Nell makes it up as she goes along

Booties for Jenni

2011-04-10T15:25:00.000+01:00

From Anna Maria Horner's Handmade Beginnings. I think these booties are great, a very easy pattern to follow, if quite fiddly. I'm not sure the amount of effort (about four hours) actually translates into a useful gift, but Jenni loved them. A sweet decoration at the very least I suppose. I'm trying to work my macro function a bit better. I don'y know why these are blurry. User error no doubt!

Instant Cushion

2011-03-28T10:47:00.000+01:00

I made this on a whim, having been inspired by an Amy Butler Soul Blossoms charm pack, bought at the Cotton Patch. Opening the pack, I adored this fabric, Peacock Feathers (bright pear) so went out to John Lewis for half a metre. The edging is Laurel Dots (Cilantro) from the same range. I like them together but might have chosen a more contrasting edge in hindsight. The back is Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton in cactus (?), my first go with this fabric.

I quilted the top, for a bit more weight. My latest fascinsation with freemotion quilting coming out... The edge didn't stand up without it.

Happy Monday :)

Lions and Polo Ponies

2010-06-16T10:03:00.000+01:00

I go through spiral bound notebooks like there is no tomorrow. At work, I have to have something to scribble on, otherwise I completely lose focus. A fresh list every day. I think my colleague who holds the stationary cupboard key is sick of the sight of me. So, I designed a slip cover, that makes these notebooks a little prettier, but also is a good way of enjoying a pretty fabric. This is Amy Butler Lotus Wallflower in sky on the cover and Chez Moi Hunky Dory Mosaic in sparrow for the pocket.

I really like the Hunky Dory fabrics. Not as a collection, which I think is too wishy-washy for me, but every time I'm in the quilt shop, I just happen to pull out bolts of the individual fabrics.

This particular one is not for work use, and is storing little snippets of stuff. Like the business cards I pick up in restauraunts, and pages pulled out of the Sunday supplements. And on page one is a reminder of the waiter who told me, after he asked me what I did (I'm an animal nutritionist), that his South-African family is mad keen on polo and breeds lions for a living. I kid you not. Lions.

Spring Quilt. The Less Good

2010-06-14T22:19:00.000+01:00

When starting a new craft, I find people are often advised to start with an easy project. Take knitting, it's always garter stitch scarves and woolly hats. And then they end up with a drawer full of projects that they don't really need or want, from yarn that they wouldn't choose with more experience (admitedly, I'm sure many early projects are much loved items...). But anyway, I'm so impatient, I just chose a project I love the look of, regardless of difficulty rating and plough on. This is probably terribly foolish. And it leads, often, to half finished projects. But, it is also a process that lends itself to learning very quickly through making mistakes.

Take the Spring Quilt. Michelle's pattern is lovely, but I would have done a better job of it had I known what I was doing. These are some of the things I ~~tripped up on~~ learnt, by just doing.

Cutting:

Using a tape measure, school ruler, pencil and a pair of scissors (albeit proper fabric scissors) to cut 2.5" strips isn't fun, quick or accurate. Will be buying a roller cutter and proper patchwork ruler before the next time.

Choice of sashing fabric:

I blithely went into John Lewis and chose white cotton. I choose what was super wide and therefore excellent value. It also turned out to be sheeting (don't laugh). It doesn't hold up well to being pinned and seems stretchier than the quilting cotton (looser weave?) so when I pulled it taught to baste the quilt sandwich (get me with the lingo) the sashing was then left 'baggy'. It is also see through. Which leads me onto my next point. I should have pressed my seams to the dark fabric. So don't look too close, OK? I am dying to try Kona Solids, after seeing how much they are loved in the Blogosphere

Basting:

I tried REALLY hard. With thanks to Sarah, who suggested (via her blog post) to stick it to the floor! Although this worked better than I thought on carpet, I think a nice non-carpetted floor would have been better and stuck firmer.

Look, I even bought special pins. Did I do it the right way? Should I have put the pins in the 'ditches'?

Quilting and choice of batting:

On the first attempt I chose the only batting they had in John Lewis (some, lofty, fluffy, platisticy stuff) and off I went with my standard machine foot. Yep. So that didn't work at all. I stitched two lines and went straight back to Google Blog Search. With help from the blogosphere I chose a more appropriate cotton batting and invested in a walking foot. And off I went agian. Much better!

But, the main problem I had with this quilt is that I still had a lot of movement in the layers and hence this problem.

I think, in an ideal world, I would have further quilted the whole thing. But, I stopped where I did as I was worried that it would be a whole squooshed up mess if I went any further. Anyone have any ideas? Did I not baste firmly enough? Rush with the machine? Have tension issues? Any ideas greatly received. Can I still call it a quilt, since large sections aren't quilted? Will the batting disintegrate over time for this reason?

The biggest lesson:

That the world of crafty bloggers is amazing. I haven't picked up a book, or attended a real-life quilt group (which I should do!). All the advice I have gotten, for fixing problems and answering questions has been from you all. So thank you. You're amazing.

Anyway, these are my lessons. But, I still love it, and enjoy the colours every time I look at. And, when I fell asleep under it whilst watching Miss Marple (I didn't rate Angela Lansbury in that role, she should stick to Murder She Wrote) on Sunday afternoon, it was bliss.

Spring Quilt - The Good

2010-06-12T12:34:00.000+01:00

Pattern:

Hugely inspired by Dogwood by Michelle Engel Bencsko of Cicada Daydream

White sashing added following great admiration for the quilting style of Rita (of Red Pepper Quilts). Rita was a great help too, with her excellent binding tutorial here.

I was also inspired by a trip to Hobbycraft (I know, how did that happen!), where I chose the fabrics on a whim one day.

Fabric for the top and back

Acres of white cotton (more about THAT to follow at a later stage!)

I used half a metre of each of the following

Amy Butler Love Tumble Roses Pink

Tanya Whelan Darla Ditty Blue

Tanya Whelan Darla Picnic Rose Sky

Amy Butler Lotus Wallflower Green

And the fifth pattern I can't remember..........

For the binding:

Amy Butler Love Sunspots Wine

Batting:

Hobbs Heirloom Premium Cotton 80% cotton and 20% polyester

Why no in focus, full quilt shot (see post below for it lying on the bed)....? Because then you would see the, err, beginner quilter issues. Which I will tell you about later. I can see the problems, but you know what? I. Still. Love. It.

Blog resurrection

2010-06-12T10:59:00.000+01:00

Well, I'm not sure if it is a resurrection, since it was always there. But, since I have got back into reading blogs, I thought I'd re-start mine. So here we go.

The main reason I'm re-starting? I have just finished my first quilt (of sorts...):

But more about that later......

A quick re-cap about me. You can find more if you read back through the archives, but beware, the pictures really weren't that great!

By training and profession, I'm a scientist:

I live in glorious Nottingham.....

with these guys.....

....and these take up a large portion of my time....

and I REALLY like shoes.....

Happy Saturday :)

2008-11-18T16:07:00.001Z

I have no idea what is going on with these pictures...... will try to fix it!

Wrappings

2008-11-18T15:56:00.006Z

So here is the trial run of my christmas wrapping plan - mum's Kew birthday scarf. It went down well!

Also last weekend, we went to see Johs Hartnett in rain Man in the West End. The man is stunning, as on screen. Did a great job of Charlie Babbitt too. It took a lot of will not to stand by the stage door......

Winter windowboxes

2008-11-14T11:48:00.002Z

Shopping bags and birthday presents

2008-11-09T16:40:00.004Z

Firstly a lesson is jazzing up the most cheap-assed birthday present in the world! I love you girls :)

And now some more of Amy Butler...

I was interested to see a local community project that was delivering cotton shopping bags to households for free; they had 500,00! I try and re-use my bags-for-life, and take various cotton bags top the supermarket; I have a favourite that was free with Marie Clare. Anyway, so I have decided to make a load myself and use them as 'wrapping paper' this Christmas. A slightly ambitious idea, but hey-ho! Also, John Lewis have started selling Amy Butler (for Rowan) fabric. Obviously, I couldn't help myself. Here is the first attempt, a gift/wrap for James' mother's birthday next week. Then, more fabric for my own mother's version.

Not quite sure why these are so blurry, clearly not as bright as I thought ( but look, new carpet!).

I'm not going to promise I'm back...... but I'm really going to try. I'm back living in Nottingham having got a Research Fellowship at the University (Phd done and finished!); a job which is a lot less stressfull and frantic. So maybe (hopefully) I'll have more time for this! I'v etaken lots of photos this weekend so lots to post this week. I've missed everyone (but I have been keeping up with your blogs, sporadically), so will look forward to catching up with you. I am also getting to grips with ravelry, so see you there?

I'm Knitting! Albeit 'Small Things'

2008-04-15T12:25:00.002+01:00

Hi All!

I'm still here! Working so hard I never have time to turn around, and as a result being a bad friend, bad girlfriend, bad horse/cat owner and a non-knitter! Would you believe it I have only been to GetKnitted TWICE since September...... Although in the midst of all this mania I did get a promotion, so in some ways it's all good.

Anyway, here is the most recent, and quite lonely FO. The Eyelet Dress from Baby Knits for Beginners (the BEST baby book in the world). It is for Sarah's new niece, Dorothy Jean. I am so proud with how it has turned out, knitting baby clothes is definately a favourite-near instant gratification and great finishing practise. I converted it to in the round, which, I think made it a little quicker. And clever James even picked the button and the ribbon with just a shopping list from me.

Yarn: Rowan Classic Cash Soft DK

Pattern: Eyelet Baby Dress from baby Knits for Beginners by Debbie Bliss

Size: 3-6 months, 3 and a bit balls

Needles: Various 3.25mm standard circs

I'm not convinced of the practicality/safety of a ribbon for a small baby, but I guess Annie and Tim can take it out if they feel it's not safe. I hope they like it!

I had a dream........

2007-10-04T08:28:00.000+01:00

Now this is wierd. I felt thoroughly freaked out when I woke up yesterday and thought of my dream. Although at the time, it was quite a nice dream.

I dreamt of Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mabley! And not in that kind of way. I dreamt that they were on Holiday in the UK (I think they actually live here IRL) and James' mum had won a competition to meet Kaffe. Anyway, for some reason they came and had tea at our house. How random is that?! And Kaffe gave me a copy of one of his quilting books and wrote a long message inside. I got chatting to Brandon, but I think my brain had made him up since I have no idea what he looks like.

Bearing in mind that I also dreamt about our office photocopier that night! It is incredibly temperamental and we have been desperately overworking it recently since it's the beginning of term. It frequently goes on strike. Anyway in my dream there was water pouring out of the copier and flowing down the stairs and out of the door. Odd.

I hope you don't think I've abandoned you. Where I'm living at the moment I don't have any t'interweb access and at work my internet settings mean that most of your blog posts don't show up. So bare with me, I check your blogs all in one go at the weekends! And I've added more links to my sidebar. Over there on he right. See? Go check them out!

I haven't disappeared!!

2007-09-19T12:55:00.000+01:00

Thank you for all your sweet comments and emails. I'm settling in well at my new job. Everyone is lovely, it's a great team. It's just so busy! The students haven't started yet and already there's mountains of paperwork! It's all very alien to me, and I'm making it up as I go along. I am getting homesick being away from James, the kitties, Monty, home and my friends (in no particular order!). But everyone keeps emailing with updates and pictures so I don't feel left out!

I expected to have oodles of time to knit, since I'm living with my aunty (an incredibly hardworking consultant at a Bristol hospital) who's quite often out in the evenings. Although, I don't get home until much later than I would do in Nottingham. And then I have to cook, which I'm not used to, it's usually James who cooks. So, my evenings seem to fly by. Especially since I'm still tying up bits of my thesis, and I have that to do in the evenings. So. Not much knitting has been done! Despite several bags of WIPs on the bedroom floor!

BUT. I have visited GetKnitted! In the first week I was here, naturally. Luckily, they're open late on a Thursday. And I was not disappointed! Its huge! So. Much. Beautiful. Stuff. I bought some secret items, and spent an age perusing.... Lots of Lorna's Shepherd Sock. Drool. My favourite! And, I was looking for a Sirdar pattern, that I swear I saw somewhere. I described it to them and they had no idea what I was talking about. But, they went and got out their computer so I could search the internet and try to find it. So, so kind and friendly. Needles to say I shall be going back. Incidently, first rule of shopping, when you see something you want to buy just buy it, don't wait until another day. Especially if it's a paper pattern at £2.50.

I'm also deciding whether to join Secret of the Stole. After reading about the Mystery Stole 3 I realy like the idea. However, I can;t find any pic of her previous patterns. I'd like to see some before I start ona complex secret patterns. Although 500+ people have joined the group already! Ummm, I don't know..

I shall be back on the radar from now on I promise!

Mirasol - A Fair Trade Project

2007-09-01T10:53:00.000+01:00

Has anyone else seen this in their local John Lewis? Apparently its an exclusive. I just love it! Poor Julia in Nottingham's yarn department didn't know what to say as I gushed at her yesterday! The books and yarns are destributed by Designer Yarns, those behind Noro, DB and Louisa Harding.

I bought the accompanying book, which is full of Jane Ellison's patterns. She does a lot of work with Noro, and I've never really been interested in her designs. Maybe it's that I'm not a big Noro fan. This book is gorgeous. It was £10, but if crammed full of all sorts of stuff. Cardies, jumpers, tanks, hats, some interesting sideways knit gloves, scarves. Lots of patterns. I want to show you some, but the scanner is packed away. I have my heart set on a cotton blend (following your advice Pat!) fairisle cardy. Really simple, shown in blues and pinks. The yarns include 'Miski' an aran baby llama; 'Sulka', a merino, silk and alpaca blend and 'Cotanani', a cotton and merino blend DK. There is also this beautiul variagated dk merino, called Hacho. In gorgeous shades. I bought some!

The idea is to support the children looking after alpacas in peru. A percentage (although no-where seems to say exactly what that is...) of each sale goes to building a school, amongst other things.

I think this book is great. This kind of project has a tendancy to be a bit 'earthy' in terms of design, for my taste. But this is great. Some real classic designs with a bit of interesting fair isle thrown in. And good for JL for scoring something new and interesting...

SP Goodness

2007-09-01T10:42:00.000+01:00

Well, today I feel totally spoilt, again! Thank you so much Chocolate Gerbera. Once again you are spot on with your choices. This is a great package, full of really interesting textures. This really cheered me up after I spent yesterday at work saying goodbye to all my colleagues. Strangly it was my supervisor saying 'I'll just say bye for now, I know you'll be back' that got me started!! I walked out of his office and burst into tears. His secretary Sheila just handed me chocolate. Good girl!

A little package of desk-y items, a stapler (my colleague and I have a joke about me needing to buy one of these - perfect), paper clips, sellotape and a rubber. Awesome. Already packed in my box of desk items to take tomorrow..

A great shoe shaped keyring. Perfect. I love me some shoes. Somehow this got missed of the pic.

A box of great fruity teas, one of my faves. That too is packed for my new office already..

DB Alpaca silk in choclate - this is truely one of my favourite yarns, but I've not tried the DK yet. It seems even softer then the aran.

Sirdar bamboo in a creamy colour. My first go with Bamboo! I have lots friends about to have babies, so this will come in very useful. I feel a hat or booties coming on. It's so soft!

A great selection of brown ribbons. Velvet and satin. Just gorgeous. I love interesting trims.

Thanks so much CG, you really have my colours worked out! And I think I may have worked you out.......

My Knit-Friends!

