This is the bush I found in the corner of the garden behind the over grown butterfly bush, apparently it is an Australian Bottle brush plant, it has these amazing flowers. 
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
I know what this one is
This is the bush I found in the corner of the garden behind the over grown butterfly bush, apparently it is an Australian Bottle brush plant, it has these amazing flowers.
Weed or not a Weed
That is the question, I do hope not as this is one of the few flowers in the garden and I have a white version as well and they are absolutely beautiful. I guess the best definition of a weed I heard was that a weed is a plant that is in the wrong place.
Socks
Just to prove that I do sometimes finish things that I have cast on these are the ankle socks using the hand dyed self striping yarn, I think if I remember rightly it was a couple of balls of debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, I found that my last pair of these made wonderfully warm slipper socks and have lasted very well considering I walk round the house with them all the time, they have slightly felted, probably something to do with me keep throwing them in the washing machine. The pattern is the standard one fronm the crazy toes and heels book (toe up)
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Gardening
And just to prove I haven't given in on the garden, we were sent these from Andy's ex father in Law apparently two are red tomatoes and one is a yellow variety and at the moment they are almost twice this size and need repotting and putting out side.We tackled a little more of the garden today and I have discovered what look like they could be yellow Irises coming into flower and possibly a camelia bush, difficult to tell with that one as having to clear a path to it. Unfortunately I seem to have uncovered a lot of pests too like a huge caterpilar nest on our apple tree, they were all furry with a blue strip down them plus I have just noticed some sort of white mould on another bush oh well I'll keep trying.
Latest work
And this is what I have been working on recently. This is a wedding set for my friend Kim who got married on Friday more about that once I have downloaded the pictures, this was my wedding gift to her and Martin it is made from uncultured pearls and Citron crystals and moonstone and matched the colour of her dress, it is crocheted on two wires held together in slightly different shades.
Amazon Gift
Yvonne sent me an amazon token so I could finally buy this, I had read so much about it and seen a few copies but couldn't justify buying it , watching the budget during this moving thing, so it was a wonderful suprise when I opened my e-mails on my birthdy to find it. I want to knit everything in it and am trying very hard not to cast anything on. The information chapter alone is worth its weight in gold.
More Flowers
I also got these flowers earlier in the week from Carol, note the jam jar, so ok I know what I'll be on the look out for in the second hand stores. She also gave me some money for the garden to invest in some tools or plants so am planning a trip to the garden centre possibly to by a rake.
Birthday news
So finally I am getting to blog about my wonderful birthday last week. Firstly I was treated to breakfast in bed by Andy which was no mean feat as his shoulder had completely frozen the day before so was very sore and we couldn't get an appointment with the doctor until Thursday so it was a bit of a treat.This was followed by a wonderful visit from Andy's daughter with these wonderful flowers (and vase thankfully) plus some lovely incense burning things which ere a gift from her family and Andy's boy Scott, I was absolutely thrilled as I wasn't expecting anything and made me feel very much part of the family.
We then spent a wonderful day together just relaxing and me not being allowed to do anything finished off with a very extravagent chinese takeaway.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Notr what I intended
Well unfortunately here at Silkwood we have had some computer difficulties which means I can't post pictures whilst I'm here so I don't really want to put the blog entry in that I was intending to do because it won't be the same with out images so instead heres another meme from one of Andy's friends blogs
1. NAME ONE OF YOUR SCARS, HOW DID YOU GET IT? Two small ones underneath my jaw where they broke my jaw.
2. WHAT IS ON THE WALLS OF YOUR ROOM? At the moment in Silkwoods work room so there is a lot of yarn on the walls, book shelves and a picture of a sailing ship.
3. WHAT DOES YOUR MOBILE PHONE LOOK LIKE? Pink and small
4. WHAT MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TOO? Just about everything from heavy metal to opera via folk and jazz these days heavily influenced by Andy.
5. WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT DESKTOP PICTURE? Tess on her computer has a series of beautiful landscapes in a slide show.
