On KAL’s and Snails and Beach Walks

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The second post on the Washington Meet-Up is still in the works – there seems to be too much else going on to actually sit down and finish it……….. but I will, I know you are dying to hear more!

But I did get this Lace Leaf KAL project finished.  The second colour arrived and is the perfect complement – what do you think?   I’m really pleased with this scarf, it’s knitted in bamboo cotton yarn and made to be part of an ensemble for my YD.  This means I’ve also successfully completed my first KAL albeit a little late!

Pink Lace Leaf1 6May

 

I knitted it a little smaller than the pattern called for as I wanted it to be just a scarf rather than a shawl – and oh, the fabric is so soft and gentle.  I love knitting with bamboo yarn!!

Pink Lace Leaf 3 6 May

Pink Lace Leaf 5 7 May

I’ve also finished my lady snail painting – meet Ms Snail:

Ms Snail

Ms Snail is about to begin a journey, via snail mail, to Claudia in the UK for her 365 Days of Snails.  Follow the link if you are intrigued and have an artistic snail to share.  I found it quite interesting making this painting – I ended up feeling slightly kinder to the snails who inhabit my Boston Ivy and Jasmine vines…………

I’ve also assisting my YD in setting up her first ever blog.  An aspiring photographer and our official photographer here in Contented Land, she has bitten the bullet and decided to join in the fun at WordPress.  It’s a work in progress, but there is already two photo posts published.  If you are at all interested, pop over to ‘Let’s See What I Can See’ and see what you think about what she is seeing!

Yesterday Siddy went to the beach on a gloriously warm and sunny May day – here are some shots taken by our official photographer

Siddy with sand on his nose

Siddy with sand on his nose

Pauline&Siddy

 

What a difference a week can make, we are totally enjoying some unusually placed hot summer weather here, the weather gods appear to be a little discombobulated…….  I’m sure they will work it out soon, in the meantime Siddy and I are chasing seagulls, sniffing the sea air and wandering along the sandy shore.  Happy Days!

Thanks for coming by today, I love that you did!

103 thoughts on “On KAL’s and Snails and Beach Walks”

  1. A snail in pearls! Hard not to smile at that.

    Your talents truly shine in this post, Pauline. I marvel at what you are able to accomplish. The scarf is to die for. It’s so lovely. I am glad to hear that your hearing is improving and you are being so well-cared-for. And fun news: a new blogger in our midst! yay!

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  2. I just checked to see how you were and wish you a Happy (late in the day) weekend. I hope Siddy, Orlando and especially, you are well and happy! ♡

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  5. I stopped by to make sure I had not missed a post, Pauline. Oh, always fun to see Siddy with sand on his cute nose. Hope you are enjoying your projects, possibly trips and Life this June. 🙂

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    • Robin, thank you for stopping by so regularly – it has been weeks since I posted and a new post is still just somewhere in the making …… But I so appreciate your encouragement 🙂

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  7. Good Morning Lovely Pauline, Siddy and Orlando. I’m popping in on my way out and that just seems to be the usual here in Boomtown lately. I remember sitting near you while you worked on that beautiful scarf. Was that only last month? Sigh xo…..the pattern is so intricate, I’m in awe. It’s a really lovely treasure for your dear YD

    Your art is sweetly whimsical and fun. The quote made me smile. Her hat of flowers is adorable. I was just at my monthly art class yesterday before work. What a fun day. I’ve just to do the doodling on my work then I’ll share on FB.

    I can’t even imagine having a beach like that to toodle along……it’s a postcard for a travel magazine ! What an amazing place you call home. I’m heading over to “Let’s see what I can see”. That’s just fantastic that you will booth now be sharing your passion. Way to mentor mom! Congratulations YD, see you there. Love and miss you P xoxoxo K/B/P 😀

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    • I am looking forward to seeing your creation Boomdee, it must be quite fun to be able to attend a class in person, I should enjoy to do that! We are fortunate in living on a long narrow island – the beach is never far away for most of us. This particular stretch is just a 15 minute drive to isolated loveliness 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to pop by xoxo

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  9. Hi Pauline, I just love Ms. Snail and her pearls. Quite lovely:) I’m thinking of joining a knitting group that meets twice per month. I hope I take the next step and meet with the ladies. I visited your daughter’s blog- I’m glad you convinced her to share her talent.

