As promised........

Photos of the new lanterns First of all, here is the Candle. I wanted something relatively simple as some of the more complicated things I was working on just weren't going right.

I was pleased with the way this turned out, simple but effective. Again, please excuse the bad photos, take with the IXUS on ISO3200. But you should be used to them by now! As soon as I am able to get a decent evening, I will go out and do the decent ones on a long exposure. I just have to wait tuntil its not too windy.

And here is "SnowStorm", although I am not quite sure if that is the right name of it. Any suggestions? It is the same as "Starburst", made with 11 motifs in the smaller size bangles.

This weekend I bought some new candles, just under £5 for a pack of 6 in Wilkinsons. This is roughly the same price as you can get them on eBay and you don't have to worry about the postal strikes. Something else I have been doing recently is re-investigating Ravelery. I joined over a year ago and got so confused with the place I gave up. Now, whether it is me or them I don't know, I am finding it a bit easier to negotiate.

I have been adding some of my free patterns to their database and, when I work out what I can and can't do, may add some of the ones for sale. In the meantime, if anybody wants to add me as a friend I am Enfys on there as well. Just one more thing I couldn't resist showing you, I bought this cute little phone sock in Peacocks, only £1

Angels and Stockings

This can conjure up the most peculiar images but I assure you it is all perfectly innocent! The thing is, I finished the prototype of the Angel lantern last night and am so pleased with this one I couldn't wait to share.

Again, really rubbish photos but the Ixus on ISO3200 is so much easier and quicker than getting out the tripod etc for times exposures. She does need a little tweaking here and there but, on the whole, I am really pleased with her.

And here is the stocking.

I just need to write the patterns for this lot now then get on with the next one. I forgot the hanging loop and there are some ends need sewing in but the photos show the main bit. Any suggestions for what you would like to see?

I have been good!

Not only have I done the calendar for October, I have even done it 4 days early! The photo is part of one I took yesterday at Emmanuel church of their Harvest display. I love the rich colours of the fruit and flowers.

Originally for my "H is for Harvest" I was planning on taking some photo of various vegetables being harvested around Chatteris. I already have some wheat being harvested on a friends farm for the first page. However, due to lack of transport and the slim possibility of actually catching them at the right time, I decided to take up the suggestion of somebody else and use the Harvest Festival displays at the Churches.

As you can see, this has worked very well. Also, with both churches celebrating Harvest on the same weekend, I was able to get all the photos done in one go - and finish up my pages today. I have made a stocking lantern. No pics yet as it needs blocking. I am going to have to find something the right size the put inside to dry it as I cannot pin it to a board.

And to answer some questions............

The lights I use are LED tea lights.

They are wonderful!

You can get them quite easily on eBay but mine were actually bought in Wilkinsons. If you don't have one near you (I had never heard of them until I moved to the Fens) try your local £1 shop. They are battery powered and the batteries are replaceable.

They don't get hot, drip wax, smell, cause soot or any of the other things real candles do. This means you can use them in a whole load more situations.

I discovered them last year and used them for the residents "Candlelight Carols" in paper lanterns. No risk assessments to do and no telling residents that they were not allowed to touch them.

I haven't even thought about prices yet but they will be for sale on my site when ready.

Let there be light!

Here is my latest lantern. This one took a little working out, especial for how to get the light inside, but has come out well. Again, both photos are quite bad as the wiere taken with the Ixus under the stairs. Some stuff it does really well and I love the ISO 3200 setting but it is so noisy. When I take them for the pattern I will be using the DSLR and timed exposure. They should should come out much better.

The third photo is to show you the difference in size. I am planning a few more the smaller size and one more the larger size.

We spent Saturday in Ely. It was a bit stressful because I discovered that I only had one earring in part way through the morning. If it had been any but the pair I was wearing (Marks lovely anniversary pressie to me) I wouldn't have cared. We spent the rest of the morning retracing our steps but didn't find it. However, when I got home, there is was safe and sound on the sofa. My dear son had interrupted me in the middle of putting them on!!!!!

New shoes!

I have been looking at this pair of Sketchers trainers for what seems like forever! We go in the local shoe shop regularly. Benjamin goes through his shoes so fast. Every time we go in I look at them but never seem to have quite enough enough money for them. However, last time we went in to get school shoes, the Lady in the shop offered to put them away for me. So I tried them on and paid her a deposit.

I did regret it afterwards as my hours had just been cut and nearly £50 is a lot of money. My lovely red ones are wearing out. They are looking old and tatty and getting a bit thin on the soles, so I need new ones. I went and got them when I got paid this month. They are soooooo comfy. And I love that flowery lace.

Now this is a really rubbish photo. I took it under the stairs using the ISO3200 setting on the Ixus. On a lovely sunny day it is the only way to get a photo to show you. This is the first of the lanterns I have made, "Starburst". I have crocheted stars in to childrens wire bangles and them crocheted them together to make a ball. There are 11 motifs in all. This lantern is going to be one of the bigger ones, the others I have in mind will be totally different unless I do a "Snow Storm" one with snowflakes instead of stars.