Theresa's thoughts

Restless and Lost

2011-04-19T19:52:00.002+01:00

Non knitting talk
Since getting in from work I have spent the last two hours sitting at our pc and looking for flights and hotels. We are going to Poland in June for a wedding and have decided that we would like to spend a couple of days in Krakow, as we have to fly in to there anyway.
For some reason it never entered my head that we would be so close to Auschwitz-Birkenau, and at less than 50 miles away it is too close not to go. As a teenager I read the Diary of Anne Frank and marvelled at her strength and that of her father, who after losing his family was prepared to share at little part of them with the rest of the world. When I was in my early 20's I visited the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam and remember that day being such a very sad day. At first I walked in and thought, yeah it's just another building, but gradually the feeling of the place overwhelmed me. I don't remember seeing one dry eye in the whole place, but maybe it was just me looking at everyone through very damp eyes. By going to Auschwitz I will be able to follow her there and almost complete the journey. In a weird way I am looking forward to going. I have heard so many stories of the place over the years, through documentaries, books and film, that it will be interesting and probably upsetting to go there, but I feel that it is something that I must do.

Knitting talk
On the knitting front, I'm a bit restless. Our knitting group has moved from every Tuesday to every second Tuesday and I don't know what to do with myself. I know I can knit, but it isn't the same without having someone to blether to. I can only talk knitting for so long with my beloved other half before he gets bored. I am still loving the shawl pattern that I am doing, and still hating the colourway. I have decided that I will bleach/overdye it. I don't think I can cope with the colours. I have so many ideas buzzing around my brain that it's getting a bit full and is ready to blow. There are so many things I want to make, and so few hours in the day. I need to get my finger out and just get on with it, but the pressures of being a full time employee, wife & mother does tire me out somedays. It doesn't help when I get calls from friends saying what a poor friend I am for not being in touch for almost two weeks, and why didn't I call when I was in town etc..etc.. Sometimes when I get an hour or two to myself, that's it, I want it to myself. Not having to be polite and saying yes in all the right places.
Last Saturday I went with a friend to a yarn store that I hadn't been to in a long time. It was great to just look and feel pretty yarn and look at all the lovely colours. We then spent the whole afternoon and most of the evening knitting. It was nice to just sit, be quiet and knit. I hadn't realised how much my brain was crying out for the peace that knitting gives me.
Maybe sometimes you just have to be quiet and calm before you can realise how restless and lost you have become.

Bite the bullet

2011-04-17T12:45:00.007+01:00

I must admit, I am a lazy knitter. I get bored easily and switch from one project to the next without a thought about how much time and effort I have spent on the previous project. I have so many UFO's it's like a graveyard for them in my house. However, that being said, I have managed to complete one or two projects so far this year.

It's such a beautiful day here in Ellon, and my other half is out scuba diving for the day. Rather him than me, the water doesn't get much above 2°c in the North Sea. Anyhoo, I have decided to clear out my stash corner that was looking a little untidy to say the least. I have seperated out the acrylic from the good stuff, and am in the process of finding a home for it all. I have been on an embargo, but I can't help myself when I see something pretty. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and get on with it. The basket in the photo is approx. 3ft long x 16" wide and as you can see is quite full :)

I was talking to my friends and hubby the other night and got the evil eye from my hubby when I mentioned the stash problem. Of course I retorted that it wasn't anywhere near the amount that he spent on gadgets. I was totally flabbergasted when he replied, "Oh but I don't buy most of it, you do". Thinking about it, once I got over the initial shock, I realised that I have bought quite a number of his gadgets and gizmos over the years, so now I feel less guilty about buying things for me :)

Here are a two of my completed projects.

A little jumper for my daughter's friend. She has just had a baby boy and I thought it would be cute. It is made from Sirdar Crofter, and is quite nice to work with. I didn't like the fact that I had to keep winding off yarn to get a good stripe match though. I had four balls of this, and not one of them started in the same place for the colour change.

A hat for me, made from Rowan Lima. One serious point to note. Wash it well before wearing it. If you don't wash it and just pop it on. Make sure it isn't going to rain. This stuff stinks worse than a dead dog when it is wet and it also stretches. I made mine on needles that were 2 sizes smaller than required, and it stretched like the devil when it got wet. I ended up sticking it in the tumble dryer to felt it slightly. That being said, it is so soft, and a pleasure to work with.

Christmas

2009-10-15T10:18:00.006+01:00

I know, it is only the middle of October, but I am off work for a week and I have been trying to get ahead with my Christmas preparations.

Last weekend my hubby ordered me a new sewing machine, so I am waiting very impatiently for that to arrive. I hope it's soon.

I have started to make a Christmas throw using some fabric that I bought recently. I made a bit of a boob when doing the first block. I was going to have the holly fabric going from small to large and then in to the flowers, with the opposite side being quite neutral. As you can see I got carried away and put it on opposite corners. I quite like the effect, so will do the rest of the blocks the same way. I am making six blocks like this, and will then probably do something different round the edges. I haven't quite decided what yet. Unfortunately the picture doesn't quite show the colours very clearly, but it is very Christmassy and vibrant.

The cushion is something that I started making a few years ago from a kit I found when trawling a charity shop. I was very good and had hand sewn all the pieces on except the reindeer. I got bored with it and put it away to work on when I got the urge. A few months ago we converted our study in to a craft room and as I was sorting through my rather large stash of card making and scrap booking items, I found the bag with this in. I bit the bullet and decided to complete it and this time decided to satin stitch around the edges with the sewing machine. There are a few errors, and Santa doesn't have any eyes yet, but I am happy with it. The back is made from a cheap fleece throw that I bought in our local Asda (Walmart).

The weather here is very damp and miserable today, so it is ideal for sitting in front of my machine and playing. I also have my computer behind me, so I can listen to my favourite tv shows via C4 on demand or I can listen to one of the presentations from Create & Craft, providing it isn't Stephanie.

Where has the time gone to?

2009-09-20T14:40:00.002+01:00

Since I last wrote, I have changed jobs, become a mother in law, and lost, then found my knitting.

In June 2007 my oldest daughter cam home from work and complained that she had a black spot on one of her eyes. As she had been arc welding a few days before, we thought nothing of it and told her to go to the doctors the following morning. The next week was spent going backwards and forwards to the hospital for various checks, and then finally being admitted to hospital. Initially the prognosis was that she had a cyst behind her eye and they would drain it. On further checking, it was found that she had a tumour on her shunt, and her brain was swelling becuase there was no where for the excess fluid to go to. Needless to say we were very worried when they told us that the top of her skull would be removed and the surgeon would have to go between the two halves of the brain to remove it.

A week later the operation was done, and she was allowed home. There was a lot of memory loss, mainly short term, but we got there. Her boyfiend never left her side and he was the only one that she really looked for when she opened her eyes in the morning.

On 20th June 2008, my daughter and her boyfriend were married. It was a week before her 20th birthday. Most people thought she was crazy, but he had been by her side through one of the hardest things, so it just seemed like a natural conlusion.

During this time we also had a lodger, who moved in for a few weeks and ended up staying for almost 3 years. He now has a home of his own with his girlfriend, and my house has returned to it's usual chaotic regime.

I left my job as a carer in October 2008, and was employed as a temporary receptionist. In February 2009, I became a full time receptioist, travel booker & document controller with a local engineering company.

It has been a crazy time, and my knitting & spinning have been on hold.

I now have a new craft room, access to my pc and am free to knit, spin, card make and play to my hearts content.

Nothing much

2006-04-13T13:36:00.000+01:00

Nothing much to relate this week. Work is blah, everyone and their grannie are either on holiday or off sick. Yesterday I was playing catch up all day and almost met myself coming back.

So here's a few things to make you smile.

Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord
My shape to keep.
Please no wrinkles
Please no bags
And please lift my butt
Before it sags.
Please no age spots
Please no gray
And as for my belly,
Please take it away.
Please keep me healthy
Please keep me young!
And thank you Dear Lord
For all that you've done.

Five tips for a woman....

1. It is important that a man helps you around the house and has a job.

2. It is important that a man makes you laugh.

3.. It is important to find a man you can count on! and doesn't lie to you.

4. It is important that a man loves you and spoils you.

5. It is important that these four men don't know each other.

Foot Note:

One saggy boob said to the other saggy boob:
"If we don't get some support soon, people will think we're nuts."

Weird weather

2006-04-04T11:20:00.000+01:00

Well so far April has been a funny month, and we are only on day 4. Sunday was a beautifully clear day and it was quite warm, well warm for Scotland that is. I was sweating buckets as I was wondering round my home town and visiting my clients, and the day stayed fairly calm and bright. Today is now Tuesday and it has been hailing and snowing on and off all morning. It's no bloody wonder that people are going down like flies with chest infections and colds. I'm still on steroids and have just finished my second course of antibiotics, and am still not 100%.