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    • I hope you meet with the ladies too Elaine – it is a wonderful craft to get into and eventually becomes quite a meditative thing to do and you can wear your creations too 🙂

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  10. The KAL shawl is just lovely, it looks so soft and delicate. I do love a bamboo yarn too!

    And Mrs. Snail – yet another triumph! She looks so happy going to dinner in her pearls, I love it 🙂

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  12. Pauline, that lace scarf is stunning! I love the second colour, too; it gives it a perfect border. I was already looking forward to knitting again and you are not helping 😉 I hope I don’t find my lace-weight wool any time soon; I am determined to finish my CAL afghans and then some of my knitting UFOs (UnFinished Objects, in case that’s only a North American term). I haven’t used bamboo yarn yet; maybe a trip to a yarn store is in order? sans wallet, of course 😉

    But, lovely as the lacy scarf is (and I hope we will get a peek at the ensemble you mention), that painting takes the cake! I’ve liked all your creations and enjoyed watching your talents blossom and this, to me, is the best yet! Snails are so useful in the forest (although we may not appreciate them going out to dinner in our gardens!); where the surface of the forest floor has been disturbed, say by a deer’s running by, the snail’s shiny trail serves as a sort of band-aid, holding things together while the floor heals itself. Or so I learned long ago while reading about the service rendered by beings we consider ‘undesirable’ for one reason or another. Slugs perform the same service, too.

    Anyway, I digress . . . I like the colours, the shapes and the contrasts in this portrait; most of all, I love the expression on her face. I always enjoy the words you choose, too; it took me a bit to read these, as my phone screen is small; then I remembered to ‘stretch’ the picture . . . Perfection!

    And yes, I am looking forward to more of your Magical Mystery Tour . . . apart from the joys you experienced, you have brought to mind many joys of my own from the one time I made it to Washington, DC. I am loving learning about parts of that city that I didn’t know about. The joys of meeting like-minded people who become family is unparalleled, isn’t it? No pressure, though 😉

    BTW, I noticed that the days you were basking on the beach were when we had snow (yep, in May, again!). Makes me wonder . . .

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    • Hi Linne, lovely to see you dropping by again! I did not know that about snails and am really pleased you shared that with me. It quite changes the way I feel about them! What other little snail snippets do you have up your sleeve I wonder?

      Snow in May! I hope it is the last of it you will see for a while. From my perspective you Canadians seem to have a very short summer and a very long winter. Both of them being extremes temperature wise! Our temperate climate is so uneventful – usually! Wellington [where my ED lives] has just experienced major flooding due to a months worth of rain coming down in one hour. Major roads were closed and eventually most arterial routes were also impassable leaving hundreds stranded. Little suburban streams became raging rivers and rivers became roiling lakes that spread across roadways and into houses……. Here, an hours plane journey south, we just experienced grey skies and a day or two of rainy weather.

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      • No more snippets for now, but you never know . . . 🙂
        We get long dark winters here in Edmonton because we are so far north as well as far from the sea. On the west coast, in Victoria, BC, where I moved for uni back in ’65, we used to have roses blooming in December, in spite of the rains. It’s like much of England, from what I hear. Often no snow in winter, some years snow for a couple of weeks or so, every decade or so we get about four feet in a day. The last winter I was there, ’97 I think, we had over four feet on Boxing Day and the city shut down to traffic for three or four days. It was wonderful; silent except for the occasional emergency vehicle. People walking in the roads and greeting each other cheerily; so nice. I was sorry when the snow melted and all went back to ‘normal’.

        I haven’t seen much of the news for a bit; sorry to hear about the floods; hope your ED is ok, though. Glad you’re not floating away, too . . .

        Today we had +20C with light cool breezes and it was perfect! I wore my flannel shirt over my Tshirt and was comfortable. Just what I like.

