While DH was in a state of despair after Scotland losing to Italy on Saturday (thank you Tash for your kind commiserations!) , my two wee rascals were watching an old favourite on Kids TV - Basil Brush - the fox puppet and his friends. Junior jnr says Boom Boom (Basils' catchphrase) as soon as he sees Basil Brush now, but I'm not sure he really understands the programme (meant for Big Brothers age group) , as Basil now lives with a (young) adult and two older children. Actually , I'm not sure I understand it either .
Still working away on DHs' sweater , although am knitting up some smaller gifts in between . One of the smaller gifts requires felting, which I've not done before - it will either turn out fine, or as a gift for a small doll. Had a fun afternoon at Tramway knitting group yesterday afternoon . Julia had her Argyll scarf (still under construction) with her , the one from Debbie Stollers new book for men(son od Stitch 'n Bitch) . It is being knitted in Organic cotton (from Banyan Tree Yarns ) , and I must say , it is looking great .
There was a new face (whose name I never caught , because I'm terrible with names ) and Nicola of the multi-coloured hair fame joined us again. I'm takine the knitting group time to continue knitting for ME , and the other spare time for the Christmas presents.
And now for some pancake making with junior jnr - or rather I make it and he eats it !
November is THE big charity month , if its not Radio Clydes' , "Cash for Kids" its the BBCs' Children in Need with its mascot Pudsey Bear.
On the way to school we listen to Radio Clyde , and they have the Strip for Scotland to raise money for Cash for Kids - its not really what it sounds like , its WEARING the Scotland football STRIP today , in anticipation of the Scotland/Italy game at Hampden Park tomorrow . Our wee school is having a Children in Need day , so everything is Yellow, and they take their bears to school. Junior jnr also got his face painted like Pudsey Bear , when at Nursery this morning .
My face is not painted yellow - I just look like that ! lol
Was window shopping in some of the local Arts/Craft shops this morning - so many beautiful handmade things , the jewelry in particular was lovely . Last night at Flavaknits , my friend Gayle brought me some lovely handmade soap from the Scouts Christmas fete .It is made by a local teacher , and the scent , which is lime and lemongrass, is absolutely gorgeous. She also gave me some beautiful cards, the paintings on them are by her friend , another talented teacher, who has her own little company - Art Card Co
The picture really doesn't do them justice , they are so lovely and the detail in the designs are wonderful. I also noticed that the National Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh, is selling Handmade gifts, showcasing local talent , persuading folk to buy the individual over the mass produced .
And now back to the serious business of making Christmas gifts myself - if only I wasn't so distracted .
Being a rational sort of person I am not really superstitious, I have nothing against it per se, but it never made sense to me , I mean who REALLY benefits from these things . One of the more twisted types of superstition is those connected to Chain letters - i.e. wealth and happiness are yours if you send this on to everyone in the world, otherwise you'll be a miserable woe begotten person forever , you know the sort of rubbish.
Sometimes these chain letters (or emails) look like innocent "oh this is just a bit of a laugh , but pass it on to 25 people anyway" kind of thing. And its really hard when friends send these, thinking that they are passing on a bit of fun etc. , to get annoyed. But the thing is, when they send these emails , my spam folder fills up . So I guess the people who benefit from these emails are....the spammers.
I was particularly upset the other day when I received a no-holds bar chain email. It basically said if it wasn't passed on, terrible things would happen. I was upset because it was from a pal , who obviously hadn't read it through, or I'm sure she wouldn't have sent it . I did to it what any self respecting Cyberman would do . DELETE DELETE DELETE!!! Anyone else send me a chain email, I'll be sending the Cybermen over - You have been warned.
Here is a wee peek at DHs' sweater - black is not the easiest shade to knit with , but its doing great .
Was over at Kerries' (Hipknits) blog the other day , and found this , which encourages people to make the Handmade pledge, that is buy handmade or make yourself I suppose. Now, I will be making many of my gifts this year, and not all of them will be handmade, but about 75% is what I'm aiming for . There are a few local jewelry shops which stock handmade jewelry , which is great , the rest will be knit or ordered from Oxfam unwrapped , (with exception of toys - but then Santa Claus sees to those, and I'm sure they are handmade by the elves!)
