Return of the Granny Square...

Two weeks in to my studying and I am pleased to report that I have managed to find a bit of time to do other things. Yarn was purchased in a nerve-calming effort the day before I started uni - am I allowed to sound young, and call it uni? A new baby is on the way in November for one of my closest friend's sister and so a blanket has been asked for...

I love making granny squares and I've been itching to make something using red and turquoise together, after admiring this gorgeous quilt and these lovely cushions.

My expectant mum isn't a pastel kinda girl, so I thought that it was the perfect excuse for this colour combination, which would suit a boy or a girl.

I have a small confession though: it was working out pretty expensive using this yarn, so I've scouted around and have decided to make it in this yarn instead - 100% wool rather than cotton, so nice and warm for a winter baby.

All is not lost on these squares - they are the perfect colour combination for No2's bedroom, so he will soon have a cushion for his bed...or to be thrown around the room...

My first two weeks of studying have been brilliant. I now feel that I'm part of the whole deal and have had some really inspiring lectures that have made me feel that I really am on the right path. Last week, we had a lecture from a headteacher who had turned her school around, from one on special measures, to one with an outstanding OFSTED report. I left after one hour of listening to her infectious enthusiasm dying to get out there and teach.

Today, we had a lecture about the importance of reading for children by an emeritus professor who had us all regaled in the delights of Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy. Imagine a group of 120 students (all above Years 1 and 2!) yelling out the last word of each page! His advice to us was to read to your class at least once a day, purely to keep yourself sane! He assured us that the class would always be enthralled at listening to a story. Suits me...