So far this year I have had a shitty time of it and this weekend hasn't been any better. My mum phoned on Saturday morning and told me that her mum had died and she was quite upset. I'm not sure how to feel about it. I should be upset because she was my grandmother, but I never really knew her or thought about her. My mum was adopted and raised by an aunt from the age of 5, so her birth mother never had all that much to do with her after that. As a child I knew who she was, but she wasn't my gran, I had a gran and she was just another auntie. We never got cards or presents from her, and the only time we saw her was when she was wanting something or she came over with my mum's sister. It is a strange family. There were 7 siblings in total, mum being the 2nd oldest. She has one full brother, 4 half brothers and a half sister. Her sister died some years ago, and she was the only one who really kept in contact. I haven't seen any of my uncles since I was a child. I probably wouldn't recognise them if I saw them in the street. Over the years her oldest brother has been in touch, but he's always been a sort of on/off sort of person. I has just hit him now that mum is his only full blood relative and he's trying his best to make up for the lost years. Of course mum is full of "what if's" and "If only's" but you can't live your life like that. I think she will be upset on Thursday, but now she can look forward and not have to worry about trying to make things ok in Violets life. She never made sure mum was ok and never extended that motherly hand when it was needed. I probably sound quite bitter, but I don't think I am. What you've never had, you never miss. Do you?

Knitting has once again been relegated to the back burner, but I have been doing some crochet. I've quite enjoyed leafing through one of my new books and choosing what I want to do. Eventually I will sew all the squares together and make a blanket, but it will be more of a sampler than a properly thought out thing. I'm not in the mood to make a dozen of one colour, then a dozen of another, I just want to play. I'll probably take my crochet to work tomorrow because I have a 24 hour shift and some of it will be spent at the community centre, so plenty of time to just mess about with shapes and colours. I've been trying to teach one of the social workers how to crochet and it is quite funny watching her. She's all fingers and thumbs. I have to sit on my hands and let her do it, but I just want to grab it and say no, you do it like this.

Friday can't come fast enough for me this week because we are getting a new tv. Personally I'm happy to watch anything, but hubby has ordered and all singing all dancing plasma tv and it arrives Friday morning. It is HD ready and had freeview too. We aren't able to get freeview here, but we do have Sky so that should be fun.

Happy Mother's Day

2006-03-26T16:20:00.000+01:00

Here in bonnie Scotland, the sun has been shining and it is Mother's Day. Today is the first day in a long time that it has felt like spring has arrived. It is also the day the clocks go forward. Of course we forgot and were happily just languishing around the house and doing nothing in particular until #2 daughter came down and asked why her computer was saying it was an hour further on than she thought it was. It then dawned on us that we had once again forgotten to change the clocks. Luckily for Gary and I neither of us were working. Unluckily for me I have a chest infection and aren't able to work at the moment. I'm sick of being sick. I've only been back at work for a week and a half after being off with my knee and now I'm laid low with this damned infection. My doctor is one of those who usually prescribes paracetamol and ibuprofen or a herbal remedy rather than antibiotics, but he took one look at me and listened to my chest and threw the lot at me. I have to take the usual dose of antibiotics, but he also prescribed a course of steroids to really get a grip of it. My lungs were so congested that when he did a peak/flow test my reading was over 200 points less than it should have been. This was after doing a best of 3 and each time it got worse.
On a brighter note, I got some nice cards and pressies. Kylie bought me a lovely card and a Russell Watson CD. He's not my favourite singer, but I wouldn't tell her that. Natalie bought me a card and a toy sunflower that I've nicknamed AudreyII from here. Sad I know, but I thought it fitting. Rachel bought me some yummy chocolate truffles and a card. Unfortunately my sense of taste has gone to pot, so I only know that they taste nice from having them before. Gary didn't buy me a card, but he did buy me the Lascivious Biddies - Get Lucky and I'm enjoying listening to them whilst I write this. If you listen to Brenda Dayne's Cast-On you will have heard them on more than one occasion, she uses one of their songs for the start of today's sweater and has also played a couple more of their tracks in past pod-casts. I keep laughing because every time one of my family come in to have a word they listen to what I'm playing and all of them have had a little dance. Now my family have quite diverse listening preferences, and the Biddies are not on any one of their lists, but they are enjoying them. One more notch on mum's bedpost for introducing my family new music and artists :-)
On the knitting front things have gone slowly again. I love knitting and my head is buzzing from all the ideas that I have, but I just haven't hadn't the energy to think about it this week. I did start the front of the effing sweater, but I made about 6 mistakes in the first few rows. Luckily I saw them, but have been too tired to sort it out. Once more it lies unloved in the basket. I have to get cracking, I'm almost a month behind and I hate that. I want to get it finished, but haven't got the inclination or the energy to do it.

Woo hooo

2006-03-16T15:58:00.000Z

It's stitch and bitch night tonight and I can go :-) I really need some girlie bitchy time, I've been feeling a bit down this week. I know that if I let it get a hold then I am going to be in a funk for ages, so I'm just going to grin and bear it. I'm going to show off my new knitting bag and my little family of metal sheep that I bought at Lakeland. We are really lucky that we have a branch in Aberdeen and it is so easy to just wander in and spend so much money in there. They have some great stuff and I love browsing at their craft section. Once upon a time they hardly had anything crafty and just had storage items, but now they have so many different ranges that it is too tempting. They do large bags of soft liquorice that is so, so moreish that you have to buy two bags and at £4 a pop it aint cheap. I try to stay out of there, but sometimes, a girls got to do what a girls got to do and that's blow the hubby's bonus on goodies :-)

I've almost finished the back of the sweater, only 6 more rows and then I can start on the front. I think I'm going to do it slightly different this time. I don't know if I can cope with sewing in millions and millions of loose ends. I think I'll take it along to show the girls tonight, and then I might do some crochet to calm my nerves. I got two new books last week and am really enjoying flipping through them, so I think I'll have a bash at making a few and then I can sew them all together to make an afghan. The first one is this and the second one is this. It's ages since I've done any crochet and I feel that it is now time for a change.

In Loving Memory

2006-03-08T15:14:00.000Z

Kelly
1990 to 8th March 2006

Today I had to put my dog to sleep. Her name was Kelly and she had been my constant companion for the last ten years. We got her as a rescue dog, and she was in such a sorry state. The first time I saw her she was crawling round on her belly and urinating every where because she was so afraid. I fell in love with her, but didn't take her home there and then because she was going to be a gift for my parents. I phoned them and told them about her, but they said that they couldn't take her if she hadn't been neutered in case their other dog tried to mate with her. He was a big collie dog, so it wouldn't have been a good idea. Once we got home I started to talk to my husband about the dog that we had seen and he said that if I wanted her I could have her. I phoned my friends straight away and they brought her up the following weekend. Now this was no little journey it was a 300 mile round trip, but they were willing to do it for me. We took her everywhere, even on holiday. When we went abroad, she went down to Yorkshire to stay with my parents and they loved having her as much as she loved being there.

I woke early this morning because I could hear a strange noise coming from the floor next to my bed. When I managed to get my eyes to work I found that it was Kelly and she wasn't well. The whole front end of her body was on the floor and she was sort of pushing herself along with her back legs. At first I thought she might have got her paws stuck in her collar because she has done that before today. Don't know how, but she managed it. Anyway, I picked her up and realised that she wasn't caught, but was very limp and not like her own self. Of course dh was in Glasgow on business and not able to get home. I phone the vet and she said that she would meet me if I got a cab down to the surgery. I got a cab and set off with my little pal in my arms. By this time her breathing had gone and she was foaming at the mouth and I knew in my heart that her time had come and I didn't want her to struggle any more. The vet agreed that she was too far gone and it would only be prolonging the inevitable if she tried to do anything. I didn't cry, well not much and stroked her whilst the vet injected her with this blue fluid. I removed her collar and asked the vet to handle all the necessary funeral details. I paid the bill and walked out of the building.
My oldest daughter was staying over at her boy friends house and I walked there and rang the bell. She came to the door and in I walked I sat down and told her what had happened and then broke down. She cried and I cried some more. I then had to go home and tell the other two. They were still in bed when I left and hadn't even known that I had gone. We all cried again.

I miss my baby and can't get my head round the fact that she isn't here any more. I keep looking for her in her favourite spot and my heart drops when I remember that she isn't there.

We've decided that we aren't going to get another pet. It's too damned hard to let them go.

