Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Jolly Cold
Freezing
Would you believe it, it is -6.0 here today? It took a lot to clear the windscreen this morning, scraping just didn’t work, had to use the de-icer twice and then scrape. I also had to drive to work with the window slightly open, so that I didn’t steam up.
My first thoughts were for the lambs, but I saw them up by the gate of the field and they are fine, much to my relief. Mum seems to be doing a very good job, especially as the grass is thick with ice. Not only is Jack Frost very thick but it is also foggy, however up here on the hill the sun has just started to shine making the ice glisten, it is so pretty.
However, I normally see the shepherd walking the field, with her Labrador and Jack Russell – not your normal working sheep dogs, LOL, however she was no where to be seen this morning. Wonder if she is being kept busy in the lambing shed?
Now something I have been meaning to knit for me, for over a year is a Booga Bag, but I always see other things that I want to get on with first ......... Now, over the last 4 years I have been giving a lady tool rep., to our company, a listening ear. We have gone through tears, cuddles and even some jokes but one of things this lady has done to keep smiling, is crafts, we can understand that, can't we? When I first met her, she was stitching the most beautiful cross stitch picture, then she learnt to make lace, the examples she would bring in to show me, were just exquisite. However, she has decided the time has come to dig out those knitting needles. She bought this pattern to make the Noni Bag from First 4 Yarns , ran by Diane and her daughter. Lovely ladies to deal with and very prompt delivery of goods. However, what she really wanted to do was make some socks. So I pre-warned my bosses, that I would be assisting with some knitting, you should have seen their faces! My bosses have known her, for at least 21 years, she used to accompany her Dad on his trips during the school holidays! So they were unlikely to say ‘no’ and I am pleased to say, that they didn’t. When she turned up, we sat in my office and I cast on and knitted the first couple of rows, using the Regina pattern and yarn. I had made her a couple of stitch markers before hand, so that she could keep her place and since then she has gone great guns. I am very impressed with her speed and that she is so neat. She has just visited and she has given me the most wonderful surprise present. She had secretly knitted and felted a Booga Bag for me, what a brave lady felting so early on. The present is a thank you to me, for lending my 'ear' over the years. She really didn’t need to do this, however the bag and gesture put the biggest grin ever on my face and it called for another hug.
Isn’t it lovely, just my colours;
First 4 Yarns
Now the reason I know this internet shop is so pleasant is, because, after I was shown the Noni Bag pattern and yarn. I had a peep on the site myself and then purchased this pattern and the yarn except this one: 1 x di.ve Cipria No 4920 / Brown a) because it was not stocked and b) Diane didn’t feel it was required as it is only used on the centre! Can you guess who this bag may be for? It has to be knitted in secret, if I don’t manage to get it finished for Christmas, I will just make it for her birthday present. She will be 15 in January and she just loves bags.
When you make a purchase at this site, not only do you get your goods but also a sweetie and a 10% discount card to be used next time, just that extra special service that makes you smile.
Would you believe it, it is -6.0 here today? It took a lot to clear the windscreen this morning, scraping just didn’t work, had to use the de-icer twice and then scrape. I also had to drive to work with the window slightly open, so that I didn’t steam up.
My first thoughts were for the lambs, but I saw them up by the gate of the field and they are fine, much to my relief. Mum seems to be doing a very good job, especially as the grass is thick with ice. Not only is Jack Frost very thick but it is also foggy, however up here on the hill the sun has just started to shine making the ice glisten, it is so pretty.
However, I normally see the shepherd walking the field, with her Labrador and Jack Russell – not your normal working sheep dogs, LOL, however she was no where to be seen this morning. Wonder if she is being kept busy in the lambing shed?
