bit of a show and tell

Bit of a show and tell sort of post today I'm afraid as there's not much news around here at the moment. Except, I suppose that the children went back to school yesterday and I moped around the house all day as I usually do after a school holiday. The blooming weather didn't help either as it was cold, grey and drizzling all day.

Oh well, at least we had wonderful weather for the whole of the holiday and we got out for a walk over the fields on Sunday afternoon. I took my camera with me and captured a few lovely things. Crab apple blossom just coming out. I love the colours:

Lichen and moss covered trees everywhere:

We found some lichen on the ground and brought it and some broken branches back. I soaked the lichen for a few hours and it sprung back to life:

There were rabbits everywhere and I managed to catch one - on camera that is:

Ofcourse I couldn't resist a close up of a dandelion:

and Tom took one of the local church peeping through the trees:

Then it was back home for supper, bath, school bags to get ready and ofcourse no-one could get up the next morning.

As I said what a morning it was. I'd resolved to take more exercise and to start walking to school everyday and we did manage it but I had to scrounge a lift on the way back as it started raining. However, I was very good and I went for a long up-and-down-hill walk whilst Tom took the boys to cricket practice last night. Isn't it amazing how a bit of fresh air and exercise can change your mood, give you energy and exillerate you? I came back and re-decorated the house, filled the freezer with food and put on my best clothes for when hubby came back - ONLY JOKING!

Actually, I came back and knitted two strawberries instead. I'd seen this pic on flickr in the afternoon and desperately wanted to knit some so after a bit of searching I found the link to the pattern on peasoup's blog. Here are my efforts:

Aren't they lovely? The only red wool I had in the house was Tahki Donegal Tweed so I used that and I must say that the bits in the wool make the strawberries look quite realistic. The bigger one on the left was knit with 4mm needles and the one on the right with 3mm. I would say to use a smaller needle for your wool as it makes the stitches tighter. The pattern is here.  Here is a pic of another one I made with some wool from the charity shop this morning. The wool was doubled here and knit on 3mm needles too:

Well, I'm off to knit a few more strawberries - I'll leave you with a pic of another beret I knit at my Mum's last week with the aforementioned Tahki. It's the best of the lot I think:

Damn this was going to be a short post - show and tell I said but I just remembered something I read yesterday on a new (to me) blog.

It's this interesting post about blogging and readership by pinkpurl. She made a really important point about blogging being a two-way thing, an interaction. I blog - you comment and you give me some feedback. It must be quite an issue because back in January there was a de-lurking week when readers were encouraged to come out and stop being shy. I have to say I'm as guilty as the next person. Before I had a blog I used to read a few and be really inspired by many but it never ocurred to me to leave a comment. I was too shy and I felt that it was a special world that I was looking into and I didn't feel part of it. It didn't ocurr to me that the bloggers I read would like to have my feedback. Nowadays I have my fave blogs and I try to leave a comment on each one every week. But sometimes I don't know what to say - especially when I come across a new blog. It's almost easier to leave comments for bloggers that you have a 'relationship' with - ones that you've been reading for ages. Hmmmm.

What do you think? Do you feel shy leaving comments, do you feel that you have to be 'one of them' to comment or don't you know what to say? Do you think you should comment more often or do you think a fuss is being made about nothing? I'd love to hear your opinions ...............

Comments

[Tracy]

Hello! I'm Tracy, writer of the Pink Purl blog you kindly mention. My musings on blogging and reading/commenting on blogs has stirred some interest. This is good. Because I feel, too, that blogging is a give & take kind of thing. It is a sharing process on both side. Sure we're all "guilty" at some point of not responding. Maybe read a blog once and know it's not for us, so we don't comment. But what about those blogs we faithfully visit? The writers of those blogs ought to know our appreciation, and thanks even for the inspiration...I comment at the blogs I read every day. I want the writes of those blogs to know a kindred spirit feels the same. We're all trying to connect, I feel. Even the readers who are too shy to comment, they're still trying to connect. Sometime we might not all have a lot to say. But it is the process of sharing in itself that matters the most. I was one of the shy ones at first. But I was so inspired by so many, I had to give my thanks, my gratitude. When I began blogging it was with great joy, and I still blog with joy. But after almost a year my readership is still relatively small. I get lots & lots of hits, I see that. But not many commnt, and that is frustrating when you want to reach out to people. I feel the comments are a way to share, to get a conversation going. A place to share ideas, memories, admiration, wonderment of the world. There is such joy to be shared--and that's what I try to do, through writing my own blog and commenting at others. For us relatively new blogger, if we receive no comments, we can only wonder if anyone is truly interested. Having hits are great, but it is the comments, the feedback that keeps us going, makes us want to keep going. I shows we're making a difference. I don't mean to sound like I'm on some kind of soapbox here. I just feel there are many wonderful blogs out there, but those blogs keep going because of comments & coonection with the readers. My post at Pink Purl was meant as a gentle reminder of that. Let's not be shy now...There are no "cliques" here--we're all in it together in one way or another! Ok, there...Simmy, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the beret and the color too! Those knitted strawberries are the sweetest things--thank you for sharing the pattern. Where you live is just beautiful...Happy Days! :o)

[Mama Urchin]

The strawberries are so cute and that spider web was a great capture.