Storm in a podcast

2006-03-07T22:43:00.000Z

As you may know, I love listening to podcasts and at the moment my favourite one is Cast-On with Brenda Dayne. I am at present off work with a dodgy knee and am re-listening to all her podcasts whilst trying to get this damn sweater finished that I should have completed for the Knitting Olympics. I think I was just being carried away with the challenge and didn't really look at what needed to be done. I did manage to finish one sweater, but not the one I wanted to finish.

Anyhoo, back to the podcast. I regularly check the comments on Brenda's site to see if there are any new podcasters out there and have found a couple that I have listened to and quite like. However, one comment that was left today was so rude and obnoxious that it really got my goat. Of course the person who left it didn't have the guts to leave a name, they just left this long ranting post that was full of vitriol and down right nastiness.

There are a few comments that I would like to make about this, and feel that I want to speak here where it is in the public domain and where I have the right to hit the delete button.

By all means point out any and all flaws that you might find in a podcast or blog, but do it constructively.
If you feel the need to vent in public there are better ways to go about it.
Leave your name and that way the person who is at the receiving end of the abuse can contact you and tell you what a nasty b@st@rd you are
Learn how to spell
If it were an open forum and there were mediators or assistants, then the delete button would have been pressed and you would have been blocked and reported as a troll.
No one insists that you have to listen to anything that you dislike, so why abuse someone who has no say on what or how you do something.
Don't piss off knitters, for we are a formidable bunch and we will retaliate.

I'm not someone who simpers and panders to anyone, but I do like listening to Brenda, and she seems a nice person. I emailed her about another post recently and true to her word, she replied with a lovely email. Long may she want to podcast and let us see in to a little bit of her world.

At the end of the day podcasts are free to listeners and even if something is a pile of shit, it hasn't cost anything to listen to it and you don't have to listen to it again.

I think that I've said enough for today.

The best laid schemes

2006-02-14T13:51:00.000Z

"The best laid schemes
o' mice and 'men
Gang aft a-gley"
Robert Burns c. 1785

And, boy oh boy did my plans gang a-gley. A week past Saturday was the first of it, youngest daughter started puking for all she was worth. Hubby came home from Houston and instead of a welcoming wife he got one very frazzled wife and an ill child. On Sunday I had to work all day, so he was baby sitting and middle daughter became ill. It turned out she hadn't got the pukes, but she had the flu. It was the full monty, sweating, shivering, coughing, aching etc. Fortunately my brave hubby is good with illness and took it all in his stride. Monday morning saw me start to feel ill and I have been coughing and sneezing all week. My bones ache and I don't want to sit down, but I don't want to stand up because I'm tired and on it goes. I started to feel a little better by Friday and we went out for a meal with friends. Saturday saw me doing another full day, and Sunday I was back to my 24 hour shift. Yesterday was spent sleeping for most of the day.

What may you ask has this to do with plans, well because of illness I haven't started my knitting for the Olympics yet, so am a bit like Eddie the Eagle. Full of good intentions, but crap at actually getting going. Today was going to be my knitting day, but things have just been pants again and I have been trying to catch up with house work. Tonight is the first night of two nights training and I am not looking forward to it at all. I have a number of clients who are epileptic and I have to learn how to administer rectal diazipam, so this is going to be what I am doing for Valentines night. No fancy panties and chocolates for me. I supposed I could always try out my techniques on hubby when I get home, but I don't think he will be that appreciative of it :-)

The only positive thing that I have now done, is link up the SFSE button to the Free to Stitch site, and also linked the Celtic knitters button to the Yahoo site for the Celtic Knitter.

Stitch and Bitch

2006-02-09T12:07:00.000Z

Not really a stitch and bitch, I just wanted to use the phrase :-) You might be thinking HUH!?! And I wouldn't blame you. I am using it in reference to the whole sorry tale about a New York based company and the fact that they are trying to tell most of the knitting community that they can't use the phrase Stitch and Bitch because it is their registered trademark. More can be found here and here. I first heard about it on knitflame and wasn't going to comment on it. I'm not usually one of those people who get involved in anything that might cause me problems, but then I thought No!, it's about time knitters/crafters stood up to be counted. For too long we have been the folk who have been laughed at or sneered at for enjoying something that gives us pleasure. If you go to the SFSE site, down at the very bottom you will see the words Stitch and Bitch Cafe with the little R sign next to it. Fair enough they registered the words "Stitch and Bitch Cafe" not the phrase Stitch and Bitch. Now you may say that it is being picky to differentiate, but this company have closed down, or made groups on Yahoo change their names because they have the words Stitch and Bitch or derivatives in their name. Until this whole sorry mess blew up, I had never heard of SFSE, and even if I had I wouldn't want to be dealing with them again. You will see that I have a little button in the right hand column of my blog. At present it isn't linked to anything, but it will be when I can get a minute to sort out the Html. If you are now totally bored with the whole thing, here's Franklins thoughts on it.

On the knitting front, I have almost finished the Jean Moss sweater. I have had a few hiccups along the way, but it is looking rather nice and should be finished by tomorrow. I can then start on the Shilasdair sweater. Do you know since I have been knitting for Jean I haven't bought any yarn of my own. My husband can't believe it, because I would normally be out at least once a week and adding to my ever increasing pile. Now, that isn't to say that I haven't been buying stash, just I haven't been buying yarn :-)

I have bought some fabric to do some patchwork with one of my clients. She is wanting to make a memory quilt, but has never done any sewing or patchwork due to a long term illness. It has been less than a year since she started to get better and she is wanting to learn so much and do things that she hasn't been able to do until now. It is very difficult for us to get any fabric here because the nearest patchwork shop is in Aberdeen and since I don't drive and she can't walk very far I have to order from eBay. I have been very happy with what I have received, but it isn't like being able to go in and look at the fabrics and choose your own colours or yardage. Wednesday is the only day of the week that I do patchwork, so I have promised myself not to get carried away and buy lots of stash. I can't wait to get started properly, but at the moment it is more a case of showing her how to sew and how to be her own boss. For the last ten years she wasn't able to do anything and just directed other people and is finding it very hard to learn how to do things for herself. She isn't lazy by any means and is a bright girl, but her brain just can't get used to thinking and doing. I do enjoy being with her though. Imagine I'm getting paid to just sit and sew for three whole hours a week, plus we get to have a laugh.

Oh, my goodness, I'm an addict

2006-01-28T14:11:00.000Z

Hello, I'm Theresa and I'm an addict. You might think that this is going to be some sad post about alcohol, drugs etc, but no I'm addicted to podcasts. As you know last time I wrote I spoke about podcasts and that I had just found them. I've spent as much time ever since catching up and listening to all the casts that I have downloaded. I can't wait for the next instalment and am checking in every single day for new ones. My youngest daughter is getting frustrated because she uses iTunes too and all my podcasts are hogging up space that she wants for her tunes. I haven't told her how to unclick them and just download the stuff she wants. I suppose I'll have to do that soon.

Cast-on is still my favourite and I couldn't wait to listen to this week's new instalment. Brenda is just so good to listen to and her choice of songs is so varied and such good fun. This week she was talking about the Knitting Olympics. I had already heard of this via some of the forums that I am a member and have subscribed, although I do wish there was a Scottish contingent so that we can have our own team. Brenda has team Wales, there's team USA, team Canada, and also team Caffeine. Maybe I should design my own button and start up the Celtic Knitters team. No we wouldn't be soccer fans who knit, but Celts who knit, there is a big difference.

In previous posts I have mentioned the sweater that I am doing for Eva at Shilasdair. I had started it, but it was driving me mad, so have decided to put it down, rip it out and start as a project for the knitting olympics. I should be able to finish it in the alloted time, or should I say I have to finish in the alloted time, because it is required asap. I do agree that it is a bit of a pointless exercise, but it is going to be enormous fun. Imagine thousands of knitters all casting on at the same time, and with only one goal, to complete a project within a set time span. It's a shame that it hasn't been widely publicised, because it would be great to see knitters getting together for at least some of the time.

P.S. I've quickly made a button if anyone wants to snag it or make it their own. Remember, right click and save to your own site before using.

IPod's and podcasts

2006-01-23T13:36:00.000Z

For Christmas I received an iPod nano and am only just getting used to it. Mine is white, but my oldest daughter bought me a lovely pink skin to put on it and I wear it with pride :-) Until now, I have only added music or photo's. Yesterday I clicked on my iTunes button and decided to see what podcasts were on offer. As a knitter I automatically typed in knitting in to the search button and pressed go. Of course I wasn't aware what I would find and I did find a heap of non knitting related stuff, but I also found a few good podcasts. I listened to some before I decided to sign up for them. The three I decided to download were Knitcast, Cast on & The Fibrecast. There are a number of other ones, but these were the ones that I could listen to with out the casters accent grating on my nerves.