6. WHAT DO YOU WANT MORE THAN ANYTHING RIGHT NOW? To be at home.
7. WHAT DO YOU MISS? Andy.
8. WHAT TIME WERE YOU BORN? I have no idea, my parents have a hard enough time remembering which day I was born.
9. There is no number 9,
10. WHAT ENDED YOUR LAST RELATIONSHIP? Death
11. DO YOU GET SCARED IN THE DARK? Sometimes
12. THE LAST PERSON TO MAKE YOU CRY? Me.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE COLOGNE/PERFUME? Eternity by Calvin Klien
14. WHAT TYPE OF HAIR/EYE COLOUR DO YOU LIKE ON THE OPPOSITE SEX? Don't mind
15. DO YOU LIKE PAINKILLERS? Couldn't survive certain times of the month with out them
16. COFFEE OR ENERGY DRINKS? Neither Tea all the way
17. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PIZZA TOPPING? Mushroom, spinach and egg
18. IF YOU COULD EAT ANYTHING RIGHT NOW, WHAT WOULD IT BE?Choclate
19. WHO IS THE LAST PERSON YOU MADE MAD? A fellow youth worker
20. DO YOU SPEAK ANOTHER LANGUAGE? nope
21. WHAT WAS THE FIRST GIFT THAT SOMEONE EVER GAVE YOU? I can’t remember, I do remember a much cherished rag dooll my grandma made me called Jade
22. DO YOU LIKE SOMEONE? Yes
23. ARE YOU DOUBLE JOINTED? No
24. FAVOURITE CLOTHING BRAND? Don’t have one.
25. WHAT IS YOUR DREAM CAR? An old d=fashioned Cherokee jeep with the bench seats in the front
26. Again, no number 26,
27. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF MARRIAGE? Difficult to say never having done it but have been surounded by people in very unhappy marriages so I don't have a positive view of them.
28. WOULD YOU FALL IN LOVE KNOWING THAT THE PERSON IS LEAVING? Yes and have done, you can't help who you fall in love with
29. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO TELL SOMEONE HOW MUCH THEY MEAN TO YOU? By the things you do and the way you treat then every day (I agree with Andy on this one)
30. SAY A NUMBER FROM ONE TO A HUNDRED: 38
31. BLONDES OF BRUNETTES? doesn't matter
32. WHAT IS THE ONE NUMBER YOU CALL MOST OFFTEN? Give you three guesses (yes its Andy)
33. WHAT ANNOYS YOU THE MOST? Selfishness, discrimination and greed.
34. HAVE YOU BEEN OUT OF ENGLAND? Yes
35. YOUR WEAKNESS? Choclate
36. WHAT WAS THE LAST GIFT YOU RECEIVED? A beautiful bunch of flowers that Andys Family gave me for my birthday oh and a dvd from my brother but as it wasn't actually wrapped not sure if it counts
37. FIRST JOB? Nanny
38. EVER DONE A PRANK CALL? No.
39. WHAT WHERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOU FILLED OUT THIS FORM? Winding sock yarn
40. IF YOU COULD GET PLASTIC SURGERY, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Not sure I would, although it sounds strange am quite comfortable with who I am
41. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU BEEN IN LOVE? 3 times
42. WHAT DO YOU GET COMPLIMENTED ABOUT THE MOST? I guess my knitting or my dyeing
43. WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF ALCOHOL BECAME ILLEGAL? Celebrate the fact that if I go out with certain friends it will be a lot cheaper night.
44. WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY? Got everything I wanted :)
45. HOW MANY KIDS DO YOU WANT? none, quite happy enjoying other peoples
46. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Now my parents say I wasn't but as we have established remembering the year I was born is a struggle when I ran into someone with the name Nicola Jane a couple of years ago about the same age as me she told me she was named after an instrumental released around the times of our birth so take your pick
47. DO YOU WISH ON STARS? Sometimes
48. WHICH OF YOUR FINGERS IS YOUR FAVOURITE? all of them
49. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? two nights ago
50. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Have three sets legible but slow, joined up slightly less legible but quicker and my super fast writing that I can't even read
51. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE VEGETABLE? Broccoli
52. ANY BAD HABITS? Lots
53. WHAT IS YOUR MOST EMBARRASSING CD ON THE SHELF? Difficult to say but probably the David Essex greatest hits doesn't do my street cred much good
54. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Probably not, I am sure I am far to stressful
55. HAVE YOU EVER TOLD A SECRET YOU SWORE NOT TO TELL? No
56. DO LOOKS MATTER? To me no but for lots of people in this world that do
57. HOW DO YOU RELEASE YOUR ANGER? Crying usually, I know how girly but I try that whole shouty thing and just end up crying
58. WHERE IS YOUR SECOND HOME? Just moved to a new home so difficult to tell I guess my studio is my second home
59. DO YOU TRUST OTHERS EASILY? Usually unless the little voice in the back of my head says otherwise, I work a lot on instinct
60. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE TOY AS A CHILD? probably the thing I spent the most time using was the swing in the garden spent hours and hours on that thing
61. HOW MANY NUMBERS ARE IN YOUR CELL PHONE? lost count
62. DO YOU USE SARCASM? Can do
63. Again with the missing question
64. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN A MOSH PIT? no
65. WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY/GIRL? Someone who can make me laugh and is honest
66. WHAT ARE YOUR NICK NAMES? Nic, Niki, Sue and Maureen (don't ask about the last two) and as a child Fairy Elephant
67. WHAT IS THE MOST PAIN YOU HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED? Difficult that one not sure as there aree different types, probably gaulstones where I couldn't stand straight or thinking about it when I did my back in and it took me three hours to get out of bed to the bathroom, or then there is ear infections ok now I'm on a roll...
68. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Yes
69. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU SPILLED? The water I was using to top up the vases of flowers I have.
70. Another one missing!!!!!
71. WHATS THE LAST FURRY THING YOU TOUCHED? A baby Angora rabbit
72. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE COLOURS? Pink and Kakhi green at the moment but that is on an ever changing cycle
73. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE BANDS/SINGERS? Bowie and Joni Mitchell at the moment
74. HOW MANY WISDOME TEETH DO YOU HAVE? None they were all removed
75. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS? If they want I did it for my own entertainment.
76. WHO ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Listening out for foxes as on rabbit watch
77. LAST THING YOU ATE? chicken
78. THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Andy
79. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ON THE OPPOSITE SEX? Eyes
80. FAVOURITE TOUGHT PROVOKING SONG? Probably something from Radiohead or a Joni Mitchell track
81. FAVOURITE THING TO HATE? Me :)
82. FAVOURITE DRINK? Tea
83. FAVOURITE ZODIAC SIGN? Don't know don't really care
84. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SPORT? Too watch probably motor racing
85. WHAT IS YOUR HAIR COLOUR? naturally dark brown with quite a few grey hairs but regularly have it dyed various shades of red
86. EYE COLOUR? brown
87. Missing in action again.
88. SIBLINGS? yes One brother one sister and one half brother
89. FAVOURITE MONTH? October
90. DO YOU LIKE SUSHI? Yes.
91. LAST THING YOU WATCHED? Gardeners world
92. FAVOURITE DAY OF THE YEAR? Christmas Eve
93. ARE YOU TOO SHY TO ASK SOMEONE OUT? Yes
94. SUMMER OR WINTER? Autumn
95. KISSES OR HUGS? Both.
96. RELATIONSHIPS OR ONE-NIGHT STANDS? Relationships
97. WHO IS MOST LIKLEY TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS? no one
98. WHO IS LEAST LIKELY TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS? everyone
99. BIGGEST FEAR? Not sure I have a fear, I'm not frightened of dying I am frightened of hospitals though
100. IS ANYONE IN LOVE WITH YOU? Yes (so he tells me:).
1. NAME ONE OF YOUR SCARS, HOW DID YOU GET IT? Two small ones underneath my jaw where they broke my jaw.
2. WHAT IS ON THE WALLS OF YOUR ROOM? At the moment in Silkwoods work room so there is a lot of yarn on the walls, book shelves and a picture of a sailing ship.
3. WHAT DOES YOUR MOBILE PHONE LOOK LIKE? Pink and small
4. WHAT MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TOO? Just about everything from heavy metal to opera via folk and jazz these days heavily influenced by Andy.
5. WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT DESKTOP PICTURE? Tess on her computer has a series of beautiful landscapes in a slide show.