[Sarah]

I'll delurk to say that I enjoy your blog and your crafting. My children attend a Waldorf school in Vermont, and we are always looking for inspiration for fun crafting--there is yarn all over our house and even in the glove compartment of our car. I don't comment much because I haven't gotten my act together to have a blog and feel like I should if I'm going to enter the blog community through comments. Sarah--off to help my daughter start a strawberry!

[Karen]

I am a lurker...ha...I love to read other's blogs to peer into pretty places that I don't live...the grass is always greener right? You live in a beautiful place! I love the strawberries also and the beret...red is good on you.

[Wylie Hunt]

Hi Simmy,

The photos of your walk in the countryside are so beautiful. They made me feel that I was walking along with you.

I remember that poignant, sad feeling about having school holidays end. My youngest (and only one at home now) is 16, and I still feel a bit like that when he has to go back. But it's different now because I'm working full-time out of the house, and even when he's on vacation, I'm at work usually. But I do remember being sad at the end of vacations.

I loved the strawberries and the beret, such a beautiful color of yarn, and you are so talented. I can only seem to knit a simple pattern like the shawls I'm doing, but I would love to be able to actually make something a little more complicated. When I am finished with the current shawl I'm working on, I will attempt something simple out of the Debbie Bliss book you sent me.

I, too, feel somewhat shy about posting a comment, because I don't have a blog, and I guess there is sort of this mystique or movie-star quality about the beautiful blogs and creations and photographs. I somehow feel like I'm not qualified to comment! But I usually try to post several comments on blogs about a parenting issue or a comment about child rearing, for whatever it's worth. Must get back to work now. Thank you for all your wonderful work and writing!
Fondly, Wylie

[Ali]

I'm shy to comment on established, but new to me blogs. Like I'm interrupting part way through a conversation.

Which, strangely, I have no problem doing in real life. Hmmm.. odd. I have to think about this some more.

You see Simmy, that's why I visit. You make me think.

[Jodi]

Simmy,

Love your strawberries and the beret. You're a natural born encourager, especially in the department of shyness.

Jodi Lenz

[stephanie s]

i have just been feeling a bit guilty both about my blogging which has lagged a bit lately, and my not leaving very many comments of late either... because i too feel it is a two way street and haven't been holding up my end of the bargain. that said, i read you every time you post and love coming to visit. and those strawberries? they are just great.

[Heather]

Beautiful pictures! I can't wait until greenery starts appearing more around my parts.

I find commenting depends on my mood. Sometimes, I comment on absolutely everything I see and enjoy. Other times, like many blogline users, I just keep on reading. I must admit, when I'm new to a blog, I feel funny starting to comment. I never know if I should introduce myself or just go for it.

[Simone]

I don't comment on every blog I read. When I do comment it is because I have felt motivated or encouraged to do so. I love your photo's, strawb's and beret Simmy and just love the tweedy wool!

[Denise Ridgway]

as always wonderful post with beautiful photos.
Thanks so much for sharing.
all love
Denise
xx

[Laura]

I am guilty of being a lurker on your blog (and many others). I am an introvert online and in real life.

I enjoy reading craft blogs, but my own blog is family stuff first and a little craftiness on the side.
I don't get many comments on my own blog, but I get a fair number of hits. My whole purpose for starting a blog was to keep in touch with friends and family, so many of my readers are people who see me, call me or email me instead of leaving a comment on the blog. They are also people who don't understand the world of blogging - they would say that I have a "website", and mine may be the only blog they have ever read.
I am ok with that.

I am trying to be better about interacting/commenting on the blogs that I read - since I do get such joy and inspiration from so many (including yours). But many blogs seem like such personal spaces - I feel as though I am coming in uninvited.
I have found I am more likely to comment on a blog if I "know" the blogger from somewhere outside of their blog - like a flickr group, whiplash or project spectrum. I think that has to do with the "relationship" piece you were talking about.

Since I am officially de-lurking right now I will say:
*The green jumper that was too small for Rohan, but the perfect size for Raj is beautiful. I love the green with the subtle color variation.
*I really enjoyed reading your mother's story - thank you for sharing it.
*I have your curry "tutorial" saved for future use.

