A Holiday at Home

Just as well it wasn't going to be our year for an overseas trip.  

We'd already been talking about a holiday in Scotland before the current pandemic, possibly a break in the Borders, with golf aplenty for Geoff, and a craft workshop or two for me whilst he strode the fairways.  But Covid19 ensured that wasn't going to happen either.

Seeing empty workshops prompt craft tutors to stage their classes online, and dispatch boxes of materials by post for participants to complete in the comfort of their own homes, a kernel of an idea was forming that I could stage my own craft retreat.  For me.  At home.

Print by @by.eilidh

Enjoying some 'Me Time'.

Perhaps I need to back up and explain what the summer holidays are usually like for me.  My job in school library means I only work in term time, giving me 6 weeks off in July and August. Despite Coronavirus, I continued to work my part time hours, in a re-deployed role at home, from Easter onwards so was delighted when the last day of term arrived.  Geoff's job at sea means he may, or may not, be at home during this time but he's been ashore for the last six weeks and won't be back again before I return to school.  So that left me with three weeks home alone to fill.  But, like everyone else who isn't a key worker, I've been at home since the end of March, sometimes with Geoff for company and sometimes just me and the dog.  

I needed to do something special to feel like I'd had a holiday.  A holiday involving relaxation and crafts, but not my usual routine.

So for three days last week I did just that.  It took a bit of planning - but that was half the fun.  First, I thought about how I could create a sanctuary and set about making a spare bedroom into the ideal guest venue, installing fresh flowers, scented candles and mood lighting.  

Here's a wee video :

To truly be able to relax in my own house, I spent the two days prior to my retreat making sure my regular household chores and laundry were all up to date.  As someone who enjoys cooking, and makes most meals from scratch, I entrusted my dinners to Marks and Spencers ready meals which also ensured minimal washing up.

I let M&S take care of my lunches too, and chose foods I love but wouldn't normally buy.  Scotch egg and pork pie- you are my guilty pleasures!  Sunny days meant I could enjoy eating them outside.

Naturally, I managed to keep myself adequately hydrated too.  You'll note that I took the 'treat' part of 'retreat' very seriously! 

I kitted out the shower room with toiletries from Scottish Fine Soaps after drenching myself in the Sea Kelp range during a luxury mini-break at Foyers Lodge on the banks of Loch Ness last autumn.  The Au Lait Noir hand and body fragrance I chose is decadently delicious.

I factored in some home pampering too with a beauty mask for each evening.  It was a happy coincidence that my hairdresser rang during my retreat to say she'd had a cancellation and was able to offer me an appointment for my first professional haircut in 5 months.  I've saved you from the sight of me in my Simple Face Mask but did feel my radiance was boosted, exactly as promised!  The Superdrug Foot Mask left my feet feeling lovely and soft once I'd got over the initial disconcerting cold squidgy feeling.  In the end, I didn't use the Elvive self-heating hair mask I'd bought as I felt my hair was pampered enough by my own lovely hairdresser.

Each afternoon I enjoyed a different craft activity, thanks to the kits I'd purchased.

First up was the Pot Heads Postal Pottery Package from Peaceful Pots.

The brainchild of Bristol based community artist, Tasha Bee, the kit contained everything I needed to create my own handmade ceramic being, and even included a tiny live plant.  In fact, I was able to create two planters through judicious use of my clay.  Tasha's kits were created during lock-down with the specific purpose of allowing people to be creative whilst stuck at home and I really enjoyed the YouTube instructional video which made me feel like I was at a pottery class with Tasha herself.  I'm very proud of the wee pot heads I made.

On day two I made my own chocolates using the dark chocolate truffle making kit I bought from the award winning ethical chocolate business Cocoa Loco.  

As a self confessed chocoholic, these are a delicious little bites of chocolate heaven. 

Some for me - and some to share.

On the final day of my retreat I made a fabulous scented Rainbow Candle using the Rainbow in a box candle kit I purchased from Falkirk business, Candle Shack.  Again, everything was included in the kit.

The fun instructional accompanying video on YouTube guided me through the necessary steps to make this huge, stripey, fragrant candle.  

There's some waiting time whilst the layers set but it was another sunny day and I was able to sit in the garden and crochet, read my book or just relax and listen to the birdsong.  

And that's what a retreat is all about - giving yourself the gift of time for yourself.  If there happen to be holiday keepsakes, then that's a bonus!

I have a lot more to say about each of the craft kits and intend to make each one a blog post of its own.

A tale of two tops

My daughter, Maddy, came to visit us in February, just before Corona Virus had such an effect on all our lives.  She lives in London and travelled home, quite apprehensive, with hand sanitiser and a pack of cleansing wipes tucked into her pocket.  Little did we know we wouldn't be seeing her again for months to come.  

I offered to knit something for Maddy as I imagined I might have more crafting time then usual and showed her this pattern by Jessie Maed Designs.  She loved the Ripple Bralette, chose yarn from my not inconsiderable stash, and airily waved a hand over the pattern, stating she was usually an XS.  So I cast on for that size.

Cookston Crafts 4 ply in the Hairst colourway

It looked like it would fit my upper thigh but I persevered because blocking* can solve a multitude of sins. (*blocking is the process of wetting or steaming your final piece of knitting to set the size and even out the stitches.)

Whilst blocking achieved all these things, it can't work miracles and didn't actually make the top any bigger.  It was clearly way too small for Maddy, even if she is a beautifully willowy 22 year old who normally wears XS!

I must stress that any errors were of my own making and not the fault of the pattern.  It is inclusive when it comes to sizing and includes a useful schematic as well as a table of dimensions.  The trouble was I didn't really look at it before I cast on - then I doggedly continued knitting without reference to the likely finished outcome.  So the fact that it just didn't fit is entirely down to me.

Eager to make amends, and create a summer top whilst it is still summer, I went in search of another pattern and selected the Spotty Totty top by Katie Jones.  This is made from seven colourful crocheted squares.  I already had all the cotton yarn I needed in my stash, leftover from other projects, so there was nothing to stop me.

I challenged myself to make one square a day.

And by the end of the week, I was joining the squares together...

and getting the finished top ready to post.

But what about the other top?  

Maddy chose merino sock wool dyed by Claire at Cookston Crafts.  I remembered Claire has a young daughter the top might fit so I parcelled it up and sent it off - along with Haribo for her big brothers.  

Here's six year old Ailsa modelling the tiny top...

And Maddy wearing hers!

I've also plenty of the original yarn Maddy chose to make her a Ripple Bralette one day.  But I'll be getting my measuring tape out first!