Busy, but not with crafting

I haven't got a lot of spare time for crafting at the moment.  I only work part time but in addition to that I do look after two of the three grandchildren at least three afternoons a week and also take Oliver to his swimming lesson on a Monday evening to help Jenny out.   On the afternoons I have them, by the time I get home and have tea and a shower and sort the cats out I'm ready for bed If I'm honest!

Most of my stitching is done at the weekends when I can sit down for a longer period of time, I hate getting my stitching out if all I can spare is an hour, I like a good chunk of time if i'm going to stitch.  I suppose I could pick up some knitting but I haven't been feeling the knitting lately, although I have got a Wool Warehouse order coming this week to start a jumper which I'm hoping to cast on this weekend.

So not really a lot to show, except this project bag I made a few weeks ago.  

I used a pattern by Ellie of Crafthouse Magic, she has it for sale in her etsy shop, it was fairly easy to follow, even for someone like me with limited sewing skills, lol.  

I used a couple of fat quarters that have been waiting to be made into something useful for a few years and, I'm quite happy with it :-)  The drawstring cording has to be changed when I can get some more, (it started to unravel when I was threading it through) and the wadding is a little bit thick but that was all I had to work with at the time.   I will definitely make some more using Ellie's pattern when I have the time.

My reading has slowed down too of late, but I took Bonnie to the Library last week and went for a browse myself, this was on the 'quick reads' section.

I had seen it doing the rounds but I tend not to read books when it seems like everyone is reading the same book, don't ask me why,  I't's just one of my weird traits, lol.  

I haven't read this author before and I'm really enjoying it.  I like his writing style and it's good to be reading a British crime novel for a change.  As it's a quick read I only get it on loan for a week so I'ts got to be returned tomorrow,  I'm already well over half way through so i'm sure I will be able to finish it by then.

I don't often read biographies but this one caught my eye while I was there

How could I resist :-)  I have this one on loan for longer but I think it will be the next book on my list.

I've been enjoying watching some podcasters doing Vlogtober this month, love watching Gaynor of  Tales From Cuckoo Land podcast and Alli from Little Drops of Wonderful, I've recently been watching Sherri from Olli and Bella too, I don't know how they manage to fit in recording bits of their lives throughout the day, edit and upload  but I'm so glad they do, it's nice to share other peoples everyday things rather than a staged podcast sometimes.   It seems that if you are a true podcaster you make granola, lol.  I would never have thought of making granola myself until I saw Gaynor and Rachel, (from Sew Ray me podcast) showing how they made theirs, I had a go and now i'm hooked! 

This is about the forth time I've made it now and it is truly much better than shop bought.

I do like a good selection of nuts and seeds in mine, this time it's hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, poppy seeds, sunflower seeds, I use good quality oats, some maple syrup, a sprinkling of salt and a good sprinkling of cinnamon over the top and a couple of tablespoons of coconut oil.   Once it's cooked I add the raisins and dried cranberries.  I've been having it with Greek yogurt and fruit for breakfast, even Mark, who is definitely not normally a granola eating man has said how nice it is :-)

This tray made up a large and a small jar.

This weekend is our annual Halloween stitching meet-up at the Nimble Thimble, I'm staying over Friday to Monday and really looking forward to a day of stitching, chatting and eating yummy cake :-)  I will also be enjoying some much needed 'me' time :-)

I will try and post some photos while I'm away over those few days and share what I've been up to.

Have a lovely week, see you soon.

-X-