2007-08-30T08:26:00.000+01:00

Tuesday Night, Monica kindly hosted a knit meeting at her house. Well, more of a party really with lots of delicious food. Including the best pineapple and coconut cake any of us have ever tasted!! Lots of gossip, witha little bit of knitting for good measure. I'm going to miss you all terribly.....

Left to right, Pat, Bev and Linda.... I've said it before, but Pat has really helped James and I feel at home here. When we bought the house, she put us in the car and drove us round pointing out all the ins and outs of Sneinton. And she was poorly at the time. Thank you Pat! She has also provided much knitting and sewing support, helping with heming two dresses so far....

Baldeesh, going some actual, bone fide knitting! Baldeesh came to the knitting and Stitching show with Sarah and I last year. Lucky she did, she kept feeding us sandwiches and Pringles all the way there!

And Sarah (who to be fair, is knitting too....) and Monica. Isn't her conservatory beautiful? I was Sarah' bridesmaid (see my pic, top right?), we met at Uni. I was thrilled when she came to me saying she'd bought wool and could I teach her. Look at her now, a cardy in 4 ply!! Monica, I originally know from work. I was shocked when I joined a knitting group and there was a colleague!!

I really will miss these people. One of the topics of conversation on Tuesday was the lovely people you meet through knitting. So true..

Malabrigo Shawl

2007-08-22T17:21:00.000+01:00

Thanks you all for your thoughtful and helpful comments on my last post. No new news but I'll keep you posted. (PS Annie, if we make it to the States, you bet we'll come to Boston!!)

Todays been a bit of a down day, I left the house very slowly this morning! Yesterday I went for a meeting with my new employer and colleagues. It was great, I'll tell you about it soon. So I got home, feeling very excited and I think, today, it's dawned on me that I still have lots to do before I can give my new job my full attention. To cheer myself up I made some new cards - you can see them there on the right. I think they came out well.. Off to see John Travolta making a fool of himself in Hairspray tonight with the girls. Should cheer me up no end!

As requested, here are some pics of the shawl. It's not growing quickly (lots wider than I planned), but I like it. It is such a soft, drapey fabric, just yummy.

And, just so you know, cats love gym bags.......

Bianca

2007-08-14T08:03:00.000+01:00

So really, I DO knit. I've got back to Bianca, and I just love her so much. The fabric is just great. However. She seems to be enormous. I knitted up the medium, since those were the correct measurements. And anyway, I always knit stuff to small. I've got the correct gauge. But for some reason she just seems big. The arm holes are too long, but I think that's my fault.

Last night, I grafted the shoulder seams and pinned the side seams to check how it was before I knit the sleeves. And well, it's too big, but wearable too big, I think. I'm thinking maybe when i wash it it'll shrink a teeny bit. At the moment, for the fabric to look really good it needs to be blocked out a tiny bit more. But if I do that, it really will be too big. So maybe if I wash it a teeny bit too warm (a swatch first, of course)maybe it will all contract a bit. You know like when you wash soemthing wool and it is just that bit smaller when you next put it on. A fudge I know. But as we all know: Nell. Does. Not. Rip.

Nottingham, PA

2007-08-11T08:52:00.000+01:00

I haven't been doing much crafy stuff this week, a bit of knitting in the evenings, picture of the growing shawl soon. I made this on Tuesday, for my friend Karen, the daughter of a Devon dairy farmer! It's her birthday today. I've also listed one on Etsy.

Randomly today, I came across a map of Delaware and Pennsylvania. I was searching for something totally different. And guess what was on it? The town of Nottingham, in Pennsylvania. James and I are half planning a trip to the States next year. A fly-drive-go-where-the-mood-takes-us kinda trip. Maybe we should go to Nottingham, PA. It sounds very different from the original (which as I'm sure you've heard me say is the world's best city!). I suppose there is no reason for them to be at all alike, my Notts is, of course, a big city, not a small town. Nottingham, PA, has less than 5000 people, 99% of which are white (there was also a category for 'Hawaiian', which I don't really get!) unlike the hugely ethnically diverse Nottingham, UK. Only 5% of Nottingham, PA residents are between 18 and 24, whereas in Nottingham UK it's about 25%, thanks to the world's best university! And, look what I could buy in Nottingham PA for the same money as our house?? This beautiful, Victorian farmhouse. Gorgeous.

Funny, it's got me thinking about the world, and how I really want to see more of it. Not just tropical, holiday destinations, but other people's home towns.....

SP Goodies

2007-08-04T14:45:00.000+01:00

Check out this little lot! Received today from the mysterious Chocolate Gerbera........ How did she know that M&S Percy Pigs are my favourites? Yuummmmy.

Two balls of RYC Luxury Cotton DK in a lovely neutral colour, a bit hay-like. Very appropriate.

A ball of Rowan Scottish Tweed dk in a rich chocolate - I have the accompanying book already!

Some Scotland Souvenirs....... a clue??

A really cute clover phone charm, with a diamante

Lemon and Ginger tea, which is already helping me get down to work!

...all wrapped in purple tissue.

Thank you so much CG, you are so kind, everything is right on the mark!

Beautifying

2007-08-02T08:33:00.000+01:00

In recent weeks, I haven't been doing an awful look of knitting (although I'm getting into the pink lacy scarf!). However, I have been doing odd bits of craftiness, such as this. I bought a linen jacket from Primark (or Primarni as my sister calls it!) and the buttons promtly fell off. Well, what did I expect for £12. So anyway, I made some replacements with fabric left over from a custom shop order. I just love it!! Great customisation for only half an hours' work!

Malabrigo. Laceweight

2007-07-29T16:32:00.000+01:00

So. I buckled. I bought some delicious Malabrigo Laceweight. The colour is Holyhock. It's for a scarf for a friend, and it's not really the colour I wanted, getknitted had sold out of grey and cream by the time I talked myslef into it. It's a good colour though. And this stuff if SOFT. It is seemingly great value too, at just £6 a hank. Although, I suppose that's just 50g. For soem reason, it seems great value if you get 400yards, but not so much if it's less yardage but the same weight of a bigger gauge yarn. It feels lovely to work with although I worry it will pill. The wise knittyheads have warned me of this. I didn't have a pattern in mind, so I posted on the knittyboards if anyone had any ideas. Loads of great patterns were suggested, many of which I have book marked for later. For some totally unknown reason, I decided to come up with something of my own. This is going to be slow going. If it ever gets finished it will be a miracle.

Isn't it funny what you come up with when you sit down with some needles and spare yarn and just 'play'. I'm sure there's some sort of psychological meaning in it.......

And if any of you were in any doubt that I-like-brown, here is my latest purchase. 10 hanks of DB pure silk, half price in the John Lewis Sale. What to do with it I have NO IDEA. Stroke it. For a long time. I imagine.

There are worse binges, right??

2007-07-29T16:24:00.000+01:00

Whose terrible idea was a PhD anyway? I'm finding it stressful at the moment. I had a bit of a moment on Friday and I had to give up for a couple of days. So far, I haven't had to do any all nighters, or work from the crack of dawn, but the stress of having it hanging over my shoulders is enough to make me crazy. I gave up and left the office on Friday morning and came home. What makes it worse is that when I'm not working, I feel guilty. I've not done much work since then, although today I've got back into the swing and I feel much better about it. I've been quite productive, for a Sunday.

So anyway, on Friday I went to ASDA on my way home and bought these.......I suppose I could actually re-title this post 'A few of Nell's Favourite things'. Who cares. If I've learnt one thing in the last 25 years, I know how to cheer myself up!!

My Colleagues

2007-07-20T14:39:00.000+01:00

And what better 'colleagues' could I have these days, whilst I am tucked away in our home 'office' working away on my thesis......

Knitting Lingerie Style

2007-07-16T19:41:00.000+01:00

A book review! I saw this book whilst blog surfing a while back and ummed and ahhhed as to whether to buy it. Imagine my absolute delight and surprise when I received a electronic amazon voucher, for my birthday, from the lovely, kind, generous and beautiful Annie, someone I consider to be a great friend (and not just because of the book voucher!) So I went ahead and bought the book. Appropriate to buy a knitting book with a gift from a knitty friend!

Knitting Lingerie Style

Joan MacGowan Michael

Stewart, Tabori and Chang; 2007

Let me say, I love this book, I was not at all disappointed. I have scanned a few of my favourites, but believe me, this book is stuffed full of great designs, I couldn't list all of them!

I love this bra set. I'm not sure I would knit it, as I don't think it would be very wearable. I have a minor criticism of this book, in that Joan seems to have used DK or Aran weight yarns when a finer weight, such as 4 ply would have been better. I think currently this pattern would be too bulky to be practical.

This top, I will definately make, I just love the bust darts. I think in a darker colour with a lacy camisole underneath it would be great.

And as for these dresses, I just wish I had ocassion to wear them. Thi sfirst one, well I change the skirt to be a fish tail or something more long and floaty. The bodice is gorgeously simple. well, if I find a ball to go to, maybe!

This one Joan has described as a nighty. It reminds me so much of when James and I saw a Midsummer Night's Dream at Stratford. Just beautiful. Maybe for the next wedding I get invited to. Although, I'd change the skirt to be less nighty and more formal, and wear something underneath the bodice!!

The pictures in this book are not particulary imaginatively shot, but they are good, clear and pretty. For some of the patterns, pictures of the detail are lacking too. Overall the book looks lovely, with great design. I have heard there are errata somewhere too. If you like the underwear idea, this book is a must. Even if you don't there are cardigans, socks, lacy t-shirts, something for all. I think, aside from being on our coffee table, it will get used a lot!! Thanks again Annie!

Nick Nacks

2007-07-02T09:17:00.000+01:00

As my parents used to call them when my sister and I were small. These I've made for a knitting friend's birthday next week. As a kind of joke. I think she'll find it funny, she is my best friend....

Pattern: Lacy Thong by Laura Rintala, IK free web pattern

Yarn: A merino / silk blend from knitshop.co.uk

Needles: Various, 3.75mm Boyes straights and 4mm pony circs

Time: Oh, a couple of evenings

I just love this pattern. So quick, I love the finishing feeling as much as I love the cast on feeling! The silk blend is lovely, very soft and good for stitch definition. The merino makes it a teeny bit fuzzy, but that's OK. Whilst knitting these, I was sceptical, they really don't look much like knickers until you block them. Everything including the great crochet picot edge comes together. I am tempted to do them again for me, and I'd have to do the large and I'm only a UK 10. These are the small, and they're very small. That's OK, cos my friend is a UK size teeny weeny (if very tall). To make these wearable (let's face it they're just gimmicky!) I think I'd modify the thong portion too, the pattern doesn't show that it's actually just a crochet chain! I am tempted to make these into lacy big knickers!

Birthday Booty

2007-06-30T16:11:00.000+01:00

So, it was my birthday last week. Thanks everyone for your kind wishes (and for your kind wishes on my health too - I'm fine now, I think!).

It was distinctly un-yarny this birthday, but I am not complaining in any way, I was thoroughly spoilt. James gave me some beautiful earrings. Long and droopy and made from smokey quartz. He knows I 'love brown'. I haven't taken a pic, as I don't have a very good zoom on my camera and I wouldn't do them justice. To give you an idea, they came from Stoned, an independant jeweller in Nottingham. What a great name for a Jeweller, eh? Here are some pics of a selection of th ewonderful goodies I received....

My work colleagues (including best friend Karen), gave me a bottle of perfume, which I just love. Nina by Nina Ricci. Isn't it just the most gorgeous bottle? Great design. The girls also satisfied my love of chocolate (the stash will keep me going for a while!!!). Speaking of girls, my other close friend Sarah and her hubband, Duncan are taking us to see the Scissor Sisters as my present. End of July, I cannot wait.

My sister and our mum came and took me for lunch at the Cast Restaurant at the Nottingham Playhouse on my actual birthday. I had smoked haddock lasagne. Sounds horrid but was actually very light and delicious. My sister gave me a great selection of crafty papers. Gorgeous.
Also arrived, through my door, on my birthday was this character.

The label read...

'Baaaa- I wonder if a kind, clever lady who lives here would look after me? I was found in Ashbourne but originally I came from Peru. Could ewe give a home to a sheep?' How cool is that! Of course, I took her in. Thanks to my great friend Pat, the founder of our group, who has introduced me to so many great people over the last few years, and helped make Nottingham home for me.

Last but by no means least, James' mum gave me these roses. I love flowers, but I don't buy roses, as the good ones are so expensive. Thanks Joan!

2007-06-27T16:42:00.000+01:00

We had a bit of a panic here last night. I was eating supper last night when I had some unbelievably excruciating chest pain. The long and the short of it was an ambulance (although no trip to hospital, thank goodness), two extremely nice paramedics, a cat chewing a heart monitor, a trip to the GP, two EGCs and a blood test. And absolutely nothing is wrong with me. But I tell you, it was frightening. It was so painful that James couldn't get me out of the door and into the car to take me to the hospital. Anyway, I've slept today and feel much better so don't worry. Anyway, in some ways it has been positive. I had a blood test. Remember my meme? I'm terrified of needles and have avoided blood tests thus far. When the GP told me she was going to take blood I burst into tears. The poor woman looked so hurt and assured me I needn't have it if I didn't want to! But, I composed myself and for some reason found myself telling her to just do it. I hadn't had a week to build myself into a spin (what usually causes my fears to be at their worst). I think I surprised myself. She was very kind, was really quick and assures me she took as little blood as possible. Well, anyway, it wasn't nice, but then I suppose it wasn't going to be was it? But it was OK. Believe me, the stabbing pain of last night was far far worse.

So, I've come some way to conquering my fear. And once again I find my self feeling unbelievably priviledged to have the NHS. How fortunate am I to live in a society where an ambulance (and two cheerful paramedics) turn up in just a few minutes, when you're struggling to breathe, and then spend half an hour or so making sure you're OK. I appreciate lots of people in the world are not this lucky. I then get to see a doctor and a nurse within half an hour, the next day. Not to mention the fab dental treatment I've also had today (I know, all in one day!Woe is me!!).

Thank you too for everyone's kind birthday wishes on Monday. Here, on facebook and by email. More about that later!

Daphne is an Amy Butler ho!

2007-06-22T08:49:00.000+01:00

Our cat has taste. Check this out. Some of you will remember that she lurves Lorna's Laces, but she also loves Amy Butler. And she managed to choose a fabric that co-ordinates with her tabby stripes!! Clever cat.

I have been meaning to post these for ages too....... gifted to me by the lovely Linnea. They're very accurate too, just like the real thing. Bay with a tiny white star on their faces. Thank you Linnea!

Wedding?

2007-06-13T11:43:00.000+01:00

If you're going to a wedding soon and need a handmade card, check out the etsygreetings (a group of etsy card makers) wedding promotion here.

Seven Things

2007-06-13T10:01:00.000+01:00

I was tagged, ages ago, and I can't even remember who by. Sorry to whoever it was, but I finally have some time whilst some samples are cooling (from 580 degrees c!) in the lab. I hope these are things you didn't know....

1. I am relatively interested in cars. I have to qualify that, I am not a weekend machanic by any stretch! I have a vague knowledge of how they work, but, my interest is purely an aesthetic one. Many people would sniff at that, but I think it's a totally fair standpoint. Nothing beats a well designed German classic for example. James an I aspire to have one of these one day. I'll let him worry about the specifics. I also saw a Bugatti Veyron in the village where Mont lives at the weekend. Apparently you can count on two hands how many of these are in the UK. When I left uni, I bought this beauty. In all reports, the Vauxhall Calibra (A Cavalier underneath) was not a great car. But I'll gloss over that. She is a thing of beauty. I no longer have her, she slowly disintigrated. However, every time I see one on the road I pine. My totally reliable VW pales in comparison, in terms of looks.

