I'm sorry, but I just can't

I've tried, goodness knows I've tried. This isn't my first attempt. Those who know me from last year's Etsy retreat will have seen it all before. I just can't. mix. colours. Randomness makes me anxious; I can't relax without harmony - it is all just too distressing.


I got all the way through one set of colours (17 stripes!) with an increasing sense of the wrongness of it all, and then I had to rip it all out. There was nothing else I could do. The idea of spending the best part of a year (judging by my previous ripple marathon) making something that I just couldn't stand the sight of was too much for me. It had to go. The middle one helped with the frogging - she really loved seeing how the stitches came apart: "it's like magic Mummy!".
Then, I put the colours in a more harmonious order, and I have to agree - it is like magic!

Close up on the week

I've joined a new flickr group founded by the magnificent Abi. Called day2day, it's purpose is to find the beauty in the ordinary, and learn about your camera at the same time. This week I have been concentrating on using my new macro lens, and photographing from my collection of thread and yarn. I have really enjoyed playing with light, as well as experimenting with depth of field. Next week food, I think.

Summertime, and the cooking is easy

My favourite salad for my favourite time of year. So easy and quick to put together, even with the obligatory child helper.


Very little cooking and a little light opening of tins. Perfect.