Now something I have been meaning to knit for me, for over a year is a Booga Bag, but I always see other things that I want to get on with first ......... Now, over the last 4 years I have been giving a lady tool rep., to our company, a listening ear. We have gone through tears, cuddles and even some jokes but one of things this lady has done to keep smiling, is crafts, we can understand that, can't we? When I first met her, she was stitching the most beautiful cross stitch picture, then she learnt to make lace, the examples she would bring in to show me, were just exquisite. However, she has decided the time has come to dig out those knitting needles. She bought this pattern to make the Noni Bag from First 4 Yarns , ran by Diane and her daughter. Lovely ladies to deal with and very prompt delivery of goods. However, what she really wanted to do was make some socks. So I pre-warned my bosses, that I would be assisting with some knitting, you should have seen their faces! My bosses have known her, for at least 21 years, she used to accompany her Dad on his trips during the school holidays! So they were unlikely to say ‘no’ and I am pleased to say, that they didn’t. When she turned up, we sat in my office and I cast on and knitted the first couple of rows, using the Regina pattern and yarn. I had made her a couple of stitch markers before hand, so that she could keep her place and since then she has gone great guns. I am very impressed with her speed and that she is so neat. She has just visited and she has given me the most wonderful surprise present. She had secretly knitted and felted a Booga Bag for me, what a brave lady felting so early on. The present is a thank you to me, for lending my 'ear' over the years. She really didn’t need to do this, however the bag and gesture put the biggest grin ever on my face and it called for another hug.
Isn’t it lovely, just my colours;
First 4 Yarns
Now the reason I know this internet shop is so pleasant is, because, after I was shown the Noni Bag pattern and yarn. I had a peep on the site myself and then purchased this pattern and the yarn except this one: 1 x di.ve Cipria No 4920 / Brown a) because it was not stocked and b) Diane didn’t feel it was required as it is only used on the centre! Can you guess who this bag may be for? It has to be knitted in secret, if I don’t manage to get it finished for Christmas, I will just make it for her birthday present. She will be 15 in January and she just loves bags.
When you make a purchase at this site, not only do you get your goods but also a sweetie and a 10% discount card to be used next time, just that extra special service that makes you smile.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Christmas Party and Presents
Fallen Angels
Last evening was our knitting group christmas party, we took over the round table by the window at Churchill House Pub, it felt very christmassy as their lovely tree was placed right by our table. I had brought along some crackers, to give us all that extra festive feeling. We all sat down and as normal got straight into the catching up, after noticing a great big group walking in, it prompted us to make our menu decisions and drinks order.
Now; I did take a picture of the group, but opps, there was closed eyes and surprised looks, so here is me knitting, having finished my dinner and feeling rather full!
Ohhhh christmas present time, we had all pulled names out of a hat at our last meeting for a secret santa surprise. We were to make a present costing no more than £5.00.
I received a beautiful cross stitch plaque, just perfect;
Thank you very much Slowasasnail, you have put so much hard work into this picture, it is beautifully neat and just like I said “I am going to hang it by my front door”. At least this way nobody will have false expectations of my home LOL.
I made a bag for Sprite64, using this pattern, now Sprite is very much a green girl, she just loves the colour green, I know I have spent over an hour helping her choose yarn, her desire was ‘Autumn Colours’, to knit a FCS, but she kept picking up greens, we got there in the end.
So all I needed to do was find some green heavy fabric, which I found in a curtain fabric shop. I picked out the cream in the main colour for the lining. (Lastminute.com (i.e. me), left no time what-so-ever before wrapping the bag up; to be able to take a picture of the finished item.) I just hope she was as pleased with her present as I was with mine.
Other presents were a mug with jumper and a coat for take away drinks. A sewn, crochet needle holder, made from denim with a lovely lining fabric and a scarf made from a glittery alpaca yarn. Just some of the loveliest presents I have seen and all within a very reasonable price limit but far more importantly made with love and care, what more could you ask for.
Along came dinner, and then as the plates got cleared away, out came the show ‘n’ tell and the knitting. There was Loobyj’s rogue in progress and what a great job she is making of it, will she be able to finish the last sleeve and hood ready for Christmas, and there were socks and more socks.
What a lovely last meeting of the year. The first of next year’s is booked, just need to find a new venue, to make the driving a bit fairer. I think this is a job we can delegate to our other halves – em a) will they remember b) give us a manky old smelly pub. What do you think, will they come up trumps?