2. Following on from that, I enjoy a weekend at the touring cars. We live near one of the best circuts in th UK, Donington Park.

3. I really enjoy dressmaking. I haven't done any since starting this blog, but I made this one. Just mine I hasten to add, not all 5! It also became a tradition to make my balldresses whilst at uni. I am an impatient seemstress though, and I am keen to improve the quality of my finishing.

4. You probably know that I am a PhD student, I work in poultry nutrition. However, I also have a BSc in Nutritional Biochemistry.

5. Although I work in agriculture and live in the midlands, I am, technically, a Londoner. I am fiercely proud of my background, the way and place I was brought up taught me many wonderful things. Just don't expect me to ever go back and live there.

6. When I was 19, I spent two months on a whistlestop journey around the world, with my first love, Mackenzie. We spent our gap year working hard, and carefully saving. We then went to Thailand, Indonesia, Australia and then America on the way home. These are some of the happiest memories of my whole life and will stay with me forever. They make up for the holiday we had the year before in Mexico where we had dyssentry and were then nearly killed in a minibus crash. Yes, that is a story for another day.

7. Between the ages of 20 and 23 I wore a fixed brace on my teeth. This was all done free on the NHS and I am eternally grateful. For that (and the fact that breast screening and immediate action by the NHS saved my mother's life, again another story!) I will not hear a bad word said against the NHS (although, let's not get into that arguement here, I know they have their minuses). The reason I had to wait until I was 20 is I have an irrational fear of needles. I had to go through careful sedation and all sorts to have teeth removed.

So there you go, I hope you now know 7 new things about Nell!

Sewing Practice

2007-06-09T16:15:00.000+01:00

I'd like to have more sewn things in my shop, but I worry about me skills being upto scratch. I'm not sure my items look professional enough - I'm a bit of a perfectionist! So I've been practising!!

Thesis here I come...

2007-06-03T09:50:00.000+01:00

So, I really have to get my thesis written and submitted soon. Why? I've got a job! Hooray! And guess what? I'm am lucky enough to have gotten my dream job. As of September the 3rd I will be a Lecturer in Equine Science at Hartpury College, the University of The West of England. I can't tell you how excited I am! It has really motivated me, I was so productive the end of last week. It will mean moving away during the week, and going home at weekends, which James and I are not happy about, but for this job, we'll cope. 170 horses, on campus, international competing arenas, and research facilities that I couldn't even imagine. And, as a bonus, this man, my idol Carl Hester is a guest trainer. Wooo!

Sorry, I'll stop gushing now, just thought I'd let you all know.... :)

West Cork, Ireland

2007-05-27T12:29:00.000+01:00

So, at last here are some photos. This was the first morning, on Barleycove beach, just outside Goleen, where Sheila lives.

I think you can see James' mum Joan (right) was very pleased to see Sheila.

As I sat knitting in the window, this was my view, out over the Atlantic. Unfortunately yarn shopping oppertunitites are few and far between in Ireland. But I did do some actual knitting. For those of you who are familiar with the Shipping Forcast, in the distance is the Fastnet Lighthouse. We had a clear view from the house, but it's too far off for this pic.

It was lovely to go up and see Elli and Eddie in Galway. They met 5 years ago when Sarah, Elli and I were travelling in Ireland (sorry for the grainy pics!).

This is my favourite view, just outide Killarney, when we were driving back from Galway.

And, I really wish I could have bought this......

A great trip, as ever, I love Ireland.

Spoilt girlie

2007-05-21T18:37:00.000+01:00

Today I am a spoilt girl. I really am. When we got home from Ireland (pics tomorrow) a flyer was waiting for me to say that a package was waiting at the post office. I went to get it today, and my word it is just amazing. My SP revealed herself as Kristen, aka The Kitchener Bitch.

There were 7 skeins of a delicious Acrylic/wool blend from Suss Yarns...

....Two skeins of Karabella Mohair, and two skeins of Ditto sock yarn (James has already baggsied it for some socks..)...

..a copy of Knit 1 from vogue, some celestial tea and lots of goodies from Trader Joes. Kristen knows I have a thing for chocolate and peanut butter! There was also some altoids mints (in the car!) and some catnip cat toys. I can't show you them, Daphne and Velma have squirrelled them away!
..and the peice de resistance, two skeins of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Aslan. My dream yarn!

Thank you so much Kristen, this package is so so generous. Way beyond what is expected, you are really really kind. It is a package of yarns and other things that I've just never seen before, so exciting. Kristen has really read my questionnaire and it is all spot on. I hope your SP sent you such lovely things too Kristen!

RIP Cutty Sark

2007-05-21T07:49:00.000+01:00

The Cutty Sark has been destroyed by a fire. I am absolutely devastated. James woke me up to tell me this morning, and then I spent half an hour crying into my cornflakes whilst watching the Beeb this morning. It's just so sad. I have such happy childhood/teenage memories. The riding stables where Monty lived was just over the river, so we used to walk through the foot tunnel to Greenwich. The tunnel comes up right next to the Cutty Sark. We used to pass it on the way to the market/cinema/friends houses and later, the pub. One of my oldest friends lived near it too. I also based my GSCE art project on the ship, I spent ages there, drawing and sketching. It is just so sad.

Scary Bez went there recently too, you can see pictures of it in all it's glory on her blog too.

Unusual uses for knitting needles.....

2007-05-12T18:38:00.000+01:00

The other day, I was finishing off my sister's PJs and I was trying to make the drawstring for the waistband. You know, when you cut a long strip , fold it lengthways, right sides together and stitch along the long side. Then you have to turn it the right way. I wandered around the house for much longer than was necessary, thinking 'what do I have that is long, thin and solid that I can use to turn this drawstring the right way. Hello! Duh! A whole collection of knitting needles. Honestly, I could not think of anything to use. A pen? A pencil, a peice of wire? I'm so dense sometimes! It got me thinking of what novel uses I have for needles.

Those bad cats keep sitting in my window boxes and have broken one of my snap-dragons. So, I staked it with a needle! Not sure it will grow back, but it was worth a try. My boxes were symmetrical before Velma sat in them!!

James tends to use one of my old needles for cake-testing (yes, he is the only one in this house who can and will bake...). Now this one lives in the utensil jar! When Mum was small she broke her leg and used to use a needle to scratching her leg under the plaster too!

I have also finished the left front (minus the buttonband) of Bianca. Here it is... I am really enjoying knitting this. Just enough interest to keep me interrested, but simple enough to be able to watch telly simultaneously. The last pic shows the colour best.

On Friday I sent the first chapter of my thesis to my supervisor to chekc over. Eeeek. Its getting a bit too real now...... roll on the next 100,000 words.....

We're off to Ireland to see some friends tomorrow, catch you all next week!

The Hulk

2007-05-07T21:00:00.000+01:00

I'm not doing too well on the old blogging recently am I? Just a short post today. I had some bad news about Monty on Friday, so the weekend has been a bit tough. James has been away too, but I've seen my girls, my sister and my mum. I'll not go into Monty's problems too much, but basically the bone condition that he was diagnosed with two years ago has taken a dramatic turn for the worst. He's OK, and comfortable, but may go down hill quite quickly. But then again he may not. But I can't ride him again. My Vet, Tom, was fantastic, really sympathetic, and spent ages talking me through everything. Funny, I've had two training sessions recently, that were possibly some of the best rides I've ever had with him and they may have been the last. Something conspired to give us a few great last rides, after a couple of years of just mooching about.

Anyway, this blog is about knitting. I've got great knitting news, I'm waiting for light to photograph it..... watch this space. I have photos of todays completed project, some PJs for my sister's birthday. Well, kind of a birthday present (she got some perfume too!) and sort of a sorry. Last time I stayed with her I borrowed some pjyamas and strangely I woke up having ripped them all the way down one leg. Bizarre. She suggested I had a 'Hulk' moment in my sleep!

Mojo and the gorgeous Annie

2007-04-28T18:01:00.000+01:00

Last Thursday I got to meet the absolutely lovely Annie. She was over in Worcestershire visting her late husband's family, and we agreed to meet in Birmingham for a spot of lunch and shopping. Annie is the most amazing, kind, fun and unbelievably strong person. I'm sure she won't mind me saying (afterall, she blogs about it) that Annie has had more than her fair share of tragedy, but she is still such a happy cheerful person who is great company. Just a sheer inspiration. We had a lovely lunch with her in-laws (also lovely people!) and then spent a leisurely afternoon browsing round the fab shops in Birmingham. Much better than work I say! In Debenhams, we picked up a handbag, which was incredibly soft leather, and we asked eachother if we thought it was real leather. At exactly the same moment we both leant down to smell it - the ultimate test!

It was so great to meet you Annie, and I really hope we stay friends, and get to meet again.. Here we are standing in front of the Bull, at the Bullring shopping centre. Unfortunately not a great photo of me (right)!

And maybe I can report that my mojo has returned! Today I bought some lovely Rowan 4 ply soft, to make Bianca (scroll down the link, it's on the right) from one of the previous magazines. It has texture and beads, and hopefully will re-ignite my interest. I plan to do the fronts first, and then decide whether I want the pattern all over, or whether it's overkill. Watch this space....

No knitting Mojo

2007-04-22T14:30:00.000+01:00

So I've totally lost it. My knitting Mojo that is. I just have no enthusiasm for my knitting. And I can't bear it. It's awful. I shouldn't really cast on for something new but maybe it'll reginite my interest. So, maybe I'll go upstairs and do a bit of stash diving.. . Let me show you first, my new favourite spot in the house.

I bought this chair on eBay last week, and it was a relative steal..... It needs some minor repair here and there, but I'll let it off. It is afterall, an authentic and original art deco armchair. I love it. All James could manange was 'It smells like old people's homes', which I think is mightly unfair. It doesn't at all. We also had the whole 'its not chic, it's just shabby' conversation. Not chic, I ask you, how is 1920/30's design not chic? Well, OK, maybe he has a slight point. But I still love it!

So, here, displayed on said chair is my 'precious' stash. A box of yarn that is reserves for special ocassions. It shall not be swapped, or gifted, or used to knit presents. It is for Me. Most of it was gifted by SPs, or kind swappers, or bought on special trips. See anything in there you like? Yeah, me too. Just not sure what I can use any of it for, now. Maybe I'll cast on some simple socks. Yes, maybe I'll do that..... Or maybe I'll just increase my stash tonight at Posh Yarn. They update tonight, and I like everything on the site.....

I may not have knitting mojo, but my fingers are getting greener.... snap dragon, violas and lobelias. See.....

I love tea....

2007-04-14T15:27:00.000+01:00

Beautiful yarn and organic cotton...

2007-04-06T14:02:00.000+01:00

With a lack of anything else to post, I thought I'd take advantage of the sunshine and show you gorgeous yarn. Aforementioned red cotton project is coming along relatively speedily, but since it is four ply, it doesn't look any different to last time you saw it!

Firstly, Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Irving Park and Daffodil. These are my leftovers of possibly my favourite yarn, in the world, ever. Secondly, possibly the baddest cat, in the world ever. Although, I was very proud of her today, she stood up to a bad Tom who had come in through our back door and tried to eat her breakfast. Velma, on the other hand was hiding upstairs. Go Daph. I don't think they'd ever seen another cat face to face before. These photos are also momentous because they show the only patch of clean carpet in our whole house!

Also last week, I found this top in New Look, one of the UKs less upmarket highstreet stores (in my opinion). I was so pleased to see that they now have an organic cotton range and the stuff is really pretty. Dresses, tops, jeans, lots of stuff. And this top was only £8. I was reminded of Sarah's post. If I had to choose between fairtrade and organic, I would choose fairtrade (and this is just organic) but it's a start, right?

Molly's socks......Phew!

2007-03-31T17:25:00.000+01:00

I got a lovely email from Thistlerain (aka Molly) from the knittyboards, thanking me for her socks. What a relief - she loved them! and she said they fitted. I am so relieved! Molly doesn't have a blog, so here they are, on my feet just before I sent them.

Pattern: Knitty Universal Toe Up
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Dafodil and Opal Uni (shade?)

Time to Knit: Too long!

I also sent her a needle roll, just like this one, now listed in my etsy shop (pic is a link).

Today I we went yarn shopping, and to meet up with two lovely knittyheads, Kat/Koshka and Charlotte/LittleMy, both really really nice chatty people. Great company. We went to Yarn in Beeston and Heath's Country Store in New Ollerton. Both are great shops, the second sells fabric too! It was esepcially nice that both shops have quite different stock. These are the spoils. The fabric is destined to be needle rolls I think, to add to my stock.

This yarn is Super Soxx by Lang, and I just love the colours. It'll be socks for me, at last. I'm thinking of using the Jaywalker pattern, after seeing Charlotte's today.

And finally, some of you may remember that I'm keen to get a few ideas out of my head and into a pattern. This project was abandoned, the colours just weren't working. This is the current one. 350 stitches on 3.25mm needles. What was I thinking??

New etsy items!

2007-03-28T19:29:00.000+01:00

I don't really like promoting myself here, but I thought you all might like to see......

I feel a bit awkward selling to people I know, but it's always nice if they feel like they can mention me to their pals!

Moonshine update and my fabric problem......

2007-03-25T12:42:00.000+01:00

So you may remember I am knitting Moonshine, from Rowan Classic Style, using Sirdar's Denim Aran in Aspen. I would once have called myself a yarn snob, but, I love this yarn, despite it's acrylic-ness. Its a great cotton blend, and although most of the colours are a bit wishy washy for my taste, the newer ones are great, well saturated shades. Anyway, I digress. I've been kniting this since well, since this book came out, last autumn. I've missed the boat for this winter, so it's kind of gone on the back burner. It is a slow (due to the double moss stitch), monotonous knit that seems to go on for ever. I think it's going to need a lot of careful blocking (when do I ever do that??) as all the pieces I've done so far (the back, one sleeve and half a front) don't sit squarely when I lay them out. I'm not sure why, my knitting is correct, I'm sure. But, it will be great when its done, and be the knid of item I hope to wear a lot. Here is the half knitted front.....

And here's that yarn I bought last weekend although the project is covert!

My lovely friend Amanda warned me a while back that fabric was addictive as yarn and she was right. I think I have a problem. I bought this is JL yesterday and I need more. I just love it's kitschy cottagey feel. And only £5 a metre. If I wasn't so broke my mum had to fill my car up yesterday (Before you all panic that James, Daphne, Velma, Monty and I are about to starve, I get paid on Friday and mum bought us a big bag of organic veg yesterday too, not that that would help the catties!) I would have bought the whole bolt!! So far, it's been made in to a little surprise treat to go into my package for the lovely Molly.

Here too is a selection of the fabric that came home from Ripon last weekend.... As you can see, I clearly don't need more fabric.

I hope you all have lovely spring sunshine streaming through your windows today, just like we have. Happy Sunday everyone.

How did my boy fit into these??

