2008

Well this year I am still with my resolution from two years back to do some crafting every day. It's going well and to ensure I do at least 1 row of knitting or crossstitch I keep a simple baby item to knit by my bed so I knit at least 1 row each night.
My WIPs from previous posts are a mised bag. Mia, the stripey sock and fruity throw have been frogged and given to charity. Julia has been frogged and put to one side. Lotte has been finshed but I don't like the way it hangs at the back ( even though it looks exactly as it is in the book). Chicago has been finished and is being sewn up as we speak. I haven't decided whether to do the flowers yet Marsh is still on the needles only the back has been done. As I finshed Chicago I am now knitting Woodland fron Country escape in the purple colourway. Back is finshed and it's a nice easy knit. I am also knitting Debbie Abrahams mystery blanket.
Since my lastpost I have finished the slash neck t-shirt in lime Calmer , Knitted Jude from CLassic Am- Pm in purple, Neaty from Rowan mag 42, KSH shawl/scarf in lilac and a couple of corsages.
On the book front I am a huge fan of Jasper Fforde. I like all his books but like the Nursery Crime Series Best and recommend these to everyone. The first book is The Big Over Easy and is about DI Jack Spratt ahd his partner Mary Mary who are investigating the death of Humpty Dumpty who was found murdered at the bottom of the wall. It is a really good read and many more nursery characters are in there it is such a brillaint read,

A WIP no longer

Well I finished the Ascot jacket but do not have a picture to load. Below is one of the embroiderydesigns I tested, Clack Knitting bag from The Felted Collection in a mix of Rowan Country and Rowan Big Wool, the Embrace Bag from same book in Kid Classic. I knitted the penguin buttons in before I felted it. I finished the felted pen pot and storage jar but still on needles are:Marsh in Cashsoft NO Change, Julia in Cashcotton -NO Change, Stripey Sock - NO CHANGE, Lotte -NO CHANGE, Chicago I have finished the second side and have almost finished Elly in Silk Wool from Rowan Classic Babies. Yes I know I should be finishing projects not starting new ones but I need something small I might actually finsish quickly. Oops nearly forgot have also started a slash neck t-shirt from Studio 5 again in calmer. I really need to start knitting with another yarn but Calmer is so nice to knit with.

No Change

Still too many WIPs and none previously mentioned have been finshed. Roll Call of WIPs as follows:
Marsh in Cashsoft NO Change
Julia in Cashcotton -NO Change
Patti has been finshed by a very nice lady called Barbara for me ( I know it's cheating)
Fruity throw squares onbe square still needed to be knitted
Chicago finished left front and am now on right front
Stripey Sock have turned the heel but still not finished
Lotte from Rowan Studio 3 in Rowan Calmer burnt Red -Back and fronts completed. Did start and knit half a sleeve until I realised I had cast on too many stitches so had to rip it out and haven't started it backup again yet. aaargh
Mia from JB44 in Jaeger Ascot in royal blue . I am on the yoke and hope to finish it today. ( I hope that's not tempting fate)#
Felted Pen Pot and Toy Pot from Catherine Toughs Easy Knits for Children in Scottish Tweed Chunky
I have been busy with the sewing as well and have sewn one Kahliah Ali top and a simple vest top. The Khaliah Ali pattern I was dissappointed with as it came out a great deal smaller than it should have been . I don't know if there was an error with the pattern as it was at least 4 sizes smaller. I also embroidered 10 designs to make needlecases, scissor keepers and christmas decorations. I plan on cutting out some sewing accessories later as well as another Khaliah Ali top. Hopefully this one will fit better might measure the pattern this time.
Still can't find the lead for camera and yes it still needs charging
Have just read Friday Night Knitting Club. A great read and although at times it reminded me of A Good Yarn it had some twists and turned you didn't expect. This is one I want to reread. I have also been reading Jasper Ffordes books. My favourite is The Big Over Easy. It centres around DI Jack Spratt head of The Nursery Crime Division is investigating the suspicious death of Humpty Dumpty. His sidekick is Mary Mary and the major crime lord is Georgio Porgia. If you know your nursery times and fairy tale you will get a real kick out of this. It is a real detective story but hilarious at the same time. Not one for reading on the tube as it can be laugh out loud.

Still too many WIPS

I Still have far too many WIPs at the moment. I have finished the back of Marsh but still haven't finshed the back of Julia or Patti. I am also doing a nine square cushion from Debbie Abrahams More Cushions and Throws book. I'm doing the Fruity Throw squares. Three squares done so far . I have finished the back of Chicago from Rowan 37 and am a third up the left front. It seems to take a while because of all the beads. It is knitted it Calmer and this yarn is a dream to knit with. Still on the stripey sock on very small circulars.
Finally have my sewing machine out and accessible so have been experimenting with the embroidery designs. Some gorgeous lace designs I have just purchased. I think it's back to home made presents for all the family again.
Once I've managed to charge my camera will post the photos. I love sewing and find it so relaxing.
Just finished reading The Shop on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber. It's set in a yarn shop and follows the lives of some of the knitting group. I am on the second of these books, A Good Yarn .One really nice thing about these books apart from being a good read is that which ever Class Lydia is teaching in the book we get the pattern to knit along with. The first book had a baby blanket pattern and the second has a sock pattern on two circulars. I think it's designed so that you can knit along with the characters but knitting and reading simultaneously is something I Have yet to do

A project finshed

I am rather pleased with myself as I have finished a crocheted pot holder from Rowan 41 in Rowan Handknit Cotton DK. I am using mine with a jam jar and tea light for the garden. I have also finally finished the back of Marsh. I might try and knit a smaller summer project once I've knitted the back of Julia and Patti so I get something finished. Of course, if I'd just stick to one single project then it would have been finished!!

2007

Well as we start 2007 I have way too many WIPs on the needles. As most of them are DK they seem to be taking forever. I am knitting Julia from Classis Summer is blue CashCotton, Marsh from Tapestry Collection in multicoloured stripes of Cashsoft DK , Mia from Jaeger 39 in multicoloured stripes of Roma, Patti from Rowan Studio 1 in pale green felted tweed and the embrace bag from The Felted collection in purple Scottish Tweed Chunky. I am a little worried that even once felted this may be a tad bigger than I wanted but will persevere. Oh almost forgot also have a sock in rainbow Opal on a very small circular needle.

On the sewing front I have finally unearthed my sewing cabinet and it is sitting open in a corner of my living room. It has been out for two weeks and I have so far managed to get most of my sewing WIPS out of the way including a pinafore for my niece, an extra large cushion cover for my daughter and shortened 3 pairs of trousers. I have also managed to overlock another six pairs ready to hem and repair my daughters blouse for her and make two bumble bee costumes for my nieces and nephews

Wicked

Wow I went to see Wicked at the Appollo Victoria on Tuesday 12th September. It was totally amazing and blew me away. I only went because my daughter dragged me to it. Although if I'm honest I love a good musical and this definitely falls into that catergory. Idina in the lead role was outstanding. She along with the rest of the class held me for the full performance. There was only one performance that led to a difference of opinion Adam Garcia . I thought he was playing his part as a blank person Ok but my daughter and a few others behind us thought he was too directed and choreographed. Each to their own. I still think it was totally amazing and can't wait to see it again.