Stitchmarkers
Look what I have received from KnittingLadyBird, they are a great set of stitchmarkers, and the clue is just brilliant – the ladybird in a cube. This is a swap present care of CT’n’Y Stitchmarker swap.
My partner was Jacquie, but I still had not got into taking pictures of my work before giving it away.
Last evening was our knitting group christmas party, we took over the round table by the window at Churchill House Pub, it felt very christmassy as their lovely tree was placed right by our table. I had brought along some crackers, to give us all that extra festive feeling. We all sat down and as normal got straight into the catching up, after noticing a great big group walking in, it prompted us to make our menu decisions and drinks order.
Now; I did take a picture of the group, but opps, there was closed eyes and surprised looks, so here is me knitting, having finished my dinner and feeling rather full!
Ohhhh christmas present time, we had all pulled names out of a hat at our last meeting for a secret santa surprise. We were to make a present costing no more than £5.00.
I received a beautiful cross stitch plaque, just perfect;
Thank you very much Slowasasnail, you have put so much hard work into this picture, it is beautifully neat and just like I said “I am going to hang it by my front door”. At least this way nobody will have false expectations of my home LOL.
I made a bag for Sprite64, using this pattern, now Sprite is very much a green girl, she just loves the colour green, I know I have spent over an hour helping her choose yarn, her desire was ‘Autumn Colours’, to knit a FCS, but she kept picking up greens, we got there in the end.
So all I needed to do was find some green heavy fabric, which I found in a curtain fabric shop. I picked out the cream in the main colour for the lining. (Lastminute.com (i.e. me), left no time what-so-ever before wrapping the bag up; to be able to take a picture of the finished item.) I just hope she was as pleased with her present as I was with mine.
Other presents were a mug with jumper and a coat for take away drinks. A sewn, crochet needle holder, made from denim with a lovely lining fabric and a scarf made from a glittery alpaca yarn. Just some of the loveliest presents I have seen and all within a very reasonable price limit but far more importantly made with love and care, what more could you ask for.
Along came dinner, and then as the plates got cleared away, out came the show ‘n’ tell and the knitting. There was Loobyj’s rogue in progress and what a great job she is making of it, will she be able to finish the last sleeve and hood ready for Christmas, and there were socks and more socks.
What a lovely last meeting of the year. The first of next year’s is booked, just need to find a new venue, to make the driving a bit fairer. I think this is a job we can delegate to our other halves – em a) will they remember b) give us a manky old smelly pub. What do you think, will they come up trumps?
Stitchmarkers
Look what I have received from KnittingLadyBird, they are a great set of stitchmarkers, and the clue is just brilliant – the ladybird in a cube. This is a swap present care of CT’n’Y Stitchmarker swap.
My partner was Jacquie, but I still had not got into taking pictures of my work before giving it away.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
The first .....
A little extra, so I thought I would share with you ... as I drove pass the field on the way home at lunch time, look what I saw tucked up in the corner of the field.
Beautiful, the first of the season
New lambs always without fail put a smile on my face, I am so pleased it is not quite as cold today.
Beautiful, the first of the season
New lambs always without fail put a smile on my face, I am so pleased it is not quite as cold today.
Sporting Edition
At the weekend, we went up market ... and down market;
Gym
Actually that is far too posh a word, what we have actually bought is an exercise bike. We have bought a second-hand bike from a friend, whose son no longer used it. It is just over a year old and as you can see, it is a good machine. Noel (husband) spent a long time looking up second hand machines of a similar design and functions and after some thought he felt that a fair second hand price was £80.00 however due to the fact we had no travelling or collection issues he decided that £100.00 was more than generous, especially as the friend wasn’t having to pay any advertising or PayPal charges. The offer was turned down, but we had said that this was what we were willing to pay; if we really wanted to we could buy off of eBay! However the next day we got a text and the £100.00 was accepted. Great, our friend got the bike out of her lounge and her son had some money ready for Christmas and we had got an exercise bike, everybody was happy. I have been looking on and off for approximately a year, hoping to find a free very basic bike to get me going. To have bought such a good one has far out reached my expectations.