2007-03-18T21:04:00.000Z

We have just got home from a lovely weekend with James' mum who lives in Ripon, North Yorkshire. It's a lovely part of the world, and I just love it. Anyway, James' mum is bracing herself to move so is trying to clear stuff out. We spent this morning going through boxes and she gave me lots of fabric, which will come in very handy! I'll take some pictures when I get a chance. We also found these, which she made when the boys (James and his older brother Rich) where born. So, getting on for 30 years ago for one of them. I held one up to Richard, an ex-Royal Marine and it's so hard to picture them fitting into these tiny clothes! I think they're beautiful and she told me she's saving them for her grandchildren, which is so exciting. Only she might be waiting a few years yet! Speaking of childhood, Amanda, the horse in my last post is Tutti Fruiti, a childhood friend rather than a vintage find. My aunt bought him when we were small, and mum has kept him carefully ever since, although he has no tail, bridle or saddle! I think he was much loved. Tutti Fruiti was an ice cream flavour when we were small, that was kind of synthetically fruit flavoured with bizarre little bits in it. We clearly liked that too!

On Saturday morning, I took myself off to Knaresborough to Sheepish, one of my favourite yarn shops (the new website does not do it justice yet). Despite having no money whatsoever I managed to spend £15 on some cotton, a pattern (can't show you, it's for a present!) and Rowan's Studio number 3. There is a lovely cabled tank top pattern which is next on my list... The people as always, were lovely and very complimentary about my Icarus. What I particularly like is that they leave you alone to peruse and stand in the corner gossiping instead. Perfect, I can be left to my own thoughts when yarn shopping! Gosh, that sounds really anti-social, but I'm sure you knitters know what I mean!

After that we went to Wetherby for the horse racing. Despite being horsey (and ridden race horses for a chunk of my teenage years, and owning an ex-steeplechaser) I've never been racing. Yorkshire however, has a huge racing culture. I loved it! The boys were keen on the gambling, and I admit it was fun, just a pound or two here or there. I insisted on deciding on my horse by actually looking at them in the parade ring. It reminds me why they are such a big part of my life and I'd struggle if I had to give them up. They are just amazing creatures. I took some random photos, these horses don't have any significance except they reminded me a bit of Mont.

They are so strong and powerful, yet on the most part graceful and kind. One got loose on the track at the last race and legged it around the track, ears pricked, tail in the air, clearly showing off and enjoying himself!

And lastly, James' mum gave me these daffs, unusual don't you think? Really frilly in the middle..

Thistlerain/Molly, the sock knitting goddess

2007-03-14T19:32:00.000Z

I have recently participated in a Knittyboard sock exchange and my partner is the lovely Thistlerain, real name Molly. I am yet to post her socks, but they are very very nearly ready. We agreed to be a bit flexible on the date. I received mine from Molly today. They are absolutely amazing. I am in awe of your knitting Molly! These socks are knitted in lace weight yarn, you know, like shop bought socks. They are just amazing. Molly has chosen a beautifully soft, alpaca silk blend (80/20) in a lovely green colour. She has included a great cuff and reinforced heels. Thank you so much Molly, for all the time it must have taken you. I am slightly hesitant in sending mine, they are truely amateur in comparison. I really hope Molly isn't desperately disappointed. Molly also sent a lovely package of Rambouillet yarn (I'm told a bit like Merino), which I will photograph when I have good light, gorgeous bath treats and girl scout cookies! Which is so cool, I've never had them before, a real American Institution. I'm sorry to say I can't photograph them............ :)

Here are some photos. I apologise for the poor light and I'm sure you all know how difficult it is to take good photos of your own feet!

Also, my knitting group pal, Jazz, has just started blogging. The link to her blog, Two Sticks and an Afro is on the right, go check it out........

Since you asked so nicely.......

2007-03-10T18:31:00.000Z

....I have some new pictures of our catty girls to show you. But first, some pictures of my latest etsy offering. By the way, do you like my little gallery on the right there? Clever huh (although etsy just gave me the code!)?

I used some of my recently enhanced fabric stash, to make up a needle roll, lined with white fabric. I'm particularly pleased than I managed to bind the edge of the pocket. I thought it just looked a bit more professional that way.

I wondered if I should list the pattern as well as the finished item. I think that maybe knitters are crafty enough to want to make their own roll? Am I trying to sell to a limited market?

And now, my cards have their own labels. I had them made up with the name of my shop, with space for me to sign my name. This was my colleague Karen's idea. She likes the way I sign my name with a little n rather than a capital.

So here are our girls this morning. They're both feeling a bit sorry for themselves, they spent the day at the vet on Thursday being spayed. They're both sporting massive bald tummies where the vet had to shave them! The nurse said we had to keep them quite for a few days. Not a chance I said!! Little do they know they'll be allowed out in a few weeks....

Velma finds a cozy patch in the (Clean!) lundry on the spare bed. You might be able to see her poorly eye, which the vet says will never be 100%. We think she had an infection whilst still with her mum.

Typical Daphne loves a roll around on the floor! I bet you're pleased to see sun-lit photos at last!

I bought fabric AGAIN (and I had a great weekend)

2007-03-06T10:08:00.000Z

So I just couldn't help myself, I bought fabric AGAIN. I think us Brits struggle to find nice fabric that is actually available in the UK. In the States there is such a huge selection. One online store I found had a postage of $30. Somehow, I think not. Anyway I found the Cotton Patch. The only place I could find with a good selection and decent amounts of fabric available. However, this is not a valid reason to buy lots of stuff is it? Especially with no intended projects! Sorry if these photos are a bit flash-y, it did mean that the colours are accurate. This first photo shows them all, a selection of Rowan fabrics with a random pinky-red pack thrown in (botton left corner).

These below are Rowan fabrics, the left is Amy Butler 'Coriander', I think and the right Kaffe Fasset 'Floating Flowers'.

These are Kaffe Fasset 'Arbor' and Amy Butler 'French Wallpaper'. Aside from the colours it may well have been the names that got me!

The service from Cotton Patch is great, very quick and well packaged. As for projects, answers on a postcard people, OK?

I had a great weekend, too. On Saturday I had a riding lesson from a freelance instructor, Jeni Chilton. I haven't trained for AGES, and Monty and I are really really rusty. So, I decided it was about time we had some help to get back on track. She was great, really helpful and terribly complimentary about Mont. It is always nice to hear good things about you pride and joy when he is an aging, more than slightly arthritic thoroughbred! She concluded that Mont knew everything he needed to know and that we just needed to have occassional lessons to nag us and help us remeber what we already knew. This is great, I have spent years carefully working with Mont, slowly training him and teaching him quite physically difficult things. It's great to know it's all stuck in his head. It also reminded me how unfit I am too. Promted by this, and the fact I have put on weight since I have stopped riding every day, I went and bought soem new tracksuit bottoms and trainers on Sunday. Then I joined the local gym yesterday. Induction on Thursday, I'll keep you posted.

Also on Saturday, my old buddies from school came to stay, so we could see Kate in 42nd Street at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham. Kate is already staying with us. I'm sure she wouldn't mind me saying the story is rubbish, but the dancing is just amazing. The most energetic, spectacular tap dancing I have ever seen. With some clever lighting and mirror thingies going on too. If it comes near you in the UK (it's touring after leaving Broadway in New York) go and see it. We had a lovely evening, with cocktails first, then the show, then noodles in Wagamamma's, then a bottle of wine at home. We were up into the early hours talking. Perfect evening. I love my girls. I thought my uni friends new me well but this lot have been my friends for 15 years. So much to catch up on. Here they are, Kate, Zoe and Paula, respectively. Sorry for the grainy photos, serve me right for getting the camera out after a few glasses of wine, in the dark!

I Made a Curtain!

2007-03-01T07:55:00.000Z

Ok, so maybe these would qualify for the world's most boring photos but I am so pleased with how this curtain turned out. I made it to coordinate with the Ikea spotty/paisley bedlinen that we (and everybody else!) has. My friend Kate who I have known since school, is staying with us for a few weeks while she's in a show in Nottingham. This gave us great incentive to clear out and re-organise the top bed room. Hence the curtain.

This is my first attempt at a curtain, I've only done a blind so far. I had help from Laura Ashley's book of Home Decorating (1985!!). The nice girl in John Lewis was so helpful too. Despite me repeatedly telling her I was going to make it up as I went along! If it hadn't been for her advice I would have come home without half the bits and pieces! It goes from floor to ceiling in the dorma in our attic. Shame about the wallpaper. Never mind, it's on the list!

A great thing happened to me yesterday. Well, great for me. One of the Professors at work (Behavioural Ecology) asked me for some help (as a Biochemist) on his grant application! Woo! How chuffed was I!! After recent convidence issues, this made me feel so much better.

OK, I'm going to stop blowing my own trumpet now.... :)

Thank you Hello Nelly!

2007-02-24T13:14:00.000Z

Yesterday I got a fabulous package from my Knitty SP8, Hello Nelly. It had lots and lots of yummy stuff in it! Here are some photos for you to drool over.

Firstly, when I opened the package sweeties fell out everywhere! Awesome. A car full of sweets, what could be better? Little mini fruity sweets and Hershey's Kisses Peanut Butter flavour. I've said it before and I'll say it again, chocolate + peanut butter = heaven. Now my American Sweetie Jar (full of the spoils of overseas swaps, and one of my favourite posessions!) is full again.

And as for the Kinder Happy Hippos, this is what I thought of them.

There was also a great card (very me) and a cute-but-ugly keyring.

The piece de resistance was a Fleece Artist Thrum Mittens Kit. Basically a big hank of wool, with added fibre to make your own, colour co-ordinated thrum mittens. And what a beautiful colour. Fleece artist call it 'moss', but I'd say more 'gooseberry'. And, it's Blue Faced Leicester. I've never felt this type of wool before, but it is gorgeous. So soft. I've always been in two minds about thrummed mittens, although I did like Sherry's. However, the yarn has a pattern for Thrummed socks, which actually sounds amazing. So I'm going to do that.

Thank you SP, whoever you are. Spot on, gold star for you!!

Funny Story (I'm not really this popular!)

2007-02-14T13:34:00.000Z

I had three valentines today. Bizarrely, from three people with the same handwriting...........

The first, was from James (my favourite card, in the middle). I won't tell you what it said, but it was sweet. He's away this week, by the way, but so is sarah's husband and Karen's BF so us girls are good tonight, with a DVD.

The second was from touring car driver Jason Plato, whom I (bizarrely) have a massive crush on. It said "I insist you dump your Boyfriend and come with your horse to live with me in Monaco. I will drive you to the casino every night in my company Seat. Love Jason Plato" Wow. What a surprise.

The third was from movie star, Josh Hartnett. Again, I'm stunned. It said "Come to live with me in LA, you can bring your horse if you must. I'm only good when people write lines for me, so that's all I got. Love Josh Hartnett"

Out of all those J's who shall I possibly choose? It's a toughie!! :)

Speaking of cards, I've just listed some new horsey ones on etsy!

The Best Present Ever

2007-02-13T11:16:00.000Z

Sorry I've not been around posting much, I've been really busy making stock for my etsy shop. Once I start I can't stop! My sewing machine and I are beginning to love eachother. These are snippets of my recent creations......

They're parts of little laundry bags. I don't think they're everyone's cup of tea, but I love the way they've turned out. I'm trying to find some sort of crafting identity, and find out what sells on etsy and what doesn't. So excuse me if the shop looks a bit of a mish mash! And yes, Amanda, in naming my shop, I was inspired by a certain song (and I love Dick van Dyke!!! Well, who doesn't?).

Speaking of which, just before christmas, I was oggling a pair of pinking shears in John Lewis. I know, small things excite. Anyway, I decided I couldn't justify £25 on a pair of scissors (£25 - I know!!). Randomly, last time we went to James' mothers' she said she had two pairs of pinking shears and would I like one? How great is that?? And believe me, they're brilliant. Best present ever. I love how you end up with great ribbons of zig zaggy fabric. Told you. It doesn't take much!

We're back!

2007-02-07T10:20:00.000Z

And what a great time we had. Unfortunately there was no snow, but there was a good covering already when we got there, that slowly melted during the few days we were there. Sod's Law, it's snowing right now there, and we're about to get some here tonight! We didn't do much, ate, drank (Karen's favourite red was 12Euro for 6 bottles!!), read, slept, explored, pretty much. Sarah knitted quite a bit, but somehow I wasn't in the mood. We did however, find some great knitting magazines in le supermarche. Now to dig out my dictionary! Now for some photos, sorry if you're on dial-up! (there is a knitting story at the bottom too!)

Since there is only a small fridge at the house, we had to improvise......

This will well and truly become our iconic photo of the trip! If only my legs (far right!) where that long in real life!

Duncan is soooo lucky this wasn't aimed at me!! He was our designated driver, and was thrilled to be driving a new renault mini MPV. Until he put it in a snow drift! We were half way up Puy Mary, one of the tallest mountains around, when we pulled over to the right (luckily away from the sheer drop!) to avoid an oncoming car and the car dropped into a snow covered ditch. Funnily enough, he was trying to avoid a ditch we could see! So, we all got out to push, and promtly sunk about a foot into the snow! The driver and his wife got out of the car we had being trying to avoid and helped too. And, crisis overted! Although we spent the rest of the day with wet socks, and the road we had been trying to get to was closed anyway! Happy, happy days! :)

We saw this house whilst out and about, and I want to live here!

Since they don't have to do it every day, lighting the (amazingly large) fire is still a novelty!!

James still won't agree that he looks like a burglar in his 'suspicious' hat!

So, we found some knitting magazines in the supermarket, with absolutley stunning cabled patterns. All charted, so that's helpful. However, on the continent they tend to write the patterns in prose, rather than line by line statements as we do here. I was trying to explain this to James, and say that this was going to make it more difficult to translate. That instead of writing

row 1: K,

row2: P,

row 3; K,

row 4: P1 P2Tog P to last 3 stitches P2tog P1, etc for example,

they would write in prose as follows, continue in stocking stitch for 4 rows whilst decreasing at each end of the final row blah blah etc. He thought this was really funny and said, what could they add some adventure in there too? Like, "She knitted, whilst the terrorists crash through the window, and as gun fire blazed she decreased at each end of the row". I of course, thought this was hilarious and woke the whole house. Guess you just had to be there :)

Au Reviour, a Mardi!

2007-02-03T06:36:00.000Z

So we're off here later this morning, with Sarah and Duncan, Karen ad Rich. My aunt's place in Aurillac in central France. It's beautiful and hopefully covered in snow. We know that is below freezing! The boys are hoping to ski, but I'm really not sure.....

We're back on Tuesday, hopefully well rested. We have lots of books, knitting and playing cards. There's no telly. We're so looking forward to it. Lets just hope Ryanair are on the ball today.......

See you on Tuesday!

Sun Ray Shawl and Guerilla Warfare Chic

2007-02-01T09:55:00.000Z

On Tuesday night I finished my Sun Ray Shawl. And, I love it. I'm going to give a bit of a review of the yarn and the pattern, and compare it to my Little Icarus.

(yes, that is Nell with newly short hair - the less said the better, but it's growing on me!)

Pattern: Sun Ray Shawl, free from Elann.com

Yarn: Noro Lily, 4 hanks, 560m in total 70% cotton, 30% silk

Needles, Bogstandard Pony circulars, 80cm, 3.75mm

Time taken to Knit: 10 days

I fell in love with this pattern as soon as I saw it. I already had the yarn, which I bought in the States, and it was earmarked for a second scarf/shawl, like my version of Icarus. I just needed to find a pattern, something a bit more involved than Icarus, which only has rows of eyelets for the main body of the shawl. The pictures that are online with the pattern, are nice, but they have it knitted in a funny yellow (presumably to follow the name of the shawl), which doesn't do it justice, I don't think. I was attracted to the stitch pattern, I love the way the stitches change direction and flow along the shawl. I think it is more wave like than sun rays.