        One thing about winters, though; they give us time and space to be indoors creating . . . always a silver lining, isn’t there? Have a great weekend, Pauline. See you again soon.

        Big hugs to you, too, and cuddles for Siddy and Orlando. ~ Linne

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  13. playing catch-up:-) Just came inside from working all day in the hot sun. I was dripping in sweat-who needs the gym when you have a garden-LOL. I love the pink-yep, I can hardly believe I am saying this- I love that pink! I was never a pink girl, but lately pink is grabbing my attention in so many different shades:-)
    Your daughter’s blog is beautiful, I stopped by and admired her photos! The creative apple does not fall far from the mother tree-tee hee.
    Is that where you walk every day???? You live in such a beautiful place, you never need to go any place! What a great morning walk with your little buddy tagging along-BEAUTIFUL!
    I love your snail:-) pearls and all!!!

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    • I’m the same with the pink – it isn’t my colour, but the combination of the two shades is really pretty. [Danella is the pink girl in my circle!] I am surprised by how many folk like Ms Snail – maybe you all are just being polite! Yes we can walk on the beach every day if we wanted. We can walk there from home – it’s maybe a 15 min walk, but mostly I drive down to the beach, walk an hour or so and drive home again. But mostly we just head off to the dog park which is a two minute walk and a nice wander round and round in circles under the autumnal trees. 🙂

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  14. What beautiful photos of Siddy and you on the beach with him, so kind of you to help a fellow blogger, but then I would expect that from you dear Pauline 🙂 And I just love the scarf you knitted, it is gorgeous, so light and delicate, my kind of scarf, as I can’t bear thick, heavy things around my neck. And your snail painting is so cute…although I’m not too enamoured with snails at the moment, showing themselves out in force nibbling at my newly planted lupins. Now if they looked as cute as yours maybe I would not be so annoyed at them 😉

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    • I’m like you – it has to be really, really icy out there for me to want to wrap anything about my neck! This is definitely a decorative scarf – or maybe just a shoulder drape for those hot evenings when the air temperature drops a degree or two. Me too on the snails – they can devastate my young plants. I companion planted this last summer and was amazed that although they were there, very little damage was done to my food. And bug free too 🙂 The original painting had a more accurate head anatomy going on – but I didn’t like it and decided to anthropomorhise her instead 🙂

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  16. I love the artistic painting of the snail you did. Such a great and fun picture to look at! I also liked seeing Siddy on the beach, Pauline.
    Your beautiful and delicate weblike scarf of pale pink and pretty raspberry color is so lovely. I liked the model’s or wearer’s presentation, too. It is always easier to picture when worn, so I am glad you took this photo.

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      • You are so right, I don’t post pictures on my blog of my grandies or grown children. Only one of my three kids posts pictures on Facebook. I hope you have had some fantastic days for walks and lounging, with a book or your projects. Relaxing is so nice to do! Smiles!

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      • Hi Pauline, I was going to let your Ms. Snail know I posted a re-blog of a story of a woman who lives in Cleveland, who strings pearls. Last time I ‘caught up with her’ was when she was 92 and still doing this fine, intricate craft. Your Ms. Snail’s pearls never go out of style, smiles!

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  18. I love the scarf and the snail painting. I wonder if our snails here wear pearls? I’ll have to look. I bet they do when the mornings are dewy. 🙂

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  19. I think I’d like to be buried in bamboo yarn. Yes, it is a heavenly feel–one that I can only compare to baby alpaca maybe. And the scarf is a treasure of soft hues to match the tangible divine touch. So beautiful, Pauline!
    I love the finished product of that snazzy snail of yours. Pearls have indeed given her a swank-factor that’s bumped her up a class or two from the old garden variety. I will surely pause to take a closer look in my own garden for the next many visits.
    And Danella’s photography is masterful. She obviously has a terrific eye. Thanks for the intro, and for helping to bring another fresh perspective to our world of wonder.
    Siddy looks delightfully content on the beach. It seems the two of you were of one mind on that walk. Cheers, Pauline! xoxo

