Monday 28 March 2011

Show time!

It isn't very often that I get let out to go to a show (it is a good job really) but my friend Sylvia and I went on the train to the NEC. We had a great day and so I thought I would share with you some of the lovelies I bought (I know that I like to see what others do so thought you might like to see mine?):
As you can see I have an extreme crochet hook to go with the extreme knitting needles I bought the last time I was let out, some shawl pins, a fabulous skein of silk lace weight yarn and a dinky little silk spindle - there are a few other bits of threads and fabrics as well that I bought but they aren't as exciting to look at. It would seem that I have developed a bit of a thing for silk at the moment - before half term I bought some silk hankies for knitting with (a la yarn harlot) but was not sure I was sold on it once I got going. Whilst I was at the show I was looking at the stall of Rachel Powell as she had an Ashford traveller there and I was talking to her mum who was a beginning drop spindler - there was a jug of the prettiest spindles on the table and whilst we were having a drink I said to Sylvia that I really loved the little silk spindle with the unusual markings. Now being an enabler she said to me well we can go back and have another look so we did and it was just waiting for me to buy it! Needless to say I have been spinning the silk hankies instead and it is coming out so fine and pretty. All I need to do is to work out how to dye it and bingo! The end of this week is the start of the spriteling KAL and I can't wait to begin, my second swatch is almost finished and I need to wind the skein as well. Last week seemed to be a bit busy what with the show excitement and the new patio being laid, all it needs now is the grouting and I can show you as it is all covered up at the moment. More soon .......

Thursday 17 March 2011

Lots to share!

Well this week has just whizzed by and it is almost weekend again! On Sunday we went to Reaseheath - our local agricultural college to see lambies being born - so cute as they wobbled on tiny legs and so amazing to think that the fluff we knit and spin starts out like that.

Monday was one of my occasional beading classes and was great to see my ladies again even though all they really need is inspiration and encouragement!

On Tuesday I had to take my lovely little car in for its first service and whilst it was there they even washed it for me!
I don't think I actually showed you my new car last year but here she is in all her shiny-ness. It is such a tiny car but doesn't feel small to drive and because it is the Brabus version is sooo quick as well. Anyway the service itself was only about and hour and as it is quite a trek to the garage they let you stay in the coffee area to wait. With a whole hour to kill what does a girl do? Well she gets out her ipod complete with knitmore girls podcasts (I saved 2 episodes for this purpose) and her 'car knitting' and sits there quietly watching the world go by. No questions and no funny looks! Dave rang me at one point to check I was ok and not too bored and asked quite casually what I was doing and when I replied I had my ipod in and my knitting out his reply was - I knew you would be doing that but just wanted to be sure.

Now in order to be ready for the spriteling KAL Allison did me a custom dye in her yummy new alpaca and silk lace yarn so it was with some disappointment we received the swatching instructions saying sock weight yarn. I had a rummage in my stash and found some pretty sock weight that I bought way back but was again disappointed once I had swatched it - the pattern is just lost, back to the drawing board again.


How pretty is my custom dyed yarn though - it needs a pattern now to do it the justice it deserves.

Thursday was Embroiderers' Guild and we had a visit from Maggie Grey - she was an amazing speaker and I felt very inspired by her talk. Am off to the NEC next Thursday to the stitching show (there will be knitting as well) so that should be fun.

Today I have been to collect sheets of acrylic for Lotties' design project (and they did fit into my tiny car), I then delivered them to college so that she could start making it today - phew that's it for this week I think...... more soon!

Have a great weekend girls, Sx

Wednesday 9 March 2011

Wheely good fun!

After hearing from our good friend Allison about her spinning wheel I was prompted to get mine out again from behind the sofa! Strange place to keep it I know but it got put there at Christmas so it was out of the way and hasn't ventured out again - it was lucky this year as in the past it has been put out in the cold of the garage but having bought her a new flyer a couple of years ago she has become much more lovable to work on. I gave her a good oil and she is much nicer to spin on so I have picked up the fine spinning I began when I first got the new flyer.

Also happening at the moment is the picking back up of the garden makeover. We had some serious work done about 2 years ago including a new fence and removal of a lot of horrid bushes and shrubs plus a huge rockery that was very out of shape since before we moved in. The whole project stopped when Ted became ill and was never picked up again as the chap doing it was so busy and then I started my job and so life moved on. The time has come to finish things off so we can enjoy our outside space this year so this week I have made a million cups of tea and been on hand to make sure things are done how we want (today I have a day off as my 'chap' is doing something else ) but it will continue again tomorrow.


I have also been knitting away on my Pi shawl and am starting another set of the hearts I have added - each round has 576 stitches now so it a little slower especially as I am also doing the pattern but I love it. I too am waiting for the shawl knit along from socktopus - the requirements are out soon so I can find the right needles etc. At least it will give me a project to really focus on as the clues come at fortnightly intervals, all other knitting will have to fit in around that.
I think that is all of the news for now, more on the spinning once I have finished the second half of the batt!

Friday 4 March 2011

Lamb Cam

Just to continue with me baby lamb obsession at this time of year I have been watching this:http://www.meadopenfarm.co.uk/lambcam.htm

I haven't yet seen any born but they are fascinating to watch especially the lambs in the next pen - they climb all over the little ramp thing they have. Just wanted to share this with you all!

I am off to see my beading ladies this morning so that should be fun! Back soon Sx