To knit, this is a great pattern, very easy and I couldn't put it down. All that is involved is SSK, yo and K2Tog. No purling 6 million stitches together or anything fiddly like that. It is a 20 row repeat, so it requires a bit of concentration but once you get going, it become obvious which stitches go where. The pattern was originally designed for a chunkier yarn, on bigger needles, to produce a much larger shawl. I am tempted to do it again following the pattern, to make a lap blanket/throw type thing. The pattern calls for 5 or six repeats of the main chart, I did six, which was where I ran out of yarn. Another modification I did was to leave out the garter stitch edging, before the picot cast off. The pattern directs six knit rows before casting off. I like the smoothness of the stocking stitch so the garter stitch edge didn't really follow for me. Instead I continued in stocking stitch for 2 rows, then cast off. As a result, the edge does curl slightly. I like the picots a lot, very simple, although time consuming and the look is effective. There is no cast on edge, which is a clever touch, the designer obviously thought carefully about it. You cast on three stitches, with a crochet cast on, knit 18 rows, then knit these 3, pick up and knit 9 along the selvedge, then pick up and knit your cast on rows. Hey presto, no cast on edge. Sounds complicated, but when I had it in my hands it was easy.

The yarn is just yummy, the colour is closest to this picture (sorry a bit out of focus!) a really true, strong jade. I think the yarn is discontinued, it seems to only be on sale at a few places and is cheap (bag some if you can!!!). The stitch definition is great, being cotton, and the silk gives it a wonderful sheen, which is what I was looking for. It is woven, not plied (please someone correct my lingo if it's wrong!) so doesn't split at all. It blocks wonderfully too. I quickly washed it in woolite and warm water, then squeezed it out in a towel, which seemed to 'flatten' the stitches a bit - in a good way. I pinned it out over night, and it seems to have worked well. The curl at the cast off edge is a bit annoying, but worth it for missing the garter stitch.

As a scarf, this is no way as cuddly as Icarus, the yarns are just polar opposites. But, this has better stitch definition, so the stitch pattern is more of a proper feature. I just love it.

My colleague, the lovely Richie, said how lovely it was, and that I had the Guerilla Warfare Chic look going on. I take this as a great compliment, as he's trendy and cool. And loves blogs, so I'll have to tell him he features on one today!

And, lastly, thasnk so much for your amazingly generous comments on my last post - my etsy shop is up (keep checking back as I increase my stock!).

Flutterbys

2007-01-29T09:48:00.000Z

With several birthdays this week, I have been doing a bit of cardmaking. Whadya reckon? All my own designs and hand-cut. I love making cards, I always do it for family at christmas and birthdays. I was thinking I'd try them on etsy. Do you think they'd sell? Be honest with me, I can take it. I think perhaps they look a bit too *handmade*. If you know what I mean. Not at all professional, like these, or these. I suppose the price is what cuts it isn't it? I was thinking they were probably worth £1.50? What's that, $3.00? Or £6.00/$12 for 5? People seem to do that a lot, put them in packs. All wrapped in cellophane of course. Seems the right amount of pounds by maybe it's too many dollars compared to other sellers. I suppose the exchange rate's not in my favour. I have lots of other designs in mind, but for SP security I can't show you!

Sorry, I realise these are not the best photos!

By the way, can you all see my hyperlinked words? Do they appear as a different colours to you?

The snow and some sunny fleurs

2007-01-24T10:19:00.000Z

It snowed!! Ok, so it's not real snow, it'll be gone by lunchtime. But, I had to scrape it off the car, so it counts for me!!

That is not where I live by the way, but where Monty lives. I love that funny blue light when it snows. Needless to say I am wearing two knitted items today. A shrug I made last spring with Colinette Prism, in Jay, and the ever faithful Little Icarus.

James came home last night from being away and bought fleurs (as he calls them) with him. He even tried to get my favourite, Gerberas, but Sunflowers were the closest they had. He's a darling.

And, inspired by Sarah's post, I thought you may like to see my desk at Uni, where I frequently post from. I know I know, it is covered in very interesting books. It's OK, its OK, form an orderly queue, there are enough copies of World's Poultry Science to go around...... :)

Anyone need a witch murdering?

2007-01-20T14:57:00.000Z

Our chimney is falling down. Isn't that how the wicked witch dies in The Wizard of Oz? So, if you know a witch that needs despatching, send her our way. Yes, you guessed it, when the aerial came down in the winds, it took part of our chimney with it. When the aerial man came down from the roof, he did not look impressed. It's an emergency to get it fixed, apparently. It needs pulling down and putting back up. Joy. Luckily our insurance company will pay but the hassle. Bugger. I thought Victorians built to last. But then again, Victorians didn't have TV aerials.

Also speaking of Victorian architectural engineering, I had to perform major surgery on the house this morning. We have an (original, not converted) loft bedroom, which is the highlight of our little house. It has a small dorma window. Which is on it's way out, its been jammed shut until now, the hinges are rusted. It's on the list of thing to replace. Well, anyway, this morning, it was hanging off. And rattling. Loudly. It was scaring the life out of the cats. So, I had to half hang out of the window and take it out of the frame. I tied it to the inside with string(!) so I didn't lose it down onto the street. Then wrestle the one remaining screw. It was touch and go, believe me. Who said owning a (victorian, with some origianl features) house was easy???

But here's one of my favorite places in the house. And not for the reasons you may be thinking ;)

It is comfy and warm with the sun shining in. And even better when it includes kitties, a new pattern and beautiful yarn just itching to be cast on. Perfect.

Amanda, I hope you can see from these pictures that the cats like my (generously gifted) Boye needles as much as I do? Although I don't feel the need to lick them.

And proof that you can't leave a sleeping cat with yarn for 5 minutes, even to open the door to the (very late, but he was bringing yarn, so I'll let him off) postman.

Said about-to-be-cast-on project now looks like this. I love the way the stitches keep changing direction. The yarn (Noro lily) is actually a rich jade green and is lovely to work with. It's woven rather than plied (have I got my spinning lingo right?) and is quite like Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece, only a bit softer. Its not quite as stiff, must be the silk content. It does have a very crisp texture though, great for stitch definition. The pattern has a great feature at the start involving a crochet cast on, which means there is eventually no cast on edge.

And what's this? Is that sock yarn? (Sssshhh, its a secret!)

My Domestic Endeavors

2007-01-19T11:04:00.000Z

So, today I'm at home, waiting for the aerial man. The aerial (yes, the six month old, £200 aerial) blew off the roof and is dangling from the side of the house. No TV. No, none, not a smidge. My nosy-but-nice-avon-lady-neighbour asked why we didn't have Sky. Freeview is enough channels for us I said, and it's free. Well, she said, if you had Sky or NTL cable then they'd come and fix it for you for free if the dish blew down. I know she said, I have both. BOTH??!! Who needs Sky AND Cable???? Anyway, I digress. I'm at home today, so I'm taking the opportunity to tidy. Our house is a tip. Well, OK, it's not too bad, but nothing seems to have a home, and there is a lot of stuff just floating about. And look what else...... I bought a sewing machine (thanks for the christmas money Grandpa!!).

I've been taking in the waist on James' christmas Pyjamas. Which he hasn't worn much yet, since I seemed to have made a mathmatical error on the waist band. He professes to love them though. Bless. The machine and I don't love each other yet, but I'm sure we will. The foot lifter thingy is in a totally stupid place for a start. It's not at the back of the needle, but to the right, around the side. How awkward would that be if you were left handed. Which I'm not, by the way. Maybe it's not odd to have it there, it's just not like any machine I've ever used. It is only a basic John Lewis machine (apparently made by Janome though), and I'll probably have to crank up the old Jones (of James' grandmother) if I want to do heavy stuff, but for my day-to-day needs this'll become my friend, I hope. So Ok, you and I know I don't sew everyday, but you get the picture.

And, here's an update on the 'designing' front. I'm keen for 'it' to include some colourwork, so I've been experimenting, with different techniques and ideas. I love the three colours, a sagey green, cranberry and baby blue. As balls, they go really well together, with the grey-brown background. But, knitted up into various patterns, well, not so much. I love the green and the blue together, but add the red, and it's christmas all over again. So, I'm going to put this away and have a re-think. Maybe some orange in there instead. I'll keep you posted.

As for other knitting, I think I've found the pattern for the Noro Lily I bought in the States. I'm going to cast on for this, the Sun Ray shawl from elann.com. Although it will be a scaled down version to rival my Icarus. I've never realised what great free patterns this site has. Watch this space.....

So I sound really domestic don't I. Before you start shouting, it's 2007, not 1957, I have to say this. James had a day off yesterday, and he spent it running my errands, doing the coming week's shop (he even wrote a list and remembered to take it!) and then cooking supper. Above mentioned neighbour said 'What you don't cook?'!. So, all's fair in our house. And anyway, if I was a housewife, I'd be rubbish. I mean, it's taken me a month to take in the waistband on a pair of PJ's.

Happy weekend all.

Thanks and the first FO of 2007

2007-01-15T10:08:00.000Z

Thanks everyone for your sweet comments on my last post. I appreciate you taking the time to make me feel better. Alma, you are right, the tea bag needs to be removed before it becomes bitter. So true, I'll remember that. As you say Sarah/Bez, I'm young and I have a lot to be excited about.

I have contacted several people in the last week, and although the response isn't entirely what I had hoped (no immediate job offers!!) it was all positive. Mum reminded me not to let go of the academic stuff just yet (I have every intention of submitting my thesis, of course, I've come too far) and to keep looking for jobs in this field. She's right, as usual. I'm so lucky to have James who reminds me all the time, that he'll love me whatever.

I feel a lot better, I took last week slowly, and I'm more cheerful this week. We had a lovely weekend too, with my Dad's side of the family. Look where we went!!

My beloved Grandpa was 90, so we went to Norfolk (near Wroxham, as you were interested Sarah!) for a small party. It was nice, my Dad's family is small, and we don't spend a lot of time together, so it was nice to get together, and in such a lovely place. There was the notable absence of my aunt (dad's sister), her husband and son, dispite them living in the next village. This is due to their rather bizarre, bigotted views and opinions on my cousins sexuality. They have choosen to ignore her completeley. We clearly do not hold these views. It put a cloud over the weekend, but only in a distant way. We all enjoyed ourselves anyway! I'll not go into it (maybe you can guess the rest) but we'll never understand how people go through life with so much bitterness. We were proud of Grandpa who told my aunt, No he was'nt going to go out with her for supper, he was having a party, to which she was invited, she just chose not to come. Go GP!! There was lots of delicious food, and thanks to my dad's careful decisions, lovely wine. I don't know my cousin Cath very well, she's older and my dad has never been that close to her mother. But she's lovely, very very witty and sharp as a tack! Great fun. Here she is (on the left) with her Partner, Leigh.

And here's Grandpa, looking nowhere near 90, with my sister and Cath. We're all very proud of him (he goes travelling all by himself and his favourite drink is Sambucca).

Here's my dad (aka the Somellier) and James, looking thoughtful. It was rather late by then!

This is dad's partner Kate, who organised a beautiful cake, and my sis and her boyfriend Ryan.

Grandpa loved his scarf too, my first FO of 2007. Although as I predicted, one of his first questions was 'So what colour would you call this dear?'

Pattern: Sirdar Leaflet - can't remember the number!

Yarn: The recommended Town and Country DK, Acrylic and wool

Time to knit: Two weeks

I'm not sure this is a good photo, the mock cables aren't too clear. I liked this pattern, easy with enough interest not to die of boredom. I did modify it to make it wider, and it could have been even bigger. The original pattern only has the cable at one end, I carried it all the way through. And this my favourite acrylic, nothing wrong with it at all and not squeaky. The whole thing cost me about £4! And best of all, he really appreciated having something made for him!

'Designing' and women are like tea bags

2007-01-08T18:10:00.000Z

So, as a bit of a new year resolution, I'm getting around to trying a bit of 'designing'. I use that term in the loosest possible sense - making it up as I go along may be more accurate. This, my friends, is all you're going to get for now......

Also on the needles is a Scarf for my Grandpa, who is 90 on Sunday. We're going over to Norwich on Sunday for a bit of a Party. He's colourblind and so has little appreciation of colour. I am hoping that this is nice and texturised to make up for it. I like the ease of mock cables.

As for the rest of my life. Well, the New Year isn't proving too fantastic so far. Unusually for January, I don't have major money issues, somehow I didn't massively overspend at christmas. I have however, been seriously considering my career and it's upsetting me quite a lot. It's something that has troubled me a lot recently, and the new year has brought it all to the surface. Why does the start of a new year have that effect?

My worries hinge primarily on not enjoying my work at all. I don't technically work, as many of you know. I'm studying for a PhD and I'm coming to the end - my funding runs out in September. I've nearly finished the lab work I have in the pipeline and I'm coming to write my thesis. Most people find this daunting - I find it a relief - it's signalling the end. I don't in any way regret the decision to take on this project. I know I was unbelievably lucky to be given it, with funding already in place. I appreciate the oppertunity to have the highest possible education at a leading institution. I have spent the last thirty months working with the most wonderful people who will be friends for life. I don't spend every day dreading going to work. But, I can't go on doing this. I am a rubbish scientist. I don't work at weekends, and I don't read in the evenings and I don't clamour to go to conferences. In my opinion, good scientists are passionate. I'm sure this mainly is to do with choosing the wrong project. I cannot bare the specific tasks I have to do any more, it's wearing me down. I have a specific area that I would love to work in. I guarantee that I would be passionate about it. But departments that specialise in it hardly exist. I would love to work in equine nutrition. Dearly. I have tried to build up contacts and find people to talk to. Those few I have found get in to discussion about it then forget about me - I clearly don't stand out as a good scientist. This kind of work does not exist.

The other reason it bothers me, is that I did an awful lot of temping in between academic commitments. I loved it. Most people don't. I did all sorts of stuff and I was good at it. I did two weeks for a large international firm near here, just before I started my project. They tried to persuade me to not go back to uni for my PhD and work for them in marketing. They really tried. He even said to call him if I ever wanted a job. It crossed my mind at the time, but I was sure my academic endeavours would lead me to the job of my dreams. They haven't. If I knew then what I know now I would have taken it.

So, the conclusion is, I know what I don't want to do. Clearly. And I suppose that's a start. But what do I want to do? I have no idea. I certainly don't want to be an eternal temp but I have no idea how to move out of Science. I need to talk to my supervisor, who I know will be sympathetic, but I don't know how. I am terrified of being stuck in a job that I don't even like because I've been caught in a snowball.

I've just read something that Eleanor Roosevelt apparently said:

'Women are like Tea bags. We don't know our true strength until we are in hot water'.

Now, I don't think my situation counts as hot water, but I like it. I'll tear it out of the magazine and put it in my book, maybe it'll inspire me.

Anyway, this blog is about knitting, not being a moaning minnie. Normal service will soon be resumed. Thanks for listening.

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

2007-01-05T08:08:00.000Z

Not much has been going on here that is blog worthy really. I haven't done a load of knitting since it was such a rush to finish Dad's socks. I have lots planned so I must get a move on! I picked up RYC's Moonshine last night and realised how much I have to do!

