A new decade!

Jo's scarf...

One of the many Christmas pressies I made. Despite the work uncertainty I had a blessed Christmas and spent tme with people that I love. Very low key but special. Isoke is pretty much a cat now and will soon have the op to ensure that no kittens ensue! She loved the tree and has taken a linking to smoked salmon and is adept at climing my shelves and knocking things off that she dislikes - pretty much anything!Even the nativity, baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph and shepherds werent immune and were flicked unceremoniously accross the room!

Goals for this year are to get some stability; sort work out if I can (all feels very beyond my control at present) and learn to crochet. Allotment is now halved so hopefully will be more manageable but I need to clear what was my half as thats where paving slabs are!! Hopefully this ill also help with excercise as must have put on a couple of stone since Aug!!

My new lodger moved in mid Jan and I feel v postive about it. We've spoken on the phone a few times and it feels good! Am getting ready for her and defrosted freezer today so its now empty!  Room has been decorated and single bed, table and sofa in. It was lovely that mum had her own room over Christmas - all ith the exception of the slats collapsing at 5am the day before Christmas eve! Carpenter neighbor will fix it before lodger!

oh dear...

Isoke "satisfying gift"

Been a while since I updated - suffice to say that  am in limbo and its been a tough few months! In short since August have found out who my friend are, downsized the flat and have had one lodger with a new one to move in Jan 2010. Been knitting like mad to make all my pressies but have had a couple of disasters - Rowan wool didnt felt as expected so mum wont get a homemade pressie whch is a shame - esp as I have to unpick it all lol!! 15 of rowan wool not to be chucked!

September...

Preemie hats and granny squares...mastered at last!

What a month!!
Suffice to say I now have a lodger and live in what was my sitting room. Its been a chellenge to say the least but financially puts me out of the danger zone. My lodger is "interesting" to say the least ...one of those people you have to meet as explanation doesent do justice..! In fairness she does try and isnt a malicious person - just very different from me and a very early riser...thankfully once asleep I'm usually out for the count!
Knitting wise have set up two knitting groups - one for charity and one just knit and chat group - and the first is tomorrow so will make a cake or two! The first of the charity blankets were delivered today and will be posted off thsi week - one advantage with little space is that you have to be tidy...or rather I do!!
I am at the start of crocheting a blanket ...didnt like the jumper I was making for F and felt a blankie would be better as he loves holding sommat!!
One day I'll even finish my book...Sarah's quilt at the moment. May be decadent and read snuggled in bed later - one of my favorite things!!

Cupcake!

Shawl #2

Still a busy bunny and now on shawl #2...1 was burgandy and big...kept adding a stitch by mistake so it was massive and long and the difficul decision was eventually made to unravel it...heartbreaking.

Made the muffin above for a friend who needed a hug...easier than it looks! She loved it...she has 3 boys and occasionally needs some girlie!

Still here...

Latest project!!

I'd love to say the gorgeous woman was me and that the shawl is finished but neither is true!! The shawl has about 5 inches done and is in burgandy...gorgeous but time consuming! Question is will it be done in time?!! Have been knitting like mad but its taking longer than I thought and the "you'll knt it up in no time!" was a tad optimistic!! Its taken from this book;

http://www.jannettesrareyarns.co.uk/rowan-little-luxury-knits-in-kidsilk-yarns-19163-p.asp

which I actually got from "Big knitters" in Cariff which is a new knit shop! Very friendly and helpful. I was going to the beginners class but alas cant afford the £50 fee!! May look to joining a knitting group/circle...

Also on the go is wine! 5 demijohns full!! I've got (or will have!) Merlot; chai tea (yes it is wine!), blackcurrant, ginseng and vanilla, ribena and peach...we shall see what they taste like but am having fun experementing!

Back to the knitting I go...!

oops...

et voila...a hat!

Pretty hopeless...forgot I had a blog lol! Here is the latest missive...chuffed with it cos it looks like it should and was quite difficult to follow in terms of a more complex pattern. Did a matching flower brooch to go with it which is same as flower on front of the beret. You cant see it but the flower has beads (a bit of bling) sewn in and looks (if I dont say so myself!) lovely.

I've had to abandon the patchork quilt for a bit cos its just too hot to stitch so will be recommenced in winter eves when I need to be snuggling in!

Allotment is coming on and have now had a few yummy strawberries! More were availanle but I've not been up for a bit so my other two owners have been having them! Had a looong day as went to Lodon for training and had to be up at 5am!

Yikes!

29th May...

It's a big day today. My boss of 9 years is leaving today and we have her leaving do this afternoon so it will be a busy one. Not helped by the fact that I'm currently signed off due to sinuses which, despite 3 lots of anti-biotocs, remain ikky! Last resort for now is a large dose of steroids so fingers crossed. Anyway...am signed off until next week so will just relax and try and rest, although am realising I'm not that good at doing nothing any more!

One thing I have done is to upgrade my TV package to get virgin + which is being installed on Monday. Due to ridiculous "rules/conditions" of the package I have to keep the second box so have managed to get a tv free from freecycle which I'll pick up tomorrow. Also the quilt isnt done as the friend couldnt help until tomorrow so thats after the television collection! Updates to follow...