Got It From My Mama

Tidy up for winter coming

2010-09-17T10:38:00.000-07:00

Just spent most of the day tidying up the garage so that I can put the swing and table and chairs away until next year as I don't think there are going to be many more days for sitting out and relaxing and actually I haven't really done a lot of that anyway this year. I am someone who really dreads winter I honestly do I just hate the dark nights I strongly dislike driving in the dark and I really, really do not like being cold I just dread closing the blinds at 5 o'clock because it is so dark outside. On the plus side..no actually I can't think of anything to put on that side. I was born in November and my sister was born in April. Every year on our birthdays my mum always let us have a birthday party (I know that's common now..but I go back a few years and birthday parties were few and far between.) I digress. My sister was always allowed to go outside at her party with her friends because the weather was always reasonably good but mine November in Scotland..no chance. I always said that when I grew up I was going to change my birthday to June and guess what..it's still November you can't beat nature.

I do like sitting in the house watching the snow fall and I really love Christmas and my little grand-daughter is going to be a 19 months old this year and I know she will be so excited because all her aunties get excited and they are way older than 19 months.

I have taken lots of pictures of my strawberries that I grew for the first time this year and lots of pictures from my garden I just love flowers. I am going to talk nice to Emma my daughter and see if she will put some on this blog for me as I have no clue how to do it. I was very pleased with the strawberries and I am going to give it another go next year as I did get quite a few berries and felt quite pleased with myself. I am hoping next year the numbers will double we shall see.

As usual I have been busy knitting many, many things I am just about to start a custom order for one of my circular shawls and I am also knitting quite a few arans this year they are getting very popular again and they are also very good for keeping you warm.

Just off to have a quick cup of tea before I settle down to my knitting again.

2010-08-19T11:47:00.000-07:00

Hi one and all I have been awol for a few months as life has been pretty hectic. I don't even know where to start. In April my daughter Anne her husband Christian and baby Holly bought a new house which was exciting for everyone. They should have moved in early April but then the guy who was selling the house changed the moving date by 4 weeks so they all moved in with me and my other two daughters Angela and Emma. They had to put a lot of stuff in storage but as with any young child there is always lots of things you need to travel with. We were kind of bursting at the seams for a few weeks but it was also good fun and thankfully we all got on ok. I did find it hard to keep up with my excercise regime however so that went out the door.

No sooner had we moved out the daughter and son-in-law than I started decorating two rooms for the wedding. My daughter Michelle was getting married on 31st July and 3 of her friends were going to be staying with us as well. The decorating was quite extensive and I'm not too sure when I realised it just wasn't going to be done on time but realise I did. Michelle lives in London so she didn't really know how far I'd gone with the decorating which was probably a blessing in disguise. Emma my youngest daughter was having one of the rooms and she wanted to decorate it herself. She fancied a vintage theme. It took some time for her to find the right paper and carpet..and so far she hasn't found the right furniture but she's working on it.

When Michelle arrived home a few days before the wedding she was a bit surprised there was an empty room and she wondered where her visitors would be staying. Indeed they stayed in a blow up bed and a z-bed in my front room. It was very cosy. Thankfully they all saw the funny side of it.

The wedding was a great day the sun shone..eventually, the food was good the

wine even better and the dancing was spectacular everyone had a fantastic time and there were many sore heads in the morning.

That just about brings be up to date with where I have been and what I have been doing. Oh! and I am going to be a granny for the second time next February.

2010-03-17T10:09:00.000-07:00

Thankfully I am feeling much better have got rid of my flu and back on my feet. I have just finished knitting this cardigan I have gone for a three quarter sleeve as it is obviously for summer and I added some big navy buttons to give it a nautical look what do you think? All opinions welcome.

II have been inspired to knit these little Mary Jane style baby shoes by my little grand-daughter Holly. Holly is nearly 10months old and she isn't walking yet so she isn't in shoes but because we have had such along cold winter I have been knitting bottees and shoes for her because although her mum dressed her in tights her little feet were still cold so granny has knitted many colours of baby shoes for her they look so cute when she has them on.