Also on and off the needles recently were some hats for Annie. Here is a sneak peak for you Annie. The two colourful ones are for small children and the bigger, turquoise one is a beret. I love this hat, I made it for myself a few months ago, and thoroughly enjoyed making it, DB Alpaca Silk is one of my favourite yarns, in this case it was given to me for my birthday by James. However, the style looked dreadful on me! And it was too small. As some of you may know, under no circumstances am I an unpicker. I very rarely frog something that is finished. Especially if I enjoyed knitting it so much (and this was knitted watching Lucky Number Slevin, and we all know what I thinkof Josh Hartnett don't we!!). More fool me really! Anyway, I thought it would be perfect for Annie's cause! I hope it is suitable for someone in Boston, perhaps a pre-teen girl? I had to check with James if he minded me giving it away, I felt a bit bad, since he had carefully picked out the yarn for me. He didn't mind, it's for a good cause and he said as long as I had fun knitting it he was happy. I loved packing these of to Annie, I really enjoy putting little labels on. I hope they are the kind of thing you were looking for.

Actually, in knitting these hats, I bought a ball one wool, (the rest was from stash diving) and discovered some yummy acrylic. Yes, you heard me!! The multicoloured hat is Wendy Peter Pan DK print Yarn. I fell in love with the colours and had to buy it. It's 100% synthetic ( a blend of acrylic and nylon) and mega soft! Its absolutley fine to knit with too. It is a tad 'squeaky' and looks a little bit synthetic (it doesn't try and hide it). It's intended for babies, and oddly this doesn't mean just white or baby pink, the range of colours includes some great brights. I'll definately think of this next time I'm knitting babies.

So anyway, waffle waffle. I also had a yarn clearout, and offered it as gifts in Knitty, for the first four people who emailed me. It turned out I needed 6 names, I had more than I thought. It was quite cleansing - a good clearout always is. I hope they are all happy with their packages, I tried to tailor them to the individual by asking what their least favourite colour is. I really enjoyed picking out all the colours and reading blogs to see what people like. There was some nice yarn there, DB, rowan, jaeger and some everyday acrylic and some vintage stuff, mainly oddballs. It has made room in our top bedroom, which I'm going to start decorating and moving into soon. I haven't told James this yet, he does know it's going to be an office (stroke craft room, hee hee!). It makes sense to start decorating from the top, right? And this is an easy one, only cosmetic stuff to do, and only three of the four walls are woodchipped!!! Anyway, here's what the pile of packages looked like ready for the post office.

And last but not least, Daphne was in the bath again last week. Although, this time we saw her do it and she JUMPED, she didn't fall. What's wrong with these cats?? Velma has taken to eating the bubbles!

Socks!

2006-12-27T19:43:00.000Z

At last! A knitting post! Here are some socks recently gifted.

Pattern: Knitty's Universal Toe Up Formula

Yarn: Regia Royal Collection Bristol

Needles: Addi Turbo Bamboo 2.5mm 120cm

Time to Knit: Ohh, ages, they had to be knitted covertly!

These were James' birthday socks, given to him whilst we were in New York. He loves them. In fact, the day after his birthday we had this conversation:

James: Do you know what the worst thing about these socks is?

Nell: !!! What???!!!

James: I only have one pair so I can't wear them again today!

Pattern: Knitty's Universal Toe Up Formula
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock Irving Park
Needles: Addi Turbo Bamboo 2.5mm 120cm
Time to Knit: Again, ages, although the second one I did in a week, I left myself a hard deadline!

I came up with new idea for presenting them too, by wrapping them up in the same way as bought socks only with a handmade label. I wrote the washing instructions on the back too.

These I gave to Dad yesterday for Christmas. I think he was pleased! I will be calling him for the verdict.

I love love love this knitty pattern. I don't care what anyone says about toe-up patterns, I couldn't do socks until I tried this! Of the two yarns, I would definately buy the LL's again, it was lovely to work with. The regia was nice, and cheaper, but was a bit scratchy, although after washing it improved. James didn't wait for me to tell him the washing instructions, and threw them in the machine. I think the label said handwash, clearly it doesn't matter!!

Christmas at Nell and James'!

2006-12-27T19:02:00.000Z

The first Christmas at Chez james and Nell was a good one. All went well, thanks to help from Mum, James' mum, and Delia.

Here is a taste of our Christmas. The company was obviously thrilling....

James was up until 2am wrapping and tidying but Daphne has no excuse...

Christmas Eve was clearly a big one for James' big brother Richard.

Velma can never resist a lap, especially since my sister was the second guest to our house this week who wanted to cat-nap her!

Deck the Halls

2006-12-22T18:40:00.000Z

Our decorations are up and photographed! What do you think? I like a minimalist tree as you can see. Although now, it's even more minimalist - the cat have pulled off and broken many of the balls! Even as a Brit (well she is an American Icon), I feel able to go a little bit 'Martha' with my card display! James wasn't overly impressed, and there are even more cards to go on now!!

I love a wreath on the door - so festive and welcoming and appropriate for our Victorian front door. This one is hand embellished by me. In the top photo it looks like fairy lights entwined in the twigs but actually it's little gold beads.

I feel especially christmas-y today, after seeing 'The Holiday' last night with Sarah and Karen. We've been trying to get an evening together to see it since it came out. Speaking of my favourite girls, they haven't appeared here yet and they deserve to. Firstly, this is me and sarah and secondly Karen and Rich, whom she met at Sarah's wedding in the summer. They are blissfully happy! Both were taken last Friday at our work christams do (partially organised by moi!)

I thought as I was driving home last night, that these are happy days and its all thanks to them. Anyway, the film, Brilliant. Totally brilliant. We all feel in love with Jude Law, who is surprisingly brilliant (sorry have I said this film is great?). Did I say my Mum saw him in the street, shouting st someone at a window the other day?? Anyway, the portrayal of the Brits in this film is slightly annoying, but only mildly so, especially as it was so affectionately done. For example, since when does a twenty-something who writes up wedding announcements in the Telegraph live in a cottage like that?? The cottage in question, in Surrey (didn't look like Surrey to me!!) is probably worth over half a million. But anyway, it doesn't matter. And when does it snow at Christmas here, IN THE SOUTH??? Anyway, this film was just lovely. It has a happy ending (very happy), what more could you want for christmas? It is funny, heartwarming, and, well, just nice. If you like a good squishy film, go see it!!

I bought 'Australian House and Garden Hand Crafted' from Waterstones - I love their craft section. So watch this space for FOs from it!

And here is the scene at work on Tuesday evening, before it went all foggy. What's all that about anyway??

Splosh! Yeeeooooowwwllll!

2006-12-13T12:35:00.000Z

Daphne fell in the bath last night. She got very wet and felt quite silly. I had half run the bath and had turned it off to watch the news (this horrible serial killer in Ipswich of all places). All I heard was Splosh, yeowl! And a little bedraggled tabby came running into the bedroom and looked at me pathetically. Unfortunately I laughed at her (she didn't seem hurt, just a little confused!). She looked baffled, and her legs and tummy were absolutley soaking. Unusually for Daphne, she enjoyed a cuddle in a towel, and then she was fine. And then when I got into the bath (with some yummy Lush bubbles, see below!), she sat on the loo and watched me. So it hasn't scarred her for life. I wish I had a photo. Here are some others from last weekend.

I've just realised how dark and out of focus they are, sorry! I'll do better next time!

Winter Cheer SP Goodies!

2006-12-12T10:58:00.000Z

My Winter Cheer SP goodies arrived! And luckily, I was at home yesterday - it's rare that I don't have to pick my packages up from the post office. And what a package, I am such a lucky girl! Thank you Magses! Or at least I think it's you..........

Firstly, There was some beautiful chocolate-y themed stuff from Lush - yummy! I swear I nearly ate one of them, it looked like a big slab of chocolate cake! And the new lip balm will now reside in my handbag - perfect!

There was also a super stylish Moleskine notebook, some lovely bamboo sock sized dpns, yummy apple and cinnamon flavoured black tea (very unusual and delish) and some scrumptious ginger biscuits! What better way to incentivise my working-at-home day (yes, for me, that usually means authorised skiving!).

And, last but not least some SOCKS THAT ROCK! Yes, you heard me, Socks That Rock! I've never even seen this in the UK, let along owned some! And in a very appropriate Jingle Bell Rock colourway. Thank you so much Magses, I feel totally spoiled!

How did I celebrate my weekend??

2006-12-04T12:43:00.000Z

Well, this is how. Gu make the best chocolate puddings. Just yum. So I bought a pack of two. One for me, one for James, so we could have a really nice pudding, as a treat. Instead, James went to Hooters to be served his dinner by a skinny lady with big boobs and small clothes. Am I at all bothered? No. Instead, I just ate both pots. Do I feel bad? Nope. I'd do it again in a heart beat. Even though he came home and said 'Where's my pudding?'.

To be fair, they didn't even go to Hooters. Well, they went but had failed to book a table. I should point out that what really irked me about this is not that they wanted to go to Hooters, I don't mind that, but it's this. It was Judge's birthday and they were going to eat. But, the girls weren't invited to come until after the meal. What is this, 1906? If you're having a boy's night, fine, don't invite us. If you want us to come, invite us for the whole evening. Grrr, mutter mutter.

Anyway, look what else I bought in Sainsbury's.

Someone clearly put so much effort into these. I stood there for ages choosing. Someone at Innocent needs a big pat on the back, this is such a great idea. I wish I had manged to get my bum into gear to make some.

And now, I feel really christmassy, we went to John Lewis yesterday and I bough fabric to decorate our table for christmas day. Woo! I especially love the one on the left, it's actually all shimmery.

No Extra GoCat for you Two!

2006-12-01T12:33:00.000Z

If you are squeamish, don't look any further. You guys asked for more cat pictures but nevertheless you have been warned......

This is what I found in our living room when I came home from work yesterday. This is the first cat/yarn explosion we have had in this house, and it will be the last. Believe me they did not get extra GoCat last night.

In case you're wondering, Yes, that is Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock prentending to be a (cat-made) spider web on my living room floor. But to be fair, I was tempted to roll around in it too.

Please ignore the carpets, they were filthy like that when we moved in, they are next on the list of things to be replaced.....

After an hour and a half on untangling, I'm only half way there. Luckily, they hadn't attacked the half knitted sock. For that they may well have been dead. Although I held up Velma to the window this morning and showed her the bin-men. I threatened to feed her to them if she ever did it again. I think she was scared.

Anyway, how can I stay cross when they look like this.....

Velma and Daphne, the Telly Addicts.

Our vet warned us that tortoiseshells are known to vets as 'naughty torties'. I told him not to be silly, I'd never known a bad one, and we've had a few. Maybe he was right......

Harrogate Knitting and Stitching Show

2006-11-29T11:48:00.000Z

So off we went on Friday afternoon. Good job it's indoors, it was bucketing it down. Sarah and I had originally planned to go, and Baldeesh, from out knitting group decided to come at the last minute. Good job she did, she fed us! She kept saying, 'I know, I have children, you need to bring a picnic on a car journey'! 'Have an apple', 'Have a banana', 'Have a cheese sandwich', 'Go on, have some Pringles'! She's AMAZING!

Anyway, we also met up with the lovely Prrrl (technically, Kat) from Knitty. It was a shame we couldn't stay longer. She was super friendly with an amazing grin!

Here's my (mini) haul.

Firstly, some beautiful silk from knitshop.co.uk. You should definately try them. Their website is a bit higgledy piggledy and some words have got lost in translation. I can't vouch for their mail order but the products are gorgeous. They also had one of the best looking stalls at the show. The whole show was a bit disappointing. I had hoped to see Colinette Jitterbug, Lorna's Laces, that kind of thing. A bit too much novelty yarn. Maybe we were in a rush and missed stuff. It would have been nice to stop and talk to people too. Next year I'll make the effort to go to London. Anyway, silk. I bought two hanks, for about £9 each. One is a dk weight and has 300m! The other is an aran weight. The paler one is going to be combined with some orangey hipknits silk for a scarf, the other, who knows!

Also shown above are some handmade ceramic buttons for Pat at the group.

I am quite excited about this fabric though. I am told that it was from the end of a bolt from Paul Smith. Only £4 per metre! Whether it is PS or not doesn't matter, it's lovely, woven cotton shirting and will make PJ bottoms for James for Christmas. That sounds like he's 85, but hopefully they will turn out like this. Do you think we'll be transported to a beautiful beach house like that too?? I quite fancy a matching pair, but Sarah threatened never to talk to me again if we started wearing his and hers!

You got me Annie!

2006-11-27T14:33:00.000Z

A) Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. Waitress
2. P.A
3. Finance Office Dogsbody
4. Barmaid

B) Four movies I would watch over and over
1. Lost in Translation
2. Pearl Harbor
3. Hocus Pocus
4. Four Weddings and a Funeral

C) Four places I have lived
1. Nottingham
2. London
3. Rural Leicestershire
4. ........

D) Four TV shows I love to watch:
1. Eastenders - what will it be like without Pauline!
2. Friends
3. Antiques Roadshow (!!)
4. Invasion

E) I have been on vacation:
1. France
2. America
3. Thailand
4. Australia

F) Websites visited daily:
1. Knitty Forum
2. Blogs at right (and a whole load I'm meaning to add!)
3. Google
4. email

G) Four of my favorite foods:
1. Chocolate
2. Crumpets
3. Cherries
4. Starbucks Very Berry Scones

H) Four places I would rather be right now:
1. At Sally's holiday place in France
2. On my sofa with James and the Kitties, knitting
3. Lying in the sun on my bed, napping
4. Riding

I) Four people I’m tagging with this questionnaire:
1. Scary Bez
2. Linda (of twopinkpossums)
3. Lilith
4. Liz (of everwhelming)

I really shouldn't have admitted to half those things. 'Antiques Roadshow' I hear you laugh! You know you love it!

What I did with my Saturday.

2006-11-21T11:19:00.000Z

I had a busy Saturday. I sat and knitted a little pouch for my Mother in Law's birthday. I filled it with her favourite chocolate covered ginger. If you read my post on Knitty, you'll realise why I needn't have bothered. Anyway, I enjoyed knitting it, and it was vaguely appreciated. I think next time, I'd knit in in finer yarn, with a taller portion above the drawstring. I had adapted it from a pattern on scrumptious living's blog. The pattern suggests a picot bind off which is lovely and a knitted drawstring. Neither I had time to do. I was pleased though with my twisted yarn drawstring, a mega-quick alternative. Thank you Seven for pointing me toward the pattern.

I've just noticed that you may be interested to see Ted's attire too. He is wearing a jumper my mum knitted maybe 20 years ago? It matched one that she made for me. Its actually a lovely pattern, with moss stitch cuffs, yoke and hem. She used up all her odds and sods for the middle section for mine and ted's.

This is the other thing I did on Saturday.

I chopped all Monty's hair off! Remind me next time that I really shouldn't wait until November to clip him. His hair is so thick and long by now that the clippers struggle to get through it. At one stage a had a panic that I was going to have to leave him half clipped. It really wouln't have been a good look. Especially for Monty who is concious of these things. Someone even described him this morning as being a 'Womaniser'. And at the grand old age of 17. Doesn't he look cute with a short back and sides though? Although I don't think he's terribly impressed, it means he now has to wear his PINK pj's!

And this is the Blue Sky Cotton mentioned in the previous post. Yummy!

So you wanna see Yarn on this knitting blog!!??

2006-11-20T13:37:00.000Z

Well, here it is!

Whilst in New York we visited three Yarn shops. The first was Seaport Yarn, in the Wall Street area. I was told by some Knittyheads, that it was a must, just to see the bizarre location. So, we went to the address that I had, and couldn't find it anywhere. We went into the building (and office block) given as the address. The front desk guy said we had to sign in. 'We're just looking for Seaport Yarn' I said. 'That's fine' He said, they have the whole fifth floor!'. So up we went in the lift. And when I say this place is bizarre, I mean, this place is bizarre.