6. WHAT DO YOU WANT MORE THAN ANYTHING RIGHT NOW? To be at home.
7. WHAT DO YOU MISS? Andy.
8. WHAT TIME WERE YOU BORN? I have no idea, my parents have a hard enough time remembering which day I was born.
9. There is no number 9,
10. WHAT ENDED YOUR LAST RELATIONSHIP? Death
11. DO YOU GET SCARED IN THE DARK? Sometimes
12. THE LAST PERSON TO MAKE YOU CRY? Me.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE COLOGNE/PERFUME? Eternity by Calvin Klien
14. WHAT TYPE OF HAIR/EYE COLOUR DO YOU LIKE ON THE OPPOSITE SEX? Don't mind
15. DO YOU LIKE PAINKILLERS? Couldn't survive certain times of the month with out them
16. COFFEE OR ENERGY DRINKS? Neither Tea all the way
17. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PIZZA TOPPING? Mushroom, spinach and egg
18. IF YOU COULD EAT ANYTHING RIGHT NOW, WHAT WOULD IT BE?Choclate
19. WHO IS THE LAST PERSON YOU MADE MAD? A fellow youth worker
20. DO YOU SPEAK ANOTHER LANGUAGE? nope
21. WHAT WAS THE FIRST GIFT THAT SOMEONE EVER GAVE YOU? I can’t remember, I do remember a much cherished rag dooll my grandma made me called Jade
22. DO YOU LIKE SOMEONE? Yes
23. ARE YOU DOUBLE JOINTED? No
24. FAVOURITE CLOTHING BRAND? Don’t have one.
25. WHAT IS YOUR DREAM CAR? An old d=fashioned Cherokee jeep with the bench seats in the front
26. Again, no number 26,
27. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF MARRIAGE? Difficult to say never having done it but have been surounded by people in very unhappy marriages so I don't have a positive view of them.
28. WOULD YOU FALL IN LOVE KNOWING THAT THE PERSON IS LEAVING? Yes and have done, you can't help who you fall in love with
29. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO TELL SOMEONE HOW MUCH THEY MEAN TO YOU? By the things you do and the way you treat then every day (I agree with Andy on this one)
30. SAY A NUMBER FROM ONE TO A HUNDRED: 38
31. BLONDES OF BRUNETTES? doesn't matter
32. WHAT IS THE ONE NUMBER YOU CALL MOST OFFTEN? Give you three guesses (yes its Andy)
33. WHAT ANNOYS YOU THE MOST? Selfishness, discrimination and greed.
34. HAVE YOU BEEN OUT OF ENGLAND? Yes
35. YOUR WEAKNESS? Choclate
36. WHAT WAS THE LAST GIFT YOU RECEIVED? A beautiful bunch of flowers that Andys Family gave me for my birthday oh and a dvd from my brother but as it wasn't actually wrapped not sure if it counts
37. FIRST JOB? Nanny
38. EVER DONE A PRANK CALL? No.
39. WHAT WHERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOU FILLED OUT THIS FORM? Winding sock yarn
40. IF YOU COULD GET PLASTIC SURGERY, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Not sure I would, although it sounds strange am quite comfortable with who I am
41. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU BEEN IN LOVE? 3 times
42. WHAT DO YOU GET COMPLIMENTED ABOUT THE MOST? I guess my knitting or my dyeing
43. WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF ALCOHOL BECAME ILLEGAL? Celebrate the fact that if I go out with certain friends it will be a lot cheaper night.
44. WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY? Got everything I wanted :)
45. HOW MANY KIDS DO YOU WANT? none, quite happy enjoying other peoples
46. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Now my parents say I wasn't but as we have established remembering the year I was born is a struggle when I ran into someone with the name Nicola Jane a couple of years ago about the same age as me she told me she was named after an instrumental released around the times of our birth so take your pick
47. DO YOU WISH ON STARS? Sometimes
48. WHICH OF YOUR FINGERS IS YOUR FAVOURITE? all of them
49. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? two nights ago
50. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Have three sets legible but slow, joined up slightly less legible but quicker and my super fast writing that I can't even read
51. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE VEGETABLE? Broccoli
52. ANY BAD HABITS? Lots
53. WHAT IS YOUR MOST EMBARRASSING CD ON THE SHELF? Difficult to say but probably the David Essex greatest hits doesn't do my street cred much good
54. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Probably not, I am sure I am far to stressful
55. HAVE YOU EVER TOLD A SECRET YOU SWORE NOT TO TELL? No
56. DO LOOKS MATTER? To me no but for lots of people in this world that do
57. HOW DO YOU RELEASE YOUR ANGER? Crying usually, I know how girly but I try that whole shouty thing and just end up crying
58. WHERE IS YOUR SECOND HOME? Just moved to a new home so difficult to tell I guess my studio is my second home
59. DO YOU TRUST OTHERS EASILY? Usually unless the little voice in the back of my head says otherwise, I work a lot on instinct
60. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE TOY AS A CHILD? probably the thing I spent the most time using was the swing in the garden spent hours and hours on that thing
61. HOW MANY NUMBERS ARE IN YOUR CELL PHONE? lost count
62. DO YOU USE SARCASM? Can do
63. Again with the missing question
64. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN A MOSH PIT? no
65. WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY/GIRL? Someone who can make me laugh and is honest
66. WHAT ARE YOUR NICK NAMES? Nic, Niki, Sue and Maureen (don't ask about the last two) and as a child Fairy Elephant
67. WHAT IS THE MOST PAIN YOU HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED? Difficult that one not sure as there aree different types, probably gaulstones where I couldn't stand straight or thinking about it when I did my back in and it took me three hours to get out of bed to the bathroom, or then there is ear infections ok now I'm on a roll...
68. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Yes
69. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU SPILLED? The water I was using to top up the vases of flowers I have.
70. Another one missing!!!!!
71. WHATS THE LAST FURRY THING YOU TOUCHED? A baby Angora rabbit
72. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE COLOURS? Pink and Kakhi green at the moment but that is on an ever changing cycle
73. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE BANDS/SINGERS? Bowie and Joni Mitchell at the moment
74. HOW MANY WISDOME TEETH DO YOU HAVE? None they were all removed
75. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS? If they want I did it for my own entertainment.
76. WHO ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Listening out for foxes as on rabbit watch
77. LAST THING YOU ATE? chicken
78. THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Andy
79. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ON THE OPPOSITE SEX? Eyes
80. FAVOURITE TOUGHT PROVOKING SONG? Probably something from Radiohead or a Joni Mitchell track
81. FAVOURITE THING TO HATE? Me :)
82. FAVOURITE DRINK? Tea
83. FAVOURITE ZODIAC SIGN? Don't know don't really care
84. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SPORT? Too watch probably motor racing
85. WHAT IS YOUR HAIR COLOUR? naturally dark brown with quite a few grey hairs but regularly have it dyed various shades of red
86. EYE COLOUR? brown
87. Missing in action again.
88. SIBLINGS? yes One brother one sister and one half brother
89. FAVOURITE MONTH? October
90. DO YOU LIKE SUSHI? Yes.
91. LAST THING YOU WATCHED? Gardeners world
92. FAVOURITE DAY OF THE YEAR? Christmas Eve
93. ARE YOU TOO SHY TO ASK SOMEONE OUT? Yes
94. SUMMER OR WINTER? Autumn
95. KISSES OR HUGS? Both.
96. RELATIONSHIPS OR ONE-NIGHT STANDS? Relationships
97. WHO IS MOST LIKLEY TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS? no one
98. WHO IS LEAST LIKELY TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS? everyone
99. BIGGEST FEAR? Not sure I have a fear, I'm not frightened of dying I am frightened of hospitals though
100. IS ANYONE IN LOVE WITH YOU? Yes (so he tells me:).
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Quickie
Just a quick blog thing found on Two Fish Knitting
| You Are The Empress |
 You represent the ideal female figure: beauty and nurturing. You bring security and harmony to many. At times, you are also a very sensual person. You are characterized by love, pleasure, and desire. Your fortune: You need to take some time to think about the role of commitment in your life. It's possible you need to commit more to others, or deal with how others have treated you. It is very important for you to support your friends and family right now, difficult as it may be. You may need to look at your relationship with your mother, or your relationships as a mother. |
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Exciting News
Besides another great china bargin, Royal Stafford bone China (one of their original patterns) from our local hospice shop. My other great news is that Stash the new store opening in Putney is going to be stocking my kits but not only that I am also going to be teaching there, I am starting off with a two part beginners course and an adventurous knitting day, all the dates are on the site that went live today. I am very excited and already have half my lesson plans written and am just starting on my samples :) Unfortunately after having a sneal preview of some of the stock I may end up spending far more money there than I actually earn lol. Roll on the opening.
Home Life
Moving in with Andy is still going on suitcase by suitcase, the whole balancing act is interesting no major arguements yet and he is doing quite well as I have a huge amount of stuff and our place is only small although have now discovered the garden shed which is almost empty has a solid floor and a window so some late night deposits may be taking place.The picture is of Andy's son in Laws band A13 who I am going to get my first chance to see preform next month at The Standard in London, check out some of there music here.
Crochet One
This is the Afghan so a far, and I know I am breaking all the rules, but I couldn't wait to see what the blocks looked like altogether, I also have anothe five squares to add, but I think this is going to be the centre and am going to work out from here with the dark turquoise used as the common colour.
Knitting 2
Look and yet more knitting, this is Reid from knitty. This is I can now confirm after some confusion Patons DK cotton, and as you can see Annarellas stitch markers are being put to good use. This might now have to be put on one side for a bit as the young lady for whom I was knitting it had a request today, she has decided she wants to be a tree when she grows up and would like a cardigan with purple leaves, anybody with any suggestions?