At first I thought I might have been a bit sad to subscribe to these podcasts, but I am enjoying them immensely. I haven't managed to listen to any of the fibrecast stuff yet, and am looking forward to that. This is more of a fiber lovers podcast than a specific knitters one, and being a bit of a fiber junky myself I am looking forward to it.

I think Knitcast is the older of the group and is a more formal podcast. It's more like something you would get on radio 4 with interviews etc. I like it because you get to hear from knitwear designers and also other folk. I like to hear people speak, because it is a great way for me to assess the character of a person. Some people have a monotonous droning voice that just bore me rigid and I know that I would switch off and not take any notice of them. The casts that I have downloaded are interesting and I enjoyed them immensley. There's an interview with Freddie Robins, one with Debbie Bliss and one with Kerrie Alman from Magknits and Hipknits.

At the moment Cast On is my favourite cast. Most of the casts are almost an hour long, and include music and gossipy bits from the Brendas life. One item on the cast is called "todays jacket". Here Brenda tells us about a jacket that she is either wearing or she has chosen to talk about. One of her favourite designers is Jean Moss and two of the casts mention an item that is made using one of her designs. The way she speaks and explains each item you can almost see it, and see her wearing it. If you are a Knitty reader, then the recent winter 05 edition has one of her designs in it. To see it, go to Knitty, scroll down and click on the Mrs. Beeton.

As I'm writing this blog, I'm listening to Cast On and am enjoying it, thank God for a woman's ability to multi task :-)

Today I'm blue :(

2006-01-21T11:21:00.000Z

Today I'm blue because my beloved has gone away for two weeks. He's had to go to Houston on business and flew out this morning. I'm not going to be able to see him now until the 4th of February. I know I'm pathetic and should be partying now that he is away, but I miss him when he's not here. He's my best friend and is the only person who can shut me up when I'm in a strop. He doesn't say anything, just frowns at me or gives me a hug and all is right with the world again. He makes me laugh, cry and laugh again and even though I get mad at him he never ever argues back (well almost never). I've asked him to bring me something nice back, but he's refused to do any shopping whilst he is away. He'll get me something, I know he can't resist it.

Last night I got a couple of great bargains at Tesco's. They are having a clothing sale and I thought I would have a look. I got two tops that were reduced from £25 each to just £2 each, and a skirt for £3 from £20. I like bargains like that. One of the tops is a mixture of different yarns and has wool, angora and cashmere in it. It's only 8%, but it's still cashmere :-)

This afternoon is hopefuly going to be a girlie afternoon. Maureen from Made by Mojo is coming over for a spinning lesson using her new drop spindle. I'll have to get out some fibre for us to play with, I might even go in to the loft and drag out a couple of bags of stuff for her to look through. I've been to the bakers and bought some french fancies and some wholemeal carrot muffins with a delicious cream frosting. They'll be our treat when we have a coffee. We might even have a rake through some of my stash, I know she is wanting to see it. Sometimes I feel ashamed that I have such an accumulation, and then other times I think YAY! look what I have. When it come to being a magpie, I just can't resist pretty yarns and colours. One of the women in the Aberdeen S'n'B suggested a yarn swap, which seems like a good idea. I know we all have yarns/books/needles that we would happily switch with someone.

More Fun

2006-01-18T21:35:00.000Z

Here's something for you to think about. What is your yarn name?

I was Mistress Wool Gatherer

I got this from MOJO's site she'll laugh when she sees it.

The Traditional Princess

You are generous, graceful, and practical with both
feet planted firmly on the ground. You tend to
be a little on the old-fashioned side. You
value home, hearth, and family life and love to
be of service to others.

Role Models: Snow White, Maid Marian

You are most likely to: Discover a hidden talent
for spinning straw into gold.

What Kind of Princess are You? - Beautiful Artwork (Original Music is BACK!!!)
brought to you by Quizilla

Steady Week

2006-01-18T10:34:00.000Z

Well this week is progressing steadily. Work isn't too hard and not nearly as busy as last week. I was so tired on Monday that my poor brain just couldn't cope. My youngest daughter was laughing at me because I was talking such utter rubbish. Nothing I said came out right and words were muddled up or totally wrong. If I hadn't known better I would have said that I'd had a stroke. Once I'd got my head down and slept I felt better although I am still feeling tired. I can't even say its because I am staying up late and getting up early because I'm not. I do go to bed late, but I get up late as well.

Yesterday I got the new pattern from Jean Moss and the yarn to make it with. It's a Sirdar yarn and is space dyed, but it is coming up really well. I'm knitting it on slightly smaller needles than you would usually use and it is giving a lovely fabric. I couldn't put it down last night and am already half way through the back. It looks like it is going to be one of those quick projects that I like. I can't wait to post the pictures, but have to wait until after the book launch.

Finished at last.

2006-01-14T12:08:00.001Z

I've finally managed to finish the dress for Jean Moss and I must say that it looks good. Unfortunately I can't show any pictures because it is very hush hush and won't be available to the public until after March this year.

The Shilasdair sweater is coming along slowly. I hadn't realised how many different colours and pieces there were in it. I think it is going to take me a good few weeks to get it done. Once I'm in the swing of it, it shouldn't be too bad. I know I've said it before but the yarn is just out of this world and is so nice to touch. It's a bit of a bugger to knit with because it sheds like buggery, but I can cope with that. My lounge floor is covered with different colours and sizes of balls, plus the sofa is becoming a knitting corner too. Luckily for me I have an understanding hubby.

Work is a bit manic this week, so my knitting is the only thing that brings me down to earth and for that I am thankful. Next week is going to be crazy too, but at least I have a couple of days off.

Just for fun

2006-01-10T17:41:00.000Z

You are a wonderful fluffy novelty yarn. Take your
pick! Lots of fun and full of exhuberance. You
are very social and mix well with all types of
people. Very playful and endearing.

What kind of yarn are you really??
brought to you by Quizilla

What a start to 2006

2006-01-07T22:38:00.001Z

Feelin' tired

After having such a lovely quiet Christmas I though that this year was going to be one of the good ones. However, things turned out not to be so good. My best friend of over 30 years has finally admitted to being abused by her brother as a child and has decided to take official proceedings. Her New Year was hell because of a silly argument that blew up out of all proportion and she is in bits. I have always been her confident and I thought that she had told me everything she could possibly tell me. As it turns out I didn't know the half of it and am hearing it all now. I feel tired and perplexed, but most of all so very sad that she has had to live with this for so long. The last couple of days have been a whirlwind and I have spent hours on the phone to her and her husband just listening and talking to them. My head hurts and I want to curl up in a corner and cry myself to sleep. I haven't done any house work or things that I am supposed to do, my poor husband is just listening to me rant and rage and is being so very good. I want to be there for my friend and her family, and yet I want to be with my family and protect them. Instead I am going to go to work in the morning and not come home until Monday morning. I'm not running away, just doing my job as a carer, but I feel like I am abandoning them all. I don't know what to do for the best any more.

On the knitting front the dress for Jean is almost finished and looks ok. I won't say good because I hate the yarn. I received the yarn form Shilasdair yesterday, and what a transformation. It is a cashmere, angora and lambswool blend and is just luscious. I just want to keep petting it and can't wait to get using it.

I think that's it for now, I'm tired and am going to go do some stitching.

Almost over

2005-12-31T12:01:00.000Z

Feeling Hopeful

Well it's been a strange year this year. I wasn't sure what I was going to expect when the bells rang in the new year, it certainly wasn't this.

Since writing last, I have started a new job as a carer in the community and love every minute of it. I have also been doing a quite a few commission pieces for various people.

My first one was a few months ago and I made a lopi sweater for a lady who lives a few miles from me. When she first showed me the colours I thought oh no, but they looked rather good together. The main color was a marled pink, sort of an old rose colour with flecks of red and white in it. The main contrast was a deep claret colour and the highlight was a natural cream. I was really pleased with the outcome and so was she.

The only downside to making the sweater was that I broke one of my Denise flexi cables tips. I didn't know what to do, so I wrote to the company asking if I could get a replacement from somewhere. I received a lovely email back from Emily Krag saying that the needles were guaranteed and that they would send me a free replacement. I gave her the size and my home addy and sure enough less than a week later my replacment arrived. I call that excellent customer service.