And I have all my lovely yarn to keep me happy while I am knitting - can't show it just yet.
Oh , and before I forget - Happy Birthday Shirley, don't look a day over 21 !
unless they are yarn related!
Have been going through my stash and also my One Skein Wonder book/ Rowan books, in an attempt to make some Christmas gifts to avoid visiting soulless shops for cheap unethical gifts. Also thought about using Oxfam unwrapped too , its quite fun buying someone you love a goat , or a classroom! Anyway I now have a list, and the yarn laid out, and various ideas noted down. Of course, I had to get just one or two more wee skeins....
So I visited K1yarns - there is some gorgeous Tait and Style yarn from Orkney , some beautiful Colinette Iona (Wool, alpaca , silk mix) and the ever gorgeous auracunia yarn from Argentina/Chile .
DH sweater is knit 15 rows , rip out 12 due to mistake I couldn't see due to colour (charcoal black!) , but is progressing nonetheless. It WILL be finished by Christmas
My friend Karen sent on an email from a lady who is looking to write a Sit-com about Knitters (do for knitting what Vicar of Dibley did for female Vicars) , oh there is so much material we could provide , but more about that later .
Thank you Judy about your comments , on the Sausage Stew - I don't add beans , but may try that as it sounds delicious .
Well its supposed to be frosty here tomorrow , and its feeling very chilly just now, perfect knitting weather in fact . Let it snow , let it snow , let it snow!
That Monday morning feeling! It was very cold this morning, and the first frost of winter, so out came the scraper for the car windscreen. The upside was that it was a lovely clear and sunny day, however I'm definitely in hibernation mode (or still recovering from Saturday or both!)
Have started DH sweater - no photo's yet , and I need to get a move on with my sisters' Noro sweater. This morning I discovered that my hat is well and truly lost, and I really need some nice handknitted gloves. Now, my good pal Kathleen knitted some fingerless mittens last year, but I think I need the type with fingers. I saw a lady knitting a lovely pair in a pale grey yarn on Saturday, not sure what the yarn was, but there was a lovely sheen to it. So if anybody reads this (hint hint sister dearest!) I would love a handknitted hat and gloves for Christmas .
Gone are the days when it was expensive perfume and designer clothes!
And my mum has got the new Nigella Express book - it looks wonderful , but I'm thinking I must divest of some of my Cookery books before I get anymore , or perhaps I should buy a new bookcase .
Sausage stew with leeks, parsnip and carrots tonight - better start cooking I've got two grumpy little men giving me those looks.
to say thanks to Karen and Gayle!
Karen organised the whole trip, even down to booking the flights , and Gayle baked the gorgeous muffins that gave us sustenance for the whole day. And so to bed... the early start and late night have caught up with me.
the SnB day down in London!
Fabulous , lovely , gorgeous , exhausting , fun fun fun ! Just a few words to describe the wonderful even Craig and Gerard from Iknit London put on yesterday. It was lovely to meet many different famous "knitty" people , as well as seee all the wonderful knitty things.
Apart from the early start, and wandering around Euston road trying to find the hotel, the day was a big success. Managed to meet up with Julia, who was lucky enough to get into the Debbie Stoller workshop, where she learned the secrets of knitting the two-sided Argyll scarf from Debbies' new book, Son of Stitch and Bitch! Never got to meet Indias' pal Brandon Mably as he came down with 'flu the night before, but met Yvonne again, who had her Guild hat on that day, and was raking in the donations . The stalls were amazing, all that yarn and fibre and patterns. And all these people wearing their gorgeous handknits .
Instead of me going on and on - I'll show you a few pictures instead , apologies , the quality isn't that great.
Jane Waller showing us some of her Vintage Handknits - they were beautiful.
Another post-WW2 sweater, knitted from remnants of old sweaters .
The Shellac Sisters with their 1920 Gramophones, and 78's - see the lady looking like something from WW2 - thats a knitted dress! Its gorgeous, and she knitted it herself.
Son of Stitch and Bitch Fashion show headed by Debbie Stoller herself, followed by some of the Iknit worthies - don't they look handsome in their handknits (all patterns from DBs' new book!)
And a few items from the day, the main one being the SIGNED copy of Son of Stitch and Bitch - Knit On!