Originally we placed the bike in the conservatory, but I knew it would soon annoy me as it was just there in the way but more importantly my neighbours if they so wished could watch me – not a pretty sight. So after a bit of jiggling and clearing the ironing pile out of the corner, it has fitted really well in the study. I can use the bike in peace and it is not in your face or more importantly not in toe stubbing floor space.
So far I have completed two lots of 15 minutes. I get out of bed and do 15 minutes before getting showered in the morning. I do hope that I can keep it up ........... I so want to lose weight.
Darts
When I use to live in my home village of Hamble-le-Rice, I played darts for Team ‘C’ at Hamble Social Club, we had a great time, however 5 years ago I left and moved to Swindon and 18 months later moved to Wroughton. Trying to find a darts team where everybody didn’t smoke was just not possible and I gave up. Suffering from asthma it just wasn’t worth the horrible effects of feeling so poorly. However as we all know the smoking rules have changed – best bit ever.
Then watching the darts championships on the television recently, I just got the bug, I asked Noel to get my dart board which was still unused in it’s original packaging down from the loft. We bought a 8’ x 4’ piece of board from Homebase to match the colour of our house bricks. Then my wonderful husband fitted everything up in our conservatory, it looked brilliant but we both agreed that we needed a board protector. However, ordering one off the internet was actually very expensive, not because of the cost of the protector but the postage rate due to the weight/size of the item. So we decided we would go without because, I could not find a sports shop in Swindon that specialised in Darts Equipment. *Jump 2 weeks forward.* On Saturday, while in town doing some christmas shopping, we walked past a cobblers shop and at the bottom of the window was the words 'Swindon Darts Centre' however their web address is ... ‘the cobblers shop’, no wonder it didn’t come up under a Google search for ‘darts’. Not the best darts site, however, they do sell a lot in the shop. So I asked if they had any protectors and low and behold, their rep. had just brought one in as an example, a little bit of haggling and we had a black ring. So I am sure you will agree the board looks very professional.
I just need to practise more ....... and then I can look for a new team.
Last but not least in this sporting edition
I thought I would mention I have my last bowls game of 2007 on Friday evening. I have been playing now for 18 months; my home club is Wroughton Bowls Club, however they only have an outside rink and so during the winter season I have to join and play at Westlecot Bowls Club. This is my second indoor season; I have decided that I actually prefer indoor bowls as the temperature stays pretty consistent. I hate playing in the very hot weather or very cold weather or even the rain. Also the other advantage of playing indoors, I do not make my trousers dirty when I need to sit down during the game!!
Gym
Actually that is far too posh a word, what we have actually bought is an exercise bike. We have bought a second-hand bike from a friend, whose son no longer used it. It is just over a year old and as you can see, it is a good machine. Noel (husband) spent a long time looking up second hand machines of a similar design and functions and after some thought he felt that a fair second hand price was £80.00 however due to the fact we had no travelling or collection issues he decided that £100.00 was more than generous, especially as the friend wasn’t having to pay any advertising or PayPal charges. The offer was turned down, but we had said that this was what we were willing to pay; if we really wanted to we could buy off of eBay! However the next day we got a text and the £100.00 was accepted. Great, our friend got the bike out of her lounge and her son had some money ready for Christmas and we had got an exercise bike, everybody was happy. I have been looking on and off for approximately a year, hoping to find a free very basic bike to get me going. To have bought such a good one has far out reached my expectations.
Originally we placed the bike in the conservatory, but I knew it would soon annoy me as it was just there in the way but more importantly my neighbours if they so wished could watch me – not a pretty sight. So after a bit of jiggling and clearing the ironing pile out of the corner, it has fitted really well in the study. I can use the bike in peace and it is not in your face or more importantly not in toe stubbing floor space.
So far I have completed two lots of 15 minutes. I get out of bed and do 15 minutes before getting showered in the morning. I do hope that I can keep it up ........... I so want to lose weight.
