faces. They’re on machines and boxes. Cats dart underneath my bed and the curtains. I can see one of my own cats curled up on the floor nearby. Nice of him to visit me in my hour of need.