Louise Dawson Design On Instagram In January

Happy February to you all! When I look back on my "On Instagram" blog posts from last year I really did repeat words like "This year is flying by!" an awful lot and I'm beginning to think that this year will be no exception. January whizzed by very quickly!

Today I'd like to share my Instagram photos from January- I have shared the photos in the order that I posted them on Instagram, so you get an idea of how the month unfolded.

I hope you had a good January. Thanks for letting me share- what did you get up to?

We saw in the new year with friends and I shared knitted best wishes

I began working on new designs, starting with sorting out my Shetland wool stash

I'm determined to complete some long standing projects this year, like this Granny Square blanket

These hand knitted, Fair Isle Shetland wool necklaces were the first new pieces I added to my Etsy Shop this year

Sharing my lovely sparkly hair bow from the lovely Jo, aka Adventures and Tea Parties

The particularly cold weather was a great reason to cosy up indoors and knit new designs!

Nelson approached January in his usual laid back style!

Thinking of Spring and stitching new Harris Tweed necklaces

Two friends of mine went out separately to buy me a Christmas present and a thank you present and both bought me the same lovely box, so now I have two very sweet boxes to store my sewing kit

Two more projects that I'm determined to get finished this Winter- a lovely super chunky jumper and cardigan

And another one! This was part way through knitting a foot stall for my Mum. I'm pleased to say I've now finished knitting it, I just need to sew it up and stuff it. I'll share some photos when it's finished. It was lovely to knit as it is made using two strands of super chunky yarn held together, so it's super squishy and kept me warm while I was knitting it!

This was another new piece that I added to my Etsy Shop- a lovely bright mustard Harris Tweed button brooch, with upcycled fabrics

Some work in progress and tea! I am usually found with a cup of tea close by

A lovely customer knitted me this very cosy fisherman's rib jumper to her own pattern- so clever and so kind

I shared a look back at 2016 through photos

Recent designs that can be found in my Etsy Shop

Nelson loves to get involved in everything I do, especially if he can sit on things and stop me working! I love this photo

Close up of some of my Harris Tweed mini embroidery hoop necklaces

I was pleased to make some progress on the blanket throughout the month. I love my orange Knit Pro Waves soft grip crochet hook

I made this Shetland wool necklace and brooch as a custom order for a lovely customer asa gift for her knitter sister. I love working with customers to create special gifts

Group shot of some of my Fair Isle necklaces

As it's been such a chilly month I re-shared my bead embellished gloves How To. I wanted to add a bit of sparkle to the cold days

These are the latest new pieces that I've added to my Etsy Shop- three Spring inspired Harris Tweed mini embroidery hoop necklaces

I hope you had a fab January and here's to a great month ahead. Share what you got up to in January in the comments!

On Instagram In July

 Happy August to you! Today I'd like to share my Instagram photos from July- I've absolutely loved the weather and getting outside for lots of walks and ice cream! Here's what else I got up to...

Walking by the river while Mr Writer catches Pokemon is the perfect excuse for an ice cream!

I love living close to the river and this is one of my favourite views of my home town

I snapped a pic of this very pretty nautical themed front door on one of our walks down to the river

The garden has been looking so lovely in the sunshine and I've enjoyed having the chance to work outside alot

The beautiful sunshine has meant that everything has been in bloom- this rose is one of my favourites this year

Wildlife watching- a Peacock butterfly enjoying the Buddleia

I've no idea what this flower is but it's certainly very pretty!

Trying out one of my Harris Tweed mini embroidery hoops as a brooch. this received a good response on Instagram so I'm going to make a little range of these

Wearing my favourite top with one of the Harris Tweed mini embroidery hoop necklaces that I made for myself

I read Gone Girl in July- give it a read if you get the chance!

WIP

Some of the handmade jewellery pieces that are available in my Etsy Shop

This pink necklace was a custom order for a lovely customer

And this one I made for a birthday gift for a friend

All the rings! This is the current range I have in my Etsy Shop

Necklace ready to go off to its new home. I love packaging orders!

Granny Square crocheted blanket WIP

I made a Custard Cream cheesecake at Mr Writer's request! It was very yummy

Nelson cat has enjoyed taking it easy this month!

He's developed a habit of taking over your book and sleeping on it if you're reading! Who knew books could be so comfy?!

Sooo cute!

So that was July and here we are in August already! What did you get up to last month?

On Instagram In May

Time is going by so quickly I nearly forgot to post this and we're already well into June (is it just me or does Christmas seem like yesterday?!) So here's a look back at my Instagram photos from May- a little peek behind the scenes...

I love this time of year, wandering around the garden in the sunshine, enjoying the blue skies and seeing what's come in to bloom. Our little apple trees are blossoming!

Vibrant summery colours in the garden

Nelson loves the summer weather as much as I do. I'm writing this on my laptop in the garden and he's pretty much in this same position on the patio table!

Aaannnnnnd stretch!

This has to be one of my all time favourite pics of Nel- he's just too cute and fluffy!

By day I work in a craft shop, mostly in the wool department. We're a friendly bunch, we all buy each other birthday cards and when it's your birthday it's your turn to bring in cakes! My colleague made the prettiest cakes for her birthday, I couldn't resist taking a photo before I scoffed it!

Sorting through my vintage thread collection. It's a shame they don't make them like this anymore

Making some new Harris Tweed and Knitted Button Brooches with upcycled fabrics

Despite my sunny photos at the start of this post, we did have some quite chilly days in May, hence the need for hot chocolate and marshmallows and wrapping up warm indoors!

Fair Isle necklaces #WIP These are one of my favourite things to make, starting by colouring the design on knitter's graph paper and hand knitting the design in Shetland wool

My new collection of Fair Isle necklaces, coming to my Etsy Shop very soon!

My sister took some photos of me with the necklaces. She also plaited my hair- it's lovely when she comes to visit, she's always wants to do my hair and paint my nails!

If you place an order in my Etsy Shop, your jewellery will arrive in a hand decorated gift box with a little thank you note. I love taking time packaging up my work to send off to customers and equally I love to buy things from other makers because of these little touches that make the package so lovely to recieve

How fab does the lovely Joanna look in her Fair Isle necklace that she won in my giveaway? Thanks for entering Joanna!

A custom order for a Fair Isle necklace. This received a lot of lovely comments on Instagram and I'm chuffed that the lady I made it for really loved it. I really enjoy making custom orsers

Something new! These Harris Tweed mini embroidery hoop necklaces with upcycled fabrics are now available in my Etsy shop in 5 colours! I made myself a mustard one that I'm really enjoying wearing

So that was May! Hope you had a good one too, what did you get up to? Wishing you a fab June, see you later in the week!