And so to the strawberries which I have to say seem to be surviving very well considering the weather we have had. Again today we have had sunshine but apparently we have rain forecast for the next few days and over the week-end but I am very confident. My biggest concern now are the cats that seem to come out of nowhere and belong to nobody but love my garden I do not know why because I shout and rant at them to leave and they don't take a blind bit of notice so if anyone has any ideas of how to painlessly keep cats out of my garden I would appreciate all suggestions.

My daughter Michelle is coming home at the week-end with her fiance Olly they get married in July hence the keep fit regime I am putting myself through although I did get time out when I had flu. We are going shopping for bridesmaid dresses this Saturday. Michelles's 3 sisters and 2 friends are her bridesmaids. All five bridesmaids are lovely girls but this will be the second time we have attempted to get dresses not easy with five girls who all have different tastes are obviously all different ages and different sizes. Wish me luck I will obviously let you know how things go.

2010-03-10T04:05:00.000-08:00

Haven't managed to do much lately have been floored by the dreaded flu but hopefully next week I will be up on my feet again. I have been looking at strawberries out of conservatory window and fingers crossed even although we have had loads more snow and frosty mornings they look ok. Have also contemplated growing potatoes in a bag this year haven't done that before either but why not in for a penny in for a pound it just depends on how much time I have. My married daughter, husband and grand-daughter(Holly she is just so gorgeous) have sold their flat and are moving soon only problem is they haven't found a new house yet and they have to leave their flat on April 9th quite soon so fingers crossed or they will have to move in with me not such a bad thing but I know they would rather have their own place. One of my other daughters Michelle is getting married on July 31st so there is quite a lot going on in our house at the moment. Of course there is weight to be lost for this wedding and I had started a regime of doing the tread mill for 40 minutes and then the power plate(I actually do not know what this does I am being guided by yet another daughter Angela who has lost about two and a half stone so she obviously knows what she's doing) and lastly I have just bought a dance hula hoop and can I just say for anyone who would like to change shape and have a laugh at the same time please try this. It's a bit like the one we had when we were children but it has weights in it and it is easier to keep up. My youngest daughter Emma put me onto this as she was doing the Pussycat dolls fitness video but being 50 something I declined to join in. Who knows if the weight will shift but I am enjoying myself trying. Hopefully back to fitness routine next week at the moment I could hardly lift hoop. If anyone has any ideas on how to lose weight painlessly please forward all ideas to me. Thank you

Fun in the sun

2010-02-20T12:47:00.000-08:00

Well I have planted the strawberries. I was assured they could be planted straight away and I am a bit concerned I know it looks sunny in the pics and it was, at least when I was taking the pics but then it turned very cold and the following morning it was very frosty and I have to say there have been a few frosty mornings since. I even took advice from garden centre and bought strawberry compost which hopefully will give them a fighting chance. The planter is very decorative and I can picture the stawberries cascading over the top and tumbling down the sides. My plan B is if the strawberries don't grow I can always use the planter for my flowers which I'm sure will look equally nice ...only they won't be strawberries. I was also told by garden centre to protect them from birds by covering them with some sort of netting which I am working on. Let me know if you have any advice for me all comments very much appreciated.

The Box

2010-02-14T06:52:00.001-08:00

Well great excitement here the strawberries have arrived although feeling a bit anxious as it is very frosty outside but have been assured that strawberries are winter hardy and that they can survive up to -6. Have not opened box yet have been staring at it all day but will attempt to open it tonight and plant tomorrow once I have assembled planter which looks very nice. I do sometimes get carried away when I watch gardening programmes like qvc and ideal world they make it look so simple and I think why not I'll give it a bash so wish me luck I mean how hard can it be I'm hoping the hardest part will be keeping the birds from eating them . I will keep everyone informed of their progress.

I have just finished knitting a shawl which I am going to put up on my etsy site soon I have pinned it out and have been stretching it for a couple of days . I have knitted it from an old pattern that used to be my mums you can't better the old Shetland shawl patterns. I knit it in a modern 2ply wool in white which can be machine washed and is more practical . I think the original wool was prone to shrink and it was never white but more a cream colour. I still have my own daughters original shawl and she is now 33.

EDIT- Just listed the shawl on Etsy, check it out here!

I do!

2010-02-08T09:14:00.000-08:00

I came across this on my daughters blog, she had posted it a little while ago

She found it on a photographer called Ben Phillips website.