Knitting 1
Just thought I would actually put some knitting content up just to prove I still do some, I have started another sock this time for Tess at Silkwood with some of their new yarn it is the crusoe pattern from Knitty, have a few problems with it but seem to be gaining speed on it now.
I think I am going to use a short row heel instaed of the suggested heel as I much prefer knitting those, never like picking up stitches. Apparently there sock yarn has gone down very well and looks like we will have to dye up some more.
I think I am going to use a short row heel instaed of the suggested heel as I much prefer knitting those, never like picking up stitches. Apparently there sock yarn has gone down very well and looks like we will have to dye up some more.
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Patterns
I also found some lovely patterns I brought a whole bundle but have been very good and have decided to keep a few but am about to go and put the rest on ebay, at least then maybe some knitters will have them rather that leaving loitering in a cardboard box in someones attic. Also it keeps Andy happy as it looks like I am trying to reduce my stash lol. He doesn't mind really and has started looking out for knitting books for me :)
Boot Sale Find
We went to a boot sale yesterday, its the first time in ages for me, and look at one of the things I brought, its a beautiful dinner plate by Alfred Meakin in the Morning Star pattern, we also got six tea plates, I think I may have found something else to collect, fortunately or unfortunately depending on how you see it there isn't a lot of this pattern listed on ebay so I feel a few more visits to boot sales going on.
Socks
Look what I got, yes its my Sockpalozza socks
they came all the way from the USA and have had a bit of an ordeal looking at the packaging in fact the whole parcel arrived in a Royal Mail plastic bag, pictures later but for now feast your eyes on these.
These where knitted for me by Laura
and I can't believe this is her first ever pair of socks, she also included a few treats including yarn and sweeties pictures to follow, we haven't quite got this picture thing sorted yet. But many thanks for these they are perfect and fit perfectly.
they came all the way from the USA and have had a bit of an ordeal looking at the packaging in fact the whole parcel arrived in a Royal Mail plastic bag, pictures later but for now feast your eyes on these.
These where knitted for me by Laura
and I can't believe this is her first ever pair of socks, she also included a few treats including yarn and sweeties pictures to follow, we haven't quite got this picture thing sorted yet. But many thanks for these they are perfect and fit perfectly.
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Progrees and Evidence
I have just been over to Pilars site and have found this lovely picture of my finished sockpalooza socks so just to prove I did actually finish them here is the proof. I also sent her a postcard of Richmond an address book which perfectly matched the socks in colour and a hank of Silkwoods new sock yarn.
I have tackled the garden a little further and as suggested given both of the butterfly bushes a drastic hair cut, I also met my new neighbours who happen to have the most wonderful organic garden and actually landscape for a living and lent me the proper tools to attack the bushes with. Hopefully now that my computer is here I might be able to take pictures tomorrow and post you the latest look weather permitting.
Reid is going well although after casting on and knitting a few rows having expected it to come up a little smaller than the pattern it is huge so I went back and checked the label on the yarn I brought to find I had accidently brought DK anyway so all is well.
I have tackled the garden a little further and as suggested given both of the butterfly bushes a drastic hair cut, I also met my new neighbours who happen to have the most wonderful organic garden and actually landscape for a living and lent me the proper tools to attack the bushes with. Hopefully now that my computer is here I might be able to take pictures tomorrow and post you the latest look weather permitting.
Reid is going well although after casting on and knitting a few rows having expected it to come up a little smaller than the pattern it is huge so I went back and checked the label on the yarn I brought to find I had accidently brought DK anyway so all is well.
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Close Up
Thank you Sue and Mary for the advice here is a close up of one of the trees, sorry not the best I know I'll try and get a better one with my own camera later.We are off back to Barnes tonight for a little more packing so will be able to download some of the pictures from my camera.
Knitting wise I have done my swatch for Reid from the 4ply as I was worried about the tension as people had been talking about using DK cotton to knit it in but my tension is pretty much spot on with my 4ply and I am even using a smaller needle so maybe my normal tension has loosened up a little.