One of the ladies (co-owner?) met us at the door and showed us where everything is. It is literally room after room, after corridor of yarn. I've never seen anything like it. Mum bought some Blue Heron something or other and some Garnstudio SilkeTweed. Mum, Fan and J got bored after about an hour (although Fan got some photos of J reading Knitting books!) and went to Starbucks. This is what I bought (also not shown, are some items that I have left out for SP security reasons, a chibi and Vogue Holiday 2006).

Firstly, some Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in colourway Irving Park. I love love love this yarn. I've only got as far as a tension sqaure, but it's beautiful. Soft, but with a cotton-like sheen. Just awesome. I'll buy this again.

This is Noro Lily, which I have never seen before, a blend of Solk and Cotton. Again, lovely. I'm going to make another Icarus type scarf (because I wear the current one all the time!) as I'd like one with a bit of sheen.

Later that day (it was J's birthday, he was MEGA patient considering!) we found the Point, which to be honest, I was a bit disappointed with. It's a lovely shop though, and had we not stopped at a bar five doors down for drinks and fries we would have had tea and cupcakes. Next we went to Purl, which was a bit busy to fully appreciate. They also have an overload of Sheperd Sock, I thought, and it's all a bit pricey. Howver, I fell in love with Blue Sky Cotton, and I bought two skeins, one purple one grey for a scarf. It's so soft!! Blogger is not playing ball, and won't post these photos. Maybe later.....

Altogether the trip was sucessful, yarn wise. Mum and Fan stumbled across the Yarn Tree in Brooklyn, and bought me a really lovely tote (which was lucky because my suitcase was overflowing on the way back!) with their signature tree on the side, and a copy of Interweave Holiday 2006.

Continued.......

2006-11-16T15:25:00.000Z

*Please read the next post first!!*

Also on the same topic, we went to Ellis Island, to the American Museum of Immigration, viewing Liberty Island on the way. This is what Hilda would have seen first!

The reception building is so impressive. I got a copy of the Ship's Manifest that brought her over. One of the curators told me that she was second class, therefore may not have come through Ellis Island, as these passengers were pre-approved and went straight to Manhattan. It's nice to know that she went over in relative comfort. She left her parents (in Derby - 20 miles from where I live now), but was born in London, (just like me!). How odd to go from living with your parents, to moving thousands of miles to get married (my great grandfather paid her passage) at just 20. Amazing.

This post is for you Great Grandma Hilda!

New York New York!

2006-11-16T14:50:00.000Z

We're back! And we had an awesome time. I have lots of photos, including lots of yarn-related! Its going to take me some time to show them to you, so today I'll start with the highlight of my trip. When I have good light to take photos that do my new yarn justice, I'll post them.
We were staying in Tribeca, in downtown Manhattan, which was perfect. However, next time, I'd stay in Brooklyn. We fell in love with the Heights, the first bit you get to if you go over Manhattan or Brooklyn bridges. Mum and Fan went off to have a wander about (and found the Yarn Tree!). James and I walked down to Bay Ridge, it took about an hour. These are some nice, typical, buildings we saw on the way. We stopped for cream cheese and smoked salmon bagels on the way. The man behind the counter was baffled, until we realised we needed to ask for 'Spread and Lox'!!

Bay Ridge is a strongly Hispanic, less wealthy area (in comparison to Manhattan) in South West Brooklyn. It seems to have an amazing spirit and strong community. It is also where my Grandfather was born (to British parents) in 1917. Firstly, we went to the address where his parents lived at the time (or at least the address he has from letters from the time). They lived in several addresses in the same row of buildings, for several years, with close relatives. This is it!

Secondly, we went to the church where my great-grandparents got married in 1912, St Micheal RC church. Now, I am not religious at all, but I can appreciate how stunning this church is. Built in 1903, it would have been relatively modern then. They must have been terribly proud of it. The inside has beautiful mosaic floors and painted ceilings, with so much gold! It is unbelievably huge, with massive ceilings! I desperately wish I had photos, but Mass was in progress when we got there, so it wasn't possible. This part of Brooklyn would have been predominantly farm land then, so I suppose these buildings were significant.

Across the road is now a Police Station, but presumably would have been there, if very new. It is the first thing they would have seen coming out of the church!

Blogger can't cope with too many photos so this will be continued above...........

I'm finally blocking..

2006-11-07T10:32:00.000Z

So I've finally gotten around to blocking my Little Icarus Shawl. Go me. I've been wearing it all the time since I finished it. It was a good oppertunity to Febreeze it too, it was starting to smell like cats. Anyway, it's made a massive difference, the pattern shows a lot more clearly. I really should be less lazy in future. Usually I'm an iron it and be done with it girl. To be fair, I thought wet-blocking a DK scarf wouldn't have the same effect as if it was lace weight, as the original pattern.

I know, I should have finished the socks by now. I nearly have. To be fair I spent the weekend finishing mum's cardy, which now has just to be sewn up. Both projects need to be finished by Thursday, or I'm in trouble. I bought a lovely box to give Mum her cardy in, is that a bit OTT? It's a box she can keep using for something else afterwards.

So, here's some Guy Fawkes' fireworks for you. We went to Boots' (as in The Chemist) display on Friday with Gem and Chris, Laura and Judge and Harry. Poor Harry was being matchmaked with a random too, I don't think he really noticed though, bless. I was trying out the 'Firework' function on my camera. I'm sure it's not called that, but it worked quite well.

I'm having a sock yarn moment

2006-11-03T13:55:00.000Z

Here are some photos of recent sock yarn acquisitions, for your viewing pelasure. They are not great photos and I apologise. There is a sunlight deficiency in our house at the moment. Get up in the dark, go home in the dark, grumble grumble grumble........

Firstly, this is Knitpicks sock garden in Zinnia, from a swap with JamieKate from Knitty. This is for socks for dad for christmas. Since he's the type to buy white socks and dye them pink/orange/red/blue on purpose. And James wonders why I'm slightly eccentric.

And this is Fyberspates sock yarn in blue/green/yellow. It's lovely and it was on sale but I have a small rant, and I've put it here. Save me writing it again.

If I don't post on Monday, a picture of J's finished socks, will someone come and beat me around the head??!!

Hee hee hee!

2006-10-30T15:53:00.000Z

This came in an email last week. I guess it's only funny if you know what a 'Rich Tea' is!! Rich Tea - Richie, geddit?

The Screen Room

2006-10-27T16:04:00.000+01:00

Last night we had a lovely evening with my work colleagues. Sylwia was leaving to go and work in Aberdeen, so one of the girls booked The Screen Room in Nottingham. It has to be one of Nottingham's gems. Apparently, it is the UK's smallest cinema, with 21 seats. Its a bizarre place, small, and it smells musty, but it was ace. Nice and cozy. In big cinemas I always get cold - too much air conditioning! You can hire the whole thing and they show whatever you want. Vic chose One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, as she managed to get out of Sylwia that she really wanted to see it. James and I saw it in the West End with Christian Slater and McKenzie Crook, but I'd forgotten exactly what happens. Sad, but good. A thin line between crazy and normal.

Speaking of gems of Nottingham, I found the Oxfam bookshop last weekend, and I'm thrilled! I can't believe I never found it before! It is a gorgeous shop, huge and airy with wooden floorboards and a chesterfield sofa. Just how bookshops should be (there's never anywhere to sit in Waterstone's!). They have books (including such titles as 'Reinforced Concrete'), videos, a few clothes, CDs and even fairtrade food. Awesome. I found a great pressie for James' birthday. I have a sneaking suspision he reads my blog, so I'll tell you about it later... I also bought a brand new hardback Jodi Picoult novel for Karen, for £2.99. Brill.

Since this post has turned into one singing Nott's praises, here are some photos. This is the sky this morning (ignore the towerblocks!) at about 7.30. In the far distance, on the centre right is the castle - important if you're a fan of Robin Hood, but there are also some great exhibitions.

And here are the autumnal colours on campus yesterday. My colleagues thought I was mad.....

Avrienne, I hope this is nostalgic for you and hubby!!

Kitties

2006-10-26T11:35:00.000+01:00

I have a lack of anything to post at the moment, so here are some pictures of the kitties. I'm making an effort to take better photos for you all, and I think these are nice. Good natural lighting and stuff.

I feel a bit sorry for Daphne, she's quite needy of her sister, who's just bonkers. Daphne was doing a nice job of cleaning out the inside of Velma's ears the other night. She then lay in front of her Velma, ear first as if to say, 'my turn now'. Velma just got up and walked off. All that revolting effort, for nothing! Poor Daphne!

They're very chatty at the moment too. They don't stop mewl-ing! They have been doing a very good job of keeping me company this week, whilst J has been away. He's on a course for work ths week (otherwise known as a great-exuse-for-a-piss-up!). I made the mistake of watching an ITV drama called 'Bon Voyage' on Tuesday night and it frightened the living daylights out of me! It was about this freaky guy in a caravan who kidnapped children. At least I had two thirteen week old cats to protect me. Did I watch part two last night? No I did not.

My mum went to Italy and all I got was.......

2006-10-20T17:02:00.000+01:00

.......some yummy boucle yarn from Filatura di Crosa! How nice it is to have something we don't get here, and in gorgeous autumnal colours. Thanks Mum.

There is enough for a lovely hat to keep my head warm on the impending visit to NY. On small needles I'm hoping it will be nice and warm and squoshy.

Speaking of heads, yesterday, a crow dropped a conker on my head. It really hurt. I wasn't anywhere near a tree, I was washing horse dribble off my hands at the yard tap. You can imagine my shock to be bashed over the head with a conker from a great height! Owww...

Little-Icarus

2006-10-17T12:49:00.000+01:00

I've finished my version of Icarus, to be known as Little-Icarus.

Pattern : Icarus Shawl by Miriam Felton. Interweave Knits, Summer 2006

Yarn: RYC Cashcotton DK in Apple, 4 balls

Started: Monday 9th October

Completed: Monday 16th October

Satisfaction Level: Mega!

(Thanks go to Karen for the fab photography!)

I am so so pleased with this! I have always loved lacy shawl patterns like this, but never have the patience to knit them in the recommended yarn! So, I've scaled this pattern down, and used a DK weight yarn. If you are interested in doing the same, then I followed the pattern, but instead of repeating the main body of the shawl 5 times, I only did it once. I'm wearing it today, and it feels lovely wrapped around my neck, but without the 'ends' that give a big lump under your jacket! An alternative to a traditional, 'long as you are tall' scarf. I really enjoyed knitting it, I couldn't put it down. The pattern was totally straightforward, even for soemone who doesn't do a lot of lace. I'll do it again, maybe in something shiny, and definately won't shy away from this type of pattern again. Although I must learn not to be such a lazy blocker........

New look blog

2006-10-13T10:14:00.000+01:00

So whadya reckon.....

I apologise if it looks a bit topsy turvy in the forthcoming weeks. I'm trying to get to grips with HTML (I don't even know what it stands for!) and make it look a bit more interesting and unique. The website that helped me changed the colours (colour schemer) reminded me of these.

When I was little I used to go with dad to the paint shop and watch the paint mixer spinning around. I was clearly an odd child. I also loved these little cards. I used to come out with handfuls. And picking these up on Tuesday, still has the same effect. How sad is that!? These were my suggestions for the front door. Although I asked my architect dad what colour Victorian front foors would originally have been painted in a street like ours. Apparently, unpainted. Unless you had extra dosh and you may have afforded brown or neutral coloured paint. So not green then. And apparently definately not blue. Blue pigments were impossible to make then. Interesting huh? Well Ok, maybe not.

Kitty Cam

2006-10-13T09:56:00.000+01:00

So, I'm joining in Knitty's Blog Stalking game. I'm just warming up - so bare with me on this one (I think I mean 'bear', don't I?!). Our house has very little furniture in the living room (hence why small kittens are relegated in there - less to pee on!). But the most exciting game is jump in and out (and in and out and in and out) of a carboard box. Believe, me HOURS of fun.

And this, this is a Kitty Theme Park equivalent. They race at a million miles an hour up the stairs then launch themselves off the top stair. Again, hours of fun. You'd think they'd need a nap after that. I wish.

Because I had to have another WIP.

2006-10-10T15:16:00.000+01:00

Honestly, I did. I really needed more knitting. To distract me from James' socks and mum's cardy. Both not yet half knit and with a deadline of November 10th! Yeah right I needed another WIP. But I just couldn't help it. Inspired by brooklyntweed's beautiful site and beautiful knitting I cast on for IK's Icarus shawl (fall 05?). Because it's DK (the RYC I bought last week) and not lace weight I'm going to size it down. Hopefully this pattern should make good christmas scarves for a few select people!

However, since I forgot to put it away this morning, it maybe a big chewed kitten-spit mess when I get home...

Velma and Daphne

2006-10-05T10:00:00.000+01:00

So we've decided to call the kittens Velma and Daphne. Velma for the tortie because she's the clever one and Daphne for the tabby beacuse she's the pretty (prettier!) one! It was suggested on Knitty to call them Thelma and Louise. We loved that, but I don't think Louise is a cat name, albeit a lovely person name. So, from that we came up with Velma and Daphne. All we need now is a puppy to call Scooby (er, or not, two kitties is enough!) Here they are, playing with a sleeping James' feet. Don't they look tiny next to him!

Anyway, I had a great trip Hobbycraft last night. I managed to pick up four balls of RYC cashcotton at 30% off, three in a lovely leafy green and one in a kind of lilac. They're going to at least be some mittens. So soft! This pic doesn't do the colours justice, the colours are a lot less acidic. Hobbycraft has a new range of novelty yarns, which usually I wouldn't be a big fan of, but they had some great colours and interesting textures. I didn't buy any but I did also get some handmade paper and a sheet of card printed with buttons all over. I was feeling crafty yesterday.

As for feeling craft, I wanted to show you this, some beautiful fabric by a company called Hoffman. It is from their Kimono range. I love it. I wish I could buy a whole bolt and have it all around the house! The waves are actually quite small, and it's more subtle than it looks here.

I have a tiny remnant, (I lined Karen's christmas bag with it last year) that I want to do something special with. Any ideas? Anyone know a sewing knitty equivalent? They also do it in gold and cream colourways. I'm going to get three Fat Quarters, one of each, from an eBay seller I've found and cover some small wooden frames and hang them on the wall. You know, as 'art'. :0) Then I can look at this fabric all the time!

Ramble ramble ramble...

2006-10-04T10:51:00.000+01:00

Well, the cats have 'flu. Boo. It doesn't seem to be affecting them, but it's the cause of their cloudy eyes. Our friend/neighbour/vet Laura didn't seem overly concerned. In fact, by the way she was talking it was as if it's not unusual. She did say that they would always be prone to runny eyes and stuff. They seem happy and are still bouncing about so I'm not going to worry too much. I've just seen a post on knitty about someone's flea worries. Now I'm panicking that the kitten's are starting a major flea infestation in the house........ They only have one or two, the plan was to get some Frontline when they go to the vet tomorrow for jabs. Maybe I should have made it more of a priority! the tortie has been nicknamed Monkey for now. She is so naughty, and knows it! She hangs from the side of the sofa by her claws and then jumps and runs before you can tell her off. She is also gwetting into the habit of chasing the end of my needles and James has taught her to play with and old scrap of wool. Fantastic. Tabby Cat just hides in the corner.