My next project was a bit of a bolt from the blue. I've been a member if a custom knitting web site for a while, but don't have many hits per year, so was surprised when I received an email asking me about my knitting. I almost deleted it without opening, but something stopped me. When I did read it I had to read it again to make sure that I wasn't dreaming. The email was from Jean Moss Handknits and was written by Philip Mercer, in it he was aksing if I would be interested in helping them out and making an item for them. Would I ring them if I was interested. I promptly sent off and email saying that I would be interested and attached a picture of the christening dress I made earlier in the year. After a week or so the yarn for the new project arrived and the pattern came a few days later. I can't say much about the pattern other than it is for a new book, but i can say lots about the yarn. The yarn is called Jaeger Trinity and is a blend of cotton and silk with polymide. I hate the feel of it, the way it knits up and everything about it. I'm a very neat and even tensioned knitter, but this stuff makes it look like an amateur had done the knitting. The stitches are all over the place and every so often there is a hole that is bigger than the rest. It also has the tensile strangth of a pat of butter. It takes no effort to snap the yarn, just one swift tug and it snaps. I wouldn't want to spend almost £4 per ball on something that is likely to snap with the slightest effort. At the moment the project is on a back burner because there is a problem with the pattern and I am waiting for a reply from Jean.

My next project came only a few days ago. I got and email from Shilasdair asking me if I would be interested in making a jumper for them. I was going to say no, but I thought what the hell, and am going to do something for them.

The pay isn't a lot for any of the items, probably less than £1 per hour, but that's not the point for me. I know that the Jean Moss thing will be photographed and put in her new book and that will be there for ever. The other stuff is just something to pass the time and for that I'm happy and looking forward to 2006.

Fun things

2005-07-29T16:38:00.000+01:00

You Are 60% Weird

You're so weird, you think you're *totally* normal. Right?But you wig out even the biggest of circus freaks!
How Weird Are You?

You are happy, driven, and status conscious.You want everyone to know how successful you are.Very logical, you see life as a game of strategy.A bit of a loner, you prefer to depend on yourself.You always keep your cool and your composure.You are a born leader and business person.
The World's Shortest Personality Test

The Keys to Your HeartYou are attracted to obedience and warmth.In love, you feel the most alive when everything is uncertain, one moment heaven... the next moment hell.You'd like to your lover to think you are stylish and alluring.You would be forced to break up with someone who was emotional, moody, and difficult to please.Your ideal relationship is open. Both of you can talk about everything... no secrets.Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment.You think of marriage as something that will confine you. You are afraid of marriage.In this moment, you think of love as something you thirst for. You'll do anything for love, but you won't fall for it easily.What Are The Keys To Your Heart?

Happy Birthday to you!! have a wonderful day!

from a fellow birthday girl - Kori
and her mom Karola

Comment from karolakori - 15/09/05 18:42

There goes summer

2005-07-25T18:57:00.000+01:00

Feeling Chillin'

I've finally started knitting again after quite a break. For some reason I just haven't wanted to pick up my needles or fondle my yarn. I just don't know what on earth has been wrong with me. I am a yarn addict and love feeling it moving between my fingers and patting it whilst trying to think of something to make with it. My head is usally fizzing with unmade items and shapes that I want to try to recreate, but nothing seemed to be there. The thought of knitting has just left me feeling blah. I've done everything possible not to knit. When I've felt the urge to be creative, I've just made cards and glued, stamped, embossed and glittered until the urge went away.
Suddenly last week the urge to pick up my needles was strong and I dragged out some yarn and sat for a couple of hours and it felt good. I went to my stitch and bitch group and it was great to be able to speak the same language as others, instead of being on my own I was with like minded people again. Does this sound pathetic? Or is it a need that every person has? I love my family, I love my home and yet the craft that I love felt as though it was just another chore to be ignored. Maybe I've been in a rut, and am slowly climbing out of it. Maybe it has been the thought of having my mother in law come to stay for 2 weeks and nagging the hell out of me ( now that's another story). I've no idea what caused it, but am sure glad that I've found my way back.

On a lighter note, today is my 18th wedding anniversary, and my 2nd daughter's 15th birthday. My beloved bought me a lovely sapphire braclet, earring and necklace set. It's so delicate and light and I love it. I bought him a bluetooth headset for his mobile phone. I know a strange gift, but one he appreciated and is overjoyed with. My husband and his gadgets are infamous. Even his pals call him "Inspector" (Gadget).

#2 daughter was overjoyed with her present. We bought her a new bass guitar to go with her acoustic and lead that she already owns. She had friends come round and I prepared a buffet for them all.

Dh wanted to go out, but after getting everything ready and spending all afternoon cooking, then going out is the last thing on my mind.

A little adventure

2005-06-23T16:58:00.000+01:00

Feeling Hopeful

Well it's that time of year again and the Royal Highland Show has come to town. I should really say it has come to Edinburgh, but that doesn't sound the same does it? My friend has two items in the handicrafts competition, so we are heading down on Saturday morning to see how she has done. I'm going to meet her tomorrow and then stay the night at her house before we head off very early Saturday morning. I think my friend is planning to be up before the birds. I can't wait to see all the stands and try to find some bargains. I want some silk for spinning and some paper making things, plus some more card stock.

I've not been doing any knitting for the past couple of weeks, but have been really in to card making. I've been embossing, glueing and sticking to my hearts content. I think my hubby has reached a stage of quiet despair with me. At least it's keeping me happy and I feel a lot less depressed than I did. I keep looking at my yarn and have no inclination to even pat it. Now that isn't me, I'm normally prowling the house if I have nothing in my hands. Maybe I'm just getting lazy and my brain is addling.

Last weekend was very busy and I did a heap of baking for the school summer fete. I then helped out and it was so warm that I thought I would melt. It was Father's day on the Sunday and by that afternoon I was shattered. I made a large cooked breakfast for everyone and it was nice for a change for us all to sit down and eat together. There's usually onl the four of us these days. Number one daughter spends all her time with her boyfriend and we hardly ever see her. She did make an effort and stay in though. We went to the local farmer's market and I bought some card making things things, and then we did a bit of shopping. I fell asleep on my husband at 4pm and woke up an hour later. I then had to think about making him a special meal which I did and then he had to go in to work for 11pm.

News Flash: Just had a phone call from my friend. She received a 4th place in the crocheted cushion section and a 1st place in the spinning section for a 2ply tweed yarn that looks like a forest pool. I'm so pleased for her,

Blah

2005-06-09T12:18:00.000+01:00

I haven't felt like writing in here for a while. Mainly because there is nothing to write about. I still haven't got a job, and slowly but surely the weight is piling on from the lack of exercise. The house gets cleaned in the morning and I just potter for the rest of the day. Dh wouldn't dream of leaving me any moey so that I could go shopping unless of course I asked him for some. He usually replies that I should wait until he gets home and we can go together. He's never spent any length of time at home without money or the means to getmoney out, so has no idea how demeaning it feels. I try to tell him, but after 20 years I've just given up and just potter about doing my own thing. He isn't tight and will buy me just about anything that I ask for, but once in a while I would like to just have the money to buy it for myself. One of the reasons I love working is that the money I earn goes in to my bank account and I have control of it. Of course most of it goes in to the house, but there is money there for me to buy things with.
The next few weekends are busy, we are going to two barbeques this weekend, so will be on a starvation diet all next week because our arteries will be jam packed solid with fat :-) The weekend after is the school summer fete and i'm not only helping out, but baking too. I thought it was this week and had prepared myself for a day of constant baking today. I might still do some though.
Not much knitting done, in a rut.

I'm getting old :(

2005-05-12T12:16:00.000+01:00

Feeling Surprised

It's official, I've become a middle aged parent. Why you ask. Well, number 1 daughter left school yesterday. She is one of the youngest people in her year, so she is still 16, yet has completed and extra year in school. This is the start of her study leave and she will be returning back to school to do the odd exam, but that's it. No more school for her. Of course she may want to go to college, but that's an entirley different prospect.
I must be getting old because there is a van parked outside and it is playing the loudest music ever and I want to go out and hit them. Normally it would be me playing the loud music and the neighbours complaining. Where does the time go to. I remember leaving school, and the worry about getting a job, then meeting my beloved. It seems like only yesterday, when in fact it was 21 years ago. I sometimes forget how old I am, then I look in the mirror and am reminded of it when I see this middle aged pudding staring back at me.
I was supposed ot be going to my SnB tonight, but I don't feel well and my right leg is swollen up for no reason. I miss not seeing the girls, we have a good laugh and are rude about our partners. We also get some knitting done, but not as much as any of us would like.
I started on a new project today, can't say much though because the recipient might be listening. I will say that it is going to be big, and is a blur of various shades of pink. It isn't pastel pinks either, there are bright day glo pinks in it, and raspberry colours, it almost looks like a raspberry ripple ice cream. I only started it last night and have managed to do about and inch and a half already, so it is fairly cracking on.
I just realised the music isn't the van outside, but it is from number 1 daughter, oh yeah, I can kick her butt :-) I feel happy now.