Saturday, May 06, 2006
My new found eden
So here is my inherited garden,
now anyone who knows me knows I do not have green fingers, now I like the idea and enjoy being out in the garden but the back garden back at home was just too large for me to even sart on as when we arrived it was under a tonne of brambles and tangle weed. Now as you can see from the pile of cuttings underneath the arch I have already started to attack the plants as although the garden is in reasonable shape some of rthe plants need some drastic trimming, and I know it isn't probably the right time of the year to do this but I kind of feel I need to get control of it and if I leave it till later in the year there mat be no going back. There is also a nice little gravelled and paved area behind the arch where eventually with some luck on e-bay we would like maybe a table and chairs or a bench something to go and just sit in the garden. I really like the two trees either side of the arch( not sure what they are any suggestions welcome) but in the past someone has attempted to grow a rose over the arch but it is either the wrong type of rose or they just gave in and before I trimmed it back it was about a 9ft leggy bush so have cut it back rather aggresively so fingers crossed.
As the move continues I keep adding a slightly girlie touch to the flat and there where three things that I insisted that we needed to get, firstly a mirror, we now have a very nice wood framed mirror hanging in the bedroom, number two was a fruit bowl, I eat a lot of fruit and my theory is if it is sitting there in sight that I might just eat that instead of something more naughty.
And this was my final request
an egg holder, I have no explanation for this what so ever just needed one, isn't it cute (sorry for the poor picture I am still learning how to use Andy's camera).
Couple of pieces of knitting news I can now reveal the new yarn shop I was alluding to about a month ago, go check out knitaround for further details I can't wait for it to open. Secondly my sockpalozza match has got her socks go and say hi to Pilar here. If you are the person knitting for me do not worry about me not mentioning recieving my socks its just I haven't been to the studio this week and am very excited about going there on Monday.
now anyone who knows me knows I do not have green fingers, now I like the idea and enjoy being out in the garden but the back garden back at home was just too large for me to even sart on as when we arrived it was under a tonne of brambles and tangle weed. Now as you can see from the pile of cuttings underneath the arch I have already started to attack the plants as although the garden is in reasonable shape some of rthe plants need some drastic trimming, and I know it isn't probably the right time of the year to do this but I kind of feel I need to get control of it and if I leave it till later in the year there mat be no going back. There is also a nice little gravelled and paved area behind the arch where eventually with some luck on e-bay we would like maybe a table and chairs or a bench something to go and just sit in the garden. I really like the two trees either side of the arch( not sure what they are any suggestions welcome) but in the past someone has attempted to grow a rose over the arch but it is either the wrong type of rose or they just gave in and before I trimmed it back it was about a 9ft leggy bush so have cut it back rather aggresively so fingers crossed.
As the move continues I keep adding a slightly girlie touch to the flat and there where three things that I insisted that we needed to get, firstly a mirror, we now have a very nice wood framed mirror hanging in the bedroom, number two was a fruit bowl, I eat a lot of fruit and my theory is if it is sitting there in sight that I might just eat that instead of something more naughty.
And this was my final request
an egg holder, I have no explanation for this what so ever just needed one, isn't it cute (sorry for the poor picture I am still learning how to use Andy's camera).
Couple of pieces of knitting news I can now reveal the new yarn shop I was alluding to about a month ago, go check out knitaround for further details I can't wait for it to open. Secondly my sockpalozza match has got her socks go and say hi to Pilar here. If you are the person knitting for me do not worry about me not mentioning recieving my socks its just I haven't been to the studio this week and am very excited about going there on Monday.
Friday, May 05, 2006
fully illustrated
Good news Andy has solved the problem of posting pics on my blog, isn't he great now all we have to do is be able to download the pictures from my camera and we will be set. This means I can finally post a picture of the wonderful crochet hook travel case that I won from Knitotherapy.
Its fantastic and even has a little zippered section down the end for the cutter she added as an extra bonus. All the money she gets from her ebay sales are going towards her fundraising for the race for life cancer research which of course is a cause close to my heart so go and check out her new sales
here
Over great news is that me and Andy won a new three piece suite for 99p on ebay yesterday now all we have to do is find someone who can drive a van and we're away. Slowly but surely am moving here the stash is slowly appearing and when my wheel is here then that's it. I have found my new local yarn store in Dagenham heathway and have made my first purchases some very pretty 4ply lilac cotton for the lovely Reid pattern from Knitty I haven't decided upon the edging colour just yet, I might try and be good and see what I have in my stash.
More knitting news is that I managed to get to Liberty last night to meet up with my fellow knitters and fell in lust with several things firstly Big Girl Knits I fell in love with this book especially as most of the patterns in it I can just knit no getting out the graph paper and the calculater and the first two chapters of information are worth their weight in gold. The other possession of Yvonnes that is on my wish list (when the budget allows) is the wedding ring shawl the quality of the pattern was well worth the price which was what was making me hesitate about ordering it but now I've seen everything that goes with it including enough of 5 or 6 sample yarns to do a swatch I think its a real bargain.