His brother in law asked him to take pictures of him and his girlfriend on their way to work without her noticing

The pictures tell the rest of the story!

As it is nearly Valentines Day I thought I would share this with you. Hope you enjoy as much as I did. Let me know what you think.

Strawberry Fields

2010-02-01T09:04:00.000-08:00

Picture One
Picture Two

Well that's us into February. What is everyone doing for Valentine's Day. I have a lovely sweetheart baby blanket that I have just put on my etsy site check it out and let me know what you think it isn't really for valentines but it fits in with the theme right. Can't wait for the Spring to come I was taking a walk round the garden the other day and it's so good to see all the bulbs starting to appear another few weeks and the daffodils will be out and the crocus too. My garden is my other passion . I'm not very knowledgeable about it but I am a willing learner. I have just ordered strawberries to grow this year something I have always wanted to do so fingers crossed I will let you know how I get on with that one. I am also contemplating having a go at growing my own potatoes in a bag. I have grown potatoes years ago in the ground and that was pretty successful but I have put gravel over my garden since then I will also let you know how that goes. Wish me luck. Any gardeners out there I would appreciate any tips you could give me. Thanks in advance.

Picture One- Hopefully what my strawberries will look like when they have grown,haha!

Picture Two- My sweetheart Blanket

2010-01-26T13:30:00.000-08:00

I am looking for inspiration don't know what to knit next has anyone any ideas? I am also finding it harder and harder to find wool where does everyone else get theirs? Have just spent the last hour on etsy in the forums its good to chat you met some really nice people and honestly if you have never checked it out please do. The quality and quantity of handmade items is immense you can spend so much time going through all the different sites. I mark some sites and when I am looking for that special gift for birthdays or special occassions I always know where to look and the good thing is most items are a one of so there is little chance of anyone else having the same thing and you will get loads of complements from the person receiving the gift.

Oh I put some new shoes on and suddenly everything was right...

2010-01-25T12:30:00.000-08:00

Just getting back to normal after the big freeze it's so good just to be able to go out again and also apologies for not having blogged for some time had a lot of family stuff going on as have most of us! New Year new start and this year I started of my knitting with 2 aran cushion covers. I have never kept a list of things I have knitted before but this year I am going to see how much knitting I manage to get through in a year. I will keep you posted.

These red Mary Jane baby shoes are my newest listing on etsy. I haven't knitted these shoes since my own children were babies I came across a pattern recently on the Internet and decided to give them another try they really are the cutest little shoes and I have embroidered some white daisies on the front.

What are you all knitting at the moment any new projects on the go.

Oh and if you want to see my little red shoes on my Etsy page then click here

2010-01-09T08:40:00.000-08:00

Can not believe how cold it still is but never mind every cloud has a silver linning. I have knitted a sweet little baby love heart blanket this week and am now knitting some aran cushion covers I just love to chop and change with my knitting hoping to put them up in my etsy shop soon. Trying hard to keep warm thinking about excercising soon but haven't actually done anything about it. Even walking through the snow feels like a workout at the moment. Managed to survive Christmas with everyone at home my daughter and her fiance are now back in Oxford. They were so glad that it snowed for Christmas but after lying for 3 weeks even they were looking forward to going home unfortunately the snow followed them and they were snowed in for a couple of days and it's still lying although not as bad as ours.

2009-12-28T14:33:00.000-08:00

Went into town today it was so cold minus 8 the coldest it has been for years forgot to wear my hat and my ears were numb by the time I got back. I was glad to get back home to the heat and my knitting. I have an shop on etsy does anyone else have an etsy shop I would love to hear from anyone who does.I am always trying to think of new ideas and different things to make. Ideally I would love to have my own little knitting shop with a little tea room where people could come in and browse and have a cuppa and a chat at the same time. Here in Scotland there are fewer an fewer knitting shops and shops that sell wool and patterns are few and far between. I would even be up for teaching people to knit as I know very few people who can knit. My mum taught me when I was little that's why I called my etsy shop gotitfrommymama. I get such pleasure from being able to knit and I would love to pass it on. Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and all the best for 2010.