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    • As ever you are kind and generous with your comments! Thank you for coming by and for visiting the youngest daughter. Siddy loves the beach very much – he can run and run and run for miles! And paddle! xoxo

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  20. That shawl is more than gorgeous. Is there a word for more than gorgeous? That shawl is “full of gorgeous promise”. It reeks of gorgeousness. It wafts it’s slinky sexiness all over those photos and YD is going to have to whack the men off with a stick as they try to stroke that gorgeous creation Ms Pauline. I love it…I want it… but first, I need to learn to knit more than “knit” and “purl”. It’s amazing how a desire to have something will see you learning much more than someone telling you to learn eh? ;). OOOOO LA-LA! That is one swanky snail Ms Pauline! Siddy is MUCH bigger than I thought that he was Ms Pauline. I reckon I should just about be able to send Earl over on the plane to have a frolic in that sand. Do you reckon you could handle both of them on a walk? FD’s blog is lovely. I went for a little look-see and she has a real talent for taking photos. Does she want to eventually sell them? I think people would buy them 🙂

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    • YD took a photo of Siddy yesterday standing on his hind legs in the kitchen to see what I was offering him – he is nearly as tall as me! He is round and solid too, so I feel for poor Orlando when he gets his morning hug and collapses on the kitchen floor beneath puppy! Thank you for visiting the photo blog – she has a good eye huh? She just needs feedback and confidence and more practise…. you know, all that stuff. Like us all. I’m sure I would never have gone as far with my art had you lot not been cheering me on every inch of the way! As for the shawl/scarf it is all knit and purl with some ‘yarn overs’ to make new stitches and a fairly straightforward movement with three stitches to make the stems, it’s the counting that makes a muddle more than anything. It is an eight row pattern and two of those rows require your undivided attention – once you get your head around how the pattern evolves on your needles it becomes easier, but I still have to undo bits when my mind has wandered. I think it is worth the effort though as it makes such a pretty fabric. I still have to finish the Indian Silk one and then I will also make another one. I like it that much! Siddy would enjoy to show url all his favourite haunts 🙂

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  21. I’ve gone for along visit to D’s blog and had a very nice time. Thanks for helping her set up her blog. It’s nice to have someone show you the ropes. I hope she stays with it. I like her ‘voice’ and her photography and I like that she’s related to you, too. 🙂

    What a lovely pink scarf. I feel lucky to have touched that soft, silky yarn. I like the delicate, feminine style as well.

    Mr. Snail is quite the charmer. I’m joining in as well, but must say you’ve set the bar pretty high. I”m still not sure what to contribute, but love the concept and the fun.

    Does Orlando feel left out when you leave for the beach with Siddy, or does he enjoy the peace and quiet?

    Love your posts, and now really hear your voice when I read them. xox

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    • {{Alys}} You really do have a piece of my heart! Thanks for visiting the new blogger too – she has gotten quite a boost from all the friends of this blog popping over. Orlando has been going out into the tiny garden to soak up as much sun as he can get – despite his big fur coat. He comes in all dazed and dozy which is very cute. He gives Siddy his morning cuddle and the occasional bit of attention in the evening, but prefers to be left alone the rest of the time. Orlando is getting older and, like me, prefers a quieter life these days. Poor Siddy he needs a kitten to be friends with. I’m happy to hear you will join in Claudia’s snail collection – it will be quite something when they are all gathered together! xoxo

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  22. The scarf is beautiful – beautiful colours and knitting. I definitely would like to knit one and sorry I was too tied up to join in the KAL. Siddy is gorgeous. Give him a hug from me.

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  23. We have had the most gorgeous weather here this week too Pauline. Love your knitting, what is the bamboo wool like to knit with? I saw bamboo sheets advertised the other day and though bamboo is not something I equate to softness it obviously can be!
    Pretty lady snail too, and of course young Siddy 🙂 Shall check out YD’s blog, I hope she enjoys it!