Darts
When I use to live in my home village of Hamble-le-Rice, I played darts for Team ‘C’ at Hamble Social Club, we had a great time, however 5 years ago I left and moved to Swindon and 18 months later moved to Wroughton. Trying to find a darts team where everybody didn’t smoke was just not possible and I gave up. Suffering from asthma it just wasn’t worth the horrible effects of feeling so poorly. However as we all know the smoking rules have changed – best bit ever.
Then watching the darts championships on the television recently, I just got the bug, I asked Noel to get my dart board which was still unused in it’s original packaging down from the loft. We bought a 8’ x 4’ piece of board from Homebase to match the colour of our house bricks. Then my wonderful husband fitted everything up in our conservatory, it looked brilliant but we both agreed that we needed a board protector. However, ordering one off the internet was actually very expensive, not because of the cost of the protector but the postage rate due to the weight/size of the item. So we decided we would go without because, I could not find a sports shop in Swindon that specialised in Darts Equipment. *Jump 2 weeks forward.* On Saturday, while in town doing some christmas shopping, we walked past a cobblers shop and at the bottom of the window was the words 'Swindon Darts Centre' however their web address is ... ‘the cobblers shop’, no wonder it didn’t come up under a Google search for ‘darts’. Not the best darts site, however, they do sell a lot in the shop. So I asked if they had any protectors and low and behold, their rep. had just brought one in as an example, a little bit of haggling and we had a black ring. So I am sure you will agree the board looks very professional.
I just need to practise more ....... and then I can look for a new team.
Last but not least in this sporting edition
I thought I would mention I have my last bowls game of 2007 on Friday evening. I have been playing now for 18 months; my home club is Wroughton Bowls Club, however they only have an outside rink and so during the winter season I have to join and play at Westlecot Bowls Club. This is my second indoor season; I have decided that I actually prefer indoor bowls as the temperature stays pretty consistent. I hate playing in the very hot weather or very cold weather or even the rain. Also the other advantage of playing indoors, I do not make my trousers dirty when I need to sit down during the game!!
Monday, December 17, 2007
All or Nothing
Oh dear I do not seem to be any better at blogging than I was writing a diary, so please accept my apologies, I will try and get better ...
To start with I would like to share my first Forest Canopy Shawl (FCS), I used brightdyes yarn, which I purchased at a knitting day I organised in my local church hall, last month. I knitted the shawl on 3.75mm needles, I started with straight needles and then progressed to a circular needle when the stitches got pass the 200 mark. I completed 15 pattern repeats, which is more than the pattern required however as I used smaller needles than the suggested 5mm, I had to make up for the size shortfall.
I very quickly learnt the pattern, even though now and again I would forget to do a ‘yo’ (yarn over) and had to do some backwards knitting to make sure there were no mistakes, that being the perfectionist in me lol.
The first picture is of the shawl blocking, this is my first attempt at blocking! I first had to make sure that Toby (my son) was not going to be coming home for a couple days. I placed two white towels across the double bed, primarily to protect the mattress but to also absorb any remaining moisture. I then used long pins with large coloured heads purchased from Fabricland, to pin the shawl into shape. The final step was to walk out of the room and close the door tight, due to not wanting the dogs to get into the room and jump over the bed, didn’t want any pin pricked paws.
The yarn was a delight to knit with, however; the colour changes on this occasion did not do justice to the pattern, saying that, the shawl has been knitted as a christmas present for Toby’s girlfriend; Louise, and are colours that I have seen her wear on many occasions, so let hope she likes it.
The shawl took approximately 24 hours to dry in a centrally heated room.
I enjoyed knitting this shawl so much that I have started another one, using Maiden Yarns in the colour; Forest.
I am a member of Crafty Threads ‘n’ Yarns Forum; last month I joined a Christmas Tree Decoration swap and this is the beautiful decoration I received from the very skilled craftybernie.
I wanted to make sure the tree, (sorry it is an artificial tree; however, with 1 x African Grey, 1 x Cat and 2 x Dogs, one of which is just five months old, a real tree is just out of the question) was all decorated, to show the decoration off to it best. The tree was decorated by Poppy (my daughter) and her friend Kaan at the end of last week and here is a picture showing Hannah (Beaded Collie, aged 4) and Buddy (English Springer Spaniel, aged 5 months) in front of our 2007 tree.