2009-12-27T11:57:00.000-08:00

Cannot believe the amount of snow we have had it has started to rain today but snow is still lying. Christmas was so lovely don't remember the last6time we had a white Christmas. I have been busy knitting little Mary Jane shoes and some bootees unfortunately I have been so busy with Christmas and my family coming home that I have not had time to take any photos of my knitting but I will soon. I have been doing quite a lot of cardigans and boleros for my little grand-daughter who is ony 7 months old and her name if Holly. I don't know what to knit next maybe some little jumpers. I have quite a few pieces to put in my etsy shop again I just need to get some photos taken and I will after New Year. Hope Christmas was good for everyone and I hope 2010 is a good year. I hope to do more blogging inj the new year.

Winter Wonderland

2009-12-04T04:43:00.000-08:00

This is a collage of some of my 'Winter' knitting

Some of it is up on my etsy page here

But some of it isn't up yet

If you would like to buy any of the things that aren't on etsy please just get in touch using my email address at the side

I except Pay Pal payment only!

1. This is a Pram blanket White chunky 100% acrylic wool, It's in my etsy shop here

2. Blue hat and Red hat-Will fit babies up to six months approx

3. Hand-Knitted sailor style cardigan, With navy anchor buttons, Will fit 3-6 months

Check it out on Etsy here

4. Another Hand-Knitted sailor style cardigan, This is in a lighter blue and cream, Will fit 3-6 months

5. Brown Unisex hat, knitted in 100% Aran wool Check it out in my Etsy shop here

6. Scarf in cream and brown Unisex

Hope you are all enjoying preparing for the Christmas season

I am getting excited about it now too!

What are you all knitting just now?

I have just started another chunky knit

You can never have too many for the winter season!

Oh and remember at the side you can follow this blog and add me on twitter

Every ones welcome!

And if you want to do a link exchange just drop me a comment

Enjoy!

Diamonds are a girls' best friend

2009-11-28T10:45:00.000-08:00

I have just recently finished this pram cover which is knitted in chunky wool and can be knitted in a day it is so simple but looks really good when finished you can embroider flowers in the diamonds or sew on some little flowers to change the look. I sold one in my etsy shop a few months ago and I have knitted quite a few in the last year. One of my daughters had a little girl in May my first grandchild and she is just so beautiful. I knit all the time as it's my way of relaxing and it's been a busy year for babies for me. I have four daughters and lots of their friends had babies this year and they were all due about the same time. I think a pram cover is a quick knit to put in with a baby present it never goes wrong.
I went out today with my friend Mary who is also a knitter she is actually a member of a knitting club as she does machine knitting as well. We went for a spot of lunch and then had a look for some new patterns and wool. I have loads of patterns but get fed up knitting the same ones and am always on the look out for new ones or getting a copy from a friend. I am finding it harder and harder to find wool as quite a few shops I used to go to have either closed down or don't sell wool anymore it can be a problem although there are a few sites I buy from on the internet but the postage can be quite high. I have a great site I go to for buttons which can be very expensive to buy. Does anyone know any good places to buy wool? I would be interested to hear from anyone. Just off now to have my tea and then its on to x-factor and knit 1 purl 1.

Scarf

2009-11-26T07:53:00.000-08:00

This is a couple of the scarfs the I have made and put up on my shop you can check them out HERE and HERE

I love big chunky scarfs for winter time

I don't know about you but when I see this advert on Tv it means it's offcally Christmas time in my house

I just love it

As soon as you hear "Holidays are coming, Holidays are coming..."

Then you know it must be Christmas!

Check it out below

Oh and if anyone wants a link exchange I would love to

So just leave me a comment and I will get back to you!

Winter Jacket

2009-11-26T07:44:00.000-08:00

This is my yellow and white child's hooded jacket perfect for these cold winter days

This will fit a 12-18 month old approx.

You can buy it here

I was trying something different for the photos

I had a bit of an autumnal theme going on with the leaves

Just to try and make them more eye catching

If any of you have any good tips for taking a good photo please enlighten me!

Enjoy!

HELLO

2009-11-26T07:36:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my new blog

It's my first one so it might take me a little while to get the hang of it but bare with me

I have a shop on Etsy called Got It From My Mama

Where i sell my handmade knitting

I love creating garments and finding new patterns

So I thought i would create this blog

As an outlet for all my inspiration behind my knitting

Also to post my knitting and other creations

I am so excited to be joining the knitting blogging world

I hope you like this blog

Enjoy