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    • The bamboo yarn is really quite soft and silky to the touch Wendy. It splits easily when knitting or crocheting, but that is something we can overcome by paying attention 🙂 The outcome is worth a little extra effort I feel. Between this, the Indian Silk and milk cotton I don’t think I’d use cheap woolen yarn again. Danella has been quite blown away by all the support she has received by readers of this blog – so am I! It took me the better part of a year to get that many followers! You guys rock!! xoxo

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      • That’s good to know – I adore beautiful fabrics and textiles and this sounds nice, and Indian Silk! Oooh how yummy!!!! I haven’t heard of milk cotton?
        Danella has some beautiful photographs there and will be a pleasure to follow, I am pleased for her she has had such a good start to blogging 🙂

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        • Milk Cotton yarn has 20% milk fibre yarn in it. I understand it is made from dried and spun milk protein. While I have no clue how that is done, it is undeniable that it adds a softness and silkiness to the cotton that is palpable. I’ve made wash cloths for bathroom and dishcloths for kitchen use with it and love it! I will at some stage knit a top of some kind with some too.

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  24. I love the way you’ve knitted a scarf and painted a painting and are saying how…lazy you are in the lovely weather. I really like Ms. Snail’s pleased expression and her lovely eyes. And the scarf! Such a nice way it drapes and wraps. It was also wonderful to see you walking on the beach with Siddy–so glad you’re having good weather yet! I went over to YD’s blog and she’s got the eyes! Some very beautiful photos. The writer and photographer James Agee wrote that there were “fewer than a dozen alive whose eyes I would trust as I trust my own.” Obviously, he didn’t have our connections…

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    • My routine is changed and I am not getting done what I used to get done – it takes a bit of adjusting to. Thank you for your lovely thoughtful comment as ever! Lovely compliment for my girl – I agree, she has the touch – and I think keeping a blog will inspire her to keep at it – it certainly works for me! 🙂

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  25. Fab beach, Pauline.
    And I love your scarf – so delicate! I remember being given a beautiful spiders web of a shawl when Son was born. It was wool and I used to tuck it around him in his car seat. Inevitably it needed washing but sadly, in my distracted new mother state, I swept it up and into the machine with a load of other baby clothes. It came out the size of a flannel….

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    • I’m sorry! I hooted with laughter!! I did that constantly as a young mum with no training in the housewifely arts, and it took me years to understand hot water and wool were not a good mix 😀

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      • Well, you’ve got to laugh, haven’t you? The only snag was, that it was due to be used at his Christening a few weeks later, and the person who gave it to us was coming and would probably expect to see it. Fortunately my sister had been given one by the same relative a couple of years earlier and although it was a slightly different colour I borrowed it and hoped they wouldn’t notice. Well, nothing was said so I think I’ve managed to get away with it all these years.

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  26. Oh my , a post filled with lovely goodies and eye candy. The scarf is marvellous and colors will be perfect with your darker hair. The painting so magical and cheerfull. Ahw Siddy on the beach…I miss the sea. Have a lovely weekend Pauline! xo Johanna

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  27. Well, the snail has certainly blossomed from its ‘ugly’ stage!! I use my shawl as a scarf too and have plans to make one for my sister as it’s such a beautiful design. Hope she likes it as much as YD does:)

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    • I loved the shawl you made in the KAL – I hope my Indian Silk version will turn out as lovely as yours! It’s a little addictive to knit isn’t it – I just want to keep on making them!

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  28. The scarf is beautiful. So perfect. The snail picture is wonderful. Love the pearls around her neck, she has class. Am follow YD blog.

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      • I really love her photos. She has a great photographic eye. She wouldn’t mind my using them as inspiration for my knitting pieces? I can see she is that good.