I made a Christmas indoor wreath using quilting techniques for my swappee – however the numpty I am I didn’t think to take any pictures of my work !!
Last but not least today, like the last few mornings and going by the BBC weather site for the next few days to come, Jack Frost had visited. I have to say, I love mornings like this; where I can wrap up in thick socks, a hat, scarf and layers of warm clothes and then go outside and crunch through the ice. The drive up to the farm this morning was beautiful and here is some pictures to show it all off.
A tree that I am taking through the seasons, it is covered in ice.
A winter scene.
Some thick ice on some over grown weeds.
Just after I got back in the car a brown hare ran round the field but I wasn’t quick enough but it was great watching him a lovely start to the day.
To start with I would like to share my first Forest Canopy Shawl (FCS), I used brightdyes yarn, which I purchased at a knitting day I organised in my local church hall, last month. I knitted the shawl on 3.75mm needles, I started with straight needles and then progressed to a circular needle when the stitches got pass the 200 mark. I completed 15 pattern repeats, which is more than the pattern required however as I used smaller needles than the suggested 5mm, I had to make up for the size shortfall.
I very quickly learnt the pattern, even though now and again I would forget to do a ‘yo’ (yarn over) and had to do some backwards knitting to make sure there were no mistakes, that being the perfectionist in me lol.
The first picture is of the shawl blocking, this is my first attempt at blocking! I first had to make sure that Toby (my son) was not going to be coming home for a couple days. I placed two white towels across the double bed, primarily to protect the mattress but to also absorb any remaining moisture. I then used long pins with large coloured heads purchased from Fabricland, to pin the shawl into shape. The final step was to walk out of the room and close the door tight, due to not wanting the dogs to get into the room and jump over the bed, didn’t want any pin pricked paws.
The yarn was a delight to knit with, however; the colour changes on this occasion did not do justice to the pattern, saying that, the shawl has been knitted as a christmas present for Toby’s girlfriend; Louise, and are colours that I have seen her wear on many occasions, so let hope she likes it.
The shawl took approximately 24 hours to dry in a centrally heated room.
I enjoyed knitting this shawl so much that I have started another one, using Maiden Yarns in the colour; Forest.
I am a member of Crafty Threads ‘n’ Yarns Forum; last month I joined a Christmas Tree Decoration swap and this is the beautiful decoration I received from the very skilled craftybernie.
I wanted to make sure the tree, (sorry it is an artificial tree; however, with 1 x African Grey, 1 x Cat and 2 x Dogs, one of which is just five months old, a real tree is just out of the question) was all decorated, to show the decoration off to it best. The tree was decorated by Poppy (my daughter) and her friend Kaan at the end of last week and here is a picture showing Hannah (Beaded Collie, aged 4) and Buddy (English Springer Spaniel, aged 5 months) in front of our 2007 tree.
I made a Christmas indoor wreath using quilting techniques for my swappee – however the numpty I am I didn’t think to take any pictures of my work !!
Last but not least today, like the last few mornings and going by the BBC weather site for the next few days to come, Jack Frost had visited. I have to say, I love mornings like this; where I can wrap up in thick socks, a hat, scarf and layers of warm clothes and then go outside and crunch through the ice. The drive up to the farm this morning was beautiful and here is some pictures to show it all off.
A tree that I am taking through the seasons, it is covered in ice.
A winter scene.
Some thick ice on some over grown weeds.
Just after I got back in the car a brown hare ran round the field but I wasn’t quick enough but it was great watching him a lovely start to the day.
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
The Start
A beautiful sunset over the Farm, where I work.I set my blog up, some time ago, however I was frightened, yes frightened, about setting everything up and then writing my first post. As time has gone by, my brain has worked how to customise the blog, though I am sure, it will always be in 'working progress' as I learn to do more fiddly things. Then back to the writing, so that you all know for future reference, I am dyslexic, therefore spelling and grammar are not my strong points, so please accept my apologies from the outset, however I hope that you will enjoy my daily life and what I get up to.
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