Second half of January 2026

What a productive second half of the month Ive had! And considering that we have had heat wave conditions - I think 7 days of over 42 degrees celcius in a row, Im pretty pleased with what ive got done

Firstly this pair of socks - the yarn and pattern was a gift in the Ravelry Christmas Yarn ball swap - the yarn is Regia sock and the pattern is 7265 estene sock pattern by regia Next is some cards I made at Julianas recent card day and I really like how they turned out - some were quite tricky

And finally these two wash clothes that were an easy knit while watching the tennis - yarn is jo sharp 8 ply cotton leftovers and the pattern is Chinese Waves dishcloth (but I use them as face washers)

Ive also been trying to reduce my crafting stash and in particular my fabrics and quilting things I have a reasonable size pile of bits and pieces leftover from quilts I have made, I made these tablerunners and place mats from them Even used up some leftover binding and wadding too - so really a "free" project

And last but not least I bought this sashiko advent kit to work on in the advent period in December and of course didnt so Ive got it done in January instead Each day had a piece of the design to trace on and work on - it was tricky to get some of it to line up and I did add some extra embroidery to it once it was all joined together to line things up but all in all Im pretty please with it

Phew that was a lot now for a Reading update - I was really successful in the last half of this month, mainly due to the super high temperatures we have had so very condusive to reading and listening to books!

Not usually the type of book I would read but I couldnt put it down its the story of Elsie who is in her 80's and has lived in her inner Melbourne suburb for over 60 years She has a hidden past that she had hidden well until her neighbour dies Several twists I didnt see coming - loved it - 5 stars

I only read this book as my daughter sent it to me - and it was silly Its short stories about cats who help people in a coffee shop that appears once a year. I skim read it just to be done. Maybe the translation from Japenese hasnt worked well? 1 star

This historical fiction book is written in the time of Henry VIII and the Tudors and focuses on Jane Boleyn She is married to George, Anne Boleyn's brother and acts as a spy for the Boleyn's, the Howards and Cromwell Very well researched and intersting just a tiny bit too long - 4 stars from me

It was recommended to me to listen to this on audible and reco is not wrong! Fabulous recording and story of Ryland Grace who awakes on a spaceship. He first has no memories and then they slowly begin to return and he understands his mission. In the end its a story of friendship and also destiny and doing what you were born to do If I could give it 6 stars I would!