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        • I read out your comment to her and the response is: “Knock yourself out!” I hope you say that over there? It means ‘go for it’ ‘with pleasure’ and ‘as much as you like’ all rolled into one. She looked very happy! Even though I have no idea how you would use a photo as inspiration for knitting – I assume you mean colourwise? Any way, thank you for the compliment 🙂

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  29. Ms. Snail looks well dressed for dinner out in her pearls and flowers in her hair. She might even find a Mr she is looking so lovely. 🙂 I LOVE the scarf! It would be stunning as a shawl too. I understand being too busy to get the writing done. You’ve had your hands full it seems. I’ll pop over to both sites in a moment. Delightful to see you and Siddy walking the beach. I’m envious. It’s quite chilly here this morning but we will have very warm temps for the weekend. Shades of summer to make us grateful for the cool and wet we will soon be missing. How is the hearing coming along?

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    • The hearing is almost back to normal Marlene – thank heavens and thank you for asking! Yes, the scarf will make a stunning shawl and I shall knit one up when the silk scarf is finished – it is a lovely pattern! I also have another shawl pattern in my Ravelry queue too – so much to do and so little time! The special thing about this country is one is never too far from a beach! We take it so for granted! It is still very summery temps here despite it being very late autumn. xoxo

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      • I know the feeling of too much to do and to little time (or energy). I have a very long list and keep running out of steam. So happy the hearing is better. Is YD staying with you?

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        • I have been having chiropractic work done and it is fixing my hearing and upping my energy level too – I recommend it! Yes she is here for a wee while which is most enjoyable for me – and for Siddy 🙂 Though it has changed the structure of my days and I struggle to fit in all I need to!

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          • I so understand. I haven’t had a good chiropractor since I got Bells. They wouldn’t let anyone touch my neck. Haven’t found a good one here yet. But I’ll keep looking.

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  30. Reblogged this on Creative Shell and commented:
    Pauline messaged me yesterday to ask for my address. What a talented lady. I am overwhelmed with the kindness of people sending snails in the mail. After the art trail I really hope to write back to people and fully get into the project ❤

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  31. What a beautiful beach! Looks like a perfectly lovely walk along the shore. I am going to pop over to both blogs to check them out later today. The scarf is absolutely stunning! I’m so impressed with your ability and your snail lady well, what can I say!! She is magnificent. Well done,Pauline- you have really displayed your awesome talents today. ♡

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    • It is a beautiful little beach Jan – and often empty too which is an added bonus!
      I’m surprised by the amount of likes Ms Snail is getting – it’s an unusual choice for a painting! The scarf has come out beautifully, I shall have to make more!

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      • We are having a surprisingly chilly few days in May and I have pulled out a few scarves! A nice thing about the beach is it is wonderful in any weather!

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  32. Morning Pauline! (well, it’s 6 am for me anyway). I will go check out the new blog. How exciting!
    Your knitting and snail painting are both so beautifully done. You have so many talents!

    I just left Alys’s blog and read your comment about having another human in the house. I’ve clearly missed some news. Hope all is well…
    Big Hugs!

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    • I was just off to bed when you posted this Laurie – it was 10.23 here. The new blogger in residence will love having you take an interest in her work! You are a star! All is well here, just a tad busy and full 🙂 Siddy is happy it gives him more people and cats to love! xoxo

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  33. You’re creating lovely things, Pauline! And you’re so smart to take advantage of that lovely weather while you can. It was neat to see you and Siddy in the header photo at your daughter’s site!

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    • Thank you for visiting her Kerry, she is a bit shy about this blogging thing – so was I when I first started [hard as that may be to believe!] I think she takes lovely photos naturally and she wants to learn more of the techniques of the art and this is a great place to start. I expect Siddy will feature in a number of her posts! 🙂

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  35. The scarf is stunning, Pauline! And my little Siddy with sand on his nose…precious! I hope your weather gets on track. We’re experiencing some summer like temperatures, but that’s okay, it beats the cold. I love the snail lady! xoxo

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    • We are happy to delay the onset of winter a little longer Jill – I had a wee taste when I arrived home from the US and didn’t much care for it! Have a wonderful weekend! xoxo

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  36. Pauline that scarf is so pretty and how clever to think of altering the pattern that way! Lady Snail is most “smile worthy” and how interesting to know she will be joining my snail (and many others) for this exhibition! Sandy Siddy!
    Now I am off to check this new blog! ❤

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