Its fantastic and even has a little zippered section down the end for the cutter she added as an extra bonus. All the money she gets from her ebay sales are going towards her fundraising for the race for life cancer research which of course is a cause close to my heart so go and check out her new sales
here
Over great news is that me and Andy won a new three piece suite for 99p on ebay yesterday now all we have to do is find someone who can drive a van and we're away. Slowly but surely am moving here the stash is slowly appearing and when my wheel is here then that's it. I have found my new local yarn store in Dagenham heathway and have made my first purchases some very pretty 4ply lilac cotton for the lovely Reid pattern from Knitty I haven't decided upon the edging colour just yet, I might try and be good and see what I have in my stash.
More knitting news is that I managed to get to Liberty last night to meet up with my fellow knitters and fell in lust with several things firstly Big Girl Knits I fell in love with this book especially as most of the patterns in it I can just knit no getting out the graph paper and the calculater and the first two chapters of information are worth their weight in gold. The other possession of Yvonnes that is on my wish list (when the budget allows) is the wedding ring shawl the quality of the pattern was well worth the price which was what was making me hesitate about ordering it but now I've seen everything that goes with it including enough of 5 or 6 sample yarns to do a swatch I think its a real bargain.
Monday, May 01, 2006
A weeks notes
Ok I know its been another week or so since my last post but the week didn't quite go as planned, I went back and did the final two days of the adoption placement training on MOnday and Tuesday two really long days which not only left me physically exhausted but also emotionally drained as a lot of the last two days were spent investigating your relationship pattens and your attachment history, this is of course essential when adopting and as they say it is not to stop anyone adopting but to give you some indication on what areas you might need to be aware of. Well as I expected it showed me once again my childhood wasn't great, I could have told them that lol but it does take it out of you dragging everything up again but it has made me realise that there are a few things that I am going to have to deal with. To start with they spent a little time talking about life story books that all kids in the system of adoption and fostering have now and I think because I was about to redo my family photo album as it is in one of those awful sticky albums that have lost its stick but I think I might incorporate it with my art journals and try and make more of a scrap book maybe with some of the stories behind the pictures.
Onto more cheeery things knitting wise I have finished my sockpalozza socks and they are all ready to go in the morning, hopefully I'll get to post a pic in a bit but blogger is misbehaving a little at the moment same with a couple more crochet squares that I have finished.
The other fun bit of knitting news is that Silkwood have finally found a reliable supplier of sock yarn and I have managed to do the first couple of samples today so when they are dry then I'll post a pic, but the yarn is taking the colour well and it has the all important 25% polymide to 75% wool so can't wait to see more of this stuff dyed up.
Andy did get a chance to come and stay with me for a couple of nights this week which was fantastic and much needed, its amazing how quickly you can feel lost without someone when they are not around.
Unfortunately I had a bad night here last night as I discovered one of our bunnies had died, I have had pets all my life and have seen a few pass away but it still doesn't stop it being upsetting especially as it is not mine and I had to make that phone call to tell Tess, the only thing that made me feel slightly better it doesn't look as though she suffered and it must have been reasonably quick as I had only checked on her the hour before and apparently even if I had found her still alive there would have been nothing I could have done but it made for a very bad nights sleep all round I think.
Onto more cheeery things knitting wise I have finished my sockpalozza socks and they are all ready to go in the morning, hopefully I'll get to post a pic in a bit but blogger is misbehaving a little at the moment same with a couple more crochet squares that I have finished.
The other fun bit of knitting news is that Silkwood have finally found a reliable supplier of sock yarn and I have managed to do the first couple of samples today so when they are dry then I'll post a pic, but the yarn is taking the colour well and it has the all important 25% polymide to 75% wool so can't wait to see more of this stuff dyed up.
Andy did get a chance to come and stay with me for a couple of nights this week which was fantastic and much needed, its amazing how quickly you can feel lost without someone when they are not around.
Unfortunately I had a bad night here last night as I discovered one of our bunnies had died, I have had pets all my life and have seen a few pass away but it still doesn't stop it being upsetting especially as it is not mine and I had to make that phone call to tell Tess, the only thing that made me feel slightly better it doesn't look as though she suffered and it must have been reasonably quick as I had only checked on her the hour before and apparently even if I had found her still alive there would have been nothing I could have done but it made for a very bad nights sleep all round I think.
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