Thanks,
Laura

[Christiane Payton]

Hi, my name is Christiane Payton and I've lurked but never posted a comment to a blog - ever. I am a mother of 4 children living on a small sheep farm in western Oregon in the US. I found your blog several weeks ago through the link from another blog. It almost brought me to tears, the first time I read your blog. I felt like I had found someone like me out there. An opinionated, creative woman who enjoys motherhood and who is open to the beauty of the natural world around her. I too am the child of immigrants (German) and your post on your mom made me howl with delight. I am inspired and energized by your work and there is nothing better than finding a new Simmy post early in the morning as I drink a cup of coffee in those few precious minutes before it is time to wake the children and get them ready for school.

[Tracy]

It has been so great reading everyone's comments here! So many de-lurked...I think of my own blog as a way of start/or keeping a conversation going. I'm inviting anyone in who would like to join me, and hope to encounter some kindred spirits along the way..

[julie]

OK I'll delurk too considering you put it so nicely. It is difficult sometimes to know what to say and I sometimes feel like I'm on a bit of a smash and grab raid - quick dip in, oggle the photos and out again without a trace! You're right though about blogging being a two way thing - feedback of any kind is definitely nice to have. I also find it's a question of time - I seem to be able to loose a whole morning just browsing and reading and I too tend to leave comments on blogs where I've already 'become settled' and lurk on others. Anyway, I wanted to say the strawbs are lovely and your springtime pictures are beautiful. I'll continue lurking but try and leave a few more comments along the way!

[Jo]

Hi Simmy - count me in as another de-lurker...! I love your blog and have been visiting for several months now, but always felt a little too shy to comment before.
Love the strawberries by the way -esp. the flecked ones which look so realistically pippy!

[ramona]

oh, those strawberries!!! must try one, too. (->tomorrow)

and about commenting. hm. i think it is a sort of interaction and i like to get comments on my posts, because i post to share my world. and i also like to comment on other blogs. sometimes i am out of words or have nothing to say. sometimes i want to comment, but people disabled anonymous comments, so i can't be a part of their world..blogging is interesting...ans strange. but i love it. it gave me so much impulse and inspiration!

[Mae]

I don't knit. But if I did, you'd be darn sure I would make is a whack of those strawberries. And then ... I don't know what I would do with them. Maybe use them as zipper pulls on fun summer totes? Or as a replacement for a pompom on a hat? They're darn cute anyway.

[Sue]

I do leave comments on blogs that I read, although not every single time. Sometimes I wait until another post appears and then comment on both. Naughty I know, and I love reading comments that people leave for me on my blog, so I am sure that they feel the same way about comments that I leave too. I love reading your blog, and I must say that those strawberries do look delicious, and the beret is beautiful too.

[Katie]

Hi- Delurking too, I read your blog regularly and it is a genuine and inspiring read all the time! I almost never comment on any of the few blogs I read, mostly because I feel like I am interrupting, but also because I am most often holding my nursing baby and am not good at typing one handed! I really enjoy your crafting and tutorial posts, they are among the best I have found on the web.

[~~Melissa]

I've noticed more and more recently how much what I want to say in a comment box can sound so spammy and that stops me in my tracks when it's a blogger who doesn't know me. I don't wish to be mistaken for spam. :-D

That said, I am smitten with your spider web photo. Lovely!

[Jade]

I normally want to comment, but I usually don't want to reiterate what someone else has already said...so I keep being the silent observer. And, yes, I'm shy, too. However, I'll always keep visiting, because your blog makes me think :-)

[Patti Gagliardi]

Well, you convinced me to stop being shy! I love your strawberries and your dandelions too. Most fascinating is hearing about your life "across the pond". Living in a big city (Chicago), it is so inspiring to hear about your life and to realize there are more similarities than differences. Keep up the great work! Incidentally I have been working on strawberies too! I've been using wool fabric filled with emery.

[Tami]

Simmy, the beret looks great. Tres chic. :-)

Hmm, commenting on blogs. It depends on whether I'm tired or not, or have a lot of time or not. Also if someone has a gazillion comments already, I figure that they really don't need a silly one from me. On the other hand, if I really like something pictured then I'll give a little quick note. Often I feel that I should have something witty to say. There's only so many times that I can say words such as: adorable, sweet, darling, inspirational etc , without feeling like I'm just repeating myself.

But then I think to how I feel whenever I get a comment ... it's a nice feeling. So I try to leave a few sprinkled amongst the many, many, many blogs that are now on my favorites list.

[Marie]

Oh Simmy, I love, love, LOVE the strawberries and the beret! I've been a fan of your blog ever since I stumbled on it and was quick to pop it into my links just so I wouldn't forget where it was. I guess it was love at first byte for me (every pun intended!) I agree that it is a two way street. Comments are very important, or at least they are to me. I really enjoy the feedback. It lets me know that all my efforts are not in vain. It would be nice if more people that lurked came out into the open more often though, just so I could see where they are and thank them in person!