I was very excited to find this in the University Bookshop the other day. Mma Rawotswe makes me happy. I have to admit, and I'm slightly ashamed, that I am not a massive fan of literary fiction. I like to read, but I like my books to have obvious stories about people. I struggle if you have to try and elucidate a deeper meaning. I hate finishing a book and not having a clue what it was about. Perhaps that's to do with my scientist's mind. I'm not a thinker. It's a bit embarrassing, my sister has a drama degree and my mum is a writer, they're big readers of good books. Although, mum has always said, it doesn't matter what you read as long as you do read. I must admit to agreeing fairly frequently, although not always, with Richard and Judy. So, The Number One Lady's Detective Agency Series, I love. Easy reads, with great stories. And I've just spotted this too, also by Alexander McCall Smith! It is the third in the 44 Scotland Street series, the first of which I loved, and the second not so much. And this one will be next (although buying hardbacks is naughty so it'll have to wait til next month). Adriana Trigiani is ace, and silly as it sounds, reading Big Stone Gap was life changing for me. I really should re-read it. This latest one is the fourth in the Big Stone Gap series. Her others in between kind of tailed off a bit. Anyway ramble ramble ramble, I recommend all these authors!

I've decided that I'm going to start replying to your lovely comments in the comments section, so make sure if you've left a comment to check back. I'm not sure why I haven't done this before really. Perhaps because I don't ever re-check other people's comments. Maybe I'll start.

Kittens at last...

2006-10-02T09:31:00.000+01:00

Check out these babies! We have kittens at last, and I can become a crazy cat lady. We were only supposed to have one, but they were so cute, I just couldn't resist. James went mad. Although only a bit because he loves them really. I'd kept it quiet we were having them as we've been trying to get a cat for ages and it kept falling through. I was worried I'd jinx it if I talked too much about it! They're the first cats either of us have had since losing childhood cats. My cat, Miranda died in 2004 at the age of 17, and her brother two years before.

The tortie is a girl, as they usually are, and we're pretty sure the tabby is a boy. That sounds stupid, you'd think it'd be obvious but when they're that small? It's hard to tell. The lady who gave them to us was convinced they were ALL boys.

Although they're litter trained (what a relief!) they are very timid, and are not keen on coming out from under the sofa!

I love the little spot she has on her nose, it's just like Miranda's! We think she may have been the runt, she's smaller and perhaps a bit weaker. I think she may have a mild infection in one eye and walks a bit stiffly. Our lovely neighbour Laura is a vet and they're going for a visit to her practice later this week, so we'll get it checked out.

They don't have names yet. James likes Enzo for the tabby (after Enzo Ferrari - typical), and I like Blossom for the girl. However, it would be nice to give them a pair of names. James' family have always named their cats in pairs. Nut and Bolt, Whisky and Biscuit (I don't quite get that one) and Tom and Geraldine. Although baby James couldn't say Geraldine so he called her Jelly Bean.

We'd love to hear your suggestions, answers on a postcard.........

Strawberry Hat

2006-09-27T09:48:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I popped into one of my LYSs, one I haven't been to for a while, on the way back from the vets. Previously, Gweneth's (Blackberry Yarn, Mountsorrel, no website) stock has been good but limited. Now though, she has much improved. I bought some new Sublime yarn (the new luxury arm of sirdar). I am so impressed. I have put a mini-review here if you're interested. I bought a bright pink and a limey green, for a hat for a friend's baby girl.

I hoped I'd be inspired by a pattern when I got home. I started off using a very simple DB pattern for a roll brim beanie hat. I sized it down however, as the smallest size was 3-6 months and the baby is new! I was aiming for her to be able to wear it from now through autumn, about a 3 months size I guess. Although who know how big a baby's head is? So I started knitting and it occurred to me, I could use the green to make it look like a Strawberry! I know this is not that original, there are loads of similar ideas out there. So I made the rest up as I went along. I wanted to incorporate the leaves in with the main body of the hat rather than have the leaf sewn on afterwards. This is how it turned out.

I'm so pleased! My colourwork is usually rubbish, but this came out OK! I never know if I'm doing fairisle or intarsia. I was carrying the colour along the back and twisting as I went, no loops at the back? Which is that? I do get in a muddle whilst doing it! I was aiming for the leaves not to look too perfect and be a bit random, like a strawberry actually is. I hope baby Mia likes it!

James is away on a course so I had a very nice, quiet evening, with uninterupted knitting and one of my favourite films on ITV3, 40 days and 40 nights. I know I know, its rubbish, but very funny. And it's Josh Hartnett again (are you noticing a theme here?). I felt thoroughly content, but perhaps I should have taken the oppertunity to do some Jamesy-sock-knitting whilst he's away.....

BTW, thank you all for your ongoing sweet comments :0)

I did it!

2006-09-25T10:30:00.000+01:00

I made a cake!

Thank you so much poops! This is her recipe 'Ern's Cocoa Cake'. And it worked! It came out a bit dome shaped, and took nearly an hour to cook (as opposed to 40 minutes Poops suggested). So maybe my oven is cooler than it should be? I sliced off the top (and ate it - naturally!) and then iced it with a very sickly icing sugar/cocoa mixture. Firstly the icing was too runny so it dripped down through the cake - which was actually quite nice! I did most of the mixing by hand, our hand blender is not really suitable for thick mixtures. And Poops, when you said 'big ass bowl' you meant a big ass bowl! It was nearly slopping over the top!

Anyway, most of it has gone. I wish you were closer Poops, so you could try it!

Thanks also, to everyone from Knitty who offered me recipes. Roxy, purrl, musetta, seven and miss_squeezie (sorry if I have forgotten anyone - all recipes were printed!). Believe me, I'm going to try them ALL. Thanks to everyone else who offered advice. It was duly noted!

Here too is a random campus shot, of one of the halls, just because it looked so pretty last week.

The Hansome Horse

2006-09-20T10:24:00.000+01:00

Sarah took these yesterday and I think they came out really well. It ocurred to me yesterday that I don't have many digital photos of him and that there may not be endless summers left to take them. Usually, I'm not keen of photos of myself - I'm totally unphotogenic. I like these, they're not close up enough to show spots or smudged mascara! Although, work clothes and wellies is not always a good look! Its only when I see photos like these that I realise how big The Hansome Horse is. People who meet him for the first time say 'Isn't he huge!!'.. But no, to me, ten years later he's normal sized. But actually, he is on the large side!

This is quite embarrassing

2006-09-20T09:53:00.000+01:00

But I'm posting in the hope that someone somewhere may have some pearls of wisdom on why I cannot bake. My general cooking is OK, but my baking just isn't. I wanted to make some muffins, inspired by Chockylit . So when I got home, I asked Delia . Unusually, she didn't know. Delia is the fountain of cooking knowledge, but she doesn't know how to make muffins. So I asked Nigella. She knew, but my attempts failed. These look promising don't they...

But this is what happened when I tried to eat one......

Nasty, horrible, not very tasty, squidgy muffin mess. And yes, they were cooked. Correct time, as per Nigella. Fork came out clean and all that. And it's not the oven, as people have suggested. We have a brand spanking new oven. And with previous ovens, I usually fail. Cakes get burnt, or just come out like big biscuits. Last time I made cupcakes and took them to James' mother they sat on the side all weekend. Anybody? Any hints?

I finished the back of Moonshine by the way. I love it when I finish the back of a garment. Feels like you've done the worst bit, the long, boring, monotonous bit.

I'm doing it, I'm doing it.......

2006-09-18T12:59:00.000+01:00

..........I'm knitting a sock (properly)! And I'm loving it! I'm a bit disappointed that the sum total of Saturday's knitting ( about 4 and a half hours) was only 3.5 inches of sock, but still.

I'm really enjoying the pattern, the summer 06 surprise from knitty. As you can see it is toe up (to hopefully avoid my problems with the cuffs) and I think the construction of the toe is really interesting. It is all short row shaped, and the cast on edge is picked up and knit onwards so there is no seam. Clever. It looks a bit pointy but I don't suppose that matters. The needles are doing great too. Just one, very long circ. The bamboo is not as grabby or bendy as I thought either. I had a lovely morning (the boy was at work) eating English muffins and watching Saturday Kitchen and re-runs of Jeeves and Wooster on ITV3. Fabbo all round.

We went to see The Black Dahlia on Saturday. It was good. Worth it for Josh Hartnett's bare bum. As usual, Scarlett Johanssen was great, as was Hilary Swank. But Swanks on-screen mother stole the show. She is played by Fiona Shaw who is also Aunt Petunia in Harry Potter. A drunken, bitter woman, who was really quite funny in a sad way. I think I may have to see it on DVD to fully understand what was going on (and honestly not just for another look at his bum) it seemed that there were small bits missing that made it a bit difficult to follow in parts. Still a good, very dark, thriller. I'd definatley recommend.

I feel old

2006-09-15T09:40:00.000+01:00

I'd like to think that my finger is generally somewhere near the pulse, if not actually on it. However, there have been several things lately that have made me feel really old. For one, I can't stand Radio 1. OK, so I don't mind Colin and/or Edith, and I can just about tolerate Vernon. But the rest seem to have this whiney, overwhelmingly patronising, sarcastic, condescending tone. And it's really not funny. I get the feeling I'm having the mickey taken out of me, just whilst listening. So I don't. However, yesterday, I felt like a bit of music. I turned over to Radio 1, and I lasted for one and a half songs. I quite liked the first - Joss Stone. But then, and I suppose this isn't really their fault, the next track verged on offensive I thought. It was a remix of Phil Colin's (or is it Genesis, I never know) Another Day in Paradise. Now I'm not a big fan, but this song has a rather serious message does it not? Well the remix didn't. In fact it was rather lewd in places. And it just annoyed me. So, give me Radio 4 any day. Like my Dad. Secondly, on the 'I feel old' track. I can't even go into TopShop without feeling seriously frumpy. I used to love it. But now, the stock changes every 5 minutes and I couldn't even imagine wearing any of it. And I feel really out of it. My Mum loves Jigsaw. She always has. I used to think it was mega-mumsy and boring. Now I shop there whenever I can afford it. I am getting old before my time. I really am. And I'm turning into my parents. Which I suppose is no bad thing, on lots of fronts, but at 24? So is it me that's gettign old, or Radio 1 and TopShop that are dumbing down? Grrrr.

Sorry. Rant over.

Sock Yarn at last!

2006-09-14T13:47:00.000+01:00

At last, James' yarn came from Astrid's Dutch Obsessions (it is just me who thinks that sounds like an adult shop ;0) ? ). The service was great, if a bit slow, but it did come all the way from Holland in just over a week. The invoice said 'love Astrid' at the bottom! I'll order from her again. She has a HUGE choice.

James' yarn is the brown. It is a lot more beige than I thought, but the more I look at it the more I like it. The red is a RAK for miss_squeezie, about time I paid abck a bit of the RAK-ing kindness! This is also my first pair of addi's. Not sure 2.5mm bamboo needles were the best decision, they look like toothpicks! But, I was impatient, no aluminiums were available to order and I wanted to get it done in one fell swoop. They look ace, nice smooth join between tips and cord, and how clever than the size is printed on the cord! So, I must start the covert knitting operation...!

Thank you Knitting Mamma!

2006-09-13T11:24:00.000+01:00

Aren't I a lucky girl! More gifts! Again, I'm just overwelmed with the generosity of Knittyheads (from the knittyboard). These arrived yesterday from knitting mamma. At least I think they did, she didn't send a note! A while back, I mentioned on Knitty how much I was in awe of the lovely coloured needles, available in the States. As a result I've been sent so many by so many lovely people. Please know, they are very much loved! Americans must think I'm bonkers, being mildly obsessed with these needles. I just think their jewels colours are stunning, and a way to stylishly display my love of knitting! And, I really like to knit with them too. Not too grabby, not too smooth. And lightweight too.
She also sent these lovely stitch markers as a surprise too. They are gorgeous. I especially love the ones on the right. They look like little jewels! Please ignore our hideous wallpaper. Believe me, it's going just as soon as we get around to it. It's on the long list of DIY chores!

We finally got around to ordering a new computer yesterday too, hooray! It's a Dell Inspiron Notebook. Not flash, but will enable me (sorry us, I promise I won't hog it!) to have broadband internet access at home at last. I've been reading one of scarybez's blog posts on the problems academics often have with writing. I seem to have severe inertia in starting to write my thesis. I have been told in no uncertain terms that there is not reason why I shouldn't have submitted by September 07. Scary stuff. Really should be further along in writing by now. I have done bits and bobs, but nothing that looks anything thesis-like. And bearing in mind that I'm in the fortunate position (unlike some of my colleagues) to have actual results, I really should be further along. I think Scarybez's adopted theory on it ultimately being a confidence problem is really interesting. How could what I have down be of any interest/consequence to anyone? I'm hoping that the novelty of having a new computer (and the ability to write in comfort at home) will kick start my writing and at least get me started. Here's hoping........

And this is what I've been doing for the last few days, helping to organise delegates. Thrilling. Actually, I get to listen to it all and Thursday should be quite interesting for me, my supervisor is speaking. This should also be a fantastic networking oppertunity for me, did I not find this kind of thing so difficult! I can talk to new randoms easily if I have something specific to talk about, but I find small talk at these kind of functions really difficult. Still. Anyway, at least we get fed twice a day when the conference is on, so its a chance to practice!

Sorry for the long waffle-y post. I really must get around to some knitting.......

Thank you Lilith!

2006-09-08T09:22:00.000+01:00

Yesterday, I was poorly in bed and what do I get to cheer me up?? This from Lilith......

The most beautiful HANDSPUN yarn ever! I've never had anything like it before and its wonderful. How lucky am I? I think it looks so lovely in its skein, I don't want to undo it! However, i really want to make something with it so, suggestions please. There are 225 yards of merino, and I'd say probably somewhere between DK and aran weight. The colour matches some yarn that Lilith dyed for me when she was my SP5. I made that into some mittens so maybe this should be a scarf to match?

Chickens!

2006-09-08T09:13:00.000+01:00

These are for you Nelltje! A selection of my chicken collection.....

Lilith's Needle Roll

2006-09-06T09:16:00.000+01:00

So, Lilith, if it hasn't arrived yet (it should have done!) don't look any further!
This is the needle roll that Lilith asked if someone could make for her, to store her dpns. When she asked if anyone could sew, perhaps I was exagerating when I said I could! I've discovered that sewing in a straight line isn't my forte! Anyway, this is it from the outside.

And when you undo the ribbon and unroll it, it looks like this. I just loved this floral fabric. I hope it isn't too 'pastel-y' for you Lilith.

The lining is pale sage-y green, and there are different sized channels for different sized needles. Small on the left, bigger on the right and a button-down flap to stop the needles falling out!

I hope its not too wacky, but I like the contrast of stripes and floral - I think very Kath Kidston. The fabric came from Hobbycraft, I'm slightly ashamed to say. They do not usually out-do the competition, but on this occassion they had the best range of craft fabric. John Lewis was rubbish and so was my favourite stall on Victoria market in Notts, Sharma's (even though they follow you around like you're going to steal something. Like I'm going to run away with a bolt of fabric under my arm. Mum discovered if you engage them in conversation they go away though!!).And this is the mighty sewing machine that made it. It belongs to James' grandma, which reminds me, I must write her a note - it was technically James' mother that leant it to me. I think it was originally a manual machine that was converted to electric. It still has the receipt with it from 1950! Despite some tension issues, it did the job perfectly!

So, now I'm off home. I have a terrible cold, so I'm going back to bed. I just hope I didn't give it to Fan or my 90 year old Grandpa who were here yesterday (Grandap on the train all the way from Norwich).