Eh, you're not old. Imagine how I felt when Lynne dragged me down onto the field to see Billy Idol and Social Distortion. :)
Comment from theycallmemum - 24/05/05 15:56

LOL, we were listening to some 80's stuff the other night, and the kids thought we were mad because we were singing along. #2 daughter loves most of the stuff I liked at her age.
Comment from gazandt - 09/06/05 12:00

Oh what a life

2005-05-10T11:48:00.000+01:00

Feeling Quiet

I'm in one of those can't be bothered moods today. I have lots of house work, but can't be bothered to do it. I have lots of knitting and again can't be bothered. I think it is because the weather has changed yet again. We had some lovely days last week , the sun was shining and it was warm. I went out on Saturday and bought some tomato plants, some flowering plants for my tubs and a couple of cucumber plants. The tomatoes and cucmbers went straight in to my mini greenhouses, and I planted the margarites in my big tub. Then the weather changed. We've had rain, hail and frost, it was even trying to snow yeaterday. No wonder everyone is full of cold and miserable. I keep praying that my plants will survive. Luckily the mini greenhouses have plastic covers instead of glass, so they keep the heat in and the air moist. Unfortunately the wind can get in underneath the covers and it is at the exact height of the plants. The sun is shining today, but it is windy and cold.

On Friday one of my SnB buddies came round and we had a lovely afternoon talking stash and knitting. We had planned to do some knitting, but time just flew away. We also went in to town and I bought myself a selection of doilies to go with my ever increasing collection. They are all hand made and are pretty. I dunno what I'm going to do with them yet, but one day I might take them out and display them somewhere.

Yesterday was spent helping my friend at her house. She has a lovely house that is like an alladins cave, but it is dire need of a good sort out. She is getting very despondant so I offered to go help her out at least once a week. I was offered pay, but turned it down. If I can't help out a friend then who can I help. I get my lunch made for me and lots of little treats, so I am happy. I got some silk for spinning and it is lovely. It needs some preparation, but I managed to sort some of it out and did some spinning this morning. It was rainbow dyed in very bright primary colours and looked wonderful. I plied it with some black merino that I had and the effect is stunning. There's only a small sample at the moment, but I think I might do some more of it. I enjoy spinning, it just takes up too much time though. I feel guilty just sitting and doing it. I'll give the house a good clean this afternoon, and then spend the evening sorting and preparing, and maybe tomorrow will be a spinning day. The house has been neglected over the weekend, and the washing has piled up beyond belief. I don't know where it all comes from. I suppose 5 people do have a lot of clothes to wash including towels, and bedding etc.

On the knitting front, I finished a pair of Regia 6ply socks. They look okay and feel nice on, but I'm not sure of the colours. Why is it that some yarn looks great on the ball, but looks blah when you knit it up? I can never understand it myself. I need to get cracking on my tea cosy for the competition in Australia, I think it will be great fun. I've never made a tea cost before, and can't decide on the design that I should do. I've been thinking about something with a Scottish theme, but aren't sure how to translate that in to a design. Do I do the touristy thing like tartan and Scotty dogs, or do I do the celtic thing, or do I do the castle thing or.....or......Or do I do something completely different? There are so many things whirring around this old nogging that it is difficult to actually stop and pick something out. Maybe I should just make something for Lynettes baby and put the tea cosy on hold. SO many things, not enough time.

A week of interviews

2005-04-28T16:39:00.000+01:00

Feeling Quiet

No I haven't had a job interview, but my beloved has, and oldest daughter should be in the middle of her first ever one now. She has applied to be an apprentice painter and decorator. One of her teachers openly laughed at her when she told him, and he thought she was taking the piss. He said that she would be wasting her brain if she did something like that. I think it is an idela opportunity and that she should go for it. She has always wanted to be an interior designer, and this would be an ideal grounding for her before she goes to college or uni. I told her I've got plenty of rooms that she can practise on :-) The company that she's applied ot work for are in Ellon, so there would be no travelling, and they do a varied range of jobs. She would have to learn specialist paint techniques, hanging wallpaper, some interior desing, colour matching etc. Once she is qualified she could work for herself, and it would be quite a good job.
I haven't done much knitting this week, I've just been in a bit of a rut. I have a cold creeping round my system and it is making me tired and ratty. I do keep getting out my stash and fondling every so often. I think I'm all knitted out at the moment.

I dunno - I think it's a great opportunity personally, esp. if it's what she loves to do. What is that teacher talking about?

And what is taking the piss? lol!
Comment from thorawashere - 30/04/05 02:08

Some of her teachers are too opinionated for their own good.
"Taking the piss"; "extracting the urine"; "taking the mick"; are all phrases used to mean that someone is poking fun at another person, or having a laugh at their expense. If someone makes a statment and you don't believe it, you say that they are taking the piss, or having a laugh.
Comment from gazandt - 01/05/05 10:03

Hope everything goes well with everyone and their job interviews.
I would love to have someone come and design the rooms in my house.
Comment from time4moretea - 07/05/05 20:47

Still haven't heard about the interview. I asked and she said that it might be next week before she hears. I applied for a new job on Friday and got and email yesterday to say the position had already been filled :(
Comment from gazandt - 10/05/05 11:28

Stash Increases Daily

2005-04-21T16:59:00.000+01:00

21 April 2005
16:59:00 o'clock BST
Feeling Happy
Hearing Green Day - Boulevard of Broken Dreams

I had a great afternoon yesterday. I went to my friends house and we chatted, read some books, and did a little knitting. After that we decided to go through her stash and give it a little sort out. As we were sorting things she kept throwing different yarns my way. I ended up with three bags full of different yarns. Most of it was pure wool, and there was the odd ball of glittery stuff in it. It all started because I wanted to make the monster slippers from Stitch and Bitch Nation and I didn't have the right yarn needed. I'm using a rose coloured lopi that is going to be perfect.
I still haven't taken any photos of my finished projects, but will do that tomorrow, I promise. Tonight it is Stitch and Bitch in Aberdeen so am going to go for a bit of girly stitching time.

Hello

2005-04-19T14:38:00.000+01:00

Feeling Chillin'

Thought I had better say hello to my reader and update you on my utterly exciting life :-) After the mammoth knitting project, I've been very quiet and not done a great deal this past week or so. My whole body and my brain ached from all the concentration and I've just about recovered.
Last week was a lazy time for me. My friend came over on Thursday and we looked at books, went for lunch and did a bit of shopping. It was great. We were both very tired, but it felt good to just be girly for a while. I saw a couple of things that I want for me, but they will keep for another time.
My beloved decided that he wanted some new work clothes, and we went in to Aberdeen on Saturday to get him some. The whole city centre was heaving with people. The main road in the town was blocked off and there was an international street market. Most of the folks were French and the smells from the different stalls were fantastic. I bought so much stuff that I had to go to the indoor market and buy myself a pull along shopping bag. The food was amazing, and the black pudding was out of this world. I have never tasted anything like it. I also bought two bunches of dried lavender from Provence, and they are in jugs in my kitchen. I have some dried grasses and they look pretty together.
I have finished a baby blanket from the Yo-Yo yarn that I bought a few weeks ago. It looks good, and is now on the washing line. I've only been doing brainless - no thinking - knitting this week, my head just won't stretch to patterns or anything strenuous. Someone on Knitflame described it well, she said she had brains farts, and that's just how my brain feels.
Oh, and I got my Stitch and Bitch Nation from Amazon. It wasn't until after it arrived, that I realised one of my friends was mentioned in the acknowledgments. It turns out that she was one of the knitters for the book, and she made the black fishnet stockings. I vaguely remember her mentioning something about it, but didn't take much notice at the time because I was busy with work and stuff. She says her only regret is that she wasn't the designer, because she would have made them in the round.

Yippppeeeee

2005-04-09T20:48:00.000+01:00

Feeling Happy

The jacket is finished. I am totally worn out. My joints ache and my back is sore, but that's it, over and done. I managed to get all the pieces done on time, and they are looking pretty darned good. All the ends are sewn in, and it has been lightly pressed. The good thing is that I don't have to post it off. My student is coming here to collect it. She will be tired when she gets here because she has driven all the way from London, via Sheffield. I am expecting her about 12 midnight.

I'm not posting any pictures until it has been made up, that way it is going to be a surprise.

