More crochet

Today I tried a new size & style of crocheted outfit. I'm quite pleased with it 

I find crocheting quite relaxing, & I enjoy being able to sit, relax & be productive! 

Crochet

Just lately I've learnt to crochet. Here are some of my creations 

Here are my first 2 attempts. 

Getting much better! 

Introducing: the Neptune family of Neptune Island Lighthouse.

Welcome to the Neptune family!

Father Caspian Neptune spends as much time as he can with his family swimming in the sea even during those cold, windswept winter days. After a refreshing swim he enjoys a long walk along the beach looking for 'treasure' - strange bits and pieces the sea has washed up on the golden sands. Caspian has quite a large 'treasure' trove displayed around the family home.

Mother Narrisa Neptune likes everything neat and tidy in her family home and her husband and daughter's 'treasure' collection makes for a lot of extra dusting and cleaning! Narrisa has decided this is a small price to pay for all the family time together on the beach.

Sister Shelly Neptune is a beachcomber like her father. Her love is sea shells of all shapes and sizes. The shell colours are so bright and shiny when they are wet but so dull by the time she has carried them home. So with the help of her father, they varnish the shells to bring out the bright colours, before adding them to her vast shell collection.

Baby Sister Sandy Neptune loves building and knocking down sandcastles and like the rest of her family is also a beach collector, she collects sand! In her clothes, in her hair, between her toes, everywhere!

(biographies from: www.sylvanianstorekeepers.com)

The Neptunes quite enjoy their lifestyle, living on a secluded island as Lighthouse keepers.

It gives lots of time for family

and hobbies

although there is often a bit work to be done

there is also much time to enjoy life.

While this is the newest family to join us here, I've had the idea to put them in the Lighthouse for quite some time. So I'm going to say, story-wise they have been living in the area for a long time, but are so secluded that many don't know that they are there.

Murdoch

Dr. Theodore Murdoch Jr (Teddy to his friends) was on his way to work. It was a lovely bright spring morning so he decided to walk to the hospital, where he would prepare himself to do his clinical home visits.

As he was about to enter the hospital he noticed Thomas Nightingale, the ambulance driver, & called out his greetings. Teddy & Thomas had met in medical school as first year students, & it had been Thomas that first told Teddy about the need for a doctor in Slydale Hollow.

As Teddy walked inside he smiled at the bustle of activity from the 2 nurses. Emily Nightingale & her Aunt Emily (whom they called "Matron" as she was the most senior staffer & it made telling them apart easier) were both busily setting up the small hospital for whatever the day might bring. Matron was also packing the medical bag Teddy would be taking on his rounds, Matron had been working in small communities like Slydale Hollow so long she knew exactly what would be needed. Teddy trusted her judgment completely, after all it was Matron who taught him most of what he knew now.  

Suddenly Teddy was reminded of a day, so very similar to this one... a very special day...

The day he had met his lovely wife May...

Teddy's reminiscing was cut short by Matron handing him the medical bag & shooing him on his way.

As Teddy set off for his first patient's house his mind wandered back to the first time he ever saw May...

It was a beautiful day & he was in his first year internship. (for those who are unfamiliar with the word it means when a doctor in training is learning at a hospital or clinic & working with real people)

He was running late, & as he opened the door to the small country hospital where Matron was teaching him the skills he needed to become a qualified doctor, the scene that met him was not exactly what he expected. The ambulance had just arrived with an emergency, Matron looked at Teddy & said in a sarcastic tone "So glad you could join us Dr Murdoch, we will be needed all hands on deck for this case."

Teddy fully intended to rush over & help, but as Thomas & Matron unloaded the patient from the ambulance Teddy's eyes saw the most beautiful, sweetest face. Even through all the masks & tubes this lady was stunning to Teddy. For some unknown reason he could not move, he felt totally stunned & could do nothing but watch as Matron & Thomas the paramedic transferred & began stabilising the patient. All of a sudden Matron's crisp voice cut through Teddy's stunned daze "Doctor Murdoch, if you wouldn't mind helping over here, I'm sure Mr. Nightingale has other duties to attend to!"

Teddy rushed over, "What do I... I..."

"You check her blood pressure while I set up the drip, monitor her oxygen & listen to her heart rate" replied Matron

Thomas came to check on the patient, "I've restocked & repacked the ambulance. I am supposed to go & do a patient transfer, but if I'm needed here the transfer can wait."

Matron smiled, "You can be on your way Thomas, the doctor is here now. He will help me stabilise Miss May properly."

Teddy couldn't help but notice the wink Matron gave to Thomas.

Thomas smiled & wished him good luck (with Matron) before turning to leave.  

Matron turned to the patient & started teaching Teddy about what was wrong with May & how intensive & long term her treatment would be.

After such a rocky start to his career, Teddy was determined to do his best for May, especially as her condition was going to be lifelong & something that would require constant care.  Being such a small hospital Teddy could devote a lot of time to May, & in the months that she was under his care they came to know each other quite well.

Matron would often smile when she saw Teddy at May's bedside, she was very proud of the doctor he was becoming & she was pleased that May had someone who was dedicated to her.

On the day that May was to go home, Teddy bought her some farewell flowers, he was going to miss her. As he was handing them to her, he had the wildest, craziest, brightest, idea! He should ask her to go out with him! After all they had become good friends while she was in hospital... He blurted out "Miss May, I love you, & I want to take you to dinner... Always!" 

All of a sudden he realised what exactly he had said! Oh my goodness, what must she think!

May got up & walked over to Teddy, "Dr Murdoch... Teddy, I would love to dine with you." she smiled as he handed her the flowers.

Giddy with excitement, Teddy took her in his arms & kissed her...

Dr. Murdoch had been so caught up in his reminiscing that he had totally forgotten about his clinical home visits, but as he drew close to his first stop he was glad to start the day with such happy memories.

Mable Periwinkle was waiting out the front of her house "Doctor! You are finally here! I thought maybe you had forgotten that today was our home visit! It's been such a long time since we had our check ups & Mack is always complaining about his health...."

"Mable, don't you go telling the doctor such tall tales!" called a voice from inside

Teddy just smiled as he entered the house...

In Memory

In loving memory of our cat Tinuviel. Gone for 2 years & missed every day. 

DIY hooded shawl/cloak

the rectangule piece should be 10cm long x about 4cm wide. 
The "L" shape is 10cm (from corner to tip) on the outside & 4.5cm on the inside X 3cm wide. 
Those are the measurements for the child's size. If you add a couple of cm to the lengths it could end up adult size (I'll play around with it a bit to get better measurements)

Also to fit rabbit ears you could cut holes it the top, but I haven't tried that yet.

you will need:
material/cotton
interfacing (I find iron on interfacing best)
scissors
thread
needle

Method:
attach material to interfacing
Cut 1 of each piece of pattern

fold rectangle in half, sew along one side from fold down to end

pin end of seam to middle of shawl piece (the one that looks like an "L" shape)
sew pieces together

iron on interfacing will keep to material from fraying

print image to A4 for correct sizing

Introducing

Introducing "Potterville" 

This is a side project I've been working on. Turning spare Sylvanian figures into characters from Beatrix Potters "Peter Rabbit" books. If you have been following my blog for a while you would have seen Peter, Benjamin & Lilly. 

Now I can introduce you to a rather "foxy gentleman" called Mr. Tod Slydale 

And here he is with the other "Potterville" residents. 

Mrs. Jemima Puddleford, Benjamin Bunny, Peter Potter, Lilly Bobtail, Mr. Tod Slydale