I've started crocheting a bag that I got off a web site, can't remember which site. It's just a plain old string type shopping bag, I'm using some of my stash because hubby keeps telling me I have to reduce it. I must admit that it is getting a bit on the wild side. I keep finding different bags with yarn in, most of which I'd forgotten about. The yarn I'm using for the bag is some that I bought in Ireland 3 years ago. It's been sitting there and taunting me ever since. I hate to think about the cost of the yarn that I hold. Some of it is cheap stuff, or bought in sales, but I have some yarn that was almost £6 and that was reduced from £7.95 per ball. I have 6 balls of that. I also have a fairly large amount of fibre for spinning or felting. Maybe I should take up felting and sell my wares. I've never really done much felting. I've done knitted felt, but not proper felting where you layer lots of different colours together to make a picture or piece of fabric.

Anyone up for this challenge?

2005-04-03T21:48:00.000+01:00

I asked this question on the Yahoo group that I belong to. I think it is going to be fun to take part and it will also give me a chance to play around with textures and colours. I keep dreaming of different ways to make one, and how long it is going to take me.
What, you ask is the stupid woman talking about. Well I'm talking about this.
Isn't it a grand idea :-)

The project isn't turning out how I would have liked. For some reason one of the sleeves is wider than the other. I've ripped it out, and started it again and it hasn't changed the width at all. There is definitely something weird going on. I'm going to have to make a concerted effort to get the sleeve finished tonight, then I can start on one of the fronts or maybe the back tomorrow. The entire jacket has to be in London by Friday at the latest. If the yarn had been ordered on time, and hadn't been delayed then, I might have stood a chance, but it is hard going trying to work out a pattern from a piece of paper, and get ot right first time. I'm not sure if I'm going to have time to write the pattern, I'll probably have to delay that by a week or so. I was a naughty girl and went out this morning instead of staying in and knitting. I'm glad I did go out, because my beloved bought me a lovely amber and silver bracelet. It is slightly celtic in design, but is lovely on and feels like it was made just for me. Most bracelets that I buy have to have at least two links removed, but this one just sits right on the wrist. Aren't I a lucky girl. There were some bracelets that had pieces of amber in that were as big as hen's eggs, but I thought that they might be too big for me. I might save up my meager pennies and see if he has any more pieces over the next few months and might buy myself another one.

I saw my old neighbours today, and it was lovely to see them. When their little boy saw me he ran up and jumped in to my arms. I got the longest of hugs and then he told me he loved me. It was so sweet that I could have wept. I miss them, and I miss my old house. I know I have more space here, and have gone up a notch in the social scheme of things, but who cares, I loved my old, cold, draughty house.

Which flock do you follow?
this quiz was made by alanna

I love my Denise

2005-04-02T21:31:00.000+01:00

I got my Denise knitting needles today, they are wonderful. Normally my hands would be aching after a couple of hours constant knitting, but they are feeling fine. The only problem is that I made the first sleeve of the project, it was ok, and I was happy with it. However, I made the second sleeve with my Denise needles and boy what a difference. The whole shape was more to the design, and the sizes were a lot closer to my pattern. So, I took the bull by the horns and ripped out the first sleeve. This is the fifth time I've done this. I could have just about made the whole bloody thing by now. Normally I owuld do two sleeves together, but I'm using two different yarns together and that would have meant four different yarns, the possibilities of twisting and getting in a muddle are endless. Let's hope this time it is right.

The one bad thing about all this knitting is that I'm not moving about as much as I normally would, and have put on about half a stone in weight. My legs are all puffed up and I feel like an old woman. No wonder the image we have of knitters is of an overly ample matronly looking woman. I've turned in to her. Well, to be honest I wasn't far off it before.

On another note, I just spoke to my pa and he is back from Dublin. He said the funeral went well and the church was packed on both ocassions for Violet. She was a very well loved and respected lady. He's tired and misses her, but he is glad that she is at rest now.

In memory of.

2005-04-01T00:48:00.000+01:00

This time last year, was a particularly difficult time for me. There had been a numbr of funerals, and sadnesses, and this year it seems like it is going to be more of the same.

My aunt Violet died on Wednesday evening at 11pm BST. I wanted to mark her passing with a poem that I heard at my friends funeral last year. Whenever I read it, it gives me a peace inside that I cannot understand, but I accept it without question.

Parable of immortality ( A ship leaves . . . )
by Henry (Jackson) Van Dyke - 1852 - 1933

I am standing by the seashore.
A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze
and starts for the blue ocean.
She is an object of beauty and strength,
and I stand and watch
until at last she hangs like a speck of white cloud
just where the sun and sky come down to mingle with each other.

Then someone at my side says, 'There she goes!
Gone where? Gone from my sight - that is all.

She is just as large in mast and hull and spar
as she was when she left my side
and just as able to bear her load of living freight
to the places of destination.
Her diminished size is in me, not in her.

And just at the moment when someone at my side says,
'There she goes! ' ,
there are other eyes watching her coming,
and other voices ready to take up the glad shout :
'Here she comes!'

And that is dying...........

Samples sent

2005-03-30T01:14:00.000+01:00

I got a reply from my email and am to carry on doing exactly what I had started doing. The scans have gone down a trea, let's hope the actual samples work as well. I sent them off today, so they should arrive tomorrow or Thursday. I started the sleeve, and it looks good. That reminds me I have to print out some knitters graph paper to graph the decreases on the sleeve tops. I like the one that I have linked to because you can input your own specs and it will print it out for you.

I heard from an old friend today. We haven't been in touch for a long time. She has gone through a divorce and has other things going on in her life, so it was nice to hear from her. I wrote to her to tell her that my aunt was dying, but wasn't sure if I would get a reply. I did and it was nice.

The weather in Ellon has been miserable for the past few days. Last week we had lovely sunny days, but today it was cold and blah. I had to go to the shops and got soaked even though it wasn't raining. It was one of those typically Scottish days. It was a good day to sit and knit. My back aches from sitting for so long.

Work finished this year

2005-03-29T00:31:00.000+01:00

I've been quite a busy little bunny this year. I've managed to get quite a bit completed and am happy.

I bought some yarn at the Stitchcraft show in Aberdeen and was really looking forward to using it. What a cack thing it is to use. It is hell to work with, but looks quite good when it is finished. I hated every stitch of it. When I bought the yarn I received a pattern with it that said I needed one ball for a scarf and two for a shawl. I made a shawlette, and only used one ball. The other ball is sitting gathering dust and waiting for me to have a fit of madness and use it. I'm not giving it away or selling it, you never know, it might get better with age.

The yarn is called Melody and is by the South West Trading Company.

Bugger

2005-03-28T02:45:00.000+01:00

Well, the project has been started, the yarn finally arrived on Thursday. I've plodded along and done four different samples. I was going to pop them in the post tomorrow, when I got an email fom the student I'm helping. She's done a sample or two on her own, and has made them using bigger needles and has asked me to do my samples on the same size needles and send her scans of the finished pieces. I don't know whether to spit or rip it all out and start again. Of course the decision is hers entirely, she's the designer, but Bugger, BUGGER, BUGGER!!! I've sent her scans of the samples I've done and am awaiting a reply.

I have been waiting to start this project for the longest time, but am getting nervous now. What if she doesn't like my work, what if I make a mistake, what if..............

To calm my nerves I started a scarf in my bagpuss yarn. I will post piccie when I've finished. It's looking quite good. I got the idea from the Clapotis on Knitty , but have adapted it for a straight scarf. I was going to try a felted bag, but couldn't be bothered going out to the garage to get my mega thick needles.

Well it's 2.45am and well past my bedtime, so I'm off to dream about knitting ;-)

Look at these prices

2005-03-26T23:10:00.000Z

A few years ago, I was asked todo some samples for a new company who were just starting out in London. They had done one previous collection, and were retailing in companies like the one I have given the link to. The deal was. They send the yarn and design, or item they want copying, then send it back to them. They then add embellishments like ribbons and bows etc. At the time I said no because I was just about to have surgery on my hand and would be out of action for months. I never gave it a thought until tonight when I was trawling through my old addresses. I followed a link to their suppliers and couldn't believe the prices they were asking.

http://www.brownsfashion.com/fashion167.html

Last night I did a very naughty thing. I bid for a set of Denise needles. My bid was only a few dollars over the previous bid, and it had 18 hours to run. Little did I know that I would win. I now have to tell my beloved that I've just spent £35 on needles that I don't really need. I think that I'm going to have to put some books on Ebay. Oops!!!

You appear to be a Knitting Guru. You love knitting
and do it all the time. While finishing a piece
is the plan, you still love the process, and
can't imagine a day going by without giving
some time to your yarn. Packing for vacation
involves leaving ample space for the stash and
supplies. It can be hard to tell where the yarn
ends and you begin. http://marniemaclean.com

What Kind of Knitter Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

I had my interview

2005-03-16T16:21:00.000Z

I phoned the woman at AFC and spoke to her this morning. She asked me to go in this afternoon. Of course I couldn't say no, now could I. I spoke to the customer services manager and it sounds like I'll be office bound and doing tele sales again. This time I'll be working from their data base and only selling to existing customers. I'm willing to give it a try if they are willing to offer me the position :-)

I really rattled along last night. The socks are finished, and the sweater needs another 6" to finish sewing it up. Only problem is the arms are too long :( I'm going to have to cut off quite a bit and then add a new wrist band. I know there are people out there shouting nooooo, but it's ok I know what I'm doing :-) I measured, and measures and made sure that I stuck to the pattern sizes, and still they look like they would fit Guy the gorilla.

I didn't get the job :( (29/03/05)

Woo hooo - I got a reply

2005-03-15T19:29:00.000Z

15 March 2005
19:29:00 o'clock GMT
Feeling Hopeful

Oh my goodness, I got a reply from one of the jobs I went after. I applied to work as a customer services person with the Aberdeen Football Club, and I got an email today saying that I had to phone them to make an appointment for an interview. I am so happy. The money isn't brilliant, but it is more than I've been earning for years. I'm going to phone first thing in the morning and will get a time then.

I finished the wrap that I've been making today. It was quite hard and lumpy until I washed it, but it feels better now. It hangs quite low at th erfont and will look quite nice with a big broach or clasp attached to it. I've also almost finished a pair of socks, so I am really rattling those pins.

A new day, a new week, a new job?

2005-03-14T11:25:00.000Z

14 March 2005
11:25:00 o'clock GMT

Well folks, it's the start of a new week. We've had snow all weekend, but today the sun is shining and the snow is almost gone. I'm supposed to be writing out my cv today, but am so bored with the whole thing. I know that I'm supposed to be applying for a new job, but it sucks, I hate all this selling yourself shite. I was out with some of my old colleagues over the weekend, and boy do I miss them. We had a great time, I got drunk, but not too drunk. Left the nightclub at 3 am and got home around 4.

On the knitting front, I have almost finished a mohair wrap in a lilac colour. Still not sure if I like it, but I'll know better once it has been washed and fluffed up. G is complaining because the mohair is going everywhere and getting up his nose. Well he gets up mine sometimes, so all's fair in love and knitting :-) I want to finish his sweater, but the sewing up is driving me crazy. I tried it on him on Saturday and found the body part is going to fit wonderfully, but the sleeves a waaay to long. I followed the pattern and measured everything at least five times. Why do knitting patterns always have to have sleeves that would fit Inspector Gadget's stretchy arms?

The project that I'm supposed to be doing hasn't started yet. I'm still waiting for the yarn to arrive. My deadline for samples is Friday, it's Monday now and no yarn. I can't work miracles. When the stuff does arrive, I'm going to have to work through the night to get the samples made, washed and down to London in time. What a bummer. The designer has ordered two different yarns, both will have to be knitted seperately, then both together. This is so that we get an overall idea of how they work on their own and together. I also need to make samples for my portfolio, so it's going to be madness here for a few weeks. The pieces have to be made from a flat pattern design, so there's going to be a lot of measuring and planning involved. I can't wait, and yet am nervous. What if it all goes tits up and I get the blame. Me and my big mouth.

Nothing new in Ellon land

2005-03-02T19:53:00.000Z

02 March 2005
19:53:00 o'clock GMT
Feeling Chillin'
Hearing Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah

Well I came back from London, but don't seem to have done a great deal since returning. I'm still waiting for yarn and the pattern to be sent to me, and the day of completion is getting closer. I don't how I'm expected to complete something when I haven't got the tools to do it.

I need some adult conversation, G is on night shift and the kids are at school all day, so life gets a little lonely. I did phone my friend today, and we had a nice long chat until her phone conked out. G can't understand how we can spend hours on the phone talking about everything and nothing. He's one of those boring buggers who only says about 6 things and then rings off. It's like getting blood out of a stone.

I'm hoping to go to anothe SnB meeting tomorrow night. We've had 3 in the past 5 weeks, pretty good going for us. I'm enjoying having knitting buddies around me, it feels good. I've managed to finish knitting G's sweater, now all I have to do is sew the thing together. I hate sewing knitted things together, it's a pain in the arse.

Off for a few days

2005-02-15T20:45:00.000Z

15 February 2005
20:45:00 o'clock GMT
Feeling Hopeful
Hearing hell is for heros

On my way to London tomorrow. Should be an interesting few days. My student is meeting me and then I am staying at their house. Thursday will be a day for working and ironing out any problems in their design, plus trying to work out sizes of the pieces that I am doing.

Wow!!

2005-02-11T21:06:00.000Z

11 February 2005
21:06:00 o'clock GMT
Feeling Happy

I know it's been ages since I wrote, and a lot of things have happened to me.

Firstly, my new job was going well, and I loved every minute of it. I worked hard, played hard and got on with my colleagues. Christmas came and went in a flurry. New Year came and went, then on the 5th of January we were told that we were all redundant. Needless to say we were all shocked, but money talks, and a new company had bought us out. The next few weeks went by in a flurry of sales, angry customers, grippy customers and exhaustion at the end of my shift.

Secondly, I have been asked to help a fashion design student out with their end of course piece in London. I'm going down next week to see what I can do, and to help sort out which pieces I am going to knit up. I am really excited about doing this because I have applied to go to college and start a textile design course.

Thirdly, I have been helping my friend out today and feel very spoiled indeed. She has given me two black bags of fibre for spinning, plus a heap of craft magazines to go through for reference sources. I'm just itching to get going and sort it out.

Death of my uncle

2004-05-16T10:16:00.000+01:00

16 May 2004
10:16:00 o'clock BST
Feeling Sad

I just found out this morning that one of my beloved uncles has died. He had a brain hemmorage and a heart attack yesterday and wasn't responding to stimuli, so we knew it would only be a matter of time. The sad thing is that he has never ailed anything in his life, it was my aunt and my cousin who've been ill. Both my aunt and cousin have cancer and undergoing treatment at the moment.

I've told my parents to let me know when the funeral is and I will fly over to Dublin to be with them for it.

It is now 7.30 pm and I have just booked my flight to Ireland. I leave at 10 am tomorrow morning and will return home on Wednesday. I know he died quickly, but my goodness they are sure getting him in the ground quickly too.

Kids and viruses

2004-05-14T14:52:00.000+01:00

14 May 2004
14:52:00 o'clock BST
Feeling Frustrated

Today started off well, but has slowly gone down hill since.

Work went well this morning, although the boss was an old misery. I found out later that is back was playing him up and he was in a lot of pain. If he would only tell us these things then we can help him. Silly old goat that he is.

I have just had to reinstall my virus scan program, and am now in the process of adding the 94 or so updates :-( I wish the kids would stay off my computer and use their own. I don't care if theirs gets infected with a hundred viruses, trojans etc. but I do care if it happens to me.

The christening dress is slowly starting to take shape, I have about and inch on the skirt finished and the pattern is starting to show through.I managed to ball up some more of the fine yarn last night, so I have at least one ball to keep me going over the next few nights. I only hope that my cousin likes it when it is finished. I'm going to amend the body, because I don't like the present design. I think I'll do it in plain stocking stitch with the sleeves matching the skirt.

Nothing much

2004-05-13T18:33:00.000+01:00

13 May 2004
18:33:00 o'clock BST
Feeling Chillin'
Hearing The Rasmus

Well here goes, the first entry in a new journal.

In 4 weeks time my oldest daughter is going to be 16 and I'm dreading it. I remember those days well and know how hard it is to be one of the crowd. I pray that she has got a good enough head on her shoulders to realise that if she makes a mistake or gets bad grades in her exams it isn't the end of the world and we will be there to support her. She is a good kid and as yet we have very few complaints about her, but 16 is that funny age when you are no longer a child, and yet not quite an adult.

On the knitting front, I have been commisioned to make a christening dress for my cousins first child. It is taking a while just to get the pattern sorted out, but I think I have it. There's a few months until it has to be completed, and I hope that I can get it done on time. Whilst doing that I also have a very large sampler to do for my daughter. I only hopes that she will appreciate all the hard work that has gone in to it. I wanted to make her something that shows how much she is loved and how grateful we are that she is our daughter. Soppy, I know, but that is the way I feel about her.

Work has been kind of crazy these past few weeks, we are 3 staff down and everyone has to fill in, but I seem to be doing the lions share. I've stepped back this week and two of the other girls have taken over some of the responsibility at last. Hopefully in a few weeks it will settle down. Today I was asked if I would like to work at the hotel again, I'm not sure if I want to do it yet. The old owner is still there and I can't stand her, she is a pain in the rear end. I might think about it in a few weeks time when she has left the property.